For as long as I can remember, I’ve always made it a point to go for a long run on Thanksgiving morning. Hitting the pavement nice and early wakes me up and mentally prepares me for a day that revolves around food and friends. It’s also the perfect opportunity to reflect on all the things I’m grateful for. But if I’m being completely honest, what gets me out the door is the critical voice in my head insisting that if I don’t get a good run in before the festivities begin, then I don’t deserve to enjoy the food, and I’ll be consumed by guilt all day.
That sounds like a crazy thought, even as I write it, but I hear it all too often – that we somehow have to earn the right to eat a holiday meal or dessert. Obviously we are all aware that we shouldn’t eat like it’s Thanksgiving every day of the week and it’s a fact that regular exercise makes us healthier. A consistent workout routine – especially during the holidays – is part of a healthy lifestyle.
Sure it’s fun to joke about holiday gluttony and burning off all those Thanksgiving calories. It becomes problematic however, when we find ourselves buying into the notion that we have to EARN the right to occasionally splurge or that we should measure our worth by the number of calories burned beforehand. If I’m only running so that I can absolve myself of guilt for eating, then that’s unhealthy.
For the longest time I’ve held these beliefs — And I know I’m not alone in this just from reading runners’ Instagram posts on Thanksgiving. Scrolling through my feed Thursday morning triggered my inner critic who immediately attacked me where I was weak. Running was off the table thanks to a sore foot. Dread bombarded my mind as I thought about the feast waiting at my house, and how I’d feel after dinner if I didn’t do SOMETHING.
I’ve been cross training on the bike and elliptical, but it’s just not the same. (If you are a runner, you know exactly what I mean!) So not only haven’t I run in a few days, but I’ve been confined to my basement to exercise. Biking and doing the elliptical are great workouts, but they lack the exhilaration from running outside in the fresh air, natural light and the cold. Being inside definitely takes a toll on me mentally. Even after only a week, I’m more irritable, frustrated, restless, and unmotivated.
Thankfully, I know myself well enough now to realize that if I’m not proactive things could quickly spiral downward. SAD is always lurking around the corner waiting for me to give in and stop moving. So, instead of listening to the voice that was urging What’s the point of doing anything? I told it to shut up and made a deal with my son to pick him up downtown after his run so I would be forced to leave my house and get outside. Over and over I reminded myself — You need fresh air. You need natural light. Walking is good for you. Use this time to be grateful.
By the time I parked at the playground, I was looking forward to my walk. Silencing the negativity in my head by being proactive empowered me .The cold wind , especially alongside the river, invigorated me. Being forced to slow down enabled me to sharpen my focus on the environment. It wasn’t long before I felt myself smiling. It was impossible not to as I noticed the beauty of the sparkling river, the sound of the wind whispering high above the trees, the eagle dive bombing the water in search of prey, the sun warming my face despite the cold – all reminding me of the true meaning of the day ahead.
Gratitude is the key. That seems so obvious but it’s so often overlooked – even on Thanksgiving. We say we are grateful, but is it our primary motivator? It hasn’t been for me. My main motivation for running has been to burn calories. There’d be time for gratitude later. But being outside, despite not being able to run, opened my eyes. As my mind cleared and my heart quickened its tempo, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Thinking about the day ahead of me I realized how truly blessed I am. Sure it would be ideal if my foot didn’t hurt so I could bang out a long run. But in my heart, I knew I was doing precisely what I needed to be doing in that moment – slowing down in order to let go of the guilt for not running far, but instead giving heartfelt thanks simply for the OPPORTUNITY to be outside. And that’s just the beginning.
There’s so much more to be thankful for this year:
Perfectly healthy blood work results signifying my lupus remission!
The ability and opportunity to move my body – even if my routine has to be modified temporarily.
A close knit family who I get to spend time with all week.
Friends who would be joining us to celebrate.
Family members who support me.
The list goes on and on.
As I continued my walk, I focused on breathing in the fresh air while thanking God for all He’s given me. Memories from the past year flooded my thoughts as I thanked Him. He showed me what I need to focus on – things like faith and relationships, not how much I eat on one holiday.
At the end of my walk, I stood by the river and soaked it all in. God’s a masterful designer. Witnessing His creation all around me was a beautiful gift. Gratitude and peace filled my heart, and excitement for the day ahead of me filled my thoughts.
This year’s Thanksgiving “workout “ really hit differently. It was like a giant embrace from God, reminding me that there is a plan for my life and He has my back. He showed me he’s been preparing me to use my setbacks for something good. That’s so obvious to me now, as I reflect on how my mindset has shifted despite all the physical challenges I’ve recently faced. I’m most thankful for that.
My Thanksgiving prayer for all of us is that we remember to pause daily to reflect on what’s really important in life. Let’s be grateful for all we have, and allow gratitude to shift our perspective on our circumstances, setbacks and mindset. I can honestly say, I’m extremely thankful for being slowed to a walk so I could acknowledge my unhealthy thoughts and let them go, replacing them with something much more meaningful.