I’ve been meaning to write this post about why I gave up running for a while…
Although it’s completely unrelated to healthy desserts or recipes, I wanted to publish in case it can help someone out there who might feel like I did a few months ago.
If you were to stumble upon my blog without knowing anything else about me, you might get a picture of this crazy-enthusiastic girl who is always happy, completely carefree, and whose life revolves around food and chocolate and dessert 24/7.
In reality, “blog Katie” is only a very small portion of who I am outside of the computer world.
You might be surprised by how much of my life is entirely unrelated to food and cooking, and I’m definitely not completely carefree.
Related: How I Started Blogging Full Time
Because I choose not to talk about my friends, relationships, or personal life on the blog, most people would’ve had no idea I was anything less than my usual upbeat self early this year…
Yet even as I continued with the cheery chocolate posts, I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted thanks to moving twice, going through a breakup, sorting out issues with the book, and worrying about the future.
In the past, I would have leaned on running to get me through.
It was in college that I first fell in love with the sport, waking up each day excited to get out in the fresh Pennsylvania air before classes. Running provided an outlet for the pent-up energy I was no longer expending on soccer and tennis (sports I’d played almost from birth all the way through high school), and I could think about everything while I ran: school, friends, guys, the past, the future… or sometimes nothing at all.
Running’s meaning in my life would change over the years; when I moved back to Texas it became a comforting source of stability in my crazy and uncertain post-high-school life. Four or five times a week, sun or rain or snow, I’d be out there running, 7 to 10 miles each time. I loved it.
But somehow this past summer, I lost energy and motivation for something that used to bring such joy and excitement. For the first time in eight years, I found myself dreading the idea of going out for a run.
I would drag myself through the miles and arrive home feeling completely drained. Running had never been something I wanted to force myself to do, so one day in early July when I was “supposed” to go out, I just didn’t.
That one day turned into a week.
The week turned into a month.
Then two months.
And I was surprised to find I didn’t miss it. I had much more energy throughout the day, felt happier and less stressed, and even my hair—no longer breaking off from much-too-tight ponytails—looked healthier.
As people have pointed out in a few of my recent posts, I’ve also gained weight, which I’d been trying to do for awhile (I always wanted curves). Not going to lie, I am pretty excited about this.
(To ease your worries if you want to give up running but do not wish to gain weight: I don’t think quitting running directly caused me to gain weight. My personality is such that I naturally tend to lose weight when I’m stressed and overwhelmed, so the change is a physical manifestation of feeling happier and more relaxed.)
Will I ever go back to running?
Maybe someday in the future, but much more recreationally.
If running works for you, that’s great. Keep doing it! But if you’re feeling burned out by running—or any exercise—it might be a good idea to take a step back for awhile. You can always pick it up again if the desire strikes.
That’s not to say I’m advocating giving up exercise completely: I still walk every morning to get out in the fresh air, and lately I’ve been going with a friend to the gym a few times a week (basically he lifts all the heavy weights and I stand there with my 10-lb dumbbells and exercise my mouth!).
When I first gave up running, I feared losing a part of my identity. But the truth is I now have so much more.
2014 Edit: Part Two: Why I Started Running Again
Recipe Of The Day:
Flourless Pancakes – 3 Ingredients, NO gluten, soy, eggs, or refined sugar
This is a really inspiring post. Thank you for sharing so honestly. <3
Sweet Katie,
I laughed reading this because after 12 years of faithfully running, I just took a year off. It was so incredibly liberating. I found I had so much more time in my day. I’ve tell my friends, I’m not suggesting you all quit exercising because it’s good for you, but allowing your body a break when it needs it is FABULOUS and should be done with NO guilt. You go girl. Loved this.
🙂 you go! I did the same a year ago. I still workout like a crazy person. Many ways to exercise and get that inner glow. Changing up your routine helps and gives new life to your body. Loved the post and love the recipes thanks and hugs.
Katie, I think you’ve learned some very valuable lessons here. I’ve found that if I let myself get really burned out on something, it’s difficult to get back to doing it at all. Sometimes that’s okay, sometimes I have to persuade myself to go back. I think we all handle life better when we don’t increase stress by forcing ourselves to do things we really don’t need to do. And all of us are complex people – there is way more to us than our work or a hobby, even if we are not aware of it. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! I pretty much gave up running a year ago (aside from the occasional the-weather’s-too-perfect-not-to jog!) & I was so scared to lose some of my identity too. But the choice has helped me be so much healthier mentally and physically. I’ve actually lost weight focusing on lower impact exercise like walking and yoga. It’s amazing how our bodies seem to know just where they’d like to be! So glad you’re feeling better!
When I was trying to lose weight I would do Pilates or run about 4-5 times a day and I felt really energetic and slowly I plateaued and felt burnt out by the exercise and really dreaded doing it. But I forced myself and it seemed like a chore. And when I finally listened to my body and stopped I actually started losing weight again! It’s amazing how well you can do if you just listen to your body!
Thank you so much for this post! I have been experiencing the same thing with my running the past few months and have been feeling extreme guilt over it. It’s so glad to know that I’m not the only one! I’m confident I will get back into it…but right now I feel no rush. Thanks again!
Such a great post! I, too, have struggled with where running fits in my life. When I was injured about a year ago from over-training, I thought that I would die without being able to run 5 times a week. However, I think my body was telling me I needed to slow down. I still run, but instead of 5 times a week doing a high mileage, I run when I feel like it and for as far as I feel like it! No more obligatory running!
Well said. I enjoy all of your posts, and this one is particularly timely. I thought Running and strenuous exercise in general were central to my being when multiple sclerosis dropped me on my butt, and made me realize I was so much more. I still swim and do Pilates reformer when it is right, but I feel free somehow knowing I don’t HAVE to run.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing this Katie. I’ve had a similar experience. I used to run every day for long distances. It started out as a way of relieving stress and I really enjoyed it but then I started to fixate on the amount of food I was eating and whether or not I was running long enough to “burn it all off”. I got to the point where I wasn’t enjoying running and would nearly have panic attacks if I didn’t go for my daily run.
I’ve stopped running now, initially due to an injury, and am working on finding a balance between not over exercising and having a more healthy mindset towards food.
Thank you so much for this post. I’ve been missing running so much since the weather has cooled down too much to get out. But I’ve been lifting weights and hating it. I hope to follow your example and do what makes me feel best, not just because I “need” to do it. 🙂 Thank you.
Good for you Katie! Sometimes the added stress of feeling like we “have”to do something, just makes it worse. You need to enjoy your “Me” time, change it up, take a break, whatever you need.
I’m so glad that you have found your Zen again! You’re blog is one of my favorites! I always share your posts!
Thanks for your honesty!
Katie, You have my sympathies. I am probably one of the worst readers of your blogs despite being a passionate vegan and always looking for new ideas, but time is always of the essence.
Know that you have people in this group who will support you no matter what happens. Take strength in knowing that their are people out here who admire all that you do and will always offer you the proverbial shoulder should you need one.
Thank You for sharing this with all of us, even tho you normally dont want to share much of your personal life. I am glad you listened to your body (and soul) and did the right thing for yourself, and were not afraid to let everyone know! Women so often fear not being “perfect” (which there IS no perfection) when it comes to food, body, and exercise. We need to give ourselves a break – the stress and anxiety of trying to do it all will make people just as sick as unhealthy diets. I know this!
You look amazing, and i hope you continue to be well. People need to not worry about gaining weight if they stop running – if they eat healthy their body will find the right weight for them, and they can find other exercises if need be. Be healthy, everyone!
So sorry to hear about the breakup and other life stressors! I’ve been dealing with a number of them myself the last few months and gave up calorie counting back in August when it started to feel like just another thing stressing me out. I plan to get back on track with healthier eating after the holidays, but sometimes your brain and/or body just needs a rest. I hope things start to look up for you soon!
Wow thank you for sharing this Katie! That was very brave of you, I never would have guessed it. I completely understand the running thing, I had to take a (quick) break from it too. I was running like 6-8 miles and it was getting really boring without someone to run with (i recently moved too!) so I decided to do Crossfit instead.
Best. Choice. Ever.
Seriously! You should totally try Crossfit, I bet you’d love it! Anyway, now I’m back to running, but only 2-2.5 miles once or twice a week. I still have a goal to run a half and full marathon, but not until I take a longer break and find a running group! 🙂
Anyway, once again thank you so much for sharing this, I’m so glad you’re taking a breather from running and not just miserably forcing yourself out there! So sorry about your break up too, i hope you feel better, love. <3