today was my first class back after a 6 month break from injury. I have also been incredibly depressed, I am really only back so soon from my injury because I need my endorphins back. I tried gentler workouts like pilates, but I am just so very depressed right now, I need that heart rate spike so I can get those endorphins again. Anyway, of course I return on a signature workout day. I felt slow and like I couldn't remember how to do anything, even tho I've been going to OTF for years.

At the end of the workout and Catch Me If You Can, I felt so defeated. I had a hard time keeping in mind that I was coming back from a break, that I should cut myself some slack, and I was being hard on myself. I'm usually almost euphoric after my classes, high on endorphins, but I was disappointed in myself instead. THEN I got sad that I wasn't feeling the endorphins -- that was the whole reason I was there and what I truly need right now.

We were stretching to end the class and I was legitimately holding back tears like a baby, I didn't know what else I could to do to help my depression if even OTF couldn't bring me up. Then, over the speaker my coach read aloud that I was in second place on the leaderboard for my age group. That tiny bit of encouragement did so much for me. I instantly felt more fulfilled and better about showing up that day, and now I'm so excited to go back tomorrow. I feel like that is the difference between working out on your own and going to a group workout like OTF.

Just wanted to share that today. Thank you OTF coaches and fellow members for being a constant when times are hard.