I did it this morning. I had my alarm set for 5:10 a.m. so I could meet my friends on the trails for a run at 5:50, but I didn’t wake up until one of them called at 6:05 to see if I was on my way. Translation: I screwed up my morning and caused a delay in theirs. I hate it when I do that.
It doesn’t happen a lot, but it’s happening more than I like. I think I need to admit that I need more sleep than I used to. I don’t do well on five or six hours. I need eight or sometimes nine. When did I become such an old lady? Is that even what’s happening?
The grump factor kicks into high gear for me when I miss my morning workout because my afternoons are unreliable. Or maybe more accurately, I am unreliable in the afternoons. Like today, can I get my run and spin done during the work day or after work but before I meet my friend for dinner? That would mean leaving work no later than 4:30, which I have the flexibility to do, but can I make myself go? It’s hard for me to walk away from work when there’s a lot to do, and right now, I have a lot to do.
Still, working out is me taking care of me. So this afternoon, come 4:00 p.m., I need to be winding down, so I can head to the gym. (It’ll be too damn hot to do anything outside.) How can I make that happen?
- Don’t shower this morning. I won’t love being unclean, so I’ll get myself to the gym at some point, maybe even earlier in the day if I’m uncomfortable enough.
- Eat lunch at my desk instead of going out. That buys me at least forty-five minutes of time.
- Set my watch alarm to 4:00 p.m. so that I am reminded of what I intended to do.
That’s my strategy for the day. Let’s see how it goes.
Update: In addition to what I mentioned above, I made a point of going to work in workout clothes so that I’d be forced to get the workout done. After all, I couldn’t spend a whole day at the office in workout clothes, could I? It worked. I got to the gym around 11:30 and did what I needed to do.
