So I began the 5 week challenge on a great foot. I was living. I was active. I did everything required of me and then some for the first 6 days and then...injury.
I've been sick with the flu. I've had scrapes, cuts, and bruises. I've had menstral cramps that would make lesser mortals faint. But I have never experienced anything like this.
It happened on a Saturday, which is normally my day off from my day job. I had been forwarded a set of photos taken at once of my husband's shows (he sings, dances, acts, whatever), and included were about 5 of the most unflattering pictures of me ever taken. I was in a funk after seeing them, so I went into work and used my frustration to arrange and re-arrange some of the merchandise with vigor. I moved a couch alongside a customer, and I felt a slight pinch. After the couch was placed, I walked over and picked up a box of books and then I couldn't sit it down. I couldn't bend over at all. I had to drop the box.
I didn't realize the severity of my injury. Never having serious back problems before, I thought I'd be fine with an hour or two of rest. Haha. How naive.
Over the next 12 hours the pain crescendoed into unbelievable torture. I had call into my night job. I could not stand, walk, or go to the bathroom unassisted. I slept in the kitchen floor because I literally could not take another step.
Seven days and 4 chiropractor appointments later I was able to stand for short periods of time. My body shook with the effort of it. I could walk, but it was a slow, sad shuffle, nothing compared to my normally fast clip. Even now, 26 days later, I am only back to about 80% of my former abilities. I am terrified of lifting anything over 10 lbs.
Obviously I wasn't able to be active for the Peak 313 Challenge. I barely qualified as living. If one good thing came out of my injury it was that I had a lot of time to think, and here is the conclusion I reached:
I may not have liked the body I saw in those hideous photographs, but that body was strong and capable.
Never in my life did I feel like such a brat. I was only focused on what I looked like. I completely overlooked the wonderful things my body could do.
I have decided to start the challenge again. This time there won't be hundreds of other people doing it alongside me. I don't have to check in, and I won't win a prize. I'm doing it because I can. I'm also changing my mindset. The first go-around I had only 1 goal - to finish. This time I have 2 goals - finish and maintain a positive, grateful attitude.
I'm not sure if negative reinforcement works for others trying to improve their bodies, but it didn't work for me.
The challenge consists of exercising 25 mins a day/4 days a week. It also incorporates memorizing Bible verses to feed you spiritually, and checking in with others for accountablilty. Since the official challenge ends 10/5, I'll use this blog to check in.
Better late than never, right?
