I had a hard time yesterday both physically and emotionally. If you’re new here – let me explain a little. My life has drastically changed over the last few years. I will not dimish or play down the hard work it has taken me to get where I am today. Hard, consistent, but worthwhile work.

I got here because I pushed myself a little further everyday. I continued to improve. My body began to do things I could never make it to before. Then thud I would hit a weight loss plateau. I didn’t let it discourage me for two reasons -

1. I knew this happened with weight loss.
2. My sole purpose of my transformation wasn’t just about weight loss – it was about fitness and becoming healthier.

For me without fail I hit a plateau at each 40 pounds lost. When these plateaus hit, I had to re-evaluate how I was doing things. I took time to look at my workouts and eating habits and change things up; and then the scale would start to move again. Some of the changes were doubling up on my workouts on certain days. In the beginning I was aiming for some kind of movement at least 3 times a week. After a few plateaus I was up to 6 days a week with 2-3 days a week doubled up. So one morning/afternoon workout and one after my kids were in bed.

As I became better I pushed harder. Not always on purpose. As I lost weight obviously I became healthier, I began to replace fat with muscle, my body started to function the way it should. Combine this with learning to use better form in my workouts just means I was getting more out of my workouts than I used to.

I am now at a strange place in my life. I fall into a completely healthy weight range. Last fall when I was at my yearly OB appointment, my very straight shooting doctor praised me for my weight loss and fitness journey – then said something I swear I’d never hear a health professional utter to me in my lifetime. Please do not lose anymore weight. You’re done. Seriously, I almost wanted to bust out my iPhone and have her repeat it so I could record it. I already knew I was at that place finally that my body wanted to be at, but it still felt weird and amazing to hear it.

I still workout 6 days a week – not beacuse I feel like I “have” to – but because I want to. Exercise has become part of my life. It makes me better. I like feeling stronger. Anything I do from here on out for the rest of my life is solely for my health.

So let’s rewind to last night (which was Sunday). Sundays have long been one of the days of the week that I exercise twice. I schedule it, I plan on it. Sundays = two workouts. I’ve trained my brain to equate this day of the week to this formula. But yesterday I didn’t feel like it. My butt had been on fire from the last few days of workouts, and what do I go and do? Of course I do a pretty intense workout. I shouldn’t have, I should have taken it a little easier, but sometimes I have a hard time pulling back. It’s just my personality (I get it from my Daddy). After I finished my workout I immediately knew I pushed too hard. I made the conflicted decision that I would have to skip the second workout for the day. I even asked my husband to make sure I did not workout again. How insane does that sound?

I’m well aware of the importance of rest and letting our bodies recover – it’s just as important as moving, but damn, there I go being my own worst critic again! It was a very strange night. It was really an internal struggle I’ll tell you. I did make it through and rested for the night because my body was telling me that I really needed it.

I did end up signing up for Cathy Zielske’s Move More, Eat Well 2.0 class as I had mentioned possibly joining this year. It might seem strange that I would partake in this class when there’s a large emphasis on weight loss and exercising more – but I think it’s perfect for me too. This is my big challenge for the year. I need to readjust this brain to match this body. I need to hash out some things and know when and where to give myself a break.

I know this isn’t the normal RAH RAH RAH, go get out there and move your ass monday kinda post. But one thing I want to stay true to on my blog is myself. Yes, I have come a long way, but I also want to recognize that I will always have a long way to go in some fashion or other in my life. There will always be something to work on, there will always be something to improve, some more bit of balance I can try to bring to my life. And right now this is something that needs work.

Today as part of my workout I did Chalean Extreme Push 1 (because I really like this workout) and Chalene said something that makes me smile every time I hear it, so I’m sharing it with you.