As mentioned in my last post, I laid out of boot camp for the last 2 weeks due to doctor’s orders to prevent stitches in my back from scarring or popping. I had no plans of just sitting around, but waking up early and driving to Smyrna just to jog around a track didn’t seem worth it.
I’ve been doing a lot of introspection and soul searching lately. Most of my energy the last 6 months was focused on getting ahead at work and boot camp. I excelled in both, getting promoted and losing 45 pounds. Unfortunately, I became complacent in a lot of other areas of my life including nurturing important relationships, stimulating my mind with activities and hobbies, and just “getting outside the house.” I got stuck in a rut, especially on weekdays. Wake up, go work out, head to the office until 6 or 7 p.m., come home and cook a healthy meal -- more likely heat up leftovers -- then watch some TV before heading to bed. I became a boring hermit without much balance in my life. I hate that it took my 3 year relationship going south to realize my complacency but I should know better than anyone that you don’t know you need to make positive change in your life until you hit rock bottom or have some internal stimulus.
The last two weeks away from camp have given me the opportunity to start regaining a semblance of balance in my personal life.
One Saturday morning I walked a mile to try Alon’s Bakery in Morningside for the first time. The bagel was so fresh and delicious. There was a local farmers market going on across the street whose aromas and sounds drew me in so I went to go explore. The next day, I jogged the mile from my apartment to Piedmont Park then took a leisurely stroll around the 1.75 mile trail inside, taking in the sights of people enjoying the park before having a tasty beverage at Park Tavern then walking home.
I went to Nashville on the weekend of the 4th to see an old college buddy. We explored around Vanderbilt’s campus and some nearby parks for two solid hours one morning without any real ambitions, just shooting the shit and catching up. Later, we'd walk almost a mile from one side of town to another, just to go see some cool restaurants and new construction. On my trip home from Tennessee, I decided to pack a lunch and hike up Kennesaw Mountain. I’ve lived in Kennesaw for most of my life and think I’ve only visited the trails there once previously, and probably never in the last decade. That mile hike up to the 1,808ft peak sure kicked my ass but seeing the top of the mountain was so gratifying, both for the panoramic view and knowing that I overcame fatigue on a hot, muggy day to conquer a goal.
My point isn’t that any of these examples are real strenuous exercise that can replace the benefits of an intense boot camp workout. All of these adventures took me out of my comfort zone, brought me loads of happiness along the way, and I should be doing them in addition to boot camp. My point is that I never would have fathomed doing any of these things a mere 2 months ago. I wish I could say that I don’t regret anything that I have or haven’t done, but if I answered truthfully I probably would say that I do. All I can do is move forward and try to keep from repeating the mistakes of my past. Right now, I think that means to stay active mentally and physically, both at SIU workouts and outside of them.