It seems that every year in late November/through December, I hit an exercise slump. My racing season is over (although I did very little racing this year), it’s cold and dark, and I’m gearing up for a busy holiday season, and then straight into four months of rehearsals, so all I want to do is sit at home, snuggle my kitties, play video games, and hang out with my family and friends. It’s like I’m hard-wired to take a giant step back from everything this time of year and just rest and recharge.
I was feeling guilty this morning that I haven’t been running in ages, and that my gym membership badge is collecting dust, and that I haven’t been using the recumbent bike at home as much as I “should.” But then I realized that’s silly, exactly because of the reasons above. I need this time to myself without pushing and stressing and running around. My body and my subconscious have sort of taken charge and pushed the “pause” button, and I’m feeling pretty good about it.
All this is not to say that I’m planning to just loaf around for the next month, or let this inaction become the new normal, but for now, I’m comfortable. I have big plans for 2017, including but not limited to: trying CrossFit (who even am I?), buying a house, and hopefully, starting a family. Closing 2016 out on a restful note is just what I need to get ready.
Does anyone else find it hard to stay active this time of year?
I think a lot of it, for me at least, is the lack of daylight. It makes me feel so lethargic, and I always have to make so much more of an effort to actually get out the house and move around!
Seriously. It’s dark when I leave for work, and it’s dark by the time I get home for work, so my body is just like “NOPE.”
Don’t feel bad about pushing the pause button, you deserve it. I think 2017 will be a wonderful year for you! Have a great holiday!
Thank you so much, Anna! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Way back before her joints completely gave out (before we were even married) Lisa wanted to try running with me, on an early April morning. She got about a half-mile in and said “it’s cold dark and scary … I’m going home.” And aside from the charity 5K she and I run/walked together, she’s never run with me again! 🙂
Compare April to the sub-zero face I showed on Instagram today! What type of normal, sane person wants to be out in THAT!?!? It really IS cold dark and scary now 🙂
Enjoy your recharge and get excited for an awesome 2017!
Oh – and is it silly that I get excited at the prospect of friends sharting families?
SERIOUSLY AUTOCORRECT?!?!?!
BAHAHAHA OMG DYING! Wow. Possibly best autocorrect ever! 😀
Cold, dark, and scary indeed! Hench why I’m rarely a morning runner except in the summer. Here’s to a great new year!
No shame at all in taking some time to recharge. You’ve had a busy year! And it sounds like next year may be busy too 🙂 I say enjoy the kitty snuggles and video games guilt-free!
Thanks, Dana! I definitely am. Although the post-holiday weigh-in has got me ready to get back into some training 😮