The Lesson I Learned the Hard Way #HAWMC

The biggest lesson I have learned, the hard way, during this health and fitness journey is.....I have learned to LISTEN to my body!!!! The other thing is I can't do this journey alone!

When I first started I was really enthusiastic about doing everything right.....and doing it all right now. I went from a sedentary person, to someone who was going to the gym 3-4 days per week, walking stairs on my lunch and trying new exercises that I've never tried before ~ always moving!

About 3 weeks into my journey I got an exercise over use injury - I hurt my knee from too much stair climbing. Then a couple of weeks later I got a chest wall contusion from lifting too much weight.  Then later, I got tennis elbow, hurt my knee again, hurt my hip and back and other assorted ouchies! Mostly from not listening to my body and resting when I needed to. I did not take the time to stop to ice the injury, take an Advil or just do something else until the injury was healed. I just kept pushing through even though I was in pain.

After the first couple of injuries I realized that I needed some help and got my trainer, which was the best thing I've done for myself! Then to help with food, I got a nutritionist. I have learned that I cannot do this journey on my own, I needed some help.

Now I'm really starting to listen to my body.

I have a goal to run a 1/2 Marathon on May 12th & June 9th. (The first one will be a trial run...mostly walking and some running). The real race for me, is June 9th! So I have a goal. And I have a training plan that I'm following. I've been on track for over 6 weeks and have not missed a day. However, today is supposed to be a 5k run, but I did not get it done. And it's because I have exerted so much energy this past week, that I am spent and I have nothing to give today. I feel like if I try, I will push myself toward an injury. My hole body is sore, my feet hurt and I'm exhausted.

So today is a rest day. Already after making this decision, my attitude is better and I'm happy to face the day. Before I made the decision, I was cranky!!

Finally I'm listening to my body. I will rest today, but watch out tomorrow, because I will be rested and ready to tackle my goals!

How about you, what have you learned the hard way?

Keep focused!