Last night I got home from work and decided to take my new dog Dakota for a walk. Dakota is a 90 pound 2 year old German Shepard. We found him at the pound 2 months ago. The family that gave him up said he was too big. He IS a big dog that is full of energy. By the way he acts, he seems to have been raised as a lap dog and allowed to do what ever he wanted. If you did not know big dogs, his actions could come across as aggressive. Aggression in a dog is really a sign of fright so we knew he had not been exposed to much.

In other words, he truly is a 90 pound toddler. We knew he would need to be worked quite a bit. He has a huge heart and wants to give and receive tons of love. He also does not want to do as he is told. He is learning that he will be given praise and love if he does.

Our walks have been a power struggle at times. Yesterday was just that. He did not want to heal. He then saw a cat and stacked (standing alert, chest forward, ears forward, hair on back up. Dogs do this to let the threat know they are watching). Unfortunately, he did this right in front of my striding foot.

I started to fall and caught myself by lunging forward. This pulled my hamstring. I was cross with him for a split second while the pain took control of my thinking. How can I stay mad at a dog being a dog? I limped back to the house and I put Dakota up in the yard. I took a short walk to loosen up the muscle and that seemed to help.

This morning I got dressed to go to Curves. I realized as I was finishing up that my leg was not feeling right. I walked through a few exercises and felt some pain. Bummer. I came to the conclusion that I have to sit today out.

I know many of you have gone through the gauntlet of emotion I was feeling this morning. Looking back it them it is kind of funny.....kind of:

Disappointment that I would not get the endorphins this morning.

Anger at Dakota

Panic that I would gain all the weight back

Frustration that I would have to cut back calories eaten today.

Loneliness as I would not see my workout buddies today. They make me laugh through all the sweat.

In other words, I was in the middle of a giant pity party. All this self pity over missing one day of working out.


As I look back at these emotions and self dout, I realize it is okay. I can take a day off the workout and be just fine. The 16 pounds I have lost will not come back over night. This is a tiny set back. I don't have to cut back on the calories I eat today. I just have to promise myself this will not be a splurge day. I will be right back on track Saturday.

Whew! Thanks for letting me vent and sort this all out. Now I can go enjoy the day. I hope you do as well.

Meghan