Fat Days?

    Fat Days. Everyone has them, even elite athletes (no, I am not an elite athlete, I'm just an athlete). There is no rhyme or reason to Fat Days, they just happen. Maybe you overindulged the day before, maybe you are just tired, maybe it's "that time of the month," maybe it just is what it is. But it is a day of feeling slightly uncomfortable in your own skin, as if something is amiss, two left feet, awkward, in the mood to schlump around in sweats and slippers all day. Yesterday was one of those days. No rhyme or reason, no logic to it, not "that time of the month." It was just one of those days. Did I schlump about in sweats? No. That is rarely ever an option for me, especially on days such as these.
    What did I do? I combated the lame feeling of the Fat Day with a frontal assault. I made sure to drink plenty of water, ate healthy and kept an eye on portions, walked briskly on my lunch, and then... and then... I totally kicked my own ass at the pool. What else could I do? One of my favorite things about swimming is that it makes me feel strong, graceful, long and lean. What better way to combat a Fat Day? I had planned on not doing a long swim. But, as you know, the best laid plans, blah blah. I started with 25 laps then did 20 minutes with the Aqua Jogger. I was just going to do another 25 laps for about a mile and a half swim. Instead, once I started swimming I did not want to stop. Once I hit a total of 45 laps I added in sprints for the next 10 laps: 1 length of the pool as fast as I could swim (maintaining form and a nice, long stroke), 2 lengths of the pool at my regular pace, repeat. This was tough, I felt the burn across my shoulders as I hit my lactic threshold level, but it is something I want to add in regularly to build strength, speed and stamina. Then I finished off with 15 laps at my normal long-distance pace for a total of 70 laps = 2 miles. It seems that 2 miles is now kind of my swim standard, so next step: 3 miles. Just keep racking up the miles until I can swim forever. Maybe someday I will tackle the English Channel.
    But wait! There's more! Once I got home, started a fire, fed the myriad of animals, and put chicken breasts on the stove to simmer, I slipped into workout gear. I put in a solid 30 minutes with my slosh tubes and kettlebell, working my core, back and shoulders until I was trembling and very tired.
    And that's not all!! To top off a stellar workout, I knew I needed stellar food. I made my chicken, spinach, guacamole salad for dinner. To add to the awesomeness I made a sorbet-like smoothie with 100% black cherry juice, 100% blueberry juice (both organic with no sugar added), and frozen mangoes and peaches. It was sublime.
    So, when Fat Days strike, and they will, attack with a full frontal assault! Don't wimp out, don't let it beat you or make you feel unworthy. Stand up, spit in its eye, and kick its flabby ass. Fat Day, you have no power over me.