Well, WELL...if it isn't my long lost BLOG.
I could sit here and type a thousand excuses or awkward reasons why I stopped blogging, but that's boring, so I won't. The fact is that I convince myself somehow that I don't have time or desire to Blog, which is totally nonsensical, because I like to write. I should MAKE time instead of planting myself in front of the TV every night when I get home. So, I'm hoping to change, starting now, in the Revival of my Blog.
I'm pretty sure that the last time I actually wrote down any kind of News Year's Resolutions was in the second grade, because it was REQUIRED. Since then, I've seen them as something people think up, stick with for about a week and then forget, until the next year when the process starts all over again. I guess in a sense, that's what I'm telling myself (and you) that I'm not going to do.
But I'm serious this time. Doesn't writing a blog about it make it so? :) I just feel like this year, I have so many things that I want to do swirling around in my head that I better write them down, and hold myself accountable in a weekly blog.
2013 Resolutions:
1. Blog at least one a week.
This should not be hard to do. I have plenty of time to watch TV shows at night, so a night of blogging instead should be easy. I just have to convince myself I really do want to do it.
2. Get up during my work lunch break every day and do something active.
Willpower is SO key here. Sure, there are days where a lunch break is a luxury I don't have, but there are others where I'm like...eh....what I if I just eat lunch at my desk and read or look up stuff on the internet? NO MORE! When the weather is nice, there is a great park to walk to, and when it's not, there is an office gym.
3. Do a vigorous, physical workout at least three days a week.
I've already got this two times a week by going to my gym's Bootcamp on Mondays and Wednesdays after work. To get a third, I need to take up racquetball again, go to Zumba at the gym on Fridays, or be serious about hiking around Coyote Hills with Husband, and/or walking an entire Frisbee Golf course with the Fam on the weekends.
4. Eat less Junk food.
This one is SO vague I know, but I can't really think of a way to make it more specific, because Junking Out for me is sometimes random. I HEART dessert. I would eat frozen yogurt all three meals if I could and I'm never one to pass on treats someone makes for a gathering, party, office function, etc. I don't by or make copious amounts of sweets for the house-- just a few things to satisfy, like fruit snacks or hot chocolate. But when it's available, I eat it. Like now, with gargantuan amounts of Christmas goodies in my house. Sometimes I even go out of my way to find dessert, or do something like order a salad at Wendys, but then also get Fries, or a Frosty. If someone suggests an unhealthy food option, I dig right in, too. Since I know, I KNOW, I am never going to be one of those people who works out every single day to keep the calories of what I eat at bay, I have to cut out some of unhealthy food. I know the willpower needs to be mine alone.
5. Floss my teeth every other night.
This one may seem silly, but I've had enough cavities for about three people's lifetimes (see Resolution 3). And I already use ACT wash and my Sonic Care toothbrush every day. My dentist says I need to floss, and I mean to.
6. Write a YELP review once a week (if applicable) about a new restaurant.
When I was in Chicago, I LOVED doing this. I think it was because I was in a big city and felt so "in the know" and frankly, ate out a ton because of all the good places I read about. But, SO WHAT if I live in the "Suburban City to Rule Them All" now? There are still great places to eat here. I know-- I've eaten at them. And I will write about them to aid the 200,000 people of Fremont (and anyone who visits) in their dining choices.
7. Complete a Blog back-log of all the trips that Steve and I took together in 2012.
I mean to get on this ASAP. I read back in my posts about New York and when people came to visit in Chicago and was just amazed at all the details that I had forgotten from my own recollection. You really do remember more when you write it down. And although I might not remember every detail from our Napa trip in Feb of 2012, but I'll remember WAY more now than 10 years from now, when I actually want to remember. The good thing is, I have pictures from most of our trips to help me along the way.
Seven resolutions. Totally doable, totally obtainable. I'm ready, 2013. Let's go...
~Lindz
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gym. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2013
Monday, April 26, 2010
Back At It
I knew that when I joined Bally, I would have a hard time staying motivated after a few months. I’m not a huge fan of working out. I like doing things that are fun first, and then good exercise second, like dancing, walking, rollerblading and swimming. Also, it helps if I’m good at it.
Truth is, I have not been to the gym three times in one week since the end of March. And while I do have a bit of an excuse – sickness, vacations, visitors. It’s painfully obvious that I have not been losing weight and been eating like, um, I’m on vacation. My lack of motivation, mixed with events that conveniently get in the way of my routine has made me lazy and lowered my self-esteem because of it.
Case in point – last week: I usually do kickboxing on Mondays and swim Wednesdays and Fridays. Since it’s no longer a frozen tundra outside, I have also taken to walking the two miles to my house from work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last week I did go to kickboxing and walked home on Tuesday. But, my Fiancé, friend and I went to see Billy Elliot on Wednesday, my boyfriend picked me up from work on Thursday, and we had dinner at our friends’ house on Friday (however, I did manage to walk home that day). Since it rained outside all weekend, I only left the house to get groceries, and did nothing in the way of exercise all weekend.
This week, to my knowledge, I have nothing planned during the week. I have decided it’s going to be the week to kick my butt back into the routine. Healthy eating, and just less eating in general, needs to be on the agenda too. Not only do I have the summer weather to get thinner for, but I also have a wedding in the distant – but not too distant - future (we’re thinking next August).
SO – here is to getting back into the routine, feeling better, looking better and being healthier for all that lies ahead.
Truth is, I have not been to the gym three times in one week since the end of March. And while I do have a bit of an excuse – sickness, vacations, visitors. It’s painfully obvious that I have not been losing weight and been eating like, um, I’m on vacation. My lack of motivation, mixed with events that conveniently get in the way of my routine has made me lazy and lowered my self-esteem because of it.
Case in point – last week: I usually do kickboxing on Mondays and swim Wednesdays and Fridays. Since it’s no longer a frozen tundra outside, I have also taken to walking the two miles to my house from work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Last week I did go to kickboxing and walked home on Tuesday. But, my Fiancé, friend and I went to see Billy Elliot on Wednesday, my boyfriend picked me up from work on Thursday, and we had dinner at our friends’ house on Friday (however, I did manage to walk home that day). Since it rained outside all weekend, I only left the house to get groceries, and did nothing in the way of exercise all weekend.
This week, to my knowledge, I have nothing planned during the week. I have decided it’s going to be the week to kick my butt back into the routine. Healthy eating, and just less eating in general, needs to be on the agenda too. Not only do I have the summer weather to get thinner for, but I also have a wedding in the distant – but not too distant - future (we’re thinking next August).
SO – here is to getting back into the routine, feeling better, looking better and being healthier for all that lies ahead.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Adding Poeple to the (Pool) Party
When I got to the pool on Wednesday, it was more crowded than I had ever seen it. There were two people in every lane and another guy had jumped in to add three to a lane as soon I arrived. I've only been a member at this Bally for four weeks, but I'd never imagined it could get like this. So much for being one of the few.
In lane one was a girl who was swimming hardcore laps, along with some brave soul who had jumped in with her to swim right after I got there. The problem with the brave soul, was that when he started to "swim laps," he kept his head above water and doggy paddled down to the end of the lane. Maybe he'd just gelled his hair?!? This obviously didn't impress the hardcore swimmer, because she nearly ran him over with her vicious turns and strokes. I chuckled at the spectacle.
In the lane next to them, a third guy had jumped into an already crowded lane with two more good sized guys. He was pretty aggressive when he asked if he could join the lane, and although one of the guys in the pool tried his darnedest to hint that it probably wasn't a good idea, Mr. Aggressive got in anyway. They proceeded to swim in an awkward circle. I've swam in many a circle at the U of O, but those lanes we of Olympic size width and length. Three should not be done in these skinny, short Bally lanes.
The third lane was pretty unremarkable, as there were only two guys swimming side-by-side like normal lap swimmers. The last lane, also identified by a sign as the"Loafer Lane," held a small Asian woman and a girl that I recognized as one of the trainers at Bally. Said trainer was obviously giving the woman swimming lessons, because when she asked her trainee to swim to the end, the woman looked worse than hair-gel boy in the first lane. Needless to say, I raised my eyebrows in amazement that they would be doing this at 5:00 pm, the busiest time at the gym.
I then reflected on how quickly I had regained my former position of Pool Snob from the U of O rec pool. It was now I, who was rolling her eyes at the non-hardcore pool users. I felt ashamed for 2.5 seconds and then proceeded to stand at the end of the pool, hoping a lane would open up.
Five minutes later, one of guys in the third lane got out. If I was not such a Pool Snob, I might have waited to see if one of the guys in the three-lapper wanted to move over to swim. BUT, I instead rationalized that if Mr. Aggressive would have waited 7 more minutes, he would have had a lane with only one other person-- so I jumped in the pool.
It turned out to be an excellent choice because my lane partner got out about 10 minutes later. When I looked up, I realized that hair-gel boy, and one of the other guys in the three-lapper had also gotten out. I swam for the next half hour with a lane to myself, and was then joined by one of the "kick board twins," a name I've affectionately given to the two girls that swim around the same time as me, but use their kick boards to swim down the pool together and chat. I envy their cleverness, as Bally (as far as I know), does not store kick boards for gym use and I will need to upgrade my gym bag from my backpack before I consider buying one and hauling it around.
As I walked out of the gym after my workout, I saw the culprit that brought on the events of the day. The flyer read something like this-- "Want to add something new to your work out? Training for a Triathalon? Come check out our pool! See Heather for details." Great.
In lane one was a girl who was swimming hardcore laps, along with some brave soul who had jumped in with her to swim right after I got there. The problem with the brave soul, was that when he started to "swim laps," he kept his head above water and doggy paddled down to the end of the lane. Maybe he'd just gelled his hair?!? This obviously didn't impress the hardcore swimmer, because she nearly ran him over with her vicious turns and strokes. I chuckled at the spectacle.
In the lane next to them, a third guy had jumped into an already crowded lane with two more good sized guys. He was pretty aggressive when he asked if he could join the lane, and although one of the guys in the pool tried his darnedest to hint that it probably wasn't a good idea, Mr. Aggressive got in anyway. They proceeded to swim in an awkward circle. I've swam in many a circle at the U of O, but those lanes we of Olympic size width and length. Three should not be done in these skinny, short Bally lanes.
The third lane was pretty unremarkable, as there were only two guys swimming side-by-side like normal lap swimmers. The last lane, also identified by a sign as the"Loafer Lane," held a small Asian woman and a girl that I recognized as one of the trainers at Bally. Said trainer was obviously giving the woman swimming lessons, because when she asked her trainee to swim to the end, the woman looked worse than hair-gel boy in the first lane. Needless to say, I raised my eyebrows in amazement that they would be doing this at 5:00 pm, the busiest time at the gym.
I then reflected on how quickly I had regained my former position of Pool Snob from the U of O rec pool. It was now I, who was rolling her eyes at the non-hardcore pool users. I felt ashamed for 2.5 seconds and then proceeded to stand at the end of the pool, hoping a lane would open up.
Five minutes later, one of guys in the third lane got out. If I was not such a Pool Snob, I might have waited to see if one of the guys in the three-lapper wanted to move over to swim. BUT, I instead rationalized that if Mr. Aggressive would have waited 7 more minutes, he would have had a lane with only one other person-- so I jumped in the pool.
It turned out to be an excellent choice because my lane partner got out about 10 minutes later. When I looked up, I realized that hair-gel boy, and one of the other guys in the three-lapper had also gotten out. I swam for the next half hour with a lane to myself, and was then joined by one of the "kick board twins," a name I've affectionately given to the two girls that swim around the same time as me, but use their kick boards to swim down the pool together and chat. I envy their cleverness, as Bally (as far as I know), does not store kick boards for gym use and I will need to upgrade my gym bag from my backpack before I consider buying one and hauling it around.
As I walked out of the gym after my workout, I saw the culprit that brought on the events of the day. The flyer read something like this-- "Want to add something new to your work out? Training for a Triathalon? Come check out our pool! See Heather for details." Great.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A Gym Rat in the Making
http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=-E-Fui3-t6jkMoQfANZ9TQ
My Yelp Review of the Bally gym that I just joined says it all. It's not pretty, but it is functioning. I didn't think it was possible to get a cheap gym membership in Chicago, but I only pay $28 dollars a month and can go to any Bally now.
I was so tired of gaining weight over these ridiculously cold winters that Chicago is known for. I was NOT motivated to work out by myself in the little gym of my apartment building and doing work out videos in my living room was getting old. I'm not one to push myself without some type of motivation.
This Bally is working pretty well for me. I do kickboxing class on Mondays after work and I swim on Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour. This Wednesday will mark the fourth week of my routine. I haven't noticed that much of a difference in my body yet, but I do feel better about myself...which I guess is a good start.
The classes are NOT for the weak willed. We start at 5:30 sharp and do NOT stop until 6:30. Our instructor encourages us to drink water, but there is never a time when everyone takes a break. Push-ups, football shuffles, jumping jacks, squats and planks are mixed in between kicks, jabs, crosses and upper-cuts. I took a kickboxing class in college, but I don't remember it being this tough. I was probably in better shape, though. I'm happy to report that I'm not nearly as sore today as I was after last Monday's class.
I LOVE to swim. I've been doing it since before I can remember. It is the best way for me to work out....no soreness/sweating/gasping for air. I realize I probably don't push myself as hard as the instructor in kickboxing does, but I still feel like I get a good workout. The pool at Bally is not the best. There are only four lanes and I can touch both the right & left lane separators at the same time when I reach my arms out to my sides. I've only had to share the lane a few times, and never for the full duration of my workout. I don't really mind when I share with a smaller individual, but larger guys make it tough.
All in all, I have been pleased with the gym. It is most certainly not perfect, but it gets the job done. I basically have no excuse NOT to go because it's only four blocks from work. Here's to slowly becoming a gym rat and hopefully not gaining any more weight this winter!
My Yelp Review of the Bally gym that I just joined says it all. It's not pretty, but it is functioning. I didn't think it was possible to get a cheap gym membership in Chicago, but I only pay $28 dollars a month and can go to any Bally now.
I was so tired of gaining weight over these ridiculously cold winters that Chicago is known for. I was NOT motivated to work out by myself in the little gym of my apartment building and doing work out videos in my living room was getting old. I'm not one to push myself without some type of motivation.
This Bally is working pretty well for me. I do kickboxing class on Mondays after work and I swim on Wednesdays and Fridays for an hour. This Wednesday will mark the fourth week of my routine. I haven't noticed that much of a difference in my body yet, but I do feel better about myself...which I guess is a good start.
The classes are NOT for the weak willed. We start at 5:30 sharp and do NOT stop until 6:30. Our instructor encourages us to drink water, but there is never a time when everyone takes a break. Push-ups, football shuffles, jumping jacks, squats and planks are mixed in between kicks, jabs, crosses and upper-cuts. I took a kickboxing class in college, but I don't remember it being this tough. I was probably in better shape, though. I'm happy to report that I'm not nearly as sore today as I was after last Monday's class.
I LOVE to swim. I've been doing it since before I can remember. It is the best way for me to work out....no soreness/sweating/gasping for air. I realize I probably don't push myself as hard as the instructor in kickboxing does, but I still feel like I get a good workout. The pool at Bally is not the best. There are only four lanes and I can touch both the right & left lane separators at the same time when I reach my arms out to my sides. I've only had to share the lane a few times, and never for the full duration of my workout. I don't really mind when I share with a smaller individual, but larger guys make it tough.
All in all, I have been pleased with the gym. It is most certainly not perfect, but it gets the job done. I basically have no excuse NOT to go because it's only four blocks from work. Here's to slowly becoming a gym rat and hopefully not gaining any more weight this winter!
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