Time OUTS Are a Good Thing.

Good Afternoon Kittens.

What is on your agenda today? Mine will look a lot like the above- massage and relaxation. And this post is about taking that needed and deserved TIME OUT for our body and our mind.

I've talked in the past about the tendency I have to be impatient (in life, and of course in my fitness goals) and thus lean toward over-training. This isn't good for the body or the mind, and is often ineffective at best. I've tried to reverse the damage (of 2009, when I had all the medical issues, when my body went through the age 40+ hormonal changes and when my diet and workouts were just OFF all year...) by eating too little and training too MUCH- and I have learned that solid and steady is the way to go. I have also learned that RECOVERY is just as important as the training.

This isn't just an excuse to go to the spa, people. Seriously. Our bodies and our minds NEED the balance of stretching after our workouts and some "time out" where we relax our body and our mind. No work. No stress. No multi-tasking. No worrying about tomorrow. Just BE. Yea, I just typed "Just Be". ;-)

I've been getting regular deep tissue massage for a while and I will tell you, it helps get rid of the feelings like this:

and replaces them with feelings like this:

If you are anything like me, you find yourself at a computer/laptop/iPad/Blackberry like 18 hours a day. I find myself hunched over my desk and trying to fit in 24 hours of work into 18 hours of a day. It makes me frown and brings me that much closer to Botox. (Be Still, Amy. Be Still. hehehe)

Amy and I recently took a mini-getaway to the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa. OMG.

OMG. 

I hadn't been there in ages and the last time I was, it was for a cheesy conference. I had no idea what it was like to be there for myself, to enjoy the stunning scenery and the beauty both inside the resort and outside. This is heaven in the Midwest. And trust me, that is hard to find. This is the Midwest people. Ok?

Here is a vlog featuring none other than Amy and me chatting about how much we enjoyed ourselves, had utterly amazing food and wine, and a spa experience to match no other. (And let me just say this- in Chicago, I've been to some spas. Some that begin with M and the second word begins with a T and they were AWFUL. I repeat, awful.) The atmosphere is sublime. Every detail has been addressed- it even SMELLS heavenly everywhere you go. The spa attendants make you feel welcomed and relaxed from the second you set foot in the door. Amazing. And the deep tissue massage I got was unreal. It really gave my muscles the well-needed attention they were lacking.

I cannot wait to go back here again and again. If you live anywhere near Lake Geneva, WI - you are really, crazy to not visit here. Amy and I plan to go regularly (and next time we will shoot more video and pictures- this time we were only there for a day, because we booked too late and they were sold out for a wine weekend, but next time- 3-4 days!) and especially for the holidays. Oh and did I mention- shopping in Lake Geneva is also HEAVEN!!

You SO need to get here. Stay tuned for footage from our next trip, where we interview the chef, who has a fabulous Gluten-Free menu.....OMG. Heaven on a plate. And wine?? Don't even go there. Fabulous.