A Small Step Backwards

I'm holding onto the saying, "two steps forward, one step back."  After meeting with the Physical Therapist today and hearing how running is out of the question for a little while I was ultimately discouraged.  Running is not something that I just do to stay in shape, I use it as a stress reliever, a chance to enjoy the sunshine and the beautiful trails of Colorado and just to be able zone out and have some "me" time.  Running is part of my daily regimen...so now without it, I have to get creative.

After my PT appointment today, I was thankful to have a few things lined up in order to enjoy the sunshine and get a little workout in.  In addition to the exercises I have been told to do by the PT, I was able to spend a little time at the playground with an adorable little two year old!  While we played on the jungle gym and ran around the park, I was also able to get a little upper body workout in climbing around on the monkey bars!  What's better than a lunchtime hour spent outside in the beautiful sunshine, on a playground with a little munchkin?!

After the work day was over, I met a friend for a little vinyasa yoga at the Prana store in Cherry Creek. Throughout the hour class we worked on several inversions and had a hardcore ab workout.  Knocking out my headstand was definitely the highlight of my practice tonight!  But it was during our meditation at the end of class that I had a chance to really free myself of a few things and set forth my intentions for the next few weeks.

On my walk home from class I decided that I was not going to let this "no running" thing discourage me.  So while this might be a step back in my fitness regimen, I now have the opportunity to focus on a few different things.  I can step up my yoga practice (something I've been meaning to do for months).  I can work on my upper body strength (something I've always been horrible about doing) and I can focus on working more on my core strength.  So even though I'm discouraged about the no running, I'm definitely excited to take my fitness in a few different directions.

Sometimes it takes a step back and a few weeks of "rest" for us to be able to fully gain acceptance for who and what we are so that we may leap forward and take those next two really big steps!  In all walks of life, that's what it's about.  Two steps forward and one step back...  This time it's the opposite...one step back and two steps forward...I'm looking forward to those leaps!