Recovery Lessons – People First.

I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason.

We are supposed to take our trials and learn and grow from them and try to become a little wiser (is that even a word?).

There is a reason I got a stress fracture (besides giving Kara and Desiree a chance to win Boston).

Basically, I am trying to learn everything I possibly can from this situation as fast as possible so I can get back out there pounding the pavement or enjoying a date with my beautiful treadmill (that taunts me every time I walk by it).

One important thing that I am learning is that people come first.

We usually leave family dinner on Sunday nights at 8 o’clock sharp so that I can get home, blog, make lunch and get ready for bedtime at 9:30, nothing was allowed to break this routine (yes-I know motherhood is going to kill me off one day).

But last night was another story…….. we were obviously having a lot of fun with out of state family.

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As it got later and later I started to feel more and more anxious about the situation. “If I don’t go to bed now there is no way I will be able to get up in time for spin and my favorite abs class.”  I started to freak out about-heaven forbid-missing my beloved spin class.

I had to CHOOSE to stop being so anxious about such a silly thing and remember that there is nothing in this world more important than our relationship with God, our family, friends and even strangers.

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It was kind of a wake up call for me.  As much as I love working out and running, it just can’t be my top priority because what happens when you can’t do it anymore. God and our families are ALWAYS there for us no matter what.

I don’t want to be on 108 years old on my death bad thinking about skipping on amazing memories with people because I had to get a workout in.

So, I stayed up laughing, missed spin and rolled out of bed at 7 for an abs class where I wanted to throw my tennis shoe at the instructor because she was trying to start my abs on fire and make them fall off.

Photo on 2011 04 25 at 15 32  2

Yes, this is the exact same shirt and hair from yesterday……..hopefully, I never have to learn the lessons about hygiene, that would be a tough pill to swallow.

Dear God, look at how mature I am getting……I think that this means that my femur should be good to go by the end of the week right.  K thanks.

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Do you deal with Anxiety?  Over what?

-I am getting a little better but exercise, being late, work, getting enough sleep (i used to bawl for hours in Jr. High if I couldn’t fall asleep by 9) and school (in the past) really cause me a lot of anxiety. I am trying my hardest to calm down and choose a new perspective on the situation.

What was a hard thing that happened in the past that you can look back on now and realize that it may have happened for a reason?

-A BIG one for me was a break-up RIGHT before I met Billster……..um, yeah things definitely happen for a reason:)

How many hours of sleep is ideal for you? How many do you usually get?

-EIGHT, um eight:)

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29 comments

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I am bad with anxiety. I get it almost every day and a lot of it has to do with my need to sleep, exercise, and get all of my math work finished so I actually can graduate. I really need to learn the ways to cope, young grasshoppa.

Mine was a break-up from a best friend. He was a boy. We talked for 3 hours every night on the phone, then nothing. But, I use it to fuel me. Also created the runner girl within me. If I learned to match eating/running, this would be the best thing that happened to me although at the time it was the worst.

Eight and about 5. Ohhh poop. :(

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I have learned to really just try and enjoy life. Stressing over small things just isn't worth it. If you want to stay up later and have fun, do it!!!! There will ALWAYS be another spin class, but you can re create the memories you are missing.

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I have the same issue with getting anxious about leaving things on time so that I can be up in time to work out in the morning. I've definitely had some eye-openers about going with the flow and enjoying time spent with that sweet husband of mine and family/friends instead of stressing about missing a workout. Last night was a prime example – I was out of town for Easter with my mom so my husband and I spent our first married Easter apart… (FIRST ONE!!) I opted to stay up late and catch up with him versus going to bed early and missed my run this morning.. so now I have to go tonight instead. All about priorities!

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I have anxiety issues too, it's a process. ;) Oh and yes…your 'ideal plans' getting thrown out the window far too often when kids come along. As a planner and list maker, this is something I still have to try to accept and stay calm, they'll only be little for a moment and then before I know it I'll be missing the chaos.

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I NEED my sleep too! I get anxious about exercise sometimes–but have calmed down quite a bit–cause memories matter!!

I freaked out about my break-up before I met my husband as well…funny how that happens, eh, eh?? :)

Loving the perspective!

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Definitely need at least 8 hours of sleep, but sometimes more!
I used to get super anxious about everything you could think of, but I figured out real quick that you can't control everything and also you can't always live exactly on a schedule and that's things and life are gonna happen and you can't forget to enjoy it while you can!
You seem like an amazing person and every day you will grow and learn something new about yourself. I think we all grow every day, even if it's little things.

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Im so anxious as we speak! There's so much going on and I really want to press pause and enjoy LIFE.

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AGREED. sleep is SO crucial for me. I need at least 8 if not 9 hours every night or I cannot function. haha. Also…totally agree on that lesson. This time around I have definitely been putting time with friends and family before running or working out and turns out I enjoy my time more with them and have been able to even make my workouts more fun :) see you soooooon!

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I need to go to bed early too :) I need my beauty sleep!

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Ideally I would love 8-9 hours. I probably get that, but it’s broken up every 1-2 hours because of my small children. :)

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I like 9-10 hours. Those are my happy times :)

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I used to have terrible anxiety from missing workouts, but after an intervention from my husband about how I spend my time I now don't freak out if I have to shorten, adjust, or miss a workout. The world will not end with one missed workout. Now I just have anxiety issues about chapped lips and always having at least five chapsticks on me at all times. Now that would really be a terrible situation if my lips were chapped and I wasn't prepared, eeek I can't even think about it.

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I get very anxious about missing workouts. It's become a little bit of an obsession…you bring up a good point in that other things are so much more important! missing one day will not make a difference. but i know its so hard…its something i need to work on..not being so hard on yourself!

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Does everything truly happen for a reason, or do we just make reasons for things happening? What came first, the chicken or the egg? I feel ya, though, no matter what it's all about attempting to stay positive.

I am currently dealing with anxiety by eating bunny cake.

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It's like you were writing this post for me! Friday I was hanging out with a friend and was feeling antsy because I always run on Fridays and it was getting late… and then I decided that spending time with my friend and her adorable baby was worth it.

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8-10 hours or I'm grumpy and will not be functional. Every single time.

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you know, I can very much relate. Anxiety is my middle name. I am lucky to have a husband who reminds me the purpose of life. God has a way of showing us his perfect plan for us, and usually its a hardship, a trial, etc. Thank you for reminding us to embrace these moments Janae. More reason to LUV YOU!

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You're so wise! I feel that way about work. I'm actually pretty good about not working too much, but my husband and best in state friend work a ton. I always feel guilty that I'm not working enough. But then I have to remind myself that relationships are what matter most. And I think I'm pretty good at those! Ha!

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Look at you being so mature and awesome :)

I usually get about 8 hours of sleep, too. Though every once in a while on weekends I'll sleep for like 10 hours.

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There are lots of things I look back on and realize they happened for a reason, but at the time I thought it was the end of the world.

The only thing I tend to get really anxious about is money and debt. I seem to always come up with unexpected bills and I HATE it. I never am comfortable with my financial situation, it stresses me to no end.

I need about 7 hours. Any more or less and I am draggy the next day.

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I think it's good that you are re-evaluating things! I think it's always good for us to take a look at our lives and see what's really important. Balance is the key to life.

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this is a great reminder. thanks! also. you are pretty. also. wiser is a word.

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I can totally relate to this. I am a very structured person, and I have to remind myself sometimes that there ARE actually things more important than my schedule.

And YES! I completely believe that things happen for a reason. When I look back on major difficulties I've dealt with in my life, it seems so clear that those things had to happen for better things to come later. I try to remember that when tough stuff comes up (like now :))

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Wow, there are SO many things in my life that have happened that I didn't understand at the time but later was able to see the big picture. The one that sticks out the most is when my first husband left me out of the blue. Talk about sending someone into a tailspin…it destroyed me. Messed me up real good for a while. Now I know it's the best thing that ever could have happened to me. I wish I'd known then what I know now.

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Love your post. I agree with a lot of what you have to say. I firmly believe that we have choices with how we deal with things. I think happiness is a choice and coping with anxiety is a choice as well. Some things that have helped me cope with anxiety include: running, taking deep breaths when I'm feeling stressed in the middle of the work day, and positive self-talk. I try to talk myself up and therein talk myself through my anxiety. It works when I try!

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Great post, lady. I agree with you ten fold. Good for you for staying up and having fun with the fam. That's the best part about Sunday dinners in my opinion!

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I totally agree there sista! There comes a point when you need to take in each moment for what it is…especially with family! Good luck with your continued recovery!

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So many things have happen in the past that has lead me to where I am now, and its a good thing too

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In the last week, I've been lucky to be able to go to bed early and not have a strict wake up time, so I've learned my body naturally likes 8-8.5 hours. Now let's see if I can do that once I'm back on a project…

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