Big Changes

7

Today I was a ball of stress and frustration. Mainly, I’m stressed about moving next week. After roughly 15 moves in my adult life, you would honestly think I have down by now, but that’s totally not the case.

Moving requires so much energy and organization. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also fabulous exercise. I’m trying to stay positive about everything that’s happening over the next few days because not only is it the right thing to do, but I’m ready for a big change.

I’m moving to make everything in my life just a little more simple. I’ll be much closer to work. In fact, if all goes according to plan I’ll save 60 – 90 minutes EVERY day, which is absolutely crazy!

My reduced commute will be good for my sanity, car and will free up time for something else, once I figure what that is I’ll let you know.

I’ll also be close to school and to the gym, which will reduce my daily miles even more.

Most importantly, I’m moving to a town with a lively sports community, and I’ve found a few different running groups that start in the next few weeks that I’m ready to join.

I really want to get involved and meet people, and I think that participating in a couple of exercise/running groups is a great, or so I hope.

Any other suggestions are welcome because I really don’t want to be stuck in my place all alone!

To work through my frustration this evening, I went to the gym let it out! However, first I had to cancel my membership, which I was less than thrilled about.

I’m so comfortable at my current gym. You may have heard me talk about my favorite treadmill or stretching mat, it’s totally weird, but it works for me.

I’m excited for a routine change, but I hope it doesn’t take too much getting used to!

 

Return From Vacation

8

Coming back from vacation (ok, not really a vacation but a four-day weekend) is always hard.

Last night I truly didn’t want to exercise. I wanted to veg out, relax and get ready for the rest of my short week.

It took until 8:00 p.m. for me to finally get my behind to the gym. It shouldn’t have taken that long, but I was busy with some work, school and a massive paper.

The second I got to the gym, I felt a million times better! I had a burst of energy as I peddled as fast as I could on the boring bike.

Then I switched to focus on my core and finally I worked on strengthening my legs with way too many squats to mention.

I finished up lifting some easy weights, and called it a night feeling quite accomplished.

I rarely regret working out, I mean, a half marathon on no training comes to mind, but generally I always feel better after I get some exercise, even if I’m not running.

On your days off, when do you usually exercise? Do you have any work outs you regret?

Also, if you love running gear as much as I do, you should really check out the new Fleet Feet store in Stamford, CT.

Review: The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life

6

Ok, so you all know that I am slightly crazy about celebrity gossip. I love to know what’s going on with people who I actually know nothing about. Regardless, I faithfully check People, E!, Perez Hilton and TMZ more often than I should.

Although I love the gossip, there are few celebs who I actually talk about besides their current relationship status, scandal, movie, etc.

Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 2.20.42 PMI recently read Maria Menouno’s book “The EveryGirl’s Guide to Life,” and I honestly have to tell you that it rocked!

Maria came off as so down-to-earth, real, honest and fun in everything she talked about from DYI home projects, to exercise and careers.

Maria is a champion of being organized, taking control of all aspects your life and making things happen.

She is a hard-working TV host, actress, spokesperson and journalist who has her life all together and is doing it all her way!

While she sometimes talks about high-end products, she also recommends comparable alternatives at a lower cost, some of which I can even afford.

She believes in being financially responsible, saving for a house instead of a designer bag and being independent but keeping good friends around.

Mainly, I think I enjoyed reading about her healthy relationship food. Maris struggled with her weight in her freshman year of college, gaining around 40 pounds that year. She worked hard and smart to lose the weight, and I enjoyed reading about how she has found a happy balance.

Honestly, this book was the kick in the pants I needed. While I already follow some of Maria’s tips, I still have a lot of work to do.

I’m about to move and start a new life and I really feel like reading this book will help me make my new place and life better!

Thanks, Maria!

Graduation and Careers

Reply
My niece, the graduate and my dad.

My niece, the graduate and my dad.

I am a proud younger sister.

Not only did my older sister just graduate with her Master of Science in Nursing, but she received an award for outstanding academic performance.

How impressive is that?

So we drove down to New Jersey with more than enough time to spare (because of the recent train accident in Fairfield, CT) and sat outside of the previous graduation from the medical school. I got to see all of the proud families and friends walk out and congratulate the graduates, which left me with an amazing feeling.

There’s something so special about graduation, maybe because I’ve been to three in one weekend, but they just feel so hopeful and uplifting.

So proud of her!

So proud of her!

I’ve been on my feet a lot over the past few days, and I’m genuinely starting to feel like my ankle is getting better.

I have a lot less pain in my ankle, I can stand on it more and all the numbness has disappeared.

Yes, I’ve been out of my boot for about a week, but I am still wrapping my ankle, wearing my custom inserts and sensible shoes (against every fashion rule on the planet).

But back to graduation.

If you could do it all again, change your entire educational career, would you?

I think from time to time that I would to be a Physical Therapist, but I actually really like what I do, and I still get to visit and learn from my PT every once in a while!

And because of my wonderful PT, I’m feeling hopeful and optimistic that I’m almost over this injury. Thank goodness this one was quick.

Old Broken Bones

6

Today was graduation number two of three, and it was a doozy! Of course the ceremony was outside, and of course it was cold, raining and windy the entire time, but that wasn’t the problem.

Have you ever broken a bone? If you have, you may know what I’m talking about. You know that aching pain that comes the first few years after your broken bone is “healed” when it rains and the air is damp? Well, that pain came out today and my rehabbed bones were crying!

Throw a recently fractured ankle into the mix and I wasn’t a happy camper. I was on my feet way too much. I must have walked five miles today (in the rain), and that’s the most I’ve done in weeks!

Needless to say, I was feeling it later.

However, despite my morning miles, I still pushed myself to go to the gym later in the afternoon. I decided to exercise mostly because I didn’t make it to the gym yesterday, and I will not make it tomorrow because I’ll be in New Jersey to see my smart and brilliant sister’s graduate.

My exercise plan for the evening was to go swimming, but I got to the pool too late so I decided to use the bike at the gym.

I got on the bike right at the start of the Bruin’s second period so I agreed to keep biking until it was over.

I must have forgotten that a period can last a lot more than the usual 20 minutes because I spent 46 minutes on that darn bike.

No, I wasn’t running, but I sure felt good after I finished!

How do you pass the time when doing an exercise that bores you?

He Asked What?

10

Although I  fail again and again, I still continue to date with the hope that one day I will get it right. However, my last date was totally not the one.

He was super nice, polite and funny, but he asked one question that totally threw the entire night off.

What did he ask?

Well, it went something like this:

“So you pay to run in races? Isn’t running free? Why would you pay?”

I was speechless, totally unsure what to say. Running and racing is a huge part of my life. I wish I could run every single day, and when I can’t run (like right now) I dream about the day I can run again.

Now to be fair, maybe I didn’t make it clear how important running was after I had already mentioned that I love to run, I just ran a half, the New Haven 20K, the list goes on and on.

Maybe I talked about running too much, and he was annoyed or maybe he’s not a runner (imagine that). Regardless, I took his comment as a bad sign, a very bad sign.

For instance, I like hockey, but I don’t watch every game, in fact, I see very few. However, I know it’s the playoffs and I would never question someone who watches the game, supports their team or plans their day around the game.

Everyone has a passion, and you should never insult someone’s passion, especially on date number one (at least save that for date three or four).

I know I’m picky. I know I have standards that are way too high, but all I really want is someone who respects running. Is that too much to ask?

Studying, School and Biking

2

For some crazy reason, I decided to go back to graduate school when I already have one master’s. In my silly mind a second master’s was the only way to go!

I enjoy school and I feel like I’m getting a lot more out of it now that I have more work experience and more time to focus on each class; however, going to class right after work makes the days very long.

Since we all know I’m not a morning person, and school goes until 9:30 pm, it leaves very little time for exercise.

In order to try to stay healthy, I always make sure to pack a sensible lunch, dinner and snacks so I don’t grab cafeteria food or vending machine treats to fill me up.

I make sure to take a break during the day to get outside and take my mind off everything.  Since I’ve been trying to stay off my feet as much as possible, I spent my break on the bike at the gym, conveniently one building from my office.

Like the elliptical, I hate the bike, but at his point I’ll take any form of cardio.

It really helps me get through a 14 hour day when I take 30 minutes to exercise and relax.

I hope I can stay healthy while I’m in school this time. For now, I’m trying my best!

How do you fit in exercise on busy days? Do you try to take a quick break during the day?

Celebs, a Nomination and Some Biking

7

Screen Shot 2013-05-15 at 12.11.50 AMFellow reader and blogger Kim let me in on a little secret that the Blogging Runner was nominated by Diet-to-Go as one of the 100 Most Inspirational Weight Loss Bloggers of 2013.

Ok, this nomination is totally cool because I don’t write this blog for any real reason (clearly or I would blog a little more often), but to keep myself on track.

I have struggled over the past few months with not being able to exercise much at all. I go through days when I eat too much, and times when I think it is totally acceptable to eat ice cream for breakfast (ask anyone in my office, they have all caught me eating my after-lunch snack before 8:30 a.m.), but I haven’t given up.

Despite all of the minor challenges that have come my way including my back, hip, ankle etc. I kept going, when I could have given up like I’ve done in the past.

No, right now I’m not in my ideal shape, but I’m still healthy and active and that’s what counts. Heck, I was healthy enough two weeks ago to run a half marathon!

I comfortable with my body image (well despite my terrible, very bad skin) and I’m ok with myself just the way I am. I wish I could explain this level of confidence to my 25 year-old self who never thought I would feel this way!

Tonight at the gym, I spent an hour on the bike missing running like crazy. I envied every person who got on the treadmill and seemingly ran without pain. Oh well, soon enough that will be me again!

When I finished on the bike the gym was entirely empty. Talk about getting lost in the moment. I didn’t even realize I was all alone. I should have busted out some Whitney Houston tunes.

My new BFF.

My new BFF.

One more AWESOME celebrity-related thing that happened late last night PEREZ HILTON favorited my tweet! After six years he is still my favorite celebrity writer! 

And now that all of these amazing things have happened, I’m off to do more homework for graduate school!


Any cool celebrity gossip to share? Please tell!