Is anyone else feeling the crunch? The holidays, the traffic, the overcrowding at the gym, the stale workout routine….I am definitely feeling burned out. I’ve been feeling run down, tired, bored, all of the above for about a month. Michael has too, but I think that’s because he’s still getting over that nasty cold I had a month ago. We’re both definitely in a rut. We have so little time to do much of anything that we end up spending what time we have in front of the TV catching up on our shows. Like zombies.
Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I’d like my days to involve more than: work, fighting traffic, racing to the gym to fight crowds, come home and eat dinner, watch tv, go to bed. I’ve been trying to add more fun things into my life. I’ve been reading books like crazy, I discovered some new podcasts that are mentally stimulating, I’ve made a bunch of plans with friends in the coming weeks. Yet…I still feel burned out!
Wednesday night as I made my way to the gym, feeling grouchy and totally not into it, I ended up sitting in traffic for over an hour. It sucked. I was frustrated. I contemplated taking an entire week off from the gym and just going home. I went anyway but told myself I would only stay for 45 minutes. I hopped on the elliptical and did 45 minutes of half-assed work and then went home. I was glad I did something but still feeling like I should have just gone home!
Michael had sat in that same ugly traffic in order to go to Costco so when he got home he was just as grumpy as me. “Screw it, let’s get Mexican food.” Sounds good to me! We went to Cha!Cha!Cha! for dinner because neither of us felt like doing much of anything.
I got the beef enchiladas and I ate one enchilada and half of my rice. I was proud of my self-control even though I wanted to eat all of it! I took the leftovers home for lunch the next day. And I feel no shame in that I went to bed at 8pm that night.
I think I will reinstate the January plan I did a few years ago. In order to beat the crowds that flood the gym in January, I did several of my workouts at home instead. It relieved stressed and frustration and mixed up my routine to keep it fresh. I think I will be doing that again in a few weeks.
So how do you get out of a rut or get over feeling burned out?
Lastly, I want to leave you with something POSITIVE instead of my complaining.
Need some extra motivation?
[blackbirdpie url=”https://twitter.com/Bag_Collector/status/262619370570792960″]
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
Wow–what an awesome tweet. Just goes to show how your positive attitude, hard work and dedication have not only helped yourself, but others as well. Have a great weekend!
Lisa Eirene
I was pretty tickled when I saw that tweet! I was glad the tip worked for my friend.
evilcyber
Yeah, despite trying to get all my Christmas shopping done in time, I still got to feeling a bit burned out. During the next week, I don’ have to work, but basically everything that would have had to be done then, had to be done now. Then of course there are all those other Christmas preparations.
Whatever you do, it seems after the holidays you need some holidays from the holidays 🙂
Lisa Eirene
I agree with you. It’s like I overbook my vacations and time off and go back to work just as drained and burned out! I hope you find a way to enjoy your holiday week off and relax!
Lori
I am burned out right now, too. I don’t know why. My eating has been off and I haven’t cared too much about that (eek!). It’ll pass, I know, but I can’t work out enough to mitigate it – nor would I want to.
I think I need some days off of work, which I don’t know if I have yet. I won’t work Christmas, but I will be working on Saturday some and some on Monday.
Lisa Eirene
My eating has been back and forth. Most days I’ve been pretty good but there have been several in this week alone where I was like “screw it, I’m already over my calories”! That’s not good. I need a reset!
Hope you feel better soon, and I hope you get some time off from work!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
I need to get out of a rut too. I have been sucking at my healthy eating. Did so great for so long when I couldn’t exercise and now have gained 3 pounds since Thanksgiving. I think I need to really do some planning
Lisa Eirene
Sorry! Isn’t that the worst? But hopefully you enjoyed the food. 🙂
Stacie @ Snaps and Bits
This time of year is so hard! I’ve been eating way too many sweets. I need to get out of that rut, that’s for sure!
Lisa Eirene
I agree! It’s the sweets! There’ve been cookies in my office ALL WEEK. And of course it’s my favorite kind so it’s hard to just walk by them 10 times a day an d not eat one.
Daphne @ Daphne Alive
Wow, the mexican food looks delish!
Yes, getting burnt out is a pretty good description for this month. I will welcome January with open arms!
Lisa Eirene
Well put. It seems that most people are feeling this way right now! I guess it’s just the holidays catching up. I can’t wait for January. RESTART.
Biz
Sometimes the expectations are so high around this time of year, it is hard to get it all done! I have to say, that since our budget is so tight this year, all I am making is gifts from my kitchen. I haven’t stepped one foot into a retail store and instead of feeling sorry for myself that I don’t have money to shop, I have had a stress free holiday so far!
I am going off line for a couple days, but wanted to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas!
Lisa Eirene
I definitely think unplugging is a good idea! Enjoy your time with your family and merry christmas!!