The New Normal

I hate being competitive. I'm not necessarily competitive with other people but I am far harder on myself than I am with anyone else.

So when pregnancy took me out of the fitness routine that I've maintained for over a year, it was immensely frustrating. In my mind, I should be able to walk just as fast, I should be able to walk just as long as I always have but the reality is that I have to make adjustments. Something called Round Ligament Pain keeps striking me down when I try to walk at my "normal" pace on the treadmill so I've had to slow slow slow down until the pain is bearable enough to handle for 30… 40… 50 minutes.

When I stop to think about it, it's absurd. I'm four months pregnant with twins. OF COURSE I'm not going to be able to go as fast or as far. It's ridiculous to expect my body to be able to do such things.

So my problem is linking the reality of my situation with my unreasonable expectations. Ultimately, it's not important how fast I can go or how long I can go. It's maintaining fitness and good habits throughout my pregnancy and accepting that my limitations are being caused by something (well two things really) that is ultimately going to change my life.

So being slower has become my "New Normal" and I just have to learn that it's okay!

--Jenn Howell