POST HOLIDAY BLUES

I heard it on the evening news.

Monday, January 18th, the bluest day of the year.

This is supposed to be because we have all suddenly awakened from our Holiday Bliss to discover: a) credit card bills from Christmas; and b) back to work responsibilities (collectively hereinafter referred to as “Freaking Sucky Reality”).

Okay, maybe that was a little harsh...

No.

It wasn’t.

I will not retract it. It was good sarcastic legalese (see “See More Here” on the right-hand sidebar, or click on this link, scroll down under “Specialized Training, etc”, read that last line there, and you might understand). :)

Who needs Monday, January 18th?? Crap, I was blue beginning Monday, January 4th, when I had to go back to the “day job”. I have been existing in a seriously blue Post-Holiday Fog ever since. **sigh**

I’m working on it, though. I believe in good attitudes. I believe in making choices about who we want to be, and how we want to feel. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, instantaneous, or without the occasional temporary failure.

I’m in such a state of Temporary Attitude Failure right now.

I’ve tried the chemical boost. No, not drugs (per se). I’m talking about red wine, margaritas (no, not in the same day, and not everyday - and not in excess - well, okay, I had 3 margaritas at one sitting last weekend but I had a heavy TexMex meal and a designated driver), chocolate - dark and milk, mac and cheese... **sigh** Alas, no joy. LITERALLY.

No.

Joy.

I’ve tried making sure I’m getting 8 every single night (hours, not minutes).

I’ve tried the Patchouli/Sweet Orange Bubble Bath Solution. Very nice, but no go.

I’ve been on the indoor bike off and on, but I’ve only done one really hard weight workout after the holidays.

It has become obvious this calls for the following Absolute Guaranteed Cure for the Blues. Here’s the recipe:

1. Put on your workout clothes and socks, dummy (dummy is me, not you).

2. Plug the iPod into the surround sound system and set it on the Absolute Guaranteed Rockin’ Workout Playlist.

3. Turn that mother on and rock that volume up so the walls vibrate just enough to feel it, but not so much it scares the cat (or so the neighbors can hear it - which would have to be pretty loud, because their houses and mine have a reasonable distance between them). Luckily, kitty doesn't scare easily - he's a rocker at heart.

4. Go into the gym (f/k/a one of the spare bedrooms in my house).

5. Slip your mitts into those weight-lifting gloves, put your butt and back on that bench and start pumping some serious freakin’ iron!!!

6. Then rock out some curls, overhead tri extensions, upright rows, bentover rows, etc. - you get the picture.

7. After all that, sit your butt down on that indoor bike and pedal off some serious speed for some serious minutes (like 18 or 19 mph for 45).

8. Finish with a protein recovery drink (a/k/a protein fruit smoothie made in my own blender).

9. Shower - when your legs quit wobbling. :)

10. Kick back in bare feet with an nice, refreshing glass of iced hibiscus tea (unsweetened - I’m a purist when it comes to herb tea).

11. Reflect on how good life really is.

Ahhhhh......

I’m off to fill this prescription, people. Be back soon with a better post and a better attitude.

Polla Filia,
J.F.