Body, Mind, Spirit
Week 13 was a big week for me. I was sick for all of it and how I would respond to illness is something I have worried about in the very back of my mind since January. It was also a big week for me because yesterday marked my 90th day and, also, my 90th walk. Confetti!
I walked everyday I was sick, but with the exception of Saturday, no more than .72 miles and at the pace of a snail. In fact, I have a funny story to tell you that made my husband laugh when I told it to him during the week. Endomondo, the exercise app I use to track my walks, has this feature that alerts you when the system has paused. I recently turned it on because I lost mileage for a few walks after accidentally pausing it while walking and taking pictures at the same time. So, every time I stop to take a picture this woman intones in my ear: AUTO PAUSE. And then when I start up she says: AUTO RESUME. It’s very Hal 9000. Last week I was walking so slowly that poor Endomondo 9000 didn’t know what was going on, so every other second I heard AUTO PAUSE…AUTO RESUME…AUTO PAUSE…AUTO RESUME.
Saturday was a lousy day. I had to cancel plans with family that I was really looking forward to, and on top of not feeling well it really just upset me. I was so disappointed I needed to cool my head, so I grabbed my sneakers and walked–quickly–for 1.5 miles until I felt better. Normally, this is what ice cream is for, and I didn’t even realized what I was doing until after I did it. I’m not sure I will always choose sneakers over ice cream, but I was happy to see that after 90 days I really seem to have established a habit of exercise.
The boys are home with me all week, and that quick and furious walk may have put me back some on my chest cold recovery. Unfortunately, I’m going to resume my Endomondo 9000 walks this week and take it easy on my distance and speed. I never thought there would come a day where I would look forward to a harder workout, but I never thought I would make it to day 30, either, so what the heck do I know.
Song of the Week
Trouble by Ray LaMontagne. Thanks for reminding me, Zakary. I listened to this song almost exclusively last week.
I can’t imagine feeling that awful and yet still sticking to the walking routine. That is so, so huge!!
And that sucks about missing your family event. Something similar happened to us on Christmas Eve & Day (but it was the kids who were sick). I was so heartsick about not seeing my family on Christmas that I spent a good chunk of it in tears.
That’s a great Ray L.M. song, I’m a fan of his — and better than the “Trouble” song by Cat Stevens that takes me from merely sad to truly suicidal in 3 minutes.
I have found over the years that taking a nice, leisurely walk when I’m sick really helps. Something about getting outside in the fresh air, moving around a bit, and getting your mind off the ice cream in the fridge (I do that too) seems to make things better, even if for a little bit. It probably has something in common with my need to get all dressed up when I’m sick and have to go to school/work. I’ve done it since I was a little kid. It’s like I need to overcompensate for how crappy I feel.
Hope you’re doing better, and can’t wait to see if you get the boys out for some walks this week. I’m sure they’d have a blast!
I really admire the way you’ve stuck with establishing your new routines. I need to do the same. Although I haven’t started yet, your story is there, percolating for me. Hope you know that this is benefitting others as well as yourself.
I said this on Instagram but holy cow! 90 days! Seriously impressive, lady, and you should be really proud of yourself. I am!
Sorry you had a tough week – but isn’t it incredibly sustaining that you persevered the way you did? Good for you! Hoping for recovery and health for all of you!
I love me some Ray, LOVE. I could listen to his Till The Sun Turns Black album until my ears bled.
And way to go on 90 days!
You seriously rock. Way to stick to it! Sounds like it’s doing all kinds of good for ya!
You are the dominator of walking! Congratulations! I should take daily pictures of my feet in slippers with a glass of wine on the floor…my routine!