Ok, this weekly question is getting pulled directly from my week. MAN this bug has thrown me for a loop this week! I didn’t feel much like eating during the day but when I did it wasn’t anything healthy. I haven’t been drinking as much water as I should. I just feel BLAH!
Now I’m stuck in that limbo between not feeling quite 100% but having to get back to everything I’ve been ignoring for the past few days. I HATE getting sick! I haven’t worked out, my diet is a wreck, I’m not sleeping well and work in just piling up.
I miss my routine, as hectic as it is. I miss eating breakfast with the toddler, squishing the gym in when I can, brining my lunch to work, having good healthy food stocked up in the house, cooking dinner, I miss my motivation!
So how do you do it? Ho do you get back into a routine? After an illness, or a vacation, or just a bad week.
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I was off work last week and also away from home for a couple days. We’re doing renos in the bathroom so everything was swirly. I allowed myself foolishly to toss rational thoughts aside and ate like a pig. I’d be eating it and thinking what are you doing??? why are you sabotoging yourself this way? what about your goals? et eat on I did.
Being away from the routine of work and gym was hard. It makes me scared for summer where everything is loosy goosy.
How did I get back to routine? I knew come Monday it was game on. Up to get to the gym. Eat healthy and count points.
What made me do it? The fact I was going to be at my WW meeting this Thursday and weighing in. I am scared to death I will be up after a missed week. I have to accept whatever number is there as I ate the food which got me there.
Would I have gotten back on track if I didn’t have several coupons left in my WW package? not sure to be honest. really really not sure.
i am in the same position! I had just gotten into a 5 day a week gym groove after being at just 3 for the past few months and was on 100%….ive been sick for the past week and am not myself and feel just like you! I have a weight class tomorrow and am going, even though I am only on day 2 of antibiotics for bronchitis…I just dont want to miss my groove expecially with the weights…im in NO shape to do cardio yet by far. I miss the rush of it though! Being sick is trickier than a vacation or other lapse cos if you do too much too soon, then you can just ruin your healing process, which is probably what I will be doing tomorrow! I am right here with you though! And believe me, I am the queen of gaining weight when I dont eat enough, so thats gonna suck right on top of it too!!!! Feel better:)
Everytime I’ve had to get back into a routine, I’ve just had to make myself do it. Sounds simple, but I don’t think it is. It’s hard to get back to the routine once you’ve been sick or on vacation, or whatever. Mondays are my magic days, so Sunday I go stock up on healthy foods that way I’m ready to get back into my routine when Monday rolls around.
I try to go easy on myself. Not put pressure on myself- take it day by day. Just do the best I can. Writing everything down, meal planning with grocery shopping, and allowing myself extra time for rest and recovery helps-like making sure I’ll have time to sleep an extra couple hours ,etc. And I don’t make myself go 0 to 100 mph immediately.. I build back up to my regular schedule, at least if I have that flexibility. Being off the ice for an injury for many weeks and having to come back has been a long and painful (sore) process. It’s amazing how quickly you become deconditioned!
haha and Roni, I wish I had my own little portable heater!! What I need is a heated jacket or vest for on the ice!!
Current Strategy for getting back in the routine:
Gain weight until I’m motivated to start exercising again.
It’s effective, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it.
I hope you feel better!
You know I was sick a couple of weeks ago with the flu and bronchitis…and only “bad” food tasted good and water was not something that was consumed. It was hard to get back into the swing of things and like you I missed my hectic life…I finally just said ok enough is enough I have to get back on plan with eating healthy…the exercising came later…I definately didn’t want to relapse with what I had.
Roni I know if anyone can do it… you can…you are a great motivator and we need you back!!! :)
I do it just a little at a time. Your body still needs time to recover from illness and doesn’t have the energy yet to go right back to where you were before. So listen to your body, drink your fluids, you should be back to normal soon. :)
You’re a few days behind me. Your story is/was my story for the past 3 weeks. Really bad cold, burst eardrum ect. Eating slowly going off plan, water intake turning in to a drought…so how’d I get back on the horse?
Honestly it made me feel better (‘weller’) to get back to my routine. I REALLY didn’t want to lose all that I had ‘gained’ in my previous 6 weeks of working out. I never really lost the desire to go, I just didn’t have the physical energy to go.
Just go, you’ll thank me later.
That’s a good question. If I knew the answer, I’d probably be doing much better with my weight-loss goals.
It’s funny: When I was doing Atkins, it was easy for me to eat a few bites of something I shouldn’t and then get right back on track. But now, for some reason, it’s much harder. Even if I vow to eat well and workout, like I did today, I sometimes blow it by dinnertime.
I’ve taken to wearing a pedometer every day, and trying to up my total number of steps by 500 a day each week. (This week I’m up to 9,500.)
Go easy on yourself with the exercise. Try to keep doing something, but when you’re recovering from being sick, grueling sessions at the gym aren’t going to do good things for you.
My tactic with food is to make a big pot of lentil or vegetable soup. It’s low calorie and nutritious, but it’s also comforting and easier for me to choke down than normal food when I’m sick. A bowl of soup is my go-to meal when I’m too tired to cook or I just don’t like the thought of eating. I always feel worlds better when I have some vegetables in my system. Feel better soon!
I like to thing about the question you asked us 2 weeks ago — why I wanted to lose weight in the 1st place. Shortly after that, I usually sit on the computer for some time doing some research for a really, really good recipe that is nutritious and make it. Then I can feel a little indulgent (with good food), I will be doing SOMETHING to get back on track, and I get my mind thinking positively again.
Just got back to the gym after missing 2 1/2 weeks after a day surgery that took extra long to heal. I didn’t work out, counted no points and only gained 1 lb. Our body needs rest. Start back fresh when you go back to work.
You are ok Roni!!! I thought I had completely lost it. I seen my old ways coming back, but I am BACK ON TRACK and feeling good!
In my experience – it is sheer force – you just have to MAKE yourself do it. My hardest was being restricted from all exercise for 3 months after sinus surgery – and when I say ALL – it was absolutely everything. That first Monday back was harder than the first day I started at the gym. It would have been very easy to just walk away and never go again.
Well, I had recent experience with this, as you know. First…I gave myself total permission while I was sick to eat intuitively. I seemed to want very hot or very cold drinks, spicy carbs, and no vegetables…I couldn’t stand looking at them! So, I had a couple of days of eating things I don’t normally eat and then I started feeling better, made up a big pot of soup with every vegetable I had in the house in it and had that for a couple of days…kinda made up for the veggies I hadn’t eaten the previous days…and then woke up the next day ready for my usuals again.
Soup always seems to be my “turn-it-around” food of choice!
I wish I could jump back in mid-stream, but often I have to wait for Monday. Something about that new weeks sets my mind off for routine following. I also find having the weekend to prep makes it easier to get back on track when Monday rolls around.
Oh I hear you, Roni! I was sick this past week and it was so hard to get back on track. I think I did a pretty good job of staying on program, though, because all I kept thinking was that when this was over, I didn’t want to walk in to my weigh-in on Sunday and see a gain or no loss. I mean, you’re a bit different because you’re in maintenance, but I guess it’s the same principle…a week ( or any timeframe that works for you) is going to go by regardless of what you do. At the end of that week (or whatever), where do you want to be?
I actually picture myself going to my weigh-in and feeling that disappointment if I were to gain. It really helps me in my weakest moments to stay on track.
I always just start right back into my routine. I’m facing another fall back as my recent dental implant has been infected. The dentist will most likely have to go back in and clean it out, leaving me with pain, anti-inflammatory pills, and another round of stitches for 2 weeks. I just had the implant put in January 18th, and I was held back for 2 weeks because of the pain. I ran Saturday, Sunday and Monday then with the snow have been taking it off. I’ve had to spend all free time clearing my driveway. I’ll know more about the impending surgery, and my down time then. So, when it’s all said and done, I’ll hope right back into my running routine that I miss so much.
I hope you are feeling better and you can hop right back in too!
Roni….I have to say…I enjoyed Happy’s post on this a while back…
http://anotherfitnessblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/praying-for-momentum.html
Great question! I was sick for four days a couple weeks ago. Prior to that wipe out, I had been working out six days/week. This virus, which turned into bronchitis, wiped me out for those four days. So when I finally could stay awake on day five, I just had to get out for a walk. Normally, when I run, I run three miles minimum. On that first day out, I ran for as long as I could comfortably. It was half a mile; then I walked another 1.5 miles before I wanted to collapse. Not exactly my best workout of recent months, but I felt great because I did what I could and I didn’t push myself too much. Last week I added activities as I could. And I prioritize. Workouts will win over cleaning any day of the week. I work fulltime and have two kids, and I CAN’T do it all like some women. So I’ve decided if I don’t have the energy, it is the house that has to suffer, not me or the family.
This week is back to full speed, but I can still tell I had that time off. My body aches after a workout, and my cardio is not up to speed. But it will come.
As for getting back into routine after vacation, I think it is important to keep things as constant as possible. I am heading to an all-inclusive next week and fully plan to keep up the workouts and eat the lean, grilled foods as first choices. (But I also plan to hit the ice cream bar every day…it IS vacation!)
I think I get back to it because I know how good I will feel after that first back to working out workout. I had the flu and cold and a foot problem recently and took my time getting back to things. I think your body needs to rest, so allow it to and then get back to working out and eating right. A week won’t ever hurt you and you will feel so good when you get better, you will want to work out. At least I did.
I know how you feel. I travel a decent amount and eat out quite frequently for my job. The hard thing is not paying for anyhting. Money is no object when I travel so its usually the most expensive foods, drinks, and apps at every meal. I’m traveling all this week in NC and being good but having a challenging time. I feel like when I get home I’m so happy to get back in the “normal swing” even though this includes driving 2+ hours a day and being soo tired I don’t want to cook. I think the only thing that helps me feel better is getting some sort of activity, even if its walking around the hotel or the mall. Otherwise, I feel like such crap! I’m still learning how to make healthy changes like this in my life, but getting fresh air and moving a little helps bring me back when I’m falling off! Good luck and hope you feel better :)
You just DO. It’s not easy, but once you get that one day back on track, then the rest pretty much will follow. At least that’s what happens to me.
Its funny you should ask this question this week Roni, because for the last week, I have had the horrendous sickness from hell! .I was working out more regularly then BAM, sick…and off work for several days. I didn’t feel like doing ANYTHING for days on end…I am motivated to lose weight and get healthy again, so I told myself I wasn’t going to get deterred. So…How do I get back on track? I just throw myself back into it. I become more mindful of my eating – even keeping a journal again…As for the gym, I don’t go the effort I could before being sick right off the bat, but I at least put in the time at a less intensity. I plan the next week’s worth of workouts so I won’t be deterred and I weighed myself and gave today as a new start point. So today I AM going to a yoga class (shortly after this post), then going to go to the gym and do some light weights and easy cardio, tomorrow will be some cardio, a little more intensity, Saturday weights and cardio, and Sunday a nice long bikeride or easy run. Is this the best for everyone? No…but it is what I need to do to mentally AND physically get back in the routine. I am using this time to be a reality check…a time to refind my focus and to enjoy the feeling of moving again after so many days of just sleepign and resting.
I start reading blogs to get some motivation. Yours is super helpful. Then I just get everything ready…like planning/cooking meals, getting veggies & fruit washed and cut so they are easy to access and then jumping right in.
I complain alot…but it is all worth it in the end.
Little bit at a time. To steal a saying from recovery circles, I just try to “do the next right thing.” If I am confused, I just need to ask myself what the next right thing to do is. It is usually not “eat a gigantic bowl of cereal/ice cream/tater tot casserole.” It is usually something that will be positive for me and intuitively (which for me, is God talkin’) I know what it is. I just have to make the choice to do it or not do it. Some days I choose the wrong thing and then end up in crazy mode but – life is all about choices!! I’m sure you’ll be back into your routine in no time. Being sick sucks!!
Oh Roni, I had/have the same thing! Cough, turned into flu, back to cough and runny nose. Oddly enough, I ate so little and drank so much water (my husband is the fluid pusher) I actually made goal at my last weigh in! I know it’s kind of cheating. The goal now is to stay down, even as I start to eat normal meals.
My advice to you: start getting fluids, keep getting rest, and SLOWLY ease back into life. Slowly. Good luck!
Planning. I plan every detail and then following through with those plans makes me feel good. I know with a kid and hubby you can’t always plan everything so pick and choose and plan what’s important to you. I know that’s how you succeeded in the first place; it helps get me back on track too!
Gosh I know exactly what you mean! Since I was trying to track my weight, I started really tracking my menstrual cycle too and I found that on the weeks that I’m “ovulating” I’m off. I crave things. When I’m menstrating, I’m off and I crave crazy foods too… Literally, its like I’m all motivated one week, then the next week I fall off. then the next I’m back on…then I fall off. And the circle continues on and on. AHHHHH.
It helps to plan and it even helps me to be AWARE that this is happening so I can mentally prepare.
I have been there so much this year–it’s been the Year of the Sick in our house. The biggest thing is to just get everyone healthy, including YOU. You can’t do 100% of what you normally do until you feel 100%. And you can’t expect to be “good” with food or exercise when you’re sick.
When everything is back to normal, it’s easier to get back into the swing IF you’ve built the habits before hand, then the habits will come back. And sometimes it’s baby steps–add one healthy thing back in at a time until you are back to full-force “normal.”
Normal surely is a beautiful thing.
It was really hard for me to get my motivation back after Christmas/New Years. The food motivation came back fairly quickly once I got the junk out of my house and stocked the house with healthy options.
I had a much harder time with the exercise. What finally did it for me was 1. Finding a specific attainable goal that I could work towards and that I’d need to do by a certain time (couch to 5k), and 2. Making a public commitment to the goal (the blog community).
Now, that was an example of when I was able to get myself back on track. There have been times I haven’t, and I re-gained all the weight. Not a good option!
Anyway, hope you’re feeling better now (even if you’re not quite back motivation-wise yet).
Take it easy and just work your way back. Whatever this flu bug is it has been hitting people more than once so make sure your body has what it needs to heal :) I am just starting to feel better from it too so I know how you feel. Work in the extra water even by adding some soup to your day (I recommend the veggie soup on food network from Alton Brown on Good Eats). Feel better! You will be back to that routine in no time
I’m a ‘to do list’ type of person so I make a to do list with everything I need to accomplish. It sounds funny but it’s like instant gratification when I get to cross something off the list.
Hi Roni!
I do the whole list thing, too. LOTS of lists… but what really gets me back into it is:
1. Exercise! A good sweat helps me see things a little more clearly.
2. Exciting produce. Today I went to the fresh market and bought a bunch of organic, over-priced treats (bulgur, blood orange, shallots, portabella mushrooms). With expensive treats like that, you have to eat better!
Last weekend, I attended a church retreat. A big portion of the time there we were EATING! And I’m not talking about carrot sticks and rice cakes! Our “light” dinner the night we arrived was chicken fried steak, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, and the most awesome cookies you’ve ever laid taste buds on. The first night, I did not eat a cookie, but instead opted for a banana. By the second day, I was opting for the cookie!
So from Thursday until Sunday I probably ate more than I do in an entire week, and I felt MISERABLE!
The miserable feeling alone was enough to make me jump back on the WW wagon. My entire digestive system was in shock, and I just didn’t feel good.
Monday morning I was back into the groove. It was a relief to be back to controlled portions and eating.
So I guess my motivation was just to keep feeling good – mentally and physically!
The only thing that seems to work for me is going to a strict control program for a few days our until I’m back in the groove.
I plan my menus and schedule exercise in my day planner. It seems to work for me.
just got over the flu as well and had that feeling of:
UhOh. If I dont start back today I seriously never, ever will and my stationary bike shall become a clothes rack.
so I made myself.
and in doing so kinda shocked myself.
hope youre finally 100%~
MizFit