A New Kind of Saturday

on May 16, 2009

Morning, lovelies. Last night, I had really strange nightmares. I had graphic dreams about being chased by a creeper and having to stab him over and over again in self-defense! He just wouldn’t die, either! And I called 911, but no one came. (But I saved Maggie and James).

I pride myself on my LACK of dreaming (I think it’s nice that my brain just shuts off), so it was highly unusual. When I dream something so vivid, I always think it MUST mean something. I think it means I’m tired and don’t want to go to work. Try as I might to "end" the work week, it doesn’t WON’T DIE! 🙂

I woke up with a start and stumbled to the kitchen for coffee — now, that’s a lifesaver! Plus banana oatmeal:

My oatmeal contained:

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 sliced banana
Toppings: blueberries, almonds, brown sugar

This was a delightful way to start my workday!

10 Minute Strength Routine

I’m hoping I’ll be able to squeeze in a trip to the gym later, but I wanted to get my blood pumping this morning as well:

30 push-ups
100 bicycle crunches
20 reverse crunches

It was a great mini-sweat session.

I was thinking earlier about how HAPPY I am with a reduced exercise program. I don’t feel lazy or unfit at all, I actually feel MORE healthy. I think 20 – 25 miles a week was really running me into the ground. Waking up in the morning without knee pain is the best feeling in the world.

I just feel more balanced and calm than I ever have before. Sure, the first few weeks of my break from running was a mental and physical shock, but now that I’ve adjust to the change, it’s great!

Just goes to show you that change can be GOOD! 🙂

Do you dream? Do you think it’s your brain trying to tell you something or are you just filtering through the day’s BS?

{ 27 comments }

Moran May 16, 2009, 4:19 am
HAHA I guess sometimes dreams do try to tell me something….maybe my subconscious mind acknowledges some inner feeling
Matt May 16, 2009, 4:26 am
I actually had a weird dream last night as well. I was running through Boston and someone tried to kidknapp me!
Susan May 16, 2009, 5:01 am
You know, I’ve been feeling pretty lazy lately because I’ve cut back my workouts from 90 minutes to around 45 minutes a day. But you’re totally right, I should be feeling healthier now that I’m not killing myself at the gym everyday (and instead getting out in the sunshine for fun bike rides!) Thankyou for snapping me out of it!! 😀
Stacey May 16, 2009, 5:46 am
My best friend and I always try to interpret our dreams, especially when we were younger, the meaning always would go back to a guy or crush lol. MMmmm coffee 🙂
jenngirl May 16, 2009, 5:56 am
I pride myself on never dreaming either, so I know it means I’m extra tired or stress when I have dreams. And when I do dream they are ALWAYS crazyy!

I think it totally makes sense that you are feeling happy and healthy with this “reduced” exercise plan. I see this too, when I’m not pushing myself workout after workout, you do feel better. Working out and pushing yourself is great SOMETIMES, but it can be so mentally draining and we don’t realize it. Glad you’re feeling great!
Adi (oatonomy.com) May 16, 2009, 6:03 am
I’m really happy to hear that you’re enjoying your new exercise routine – and I think it was a wise decision to back off the triathalon. I strongly believe that exercise should supplement your life, not overtake it. It shouldn’t cause stress, pain or worry. In fact, it should eliminate all that when it’s coming from different areas of your life!

I’ve never trained for any sort of sports event because training to me just isn’t enjoyable. But I’ve stayed fit and genuinely love to keep my body moving. That, to me, is as rewarding as competing in any kind of race or sports event!
Christina May 16, 2009, 6:22 am
I used to remember all my dreams but the past year or so I hardly remember any. I used to love attempting to interpret them!
Megan May 16, 2009, 6:41 am
haha oh no, that dream sounds awful! as long as the doggies were saved, though, all is well.

I never really dream, but when i do, they’re TERRIFYING. i’m sure our dreams are our subconscious telling us something, but I’d rather not know what my subconscious has to say 🙂
Michelle May 16, 2009, 6:41 am
I always have crazy dreams like that. They usually pop up when I am having a lot of stress in my life…

The oatmeal looks awesome.
K from ksgoodeats May 16, 2009, 6:47 am
Yikes to the dream!! I have dreams but they’re usually pretty random. Most of the time they have to do with what’s on my mind.
Leanne May 16, 2009, 6:50 am
I have a similar dream every once in a great while where someone is chasing me… I seriously wake up terrified! I never figured out what it symbolizes, but I think all dreams have some sort of meaning too.
Julie May 16, 2009, 6:54 am
I hope you don’t mind, but I looked up your dream. I’m kind of a nerd and totally believe in dream analysis, among other “unusual” things…horoscopes, psychics, spirits. Don’t think I’m a freak!

To dream that you are being chased, signifies that you are avoiding a situation that you do not think is conquerable. It is often a metaphor for some form of insecurity.
To dream that you stab someone, indicates your fear of betrayal and your untrusting nature. ï¿½You may be too much on the defensive

Hmm. Take whatever you want from that! I got it from dreammoods.com.
Jordan May 16, 2009, 7:10 am
I usually end up dreaming about whatever I’ve been thinking about the most recently. If it’s something weird, I always try to decode it, but usually it involves something or someone that has been bothering me lately.
runsarah May 16, 2009, 7:37 am
I have a lot of dreams when I am stressed out – it’s the worst, because I always feel tired when I wake up. Not sure when they mean something, though.
NYgirl@heart May 16, 2009, 7:46 am
I just left this very same post on Jenna’s site since she said she had bad dreams the other night too. I received this email from my Womens’ Health magazine just as I got done reading her post, so I’ll now share it with you…
Bad dreams bugging you? Don’t stress; they’re normal. Studies show that most of our dreams aren’t happy.

Recent research suggests that the primary function of REM sleep (when most dreams occur) is to regulate emotions and help process fearful memories to keep your mind from overloading on stress.

Bottom line: It’s your brain’s way of confronting your fears so you don’t have to deal with them during the day.

I recently had a dream that my mom drowned in a bathtub and I tried to save her with CPR, but I woke up before I knew if I saved her or not. The dream stuck with me all week…I know what you mean!
Jenny May 16, 2009, 8:26 am
I have always wanted to research dreams.. I think they are very interesting! I always have those dreams when you feel like your falling off of a cliff and then you literally jump in your sleep – so scary!
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health May 16, 2009, 8:53 am
I rarely have dreams too but when I do they are usually related to what happened through the day. According to Carl Jung, you are suppose to analyze your dreams as to what the events mean to you. Just like how you said, the creeper wouldn’t go away, the creeper signifies your work week! I don’t know if any of this is true, but i believe it the most because I don’t thing you can put a generic label on a dream
thenoviceberker May 16, 2009, 9:21 am
Eek, what a scary dream. I don’t often remember mine, but when I do, it’s typically because I’m stressed out. And then people/things/events in my dream usually represent the stressful thing or how I’m dealing with the stress, etc.

Reducing your exercise sounds just fine to me. Do whatever fits you! 🙂
Melissa @ For the Love of Health May 16, 2009, 11:06 am
Yikes! Scary dream!! I dream all of the time. It’s a medley of things and it’s hard to pick out just one story line.

Great looking oats!

That’s so great you are getting so much out of your new workout schedule! Amazing!
Red Head, Yellow Dog May 16, 2009, 11:12 am
whoa crazy dream!! I think dreams mean something. My mom’s a psychotherapist so I always call and ask her about my weird dreams 🙂 It’s interesting to hear what she thinks they mean!
Meg May 16, 2009, 11:27 am
Sorry about your bad dream! I dream almost every night! Sometimes I feel it is my brain trying to tell me something.
emily May 16, 2009, 12:08 pm
Yuck, what an icky nightmare! I rarely dream either so I’m always really excited when I do. This year my husband and I have both been having nightmares about work – clearly it’s a good thing I’m going back to school!
Bec May 16, 2009, 12:17 pm
ahh I hate having nightmares!
Rachel May 16, 2009, 1:32 pm
Oh boy, I ALWAYS dream about work, like being late or doing something wrong. It’s awful! I don’t feel like I have too much anxiety about work, but maybe I just save it for the nighttime?

Good to hear your workouts are working out for you! hehe
Sarah Mila May 16, 2009, 2:10 pm
I dream almost every night, and always the first few hours before I wake up. I feel like they’re usually pleasant, but most of the time I forget them right after I’m fully awake!
Lady G May 17, 2009, 2:03 am
That oatmeal looks great. I have sometimes mixed nuts in my oatmeal (or porridge as we Aussies would say) but never put them on top, will try that.

I don’t know if dreams are trying to tell something, but if you THINK there’s a particular message, then there’s probably a good reason why you think it’s important.
Cat Cat May 19, 2009, 8:57 pm
I remember at least parts of my dreams all the time and I also have nightmares a few times a week. I write all of my dreams down because I am in therapy and usually my dreams are working me through struggles I have in my life while I am awake. I think they are very telling – I know a lot of people don’t believe that though.

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