Pushing myself too hard
And why am I wearing a brace?
Because on Saturday, I was sparring in kung fu when an errant kick connected with my knee. It hurt, but I kept on. By Saturday night I was having great difficulty with stairs, getting in or out of the car, or doing anything that required me to put weight on my bent knee. On Sunday, I was in Urgent Care listening to a doctor telling me that I had a sprained knee and I had to take it easy for a couple of weeks.
As soon as she said that, I immediately translated it into what I wanted to hear. "You could probably still spar on Tuesday if you took it easy." I didn't want to admit how much it hurt or how much I was having to push and pull myself to my feet. I never miss a day of exercise, and I didn't want to start now. I have exercised with headaches, backaches, colds, and on the day after surgery.
Last night my wrist started hurting. Partly due to all the extra use it's getting, and partly because I have a crazy deadline and I'm working hours and hours every day, trying to find the words and get them onto the page. I never ever miss a deadline, and I don't want to start now. I have written with a 102 degree fever. I have written while nursing (you can even use both hands if you use a Boppy). I have written with pneumonia.
But you know what? There is a point where you have negative returns. And maybe I am finally learning that. Because I'm not going to kung fu tonight. I'm not going to kung fu for at least another week. I'm not going to go run, I'm not going to Body Pump, I'm not going to the gym.
And yes, that does give me more time to write. But I'm trying to be reasonable about that too. Like last night I let myself read a book (Familiar by Robert Lennon) for 30 minutes.
I hope I'm slowly learning to take it easier on myself.
This sounds familiar to me in a lot of ways. :/ Sometimes you just have to slow down and relax... Which is harder than it sounds. Given the situation, it sounds like you're doing a great job. :)
ReplyDeleteBtw, I love the theme this month.
DeleteI love it too. I think it's from Joy Preble.
ReplyDeleteSitting still is a struggle for ambitious people. And as much as I, personally, know it's important for me to read, it's sometimes hard for me to convince my self to sit on the couch and open a book. Because I could be writing. I could be watching TV WHILE folding laundry. I could be planning next week's menus or cleaning the kitchen. (Ha, that last one is a joke. I never clean my kitchen. Stupid food.)
ReplyDeleteI suffer from writer's back--a condition that hits anyone who spends too much time sitting with their laptop. Sending your wrist lots of good healing vibes...
ReplyDeleteCan I just say...you're a badass LOL! Feel better!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a chronic exerciser, too. Taking a day or two or three off is a tough lesson to learn. I haven't mastered it yet, but I'm doing better. Hope you heal quickly!
ReplyDelete