I’m going to start this by justifying myself… lots of you may think that I am super fit and healthy and always keeping active, however, the last few months have been a little challenging on that front. A torn rotator cuff meant I had to pull out of my planned big swim and an ongoing annoying hip and some advice which I wish I had ignored meant I had stopped running.
Basically, in the last few months apart from swimming I have done zero cardio, my weight has crept back up not just because of the lack of exercise but also a severe dip in my general food choices. I’ve noticed that when my resilience and mood are low, the first thing to take a hit is my cooking which is ironic as it’s something I usually love. I literally don’t have a clue what I want to eat, so I just eat junk. Meaning I then feel worse and put on weight – a constant cycle.
I have given myself another kick up the bum and decided to start running again, alongside my strength workouts and physio exercises. I made a start on the Equestrian Fitness Scotland Five Week to 5km plan which I have used before and it is brilliant, I am way too impatient to do the 10 week plan, but five weeks seems really achievable
(EquiTeam Members can access both running plans and a series of rider fitness plans on Fit to Ride with EquiTeam.)
This is where the justification question comes in. The last two weeks I have been diligently heading out on my runs (with a few days off after the face planting incident) and then immediately after my run, I head to Strava to edit the title of ‘Morning run’ and change it to ‘EFS 5 week to 5km run 1,2, or 3’ etc with a description of what the run was. Now in my head I thought I was doing this to look back on what I have done. But in reality, it is because I want to make it clear to all of my Strava followers why my average run time is so slow!
But why does this matter?
I’m sure lots of us have done it whether it be in a social media post, or during a conversation – ‘my horse has been off injured for a while’, or ‘work has been manic so I haven’t been able to ride as much’ etc, the continual justification and seeking of validation to allow yourself feel proud, despite the fact that it feels like a personal ‘back step’ from what we were previously doing.
Life and progress is not linear and anyone who says that everything they have been doing has gone exactly to plan is either very lucky, or they’re just sharing the good bits!!
This could also go back to the ‘Comparison is the thief of joy’ blog where we talked about not comparing to what we used to be able to do and acknowledging and appreciating where we are now. Writing that blog and then the podcast with Liz about ‘Are you really doing enough’ both really made me think.
I am guilty of comparing myself to where I used to be and I definitely could do more to get to where I want to be now. I have shared the ‘One Day or Day One’ saying several times before and I need to remind myself that it is ok to have to start again and I don’t need to justify why to anyone, not even myself.
We are very lucky in EquiTeam Connected to have 100% support and 0% judgement from our members, whatever we share is always greeted with a well done and genuine joy for that person, they will be rewarded with a ‘You’ve Got This’ and no underlying thoughts of ‘What has she been doing’!
In Strava I’m not so sure – but actually, does it really matter? The people who have my back will understand that I must have had a set back and anyone else who judges in a negative fashion – well, their opinion shouldn’t matter.
Live your life to the full, enjoy your horses, do the things you love, be proud of your achievements and surround yourself with people who lift you up and will celebrate with you.
Lou
PS – If you need a resilience boost why not join our The Resilient Equestrian Boot Camp which begins on the 7th July.
(EquiTeam members don’t need to sign up as you will get full boot camp access as part of your membership)
