The theme of this week has been slow down and take your time.  I am not a fan of slow.  I want to run faster.  I want to get projects done more quickly.  I want to constantly be go, go, going.  But, this is no way to live and I keep learning this the hard way.

It all started with my annual check-up with my doctor this week.  Ever since my whole iron thing, I have kind of avoided doctors like the plague.  I had to see so many doctors during that whole excursion, I just didn’t want to anymore.  So, I’ve been living in limbo just hoping that my iron is fine and taking my pills religiously.  I decided to bite the bullet and see the doctor this week for a physical and she recommended I get my blood drawn, which came as no surprise.

I had to go on Thursday at 9:45 because that was the earliest time available and I just wanted to get it over with.  I went in and started talking to the phlebotomist and let her know this wasn’t my first blood drawing rodeo.  I had gotten my blood taken probably 25 times just during my iron spell alone.  She tourniqueted me up and got to work.  I was doing fine, until I wasn’t.  All of the sudden, my vision went blurry and next thing I know I was dreaming.  I woke up to a new man who had entered the room calling my name and putting a cold, wet towel on my neck.  I had inexplicably passed out.  I’m still not entirely sure why, but it is probably the second most surreal thing that has ever happened to me after going to the ER two years ago.

They had me lie down in a new room with my legs up until my face regained color and they could let me go.  As I lied there, I thought about how much this screwed up my plans for the day.  I was going to go to the gym.  I still had a ton of work left for the rest of the day.  I had to take my dog on walks.  I had a whole bunch of errands to run.  I had choir rehearsal.  I didn’t have time for this.  But, that’s when I thought about it some more.

I could make all the plans in the world, but I’m not always in control.  Sometimes, it’s okay to take a break.  My body was screaming out to me to slow down, but I didn’t listen.  I didn’t go to the gym that day.  I didn’t run any errands.  I spent my afternoon and evening resting.  I thought about how lucky I was.  How lucky I was that even though I couldn’t workout today, I still had a functioning body that has allowed me to do some pretty amazing things.  I can run, jump, dance, and walk just fine whenever I want to.  That is such a luxury and something I take for granted far to often.

I was reminded to slow down again today when I was forced to.  We were annihilated by snow.  Honestly, it just keeps coming.  I’m a Chicago girl through and through, so I’ve seen my fair share of snow, but this is a whole bunch.

Of course, with a lot of snow comes the inability to get anywhere.  So, I set up a little station at my house and started to get my workout on.  I did a leg workout that took me about 30 minutes and then did 15 minutes of HIIT.  This is a pretty short workout for me to be honest, but I think that that’s a good thing.  Every workout does not have to last an hour and a half just to count.  I worked hard, I got sweaty, and I felt good afterwards and that’s what it’s all about isn’t it?

This week has been humbling.  I slowed down and took my time and I feel refreshed for it.  I was adaptive and faced challenges head on, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do.  I could have done things a lot differently, but I’m happy with my choices.  I don’t have to be perfect everyday, I just have to be grateful that I have legs, lungs, and a body that allows me to get up and move every day.

-sj