How I Remain Sane in an Insane World

Let me just cut to the chase…for anyone that knows me, knows, that I am hell on wheels if I don’t workout.  I am sluggish ,grumpy and my stress level goes through the roof.  Knowing that, I make exercise a mandatory part of my day six days a week.  So, let’s talk about how exercise keeps me sane in this insane world. 

Once upon a time, my life was crazy.  Oh wait…it still is.  Anyway, many years ago, I worked a high demand job that brought on stress.  Then my personal life was not exactly sunshine and rainbows either, so there was stress.  I was also raising three boys….LORD HAVE MERCY…..STRESS!!!   (I wouldn't trade my boys or life with them for anything).  At that time, I had no idea how to manage my stress, so I would eat and I would drink.  My blood pressure was through the roof and I had headaches all the time.  Now, to the outside world, it looked like I had it all together, but the reality was that, I was falling apart. 

Fast forward a several years, I had relocated to another state, was still working a high demand job, my personal life was still crazy and my health was going down hill. I was depressed all the time about everything.  Then….I started working out.  I started off slow; just walking on a trail near my house at the time.  Then, I joined a gym and started working out 4 days a week.  As I continued to workout, I noticed that I was more upbeat.  Things didn’t seem to bother me as much as they used to. 

Now…let’s fast forward to March 2015. 

I know have a routine.  I start off my day with a workout and there has to be a REALLY good reason why I don’t workout.  It brings me a level of peace that I cannot explain.  It gets me ready for whatever the day brings.  Exercise keeps my stress level down.  Exercise keeps me from snapping on people.  Exercise keeps me level headed.  Exercise allows me to think.  Exercise keeps healthy.  Exercise keeps me sane and calm.  For the people that knew me from “once upon a time” and know me now will be able to see the difference.

Whether there is stuff going on at work or in my personal life, it doesn’t seem to bother me as much as it used to.  Yes. Things happen that upset me.  Yes. My feelings get hurt.  Yes…I get disappointed.  At the end of the day, I exercise, so that I am healthy and am able to better handle these types of things when they happen.   I am a firm believer that exercise is the best stress reliever. By the time I get off my treadmill, my mind is clear.  When I go to my Zumba class, I dance away all my worries.  Now..I’m adding cycling to the rotation.   I wonder what that will do for me. 

So with all the insanity going on in my life….AND THERE IS QUITE A BIT, I am the sanest I have ever been.  I will continue to exercise, not just because it helps improve my physical well being, but also because it improves my mental and emotional wellbeing.  I only wish I had really embraced this all those may years ago.  

The Importance of Scheduling Your Workouts

Today’s random thoughts are brought to you by Sherry J. 

In my last blog I talked about how I plan everything.  Well…today, I was sitting here going through my personal and work calendars.  Boy do I have a lot going on.  I have reminders, to-do’s and meetings on my personal and work calendars.  I have work meetings that I must attend and they are scheduled.....95% of the time.  I also put my workouts on my calendar as well, which are schedule 100% of the time.  

As I was walking on the treadmill this morning, I had a talk with myself.  I tend to oversleep sometimes, and try to squeeze in my workouts, while on work conference calls.  That clearly is not working.  So…I’m going back to the way I used to do things.  My mind set is…..I don’t miss a work meeting at it is scheduled.  It’s on my calendar for a reason and I was invited for a reason.  That same concept applies to exercise.  I invited myself to a workout.  I typically workout 5-6 days a week.  As long as it’s on my calendar, it is a meeting that I CAN NOT miss, unless something major comes up.  That is just how important, exercise is to me.  My goal is to make sure that I start my day off with a good workout. 

Did you know that exercise is a good way to clear your mind? Did you know that exercise improves your mood?  Did you know that exercise is a good way to de-stress?  I’m sure you knew that.  Personally, scheduling my workout helps me remain accountable.  I am accountable for doing everything I can to be successful in my fitness journey.  I even include my husband on all my invites (Just in case I’m still lying on the basement floor from doing a crazy workout.  At least he will be able to tell someone what I was doing J).

See, on your job, there are meetings that you have to attend.  Lord knows…there are days when the only meeting on either calendar is my workout.  Then there are days, when there is complete insanity going on in my work day, and my only saving grace is the very first meeting of my day…my workout.  I also have evening meetings a.k.a. workouts as well.  They are all on my calendar as well. 

How important is your fitness journey to you?  Is it important enough to really start holding yourself accountable?  Making sure that you are adding workouts to your calendar and treating like meetings that must be attended?  Are you ready to step up your game on your fitness journey?  Are you ready to hold yourself accountable?