Potential Exercise Freak?!

So, the other day I went running and didn’t stretch properly. For the last 2-3 days my knees and thighs have been really sore. Squatting and climbing stairs have been a real challenge. Well, I went running again today and, after stretching properly, the first couple laps were difficult. I felt like I could barely lift my legs and I even had to stop and re-stretch. But during the third lap, my knees magically started feeling better! After running 4 laps (roughly) my knees are still a little sore but this is the best they’ve felt all week! Yay!

Also, I’ve noticed that I’m in a really good mood after running! Even if I only run 15 or 30 minutes! And I know there’s no possible way there could be a visible change in my appearance after only one workout, but I still feel thinner and more confident after each session. So maybe there is something to this whole ‘exercise makes you happy’ thing after all?!

And hopefully my knees will forgive me after tomorrow’s run…

Observation:

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of people wearing these weird, flipper-type foot coverings as they walk through Central Park. 

Vibram Five-Fingers, about $75-$100

I read an article in the NY Times by Amy Cortese, saying that these are the latest trend in fitness shoes. Many doctors and scientists are saying that we don’t need all that extra stuff on our shoes and it actually makes our feet weak to rely on all that extra cushioning, support, etc. By wearing these paired down shoes, it supposedly makes our feet stronger, and improves our posture.

I’m a little skeptical, and I'm not the only one. These seem to be some pretty controversial shoes.

Has anyone tried these shoes and can give a review of these things? I’m very curious if they actually work or if it’s just a gimmick…

Thanksgiving

Someone I work with was recently complaining that what he hates most is the 'routine' of life. The same old job, the same old wife, the same people at work. The same routine everyday. But I was thinking: this guy has it all wrong! He's talking like he's completely at the mercy of this 'routine.' I say- it's your life, take control!

If you feel like you've become trapped by your routine, snap out of it and take a look around! Learn to appreciate the simple things in life (like in the movie, Amelie!) 

 
or make a game of trying to find as many things that are different as possible. I love to people-watch on my morning commute. I love to try and find the person with the most outrageous hair, clothes, or shoes. 

Aren't you glad subways don't look like this anymore?!

Or the kids that are driving their moms crazy. Or the couple who are so in love with each other, they don't even know anyone else exists. Make the choice to change the way you think or view life!


And if you can't do that, than change your life. Find a new route to work, even if it means waking up  a little earlier. Do something simple like buying yourself some nail-polish or  a new color of lipstick. Go to a makeup store like Sephora and get them to give you a free makeup demo.  You'll be amazed what such a little change can do to your outlook. Or buy some flowers for your room. Buy, or make, a card to send a hand-written card (remember those) to an old friend. For no reason whatsoever. Try to plan a mini-adventure. Or make goals for yourself! They can be small or big, like leave no staircase unclimbed, or start a blog (ahem!), learn a language, or a musical instrument. Take up a hobby. Volunteer or get more involved with your community. Go to a farmers or flea market. Have a garage sale and de-clutter your life! Start a garden! Learn photography! I could go on but I'd be writing a novel.

On the flip side of that, I've been reading a book lately whose author says that all these things are just to distract us from our solitude. Not loneliness, but solitude. Because, as a society, we are taught that solitude is bad. Instead, we should learn to embrace our solitude and be content with our lives, the way they are.

I can neither agree or disagree with that philosophy. I think it is very healthy to be content with what you have, but I also think there is nothing wrong with striving for more and to live your life to the fullest.

Anyways, my point is that there are so many things in the world to see, learn, do and discover. How can we possibly become bored?! Again. Take control of your life and make a change!


There's an exercise that I read once in a book by The Smart Cookies, about "The Perfect Day." Your assignment is to write out a day, from your dream life. You have to write it out starting from the moment you wake up, to the moment you fall asleep. In detail. Describe where you live, what you live in, what you eat, what you're wearing, what kind of people surround you in your life, if you have a job- what kind of job, how do you spend your time, what is your form of transportation, even down to what you are thinking about before your head hits the pillow on that perfect day. It has to be your perfect, ideal day. Then, when you're finished, choose the top 3 things that make you happiest about this day. Do you have those 3 things in your life? If not, make a plan to get those 3 things in your life stat. 

Weigh In

Yay! I think its actually working! It's hard to tell on my scale since it's not digital, but it looks like I'm now 145 lbs! Which means I've lost 1-2 lbs in one week! (I've read that loosing 2 lbs a week is considered fast, and people who loose weight too quickly are less likely to keep the weight off when they stop dieting. So, loosing weight slowly, about 1 lb a week, is preferable.)


Just so you know, I've been eating a full meal in the morning, usually 1 1/2 cups of coffee with 2% milk and 1 spoon of sugar, a sandwich of cinnamon/raisin bread with brie and smoked salmon, then about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 2 spoons of pineapple. For lunch I have 1 Slimfast shake (strawberry is my fav) and a salad. Dinner is either a Slimfast with some nuts or spinach salad with either mozzarella cubes, walnuts and olives or 1 boiled egg and some avocado. I've been cutting out the drinks with sugar (except coffee) and the daily pasta at lunch (thanks to the family meal at work). And I'm a pastry cook, so cutting out sugar completely is impossible but I try to keep tastings to a minimum.
Tip- I've found that a 6-pack of Slimfast is cheaper at Target, about $6, than it is at drugstores like Walgreens or RiteAid, etc., about $10! Also, these shakes really only fill me up for about 2-3 hours, so something extra is necessary. But they are fast and easy!


Also, for the Fat Girl Slim report:  I've been using it once a day (instead of the recommended twice a day) and have definitely noticed a difference in my skin's texture. It seems smoother, tighter, and firmer. Also, I think I can see a small difference in the areas that had miner cellulite problems. The big problem areas still have noticeable cellulite though. My biggest complaint is that the bottle doesn't last very long. I've been using it only 5 days and I'm already half-way through the bottle! And they say you should use it a full month to see a 'major' change. Although, I am kind of using it over most of my body. But what can I say?! I have serious cellulite needs!
I've also really come to love the tingly sensation that comes with the lotion. I use it in the morning, after my workout and shower, and it makes me feel invigorated and awake! 

As for the exercise rumors, I haven't really noticed a huge boost of energy except for in the mornings. And I can tell you, I really start to feel sluggish around 7 or 8, and I still have about 3-4 hours left on my shift! That's the worst. But mornings are great! And I think the appetite suppressant rumored to go along with exercise only lasts for as long as you are physically in motion, or maybe 30 minutes after. I mean, the last thing on my mind when I'm running around that track, is food. Mainly I think about not tripping over my own feet, how to keep the sweat out of my eyes, and how to get enough air in my lungs. Although I will say I haven't noticed any increase in appetite and that might be pretty impressive in itself considering I'm eating less calories and burning more too. Also, a friend of mine suggested taking vitamins to help keep my energy up. I'm trying not to resort to more coffee, but it's just so gooood! (Self-confessed java addict here.)

There's a great website that my mom actually introduced me to (gotta give props to mom!) that is supposed to help out with weight-loss goals, called SparkPeople.  The site itself can be a little overwhelming with all of it's features, but it's a great one-stop site to find tons of info about diet, exercise, and motivation. It really seems to have a great sense of community and I find the success stories very inspirational. I haven't actually read the book series that this site is based on, but if you have, I'd love to hear your take on it!


So have a great week everybody and keep on truck'n!