Category Archives: General

May10

Time, Hobbies and Getting What You Need

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Time is a funny thing isn’t? We never seem to have enough of it but are completely in control of how we spend our time.  I’m blessed and cursed at the same time because I have so many things I enjoy doing in this life and quite honestly there just isn’t enough time to do them all.

When I was in college I used to road bike all spring and summer.  I loved getting on the bike and riding for hours, exploring new roads and getting in some sunshine and fresh air.  I still have my bike and have been wanting to take it in to get tuned so I can start riding again.  But part of me wondered if it would be worth it, when would I ride?!

Then there are the list of races that go on and on that I want to train for and run.  The Marine Corp Marathon, the Nike Women’s Marathon, London and Berlin Marathons,  and so many more.  But committing to train for a marathon is just that, a commitment.  And right now it seems like I don’t have the time to train with the dedication I’d like to put into my next marathon.

And yoga? Oh yoga.  Luckily I teach every Tuesday and Thursday morning so I always seem to stay in touch with it and find my way to the mat.  But teaching is certainly not the same as practicing and it’s certainly not helping me strengthen my practice and move into the challenge poses I hope to some day attain.  And my home practice isn’t the same as getting to a studio and taking other teachers classes.  Yesterday I realized I hadn’t made it to a studio to take a class since March 25th.  Yes, you read that right.  March 25th.  It’s equal parts embarrassing and equal parts sad.  How could I go so long without doing something I love so much?!  And no wondering I’ve been wanting and needing to get to a class!  Saturday morning I’ll be getting to the studio I can assure you.

By now your probably wondering when I do the things I enjoy that don’t involve exercise. You know, the things like reading and cooking?  Yeah, I’ve been reading the same book since July.  Yes, July.  I read a page or two a day but I’m now determined to finish said book by this July.

The type A in me really wants to do ALL the things I love ALL the time and be really good at them but that is SO not realistic when I work full time in a demanding job, have a relationship, friends and family and a home that I’d like to keep clean.  I’ve learned  I’m learning to be a B+ kind of person and actually enjoy all of the things in this life that I love so much and accept that I don’t need to be great at everything I do.

Lately my runs have been for the fun of it, because getting out and running feels good.  It’s not about a race or a time or a specific workout.  It’s about moving my body, de-stressing, feeling the wind in my hair and enjoying something I love so much.  And maybe I haven’t been practicing yoga as much as I’d like but that’s ok.  What I have been giving to yoga is enough because I’m happy and content with my yoga practice right now. And that bike?  I think I am going to get it tuned up.  If I ride once or twice this summer and enjoy it…then it was all worth it.  That book?  I’ve been disconnecting to sit and read each night before bed.  It’s heavenly and it’s so nice…even if I read only 3 pages before falling asleep.

The funny thing about time and hobbies is that we always seem to get exactly what we need.  Sometimes that is working more and playing less, focusing more on family and hobbies less or sometimes it’s just doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that to keep you happy and interested in all the things you love.

How do you balance time and all the things you love to do?

May6

Healthy Living On the Road and With Busy Days!

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Life has been busy lately to say the least. But it’s a good kind of busy.  Now that the Nike Women’s Half has come and gone it’s a new season at work to recruit for and prepare for which has us all working late and working hard.  Life at home is just a busy thanks to the arrival of spring and this weekend was all sorts of productive.

I’ve hardly sat still since I left for DC and true workouts have been hard to fit in.  I’m not stressing though.  Workouts are coming in new and different forms.  Walking and standing for hours while in DC…that’s a workout.  Ripping out an entire garden, transplanting flowers, trimming tree branches…that’s a workout.

Walking from Site to Site Can Keep You Healthy While Traveling!

Walking from Site to Site Can Keep You Healthy While Traveling!

When life gets busy or I head out on vacation I don’t stress about my workouts.  Usually when I’m going on vacation it’s an opportunity to rest and relax…enjoy a slower pace if you will.  I usually skip my run or yoga and opt for some extra walking from site to site or take in the scenery through bike rides, hikes or other fun excursions!  I figure I’m in a new place so it’s a chance to try new workouts too.  When life is busy and I’m running from one place to the next I adjust my workouts as necessary.  Sometimes I’ll skip my morning run to get some extra sleep and will run at lunch time.  Other times if I’m going to be running from one place to the next I won’t worry about fitting a workout in.  And sometimes I will hit the mat for a shorter, easier yoga session to help me relax and stretch my extra tight muscles.  It’s awesome to be able to make time for an hour workout everyday but that isn’t always feasible.  In the absence of my usual routine I look for ways and avenues to keep my self moving and get some extra exercise…be it in the garden or walking from site to site.

While I skip the workout stress I don’t skip the healthy meals.  In fact, if I know I’m missing out on my normal runs and mat time I put more of a focus on my meals.  I try to reach for more fruit, salads and healthy meals that keep me energized when I’m traveling or extra busy.  Heavy, unhealthy foods leave me feeling sluggish and bloated and unlike myself.  Of course I let myself indulge here or there but I keep an eye on my portions and try to make breakfast and lunch as healthy as possible.

 

When I was in DC I didn’t go for one run or hit the mat once but I did walk everywhere, spend hours on my feet and kept myself moving for days.  In fact I was sore and tired when I got home! I kept my meals as healthy as possible…lots of fruit, eggs, salads and more.  This past week I stuck to our healthy meals at home and skipped the take out even though it seemed like it would be easier. I found my way to the mat for a restorative yoga session, spent hours in the garden with Michael and got extra rest at night so I could make the most of my busy days.

Healthy living doesn’t always have to be hours at the gym, yoga and runs.  It can be organic and untraditional workouts too.  Healthy eating should always be part of the equation and should be even more of a priority when life gets busy, it will help keep you feeling energized and good through those busy days.

It’s been about a week and a half since I left for DC and got back…I’m finally getting out for a run today and back on to my normal schedule but I don’t feel heavy or out of shape.  I feel great and can’t wait to hit the pavement!

Tell me, how do you stay active and healthy when traveling or extra busy?

Apr25

Races, Running and Buddhas

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Can you believe it’s Thursday already?  This week has flow by!  Tomorrow morning I leave for Washington D.C. to support my team who is running the Nike Women’s Marathon Half.  I’m a little bit nervous but also kind of excited since I’ve never been there before.  I’m planning to fit in a little bit of sight-seeing in my down time. You all need to recommend some good things to check out!  On my list is the mall, the Smithsonian and possibly the Holocaust Museum. 

It’s a bit strange to be heading to another race so quickly after Boston.  I’m definitely nervous but this will be a good step to take in terms of moving on.  I’m just hoping everything goes smoothly, my team has a ton of fun and it’s an easy weekend.  Fingers crossed.

Speaking of races let’s talk running for a minute shall we?  My running has never felt better! I’ve been pushing my pace and increasing my mileage slowly over the past couple weeks. I’m starting to see my pace drop even on my easy runs and I’m wanting to run farther and push harder. It feels good.  The weather has been helping too, there is just something about running in shorts and short-sleeve shirt that feels so good after a long weekend!  Next week I plan to add in some speed work again and some hill workouts.  Hills seem to be where I can really increase my cardio and build my strength.  I’m looking forward to some more variety in my runs!

I’m starting to think about my fall racing plan.  I was considering doing a marathon but I realized I was looking forward to traveling this summer and not having to fit in my log runs.  Last summer I missed a couple of weekend trips because of teacher training and the summer before that Michael and I were training for Chicago.  I just really want to be able to go away, enjoy sleeping in, savoring my coffee and the cool summer mornings we get here.  I am excited to run a couple of half marathons.  Last year I ran the BAA Half Marathon and I plan to run that one again but I’m looking to add in one more.  I’m considering the Maine Half Marathon.  I’ve heard good things about the race and after our summer vacation there last year I’m pretty much in love with Maine.  It’d be fun to spend a weekend in Portland too.  Michael might even run the half too which would be awesome!  I still have plenty of time to make up my mind.  Any suggestions for other good half marathons to consider for the fall?

This is completely random but it made my day and I wanted to share! The other day Michael told me there was a package waiting for me when I got home.  He said it was a long overdue present.  I was pretty curious as to what it could be but I had a few ideas.  I was so excited to get home and see that he had so carefully picked out a Buddha for me!

My New Buddha!

My New Buddha!

I’ve been wanting a buddha since the fall when I was immersed in yoga teacher training.  I always thought it would be a good reminder of all the yoga means to me.  Think about it, your rushing in the morning to get out the door and head to work on time but you see the Buddha and it’s reminder to breathe and be more peaceful in the situation. It also just makes me feel like a real yoga teacher! It was exciting and I love the one he picked it out, it’s very me.

I’ll be back on Tuesday to share my experiences in Washington, D.C. and at the inaugural Nike Women’s Marathon Half! 

What are your suggestions for sights to see and visit in Washington D.C.? What fall half marathons do you love? Do you have a buddha?

Apr8

Healthy Living in a Busy Life!

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Each weekend I find myself hoping, or wishing for a “normal” week.  What is a normal week anyway?  In my dream world it’s a week where I work set hours, have ample time to run in the morning, go to the same yoga class each week, make healthy meals to bring each day for lunch and have time each night to make a healthy dinner and relax.  When I lived alone and worked a regular 9-5 job, that dream week was pretty standard.  But now? That never happens.  Ever. 

No week is ever the same in our lives.  Some weeks I work late, others I have a day off and sometimes I have to work on Saturday.  Michael might be out with friends or maybe its myself.  Some weeks I work out every morning, and make healthy dinners and relax every night and other weeks I’m hardly home at all, just running from one place to the next.

Slowly but surely I’ve accepted and learned to manage our unpredictable weeks. And slowly but surely I’m starting to let go of my wish for a “normal” week.  I know I’m not alone and that many of you have crazy weeks too.  I hear it all the time.  And I hear many of you still trying to fit things into a set routine and schedule.

I’ve found that approaching the week with goals and loose plans and taking the week as it comes works best for me. It leaves me feeling accomplished by Friday night, rather than frustrated by what I didn’t accomplish.  Here’s how I manage my weeks so I can get in my workouts and eat healthy no matter what life throws at me!

Healthy Living in a Busy Life

Workouts. 

I usually take a look at my week on Sunday’s and create a loose plan around my commitments. It ends up looking something like this…

  • Monday: An early morning run with abs and stretching after.
  • Tuesday: Teach FitYoga…no “me” workout.
  • Wednesday: An early morning run with abs and stretching after.
  • Thursday: Teach FitYoga…no “me” workout.
  • Friday: Free day! Most of the time I’m exhausted, sleep in and take a rest day.  Other times I will run, or practice yoga at home and if I’m really feeling energized I take a spin class!

A few notes:

  • If I miss a morning run because I slept in I try to squeeze it in at lunch.  It’s not as good as morning run but it works. Occasionally I’ll get that run in after work but it’s rare. 
  • If the weather is bad and I can’t run, I will practice yoga at home.  I let my creativity flow and always try to challenge myself on those days!  
  • My other home workout option is a deck of cards workout.  Followed by lots of stretching! It came in handy this winter when there was so much snow. 
  • On week days when I’m home from work I’ll try to get to the yoga studio and take a class for myself.  This winter I would run outside to get a long run in with daylight!
  • I leave weekends open in terms of workouts.  Some times I’ll go for a run or I take a yoga class or Michael and I will walk together.  And when I’m really tired I just rest. I try to listen to my body and give it what it needs on the weekends. 

Healthy Eating. 

  • Make a meal plan each week. Michael and I plan out dinners based on our schedules. We plan quick and easy meals to make during the week and if one of us is going to be out we always make sure the other has a healthy dinner option at home. 
  • We plan to make extra servings of dinners so we have leftovers for lunch.
  • We plan out breakfasts so we have lots of options to have at home, or take if we are in a rush.
  • We buy a rotisserie chicken to have on hand for sandwiches, salads and even dinner add ins.
  • We make an effort each week to grocery shop so we don’t have to worry about it during the week.

A few notes:

  • All of our meals usually have ingredients that are interchangeable so we can switch things up based on the week.  Aside from when we make stir fry or homemade pizza we usually plan a protein, vegetable and salad for dinners. 
  • If we buy our lunch out we try to reach for healthy options.  I’m a big fan of the Whole Foods hot bar and salad bar. 
  • We have staples like Annie’s Mac and Cheese in the pantry so we can mix in rotisserie chicken and brocolli for a quick and easy meal.  In the freezer we keep Evol burittos on hand for a quick lunch.  I also always have frozen brown rice in the freezer to mix with protein and veggie for quick lunches or dinners. Veggies burgers are another staple for us too.

I’ve learned to stress less about fitting it all in.  By stressing less it seems like it happens more.  A missed workout here isn’t a big deal, it just means when I find myself with an extra hour I’ll make it happen then.  The same goes for healthy eating.  Some nights we aren’t the mood for what we’ve planned and want a burger and fries.  Luckily, we always have veggie burgers and Alexa fries on hand to make a healthier option.

Life is stressful enough, why should eating healthy and working out add to it? They are supposed to make us feel better! Taking the routine, the schedule and the structure out of healthy meals and workouts and allowing them to fit more organically into our lives makes healthy living more sustainable over time and something we enjoy, which is exactly what it should be!  Taking the time to manage your healthy life should be easy and make you feel good even when you are busy and stressed!

How do you manage healthy living in a busy life?

Mar29

A Day of No Plans

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I love my job, I really do.  Even on the toughest days I still love it.  Part of my job involves working weekends which usually involves meeting and running with our participants at their practices or being on staff to make sure they have the best 20 miler possible in preparation for Boston Marathon and sometimes it means traveling with them to race weekend to help them cross the finish line.  Really I can’t complain because I love all of those things.  But then you add in the regular work days, teaching yoga, my own workouts, the blog, and everything else in this life and you end up with a lot of days starting at 5am.  I get tired. Really tired.  Which is why I love my comp days (you know extra days off for working those weekends).  Today just happens to be one of those days and it makes for a long weekend.  Bliss.

I have nothing planned this weekend nothing except Easter dinner with Michael’s family planned this weekend.  It’s awesome.  And it’s awesome because I planned for it.  Yeah, I now I’m crazy.  But let’s be honest, I could easily have booked up this weekend with yoga classes to teach and take, social engagements and so much more. And while it’s all fun and good it’s not the break I need. People, downtime and lack of plans is good for the body and mind.  Nobody should feel bad about it, seriously.

So it’s Friday and I literally have nothing planned.  It’s 10am and my day has consisted of sleeping in, reading in bed and snuggling with this love bug…

Love this love bug!

Playing with my new favorite app the Percolator (see picture above, pictures and coffee lingo need I say more?).  A breakfast of this and that and copious amounts of my new favorite coconut macaroon coffee.

Coconut Macaroon Coffee, Scrambled Eggs, Vegetarian Sausage, and a Waffle.

I’ve been watching the Today Show, surfing the web and reading blogs in my PJ’s and I couldn’t be more happy. I’ll probably wear my favorite Athleta capris, and finally bust out my Toms because I’ve decided it’s time and I can’t wait any longer and see where the day leads me.  I think I’ll end my day in Boston with Michael, friends, dinner, drinks and most of all lots and lots of laughter.

Part of me (you know the Type A part) feels like I should be cleaning the house or doing this and that.  But it’s important from time to time to give yourself a break.  Do something you love and relax.  I promise you’ll feel better and accomplish more when you feel like you’ve nourished your mind and body with some rest. It’s part of a healthy life and something in my opinion we’ve all forgotten how to do.  I fall into the busy trap myself, my Mom does, and everyone around me.  Just remember you are in control, and you can make sometime in your life to be less busy. And in case you’ve forgotten how to do nothing and relax, take a lesson from me…all you need is a furry friend, a warm blanket, a delicious breakfast and good book to start your day.

Source: makebelievetillnothingsreal.files.wordpress.com via Whitney on Pinterest

When was the last time you gave yourself a break and time to relax?  What is your favorite thing to do on a day with no plans?