March 2024 SOLC–Day 13
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The question arose early in the day.
Should I go or not?
Last week I had started an exercise class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from. 5:30-6:30 pm. Somehow it was Tuesday already. Funny how that happens.
I relatively enjoyed the class last Tuesday, and actually felt good after going. I had totally planned on going again. The problem was that after exercising on both Tuesday and Thursday night last week, I couldn’t sleep. At all. Before starting the class, I had dimly remembered that exercising in the evenings had been a problem for me in the past, but hadn’t thought too much about it. Until dragging myself through last Wednesday and Friday. I’d already started investigating alternative classes at other local YMCA’s, but hadn’t found the perfect fix yet.
Now, two days into Daylight Savings Hangover Time, I was already exhausted. The thought of adding a night of restless sleep to that mix was daunting, especially if I could possibly avoid it. I have enough problems with interrupted sleep already!
So, when I stepped outside into a beautiful, albeit blustery, afternoon, I texted Kurt:
Isn’t he cute?
Anyway, the whole way home I debated–Should I go to class or walk? Will I still walk if Kurt doesn’t want to? Am I just rationalizing to avoid the class? (I am very, very good at talking myself into or out of something.) How do I know if I’m making a reasonable choice or just avoiding something that I don’t feel motivated to do?
I started thinking in bullet points:
If I go to class…
- I’ll be developing that habit.
- I’ll feel good about going.
- I’ll be doing some weight bearing exercise.
- The instructor will know I’m not a quitter. (I know, this is so ridiculous, but I did think along those lines.)
- I may very well not sleep well. ACK!
If I walk instead…
- I’ll spend time outside, and it is lovely out.
- I’ll spend time with Kurt (even if he is a jerk– lol)
- I’ll still get exercise.
- I’ll hopefully be able to sleep.
- I will have an extra 45 minutes of time that won’t be spent driving to and from class.
- Oh, by not driving, I won’t pollute as much. (I realized I was starting to reach here.)
By the time I got home, I was totally unsure if I was rationalizing or not, but I had decided to go walking instead of going to class.
Happily, Kurt joined me and we went for a brisk 3 mile walk down to the river and back.
I’m still not sure if it was the best choice or not, but I mostly feel good about it.
I’m still wondering how to determine if I’m making excuses or good arguments. (Any tips?)
And I still don’t know if I’m going to class this Thursday or not.
Nix the comfort zone 
The drive to get there and back would have me tapping out. I only exercise at home (in the morning) on my bike. Like you, I can make all the great lists of reasons, but when I am at home it is easier to tell whether I am making excuses or not!
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Good point! I do have a treadmill and could use that more regularly. I enjoy being in a class with a defined time and someone else calling the shots, but I may just have to figure something else out.
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I hit snooze three times this morning and I think I have the daylight savings hangover too! I think your lists were a great way to make a decision. If you felt good after you walk, I say you made the right choice!
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I definitely was overthinking it, but in retrospect, it was the right choice.
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It’s a time thing. I do the best when I have to exercise directly after work (where I change at school) and then have a hard time backing out. It’s like I carry on with the momentum of the day and then when I get home I know I’m done. On the weekends I go for runs right from the house to not waste the time commuting to the gym. I have an easier time committing to just 30 min and then I’m done instead of triple that if I went to the gym.
In your slice, your bullet points really make the point at how conflicted we all feel in “doing the right thing” which I can easily talk myself into and out of. “Managing my guilt” is another phrase I use to describe my inner thoughts listed, just like you did. Good luck and if you got more sleep… maybe that’s the answer for Thursday!
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Thanks, Cindy! I like the idea of building off the momentum of the school day …if only I had any left at 3:30! lol Still, it’s a good point. I need to reconsider my options. I’ll figure something out. The sleeping well was a definite win last night!
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Listen to your body and take care of your WHOLE self. Who cares about strong muscles if you’re a mess from not sleeping! Buy some weights and lift for 15 minutes in the morning before you leave for school. Find an app or an online class you can do from home. Or juggle your second graders during recess duty.
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Thanks for the ideas, Mary Lee. I don’t know why I didn’t include that second grader juggling in my thinking! lol I do like being part of a class, but maybe it’s just not meant to be right now.
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Oh my gosh…same thoughts for me last night…to go or not to go to the Y’s Body Pump class? I stepped outside into a gorgeous spring breeze-vacillated back and forth for a few minutes and went walking…4.5 miles. Much better than ‘being inside.’ :) I’m more of an evening workout person and a hard workout helps me sleep better. If it were the opposite like for you-that’s a tough decision. Workout classes may have to be after you retire. I looked-no Boot camps in our area.
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4.5 miles! You definitely upped the ante on my definition of a good walk. It was definitely a win to be outside.
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Decisions? Make one and don’t tell anyone what you decided. Give it a little time. Does the decision you made make you happy? Don’t overthink it. Trust your gut. If not, make the best of your decision. Then try choice B the next time to see how that feels. Your whole body will speak to you.
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Great comment, Dan. You reminded me that I once knew a woman who, when conflicted over a decision, tossed a coin. She confided that when she saw heads or tails, it immediately clarified for her which outcome she had really wanted. Then she was free to change her mind if she wanted to. She swore it worked every time!
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I really enjoyed your writing/thinking process. You get me totally involved. Thank you!
I was just considering a dog training class even though it starts late at 845pm wondering if I would get a second wind- I am most likely not doing it bc I am usually exhausted by 730pm. Have a great day!
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Are you making excuses….interesting question! It’s okay for all of us to realize that something isn’t working in our schedule. If the class isn’t doing the good for you that you want it to do, it’s okay to quit (and if the instructor judges you that is their problem!) I used to love going to a water aerobics class but that one hour a week, 90 minutes if you count travel and changing into/out of the bathing suit, right at my children’s bedtime, became too stressful. The stress outweighed the benefit.
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Thanks for this comment, Lisa. It’s all such a balancing act, isn’t it? I think, right now, this might just be a bit too much. I’m going to look into some other options…right after parent-teacher conferences next week!
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Yeah, when you’re padding the stats on your pro/con list, you know you’ve already made your choice. Sounds like it was the right one. Thanks for sharing.
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lol I definitely was starting to pad the stats! It was the right choice that day, but it took me a while to realize that.
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Molly, good luck with that! I believe any exercise is a win, so I’m easy that way. Not being able to sleep after exercise though just seems so wrong!
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Thanks! It does seem a bit unfair!
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