Patience with Myself

I like to think of myself as a patient person. I am patient with others and like coaching and helping others on their journey.  I have learned recently that it is hard for me to be patient with myself!

I was sick for a week and I had a temperature (101-102) every evening.  I took Ibuprofen at night so I would sleep better and took it again in the morning to feel good for the day.  I continued my fitness routine and got up to run, walk, or go to the gym early each morning then went to work.  By the end of the day I was exhausted, had another fever and would crash for the night. The cycle continued. 

I play a game everyday with my Apple Watch.  I close all the rings on my watch (and sometimes double or triple my move points) and have done so for almost 2 years.  I had to keep that going, I could not break this cycle or record.

I was not listening to my body, I was going to power through it, and force my body to heal while I kept going.  That did not work out well for me!

I was really miserable at the end of the first week so finally dragged myself to the Dr. for a 4:30 pm appointment on Friday evening.  I was sure lucky to get in.  As it turned out, I had a bacterial infection; pneumonia.  The Dr. even mentioned the “hospital” word if I had waited any longer. 

After a shot in the backside and an RX for antibiotics, home I went.  I slept, rested, and drank tons of water for 5 days as I let my body heal.  Steve answered phone calls from people who know me well assuring them that I really was “RESTING”.

I talked to one friend who said rest was never a problem for her.  She loves to rest and to sit.  I do not; I am moving all the time. I do not rest…. until now.

What I learned from this (now that it has taken 2 weeks and 2 weekends out of my life) while I am in the middle of training for a half marathon is to listen to my body.  I can’t mask the things I don’t like.  I have to be patient. I have to be patient and let my body heal on its own timeline.  Patience will allow me to live my Fitness life to it’s fullest.

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