My Back From Vacation Philosophy

Everyone needs a vacation.  Everyone needs a break from the schedules, routine, ho hum and "reality" of life.  A chance to re-charge, refresh and re-group.  We even need  a break from our normal workout routine.  But when the dreaded moment arrives and you are back home with a mound of emails, piles of laundry, the "to do" list back on the desk and the thought of how sore you are going to be when you get back in the gym after time off, what do you do?  Do you ease back in, timidly peeking at the class schedules and barely stepping one foot into the gym?  Heck no!  I say jump right in.Of course, you may have overindulged while on vacation, as you should.  Eating and drinking and relaxing in a way that you normally do not makes it a vacation.  Those are all good and healthy.  Slowing down is a good thing, both mentally and physically.  But coming back can be difficult.  Don't let the thought of how difficult it might be slow you down.  You may think about holding off another week on getting back to eating and exercising properly.  Maybe that will make it easier. . . .Not.  Putting it off will only make it harder - or make it easier to NOT get back on track at all.I'm one of those that still tries to be active on vacation.  I pack my running shoes and get up every morning and get some movement in.  Whether it's a run or a hike,  the morning starts with some type of sweat.  I might also do some body weight exercises,  and this past week I packed my exercise bands for a little extra resistance work.  I also had a beautiful outdoor spot for yoga that was a real treat.  However, I admit it's still not the same.  Maybe because for the rest of the day I'm sitting in a beach chair with soooo little movement, unless you count the lifting of the finger to change the page on my Kindle,  raising my all time favorite beverage, a lime and a coconut to my mouth, or a few short swims in the ocean.  This is definitely not enough to counter all the delicious foods or lime and coconuts that I indulged in.  And definitely not enough to counter the de-conditioining that occurs.Did you know that cardiovascular de-conditioing comes in just a week?  Granted, it takes muscles a bit longer to loose their strength, but after a week off I can tell I've been away.It just stinks!  I'm not gonna lie.  That first workout back is no fun.  You might feel weak and that you are starting back over.  That's okay.  You can't let that stop you from jumping right in.  Are you gonna be sore?  Yes.  Are you gonna be tired?  Yes.  Are you gonna get discouraged.  Yes.  But think how hard it will be if you put it off for another week or month.  It Will Not Get Easier.I write this because I am on day 2 of getting back into my normal teaching and workout routine.  I am sore.  I was tired falling into bed last night.  I am tight.  And did I mention that I'm already sore?  And it's just day 2 and I still have another class to teach today.I'm getting back on track with the workouts.  It's not easy but as Nike says, "Just Do It".  Don't think about it.Upon returning I also took every single item out of my refrigerator.  (I would recommend doing that before leaving town and things begin to smell!) I re-stocked with only fresh, whole foods.  This makes me get my nutrition back on track as well.So, vacation is now officially over.  I'm back on the workout and nutrition track and am still tackling the enormous pile of laundry . . .So, next time you come home from your vacation and ponder putting off or easing back into your routine. . . . don't do it.  I say jump back in.As my brother used to say, "It'll feel better after it stops hurting."  (:Are you active on your vacation?  How do you get back on track?  Ever had a Lime and a Coconut?  I cannot recommend it enough!  The yummiest thing on an island! ENJOY YOUR DAY!  I HOPE YOU ARE LOOKING AT SOME SUN!