Good morning!
I definitely thought it was later than Tuesday in the week, maybe around Thursday? That was a disappointment when I remembered it was early in the week!
Last night’s post was definitely a nostalgic one. And I left out my dinner and my workout routine! It felt a little weird, but I think it’s great to change things up a bit.
One reason I did this was to completely focus on my trip home, but also because I wanted to touch on something I really struggled with last night while working out. My goal at the gym yesterday was to bust out a 3 mile run. I thought it would kick off my week on the right foot and make me even more pumped for my upcoming first 5k.
The run started off pretty well. I blasted some Britney (don’t hate) to get me goin’ and stared at Wheel Of Fortune on the TV and tried to guess the puzzles. I’ve been covering up my treadmill lately because if I stare at the screen I’ll watch the time creep along and it annoys the heck out of me. It always makes me feel like the run is longer than normal.
Things were going fine, until all of a sudden, tons of negative thoughts popped into my head. “You can do this!…No you can’t.” “This is SO hard right now.” “How can I run this mileage? I’m definitely not ready for my race.”
I kept trudging along, but around 1.46 miles, I just stopped. I don’t even know what happened, but before I knew it, I was pressing the pause button. Wait…I stopped? Why?! I walked around for two minutes and hopped back on the treadmill. Then I did another 1.3 miles. And then I stopped. I finally threw in the towel and headed over to the sitting area.
I felt SO defeated and angry with myself because I knew I could do it physically, but mentally, I wasn’t all there. So, I did a challenging set of abs and called it a day.
I’m upset a little, but I know I can do this. I just need to jump over this mental hurdle.
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This morning, I ate peanut butter from a jar for breakfast.
Kidding!
I used the rest of my PB to make dark chocolate overnight oats last night.
In the mix:
- 2/3 c. mixed oat bran + rolled oats
- 1/2 c. skim milk + a splash more added this morning
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds
- 1/2 tbsp. ground flax
- pinch sweetener
- 1 tbsp. dark chocolate cocoa powder
This morning I sprinkled it with some granola and added another dollop of PB. Hey, you can never have too much nut buttah!
Super chocolatey, just the way I like it!
Have you ever had an exercise mental block? How do you overcome these?
All the time. I think it really is important to have both your mind and body in sync when doing something that is more challenging than usual. Honestly, one tip that always works for me on the treadmill is to start doing intervals (sprint or just regular speed). As counter intuitive as that sounds, it really helps me.. try it out next time. Also, I like to think; “okay fine, you’re not feeling it today.. just get to the 5, 10,15..etc. mark and you can stop” and then I get there and say “do you really feel like you need to stop? Give it another 5″ and so on.
Or, maybe if it’s just exercise burn out.. I like to switch up the machines and do half of whatever amount of time I want to do on completely different machines. Treadmill to elip. or stairmaster to treadmill, or elip to stairmaster. Switch it up!
Don’t feel down on yourself, and least you got there and challenged yourself on your abs routine!
I felt that way today. I had to run 3 miles today, and at about 1.5 I was super tired and my legs still felt heavy. I could feel both my mind and body shutting down. But then I started thinking about how I’d be better off for seeing my workout through and how great I’d feel – simple thoughts, but they did the trick. Don’t feel defeated, Alexa! You’ll conquer your next run…you just gotta stick with it!
I’ve definitely had those times! I actually just had a run like that on Saturday. I wasn’t into it, I was slower that I’m used to, there were tons of people just in my way all over Boston and when I got back even though I was proud of what I did get through I just felt like I should have kept going instead of let everything get to me. But I like to think that every run makes you stronger and especially the hard ones can be the ones I learn the most from!
Girl I totally can relate. Sometimes we’re just not there mentally and that’s OKAY!! Giving your body and mind a break is completely understandable. Next time you run, you’ll go in with the attitude that you’re gonna rock it!
P.S. Britney is the best workout music. No lie.
Thanks so much, girl
Isn’t Britney the best?!
Those oats look delicious and good luck on your 5k
Yes, there’s always a bit of a mental block for me with moving around. It’s often just the first step out the door that is the hardest, but I always think to myself, I love love love the feeling I have when I’m walking so just see how it feels for ten minutes. If I hate it, I’ll just go home
That’s true…I should definitely change my outlook up a bit!
First off, your oats look awesome! I make overnight oats often, but have never added cocoa powder. I need to give this one a shot! As for working out…I get defeated, usually when I’m running on the treadmill, a lot. I’m proud of you for jumping back on after stopping…that’s something I rarely do! I think it’s easier to stay positive running outside…even if it’s just because my mind-set is, “well I’ve got to make it back home somehow”
Honestly though, what I’ve found best for me in the summer when it’s too hot to run outside, is switching up playlists on my Ipod a lot and covering the time with a magazine rather than a towel. Then, when I feel tempted to look, I flip through the magazine for a few minutes and it distracts me. I also like running and watching sports. Weird, but watching others “work-out” too is a motivator for me. Don’t let it get you down too much!
Thank you SO much for your tips. I definitely think the magazine idea will help!
I had this problem today. I thought it was my energy. I thought I was so tired that I couldn’t get my body to move today, but I think it was more of me telling myself I was too tired.. and I couldn’t do it.. and I shouldn’t even try. I never thought about the mental side of it until reading your post.
O0o0 yummy oiaj!! Love all that cocoa powder
I just pump that music and get in the mood to rock out and get some pr’s 
Your breakfast looks yummy!
Its hard to get over the mental barrier, and to know when to listen to your body, or if your mind is just playing tricks on you. I am a big believer of listening to your body, but if I get to the gym and am just feeling lazy, once I start working out, I get into the groove an am able to finish. If those negative thoughts come into my head I do 1 of three things. 1 put on the best, heart pumping song I have, 2. Tell the voices in my head to f- off, it will all be over in no time 3. Focus on my form, it helps take my mind of the negative and focus on the movement.
Thank you so much for the tips Nicole, you’re so sweet! I think focusing on my form will really help!
I am so sorry that you had such a tough time
I definitely suffer from mental block with my workouts and many other things. Typically, there is something else going on in my head that I need to address so when that happens I do a quick mental eval to see if I can figure out what it is.
You’re so right that you will get past this. It’s just another challenge that you will successfully defeat!
You can do it! 
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