I figured I'd jump in and post this. I tend to push myself, 'just get through', and yes, its a learned behavior.

Recently, I messed up my knee. Still not sure how I did it, but when I hobbled in on Wed, almost unable to walk, my coworkers sent me to the dr. I still have a tendency to overdo..I've been in bed since then (and BORED), but am going in to work today (I was overoptimistic about it being better--I can walk, but its still sore).

I have decided not to go to rehearsal tomorrow though, and just baby the knee tomorrow and Monday...cancel out of my volunteer stuff Monday as well...

I have to learn a balance in which not to overdo. What balances do you have trouble finding in your life? (btw, drugs are good).

Like Puck, I struggle with balance between healthy eating and treats; i.e., finding that balance between being able to indulge in something delectable often enough to not feel deprived and yet not so often that doing so compromises the work I'm doing with healthy eating and exercise.

My other major balance problem, though it is MUCH less a problem than it used to be thanks to a supportive friend, is finding balance between vegging and being productive. For 37 years, I worked hard and, when I was not at work, I tended to want to veg out and relax to reward myself since my job was so stressful.

Now that I'm retired, I often fall back into veg out mode when there is no stressful job to "recover" from. I do not enjoy cleaning in any way, shape or form, but I don't detest it as much now that I have some modern conveniences like a dishwasher and my own washer & dryer. Still, being productive enough (to suit my own expectations) is a challenge.

And now somehow I have a spasm in one arm.

*sigh*

One of these days everything will work and not hurt.

I avoid high-intensity exercise like the plague. For me, it guarantees injuries.

(I even have injury problems with medium-intensity weight training.)

Anyway, I try to listen to my body, rather than getting carried away.

I think women in general have a tendancy to just do and do. I think somewhere along the way we were all given the message that is how we're supposed to be.

Since I started mediatating and starting and ending my day with gratitude statements, I feel much more centered.

The one area where I don't have great balance is with my exercise. I tend to exercise through illness and injury and underestimate how sick/injured I really am.

ha ha

balance? what is THAT?
i am the worst person when it comes to balance. i am so wrapped up with guilt--i should do a million things. but then i spend my off time doing those things, and when monday comes around and i have to go back to work, i am tired , as if i never rested. because i never rested--DUH!

i am lucky to be surrounded by friends who are honest with me, and suggest i slow down and take a breather. i have been getting better. i have also been getting better about gettin g more sleep.

it is a constant that i need to be more aware of.

Cate, I sprained my knee on Monday. We started taking a taekwando class as a family and I sprained my knee doing jumping jacks during the warm up.

I am wearing a brace and walking, but way overdid it yesterday by walking .5 mile to the football stadium during a school evacuation. Thankfully, I found a ride back. So, my knee which had been feeling a lot better was bothering me most of yesterday afternoon and evening.

I guess I'm not good at not pushing myself either.

Dawn

Balance between healthy eating and treats.
Balance between time working and time off.
Any other balance you can think of. At least that's how I feel sometimes.

Mostly, I forget to take personal time to just breathe, vegetate in front of the TV, read a magazine, etc. I get so wrapped up in homework, work, etc. that I burn myself out because I feel so overwhelmed.

I'm slowly getting better at it, but I still feel guilty when I take some much deserved time to breathe.