I thought I’d bring this over here, because it’s been on my mind:
I think the problem for me, and probably most of us, is distinguishing between this ^ and laziness that needs a push-through. I’m sore AF this morning after yesterday’s workout, and last night moved like a 90-year-old when I got up from the couch. But prior to that last week, with no workouts and no real intention to do them (while I wondered if I ever should again, lol) I was completely pain-free. No DOMS, no systemic inflammation, and just a focus on sleeping well and feeling good at work while I adapted to the time change - which wasn’t really an effort at all, as I was ready for bed at 7:30 old time.
I was happy to focus on my diet during the break, as that has no downside - I just feel good when I eat lean whole foods, which I enjoy as much as I do the junk. I’ve really never met a classification of food (junk, healthy, fast food, comfort) I don’t like and stomach distress is almost unheard of for me. But it definitely impacts me systemically in terms of feeling either good/energetic or bleah. Like differences in my posture, even. The workouts help with inflammation in the long term - I feel my absolute most best on a good day during an on phase - but DOMS are pretty consistently present for me, so there’s a cost as well as a benefit. Anyway, I’m rambling. Just trying to figure out this whole listen to my body thing in relation to the stuff that goes through my mind, like “why do I have to meet this stupid self-imposed standard?”
I’ll never be an obese person in a motorized cart - that’s not a fear for me. So the contrast is never a polar opposite-type thing. More an average healthy woman vs an exceptionally healthy woman. Barring a health crisis, e.g. cancer, I know I’ll never be exceptional on the other side of the health spectrum, and fitness won’t fail-safe me from a devastating diagnosis or event.
But anyway, I’m back on the wagon after what felt like a really positive rest physically, but as always messed with me mentally.
She really is! I love that I can watch her individual muscles work as I’m following. I used to feel self-conscious working out in the dark in front of a street-facing window without curtains as an older, somewhat out-of-shape woman (though it’s a distance to the street and there are trees) but for the past year or so I’ve know my form is 100% on-point and my body is fine, and I feel zero anxiety over people catching a glimpse.