Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the
imagination, and life to everything. ~ Plato

I recently bought a new laptop and have been transferring all my music to it. However, it's a frustrating and tedious process since my old laptop was a slow Mac and there is no easy, one-step way to go about this. But the process though is really making me think about all of my music. It makes me think that music is like clothes and sometimes there are things that you should just get rid of because you don't wear them any longer. Why do I have All Mighty Senators on my i-Tunes when I skip a song each time it comes up? Sure, they are a rocking funk band and seeing them live in the mountains of Virgina blew my lid, but why are these tunes that I never feel connected with anymore taking up space on my hard drive? OK, after listening to that youtube clip, I might keep a few songs.

Another habit of mine is downloading all those free i-Tunes songs that they give cards for at Starbucks. It's a great promotion, of course, but I think I only like about 2 percent of what I end up with. And yet the other 98 percent of songs pile up like garbage on my system. Yes, Ceu is a really interesting, global artist, but I'm comfortable enough to admit what's not really my bag. Or another habit is downloading an entire CD because I like one song. Then it turns out the other songs are vastly different and yet again, there they sit, rotting.

I need to come up with some better categorization too. There are some rock or pop songs that I love listening to while running but yet if they come up in shuffle on my drive to work, I can't hit "forward" fast enough. I also wish i-Tunes would add a double genre feature. The songs by the band Drive-By Truckers (my favorite of all time) are perfect example of why we need the ability to assign two genres to one song. They are country and they are rock. Simply put, they are both.

This post doesn't have anything directly to do with working out, but you can see where I'm going with my thoughts. Maybe one day I'll transfer all my music, categorize all my songs aptly, and then make the mot outstanding workout mix of all time. We'll see. I have yet to see two people agree on one mix CD with equal enthusiasm for each song.

Back from vacation

We returned home from Denver on Monday evening to an energetic, very excited puppy! It's great to know the legends of dog loyalty appear that maybe they could be true. There was no exercising for me on Tuesday as I settled into unpacking and organizing and grocery shopping. On Wednesday night, I actually made it to the gym after work for a run on the treadmill. I thought I might see some of my peeps there but perhaps with the chill in the air, they were too weak to leave home. Who knows? I ran three miles in 36 minutes and had to stop twice (yes, twice) to tie my respective shoelaces. I think I need that gizmo that toddlers have to keep their laces tied tight all day. And I need a new pair of running shoes on top of that. I realize I bought mine when I did the half marathon more than two years ago. Yep, time to bite the bullet and see how much I can talk myself into enjoying the thought of spending $100 on a pair of running shoes. Maybe I'll be like the Africans or some of the other great ancient runners and forget the shoes altogether ...

On Thursday night I forced myself to my first Bikram yoga class in a long time. Like, maybe two months ago, that's how long of a time it has been. But dammit, I paid more than $200 for this stupid package of classes and I'll be ashamed if I let the classes run out on my lazy, unmotivated ass. Seriously, I was so annoyed with driving to Plymouth that I was already contemplating writing a post called "The love affair goes sour." However, I perked up when I saw that class was being led by my favorite instructor. Some of them are like drill sergeants who make you feel like a lazy slob for not attempting each pose 100 percent. I knew I was not ready for a class of that style yet. So I slogged through the sweat-soaked 90 minutes with a passable determination. Now that I'm not going out of town on the weekends, perhaps I'll be able to pick up more classes. Cheers.

Hot Streak Continues

I feel wonderful about how I've been waking up early for workouts and even making time for them on the weekends. It's like going from seeing a therapist once a month to a more consistent basis and you feel like you really start making progress. My idea of joining bootcamp for a month in the hopes of carrying the early morning workouts on has turned out well. It's sweet relief to be sitting at my desk and know I'm done for the day. I can go home after work and do whatever I want. I've been alternating between some DVDs I rented from the library and going to the gym. I actually ran twice on the treadmill last week and felt energized after. I leave for my Colorado vacation in two days, so I'll accomplish what I can beforehand and then tell myself I don't have to give a hoot about exercising for nearly a week. Cheers!

Happy birthday to me!

I woke up early to start the day with a bang at the gym. Jason was taking Quixote to dog care so I didn't have to worry about reserving 30 minutes of my morning for his walk. Therefore I stayed at the gym for about 90 minutes, of which I ran for a half-hour. That was great for my self-confidence and it was incredibly reassuring to know that run with Ed hadn't damaged my knees irreparably. After that I alternated ab work, weights, lunges, exercises with the ball, alternating jumping lunges, etc. I put forth a hearty effort. I felt I had to. I know people assume I'm this freaky eater who never eats crap but let me put that myth to rest.

Over the course of the weekend I ate an entire Hershey bar and three no bake cookies that each had 9 grams of fat. Also, throw in homemade French toast with cinnamon swirl bread from Good Harvest. Don't forget the pizza on Friday night. After that sugar onslaught, a caramel apple pie appeared in the kitchen at my office on Monday. I only had a sliver of a slice but I'm sure it wasn't on any healthy top 10 list. So, blah blah, there you have it. I'm not perfect with eating like a health nut every day. Hence, my appearance at the gym in the wee hours of my birthday.

Tonight looks like dinner at PF Changs and yes I've already looked at the menu and the nutrition profile online. That place is out of control. Do you know there are some dishes that are considered to be three or four or SIX servings on one plate?? I will definitely be gorging on Buddha's Feast. It's my birthday and I can eat like a nerd if I want to!

Two days down, the rest of my life to go

I continued the trend of working out before work on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday I did my own rendition of boot camp based on a workout site I found online. I usually feel like a dork bopping around on my carpet in my living room but I was determined to try and make a solid effort. I must've done something right since my thighs are screaming for mercy today. Those are the crazy kind of results I can boast about! On Tuesday I went to the gym. It's probably been more than a month since I've been there. I alternated 15 minutes on the treadmill and the elliptical, interspersed with upper body weights and abs. It didn't feel like the hardest workout of my life but back-to-back morning sessions are a strong way to start the week.

I decided that in order to entice myself to keep on this trend of early rising, I need new programs to hold my attention. Until something has proven itself as a lame workout program, I can believe it's going to be great. Therefore I put holds on about 10 DVDs through my library system. Hopefully those will capture my attention, and tone my body as well!

I will miss boot camp

Boot camp technically ended on Monday but I made up two days that I had missed, making this morning my last class. We took body measurements of our neck, chest, waist, thighs, etc. but after a month I didn't have any shape difference. I'm not surprised. I was working out before I even started the session. However, I did notice improvements in the exercises we did for our fit test. For example, on the first day, I could only do 16 burpess and by the end I could do 20 in a minute. I went from holding the plank position for 92 seconds to 107 seconds. I also improved my full sit-ups in one minute by about 25 percent. It's incredibly rewarding to have that tangible evidence of progress.

Boot camp was a very different sort of fitness from what I am used to. It was short circuits, explosive movements, a lot of variety. It's not like doing the same machines at the gym repetitively or plodding along on the treadmill for 30 minutes or even yoga with the exact same exercises every single class. Boot camp was new and challenging in a way that my body responded to really well. I loved how so many exercises tested my core area without it seeming like mindless, dull sit-ups. My abs have never looked better.

Here's an example of what we did today. There were four stations. We did two exercises for 30-45 seconds at each one and then rotated the circuit twice. At the first one, we alternated holding a weight and mimicked the wood-chipping form. At the next station we laid on the floor and raised our legs to make circles one way around a raised bar and then the opposite direction. At another station, we balanced in a bridge position with our neck and shoulders on the ball and then raised and lowered heavy weights over our head and back to our knees. Then we held that position and did tricep extensions. At the next station we kneeled on a bosu ball for decline pus-ups and then hopped with rotating feet to stomp against the ball. That was one circuit group.

Then we were given new exercises and had to repeat each station twice with two movements at each one. tT made the time fly by. It was a perfect combination of cardio and explosiveness with weights and muscle burning. We also did jumping jacks and ran around the building space for more direct cardio. That's just an example of one day and we never had two days that were the same. We'll see how many benefits and tips I can take from this class and carry them over to my gym routine.

Did I really say I would run 16 miles?

I was actually pretty excited about running with Ed for one of his 16-mile loops on his quest to finish 100 miles and bring in a boatload of money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I said I would help him out with the fourth loop, which had me meeting up with him about 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening. The weather was a tad on the warm side, but even with that, the conditions were pretty favorable for running. No rain fell, as had been predicted — and had been my biggest fear.

In preparation I skipped the previous Friday's boot camp section to save my legs a bit. Besides that, I really wasn't all that prepared. Ed just made it seem rather ... can I say ... easy? He told me it would mostly be walking in the woods with a tiny bit of running interspersed and then times of politely looking the other way when he would be crying in misery. I hadn't been running much on my own up to that point. Besides a few days of boot camp during the week and long walks with Quixote and Jason (not on the beach, ha ha), I hadn't really pushed my body through any grueling workouts. However, the idea that it would be a lot of walking compelled me. I love walking. I love being out in the woods. I feel great when I can help someone out with a worthy cause. And when Ed's not talking about bad music, he can be an engaging conversationalist.

I arrived at Pinckney Rec Area with plenty of time to spare. I met Ed's son Brent and chatted with Caryn, who is probably one of the most sincere, friendliest people I've ever talked with. The crowds were pumped with electric tie-dye banners and signs. There was even a stage for a band. I was impressed with the turnout of people.

Ed had been having a good day, although he might say bad because he's one of those types who thinks running too fast can be a bad thing. Ah, those runners, so fickle. We met up slightly ahead of schedule and we were soon the only ones on the trail. The scenery was great. It's events like that that remind me how trail running beats the pants off road running or cement running or asphalt running. If you can't see or smell a car, you're going to enjoy yourself. Nature was showing off at her peak. The foliage was abundant and verdant. The pine needles littered the path like earth's best concocted cushion. But what was that smell? Ed though it was a skunk but after following behind him for a spell, I had my doubts. I think he was trying to create a diversion.

But then came his joke about a man pooping in his sleep in bed and I thought, Uh-oh, this is going to be a long 16. How can I possibly get out of this? As if that weren't enough, he started to wax on about Katy Perry's "talent." Hmmm ... this was going to be an exhausting day, and I wasn't even thinking about my legs!

Actually Ed showed a lot of grit and spirit and it was very inspiring. To think he already completed 48 miles before I even joined him was pretty impressive. He kept a fierce pace. I might have figured we'd be just walking but that's like saying Usain Bolt just jogs in the Olympics. That surprised me but I was determined to keep up. I felt like it was my duty to not complain, not badger him too much about how he was feeling and just be there to keep the pace and occasionally offer something slightly interesting to say.

However, my full 16-mile lap was not to be. I felt so upset when my knee initially started bothering me. I thought it was my heel lift, so I removed that. But the pain was still there. I tried to walk faster when Ed was jogging to avoid that stress, but that didn't help matters either. Not the ideal place for a pacer. I sorta hoped that shifting my balance or changing my stride would alleviate the growing splinters around my knee. Nothing was working and I was hugely dismayed. It finally became clear that I was going to have to punk out at an aid station and, boy, did I feel like a punk. But once Ed told me that he'd stick with me before he'd care about finishing the race, I knew I had to get out of there. If I really wanted to help him, then my best position would be off the trail. What kind of pacer forces her runner to hobble along with her? Not a very good one, I thought.

At the 10-mile marker with a knee of glass, I respectfully stepped off the trail and waved Ed on. I had no doubts that he would finish. And many hours later, he did. After I heard about how many times he threw up on that fourth loop once I bowed out, I felt pretty confident that I made the right decision at the right time. Sure, running 100 miles is pretty tough but running 16 with someone whose idea of conversation is Katy Perry's "talent" is rough too. I can't blame the guy though. Eating baked potatoes and Gu and throwing up repeatedly can do strange things to a person.

It figures since I do work for an accounting firm

I finally submitted all the necessary paperwork to receive my $200 athletic reimbursement. So, was my paycheck simply $200 more than my last one? NOPE! It was only $136 more. What a bunch of hogwash.

A glutton for punishment?

I've actually been thinking about disbanding this blog since I'm don't seem to bring much creativity to it these days. Plus I feel like I write about the same things, or don't' take enough time to write when I do. However, I will keep it going for another two weeks and I'll explain why later.



I decided to sign up for the month-long boot camp class to jumpstart my fitness level. I'd been going to the gym occasionally but most of my exercise free time was taken up with walking Quixote and if you know me, you know I don't feel that's really strenuous exercise, in terms of pushing myself outside my comfort level. My thinking was that 12 tough classes over the course of a month would help whip me into shape. And if I think I'm increasing my prowess, well I can measure my before and after results at boot camp. The first week we did about five exercises and recorded our times or repetitions and after a month, we'll see how much we have improved. We also had ourselves measured which was a new thing to me. My curiosity is definitely aroused seeing what kind of differences will show up. I thought it was funny that the diameter of my calf was measured. Ha! Watch out world! Here comes my explosive calves above my birdlike ankles!!



Well anyways, I'm a couple classes in and Ed starts talking to me about his Hallunication 100. The thought alone makes me nearly hallucinate. He will be running approximately six 16-mile laps to raise money for LLS and prove what a maniac he truly is. Why does this matter to me? Because Ed suckered me into "pacing" him for a loop. Keep in mind, a loop is 16 miles. I don't even know what a pacer really does. All I can think of is a pace maker. Guess I'm supposed to help keep him alive, but I'm unsure of how to do that because really I'll be questioning if any sane person who has never walked 16 miles at one time would really try and accomplish this. The longest event I ever finished was a half-marathon and it wasn't my best effort with my increasingly sore knee. However, I did finish and I'm proud of that. Plus I like to be the sort of person who tests myself and sees how deep inside me I can dig to accomplish what I thought was previously un-accomplishable. (Even if I only like to do that about once every five years, if that.)


Well I told Ed to pencil me in and then I went to sleep that night and woke up in a fright of anxiety, wondering how overwhelming and and difficult this would be. This event is only two weeks away. This event will be on a weekend that is b eing bookended by two boot camp classes. I voiced my concerns to Ed but he assured me that while it would be tough, he'd be coming off some previous 48 miles and wouldn't be thinking of running 8:00 miles for our loop. Hmmm, only a small consolation. Then he said it'd be mostly walking and maybe about three miles of running. Hmmm, that is still 13 miles of walking. Then he says we can take time to stand and cry. Okay, glad that's factored in. Plus, if I totally can't go on and I can quit, right? I can fall down at an aid station. Right now I'm still committed and I'm just repeating the mantra that sometimes the big accomplishment isn't what you finish, it's what you start. I can at least do that much and help out Hallucination Ed.

Boot Camp

A full month of triweekly classes at Fit Barre Studio in Northville, Mich. This is the description from the website:

Bootcamp is a combination of core, multijointed exercises that take your heart rate from high to low for interval training that produces great results.

Cardio blast

I am thrilled that Quixote and I have been walking so much lately. I love walking. Sure, I might not consider it "exercise," in terms of a swelling heart rate, sweat dripping down my neck and huffing for breath. There does come a point though when duration trumps level of exertion. At that point, it's really exercise. On Saturday morning we took a new route all through parts of Northville that we had never seen before and we ended up walking for an hour and 40 minutes. On Sunday I took him for another hourlong walk. On Monday Jason and I both walked with him for more than two hours! We left the house in the daylight a little after 7:00 p.m. and it was night when we returned, complete with the crescent moon hovering above the line of the horizon. Then to top it all off, I hit the gym before work this morning and ran for 35 minutes straight. I've been slacking with running lately so it was a good boost to my self-esteem to just push myself and listen to some tunes. Here's a video for you, Ed. I couldn't find a decent video so this will have to do.

America dies on Dunkin: The controversy

I'm sure it's no surprise to my four readers that I think this doctor lost his job in a most unfair and egregious way. He's just pointing out the truth.

By Jacob Goldstein
Here’s a job-security tip: If you work for the county, and a county commissioner owns a doughnut store, you should think twice before you run public messages such as “Donuts = Diabetes” and “America Dies on Dunkin.”
We point this out because Jason Newsom, a public health doc in Bay County, Florida, was sacked after running these and other messages on an electronic sign outside the health department where he worked. Here’s the story from the Associated Press.
“I think he was somewhat of a zealot,” the county commissioner with the doughnut shop told the AP. “I don’t have a problem with him pushing an agenda, it’s the way he did it. People borrowed money to go into business and they are being attacked by the government.” In addition to the opposition from the county commissioner, two lawyers who own a Dunkin’ Donuts store had threatened to sue, Newsom says.
Doughnuts were not the sole target of Newsom’s campaign. Other messages included “Hamburger = Spare Tire” and “French Fries = Thunder Thighs.”
“I have never been known for my subtlety,” Newsom told the AP.
“Dunkin’ Donuts is pleased that the signs have been removed,” a spokesman for the company wrote in an email.
As of 2007, 39 percent of all adults in Bay County were overweight one in four was obese, the AP notes.

It only took two months!

I'm trying to hop back in the saddle even if my legs feel sort of rusty. I made it to a Bikram yoga class on Tuesday night for the first time since before we brought Quixote home. I think that takes me back to May. At the center, they told me my pass for 30 classes had expired and there were eight unused classes. Trying to entice me into more yoga, they said if I bought a new package, they would tack on those eight expired classes. So I bought a 15-class package for $175 and it expires in six months. Looks like I'll have to force myself into attending at least once a week into January to get my full money's worth. Don't think I'm just throwing my money around. I still have my 2009 athletic reimbursement to use up at my work. They'll pay for half that package and for half my gym membership fees for the year.

So, yeah, I am trying to make fitness a priority once again. Jason and I have been diligent about taking Quixote for daily walks, usually more than one a day. But at the rate we go, it's slow travel and it barely qualifies as an activity that raises your heart rate. He sniffs, we correct. He refuses to budge, we pull out the treats. At four months old, I'm not expecting him to be a perfect marathon companion on a leash, but we have to put in the work now, if we hope he'll be a great leash-walker in the future. I can't wait until the first day that he runs three miles by my side. That will be super exciting!

All the obstacles: summer time, new puppy, etc.

I am having one hell of a time trying to fit in some exercise. When we got the puppy, I was hoping that one day he'd be a great running buddy. Unfortunately, one day is far away at this point. He's doing pretty good on his leash and his walks around the neighborhood, but he's way too untrained and distracted to for me to expect any serious long walks out of him. He might have the energy, but he does not have the discipline. So it's hard to get any exercise with him, and equally hard to get any without him. Jason and I are really juggling our schedules so that one of us is home with him (after the work hours). This means if i want to go to the gym, I've gotta make sure that Jason is cool with sticking around the house. This is definitely a first for me. Usually the only thing that prevented me from going to the gym was myself, now there's a bigger world to consider.

Jason is pretty willing to oblige me but sometimes I just hate to ask. After all, he gets up before 6 a.m. to do some things with the puppy so that I can get ready in peace. Then he comes home for his lunch breaks to let the pooch out and feed him and walk him. Then he has to come straight home after work to let the little guy out again. I'm the one who can dilly dally and run errands on my way home without any pressure. We are learning to work as a team but there are days when I feel Jason is the VIP member and it's just unfair to ask for more out of him. These days I'm settling for 30 minutes at the gym instead of two hours. That's the subject of my blog: some exercise is better than none!

And I have got to fit in this exercise during the week because it looks like we are skipping out of town just about every weekend this summer. Sure, I play with his nephews and and I'm pretty active, but somehow being active in a bathing suit with a beer in your hand doesn't really meet my idea of vigorous intensity.

I'm learning it's about patience and juggling routines and prioritizing. It's about striving to maintain healthy eating habits during the week. It's about walking around my office building or using the bathroom on the second or third floor for to find a couple of extra minutes of motion. It's about making the most of my time and doing the best I can with the resources that I have.

We got a new puppy!

I have been slacking on all the exercise. If you want to follow my obsessive, lovestruck drivel about an adorable puppy, check out his page here.

Biking on the trails at Maybury

It was definitely time for Jason and I to go for the first ride of the season. I suggested we bike at Maybury since it's quite close to our house and it would be new to me. Last year, we went to Island Lake Recreation Area, but it's a much farther drive.

We didn't even leave the house until after 7:30 p.m. but we figured we were okay since it's starting to stay light out for longer in the day.

I was feeling a bit apprehensive about the ride because Jason and his friends had ridden it in the past and they gave me the uneasy impression that it was not for beginners. What the hell? I figured. I had to get over my nerves sooner or later. Plus, with the proximity of the park to my house, it'd be nice if one day I could feel comfortable to venture out there by myself.


We pulled into the parking lot and there were plenty of other bikers milling about. I couldn't tell if they just finished a grueling ride or if they were saddling up and would come sprinting up from behind me. That's one of my fears. I'm quite new to trail riding, and to handling my bike in general, and I'm not a real swashbuckler out there. I could easily see myself pushing my bike up a steep incline while some rowdy experts plow into me because they didn't expect to see such a sloth in their path. But again, gotta get over those nerves sooner or later. Right?


It was a quick warm-up as we cruised on the paved path to get to the trail head. I was feeling chilly out there with the dimming sun, so I hoped a good ride would keep me warm. Whoosh! Jason didn't waste anytime diving into the underbelly of the forest. It was all I could do to try and keep up with him and eventually I didn't even try. I figured he was up there somewhere and I'd be more inclined to hurt myself if I got ahead of my own speed. It was brutal. Hardly a mile in and already my chest was burning from breathing so hard and my quads were tighter than guitar strings.


The twists and turns were incredibly tight and I realized I had to start mastering some swifter turning capabilities. Nearly every time I veered too wide and barely made it past some giant stump or jagged, tooth-bearing rock. I was desperately hoping, I wouldn't fly off my bike and bust an ankle, or worse.


The downhills were the worst. I just do not have that fearless ability to blaze downward like a ball of lightning while flying over stones, roots and logs. I'm hoping it's something I can get comfortable with over time. I have to. Otherwise, I'll be wimpy, pansy-pants creeping down at a crawling pace just asking for a collision from speedsters shooting down on me at breakneck speeds. Admittedly, there were times when I dismounted, gritted my teeth, and just rolled my bike for a few downhill stretches.


Then there were more spacious sections of the trail where it seemed to buoyantly crest along on the tops of pine needle layers and smooth dirt. It was relaxing to itch my shoulder and not think that letting go of my handlebars would mean letting go of all control. Occasionally, smells of spring foliage and fragrant flowers would waft by and remind me that it was okay to relax. I enjoyed those stretches immensely. If the whole route were like that, I think I'd be dreaming of going back again after work today.


But then my reverie would be interrupted by a stair-like column of roots of varying sizes that I needed to climb over or a gaping, gushy trench of primeval black mud that I could barely cruise around without being swallowed by some crazy, branch-entangled, monster bush. It required a lot of concentration. Then it started getting darker, and darker, and pretty soon I could hardly make out the white stripes on Jason's shorts ahead of me. At one point, I saw some shadowy, slow-lurking animal cross the path in front of me. I yelled for Jason and felt no comfort in him exclaiming that he could see it as well.


Near the end (or what I was hoping would soon be the end), my patience was dwindling in relation to my fearlessness. Not a good combination for safety. I just wanted to get out of there. I felt like I was starting to become swallowed into the vast, prickly, mysterious mouth of the park. All the fortitude I brought with me was dwindling. Now, I was just anxious and at the end of my ability to solider on. Jason was spouting some mantra that I should try and become one with the trail but there was no way that was happening. I just kept pushing on, not out of perseverance and will, but rather to just.get.to.the.end.


Finally, we made it off the trail. And we knew it was late because the moon was shining stronger than the sun and a park ranger drove up in his truck and told us Maybury was closed. As we rolled our way into the parking lot, we noticed we had the only truck left in the lot.

Oh well. Just goes to show how tough we are. We outlasted everyone :)

In other news

I went in for my second arch-wire change today since having my braces put on. Sometimes I'm not quite sure the orthodontist and I are on the same page, but I try to trust the fact that he's had many years of experience. I forgot to take a Tylenol but the pain is pretty minimal. I ate a bagel shortly afterwards and now I am chomping my way through pear slices.

At the end of this month, I will have had my braces on for six months already. A half-year. Wow. Time really does fly!

Bikram yoga. What's new?

After Tuesday night, I am down to my remaining nine class of yoga from the package I purchased last November. What more can I say about these classes that I have not already said? I love it. I am stimulated to my core. Some days, yes, I dread it and I find myself sluggish and wanting to sit down for some poses. The thing is I never regret going to a class. Ever. It's such a wonderfully, satisfying, cathartic respite from the day. Plus, it's 90 minutes long. That's a lot more time than most people spend exercising. Talk about feeling like I've done something greatly beneficial for my body. Afterwards, I feel loose and limber and adjusted. IT really is amazing. Forget sketchy chiropractors! I mean if they are so great, how come people need to keep going? Forget massages! Way too pricey. And with a massage there is no rewarding feeling of self-satisfaction. This yoga pits your body against your mind. Whether you triumph or not is completely depending on your own attitude. Ah, Bikram...what a beautiful thing!

Yoga's like pizza...

even when it's bad, it's still pretty good.

I was on a mission to make it to a Bikram class at 5:30 after work. It'd had been more than a week since I last engaged in any sort exercise that could be considered rigorous. (I don't think a few lazy, breaststrokes in the ocean count for much.) I wasn't thinking my body would have much to give, but I had to get back to exercising sooner rather than later.

I was thrilled to show up and see the class was being led by my favorite instructor. Then I got another jolt of good news when I saw my favorite spot in the class was still empty! The sessions have been so full lately (almost, grossly so) and so I haven't had that ideal spot in months. Then on a totally superficial level, it was nice to stare at my tanned limbs in the mirror, instead of the pale appendages I was previous sporting before my vacation.

For the most part, I was just relieved to make it to the class. I sat down a couple of times when I felt too drained or lazy to really commit deeply to a pose. I actually did better in some poses than I was expecting. But Bikram's tricky like that. You never know when you'll be powering through and when you'll be wilting after half-moon pose. I usually love standing bow pose (see picture), but I couldn't hold my balance for nothing. Ugh, it was so dispiriting. Thankfully, I slogged though the 90 minute session without passing out.

I found I have 10 remaining classes on the pass I bought last November. Part of me is looking forward to giving my all for the last classes, but part of me will be thrilled when my package is used up and I can think about trying something new!

I love taking time off!

Jason and I returned from Florida around 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Even though the weather was wacky, we had a fabulous time frolicking in the sun, diving in the salt water waves, sipping Pacifico while staring at sandy beaches, drinking coffee with his mom on her lanai, gulping down burritos from our favorite, hippy, boardwalk restaurant, and cruising around the southwest landscape of Florida in the convertible Mustang that his Mom had rented for us. I'm exhausted now. There was no catching up on sleep while bits of sun were to be snatched here and there, gambling boat cruises were boarding, and our vacation days were finite.

I made a promise to myself before leaving that while I was there I wouldn't care about calories in my food, the number of beers that I enjoyed, the price of treats, or if I got a piddly, paltry amount of exercise. This was a vacation that I intended to enjoy to the fullest, and enjoy, I did.

But now we are back to Michigan. Back to covering up my newly-tanned legs with work pants. Back to office shoes while my oh-so-comfortable flip-flops pout at me from the corner of my closet. Back to drinking beer on the weekends while staring at parking lots. Back to watching the Southeast Michigan weather forecast and feeling nonplussed. Back to thinking it's time to clean the bathroom. Again.

But such is life. If I didn't have this job, I couldn't afford any vacations or new beach skirts. And at least I was lucky enough to have the paid-time off so that I could get away. And if I didn't stay committed to working out most of the time, I wouldn't feel as confident about myself in a scantily clad beach town. So, it goes. I'll be heading to yoga tonight. I will try to look forward to the intense heat and globs of sweat pouring off my skin. Maybe I will be reminded of the salty sweat and penetrating humidity of Fort Myers. So, it goes.

Here's my new favorite song to leave you with a summer skip in your step. FYI: It's not a video that I made. Enjoy!

Hardwired to exercise?

Why do people exercise? Why do some others not care? Is there a genetic predisposition that enables one person to drag themselves through a 100-mile race? What are the neurological or biological or physiological differences between me and Michael Phelps and the contestants on the Biggest Loser – before they get on the show?

I am fascinated by these questions because I don't think the answers are simple. Obviously, if I could figure out what triggers people to exercise, I could bottle that, and sit on a fortune twice the size of Oprah's. Is it a habit from learned behavior? I think that athletes have children who care about exercise and couch potato couples breed sedentary teens. But is that learned behavior because they are in a habit and a routine or were those people wired differently from birth? It's hard to separate the two. Isn't that the age-old nature versus nurture debate?

I don't think vanity is a tidy answer either. Do some of us exercise more when we see a bad picture of ourselves and then continue to do so when we see a great picture of ourselves, in the hope of keeping ourselves in shape? Yeah, I suppose I do that. But on the other hand, plenty of people see bad pictures of themselves and then make fun of their shape or size, while eating a burger from a fast food wrapper.

At times I have been rather glib and told people I exercise because it's cheaper than seeing a psychologist. What am I really saying when I make that statement? Do I think if I manufacture, store, and produce enough endorphins that I can keep depressive episodes at bay? Does that mean I constantly have a tug-of-war battling in my brain for my moods? That's almost kind of creepy. It's like saying mania or depression or rage is just a short cliff jump away and if I miss too many sessions at the gym, I'll turn into some monster or some weepy, self-pitying, helpless weakling. Although, honestly, there are times when those undercurrents seem strong and I want to avoid falling into them.

Are people who exercise more often generally happier? Or are they just more anal? I've often talked about my mom's mantra that says when you eat right, sleep well, and exercise, most things tend to fall into place. I grew up on that wisdom, but so did my sisters and brother and I don't think any of them are as compulsive as I am about working out. And I wouldn't say that I generally have a sweeter disposition than any of them.

I don't have any solid answers right now. I choose to work out for a variety of reasons. A part of it is vanity and how I want to feel when I look in the mirror. A part of it is competition and wanting to push myself to achieve something I didn't think I could, whether that is running 12 miles or doing bicep curls with 15lb weights or finally feeling at ease in triangle pose. A huge part is control. I realize that I don't have control over a lot of things in my life but working out is one arena where I have that. It's having to be accountable to myself when I look at my calendar.

For now, this post is unfinished as I ruminate on the topic further.

What happened to apple slices?

Statistics speak. Most adults do not meet their daily fiber requirements, which is 25-35 grams per day, depending on how much you weigh and if you are male or female. That's why we see commercials for Beneful, and Jamie Lee's yogurt for regularity and more and more ads that distastefully introduce us to everyone's personal bowel issues.


However, with Fiber Gummies, I think we have reached a new nutritional low in our culture. These are aimed at kids ages 2-11 to promote regularity. Although, their website claims this "is not a laxative." They say the fiber in three gummies is equal to one cup of corn. Well, what happened to eating corn? or apples? or bread? or cereal that is not saturated in sugars? These are actual foods. Do we really need to start our toddlers on vitamins and supplements at such an early age?


It's worth noting that I do not have kids and of course every childless adult is a great parent. (Yes, that was sarcasm.) But seriously, at least try masking the benefits of real food in home-cooked dishes. A great book is Deceptively Delicious where cauliflower is pureed into macaroni and cheese and kid-enticing brownies are packed with fiber from black beans.


Pushing pills, however rubbery and flexible they are, onto our children cannot be the answer.

Breakfast of the ancients with a modern twist

I call it "ancient" because it's a grain that has been a food staple since the Incas farmed their lands thousands of years ago. I sarcastically say modern because I used a stove. I'm a boring breakfast girl. I need to eat in the morning. I stay away from crazy sugars found in syrup and most breakfast cereals. More often than not, I consider my oatmeal my luxury and my base, depending on the accoutrements I throw into it.


Awhile back, I stumbled onto a flavorful and colorful quinoa breakfast recipe. This one calls for the red variety, which can be hard to come by (which explains why I saw the recipe months ago and just recently tried it). I had found a white version in an enormous bag at Meijer that was more money than I wanted to pay. Then I found a box of the red at a high-end grocery store.


Ingredients:
1c. red quinoa
1c. organic 2% milk
1c. water
2 tbsp. cinnamon
handful of berries (I used strawberries and blueberries)
a spattering of walnuts
1 tbsp agave nectar


Directions:
Combine equal parts quinoa, milk, and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and then let simmer 15 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add cinnamon and berries, cover, and let meld for one or two more minutes.


While the flavors are combining, throw your walnuts in a dry pan and roast them for a few minutes over medium-high heat.

Spoon the quinoa mixture into 2-3 bowls. Top with walnuts and agave nectar.

These grains really retain the heat, so either let it sit for a while or add a few splashes of milk so your mouth doesn't burn and end up tasting like rubber.

My new hero

More writing to follow.

High Intensity Training

In my last post, I wrote that I was ready to start pushing myself hard again. As the subtitle of this blog states: Some exercise is better than none, and more is better than some. For the past few weeks, I had been operating in the "some is better than none" zone. I was hardly exerting a robust effort, but life was a bit hectic and I was glad to even make it to the gym. Any one who knows me knows that half-assing it while I'm there isn't something I'm comfortable sticking with for very long. Although, maybe "half-assing" it isn't exactly the best term. (Actually, it's an odd term if you think about it for too long.) I realize many people loathe working out and, for them, if they can muster the fortitude to even get to the gym, even stay there for 30 minutes, or even walk a brisk 4.0 on the treadmill, then that's their gold star for the day. I think that is laudable.


For me though, it's different. I yearn to sweat profusely. When I'm at yoga, I dare my body to be pushed to its edge. When I'm lifting weights, I want to be assured that my blowdryer will seem too heavy to lift once I've showered and begun to attack my hairstyle. Operating in that realm of mind over body is something I relish. I am inspired when I think of Thomas Edison's quote and applying it to myself. "If we did all the things we were capable of doing, We would literally astound ourselves." What are my limits? If I can do bicep curls with 10lb. weights, can I lift 12 or 15lbs? If I can run quick intervals at 6.0 on the treadmill, am I capable of holding that pace for a full mile? One day will I be able to do a worthy, deep half-moon pose if I keep stretching and pushing my body through space?


I like to ponder the possibilities. Some days I wonder if I'm a control freak and maybe I'm zealous with working out since I believe (sometimes falsely so) that if I am stringent enough, I can completely control the shape of the skin I'm in. Other times, I think maybe I sell myself short when really I am ambitious and goal-oriented. I always want to see what's beyond the next plateau, the next mountain range.

Today I stand at the precipice of a cliff. Each day is a new dawn with the promise of fulfilling a greater potential. Maybe yesterday wasn't my best effort, but only I can drive myself to determining my effort for the next challenge. With that mindset, I spent 60 minutes on sweat and blood-pumping cardio last night. I'm sure it's the most I've perspired while at Planet Fitness. I was soaked, but (yes, Ed) I was listening to some good country and techno music, I felt the fibers of my being working smoothly and efficiently. It's probably trite to say but I felt alive, awake, and proud of myself. When others caved, I persevered. Yes, it was that stimulating of a workout.

Every day is a winding road.

My usual routine was thrown wildly off kilter with some big life changes in the past couple of weeks. I bought a new car (which meant a lot of time spent at dealerships) and I moved in with my boyfriend to a new (rental) house in Northville. I also spent a night or two cleaning the old places to reclaim as much of our security deposits as possible. And a few evening I have had the itch to go out and shop for new stuff or spend time unpacking or organizing, thereby omitting gym time from my day.

But I am determined to get back on track. It helps that my yoga package still has a bunch of classes remaining. And, the best part is that I am within a five-minute walking distance to my gym! I love that I now have no need for a gym bag. I can come home and change and then walk there.

Another reason to force myself back to my old ways is that Jason and I *finally* booked a flight to Florida for May. It's just a quick jaunt but it's an exciting one with palm trees and bikinis nonetheless!! Nothing like the motivator of translucent, Midwest skin being exposed to the blazing sun to keep my goals in check!

I am on pace for a good week so far. On Monday I exerted myself with 45 minutes of cardio and a slew of upper body weights. I hit up a Bikram class last night. Today I plan to just rock out another 60 minutes of cardio. I'm thinking maybe I'll run a bit and maybe I'll throw in the elliptical and the bike to challenge up my system with variation. It's time to jumpstart the healthy living. It's spring!

Delicious food: Sweet potato and black bean burritos

I am always searching for new recipes that make a large amount of food. I like to cook up a big batch on the weekend and then enjoy the pre-made food throughout the week for my lunches. I do this for several reasons. The most obvious is cost. It's simply cheaper to cook and eat this way, as opposed to eating out. The other reason is it's also healthier to cook your own foods from basic and natural ingredients.

This past Sunday my sister Martinique was in town and we decided to whip up this new recipe. I love burritos. Usually I have a stockpile of frozen burritos that I bought from the store, but they aren't so healthy. Jason's on this new anti-sodium kick so it's making me rethink some of my food choices. One frozen burrito can contain nearly half the amount of sodium that an average adult needs in one day. Then, of course, there are all the extra preservatives.

For our venture, we cooked our own beans instead of buying them canned---another harbor of sodium madness. Marty was the captain of that venture and it was amazingly simple. You rinse the dry beans to remove the dirt and stones. You boil them in water and then you let them sit for awhile. Voila! You have beans straight from the earth with no extra harmful ingredients.

For this recipe you need;

• 2 large yams
• approximately 2 cups of black beans
• 1 medium onion
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 jalapeno
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 3 tbsp cumin
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• shells
• salsa

Wash the sweet potatoes and cut them into about 4-8 pieces. There is no need to peel the skin because that is where many nutrients are. The smaller the pieces, the less time it takes to boil them until they are soft. When they are soft, drain the water and mash them.

In a frying pan, cook the onions, garlic and jalapeno. Add all the spices.

Combine the beans and the onion mixture with the sweet potatoes. Add about a 1/2 cup of the salsa and mix thoroughly. Spoon about 3/4c. of the filling into your shells and roll them up burrito style. How many burritos this recipe makes depends on how full you stuff them and how tight you roll them. In total, I ended up with 11 burritos. Place them in a casserole dish that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick butter/oil. Cook at 350 for about 10-15 minutes. Wrap them individually in aluminium foil and throw them in your freezer for a fantastic delicious lunch!!

St. Patrick's Day Race in Detroit's Corktown

I had a great time at the race and with all the festivities that followed. It was easy to find the race area. You could spot the sea of green people from miles away. I think every runner was decorated in some way. I saw green suspenders, shamrock skirts, top hats, green glasses, everything. There was no shortage of fashion ideas. The race was packed. I think there were more than 3,000 runners. Every age was represented, from babies munching on pretzels as they were pushed in state-of-the-art strollers by athletic parents, 11 year old youngsters sprinting without breathing hard, teams with matching logo t-shirts, and older folks enjoying a stroll under a bountiful blue sky. The start of the race was jam-packed but I didn't really see the crowding as a negative. I don't have many friends who run so I enjoyed just knowing that other runners exist out there. Plus, it's not as if I was trying to break a land speed record, so I wasn't upset if my starting pace was more of a shuffle as I tried to find some breathing space. The course was an out-and-back loop on Michigan Ave. The sides of the street were lined with spectators, revelling in the noon-time bar sales and preparing for a spot to view the parade to follow. It was a fun atmosphere and the weather just made it that much more wonderful. In fact, I woke up today to realize just how sun burned my face is from hanging outside all day long. So I finished the race in 42:40 which averages to a 10:40 mile and I'm plenty happy with that! Afterwards, Jason and I had some beers at various bars that we could manage to squeeze ourselves into. We saw portions of the parade: the Gaelic League float, revelers throwing beads, the usual. It was definitely a fun day and if the weather is as nice next year, I'll get a whole group of people down there to enjoy it!

I finally signed up for a race.

The last race I ran was in December. The distance was the standard 5K (3.2 miles). I have done a few of those races and had been keeping my eyes open for a race of a different length. I found one in Detroit, to celebrate St. Patrick's day! And the best part – the weather looks to be sublime. I'll admit that I was a wuss and refused to sign up if the day looked to be crappy. However, I got very lucky. The forecast says it might make 50 degrees and there should be lots of clear skies with sun, and no rain! I consider those conditions to be perfect. Supposedly, a lot of jolly people show up for this race sporting funky costumes and a whole spectrum of green, emerald, sea green, olive, etc. clothing. I plan to wear my running skirt, some colorful green socks and a green shirt. I thought about wearing my green wig but with sweat pouring into it---eh, not a great idea if I ever plan to wear it again. I'm also excited that the race is at noon on Sunday. Guess the runners get that rare late start because we precede the traditional parade in Detroit's Corktown area. Seems like it should be a good time. I even heard they have beer at the finish line.

I feel confident and excited about this event. I'm curious to try and run a route that's farther than a 5K, but not as agonizing as a half marathon — been there, done that and probably won't do it again. I'm intrigued about the celebratory St. Patrick's festivities in the area. Should be a good day!

And then there are *those* weeks

I knew it would be tough to make the time for working out this week. Jason and I had appointments to look at houses one evening. Then on a different night I wouldn't be home until midnight. But I knew this was coming up and it's the reason I pushed myself all three days last weekend. Well I ended up having even less time than I thought. One day I worked longer at work by two hours. All I could manage that day was a half-hour walk around my neighborhood. I was short on time on Thursday and barely squeezed in a lackluster run outside for less than 30 minutes. I didn't even want to bother with that, but I kept repeating that I'd regret not running more than I'd regret actually going running. Very true. Hopefully I can make up some time this weekend.

Soreness!

I went to yoga on Friday. I ran 4.25 miles at the gym on Saturday. I lifted weights on Sunday. I am whooped! I kind of didn't feel like going to the gym on Sunday but I forced myself since I knew I wouldn't have any time on Monday. I told myself I could spend less time lifting weights if I did shorter sets with heavier weights than I had been using. It was an honest trade-off. Occasionally, it's good to switch up the routine just so the muscles are constantly challenged. When you get complacent, you don't get noticeable results. Well, all the logic in the world doesn't massage my muscles. Aye aye aye!

More Benefits of Yoga

I'm not sure what was wrong with my stomach -- if I had a tiny bug or what. I had a fabulous run outside on Wednesday. Hopefully the cold, damp weather didn't make me sick! On Thursday, I did not feel well and so I skipped yoga in favor of lying horizontal on the couch for most of the evening. On Friday, my stomach still wasn't as settled as I would have liked but I figured I'd still try and make it to Bikram Yoga at 6:30. Jason was headed out of town this weekend and my plans for myself included exercising all three weekend days. I really didn't want an upset stomach to deter me. One positive aspect of this yoga is that it's really all about individual ability and performance. Sometimes you are going to give it your all to go deep in each pose; other times (like me on Friday), the triumph is in the fact that you show up. If anything, I felt that being in a room so hot and humid would help expunge some toxins from my body. After the 90 minutes was up, I felt satisfied that I handled it so well. I came home and immediately flew into the shower, a very hot shower. It was a low key Friday night and I'm hoping it carries over into a productive and healthy Saturday.

Outdoors

I personally love going to the gym. I like running on the treadmill. I like knowing my pace and my time and my distance exactly. I like that sometimes I can watch shows on cable that I can't watch at my own house. I don't care how superhuman other runners think they are just because they slog through the sleet and the rain and the dark and the cold. Good for them! I mean that sincerely. I felt like a total stud back in the TNT days when I'd be getting up at 7 a.m. on the weekends and trekking through the Michigan winter elements. Now I say: Been there, done that, worn the t-shirt.

These days if I'm going to run outside, it's got to be at least close to 40 degrees and there's gotta be daylight. I'm a cute young thang (or so I tell myself) and I don't need to invite danger with carelessness. Well yesterday I ran outside for the first time in 2009. As I was driving home from work, the rain was falling in big, loud, sloppy, punctuating drops. I was having some serious doubts. Then I got to my house and the good forces of nature turned a bright eye to my plans. I had a newly purchased heel lift, a decent playlist and the energy that comes from being excited about changing my routine a tiny bit.

I mapped out my route on mapmyrun.com and figured I'd be happy with at least three miles. I think I did about 3.3 in the end. Mostly the route was okay. At times, the slush on the roads was calcified and it was a bit slick. I was trying to be extra vigilant.The thought of breaking my leg or ankle was definitely something I did not want to happen. So besides that iced-over slush, it was a pretty enjoyable run. Go me!

Climbing the mountain

I have been on a triumphant kick with making exercise happen and putting forth a strenuous, focused effort. I worked out five days last week. I ran twice, lifted weights twice, and made it to yoga once. I feel extra proud that the reason I made exercise happen five days is due to the fact that I got to the gym on the weekends. That makes me feel so healthy rolling into the week. I was there Friday after work and Sunday afternoon. Now I feel more balanced when I take off a day during the week. It's very refreshing for me to come home after work and just decompress, sort through my mail, putz around, etc. When I'm always flying to the gym straight from work and not getting home until 7 (when I still need to shower and eat), I can feel very scattered. Which brings me to today. I'm taking the night off so that Jason and I can try and donate blood. The last two times we met with failure (the first time for low iron and the second for having been in tainted Mexico). I'm not optimistic that my iron will be high enough but as long as Jason can donate, I'll feel that I have done my positive deed for the day.

Getting a plan together

In my ideal life, I would have time to workout seven days a week, well I think I'd be happy with six days. Rarely does that happen in real life though. It's a juggle trying to balance cardio (running), strength training (weights), and stretching (yoga). I wish I had time for each twice in one week. Usually what happens is I only can make one of those activities happen twice. For a spell there it was yoga. I loved that it was already paid for. I loved that I was getting in a routine with it since I had not gone for months until I bought my package. Then in the last week or two I managed to lift weights twice in a week and that felt great. Yoga makes me feel clean on the inside. It makes me feel loose and relaxed, but lifting weights makes me feel strong, solid, and toned. I feel healthy on the outside. Well in the midst of considering all of this, I looked at my calendar and realized I had only been running once per week. I'm gonna make a concerted effort to run twice a week. Sure, I could do more but I don't want to nix any of the other stuff. I do want to get a better foundation since I think I'll run a 4 mile St. Patrick's day race. The one I'm eyeing is about a month away. I missed the last race I was considering because I was out of town. I think I'm serious about this one. It will help me stay in on the weekends because I'll have a goal; therefore, I'll party less and spend less money. Can't ever argue with the sublime logic of that trade off.

An absolute must-read article!!

The author of this article decided to follow all the governmental guidelines for healthy living for one month. She would follow the standard advice on everything from stretching, getting enough calcium and flossing, to wearing sunscreen, eating green vegetables every day and getting enough sleep. This was a rigorous regimen that she undertook. She discusses how she felt each week, how she went from neurotic and tired to feeling terrific and energized. It was incredibly fascinating. So many ailments, ticks, twitches and sags we attribute to older age can really be attributed to not taking care of our body as best we should. (Although I will say genetics can play a strong role.) In the car one afternoon, I looked over my shoulder to change lanes, and my neck didn't hurt. What I'd thought was arthritis and something I had to accept as part of getting older had simply been unstretched muscles.


Click here for the full CNN.com article.

Ah-nold

I had to use this stock photo because if I posted a pic of my sweet biceps, you'd never believe it was me. hardy har har. Actually though I have been doing three sets of 15 reps on most of my body groups and I realized today that I wasn't too sore. That means it's time to pump up the pounds.

It's so interesting how different types of exercising makes you feel. For instance, I feel like a spirited champ after a long run. I sweat and breathe hard and know my heart is working overtime and it's a very cathartic feeling. Lifting weights does not produce the same endorphins. But yet it makes me feel solid. I feel strong. I feel toned and also I feel better about my actual body parts than just the cardio response.

Triumph on the treadmill!

I had some personal frustrations souring my mind yesterday. When this happens I can find comfort flopping on the couch like a beached, disinterested seal or I can seek some relief in an energetic run. This is when I bank on the endorphins to kick in and make me feel better. Sure it was a record setting hot weather day in February, but I was on a one track mind for the treadmill. I found a nice spot to watch Cash Cab. I had my i-Pod fully charged and newly loaded with motivating tunes. I walked for ten minutes to warm up and then I kept on trucking. I ended up running 4.25 miles in less than an hour. I felt like a superhere. I felt like Michael Phelps, previous to bong smoking. I felt like my frustrations weren't eradicated but my mind was a lot clearer for the evaluation process. Three days in a row of exercise. Gotta love it!

Powered by pop music.

I'm almost embarrassed that it had been so long since I had worked out. Although, I won't excoriate myself because it occasionally happens. I have enough confidence that a week away won't turn into a year on the couch for me. Seeing that it had been so long since I had ran, I decided to really amp up my listening pleasure with some new songs. I am still so grateful that my brother gave me an i-Tunes gift card at Christmas. It still rocks. I recently downloaded Eric Hutchinson's "Rock and Roll," Beyonce's "Single Girls," Katy Perry's "Hot n Cold" and Lady Gaga's "Dance." Of course I still have the Zac Brown Band's "Chicken Fried" in my rotation as well. I know, it's corny, but I could listen to that on repeat all day long. It was great to have some new jams to excite me and keep the motivation flowing. I ran all three miles without any sort of hitch. Although, with my new braces I do feel odd jogging while trying to drink from my water bottle. I'm afraid I am going to knock my braces off. I spent a healthy amount of time afterward stretching. Then I went home and did an abs dvd. That was the big accomplishment for me. I always think about it while I'm at the gym but get distracted by the time I get home, or I'm in a rush to get on with my night, or I'm too tired. Well last night I stuck to my goal and was very pleased.

All the obstacles in our path.

Today it's Monday of a new week and I have not doen any vigorous exercise since last Wednesday. I had my braces put on last Thursday and then I was out of town over the weekend. I think the wildest extent of getting some form of exercise was a lackluster 10-minute walk one afternoon. Since my mouth doesn't hurt and the weekend's behind me, it's definitely to the point where I need to make some time to get to the gym. But then with being out of town, I haven't sat down to pay my first-of-the-month bills, do any laundry since last week, wash and clear my dishes out of the sink, make a grocery run, etc.

And now it's Tuesday. I won't be working out tonight since I am meeting a friend right after work and won't be home until after 9 p.m. Yesterday, I at least took care of all my hosue stuff so that come Wednesday, I'll have no excuse not to get to the gym. After dinner yesterday, I did walk downtown to the ATM instead of driving to one after work. Not exactly anything worthy, but again, some exercise is better than none.

Do your best.

I attended a kid's birthday party this past weekend. One thing that I really remember is the conversation between a 5-year-old girl and her dad. He asked her what their three rules are for playing games. Her response rolled right off her tongue like she's really been trying to learn these points.

* Have fun.
* Do your best.
* Keep trying.

I thought that these were some great lessons to impress upon kids and, actually, on anyone who is going to get involved with anything where they might feel too small, too slow, too unprepared, too inflexible, too unconfident, etc.

How many new experiences do we as adults back down from because we are afraid that we won't look like the other people at the gym or we don't have a buddy to go with us or we think everyone is much more skilled? If you think about that, it's fairly sad. We push kids and teenagers to excel and try, yet somewhere down the line we accept that "trying" is for kids and the status quo is for us. Imagine if you saw a kid try and play Four Square on the playground and they lost the game and didn't ever want to play again. I'm sure most adults would push them to go back. What words would we say? You can't get better if you don't try? Everyone starts somewhere? Maybe it was just a bad day? Hey, that was only your first time?

We shouldn't let that be any different for adults. I mean geesh do you think everyone at your workout class or gym or yoga session has been doing this for five years? I doubt it. Like you tell your kids, they all had to start somewhere.

I was thinking of this last night since lately there have been newbies in all the yoga classes I've attended. The teacher always congratulates them for making it through their first session and then the rest of us clap for them. It's tough being new and inexperienced and unsure. I'm not arguing that. But remember: You're only new the first time. Just go and get that over with.

What a feat!

I ran three miles last night. What's impressive about that is I ran three miles while on the treadmill at the gym and without any headphones! No iPod for me. No Cash Cab for me. Just the big ol' tv and subtitles on Wolf Blitzer's CNN show. I can say I know more about President Obama's plans than I ever did before. Oh, and those Sasha and Malia dolls – totally a bad idea.

In the name of healthy living

I get the impression from others that people assume I love everything about healthy living. Like, I must love going to the gym when I go, that I would rather do yoga everyday rather than anything else, that I never indulge in desserts, yadda yadda. While there are some truths behind each of those ideas, it's not how I feel everyday, all day. Take this example. I hate yogurt. Yep, I realize that I really can't stand it. But I know it's good for me. I know it's a balanced snack. I know it's a good breakfast item. I know all of this. But I still can't stand it. However, I make a point to eat it. I have found that Stonyfield's vanilla flavor is the least offensive to me. But I practically hold my nose with each spoonful. And that's a spoonful overflowing with granola or berries to totally mask the taste. Well this is a lackluster post but I just wanted to point out this dumb factoid about myself. Carry on.

My parents are the best!

My parents care about being healthy. They know that being in good shape doesn't simply mean fitting into your clothes or losing an extra 5 lbs or winning a "best abs" contest. They know that being healthy is about being able to keep up with your kids. It's about hauling heavy things to fix a roof. It's about making sure they can walk up a flight of stairs when they are 90. It's about having the proper blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. The lessons that my parents have passed down to me are what compel me to exercise in different ways, to try new workout classes and to push myself when I'm too tired or lazy. When I was in high school, they bought me a gym membership to the fitness center at the Grand Traverse Resort. That was just the beginnning of my infatuation. I think I've had a gym membership ever since then. And I have learned there are plenty of ways to stay fit outside of the gym. I have gone snow shoeing, kayaking and water skiing with my parents. They aren't afraid of a vigorous sweat and some sore muscles.

This past weekend I was visiting with them in GR. They paid for me to be a guest at their fancy fitness center. I was so thrilled! I wanted to run that weekend, but I was deterred by the blizzards and the fiercely low wind chill temperatures. We all hopped on the treadmills in differing stages of walking and running. I was so happy to run 3.5 miles while working on intervals of faster paces. I feel fabulous when I can start the week off that way. It energizes me mentally and I feel alert and accomplished.

Thanks Mom and Dad for investing in my health, physically and psychologically. I'll try and keep it up throughout the rest of the week :)

Indecision can't last forever.

I had two great workouts on back to back days. I was hoping to make it to a yoga class on Thursday night, but that plan was derailed. I had an appointment for an orthodontic consultation on Thursday morning. The appointment lasted a long time as they took pictures and X-rays, talked about financing and treatment, and then I had to sit there and think if I was ready to finally buck up and get braced or if I'd go out to my car and cry and continue to moan about my teeth for another few years. The latter option really seemed stupid, really stupid in fact. I'd done that plenty of times already and surprisingly it didn't get me anywhere. I didn't feel happier about my smile. I was just turning the wheels. Well I went ahead and made the commitment. My braces come on in less than two weeks. Yowza. I know. Brace Yo'self! So maybe I'll make another fascinating (sarcasm) blog to document all the salacious saliva stories for my 14 readers. Ha. If I had 14 readers that would be a huge increase. Anyways, I got to work late because of all of that and so I had to work later to make up the time. That meant no gym or yoga for me. Oh well. That's why I always push myself to go when the time is available, because when I do want to go, the time's not working in my favor. We'll see what I manage this weekend. I am going to visit my parents and I'd like to go for a run outside but if it's subzero temps, then that won't happen. Thinking positively though! Happy Friday everyone!

This one's for you, Ed

I hear the term Southern roots, but I don't think it can apply to a Midwest girl whose people came from Ireland and Scotland. Although, I sure like my cold beer on a Friday night and a pair of jeans that fit just right – that's not region specific, is it? Well, listen to the song yourself. You'd think I was a raving republican, I'm sure, but I'm not. This song makes me happy. It really truly does. I smile when I hear it. I feel lighter when I run. It makes me feel the way the movie Marley & Me made me feel. It's "Chicken Fried" by the Zac Brown Band.

A productive weekend

Quote of the Week: If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. ~Barack Obama

I found lots of time to workout this weekend. I went running at the gym after work. Pretty soon I will have more daylight to make me feel safer about running outside after work. I did even get a headlamp as a Christmas present that should help too. Until then, when it's too dark, I'm running on the treadmill at Planet Fitness. (Don't knock the treadmill. It's better than not running at all!) My goal is to run a 5K a bit faster. I thought in order to work toward that goal, I'd have one day of running per week where I play with intervals of a quicker pace. My first effort went well.

On Saturday I was at the 10 a.m. Bikram yoga class. What an energetic way to start the day. It's hard on the body to go earlier in the day. If I know I'm going after work, I make a point to drink lots of water during the day. It really helps to lubricate the inner body systems. When I make it to class after only being awake for an hour or so, I'm already working against a water deficit. Oh well. I survived.

Then on Sunday I did lots of little exercises with weights at home. I experimented with some routines online. It wasn't the most deep and vigorous bout with lifting weights, but I was active amd felt good about that.

All in all, I am very satisfied with this weekend's fitness.

Feed your stomach and your heart.

I had two wonderful workouts on back-to-back days. I decided I could take a day off and rest. So instead of going to the gym I had a visit with a great friend. We hadn't been able to connect for a couple of months and the timing was right for a get together. I'm so glad I made the time for that! Sure we need to treat our hearts right by laying off fatty foods, keeping our BMI in a healthy range, and revving up the cardio exercises, but it's also important to nurture our hearts in terms of satisfying friendships.

A new year. An old favorite.

The following is my article on body image from January 2008.

It’s another January in another year, but many women will be repeating the same old resolutions. Fit into size 6 jeans. Lose 5 pounds by spring, and 10 pounds by bikini season. Are these goals that you have personally contemplated, or is this what our culture is pushing on you?

Case in point: January magazine covers. Fitness: Get lean in 4 weeks. Health: Lose 15lbs fast. Oxygen: Build a dream body. Women’s Health: 26 ways to lose fat fast.
These resolutions to change your body are as worn out as your favorite lounge pants. What saddens me is that I haven’t heard one woman say: “In 2008, I am going to love myself the way I am.”

Read the rest here.

4th yoga class down. 31 to go!

It's a new year and a time for the resolution makers to start sweating off the pounds. My 6:30 p.m. yoga class was as full as I had ever seen it. I don't think one more tiny supermodel could have fit into the room. Take the usual room temperature of 105 degrees and combine that with the extra body heat and it had to be over 110 degrees in that room. It was brutal. Althought I do agree with the philosophy that the heat limbers you up. I was stretching deeper by the end of class than I normally do. I have to say my self esteem seems to rise in direct proportion to how much or little I am exercising. Two days in a row and I feel bootylicious!

New Year. Same Earth.

My new year's resolution is to buy less than 12 water bottles in 2009. I know you can recylce them but that still calls for a process of extra energy in order to do that. While it might be considered rather light green to recycle your water bottle, I'm sure it's right-on-target pine green to not buy them in the first place. I realize you can't plan for every thing and that's why I have alotted myself 12, one for each month. In order to see this goal though, I plan to stock up on safe bottles that I can throw in my car before work, take to the gym and tote with me while on vacation.

Taking the first step

One of my favorite sayings makes the point that success does not come from completing an event but rather having the courage to begin. That is so true. Sure we feel satisfied when we cross a finish line but we should also feel pleased anytime that we stared the demons (laziness, fatigue, distraction, etc.) down and went out and exercised at all. Running 10 miles is great but you had to start with smaller distances to build up to that feat. That is where true success lies. Carving out a plan. Jumping over the obstacles (instead of being squashed by them). Making it to the starting line, through the gym door, lacing up your shoes, you get the point. I feel like a solid champ for making it to the gym yesterday. I ran four miles. I didn't break any land speed records but I got in a hearty workout. I sweated out some toxins. I started again with building a base. There's a 5K coming up and I'd like to run it in 30 minutes. I gotta start with the little incremental steps to get to that point. That's what I did last night. Cheers to me! And to all of you who are just keepin' on!

The lump train pulls into the station

This is a three-toed sloth. This is the best image I could find to portray how I am feeling. I guess it's only been a week since my last vigorous workout, but after the drinks and desserts of the holidays, it might as well have been a year ago. I should have gone to yoga last night. I should have. (Guess the Dalai Lama ate a bacon cheeseburger.)

I am hitting the gym tonight. As this post is my witness, I vow to go for a long and sweaty run.