Rest...Re-evaluate...Reset!

Everyone needs rest, for some that is really hard to accomplish. There was a time I thought perhaps I rested far too much. Lazy could have been my middle name, at times it still could be. I get worn out, tired of the same old song and dance and I'm not real fond of housework. However, since the beginning of my...what should we call this...transformation? I get tired of saying, since September 2011 when I started blah, blah, blah, ya know what I mean? So since the beginning of my transformation, to the new healthy, happy and alive Tonya - I've had a difficult time when told "You should probably take a week off". My trainer shakes his head at me a lot. I've yet to decide if that is good or bad =)

I love training. I hate missing it. I rarely take time off, this is true. Usually, I end up taking a break because of one of the following:

1. I got sick.
2. I injured something.
3. My trainer asked nicely & said please. =)

I know and I understand that everyone needs rest and that it is required. I get plenty of sleep, most the time. It is the one thing I do not skimp out on, this girl likes her sleep. If I don't feel I've gotten enough sleep, when I can I will go back to bed! Example: I was really sleepy this morning, have been all day. I laid back down for an hour after getting the kids off to school. After we all got home today I was still really tired, I laid down again!

Now, one might say "See, you needed a week off!" The truth is though, it wouldn't matter if I was on a rest week or not. If I'm tired, I lay down and rest. I just do. Ask my husband he knows. If I walk up to where ever he is on a weekend and give him a kiss he says, "Enjoy your nap dear". I don't miss out on sleep when at all possible.

So when told I should rest...I think, what? why? I get kinda pouty actually. I think I've figured out why...

1. I don't like to clean house.
2. I love training.
3. I get bored, even though I've a million things I could do.
4. I fear lack of progress.
5. This is the big one...the one that makes me think, "No, no, I can't take time off" - I'm afraid of that overweight lazy ass part of me showing back up and raining on my parade. 

Therefore, I became a gym junkie. Sorry, it's true. Like I said tho, rest is very important. Sometimes your body just needs time to reset itself. You see people doing a detox here and there...that is a way of 'resetting'. Some people have no problem taking time off, resting & resetting...maybe someday I'll be like them. 

Today, I did realize that...yes, my trainer was right. I need a break. I took my time, I didn't feel rushed in anything, I rested, I fixed my hair, plucked my eyebrows (ouch-prefer threading or waxing!), put on a little make-up...just took some time for myself and you know what I enjoyed it. So perhaps he is right, thing is when I went into the gym at 1:30 to do my friend Jessica's assessment I saw him and I almost asked him if we were training outside on Thursday. I'm not training on Thursday haha! I'll go back to working out either Monday or Tuesday. I'm doing nothing this week...

Saw that ... but, did ya? Yeah, so nothing this 'week' - but I am doing the Mad Monk mud run/obstacle course on Sunday. Can't wait! Heading up the day prior, staying in a hotel and going to play in the mud. Every girl's dream right? haha

Another thing I have an issue with is when someone asks me, "What are your goals"? It's a normal question in the fitness world. I understand it. Some goals are easy to voice and others it's like you are afraid to voice because then it means you actually have to do it or at least try. I recently won a 6-week nutritional program and one of the questions asked was, "What are your goals"?

This is where the re-evaluating comes in. Every once in awhile you have to take a step back and...

1. Look at what you are doing
2. What you are not doing
3. Look at your progress
4. See where your progress is lacking
5. Look at your accomplishments
6. Look for areas of improvement or that need improvement still
7. Search out that next big challenge
8. Look ahead and plan where you want to be
9. Create new goals...

I find doing these things keep me moving & motivated. Without a plan & some goals...lazy would be real easy. I've not started the nutritional plan yet, as I just won it and I've a few things I've gotta do first before the Trainer sends me the plan. I'll keep you posted on this. However, his question got me to thinking....

What are my goals? 

1. To run a 5K in less than 32:45
2. To run a 1/2 marathon in 2:30
3. To run a Full marathon in 5:00 
4. I want to flatten & tone my stomach, so I look great in a bikini and have noticeable abs...no jiggle in the middle!
5. I want a more ripped physique so I feel/look more confident in my clothing. 
6. I would like to reach 125 lbs but if I lose body fat & gain muscle and never see it I'm okay with that.
7. I'd love to see some changes in my glutes, they rarely engage in a workout.
8. Win one of the top 3 places in the Ultra Eagle Competition next year.
9. To step off the plane in the USA and watch my family/friends faces hit the ground because I am in the best shape of my life.
10. To do a handstand in the middle of the room and hold it for say at least 30 seconds.
11. To do unassisted pull ups. 

...and that's just a few. I'm sure I've more. Each day presents a new challenge, a new time to beat, a new goal or dream and I intend to chase them all. 

You might ask me why about #5? Well, I still have areas I'm not satisfied with, areas of my body that I feel need work to make ME happy. Not only that I fear not looking the part, the part of a trainer, a coach, or an instructor. Let's face it - assuming most are like me - if I take a class at the gym and the instructor is not in shape or does not have a body that makes me say, "I want to look like that" - then I probably won't take that class again. I do not want people coming into my class looking at me and leaving because I did not give them that 'look' to aspire to. Do you know what I mean?

Rest, Re-evaluating and Resetting are all very important in the fitness world. I am constantly learning the value of each a little more. 

Tomorrow, I'm going out and buying a new bikini & I will be re-evaluating every 2 weeks with photos during the 6-week nutritional program - hopefully, by taking all the pictures in the same bikini & same location there will be noticeable changes... preferably in the middle! Herman said rest, he did not say I could not dream up some new goals or go shopping :) 

My advice to you - never stop dreaming! Set those goals, make those plans. My friend Jessica told me this they other day: "It's a dream until you write it down, then it's a plan and a goal" - Emmitt Smith.

1. What's your top 3 goals?

2. Got a plan of action?

3. What do you do when it's rest week?