2BDYNAMIC
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I Used To Feel Guilty

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Monday, December 21, 2020

On days I do not have much to show for my fitness spark challenge. Most days are good-and
some notso. But the truth is-



This is my greatest challenge. If only I could sleep like I did as a teen. As much as I don’t like admitting it, I am the "I" word. (insomniac) … There-I said it!



But then I got real with myself and stopped making unreasonable demands. I asked myself:
Would I put the same expectations on my vehicle if it the tank was almost empty—or expect to get to my destiny on fumes? When traveling, what are those rest stops there for?



With not much more than a nap some nights, this is where you might find me after a toss-and-turn night. Yep! Put my feet up and read a good chilling mystery! Rest and relaxation is necessary to help re-fuel the body.

When I think of how my body has served me well for so many years, isn’t this only fair?

Last—If my doctor is ok. I am ok.
“How many days do you exercise per week?”
“Average is five.” emoticon (cardio and strength training—(diligent) emoticon

“That’s great! Everything looks good—keep up the good work and see you next year!”
Whew! That takes the pressure off! No more feeling guilty!

Thanks for reading and hope you have a great day! ...
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Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • DJ4HEALTH
    emoticon emoticon
    38 days ago
  • TOMG155
    Love it!
    53 days ago
  • SHAWFAN
    You'll be able to handle it well if you follow a couple of small changes. Turn off all screens an hour before bed, use that time to settle yourself by taking a nice relaxing bath or read a bit, then go to sleep at the same time every night.
    I'll admit I still have issues. My husband is an insomniac himself. Has been most all of his life. Probably from having to share a bed as a child with his brothers. Sometimes all 4 of them.
    Mine is a cross between my dog and him. Philip still isn't at a comfortable point to take up the above habit himself yet. Hopefully, he will come around soon.
    56 days ago
  • AURA18
    Hi 2B, like "empty tank" and pictures.
    Exercise and sleep go together. If I go to bed earlier then I wake up refreshed. I read the hours of sleep before midnight are twice as restoring. Last week, I fell asleep at 8p and was wide awake 12a, does this mean I had 8 hours sleep?
    I'm using a sleep app to find my "magic sleep number" emoticon emoticon
    59 days ago

    Comment edited on: 12/29/2020 9:48:13 AM
  • REGILIEH
    emoticon
    64 days ago
  • FRANKENTEEN1
    I have a slight problem with this. Sometimes I wake up and can't go back to sleep. I do much better when I get at least 7 hours.
    64 days ago
  • FIT4HZGLORY
    Over the past few days, I am learning more about myself than I have learned my entire life. I have learned not to feel guilty when I do not complete a task. Before, I was on RUN, RUN, RUN all of the time.

    It's time out for that now. I am 68 years old. I am not 25 years old any more. I do what I can and that that I cannot do, I just let it go. I have tried so many times to keep up an exercise regimen exercising everyday. That does not work for me. I am going to revisit my goals and strategies within the next few days and I have to do what works for me. Exercise is good, but I was just trying to keep up with others and I just over did it and wounding up hurting myself which set me back a few weeks that lead to months. I JUST cannot do this any more.

    I will do what I can and not feel bad about that which I cannot do any more. Sure my mind says that I can do these feats, but my body is screaming, "NO!" I will keep my mind on healthy things and do according to my stamina and what my body can tolerate.

    End of story!!!

    Thank you so much for this article. It confirms what I needed to hear today.
    65 days ago
  • IMNOTSTOPPIN
    Great blog!
    65 days ago
  • ISNESS
    Same here. Sleep improfes with the amount of exercise.
    I hope i can go on with it soon, broken bones at the moment.
    65 days ago
  • MTN_KITTEN
    As I moved through menopause ... I averaged 2+ hours of sleep a night. I went to work every day in a fog.

    Now a days ... about once a week ... sleep eludes me. Why??? Who knows. But now there's no draggin' myself through a work day. Retirement ... good in soooo many ways.
    emoticon
    66 days ago
  • SPARKFRAN514
    emoticon i find i sleep better when i limit my news watching like you said in a blog if we can't change let it go . have no tips like others but praying you start sleeping better emoticon
    66 days ago
  • HAPPY-CATHE
    emoticon
    66 days ago
  • MARKSMOM3
    emoticon emoticon emoticon
    66 days ago
  • 1ZIPPYC
    Have you ever thought of CBD oil? My sleep, anxiety, and arthritis is so much better since using it over the past year. I use CV science Plus CBD oil 10 mg extra strength gummies. They're the best, imo. Works well for me, after trying several others.
    I try to do some kind of exercise each day, especially stretching or yoga. I need to get back to regular outside walks now that the weather is cooler and less humid here in FL.
    emoticon
    66 days ago
  • JPPERSELL
    I hear you about the insomnia. Sometimes I can't sleep either and other nights I go right to sleep. It is great that you are getting your cardio and strength training in! Good job on that.
    66 days ago
  • no profile photo RACHNACH
    emoticon
    66 days ago
  • THINCPL2004
    I too have sleep issues on most nights I am lucky to get 3 - 4hrs sleep💤😴. Lately I have been using my fitbit app and it has different types of mediations and meditating 🧘‍♀️ has help me go to sleep faster and a tad bit longer.
    66 days ago
  • THINCPL2004
    I too have sleep issueson most nights I am lucky to get 3 - 4hrs sleep💤😴. Lately I have been using my fitbit app and it has different types of mediations and meditating 🧘‍♀️ has help me go to sleep faster and a tad bit longer.
    66 days ago
  • NANANANA
    After working a week of 14 hour days, I went to the doctor on my lunch break. While I waited I napped in the waiting room. He took my vitals and asked, 'What have you been doing?'
    "Working 14 hours a day."
    'Keep it up. Everything looks good.' After working 60 or more hours a week for the summer, the project was finished and I wasn't going back to that schedule.
    66 days ago
  • WALKINTOFIT
    I give myself permission to relax . I do not have to solve the worlds problems or the ones at work either... so hard to let go.. I need rest ... any kind of rest.
    66 days ago
  • GRAMDEB16
    Thanks so much! I feel guilty when I don’t do my normal morning exercise. Today for example, I am grocery shopping in the morning and then starting the before-Christmas cleaning.
    66 days ago
  • DONNALEE-53
    emoticon emoticon
    66 days ago
  • PLCHAPPELL
    Have the same sleep issues
    66 days ago
  • RHOOK20047
    I experience insomnia from time to time, for me it is usually during especially stressful times. My doctor prescribed Trazadone some years ago as a sleep aid and it works well for me. Mine was so bad that I couldn't function all day. I would be so tired but as soon as I laid down, my brain would go into warped speed worrying about everything but sleep.
    66 days ago
  • NEBRASKANNIE
    I go through phases with age, pain, and sleep disorders, and right now is hard. I love your analogy of asking a car to accomplish a task on fumes! I'm guilty of expecting my body to power on through life without giving it what it needs. I hope I can take a nap today!
    66 days ago
  • SHAKERATTLEROLL
    Glad your doctor appt went well. Sorry to read that you have been suffering with the dreaded "I" sleep pattern. I would get too involved with a chilling mystery to go to sleep. Prayers that your "I" sleep pattern goes back to sleeping like a baby instead. Have a good day.
    66 days ago
  • LIS193
    You can’t run on empty! Sleep is a great restorer
    emoticon
    66 days ago
  • ALIHIKES
    I've started to have more trouble sleeping. It is not pleasant to be exhausted from lack of sleep. Stress is a big factor. I have tried to make some changes, doing a little yoga at night, not watching the evening news (unless the Martians are invading, it can all wait until tomorrow!), quiet music, turn devices off.
    66 days ago
  • MARYJEANSL
    Insomnia is awful. I hope it may get better.
    66 days ago
  • PATRICIAAK
    Listen to your body!
    There is a REASON for the insomnia!
    Unfortunately, most doctors DON'T treat the person.
    We are taught to 'pigeonhole' people into labels (ie diabetic, pregnant, geriatric, obese, anemic, arthritic)
    By and large, we're taught to look for and treat illness, not to assist each unique person to have optimal health.
    As you gave the 'right' exercise answer, he looked no further.

    66 days ago
  • CHERIRIDDELL
    I am glad all went well with the doctor.I sleep very poorly due to pain but I have stopped stressing about it sometimes I get good and exhausted and sleep but never more than about 6 hours but like you said My doctor is okay with it, he said the only way I would sleep more is with opioids and he is happy I am managing without those.
    66 days ago
  • TWEETYKC00
    Keep on pushing no matter how you feel. You are sooo worth the effort!
    66 days ago
  • FRAN0426
    Oh I relate to those nights of not sleeping well. I fact just last week on night I didn't even go to bed until 4 AM, knowing full well I wouldn't get to sleep before that time. Naturally, the next day is rather a wasted day.
    I had someone tell me, oh working over nights for years should be out of your your system by now. Now I realize many people including doctors haven't a clue if your an insomniac , what nights can be for one.
    66 days ago
  • RREDFORD5
    That's what I figure, too: if my doctor's happy, all is well. Here's to better rest to you soon! emoticon
    67 days ago
  • JAMER123
    I understand the lack of sleep. I need help with sleeping and even with a prescription, I manage to get 4-5 hrs. Sometimes I get a little over 6 hrs. so the evenings are times to try hard to not doze but usually fail. I really don't think I have ever been a good sleeper. Might be why I can work nights so easily over the yrs.
    67 days ago
  • HEALTHYGRAMMY13
    I also am a bad sleeper. I often wake up to go the the bathroom and when I get back in bed I am wide awake and my mind races with lots of thoughts and I often can’t stop just thinking. I’m also a light sleeper as well. Sometimes just laying there and saying some prayers helps but many nights it is over 2 hours before I can get back to sleep. I know it would help bring down my blood pressure, blood sugars and weight if I could get a good night sleep. Wishing you all a good night sleep. emoticon
    67 days ago
  • JILLIAN0216
    The image of a depleted battery always comes to mind when I think of my rest and recharge. I do not sleep well but do not use my machine either Guess what is on my list for the new year as a goal? You got! Use my machine every night.
    67 days ago
  • QUARTERMASTER3
    emoticon
    67 days ago
  • KURTZIE1998
    Most of the time sleep very well. I go along with my dr also, he is happy with all my tests too
    67 days ago
  • HOLLYM48
    I am a really bad sleeper and I always have been. I hate it. I am tired frequently but continue to push through each day. I always fall asleep easily, but don't stay asleep all night. Do your best, that is all we can do. Some day I hope I will get enough sleep! Sending hugs!
    67 days ago
  • WOOFERCOALBOY
    I have been staying up reading until 4 AM waaay too often recently. Normal lights-out is about 1:30, after I do the daily jigsaw & daily crossword available after midnight, then some solitaire to start letting go of the day. I'm not exercising enough, & my neck & trapeziuses are talking to me about it.
    67 days ago
  • SERENEART
    Glad the dr gave you a clean bill of health for the year. emoticon Hope that continues to stay that way. Have a great week!
    67 days ago
  • no profile photo CD10676776
    I enjoyed reading your blog. As previously said, as we age we sleep less. I only do so many chores throughout my day, exercise/strength train. I start my day with breakfast, eat nutritious meals and drink plenty of water, daily. Before bed, I have a glass of warm milk. I might read a chapter or two of a book I'm reading, no TV in the bedroom late at night. I sleep well, but less hours. Its due to old age. Listen to your body!

    Happy Holidays and SPark ON! emoticon emoticon emoticon
    67 days ago
  • SHOAPIE
    I’ve never been much of a worrier. But I have been known to feel guilty especially when it comes to diet and exercise that I’m not adhering too. I’ve always been one to need at least 20 minutes to get to sleep. When I was working and having to get up at 0430 for some early shifts, it would be harder to get to sleep just knowing that I had to get up so early. Since I retired I no longer worry about getting to sleep, if I can’t I just get up and read. Sometimes til 0430 before I can sleep. Was 0230 this morning. I always get up at by about 0800 on those mornings. I try not to alter my bedtime and especially not my morning rising time. Keep a schedule as close as I can. emoticon emoticon emoticon
    67 days ago
  • PATRICIA-CR
    I thought I was a good sleeper until my new Fitbit came and I decided to check on my sleep. OMG, 4 to 6 h only! Not that good. That's been my life. Oh, well.
    67 days ago
  • JAZZYGF
    emoticon emoticon emoticon
    67 days ago
  • WATERMELLEN
    Permission to not feel guilty: granted and received!! Thank you!!
    67 days ago
  • POLSKARENIA
    Good! Look after you. I find that my weightloss is all over the place if I don’t get enough sleep, no matter how much exercise I get...
    67 days ago
  • ARTJAC
    emoticon
    67 days ago
  • KOHINOOR2
    emoticon emoticon Hope you are able to get a good night night sleep. emoticon emoticon
    67 days ago

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