Sweating Away Stress

Oh hey, don't worry about the fact that I've been running around like a chicken with its head AND wings cut off. I have been busy beyond belief this past week. So busy that I've had to put my love of working out on the back burner. Yes, I love to work out. Yes, I am one of those crazy people. It gives me a chance to debrief, think and sweat out the negative toxins that build up in every cell of my body.

This past week has been nutty with school, work and life. I had to make the executive decision to skip my daily workout to do homework and organize my life. Not sure if you've had to make this decision before, but it's not easy for me. My workouts tend to take precedence over schoolwork, but not this week. I had so much to do that I was mentally feeling buried. Reading about the potato famine and writing a paper for management class was more important than getting my sweat on.

Since I tend to just pack it on, I also signed myself up for a quick catering job last night at West Point. We served 150 guests a three course meal. Not a glamorous job, let. me. tell. you. Filling baskets of bread, serving meals, clearing their leftover nasty bits in the trash and stacking dirty plates into crates...you get the idea. It was a long night, however getting paid good money was well worth it.

Anywho, I've been busy. End of story. I did not work out Tuesday or Wednesday. I know two days off isn't a big deal. It actually felt good to give my muscles and legs a break. BUT mentally, I was a mess. Sorta cranky, moody and on the edge of a stress-induced breakdown. Why this happens to me, I have no clue. I sort of believe this is a form of addiction. Similar to my addiction to coffee, if I do not drink coffee, my world is all a bit fuzzy.

Today I made sure I had a solid one hour to workout. You should have seen me. I was giddy and pumped with joy as I slipped into my gym clothes.

I ran hard for 30 minutes. Walked fast at a decent 10% incline for another 10 minutes and finished with 50 pushups, some light abs and planks.

I can not describe the feeling I got from that one workout.

It was as if the stress melted right off my face onto the belt of the treadmill.

Needless to say, I really can not wait for this week to come to a quiet end.

If I could right now, I'd be laying in my parent's bed like baby King.

i know, i want to squeeze him too.

Tell me, is working out your way of releasing stress?

What other things help you release stress?