I'm dizzy, light-headed, over-heated and just plain worn out after my workout this morning. Why? Because I overdid it. I've been so focused on running from cancer by eating right and strenuously exercising -- research says it take five hours of vigorous exercise per week to keep breast cancer away -- that I drove myself to depletion this morning. It hit me when a wave of dizziness came over me in the midst of my outdoor workout. My body felt heavy, my strength disappeared, and it took every ounce of energy I could muster to put one foot in front of the other so I could get home. I suspect it was a combination of dehydration -- I didn't take water with me -- and heat -- it's really hot here in Florida -- and pushing myself too hard. The fact that I feel a bit under the weather didn't help either, I'm sure.
My body spoke to me today. And it's got my attention.
It's good to be determined about living a healthy lifestyle. But it's wise to take a break now and then, to let go of the rigors of always running -- literally -- from a disease that may or may not catch up with us. So my resolution for the rest of the day is to take it easy -- well, as easy as I can with two little boys who run circles around me. And the next time I think of passing the limits of healthy living, I'm going to stop, breathe, and find peace in the fact that I'm doing the very best I can. And that's enough.
