How Stress Works and Why I Took a Full Week Off From Exercise

I have a confession to make: 

Last week was really hard for me, with so much stuff going on, running from one place to another, starting a side hustle, trying to get my shit together when it was nowhere NEAR together. I started getting my symptoms of burnout – which I’ve learned to recognize quickly over the years, so knew I had to pull back.

Another confession: I took almost a full week off from exercise. Because here's how stress works: It grows and grows and grows if you don't do anything to reduce it. I decided that forcing myself to exercise when my body was exhausted, is not a good idea. I've learned that over the years.

The Truth About Fitness Professionals…

Or at least some of them (like me): We don't live in the gym and exercise every day.

You may think: This person should't call herself a “fitness professional”. Because we think that being a fitness professional means

👍🏻Having a super lean body

👍🏻Working out every day

👍🏻Eating super “clean”.

None of which I focused on last week. I don't have a super lean body, I worked out once last week, and while I ate mostly healthy, there were a few days when things were less than ideal.

Here's How Stress Works… 

Let's go back to exercise. We want it or not, exercise is stress on the body. Do you know what happens in the body when we work out?

☝🏻 Our stress hormone levels rise.

☝🏻 Our hearts beat faster.

☝🏻 We breathe faster and usually shallower.

☝🏻 Our bodies are in fight-or-flight.

Last week I got enough of this response from my non-exercise activities, and adding training to the mix would 💯 made things worse.

But Don't You Feel Guilty When You Don't Exercise?

But how do you not feel guilty when you don't work out??? you may want to ask.

Because after years of beating my body down with intense workouts even when tired, I've *DECIDED* that I don't want to add stress on top of stress, only to wonder why I feel like total crap. Yes, it's a decision. Don't say that “I want to rest but I just can't…” It's a decision. Who has the power? YOU my girl! Don’t say you’re powerless.

After a very restful weekend, I'm back to my normal self, more rested, more smiling, more positive, ready to face the new week.

I hope your new week is awesome, and remember to listen to your body!