Struggling

[RuthMargaret]

Is anyone else struggling to keep up with the exercise they would like to do with the limitations they are under at the moment?

I'm finding work so tiring at the moment, that 4 days a week I just don't have the inclination to exercise.

So that leaves me 3 days. This Friday I had a mahoosive migraine that kept interrupting my day, so no run. Today I had thought I would go out, but after chores I might be lucky to get a bit of YouTube yoga in later. And that leaves tomorrow, Sunday. My husband is working from home Monday to Friday, so I feel like I ought to spend some quality time with him as we haven't seen much of each other all week, so in order to do that, we go out on our bikes, because he just doesn't run. That's the week gone!

I'm hoping that it's all just getting to me, and I'm feeling it because I really went to town with the runs and walks and YouTube exercise at the start, and now I just don't have the time! I will make an effort to plan better for next week, and fit a little bit in somewhere. It's hard to not feel guilty when I haven't done some purposeful regular exercise!

Love to everyone in this challenging time x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

It is a challenging time RM for everyone, we have all had to change our routine, especially if they have children, if possible try and relax a little as you say going a short bike ride with your husband or a short run on your own, you can try also to have gentle yoga sessions from YouTube, try not to feel guilty, we are all in this together.

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you. I think I'm finding the exercise thing difficult partly because I'm the only one in the house who does regular exercise, so no one in the house really understands! I'm going to be so glad when the exercise restrictions are lifted!!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Give yourself a break - you’re doing the best you can in difficult circumstances. How about setting yourself a tiny target that’s easy to achieve - a 1k run either before or straight after work. I remember at the start of lockdown our 1st minister said life shouldn’t feel like normal in lockdown. Find your next best thing to fit around life. Good luck 🥰🤗

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you - small plans could be best. I think I've been expecting too much and not realising just how much the general stress would drain me (hence the migraine!). Baby steps. Very sensible.

[OrbitABit]

Know what you mean. Its tough. Hard to balance it. Prioritising your 20-30 mins 5 days a week above everything else brings SO MANY benefits for you, but also for your family and work, because it energises you and you’re able to be there for them and for you much better.

This is what I’m telling myself and finally managing to stick to it after a bad couple of years of having lots of hard things to deal with in life. Life’s good now.

Wish I’d recognised the strength a run or yoga was giving me instead of setting it aside for other things that needed my energy.

Get it in at the start of the day might work? Gets it done and there’s coffee afterwards ... ! Good luck amiga!

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to OrbitABit]

Thsnk you! I might have to try the morning. I've always been an evening girl on work days. It might be time to shake things up a bit!

[OrbitABit]

Good luck! Hope you find it again 🤞

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Hi. I really identify with how you feel. I am working flat out at home everyday with few breaks and haven't had the energy or inclination to run. I've been so exhausted & not in a good headspace (midweek meltdown over workload last week) but my husband & son have been great at making me go out for a short walk once a day.

I've come to the conclusion that managing the overwhelming work & looking after my mental health is more important than my running at the moment. I'll go when I can but if all I can manage is a short walk or bike ride than that's fine.

Everyone's lockdown circumstances & experiences are unique to them and we just have to be kind to ourselves. Next week I'm going to try and get out during the day other than wait until the evening when I've finished work.

Hope you find a way forward and have a better week. 🙂

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thsnk you. I know it seems like a trivial worry, considering the problems a lot of people are facing, but having suffered with anxiety in the past, I don't want it to start creeping in again.

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10 in reply to RuthMargaret]

None of your worries seem to trivial to me. I have felt very anxious recently - more about work than Corona but have just started a new mindfulness course which has helped me enormously in the past through difficult times. Fallen off the meditation wagon a bit though and need to get back to it!

[damienair Administrator]

I know where your coming from. It’s really hard at the moment. I am normally training for a 5K or a 10K road race or chasing a parkrun PB or doing some parkrun tourism. That keeps me motivated to get out and run. A few weeks ago I had lost all motivation and just felt like giving up. But then decided to pretend that I was going to go out every Saturday morning and pretend that I was going to do a parkrun. Now a few of us from here go out on our own on Saturday morning and report back on our runs on a Virtual parkrun post. It’s just for fun and keeps us usual parkrunners connected. Feel free to join in next Saturday morning.

I’m working from home. But I am getting out to do 5K every second day. It’s just 30 minutes, out of the house, away from work and just me on my own. Hopefully see you on the start line next Saturday morning. It’s mandatory to post your post run report over Tea/Coffee, Bacon buttie or cake. Or Bacon buttie and cake.

Damien

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to damienair]

Now a bacon butty and cake sounds right up my street! I will bear that in mind, thanks.

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate in reply to damienair]

It has been a bit of a downer every time an event email has announced a cancellation, and my husband's living history events have gradually been cancelled too. I'll take each day as it comes.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

These are challenging times indeed, and we all just have to do what we can to get through, so enjoy whatever time you can doing stuff, whatever that is. This will pass, and things will get better. 🤗

[RuthMargaret 60minGraduate]

Thank you. I think it's partly the fact that the novelty is gone now, and we just want to get back to things again!