I have debated what to do with the first part of the month. I'm honestly just going to pretend that the first ten days aren't there. In times of stress, working out is the first thing to go in my world. I absolutely replace it with sleep.
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Monday, August 11
30-minute yoga video at the student union during lunchtime
30-minute yoga video at the student union during lunchtime
Tuesday, August 12
30-minute conditioning - I needed to sort of ease myself back into formal exercise, but this was hot and sweaty.
Wednesday, August 13
45-minute yoga class at the community center after work
Thursday, August 14
30-minute yoga video at the student union during lunchtime
Friday, August 15
30-minute full body strength training - no repeats - I am going to be so sore tomorrow. It's been too long since I lifted a weight.
10-minute yoga for stress and anxiety - I used this as a cooldown
Saturday, August 16
35-minute walking workout with intervals - I am not used to this. So sweaty.
20-minute restorative yoga for stress relief
Sunday, August 17
45-minute so much yardwork
Monday, August 18
30-minute yoga video at the student union during lunchtime
Tuesday, August 19
30-minute upper body dumbbell workout
10-minute somatic detox - Maybe this is woo woo, but it felt really good!
Wednesday, August 20
45-minute yoga class at the community center after work
Thursday, August 21
Day off
Friday, August 22
30-minute lower body workout
Saturday, August 23
30-minute yoga for low back and hamstrings
Sunday, August 24
40-minute bike ride with my husband - I can't even tell you the last time we went for a ride. But we are vowing to do more this fall.
Monday, August 25
Day off
Tuesday, August 26
15-minute stretch class at lunchtime*
30-minute restorative yoga video
Wednesday, August 27
30-minute yoga video
Thursday, August 28
30-minute yoga video at the student union during lunchtime
Friday, August 29
Day off
Saturday, August 30
45-minute walk with two of my sisters-in-law and my brother-in-law
Sunday, August 31
90-minute walk with a combo of my sisters-in-law and niece
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Total: 18/21 (85.7%) days
9 days yoga
8 days strength/cardio
1 short 15-minute stretch classes at lunchtime
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*Our local healthcare organization does free stretch classes virtually three times a week. Sign up here! It's free. It's fun. We regularly talk about candy and what's for lunch. It's a delightful break in the middle of the day. You do not have to have your camera on.
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What's the first thing in your schedule to get taken off the priority list when you are stressed?
The first 10 days of August 2025 have officially been removed from the calendar!
ReplyDeleteI love having a nice clean and tidy house, but when I am stressed cleaning is the first thing to drop off the schedule, followed by meal planning and cooking. Workouts stay as long as I am sleeping and unless there is a conflict with my normal workout time of "early o'clock", which is rare. If I'm traveling then there probably isn't a dedicated workout time, since I'm most likely getting well more than 10,000 steps. To be clear, I don't have a step goal, but I kind of use it as a barometer to know if I need to add in more activity or not.
I did less formal exercise in August than I have in a long time. I only "worked out" once in my 13 days in BC, but I was walking a lot. When I came home I got sick, so that put me out of commission for a little bit. Now that I feel better, I'm back at it.
Ugh! Cleaning! Our rugs were more dog fur than rug by the time I had the gumption to finally vacuum. It's a combo of not being home/not wanting to do anything when I am home. But when was the last time I really scrubbed the bathroom floor? I can't even say. *sigh*
DeleteProbably cooking. When I'm stressed, I don't feel like going to the trouble, so I might heat up a frozen pizza or grab something from Good2Go.
ReplyDeleteI wish this was an option for me. My husband's dietary restrictions mean that we still are over here cooking and meal planning like chumps.
DeleteWorking out goes first for me - then cooking, or cooking meat, which always takes the most effort. I think replacing heavy exercise with sleep when you're grieving makes a lot of sense - I always try to walk just as much when I'm under stress, but I don't push the more intense stuff.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I really just want to curl up in my bed and sleep for 48 hours, but it seems as if that's not going to be possible with my schedule. Also, maybe it's a sign of depression? Who knows? I feel like I just can't get enough sleep even though I'm trying!
DeleteCooking and meal planning go first for me. We eat a lot of sandwiches and frozen meals. I also have a very hard time planning meals for more than 2-3 days when stressed and have just accepted this. Luckily I live close enough to the grocery store that it’s okay to add in an extra trip to the store.
ReplyDeleteCooking and meal planning is exhausting. I totally understand how this could become a low priority.
DeleteFor me, getting SOME exercise when I’m under intense stress helps. Getting outside to take a walk, or doing a yoga class, that’s enough. So those things rarely fall by the wayside. I also try to get enough sleep, which can be difficult when your mind is racing. (TMI alert) Stress often affects my tummy, so diarrhea for a week or two when Mulder was diagnosed, that kind of thing, not uncommon. I hate that. What goes by the wayside? Probably patience and kindness, as I turn kind of bitter and angry and scared.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I continue walking Hannah and stuff, but I honestly can't even really remember the last time I had a good lifting session. Someday my bones will crumple and we'll all remember August 2025 as why, right?
DeleteExercise is the first to go because, honestly, even when I'm not stressed I mostly dislike exercise. I HATE that it's so hard for me to get motivated to exercise. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteYES! This is me. I have to force myself to do it in the best of times. I don't even pretend in the worst of times. I know people says it reduces stress and maybe it does, but it just seems like one more damn thing on my list, you know?
DeleteI definitely need to run when I'm under a lot of stress- but sleep is very important too! Taking a week or so off won't hurt anything in the long run. Guess what- I've been doing some of Adriene's yoga videos! The low back and hamstring one is next for me- I'll do it tonight. I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteYeah! I find yoga to be the best thing for me when I need to something, but don't really want to do something. It helps mentally and physically.
DeleteYou are kicking ass, per usual. I feel like everything goes out the window when I'm stressed. Cooking, cleaning, exercise, basic hygiene. It's all expendable. Sometimes it's enough just to survive. You are doing great.
ReplyDeleteBasic hygiene! Yes! On the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, I showered AND washed my hair and I bragged about how I washed my hair to everyone that day. I honestly should wash it every day or every other day and it hadn't been washed in about a week. *sigh*
DeleteWorking out is the first thing that falls off my list, so I'm very impressed by your record here.
ReplyDeleteHope you're taking tender care, friend!
I'm glad I'm not alone in my priorities.
DeleteI think when I get stressed writing, seeing friends, and running fall off my list. Sometimes sleep, but I'm trying to get out of the habit of not sleeping because sleep is really good stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou know, even with the first 10 days of August being removed, you still got a lot of exercise in. AND you got back into it. Usually if I get off the exercise train it takes me like a month to start again. High fives and hugs all around for that.
Yes, I had to get started again because otherwise I'd just say fuck it for the rest of my life. This is definitely a matter of knowing yourself.
DeleteHousework is the first thing to go in my world if I'm busy - I won't even qualify it as stressed, it's busy for me. By the state of my home, you'd think I've been in a state of busy or stress for a decade or two. ;) (Dare I admit that I'm not the best housekeeper to begin with? Can we still be friends? In my home, I race around and clean up if we have people over or when I can't take it any more - whichever comes first). Working out is always my first thing to do esp because I feel like it relieves stress for me.
ReplyDeleteHa! You don't have to be a good housekeeper to be my friend. I just prefer that you not be a hoarder. That might be line! Also, don't be offended if the first thing I do when I get to your house is do the dishes and clean your sink. It's just who I am!
Delete