Rest for the Weary: Recap and Weekly Plan 12/22-12/28

"Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your soul." Matthew 11:28

This past week was my second week of my 10K training plan. Things didn't go the way I had planned, but I am accepting it. I tend to be a perfectionist and if I mess up, it gets me down, which leads to more mess ups, more let down....well, you get the pattern. This week was a tough week for me. I felt EXHAUSTED. Usually, I wake up feeling energetic and ready to work out. This week, it was definitely a struggle. I still got two runs in, but also took some rest days and walking days. The fact that I had less-intense workouts isn't what really got me down. What got me down this week was the massive amount of sugary treats all over the place!!! And my lack of self control around them.

I tried to think through which treats were worth it to me, as I discussed in last week's post. Which treats did I want to have in SMALL amounts and only if they were worth it? But I truly believe that my exhaustion impaired my judgement. I tended to "eat all the things" if you will. I didn't go crazy, but I definitely didn't make wise choices.

I'm not perfect, and I think my strive for perfection actually leads me to make poorer choices instead of coming to Jesus, laying it ALL at His feet, accepting His love and rest, and finding my peace in Him verses other routes I have created for myself. I have a history of over restrictive and over indulgent eating, and when those habits rear their ugly heads again, I know something is off with me. Not just physically, but spiritually as well.

The verse at the top of this post has meant a lot to me this past week. I have definitely felt weary and in need of rest. Instead of finding my rest and relaxation in sugar (which always backfires, let me tell you!) I need to turn to Jesus and rest in Him. I need to look to him for fulfillment and comfort in times when I feel like I can't do it, whatever IT is. I also need to trust my instincts when I actually need rest!!! What is the point of waking up at 4:30 in the morning to workout and work hard, only to end up giving into sugary treats and sweets a few hours later because I am just too tired to care? And for me, usually and especially if I am tired, one treat turns into 10 which turns into a whole day of a "what the heck" mentality. Which never ends well.

I am not perfect. And I am not a food robot, as Melissa Hartwig from the Whole 30 program and the author of "It Starts with Food" reminded me this week. I'm not perfect and I'm tempted just like any of you. It's hard to stick to a healthy eating plan! But after our tough weeks, we just have to get up, brush it off, and do the next best thing.

And for me, after a week of rest and reflection, the next best thing for me to do is to eat something healthy and head to the gym this morning before church. To fill myself up with time with Jesus, good food, and to move my body a bit.

With that said, here is my tentative food plan this week! It's a short week at work, which I am very excited about! I only have 2.5 days and then it's CHRISTMAS! I want to try and use up the food we have at home before I go on a grocery shopping spree. Here is my food/fitness plan:

Pre workout: - banana w/PB - hard boiled eggs - nuts

Breakfast: - scrambles - sausage with taters - quest bar if in a hurry

Lunch/Dinner: - grass fed taco meat - turkey burgers - tuna salads - salads in general!

Workouts: I am going to try to do a couple evening workouts and see how that goes. I am morning person through and through, but I want to try something different this week.

Monday: 2 mile run (fast), Personal training session, Hanna circuits

Tuesday: 5 mile long run

Wednesday: TIU workouts (I have to take advantage of the tone it up workouts!!! I am a part of the TIU community and these are great, at home workouts to do when you are short on time!

Thursday (Christmas!): Run 4 miles (moderate pace)

Friday: Lateral elliptical, log book workout from trainer

Saturday: Run 3 miles (moderate pace), log book workout from trainer

Sunday: Walk, lateral elliptical, or rest day

And there we have it. I am so excited for this week! Christmas is my all time favorite season and I definitely don't want to ruin it by being too tired, too sluggish, or too high off of sugar! :) God is our strength at all times, and He wants us to come to Him. I don't know why I even try any other way! :)

I hope you all have a great, restful, and healthy week!