Matter over mind

As you may have read on Stop Chasing Skinny earlier this month, I skipped the triathlon for which I was training. I wasn’t prepared. Once I made the sound decision to skip the race, I ended up working out every day that week.

And then I didn’t work out at all.

I wonder if after years of training for something, anything, I just didn’t know how to get moving, simply for me?

A few days ago, the fourth day of 90 – 100 degree temperatures and the second day of the northeast “heat wave,” I went for a run. Sometimes the body just wins out over the mind. It really wasn’t the day to get outside but my body craved it. I ran for 35 minutes and it felt wonderful. Natural. Not a chore.

The next morning I slept in and a few hours later I went to the gym and just did what felt good. Thirty minutes on the elliptical. Thirty minutes of weights, planks and stretching. The hour flew.

Saturday–still deep in the heat wave, even in the Poconos– I went for a run because I wanted to move and I wanted to enjoy the trees in the mountains.

I did so again on Sunday.

In the midst of a heat wave, I got my exercise groove back. Logical? Perhaps not, but my body called me.

I listened to my body. Because it’s smart.

***

Today on Stop Chasing Skinny I write about that which I feared the most when I embraced a new size: “She’s Glowing”.

***

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

TODAY: The Great Fundraising Act auction! All proceeds will go directly towards covering medical costs for Susan from The Great Balancing Act, who has recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Bid today.
LAST CALL! Have you entered for a chance to win a signed copy of Vegan for Life: Everything you need to know to be healthy and fit on a plant-based diet by Jack Norris, RD and Ginny Messina, MPH, RD? Do it! I’m accepting entries through midnight (EST) tonight!

Tagged as: fitness

Arielle Ramos

So good to hear you listened to and respected your body JL. LOVE your stop chasing skinny posts! There is so much body dysmorphia in our society and I think it’s wonderful that you are bringing some attention to our national obsession with being thin. As a young single 25 year old I struggle with my own body image issues, as I believe most women do. I try to always remember healthy > skinny. I love food, I blog about food, I cook almost everyday and I workout. Whatever my body looks like from staying healthy and passionate in this way is exactly how it should be. Great to have positive influences and reminders xo

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Arielle, thank you so much for your feedback! I hope you will consider writing something for the Happiness. Found. section of Stop Chasing Skinny!

Anonymous

You’re awesome. That’s all.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

And you are kind.

http://copycatmashup.blogspot.com Beth

Looks like you had a great time in PA! I need to hear all about it. Speaking of what is good for the body, I’m off to check out new gyms today. I think finding a new gym when you move to a new place is one of the most stressful tasks (much like finding an apartment). You need to find a good balance of what the gym offers (in terms of equipment and classes), number of people who will be there while I’m there (i.e. rate of business), location, and staff. Too many variables!

Miss you all!

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

Oh yeah, this is such a big decision, especially if a contract is involved! Hopefully you can get lots of free one week passes over the next few weeks to test a variety of gyms out! Yes, we must catch up re: PA!

http://eathikesleeprepeat.blogspot.com Mountain Girl

My yoga instructor says “your body never lies – your head lies all the time – but your body doesn’t”. This is a timely post. I’ve been slacking during the week (my head says I’m too busy to workout) and now my body (via snug clothes) is saying get out of your office chair and do something with me. Went back to the gym this morning, and wrote out my workout goals for the week. Congrats on getting your groove back. Trying to groove too.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

I really like what your yoga instructor says! I think maybe it comes back to intuition, yes? (sort of like intuitive cooking that I’ve been writing about) Interesting. Something for me to think on further! Good for you for coming up with a plan! Go get that groove!

http://twitter.com/therawproject Christine

That’s wonderful about getting back in the groove and listening to your body. It’s something I need to do more of because I can run myself into the ground trying to fit in what I think is enough exercise during busy work weeks. And running in the heat is a challenge, I’ve been going through so much water.

http://jlgoesvegan.com JL

I think that was it for me, Christine. Too many years of thinking I “had” to workout, no matter how tired I was, or how hot it was. It’s very different to be working out for the sake of exercise, with no race goal. It’s a process!