When you are really stressed, what quirky thing makes you feel better?
For me, it’s vacuuming the floors. Parenthood is definitely a battle against my perfectionistic tendencies, and I swear, I’ve really let the floors go (by my crazy standards) since Henry was born. DadHTP stopped by to play with the baby, and I used the free time to round up the dust bunnies and do my Couch to 5K workout. You would think I’d want to grab a nap but – oh no – the vacuuming was positively cathartic. It was practically a spiritual experience. Three cheers for a clean floor.
Second question of the day: Can you eat a real meal before a workout? I ate this egg, kale, and brown rice bowl right before my run, and my stomach didn’t know the different. Stomach of steel, yo.
Post-run smoothie (soy milk, peanut butter, banana, frozen raspberries):
A dinner was a big old lentil salad with a sweet potato. And gingersnaps for dessert.
Thought of the Day:
“Nobody started from the place you started from, nobody hopes to go where you’re hoping to go, and nobody out there wants the life you do because none of them are you.” – Brendan James
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish I had a stomach of steel! I pretty much have to run on an empty stomach if I plan to make it through. ha!
I’m so with you on the vacuuming – I can’t stand a grotty floor. That was one of the hardest things to get used to with a new baby – sitting there breastfeeding for hours looking at a dirty floor and not being able to do anything about it. I too would take any opportnity to hand the baby to someone so I could vacuum. One thing I did learn though is that you can vacuum while they are asleep. I thought the noise would wake them up, but once they are properly asleep, it doesn’t, I guess it’s kind of like white noise. So I would be forever sneaking in a cheeky vacuum while they napped, instead of napping myself. Sigh!
we dont have a single piece of carpeting in my house so i am sweeping obsessed! I absolultey hate it when there is dirt or grime sticking to my feet!
Although I don’t love vacuuming, I have to admit something about it very soothing and cathartic. As in “Yea, I OWNED that dust bunny!”
I really, really wish I had your stomach. If I eat a granola bar an hour before a run (sometimes even more) I can feel it jiggling around with step.
Quirky thing: washing dishes. It’s so calming to me. I know, weird.
Babies are soothed by the sound of the vaucum. Many people use the vaucum cleaner, blow dryer, fan etc to soothe a fussy baby. You can even buy a cd of these soothing sounds to play for a fussy baby. Since you love vacuuming you may be able to vaucum when your little guy is upset. Clean floors and soothed baby is a win win. Google vaucum sounds soothe baby for more info.
Dad HTP is such a great support for you. He seems like such a sweet man.
Dirty dishes in the sink and clutter around tge house seem ti magnify my stress. It is mandatory that I erradicate them before I tackle something big. I just cannot relax with clutter about!*
My quirky thing when I’m stressed is rearranging things. Whether it be books, clothes, or just plates. It makes me feel better in a way.
My ‘quirky’ thing is cleaning out the refrigerator – throwing away stuff that’s old, wiping down shelves, rearranging condiments, etc. Everyone thinks I’m nuts
I totally understand the need for clean floors. Given that we have a dog, a four year old, and we take frequent trips to the beach, there is always sand underfoot! We snagged a Roomba about a year ago, and it’s been a lifesaver. We turn it on and leave the house, and when we return, the floors are clean.
The thing that usually calms me, particularly when I get overwhelmed with how untidy the house gets, is the 60 second game (or rule? or something?). I do one chore for 60 seconds, and then I walk away. Folding laundry, loading the dishwasher, tidying things that belong somewhere OTHER than the counter, etc. Whenever I feel like I’m too busy to give a task my full attention, this helps me feel a little better and always surprises me with how much I can get done in a minute.
I can usually go so far as eating a big dinner and then doing a workout. Guess that I have a stomach of steel too!
I try to avoid eating a big dinner before working out… it usually makes me feel like I’m gonna vom! And I kinda like working hard and then coming home and having a nice relaxing dinner, sorta like a reward!
I’m okay with eating most foods before running… as long as it doesn’t have too much roughage in it! Big salad = bad times.
I HAVE to eat a meal 1 to 2 hours before working out. I don’t know how people can go for a run with out eating before….i’m pretty sure i would pass out. your smoothie looks so yummy i think i’m going to have to try it! have a fabulous day!!
I used to not even be able to eat a grape an hour within a work out.
I always feel much better after I get my eyebrows waxed. Random, I know.
ha! me too!!! Isn’t that funny how that can make you feel so much better? waxing my eyebrows & also getting manicures!
Nothing makes me happier than a Hallmark Holiday movie. Seriously…I love them. I don’t care what I’m doing while it’s on (laundry, dishes, cooking) I’m just in a happier state of mind.
I love clean floors, but moreso I love clean countertops. Nothing makes me feel better than having all the dishes done and wiping down the counters so it all looks nice and clean.
I so envy your stomach of steel. I have to leave about an hour for digestion for a very small meal and a few hours for a regular-sized meal before I go running. It’s a pain in the butt!
I’ve found that having milk whether it be plain, in cereal, etc. is a bad idea for me before working out. I have to eat a little something like a piece of PB toast, but can’t eat much. Also, after my workouts I almost always crave chocolate milk!
I can’t eat before I work out. Totally can’t handle it.
Honestly, I haven’t really tested my stomach out in terms of eating a meal right beforehand. I’ve always just assumed it wouldn’t be a good idea, but I don’t have any experiences to confirm that! I usually wait about an hour after finishing a meal to run.
Totally understand you on the vacuuming! I would be sitting on the couch breastfeeding and just look at the floors dying to get up and vacuum.
I actually started putting Molly in the carrier and vacuuming with her. Between the motion and the sound she usually feel asleep!
Ha- I love that you so clearly plopped TJ’s cooked lentils onto your salad and called it a day.
I wish I liked vacuuming. My floors could seriously use some tending to, because I absolutely hate dealing with it.
I have to eat before I work out or I get light headed! I typically will have something like wheat toast or bagel with nut butter on it, no dairy or it will hurt my stomach. Gee, it’s like a science
If I eat before I work out I feel so sick – I can also empathize with your cleaning therapy. I don’t feel totally relaxed until I have a clean and tidy home
I wish i vacuumed when i was stressed… i would have perfect floors.. HA.. I love the huge blob of pb in the smoothie..sounds so amazing I want to make it!