Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Is Stress Sabotaging Your Health and Fitness Goals?
Hi guys! I hope you all had a delightful weekend 
After a Friday full of work, I spent the weekend with outside enjoying the weather with friends, and then did something Saturday that I try to do every Saturday. I walked, I hiked all day, had a delicious lunch with a friend, and then spent the evening with friends outside enjoying a beautiful Colorado sunset over the mountains.
But most importantly? I did. not. work.
Owning your own business definitely has its perks. I make my own schedule, follow my passion, promote myself when new ideas come to mind, and I’m my own boss. However, drawbacks include blurry lines of work and non-work time (and also no paid vacation.) Since I’m super passionate about what I do, I tend to be a bit of a workaholic. I often find myself working on weekends and evenings, even when I try to keep a regular work schedule.
That said, I want to give everything I have to my clients, my writing, and my classes, but no more than that. Once I start to give more than that, my work, and what I give to my clients- as well as my training and health goals – starts to suffer.
To combat this, I physically schedule in fun time. I’m a firm believer in living the heck out of life, which is hard to do if you’re working around the clock. I’m not a machine. I enjoy life, and I’m going to embrace the pure reason I moved to Colorado in the first place– to live more fully!
Enter: Girls Adventure Day Wednesdays.
Let me tell you a little story. A few Wednesdays ago, I met my friend, Katie for one of my favorite hikes – to the top of Flatirons 1&2 in Chautauqua Park. We spent the entire morning hiking, and then met our friend, Lauren to provide moral support while she got her nose pierced. When we left, I also had a hole in my nostril (yup, spontaneous nose piercing FTW,) and then we all went out to lunch and celebrated with a beer and ginormous salads.
Some shopping followed, and it was a great day – and a needed day. Some Wednesdays are different – and may include a trip to the mountains or just long walks and painting nails, but I try to schedule in some fun either way.
Some may call it indulgent that I like to have at least one girls adventure days a week, but I just call it part of a balanced life. You see, I value my time with my girlfriends enormously – and it’s a huge stress relief for me! I love my husband, and we spend a lot of time together, but there’s something about goofing off, being completely ridiculous, and laughing with good girlfriends that nothing else can replace.
And it’s necessary. Not only does it refresh me enough to come home and crank out a productive day of training clients, writing programs, and teaching classes, but it’s also an integral part of my training and health regimen.
It makes me look on the sunny side of life, and relieves stress. Maybe going out with girlfriends isn’t that important to you (although I don’t know how that could be! 
) Maybe a walk in the fresh air and sunshine refreshes you. Maybe curling up with a good book and a mug of tea relieves stress. Perhaps a yoga class melts the stress of the day away for you. Or maybe yoga and a hike!
Whatever it is, do it. And consistently do it. Because if you don’t, you could be sabotaging your efforts in the gym.
How Stress Can Sabotage Your Health and Fitness Goals
- Stress not only compromises the immune system, but it also hinders recovery from workouts. We have stressors coming at us all. day. long: work deadlines, personal relationships, household duties, driving, our workouts (yep, even positive stressors are still stressors!) If we aren’t able to stop and decompress on a regular basis, our repair and recovery, and thusly, getting stronger will be hindered.
- Stress also plays a huge part in our hormones, and affects cortisol, which can affect our hunger hormones leptin and ghrelin. If those hormones are out of balance, our body has a hard time of letting us know correct and accurate hunger cues.
- When Cortisol is out of balance, so many of our other bodily functions can be, too, including: elevated blood sugar, metabolism by hindering our bodies’ ability to burn fat, and decreases insulin sensitivity.
Do you schedule in time to have a little fun? What are some of your favorite ways to reset and refresh?
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LOVE your nose ring! I had mine pierced for years and I think they are so cute! stress def gets me… more than I intend for it to!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted…Derby Weekend
Love this! Stress affects us so much more than people think. Even being in school, I try to make a point of keeping my weekends work-free as much as I can – I can keep a better work/life balance that way.
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Goal Talk: May.
Amen!!!
I’ve also found that, by having those fun Ladies Night nights, I’m actually MORE productive when I get down to working. Because I’m more refreshed and rejuvenated!
Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. recently posted…Happy 27th Birthday Hema!
Love this post and really needed to be reminded of this today. Thank YOU! Love your nose ring!!!
Jenn@Mark My Miles! recently posted…Sneaky Sunrise Run
MEDITATION.
Carla recently posted…4 reasons I’m jealous of my dog’s Cone of Shame.
I’d like to get better at this!
yes, yes, yes!!! I think as I went through my health struggles I started to understand more and more how what I feel physically is a result of not just exercise or food stress, but life and it’s up to me to make choices that make it better.
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted…Picking the right running shoe – Science or Art form?
i call it death by cortisol corruption. I think girls day would cure all!
lindsay recently posted…Orange or Green? Which Veggie Packed Smoothie is Better for Gut Health?
Stress can really do a number on you and I found that out the hard way last year. I was so caught up with work, that I didn’t realize it was affecting me in a negative way. Everything around me was crumbling and it took a supportive partner to tell me eliminate the stress (it wasn’t that important) and everything would come back to normal.
Whatever works, the ladies night is a good idea, meditation, anything! Just less stress and you can enjoy life the way you are supposed to.
Janene recently posted…An In-Depth Look at the Best CrossFit Shoes for 2014
Vitamin shopee Orthomol I am sorry, that I interfere, but it is necessary for me little bit more information
Ugh, I am under so much stress with finals, exams, reviews, and projects. It’s hard to make some “me” time, but I really need to.
Natalie @ lovenataliemarie recently posted…Currently ; May 2014
I definitely need to tone down my stress! I stress about everything and anything. My husband constantly tells me I need to relax…and, I do try and succeed…but, I won’t lie that there is rarely a time when I completely let go and am not thinking about our house, our budget, work, etc. I need to chill! Haha!
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food recently posted…Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Oh absolutely! Owning your own business is amazing but the lack of clear boundaries for down-time is hard for me and something that I need to pay more attention too. That’s really great that you take a day out of the week to spend time with your friends. So important!
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted…Ask a Yogini: What does Vinyasa Mean?
we are the same way!! we work just about everyday, we love it but it can be hard to let go and have some fun!
The past two weekends though we did do just that, have fun! Enjoyed life and it was great.
Purelytwins recently posted…how to feel girlie strong
The nose ring is so cute! I actually don’t have a problem scheduling in fun time. I have a very firm rule that my work day ends when the work day ends. I do not bring stuff home. Sometimes my job bogs me down a bit, but I have to remind myself that my job is my job not my real life!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Currently: May
Love this. I am trying to get better at scheduling more “me” time and “girl” time, but it’s so easy to let it fall to the wayside! On another note…my husband and I are moving to Colorado in 3 short months (yippee!) and we love being active. What kind of hiking boots do you have? I need a pair 🙂
Tara | Treble in the Kitchen recently posted…Feeling Snacky? POPSUGAR Must Have Snacks NatureBox Review
Thank you for this! It’s amazing how much more bloated I feel when i’m stressed (or I haven’t slept enough). Thank you for the reminder, and the info on cortisol!
samantha recently posted…Why being a shrinking violet helps no one
I definitely don’t take enough time out for myself, but I’m working on it. It’s amazing how it changes your health and your mood!
Lex @ Flecks of Lex recently posted…What is Your #Six02Moment? Plus, a GIVEAWAY!