Loooooooooong story short, I skipped town ahead of the massive, massive blizzard expected to pummel the eastern seaboard this weekend. I was going to be visiting my family this weekend anyway for my grandfather's 90th birthday celebration (!), so I just left two days earlier than planned to get out ahead of the snow.
When I realized the weather was going to be bad enough to make me need to change my plans, my biggest concern was figuring out how I was going to manage to work out while away. I can manage 2 days (per the original itinerary) away from the gym without panicking about losing my routine, but five days with no gym time at this particular moment, when working out outside will be difficult or impossible and I had no mental preparation for such a stretch without exercise, was really stressing me. But not for long -- I didn't have time for that.
Quickly, I got organized. I traveled to my parents' house with my homemade soup for every day I'd be here, AM and PM snacks measured out in baggies for each day, and some perishable food items that I can cook for all of us that would've gone bad if left in my fridge. I optimistically tossed my gym clothes and shoes, along with my fitness journal, into my bag and sped away yesterday afternoon.
Today, while sitting on my butt in front of the TV with my dad, I got really antsy. I could feel that I needed to move. I have a suuuuuuuuuuper old one-week guest pass at the gym I used to go to when I lived here and was attempting weight loss several years ago, so I thought I'd dust it off and see whether I could use it myself since I'm no longer a member there. I took it to the gym, and even though they knew it was an old pass that was really no longer valid, I was able to finagle one week of access out of them. Gym conundrum resolved.
I did my arm weights and my old cardio staple today. Because this gym is laid out differently from the one I belong to where I live, the mirrors allow me to see myself from unusual angles. When I was pumping that iron, I couldn't believe how many muscles I could see in my arms and shoulders! Then, when I was powering through on the elliptical, I worked up a sweat I haven't achieved in months. It was a very satisfying workout, and I'm proud of myself for listening to my restless body and figuring out a way to get in my burn while totally out of my element because of the elements. I have such peace of mind knowing that I have a way to exercise every day, and that I removed the option of excuses from my path for how ever many days -- well, up to 7 -- before I can safely go back.
When I got back from the gym, my dad gave me a strange look and said, "You look taller."
Yeah, I thought I was talking taller today. Stride of pride.