More than I would like to admit, this year has really taken its toll on my health. In theory I am well again. In reality I am still struggling day to day.
I know I am being ridiculously hard on myself and am expecting too much too soon. I am not the most patient at the best of times and not being able to physically pick up where I left off has left me feeling both frustrated and disheartened.
Thankfully, living where I do means I can walk out of my front door and into beautiful open countryside. For this I am always grateful, especially now. It makes such a difference to my wellbeing.
The weather has been unusually dry for this time of year so Lily and I have been out for a walk most days. At the weekend we went on our Easter Sunday walk once again. This time the bench got sat on and chocolate got eaten. Yay!
Midweek, and feeling a little braver (although incredibly self conscious) I put on my old trainers and took myself out on a gentle run. I stayed close to home and didn't go too far, but oh! the difference it made. My spirit felt lifted and I was thrilled to be actually doing something after what has seemed like months of relative inactivity.
I thought I had done O.K. and I definitely enjoyed myself. The next day, however, my legs were paying the price. Another gentle walk eased the aching somewhat but I'm not used to feeling like that.
Has it put me off? Of course.
Will it stop me going out again? Definitely not.
I am determined to get fitter and regain my sense of self, so if that means putting on my trainers again this evening, then put them on I will. I may even go for a run in them. I just might not go quite as far this time....for now anyway.
J. X
Your photos are beautiful, fresh air is so good for the soul and well done you for getting our there. I hope you get to go again this evening, but don't over do it xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. It's amazing what fresh air can do for you isn't it? X
DeleteI admire your resolve. It's so easy to put things off when they don't come easy at first but I'm sure you'll soon be feeling fighting fit again. Don't be too hard on yourself, listen to your body because it usually tells you what it needs and if you're overdoing it, but I agree that getting out and about, especially in such beautiful surroundings, can be a real tonic.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jo. Oh, I do hope I'm back on form before too much longer. I can't remember ever having felt so lacking in energy and feeling so sluggish. X
DeleteI hope you are back to full health soon Jules. I always tell anyone who s recuperating to listen to their body and don't overdo things. Get well soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eileen. I think I need to take things more slowly than I first thought. X
DeleteThat stunning view must be a real tonic, but whilst I admire your determination please be careful and don't overdo it. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI will be careful. The views make it worthwhile though. I do hope you are enjoying your new surroundings. X
Deletetake care x
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear. X
DeleteI wish I had your resolve and determination to get moving again! Hope you recover soon. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteThank you Bless. It's on and off. ((Hugs)) back at you! X
DeleteThank you for visiting and leaving comments so I knew you had been by. It's been lovely having a read over your past posts. You do have some stunning countryside where you live. Being outdoors does wonders for the soul doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteI can see by your blog roll we read lots of the same blogs out there!
Enjoy your weekend and look after yourself.
Lisa x
Thank you for stopping by Lisa. We obviously have the same great taste in blogs. X
DeleteI know how frustrating it is when you want to do something, but you physically can't. It's good to hear that you've been out enjoying the fresh air and dry weather, it looks like you live somewhere beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteI've been climbing the walls recently. Thankfully this dry weather has meant I've been getting outdoors a lot this week. It makes such a difference. X
DeleteI agree fresh air and beauty is good for the soul, don't over do it though, take care xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Marlene. I'm taking it easy. X
Deleteoh Jules, I'm so sorry for your health problems. The one thing we take for granted is good health, when we aren't as well as we normally are it takes some getting used to. Take your time, be kind to yourself. One thing that I've been doing lately is meditating. Just 5 minutes a day. It's about focusing on me, switching off, and just clearing the mind. Such tiny little things can make a huge difference. Hope you are back to good health quickly. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Sadie. It's kind of knocked me for six recently. It's not what I'm used to. I must have look at that meditation app you mentioned. X
DeleteI hope that you can keep on walking and that it will do good things for your health, just being outside makes a difference doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy. I think getting outdoors and walking makes such a difference to my physical and emotional wellbeing. Running however might take a bit longer. 😊
DeleteI love it when I feel great after some good exercise! Keep going!
ReplyDeleteThe second run felt much better. I will keep going. I need to feel like myself again. X
DeleteIt's awful when you can't seem to get back on track with your health, especially if it's something that's come out of the blue. It really is a case of the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Sometimes you think you're never going to feel 100% again but you will get there, slowly but surely and your positive attitude and determination will be a big bonus in making sure you do.
ReplyDeleteHopefully with the warmer weather and longer days you'll be able to get out and about more and build yourself back up. We are very hard on ourselves as women anyway, so you need to give yourself a good pep talk about taking each day as it comes. You'll get there Jules, just hang in there. xx
Thank you so much Suzanne. It has been a rather exhausting few months for various reasons but, like you say, the weather and longer days are really helping now. I just need to put my myself first occasionally and yes, us women do often forget that. The week ahead looks like it's going to be beautiful but I'm trying hard to not push myself too hard before I'm ready. I've been out every day so far. I just need to start feeling fitter. It will happen....in time. X
DeleteThat beautiful countryside will heal you, I'm sure. Well done on the run, it's always hard to start with and only gets easier when you keep at it. I started not being able to run half a mile without stopping or being horribly out of breath, now, well, you know what I do now! Keep going, lass xx
ReplyDeleteThank you CT. You're right. Getting outside in the beautiful surroundings is a great healer. Getting on track with running will probably take longer. Maybe you could lend Poppy out as a Personal Trainer! X
DeleteHave you had your thyroid checked recently? An underactive thyroid can cause sluggishness and lack of energy, as well as leg pain. I'm not a medic professional but I have suffered from thyroid problems and am now on daily medication to keep things under control. Hope you regain your va-va-voom soon. Thank you for popping over to mine, Jules and leaving your sweet comments. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your suggestions. I would have thought the same but unfortunately I've been hit with the same (known) health issue twice so far this year and this time it's just knocked me for six. My body just needs a bit of time to recover and restore.
DeleteI'm so pleased you have your thyroid problems sorted now. It can be very debilitating left untreated. X
What lovely photos. I hope the fresh air and nice scenery help you to feel much better soon x
ReplyDeleteThank you Susie. The fresh air is very restorative. X
DeleteHope you are feeling better soon. I know and understand the frustrations of not feeling fully fit and able to do the things you used to.
ReplyDeleteThank you Scarlet. Having read back through my post it does seem a little moany. It is very frustrating but I am grateful that it will only be short term. I do hope you're feeling OK. X
DeleteJules...listen to Jackie...slowly slowly wins the race...take care of yourself...sometimes the mind heals slower than the body. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackie. I'll keep telling myself that. X
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