All or Nothing

running shoes

I have a confession to make. I’m in another rut. After the high of getting my energy back upon going gluten-free, some other issues have come up. I got hurt, then I had a horrible cold, and now I’m discovering other food intolerances that can wipe me out for an entire day. The goal that I had set for myself as kind of a “comeback” race is getting closer and closer, and I haven’t been able to train for it.  I had an MRI on Friday and will find out today what I will be allowed to do.
golden retriever

At times like these, my instinct is to be an “all or nothing” person.  If I can’t do it all, I won’t do any of it.  If I can’t do my training routine of lifting weights and running, I won’t go to the gym at all.

But that’s not the way to live, is it?

The truth is that even though I can’t do everything, I can still do something.

Today I went to the gym and spent some time on the elliptical, then I went to the mat and did some core exercises, stretching, and foam rolling.  Definitely not the workout I would have chosen (not even any lunges!), but it was something.  I moved my body, I broke a sweat, and I felt better for it.  My outlook was sunnier the rest of the day, I was a more patient mom, and my stress levels were definitely decreased.

So no matter what the doctor says tomorrow, I will try to remember not to dwell on what I can’t do, but to be thankful for what I can do.

How about you?  Do you find yourself having an all or nothing attitude with anything in your life?

 

  • Vicarious Chelsea September 28, 2011 at 6:45 am

    I’m definitely an “all or nothing” personality as well. I’m that way with working out, healthy eating, reading books… everything.
    Sorry you’re still not feeling great 🙁

  • Kim Pebley September 28, 2011 at 8:55 am

    I am also an “all or nothing” person. Sorry to read that you were injured. You are absolutely right to focus on what you can do! When it comes to food, our family has several intolerances. I tend to have my 9 year daughter focus on what she can eat (like I do) instead of what she can’t. It gives her a small amount of triumph to feel like she has choices. Get well!

  • EA-The Spicy RD September 28, 2011 at 11:36 am

    Good for you to do “something”. I can find myself in that predicament too, but find that even a short workout can go a long way towards boosting my mood. I’m trying to be better about being an “all or nothing” person 🙂 Hope you’re feeling better soon!

  • Regan @ The Professional Palate September 28, 2011 at 12:09 pm

    I’m little behind on blog reading, but hope everything is “ok” now and on the road to improving.

    I haven’t blogged about it but had some really scary stuff earlier in the summer that sent me in for MRIs, too. Overall, I’m fine… but realized that I really needed to start making more time for things OTHER than blogging and working 😉

    Take care!

  • Melissa September 28, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    The vestiges of my all or nothing attitude have fled the premises since my daughter was born… But I wanted to say that my back surgery, gosh… 10 years ago now for a ruptured disc when I was a wee lass of 23, has been such a blessing in disguise. It helped me be more in tune and kind to my body and has helped me discover pilates and swimming. Hopefully you have caught yours before surgery is necessary, but either way I hope new doors open with this new issue that has cropped up.

    Been following you for almost a year now and enjoy your recipes!

  • feener September 28, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    i use to be very much like that, i think iam finally working on balance

  • Leah @ Kids Kitchen September 28, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    I so love this post. I am the same way. Like me with the gym. I used to be the nothing part. Now, for almost a year, I am the all part. A much better place to be. 🙂
    In other areas of my life, I’d like to be more all than nothing.

  • laura west kong September 28, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Sounds just like me! The highs and lows are really difficult to deal with. But I’m learning to simply do what I can, and that’s better than being able to do nothing at all…because I’ve been there too.

  • Becky Cooper (@fabbecky) September 29, 2011 at 3:48 pm

    I wrote a post the other day about my all or nothing and perfection mentality. Not only do I want to do it all, I want to be the best at it too. 🙂 Your right some days it is better to just do something.