Listen With Your Heart- You Will UNderstand

Ok, so first let me apologize for the corny Disney reference.  I've recently been in a Pocahontas mood for some reason, and this song kept popping into my head.  Anyway, what I really want to talk about is listening to your body.  Basically, it's important (who knew?). 

For the past couple of days I've been really tired.  I felt lethargic, worn down and a little sick.  I kept trying to come up with reasons (my body must be fighting the piggy flu, I've been working too hard, etc.), but nothing really seemed to fit.  I was also really hungry, but I just figured that tied into me being tired and maybe even being a little bored.  So, I ignored the signs and just decided keep working through it and hope that I actually got sick enough to warrant a long rest or that I'd magically get better.

Here's the thing, though, I wasn't just hungry.  I was hungry for all the wrong things.  Usually when I'm hungry a banana, or an apple, or even a yogurt would suffice.  Recently, however, I've been craving fried foods and cookies.  Oooh, I really wanted a burger and frosty with fries from Wendy's.  Again, though, I didn't listen to my body.  I thought I'd maybe eaten too much junk recently and just wasn't feeling that great because of it.  I also figured that if I had anymore junk that I'd just crash.  That is, until last night.

I was on my home, trying to figure out what might be healthy and still satisfy my cravings when I got a call from a friend who wanted to eat out.  Everything told me I should go out.  I mean, it's expensive and it's not that healthy, but I thought, "Screw it.  Let's go out!"  So out we went.  The plan was to have a baked potato and soup, and maybe some hot chocolate or something fun like that.

By the end of the night I'd eaten a cup of soup, a cheese burger (only 6 oz so smaller portioned), quite a few fries, 2 cookies, and a few fried cheese balls which I stole from Hans.  I didn't feel too bad until I looked in the mirror and saw a food baby the size of a four month old.  I went to bed feeling guilty and dreading the morning.  I figured after all that food that this morning would be difficult to say the least.

This morning was wonderful!  I felt awake and well rested.  I had a great jog and I've run errands all morning.  Aside from the fact that I got about 3 hours less sleep than usual, I feel completely awake and fantastic.  So, do you know what I figured?  I figured that's not just what my body wanted, it's what it needed.  My biggest guess is that my body really needed the iron in the burger (it's quite easy for women to be slightly anemic), but a little fat and grease is quite good for the body.  It's wonderful fuel.

Here's the thing, though.  I don't plan on doing that every night.  I have to make sure my body actually needs something (not just wanting it) before I give in.  Yes, burgers and fries may become a bit more routine, but my run is becoming a bit more routine as well.  So, I implore you to really take stock of your body.  Listen to what it's telling you (Listen with your heart, ha ha) and answer it.  Just make sure your body is talking more like a mature adult and not like a 5 year old in the candy aisle (GIMME!).  Then get the food/fuel (fool?) that you need.  Enjoy!

P.S. I'm not quite sure why this blog has recently transformed into a fitness/weight loss blog, and I apologize if that's not what you're into.  That being said, this blog is called "Journey of a Dog Trainer" and this is all part of my journey.  Right now, it's a big part as I'm taking time to refocus my life to find what's best for my health (and for the dogs).  That being said, if you're interested in a more dog-oriented blog, check out askadogtrainer.blogspot.com.  There you'll find answers to numerous dog questions.