16.1.13

The Cruellest Month

T.S. Eliot wrote that "April is the cruellest month." I disagree. It's January. January is terrible. You've gone through some sort of holiday break, only to be greeted in the new year by work and cold. It's dark. Here it's grey. And this year, it's especially cold (with no snow. If it's cold, there should be snow.) For me, I have personal reasons for not liking January, but let's not get into it here.

I know how I get, and I know I need strategies to help me avoid a total collapse. I try to read. I try to get my writing done. I disappear into the movie theater. I say 'yes' to every plan or event anyone invites me to. I cannot sink into that terrible hole I know is there waiting for me.

I will also go to the gym. Obviously, since that's what this blog is about. I've been doing a lot of strength type stuff lately, but I know I have to get back into doing met-cons. I need to have a timer going and I need to feel my heart racing. I did the Dirty 30 last week and it was ....awful. Just terrible. Nowhere to go but up, right?

When I got back from the Midwest, my modest goal was to get into the best shape of my life. I started eating more vegetables and avoiding the sugar/bread stuff. I've been a little lax on that lately. I may have had a warm brownie at Starbucks today (it was soooo nice). And I may have had a Yumm bowl, or 4, in the past week. Pull it together, Robin!

So nothing really gets done without goals and a plan. I'm f-ing certified in goal-setting, damn it! 

So what does getting into the best shape of my life mean?

  • Physically, slimming down a little, especially in my midsection and thighs
  • Emotionally, being at peace with my life (OK, that's too lofty)
  • Mentally, setting and reaching manageable goals with my writing


So how do I do this?

  • Keep going to strength, but also try to do 2-3 regular WODs a week. 
  • Run about 5 extra miles a week
  • Row (intervals)
  • Let my arm/shoulder heal
  • Less screen time
  • Turn off email/fb when I need to write
  • Take one day at a time. Do what I need to do. Don't be so hard on myself.
These are vague - they are more specific in my head and on my real list. During certain times of the year, it takes more work than it should to just get out of bed. But I know these times pass. Just showing up, in life and at the gym, is most of the battle.