Hanging out in the hotel room.
Well, let me just say that Cincinnati is just lovely!
Everyone here is so polite and friendly, and the weather is phenomenal!
I have been up since 4:50 a.m. and I’m on about 3 hours of sleep, but I am still in a great mood! Which is beyond shocking.
And, I am proud to say that I broke my lazy vacation streak, and I exercised between work and dinner.
My room.
What I did:
- Crunches
- Vertical Crunches
- Reverse Crunches
- Planks
- Squats
- Push Ups
- Dips
- High Knees (for one minute in after each exercise)
Doesn't this look scrumptious?
As proud as I was that I found time to exercise, I think my dinner may have outdone any good I did today.
Tonight I had sautéed chicken breasts simmered in tomato cream marsala sauce with shiitake and fettuccine (which I didn’t eat).
I only had one of the two chicken breasts, and since I didn’t have any pasta the only bad part of the meal was the tomato cream sauce (and the sautéed part), which was worth every single bite!
Breaking the Routine
Yep, that really is me wearing strawberry colored jeans!
I have always been a person that loves my silly old routine. While I have learned to adjust to many different schedules, I have always liked planning out my day and knowing exactly what is coming my way. Hmm, maybe that’s why I’m single!
I would do terrible in a sales role, mainly because I hate travel. Of course, I love to travel for any personal vacations, but when I have to travel for work it throws my perfect daily routine totally out of whack.
In this past, I have always treated works trips like a mini vacation, from my diet and exercise routine. When I am away from my home, I tend to indulge more and exercise less.
By now you may have guessed that I’m leaving on a jet plane. And my exotic location is … Cincinnati, Ohio.
I won’t be gone long, just two days, but I’m worried about eating out for every meal, possibly not exercising and being out of my comfort zone (my favorite treadmill in the corner of the gym).
The Crazy Impossible Goal (kidding, this is a normal goal any person can accomplish):
This book was written by Jai Pausch, the wife of Randy Pausch, who wrote the bestseller The Last Lecture.
No matter how tired I am tomorrow, I will exercise for at least 20 minutes in my room (or in the gym if there is one in the hotel). I know 20 minutes is an extremely low goal, but it will be 20 minutes longer than I have ever exercised while traveling over the last few years.
I know I can do this. I have to prove that a break in my schedule will not break my diet.
Thank goodness I’ll only be gone for two days!
Oh, and be sure to read my guest post on Sam’s blog, Fit for my Fork! In my post, I wrote about the new book, Dream New Dreams, by Jai Pausch. Check it out!
Today: 6.5 miles.
Weekly: 12.5 miles.
Yearly: 303.1 miles.
Cookout
I ate all of my veggies, but the squash and carrots.
Yesterday, we went to eat at an outdoor restaurant. It’s was the kind of place where you go up and order your own food, you eat outdoors and everything smells like summer. However, everything was fried! There was fried chicken, fried cod, fried shrimp, fried scallops, fried calms and there were so many more fried options!
I can admit that I contemplated bringing my own meal or eating before I arrived. However, I wanted to fit in with everyone else, so I ordered a burger. I know there was probably a better choice, but I think the smell and the atmosphere made me crave some beef. But I didn’t eat the bun to save a few empty calories.
I also justified my choice my having a side of steamed veggies, so all was not lost.
Smiling after eating every single bite of my burger.
At least I avoided the ice cream truck that had the dipped chocolate and cherry cones that I loved when I was a kid.
This is when dieting gets hard. It’s not easy to go to a cookout, and eat healthy. And it’s especially not easy to avoid some greasy, indulgent fired food.
I did the best I could, and I don’t feel one bit guilty about it. I will always believe in indulging once in a while.
Today: 1 miles (It’s a short story. I forgot I had to do something important so ran for 10 minutes and left).
Weekly: 6 miles.
Yearly: 296.6 miles.
I’m Just Plain Clumsy
Salad with strawberries, cucumbers and blue cheese.
I used to think my prior clumsiness was a result of me being overly stressed all of the time.
In Boston, as life got increasingly difficult my clumsiness and injuries seemed to grow at a rapid pace. Throughout my short three years in Boston I successfully: fell down the stairs, got in two car accidents (neither were my fault), I burned myself (long story), broke a few bones and was sick more than a normal, simply because I was worn down.
I used to clump Boston into that dark period where I just thought bad things happened because I was so unfocused and I was always so tired. However, throughout my short time in Connecticut, I have quickly proven that I am currently and always will be a clumsy person. And while stress may be a factor, it is not the reason bad things happen, they’re mostly a result of my overall silliness and clumsiness.
My plate with salad and a small piece of chicken parm.
How do I know this?
Example 1: Yesterday, late at night, I was walking down the stairs in flip-flops, and after walking down the second stair, I slipped and fell down the other ten. I ended up at the bottom of the stairs laughing in pain. And a result, I have a very lovely developing bruise on my behind (classy), but otherwise I am fine.
I would also like to say that while this incident did happen late on a Saturday night, but the only liquor involved was a simple quarter glass taste of champaign for a toast in honor of the newest nursing graduate, Megan.
The graduate with her new puppy. We are so proud of you!
Example 2: “Car-gate” which resulted in my car being totaled and the purchase of a new car about a month ago. I know I have talked enough about this example, So I will move on!
I could go on and on, but I guess my point is that accidents happen regardless of my situation. I will forever be a clumsy person, someone who falls when walking, someone who can’t do jumping jacks because of lack of coordination and someone who walks into walls, doors and corners.
Now that I have accepted my clumsy fate, maybe I should just wrap my body in bubble wrap and walk around wearing a caution sign. Maybe then I could protect myself!
Look at that cake!
For now, I’m just moving forward, and enjoying life. Maybe exercising on a consistent basis will help improve my balance and overall clumsiness. If not, at least it makes me look and feel terrific! I also realize that there are a lot worse things I could be and deal with rather than just plain old clumsy!
It’s a beautiful day and I’m embracing it, time to get outside.
Today: 5 miles.
Weekly: 5 miles.
Yearly: 296.6 miles.
Busy Day, Busy Life
Grilled veggies!
I don’t need to tell anyone that life gets busy!
I have watched my long days get taken over by necessary tasks, responsibilities and chores. There are some days when, gasp, I honestly don’t have time to exercise.
I know the experts say that there is always time, and I don’t discredit their wisdom. But, I just don’t always follow their suggestions.
Sometimes after a full day filled with work and life, I may have time to go to the gym, but I just don’t want to be sweating at 11 p.m.
Healthy eating done right with some grilled chicken.
Some days I lose motivation, some days I truly have no extra time and other days I would rather sleep an extra hour, and those are valid reasons to skip a workout.
I try my best to eat healthy seven days a week. I get in moderate to high intensity workouts about 3 – 4 days a week, and on other days I complete an easier activity like walking my dog, which still keeps me moving.
I’m not exercising to look like a movie star (but if that was the goal, I would strive to look like Reese or Carrie). I’m doing this to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle. And I know I will burn out if I attempt to exercise seven days a week.
Yummy grilled corn.
I always want my exercise to be challenging and fun, not another chore. Which is the only way I will keep this routine up for years to come!
Today: 4 miles.
Weekly: 14 miles.
Yearly: 291.6 miles.
Still Proud
I haven't tucked in a shirt (this easily) in almost four years!
To continue from yesterday’s post … thank goodness I put back most of my food in my cart and did not purchase $50 worth of snacks for my office. Because if I had bought my Pirate’s Booty, Special K cereal, crackers and pudding, I’m pretty certain that they would’ve all been gone today!
The thing is, I did not actually overindulge today, but I might have if the right food was in front of me. I got to that crazy point where I felt like food was the only thing that would make me feel better and all my calories would magically have a zero value.
Instead of endlessly snacking, I had my second microwave dinner for lunch, greek yogurt and a granola bar. Oh, and I can not forget to mention the Peppermint Patty I have just about every single day after lunch!
For someone who was craving anything and everything to eat, I don’t think I did that bad. I’m secretly very proud of myself!
I ran out my nervous anxiety today with a 5 mile run at a moderate intensity. It felt fantastic to move, sweat and forget about everything else for 40 minutes!
I stayed away from any weights tonight because I met with my trainer yesterday and I’m, still waiting to feel intensely sore. We mostly worked on my arms and back so at least I can walk like a normal person this time!
Today: 5 miles.
Weekly: 10 miles.
Yearly: 287.6 miles.
The Horrors of Grocery Shopping
With my Nana on Mother's Day!
I forgot lunch today! I hate when I do that, because I usually just grab something quick (and usually not super healthy) to eat. Instead of my normal Subway stop, I decided to run to Stop & Shop and purchase a few back-up meals.
I know that microwave dinners aren’t the best option, but they must be better than the vending machine wheat chips and fruit snacks I would have otherwise used to replace my lunch. Right?
Once I was in S&S, I knew I was in serious trouble. Before I even was through both doors I saw Pirate’s Bootyon display. Oh, how I love this snack! Once I open a bag it becomes a struggle to (ever) put it down. Of course, I grabbed two bags and threw them right in my cart!
I love this girl!
Then I saw Special K Cereal which is so tasty, it’s almost like a desert. That went into the cart too!
After only 10 – 15 minutes in the store, I’m sure I had collected over $50 in snacks!
I kept telling myself that I was asking for trouble. I knew that I didn’t want so many treats in my office, but I didn’t listen and I went right up to the checkout line.
While in line, I bent over to grab my 12-pack of seltzer, and my loose skirt nearly fell down! It was slightly embarrassing, but it was a fantastic feeling. I bought that skirt (size 
two years ago, and I wore it until the day it could no longer zip and was uncomfortable to sit in all day long. That very same skirt could have easily fell to my ankles today if I wasn’t careful!
I couldn't resist having a small slice of this yummy dessert! It's made with fruit, low fat cream cheese and reduced fat graham crackers, so it can't be too bad!
Then it clicked!
I put it all back, well most of it.
I have worked too hard to start stress eating and wasting my daily calories on silly snacks.
I walked out of S&S with two Lean Cuisine Dinners - Chicken Parmesan and Margherita Pizza-Wood Fire Style, one box of granola bars, Black Cherry Polar Seltzer and plastic forks (for obvious reasons).
Now I know microwave dinners aren’t a perfect solution, but they work for different time in my very busy life.
Maybe one day I’ll be stronger, and I won’t always have to limit the food I purchase. But I’m so proud that I was strong enough to realize that I had the option to make a better choice, and I did!
Shin Splints?
My legs are aching in a way that is very hard to describe which is so annoying and a little unexplainable.
Ready for some tennis!
I’ve had shin splints before. Back in college I would only go for a run when I felt fat, when I was having roommate issues or when I was running in cute heels to make the last bus ride home from Providence to Newport. I know my sudden and inconsistent runs were the cause of my shin pain.
Back then, when the pain got more severe I retired my adorable heels (for a few months, not forever), and I walked around with a slight (totally attractive) limp. I finally went to the doctors who told me that I needed to rest and ice my legs often, which I did, and I slowly got better.
This time the pain is a little different. I’m more achy, not as sore. I have no limp (thank goodness), and I can totally walk around in any type of shoes. But I’m older now and I realize that when I’m in pain, I don’t necessarily need to be a slave to fashion. Bring on the flats!
Knowing I’ve had shin splints before, I have been exceptionally careful to train myself properly. I’ve increased my activity, intensity and duration gradually. I even have taken days off to rest, and I always stretch before and after every single run.
I got to meet my new cousin this weekend. Isn't he adorable?
I went easy on myself Saturday, Sunday and Monday. However, the dull, lingering pain in my legs could not stop tonight’s run. My body was craving some cardio, so I gave in and hopped on the treadmill. Can’t wait to get back outside!
I swore I would run at a slower pace, but I got bored quickly because I knew I could run much faster. I ran 5 miles tonight, and my legs feel just as tired, shaky, achy as ever.
Help! I need suggestions! The pain doesn’t feel like the shin splints I had before. I know something isn’t quite right!
Today: 5 miles.
Weekly: 5 miles.
Yearly: 282.6 miles.