Home For The HOLIDAY
Time flies on Nantucket even in the off-season! It’s hard to believe that I was up here for a full week and it was exactly what my mind, body, and soul needed. One week post-surgery and Nantucket cures ALL. Let me just say that it is NEVER easy getting to this island 30 miles out to sea. I took three planes...I hobbled from flight to flight...My leg was swollen...The President was planning on landing the same time I was...Needless to say, I was exhausted when I arrived on the island, but the moment I walked into the house, took a long hot shower, and had a peaceful dinner with my Mom, I was happy and relaxed. I made it, with no hiccups, and that was a serious blessing.
I haven’t celebrated Thanksgiving on Nantucket since I was in high school. We used to do it ALL the time as a family, so being back here this time of year made my heart full. YES, it was cold, windy, we had one full day of rain, but that is okay. I brought my warm clothes, I was prepared, I was just HAPPY to be here!
And what made me really HAPPY was that I started walking again!!!! Starting on Thanksgiving, I made the choice to bundle up, I was FINALLY able to put my Lululemon pants on, and I walked. I took my Mom’s 13-year-old rescue dog Bella and we waddled through the streets of Nantucket. Each day I went longer and each day I got stronger. The glue is starting to peel off from the scar. I can sleep on my belly. I have more movement in my leg and less pain when it is in certain positions. I can put on underwear, pants, and socks with ease. It isn’t even two weeks and I have made so much progress. I know I repeat myself but doing the WORK leading up to this surgery mentally, emotionally, and physically has made a world of a difference in this healing process.
While on Nantucket, I also gave myself lots of GRACE! Typically when I come up here I always train hard...run all the miles...push myself to constantly be moving...focus too much on the food...instead I just LET GO and enjoyed myself. I was at peace with ALL OF IT and this felt so good. I honestly was just so happy to be able to start moving again. Walking is so underrated...And if there is any place to start moving again and walk it is Nantucket. The tiny streets, the beautiful homes, the window boxes, the Christmas trees all lit up, the buzz of the holiday season, the stores all decorated. So much to be GRATEFUL for this year and it’s not even Christmas!!!
I really didn’t do much while I was here andI was okay with that. I was listening to my doctor’s orders and taking it easy for the first two weeks post-surgery. But I really did slow down here and for the first time in years, I truly embraced it and LET GO. And once I LET GO, things kind of fell into place. I was more relaxed, I slept better, I didn’t stress about food, I didn’t binge, I read my books, I did some retail therapy, I spent lots of time with Mom, and I just soaked up the moments that make life good.
This island has magical healing powers and I feel healed, especially physically. My body feels STRONG. I am ready to start diving into the WORK, but this time movement and sweat are going to look a little different. I cannot believe that I am going to say this out loud, but I have truly enjoyed this downtime. I didn’t really know how tired my body and my muscles have been until I was forced to just STOP and I think this was the best thing for me.
So what will movement and sweat look like over the next couple of weeks? I am not really sure...I do know that it is time to cut way back on the amount of time that I train. I want to focus on the movement that makes me feel GOOD and STRONG and fills up my CUP. Right now yoga, walking, and running are calling my name...The gym life...not so much...Lifting heavy weights just are not appealing to me right now and that’s okay. I’m not going to neglect my strength training, I am just going to do it in other ways. It is really hard to put into words what my body feels like right now and what it is craving. I just think after years and years of restriction and over-exercising that these two weeks of recovery have probably been the best thing for me. I was OBSESSED with movement and sweating and exhausting my muscles and only feeling accomplished when I was sore. I was punishing my body rather than celebrating it.
And the same goes with FOOD too...In the past, I used to bring up lots of protein bars, powder, and other crap to make sure that I was still in “control” of the situation. This year I brought one protein bar. Again, I knew when I came up here that this was a time to heal my body, nourish it, relax, sleep, and spend time with my family, so all those stupid food rules went out the door. And I am REALLY proud of myself, because not ONCE did I binge or overindulge. I listened to my body. I enjoyed desserts, scones, jam-packed sandwiches, all the cheese, delicious leftovers, and dinners. The fact that I was able to enjoy the food and I wasn’t even doing my insane workouts without guilt was a huge WIN for me. I left Nantucket not feeling bloated or squishy or uncomfortable for indulging too much. I just felt HAPPY!
I didn’t think that this trip would teach me so much or make me feel so good. Nantucket always makes me feel GOOD, but this trip healed me from the inside out. I believe that me doing the WORK before my surgery and through my surgery also has helped with how I feel. And the time spent with my Mom also was a major part that filled me up as well. We all need Mom time and I got it!
Until Christmas Nantucket...I can’t wait to be back on the rock!
I hope everyone had a safe, happy, beautiful, and delicious holiday weekend! I am ready to get into the Christmas spirit...Let’s GO!
xoxo
