It’s official. I am on damage control from almost two weeks of vacation. I’ll admit that I did indulge in the things that I love while on my trip. We got together with many friends and family where there was wine tasting, Mexican dining and margaritas, wonderful Italian restaurants including warm crusty bread, beer sampling, and other food splurges. I haven’t weighed myself. I don’t dare. I am just getting back to my healthy routine. My husband and I agree, we are both on food and drink detox.
Over the next few weeks, I have an intense workout schedule. I am working out everyday and some days twice, morning and evening. Some of my friends think I am crazy. I like to think of it more as determined. I have heard that you need to shock the body to evoke change. This better shock my system because my muscles are sore and I am exhausted by the end of the day. Aside from my kids and work, shaping up is at the top of my priority list. I pretty much figure that I won’t care about my dirty house when I am sliding into my skinny jeans.
Yesterday was my first day back at my kickboxing class after almost three weeks off. The aerobic intensity was nearly more than I thought I could take. It is normally a challenging class but yesterday I was pleading with myself to quietly sneak out to the treadmill where I could slow down the pace. Or maybe go to the stationary bike where I could sit and even read a magazine. Well, if I am going to read, I could just sit at the café while my kids are still in the childcare. All of these thoughts were moving through my head as I did endless counts of front kicks, back kicks, side kick and roundhouses.
I was pushing myself but my body was fighting back. I did not want to finish this class. My water was nearly empty and still my mouth was dry. My heartbeat was racing. I started to offer unrealistic deals to myself. “If I don’t have to finish this class, I will never eat again.” “If I quit now, I will work out for four hours tomorrow.” Of course the ideas were ridiculous and I had to stay in class. It was what I had set out to do. I could do this. With every punch and kick I was imagining the extra pounds melting away. “Burn the fat” became my secret mantra. At the end of the hour, I wanted to cry. I had made it. It is always harder to get back into your fitness routine after a break but I am on my way.
If you are also on vacation detox, keep going. You can do it.