Sadly, I was unable to run the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine half-marathon this past Sunday, April 13th, that I had spent this winter training for. On Friday evening, April 11th, I attended a birthday party at The Friars Club. A mere six hours later, I had become the exorcist and was down for the count with a stomach bug that left me weak, dehydrated, and camped out on my living room couch. I had no choice but to stop.
Our bodies are not indestructible, and there is only so far we can push them before they protest and start to fail. I should have known better. This past week I worked more hours than usual, did not eat my normal calorie intake, and with the new (and very welcome) change in weather, I think my body just broke down and hollered at me to give it a rest.
Do you understand how important rest and food are to your body? People say to me all the time, “You look so fit” or “Your skin is glowing.” It’s the sleep you get and what you put into your body to fuel it that counts. Step back from the vitamin counter and open your refrigerator. Do you see a rainbow of colors? When was the last time your cleaned, and I mean dumped it all out, to begin anew? Listen to your body and the food it is craving and the sleep it needs. When you compromise on your food and rest choices, you will pay the price, like I did.
On Sunday afternoon, I emerged from my cocoon of illness to enjoy the sunshine and get my muscles moving again, renting a pair of roller skates for $15 in Central Park to skate and sweat it out to some ’80s music. I am taking it easy, nursing my body back to health, slowly but surely. I am looking forward to running the Brooklyn half-marathon on May 17th. Spring has finally sprung. You don’t want to be best friends with your couch and television; you should be best friends with the outdoors! Take it from me. Don’t miss out on its beauty by not taking care of yourself!
DASHA® wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
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