Whoops March 29, 2007

Minor setback yesterday. Well, it wasn’t so much a setback as a magnetic pull. Towards the vending machine. I was almost out of the office too! Somehow, I unconsciously grabbed money out of my wallet, inserted it into the vending machine, and walked into an elevator full of girls from Vogue eating a Hershey’s bar. Really classy. However, I have to say that it was definitely worth it. I was only planning on eating half, but I ended up devouring the whole thing between my office and the subway (which, for the record, is about five steps). I’m chalking it up to my stressful moving week, and also proclaiming that it’s okay both because I have been really good about my Challenge workouts and because every now and then, you just need a treat. And I’m going to pretend it was a “heart healthy” treat.

We’re in the midst of a big Spring cleaning here at SELF. A purge of sorts. It’s amazing how much stuff you can accumulate without even knowing it. Alarming, really. It’s funny because I’m realizing the same thing through my apartment packing adventures. Thought process goes like this 1. Why do I still have this? 2. Why did I buy this in the first place? 3. Can I sell this on Craigslist? Kidding… Though it does feel good to clear things out, organize, and make room. A clean, clear space definitely helps to clear the mind, I’m finding. I’m channeling Danny Tanner.

Moving March 27, 2007

I am moving next weekend and as a result, have been completely on edge. I did some surface research (aka I googled it) and found that behind divorce and the death of a loved one, moving ranks up there as one of life’s most stressful events. Okay, so I’m not crazy. That’s good. But I have to say that coordinating all the steps of moving from my 5th floor walk-up apartment has definitely made me a bit irrational (there may  have been a flip out over my roommate drinking my orange juice). I guess the bonus is that I get to look forward to some creative logging in my workout log next weekend. Oh, those five flights of stairs. Strength, cardio….yoga? Another positive upshot of all this is that I have noticed that I have been seriously craving workouts as a means to reducing stress. This is a development. Pre-Challenge, a bout of stress would land me on the couch with cookie dough (see previous post “no more cookie dough”). Instead, I have been sweating off my moving woes (like my inability to sell my totally useless and impractical armoire off of craigslist–the bane of my existence, really) on the treadmill. While listening to the new Modest Mouse CD. Which is, by the way, an amazingly good album and great workout music. And it looks like Spring has finally arrived in the city! A definite cause for celebration.

The big H20 March 22, 2007

Recently, it has come to my attention that I do not drink water. How this has not been selected against is beyond me, but basically, I just don’t get thirsty. I literally forget to go get water when I’m siting at my desk and a whole day will pass sans hydration. Not so good. Any tips or tactics out there to make sure you get your 8-a-day? Outlook reminders?

Countdown to soccer March 21, 2007

Yesterday was my strength training day, so I hit the yoga studio again. Wow. Intensity. I am definitely feeling those “core” movements this morning. I’m starting to be able to “flow” more and follow along, which is exciting. And…I stuck to the Challenge eating plan yesterday! That check in my food log is very satisfying.

I also signed up for a recreational soccer league in New York, which should be fun. Slash, I am totally freaked out. I haven’t really played soccer since high school, so I’m a bit nervous that A. I’ll totally wiff a kick B. I’ll score a goal for the other team C. I’ll pass out on the field or D. all of the above. But, I figured that soccer would be a great way to mix up my cardio workouts and also to meet new people. Bring the fun back into exercising a bit so it doesn’t feel so much like a chore. My first game is on Thursday, so wish me luck!

Oh, you’re upping it .2? March 20, 2007

So, minus a happy hour (which, in case you’re wondering, is definitely not on the Challenge diet drop down menu), last week saw a serious improvement post mouse trauma. I ran for 30 minutes on the treadmill three times last week at a pretty good pace. March Madness has definitely helped towards that end (sadly, it’s safe to say that I am now out of my office pool). I’ve also reconnected with my competitive streak via my treadmill neighbors. Oh, you’re upping it .2? Well, watch me go up .3! When the guy next to me started running 6:30 miles, I figured it was time to throw in the towel (or get thrown off the treadmill…which, for the record, has definitely happened to me before). Clearly, an Olympian. I also dragged myself to the yoga studio down the street from my apartment for two strength training sessions. I forgot what a great yoga workout can do for your outlook on life. Really amazing. I haven’t done yoga in a while, so I’m a bit rusty on my poses (kinda embarassing when everyone is in “warrior 1″ and you’re still stuck in “downward dog”–What, a warrior doesn’t look like this?), but I’m looking forward to making this a part of my fitness routine.

I’m giving myself a B- in my food diary for last week. I’ve been trying, but it’s a bit hard when I’m on a budget. I’m going to hit the grocery store tonight, pick two Challenge meals from every category, and just go with those. Votes for favorites?

This is my last week of Month 1 so I’m looking to go into Month 2 strong!

Of mice and no gym March 14, 2007

Um, I failed. Definitely did not make it to the gym this morning. I know I said no more excuses, but there was an incident last night which rendered me sleepless and in turn, gave my snooze bar quite a workout this morning. It was an ultimate New York city showdown–an all night long chase and battle in the trenches of my laundry. Me. v. mouse. Sick. For the record, sleeping doesn’t happen when you know that you have a mouse (mice? rats?) in your room. Did I mention I’m moving apartments? So anyways, no gym. But I did do the Challenge strength workout in my living room with shampoo bottles as weights. (Note to self: buy weights). And I did forgo the usual bagel slathered in cream cheese (my serious vice) for the Challenge diet’s English muffin cheddar melt with berries. Which was actually amazingly good. And I think gave me a little energy boost…which I am going to use to call the exterminator.

No more cookie dough March 14, 2007

Alright. It’s time to get serious. I mean, I have been trying. Sort of. But it’s almost three weeks into the Challenge, and I have to admit that I have some gaping holes in my exercise and food logs. And by holes, I mean days where I frankly did not want what I ate to be logged in another place besides my stomach. Let’s just say I paid the work vending machine one too many visits. On several occasions, I may or may not have hidden a Twix bar underneath a napkin as I walked through SELF’s hallways and back to my desk. Of the places not to be seen eating candy bars, SELF magazine ranks high on the list. (Although, we do seem to have a steady stream of chocolate coming in, and sometimes it’s not the dark kind!) To be fair, it’s been a rough couple of weeks. There was a breakup, a bout of the flu, and a new apartment search to reckon with. However, the excuses stop here. Well, right after this bite. I’m sitting here in my apartment, eating cookie dough. I mean really. Like I said, it’s time to get serious. And it all starts tomorrow morning with a pre-work visit to the gym. Oh yea, we’re starting off big time…dragging myself out of bed early morning is, let’s just say, a Challenge.