So this isn’t really an easy post to write, but I’ve been feeling like I’ve been in a little bit of a funk lately. I know that I need to snap out of it, but it’s hard to do. School is hard. Period. I have a lot of stress over it. I’m talking stressing myself into a tizzy several times a week. I also dislike the month of February, and I always feel like I’m waiting for it to be over. It’s still cold, and I don’t really like winter. The holidays are over, you might still be carrying a bit of extra holiday weight, and spring seems like years away. This is my LAST and hardest academic semester in school, and if it were easy…everyone would do it. Because of this, I make excuses for myself to let other things that are important to me slip, but they really aren’t excuses, they’re self sabotage.
You know when something isn’t in your best interest, but you tell yourself that it is. Eating a hand-full of Reeses, just because it makes me feel better. Taking a nap (so that I’m more productive later of course) which turns into sleeping ALL day and definitely being less productive. I tell myself, I need the nap, I don’t want to work myself to the ground, but I really would have benefitted by spending that time doing the other things I need to do.
Lack of motivation is so hard, especially when you know that you are unmotivated and can’t seem to get out of the funk to stop it. I did go to spinning yesterday which was great, but so far I haven’t made it to the gym today for my planned 6 mile run. It just seems daunting to me, even though I’ve only been to one class this morning, eaten lunch, and taken a nap all day. What I really need to do, is go to the grocery store and go to the gym to get fresh food and some blood pumping, but I honestly just feel so lazy! I also tell myself that I could stand to watch some lectures and work on my seminar slides. These feel more important (and honestly I can stay in my apartment to do them) so that is what will get done. I feel like because I’m acting lazy, some of the weight has come back on. Not a lot, but even a few pounds added weight never makes ANYONE feel good.
I keep saying tomorrow. Tomorrow I will go food shopping. Tomorrow I will do that 6 miler, tonight maybe I’ll just do the elliptical while I watch some TV. Or just watch TV…we will see. So my general motto is to never bring up a problem that you don’t have a solution to…because who wants that right? I think it’s time to take charge of the situation (before it gets out of hand), and make myself a little escape from funky town exit strategy.
The Escape Plan:
- Do the dishes in my sink…so I can actually fill my Britta and not just sit here thirsty. I’m embarrassed to even type this. Pure laziness. I’m usually better at keeping up with it, but a couple days of no-cooking means I haven’t really done a big dish load…just letting little plates pile up one by one.
- Get my 8 hours, and skip the naps. If you are extra tired at night…go to bed extra early.
- Go food shopping each weekend, no matter what. I really need to make this a habit. Even if I only need to replenish the veggies, I need to get out of the pattern of going every 2-3 weeks (the last week usually without any fresh produce).
- On Sunday’s, make the gym plan and STICK TO IT. Add in fun workouts that I love and not just long runs that I need because I’ve been extra lazy. I love to spin (by the way if you are in Philly I might be on the 11 pm news tonight-Thursday- on ABC for a segment on working out in Philly). I also love to race…dare I say more than I love to run. I have a bunch of fun races planned for the upcoming race season, the first of which is Cupid’s Chase 5K this Saturday. I also have the Disney Princess Half Marathon coming up which will definitely be fun, if I can train properly for the next few weeks.
- Realize that I am not super woman. Not even close. But I do have the capacity to get through my final semester of course-work while not having a nervous breakdown, being a stranger to the gym, or getting take-out daily. It requires planning and making healthy living a priority. Sure, would it be easier if I had a personal chef or grocery shopper…yes. But I don’t, so I need to get it together myself.
- Fake it till you make it. I don’t need to be SUPER EXCITED to grab a shopping cart or go to the gym. But when I’m home after a long day, I will be so happy to have fresh, healthy food to eat and miles under my belt. I’ll eventually bounce back mentally (perhaps when spring has sprung?), but until then I don’t want to go backwards in everything I have worked really hard to achieve.
Plans for tonight since I didn’t make it to the grocery store.
- Do the dishes…as soon as I hit post.
- Do SOMETHING active…whether it be my planned workout or not.
- Get some sushi…because I have no food, and I want some sushi (hey…it’s better than pizza!)
- Complete today’s designated school work so that I don’t overwhelm myself by tacking it on to what I have to complete tomorrow.
- Do a load of laundry.
- Watch myself on the news : –) (and hope I don’t look disgusting)
- Watch I Just Want My Pants Back on MTV. Because it’s hilarious and always brightens my day.
Throw them at me! Tips for re-finding my motivation without burning out. Don’t be shy because I need them!
Come running on Tues/Thurs nights w/ the running club! I’ve been running with them for a few weeks and even though I’m always at the back, it’s SUCH good motivation to get out and get that run in. Plus they’re pretty friendly and the weather has been amazing
When I’m short on motivation, I make lists! I tackle some of the easy stuff first, just so I can have those quick wins, but then I just dive in to the hard stuff. I struggle with getting motivated to get to the gym or even do yoga, but something that has helped has been remembering the phrase “the first step is the hardest”! Good luck!!
Do you go every Tuesday and Thursday..let me know when you are going next and I will meet up!
I’m also a big list maker. It definitely helps to prioritize and check things off.
Hi,
I just wanted to comment and say I feel exactly the same… I’m a doing my second, full time degree (I’m in England) work two jobs and have to be up at 5am, 5 days a week. I am doing exactly the same. I let my exercise slip and have naps when I should be doing something else. I feel exactly how your post sounds! Writing a goal list is the best start though, I always get the smaller tasks done first as for me, it’s a mental thing- the more I can tick off my list, the better I feel! I also book into classes as I’m less inclined to miss the gym if I’ve committed to spinning or zumba etc.
Good Luck, I imagine your degree is so hard and takes a lot of your mental energy too. Claire x
Exactly! One of the reasons I never skip spinning is because I have to sign up for a bike ahead of time. I get charged if I don’t go so I rarely miss a planned ride. Running on the other hand is so easy to skip since no one is making you do it.
Thanks for sharing Claire! I’m glad I’m not alone!
I know how it feels and I’m not in school, which I feel was harder to balance than my current 9-5. When I was in my running funk, I kept telling myself that I wouldn’t regret a workout, but would regret skipping it. Still didn’t work. I just had to let myself go through the funk a bit, then tell myself that I gave myself some slack, now it was time to get it in gear. Not going to lie, the marathon I just ran was the only thing that got my lazy butt off the couch. Hopefully you find what gets you going and know that we all have those moments!
I get in funks all the time like this! It’s so frustrating. I’ve even been sick the past 2 weeks and am stressed about THAT since I have so much important school stuff too! Hope everything goes well!
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