Getting Back in the Groove in 3, 2, 1…
Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Okay, that’s not an original line, but I won’t bother to find out who originally said it because it’s so out there and it’s so true.
I had a very debilitating bout of the flu last week (Monday through to Wednesday) — my first in at least 3 years as I had never gotten this sick since getting pregnant with Ethan. Of course I had a ‘go-live’ at work from Thursday to Sunday so that was absolutely NOT the best way to get back into the groove gently.
I am not recommending a ‘blast-off!’ kind of return here, but rather the more gentler kind in 3 steps. So if you’ve been derailed from your goal for any reason at all, but especially if it was due to a really snarky sickness like the flu, then here’s my personal plan to gently get back into the groove of a (healthy) daily grind.
1. Start today, get moving, take action. Believe me, I understand that no amount of willpower can overcome the weakness that comes with being sick. I tried. But on the 4th day, I felt just that little bit better and just strong enough to do something normal — take the kids to school. It felt good, it felt right. Even if it meant I had to lie back down for a few minutes just to catch my breath.
2. Baby steps. They may be little, but they’ll eventually get you back on track. I went back to walking, if only for 15 minutes a day, and about 5 minutes after every meal (helps with the digestion). It should get me back to my 40+ minute daily walking thing. I really want to get that back, but I have to remember: baby steps, baby steps.
3. No excuses, but take it slowly. So I was forced to work over the weekend, but I made sure I got that back with 2 days of annual leave this week. I was just going to take one day off, but I had to admit that I needed at least 2 days. My point is, you do what you know and feel is best for you. Don’t make excuses to yourself, but always remember to be gentle on yourself. Soon enough, you’ll be strong enough to take a harder line.
And I’ll see you on the other side of healthy then — when we blast off into the stratosphere past our personal limitations in record time! Until then, savour your recovery. Slowly.
