Let's Talk About Alcohol...

Vacation last week was AWESOME! Monday-Wednesday we hung out around RI and ate at some of my favorite spots as well as some new spots. The food was amazing, as always, and the company was just as good. Thursday morning (read 5:30 am) we left for Philly to see the Braves. It was nice finally crossing that stadium off my list, but it was a cold game. After, we did some shopping at an outlet/regular mall then took the train into NYC.

Our hotel in Chinatown was really nice - probably the nicest bed I've slept in at a hotel, minus the sheets that were half the length of the bed... That night, we walked around Times Square a little bit then headed back and crashed. One of the nice things about the weekend was sleeping in a little bit longer than we normally would've; we slept until about 9:15 every morning which really helped my body recover from all of the running around we did. Friday and Saturday night we went to see the Braves play the Mets which was a ton of fun! There were many "shenanigans afoot" over the weekend and more delicious food and beverage consumed. Have you heard of a baby Guinness? If you haven't I highly recommend you look into it...

Which brings me to my discussion on alcohol consumption.

Why am I always harassed for not drinking when I go out with people? I've never been a huge drinker; I can count on one hand the number of times I have been drunk and, while I enjoy certain beers/liquors, sometimes I just don't want to drink.

Most of the time it is because I am not hungry. I understand that this is a weird concept for many people - drinking has nothing to do with hunger - but it does. The liquid has to go somewhere and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that somewhere is my stomach.

I enjoy craft beers, but most of the time I prefer smaller amounts since I like heavy beers, so they frequently become warm before I can finish a glass.

I am cheap! This should come as no surprise for anyone who knows me. I don't want to spend $8 on a beer I don't like. I don't want to spend $13 on a mixed drink that sucks. I don't want to spend $xx on multiple beverages throughout the night, not only breaking my bank, but also adding numbers unnecessary calories.

I don't want the extra calories! I am on a journey to become healthier and while that doesn't have to mean eliminating alcohol all together, it is easier for me to avoid it because I don't drink much as it is.

So, why is it so hard for people to leave me alone when I order water at a bar? My lack of alcohol consumption does not affect you. If you want to argue that I am not as fun when I don't drink, I would argue back it is because I have to constantly defend my choice not to consume alcohol. It is annoying and it is going to make me grumpy, as anyone would become grumpy when defending a personal choice they've made that has no consequence for anyone else.

Please understand, this is not a dig on any of my friends, but concerns I have with society in general. It has been happening to me for the past 6 years and honestly, it has gotten to a point when I don't want to go to bars anymore because I get so much anxiety about how people are going to give me crap for my choices. My decision is not that big of a deal, so please don't make it one.

In other news, I've doubled the weight I am lifting with Pump and it is hard work, but I am loving it! Grocery shopping will ensue tomorrow so I should be back on track with my nutrition plan again. I tried to be conscious about what I was eating and trying to eat proportional meals, but sometimes we wouldn't eat until 8 or 9 pm which I don't love, but I understand it is the nature of the beast sometimes. Also, eating pizza at 2 am to get something in my stomach after drinking numerous shots/drinks didn't help, but it was a pretty amazing slice!

It Doesn't Get Easier, You Get Better

"It doesn't get easier, you get better" was the first thing the instructor said when I turned on the Upper Body Fix this morning; it really struck me. All too often I find myself bored with a program I LOVED just a few days before. I absolutely loved doing Turbo Fire, but now I am not as excited about it as I once was. I am not exactly sure why this happens, but that will probably be a post for another time. Regardless, I am pushing through. I've been doing Les Mills Pump a few times a week and started the 21 Day Fix workouts yesterday. I was so grumpy when I was doing the first workout (the whole body cardio) because I did not like the instructor, but it made me work and I felt it today. While I don't love her instructing style, she has energy and shows how to modify workouts from the start as well as during the workouts which I like. And, like I said, I felt it. While I hate being uncomfortable, perhaps my lack of enthusiasm for programs begins once I "stop feeling it." More than likely, I associate change with pain, and while I don't think this is a delusional mindset, it is one that I need to adjust. My body is still changing as the programs "get easier." But, it's not that they get easier, I get better. This is a mindset I really need to keep with me on my journey.

I am somewhat worried about how this week will work as far as exercise and healthful eating. I will be traveling to Philly/NYC Thursday through Sunday and want to enjoy the trip while still eating relatively healthy and balanced meals. My plan is to make some different muffins and protein bars to take with me as well as a baggie of carrots to eat throughout my time there. I am also going to portion out my Shakeology and just drink it with water every morning.

It's the last week of Phonathon, which means I will have my evenings back after this week! Going back to a regular schedule is going to be difficult, but the sun shining through my windows every morning has helped get me up and make me more alert. Needless to say, sunshine is a welcome change!

(Post) Weekend Update

It has been somewhat of a hectic week - as usual. Last week was fairly typical and I was able to work out Mon/Tues/Wed, but Thursday I worked a full day and we went to the Pawtucket Red Sox opening game, so I didn't get a workout in. Friday, I had attempted to work out, but was STARVING during it, so I stopped with the intent to finish after I ate. Long story short, I was looking into a deduction in my account due to a tax I wasn't aware of, called my father/the OH Dept of Tax, and by the time the debacle was over, I ran out of time to work out before I had to head to Providence. We were getting massages and the masseuse told me to drink more water and stretch more because I had so many knots in my shoulders; so many that she attempted to work them out and I was sore into Sunday. Because of that, I skipped my workout on Saturday and figured I would do a double on Sunday, but that didn't work out either - I was attempting to update my laptop OS which took FOREVER, so I didn't have enough time to workout and shower before heading into work because of all the time I spent messing around with the update (which I had read was supposed to take 20 minutes...).

Fast forward to this morning - I got a workout in! I've also gone from one extreme (eating few veggies) to the other (tons of veggies!) over the weekend and for this week. I bought: asparagus, brussels sprouts, beets, lettuce, spinach, sweet potatoes, various onions, fennel, zucchini, cauliflower, and cabbage for various different dishes this week and next. I planned on making: orange and beet wild rice salad, chipotle lentil veggie burgers, thai cabbage salad, masala tofu, indian spiced cauliflower, baked onion rings, and something else I can't currently remember. I may have gone a little overboard!

Beet and orange wild rice salad! This has been my dinner the past two nights.

I am obsessed with a chipotle honey sour cream our local fast food mexican place makes, so I bought some chipotles in adobo to make my own and can't get enough! I've been making egg wraps with black beans and red onions with this sauce:

I am hoping to get a workout in tomorrow, but I have a last minute dentist appointment in the morning; I had been scheduled for June but asked for any last minute cancellations so I could get in earlier and they weren't kidding when they said it would be last minute! But, I am glad I don't have to wait as long - it has already been WAY too long since my last appointment.

Final thoughts:
I want a micro pig. There is a pet store in town selling them, so I am going to stop by and pet them like a creeper and I am totally cool with it. I think Cat needs a friend! Awwwwwww:

I also took the Buzzfeed quiz "Where in New England Should You Actually Live" and got...Providence! Shocking...

And, this happened...good thing I can control myself when it comes to ice cream (pictures of the *5* pints will be posted after Wednesday)!

Because I am a crazy cat lady, I have to end with this picture of Cat (and me as a background creeper). Don't you think he needs a friend?!?

Spring Fever

Spring is around the corner - I can feel it! I love being able to walk out of work at 6:00 pm on a rainy day, expecting it to be dark, but finding there is a little bit of light left. It is very motivating! But, my spring fever has kicked into over drive which makes working until 9:15 pm a struggle. Switching back to my regular 8:30-5:00 schedule is definitely going to be an adjustment, but I am looking forward to getting home from work and laying out at the beach. I am also looking forward to working out in the evenings again; I miss working out right before going to bed and getting some of the best sleep I've ever had!

In other news, below is a picture of my progress that makes me feel great, but not exactly confident...yet! About a month after I moved, I had to buy size 16 pants again. My 14's had always been snug, but I eventually crossed back over into a 16. As recently as 6 weeks ago, those pants were SNUG - to the point where I was determined to do SOMETHING because I didn't want to have to buy MORE pants! So, after a 21 Day Nutrition Challenge and my somewhat successful attempt to maintain a workout schedule and eat healthful foods, my pants now are FALLING off of me! Even the new jeans I bought at Christmas are too big; I might have to invest in a belt for them for now. I love the feeling of being able to fit back into old clothes (the 14's fit again, but they are tight - I am going to wait until I am about 175 before I start wearing them since I am always afraid to bust a seam!), but continuing to wear baggy pants is a bummer. I am in that odd stage where it seems I am in between sizes, so I would rather stick it out for a bit longer and wear baggy clothes than force my way into pants only to rip them at some point.

How do you celebrate your little successes?

What's Your "Why?"

Last week I met a friend in Providence to see Jillian Michael's "Maximize Your Life Tour." It was broken down into three main sections: nutrition, exercise, and mentality. While most of the information was a refresher for me, there were a few things that stuck out - the biggest of which was to figure out WHY I want to make a change now. Jillian argued that humans are creatures of habit, and I would have to agree. I typically eat similar foods for months at a time, swapping a meal out here or there, but always for another extended period of time; it is comforting and I am lazy. While I can only do so much right now, my goal this summer is to try cooking a new dish at least once a week, if not twice. This may not seem like a huge deal, but it will take a lot of planning and prep. I don't cook nearly as much as I used to and when I do, it is typically easy things like eggs or various grilled cheeses. I need to get into the habit of cooking 3 big meals a week so I have variety but also don't waste food. I digress.

Back to the WHY. My second blog post spoke to my WHY, but I want to delve a little deeper into it.

1. I don't always make myself a priority: I loved that Jillian mentioned this is an issue for a lot of people (mostly women), because I see it in myself all the time. I left everything I knew behind to learn more about myself and grow into the person I want to be. Not that I want to be selfish, but I want to be able to make decisions. I am frequently nonchalant about decisions like dinner, movies, games, etc. and I do not want to be anymore. Why should I pay $12 for a crappy movie I have no desire to see? What is wrong with going to a movie by myself if no one wants to see a movie with me? I am not sure if I will ever be the person who sees movies alone, but it's because I am CHEAP and movies are NOT. While I want to be accommodating to others, it shouldn't be at my expense. Part of making myself a priority is by working out on a regular basis. While I know 7 days a week is optimal to build the habit, I know it may not always be realistic. On the days I cannot work out, I just have to watch what I eat.
2. It is still pretty freaking cold here. Just yesterday my boyfriend made fun of me for wearing a winter jacket when it was mid-50's out. It was just a habit and by the time we were done shopping, I had it unzipped because I was so warm. That could have also been due to my losing my wallet in Target and freaking out until I found it (a huge THANK YOU to the customer/associate who returned it without taking any money). But, the cold and rain/snow does not help my motivation for working out. However, I can also feel myself turning into my mother (which wouldn't be a bad thing!) because when I am laying down and being lazy, I think about how I should be doing some simple workout. My mom used to do small things on vacation or in the kitchen while she was waiting around and we used to make fun of her, but now I want to! I know I will get crazy looks though if and when I start breaking out into random moves.
3. These past two weeks I've worked out sporadically and my back is screaming at me. It is just more proof that I need to exercise regularly if it means curbing back pain. 
4.  and 5. My drive for a PhD in Public Health and Nutrition hasn't changed, but it is scary thinking about moving and starting over AGAIN and being a broke student again. More on that later.

All of these are great reasons as to why I want to get into better shape, but they're somewhat superficial. Granted, wanting to make myself a priority is important and making sure my back doesn't bring me to tears, but more than anything, I want to develop good behaviors while I can because I know as I become more busy, I will stop focusing on myself. If I develop a consistent behavior I will be more likely to maintain it as I get older. It is well known that it is harder to loose weight as you age and I want to develop healthy habits so I don't let my health get out of control. That, above all, is my WHY.

Today: Les Mills PUMP which I LOVE because it is only 30 minutes and I can do it at night without disturbing my neighbors. The frustrating thing is they take too much time in between each set to explain things. I wish there was a "new to class" and a regular version. I find myself getting bored in between sets. My muscles hurt really bad the first two days, but now I don't feel it as much! The challenge group also starts soon so I am super excited!

Productivity

I slept in pretty late today. To many of my past roommates (and parents) it may seem typical, but I typically wake up around 8:30 on days I don't have to be to work early. Today, I slept until 10 am. I woke up around 6:30 and was still really tired come 7:15 am, so I stayed in bed and actually fell back asleep. It was glorious! This whole week I slept in which meant not working out. But, I was making up for my crazy anxiety attack from last week and that 2 hour-of-sleep night; I am also still convinced I was fighting something off as well.

Another reason I took a break from working out (maybe I was using it as an excuse?) was because when I showered for the first time after having my moles removed, the areas hurt REALLY bad. Needless to say, I feared A) showering again before they scabbed over and B) how my shorts would rub the area, even with a band aid because they always ride up since I've lost weight. Today's shower was fine (thank you, scabs!) but I was still conscious of the area on my stomach when working out. It wasn't uncomfortable per say, but I was aware. I am not looking forward to the scabs falling off. Sometimes I think that is the worse part! But, considering the situation, better safe than sorry. I got my results this week and everything was clear but there was a very small amount of activity under the microscope for the stomach section so they will be monitoring it every 6-12 months to see if the color returns.

Despite sleeping in, today was productive! I (partially) cleaned my apartment, made roasted cauliflower parmesan soup, talked to some friends I hadn't spoken with in a few months, worked out, and took a really long shower (sometimes I just need one). I also got through some class work, for the one I am teach AND the one I am taking. I even got through some of the TV in my hulu queue that had been backing up. Without trying to ruin anything, can I just say - Oh my goodness SCANDAL! I was definitely crying before my workout this morning.

Food today:

• Breakfast: a bowl of cereal (Kashi berry crunch) with soy milk.
• Lunch: sauteed apple and beet grilled cheese with goat cheese.
• Dinner: roasted cauliflower soup.
• Snack/dessert: homemade museli bar, two pieces of chocolate, and vanilla bean ice cream with chocolate syrup.

I did not drink my shakeology today which I frequently forget on the weekend. I also ate ice cream which I NEVER eat at home. These are not good practices and not something I plan to make a habit out of. It's also surprising since working out typically makes me eat healthier since I don't want the workout to be for nothing!

Workout: some of my co-workers use T-25, so I borrowed it from one of them to see if I like it. I love the concept of a 25 minute workout, especially because I have to work out in the mornings (which I hate) so I like having something quick so I can workout, shower, and eat between 11 am and 1 pm. I did the alpha cardio disc today and really enjoyed it. 

Random closing note: when thinking about moving, take the location within the time zone into consideration. Dawn and dusk occur an hour earlier out here compared to Ohio which is a little more depressing in the winter. Even during the summer the sun doesn't seem to stay up much past 8:30/9 pm which stinks!

Recommitted

I haven't worked out in almost two weeks. There. I said it. I am not proud; it is actually embarrassing to admit since I am on a quest to get healthy. The past two weeks have been anything but. 

I am convinced I've been battling some sort of cold. It never came to fruition the way I would expect, but my body was achy and I had zero energy. Even today I've found my kidneys seem to hurt a little bit. That, on top of getting moles removed on an empty stomach, stress and anxiety, and depression have made for a rough time. But, things have taken a turn for the better and I will continue to push on. I know it is going to take some time to get back into a routine, but it is necessary if I want to be successful. I will also be starting a weight lifting challenge in April which I am pretty excited about. I know it is going to be hard at first, but I anticipate it being something I will be able to do after phonathons if I am running late in the mornings. 

More than anything, I am looking forward to the exercise helping my back and sleeping patterns! I've noticed my back has started hurting again and I haven't been sleeping well at night because of it. Since going to the chiropractor and regularly working out, I've been able to lay in bed without it really hurting at all. But, the past few days have been really rough when I wake up in the morning. This is just more proof that exercise does the body good (as if I didn't already know that)!