This morning I woke up tired. Not simply a normal morning tired, but tired like it was in my body and bones and I really didn't want to get up. I lay there listening to the alarm wondering why I was feeling so tired, why I wasn't my normal chirpy self who gets up as soon as the alarm goes off and heads to their exercise routine? I still don't know why, I'm simply speculating that I must have been subconsciously not wanting to start the process of awarding GCSEs - and it is a slow and painful process.
Because of this, I have spent almost the entire day sat down in front of a computer screen, looking, grading, numbering, refining, deleting, second guessing, changing my mind...to say it has been stressful would, I think, be the understatement of all understatements. Mentally, I think I have had enough exercise for the rest of this decade, never mind today!
By the end of the day, and by that I mean by about three in the afternoon, I was well and truly depressed. I had not seen sunlight nor walked out into the fresh air and I had not left my computer screen for more than a few minutes at a time. So when my wife arrived back from school, I was relieved to have someone to talk to and, shortly after that, I had finished the first lot of grades. Only a lot more to do and then I could rest. They'll be started tomorrow and it will probably take the rest of the week to do them.
As I lifted myself from the seat I swear I could hear my clothes prise themselves from the wooden bench my bottom had been stuck to for the day. There was still more work to be done and a CPD session I hadn't finished, so after making myself and the wife a cup of tea I began again, sitting, mentally exercising whilst doing little physical activity.
Following another weary hour of mental toil, I had finally finished work for the day, having been sat at my laptop from about 8am until 4.30pm, with only a break for lunch. The good part about that is that I did not snack or consume any unwanted foods during that period. Instead I battled through with tea and coffee and a yoghurt. I didn't crave, I didn't think of food at all. I did stop for lunch, of which I had a corned beef sandwich and now, at the end of the day, I still haven't hit my calorie intake goal of 1680. Normally at this point I would eat more to get up to the intake allowance (as eating too little can reduce muscle mass, especially in someone my age). However, as it is now 9.30pm, I don't think that this is the time to eat. So for today I am going to have to be content with being about 400 calories beneath my normal target, having consumed only about 1209 calories for the day. I will make sure I don't underrate that much tomorrow.
Another achievement today is my walk after my dinner (freshly made hamburger with salad and coleslaw) which added a further 10,000+ steps to my low step count and made me reach my target for the day. On top of that I had a lovely conversation with my wife as we walked and I felt brilliant once I came home.
Finally, my day ended with a lovely cup of tea and writing this, another reflection of a good day.
The moral of today, for me, is that sometimes I am (and you are) going to have days when you won't get much exercise. Having been in for the day and thoroughly enjoyed the walk after dinner, feeling great once I was in the open, make sure that you take breaks from the things you are doing and get some fresh air or raise your heart rate. the endorphins and the feeling you have will make you much more productive. I have already planned Wednesday's breaks (I'm in school tomorrow) so that I get some fresh air during my time at the computer. This will make me more productive but also make the day bearable.
So although I started off today sluggishly and depressed and irritable, I'm finishing it on a high and with a smile inside, knowing I am still on track...and I am thoroughly grateful for that!
Until tomorrow: stay strong and stay safe.
Thanks for reading.
Sean.
ความคิดเห็น