January 22nd was Blue Monday. But it didn’t feel blue after my workout.
I go to the gym two or three times a week for strength and conditioning workouts. For the past couple months the “GetStrong” workout has been an AMRAP (as many reps as possible). This has been a departure from the more standard “GetStrong” format of EMOM (every minute on the minute). Both formats have their value. When we first started doing more AMRAPs, I was happy, because it provides more opportunities for conditioning, which I enjoy. But, then, I felt like I was starting to get tired of the AMRAP format. There were more things going on in the As. And those things didn’t always include the basic big lifts. Something was feeling a bit off. Sometimes, it’s just necessary to switch things up.
Truth be told, I may have been just fine with the AMRAPs, but, lately, I have been feeling extra grumpy. The 6:30 am class at the gym, is one of my happy places. Familiar faces, a good workout, in a comfortable space. I blame my grumpiness on perimenopause, but who knows. Sometimes, I feel I blame everything on my hormones when they are not the only cause of fluctuations in mood. General concern about terrible things going on in the world, feelings of helplessness about what one person can do to make a difference, concerns about aging parents, feeling like I can’t be comfortable looking forward to certain things, because of all of these worries, could all have to do with the odd grumpiness. Also, it’s normal to be grumpy here and there. Life cannot be all laughs and sunshine all the time.
I also make a point of appreciating the simple things, even when I feel grumpy. I am constantly saying “thank you” to the universe, for my safety, my mobility, my general luck at being in my life. Sure, I continue to try to figure out how to improve my sense of self confidence, at 51. I have doubts about my abilities in many areas. But, I also feel so fortunate for so many things. An amazing husband, good health, middle aged stability and so much more.
In the spirit of appreciating the little things, when I arrived at the gym on Monday, January 22nd (Blue Monday), I was happy to see that the format had gone back to EMOMs and a simple big lift for the As.
As I was enjoying the workout, I also noticed the music was more to my liking than usual. The playlist was a very 80s playlist with Betty Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes playing in the background and many other similar songs. In the C set, while I was enjoying the Broad Jumps, (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life was playing in the background and, I guess, the endorphins plus hormones and the cheesy, nostalgic song, made me feel a little verklempt. Not explainable but recognizable and this post is just to give gratitude for the ability to move in ways that lift my spirits on a day called Blue Monday.
