The Gym = My Ultimate Stress Relief

So, my husband and I have been trying to find a second vehicle that is in newer to new condition, low mileage, and within our budget. There are a few other key factors, such as need to be AWD or 4WD because the winters here are drastic. It has been such a struggle. 

Last night, it really got out of hand. You see, stress does horrible things, and when it’s something that you’ve been stressed about for almost two weeks, that stress seems to build up and almost take control. Unfortunately, that’s what happened last night. I was freaking out. My husband felt lost. We were not in a good place.

He severely injured his calf a couple days ago and couldn’t join me at the gym. And as tired as I felt, I knew I needed to go. Even though I went by myself, I spent almost 3 hours there, and didn’t even touch a cardio machine. I lifted and lifted and lifted. 

Metal takes the punishment. Metal takes my anger. Metal allows me to release the stress I have and won’t fight you back. I’ve found nothing that depletes my stress better than a solid workout at the gym. 

I call these stress workouts my emotional workouts because I go through so many emotions if I’m that stressed. At first, I was tired, lifeless, wondering if I was really going to workout or not. This was a matter of going through the motions. Then I started thinking about things between my sets, during my rests. Then I picked up the pace and just lifted, and lifted, and lifted with very little rest. And then my hardness seemed to break. My body was getting worn out, my brain was getting worn in.

I had acted ridiculous. It’s not just me dealing with a future decision. My husband is there with me, going through the exact same things. And yet in our discussion, I had talked mostly of myself. I had been completely selfish. And though I’m not a fan of people who text at the gym, I got my cell while doing ab work on the floor, and texted my apology. I would only message during my rests, but it helped to settle things between us, to connect again. It helped to resolved things which helped me finish my workout strong. Feeling balanced and almost normal again allowed my body to really breathe and relax during my final stretches. By the end of the workout, things were right again.

The gym and working out does so much for me. There are so many benefits, so many blessings it provides. It helps me to manage my life, manage my stress, manage my thoughts and emotions. The gym is always there for me when I need it (except those weekend nights they claim to be “24 hours” but they’re not). But it’s something I can take my feelings out on without the worry of hurting anyone else. It’s amazing.

I’m curious what the gym does for you. How does it help you in life? Leave a comment below and share your story. I’d love to hear it!

Only For A Moment Of Time

Sometimes you will just never see it coming; the train that hits you without warning. The train that completely derails your life and your left lying there, asking yourself why: Why is this happening? Why didn’t I see it coming?

I have a second cousin (her first) that was born with a condition where his upper body would grow, but his lower body would not. It unfortunately meant that he spent his life in a wheelchair. Now, this didn’t seem to get him down, at least the times I was ever around him. He was almost always smiling, pretty cheerful towards life. He loved to sit and talk and would happily talk your ear off if you’d let him. I know my great aunt’s life changed when he entered it, but he was such an uplifting spirit in the family. You regular kid that liked to cause mischief when he could, only confined physically to his wheelchair.

I got a message from my mom this morning. Somehow, for reasons that no one is quite sure, we lost him last night. There were no warning signs. There were no impending health issues that we know of. He was not involved in any type of accident, and yet death came knocking at his door in a moment we never saw coming.

I can’t stop thinking about my great aunt. Living with her son, knowing his dependence for the last 30 years (forget his exact age), and basically moulding your life around his only to know that all of a sudden, he’s gone. The room that was fashioned on the first floor of her house for him is suddenly empty. The modifications made to her house for his accessibility are now going to be used by whom? I can’t imagine the devastating pain of losing someone who was ALWAYS there; someone you watched grow from that tiny cell in your womb to the man he had become and suddenly realizing that it’s gone. You can’t even rationalize with the thought that he had moved out like his two older siblings had, that was something he had never been able to do. This is real, and this is raw emotional pain, no excuses and no rationalizing.

I just can’t imagine. Having my life, all of a sudden, changed so drastically. All those little things that she had to change about her life, had to remember to do everyday, had become second nature to her, now probably seem to have no purpose. My biggest prayer is that she can find happiness in celebrating his life, celebrating the joy and the genuine time she was able to spend with her son. I pray that God’s loving arms embrace her every moment and she sees the little memories of him in her house each day. I pray that God holds His hands on her heart to hold it together when she catches herself doing one of those second-nature activities that she used to do for her son everyday and realizes she doesn’t have to do that anymore.

I know I’ve lost a cousin, but she’s lost so much more than that. Please pray for her in this situation. God always knows what is best and knows every step we are going to take in our lives, and the best part is, He PROMISES never to forsake us. Draw near to your loved ones and don’t waste a moment. Make every single moment of your life count because you have no idea when that fleeting moment of a train may be quietly steaming around the bend.