The Road to Istanbul Is Paved With Good Intentions

Merhaba! I am currently traveling for business--in Turkey, as you may have guessed. When it comes to being healthy, travel has been, and will always be, my Achilles heel. It doesn't seem to matter how long or short the journey, when I am on a plane, in an airport, on a train, even on a long car ride, I want to eat everything in sight! I'm usually traveling alone, and therefore, no one is holding me accountable. When you're alone, it's easy to stop for a milkshake or buy an armful of candy or eat three donuts in  the privacy of your hotel room. And, as I have mentioned before, the slightest change to my routine, and my good habits are out the door. It's fair to say this trip to Turkey is a change to my routine.
Knowing that I would be tempted to partake in delicious treats (hello, baklava) and that I would be eating out all week,  I made sure my gym clothes and running shoes made it into the luggage. I had all sorts of intention of using them this morning before meeting some colleagues for a trip to the ancient ruins of Pergamon (nope, not my normal routine). When my alarm went off, I realized it was midnight at home and I just couldn't get out of bed. I snoozed for an embarrassing long time and eventually did get up and pull on my gym pants...and went to breakfast. I only had time to either workout or eat breakfast, and though I regret not working out, I knew that I'd be a cranky pants if I didn't have food in my system. I tried to make some healthy choices, focusing on fruits and grilled veggies, with a little bread and cheese (for those of you who have traveled overseas, you know that breakfast generally leans more towards the savory than sweet).
When we got back from Pergamon, I was exhausted and hungry. But back in my room, I put my gym clothes on--for reals this time-- and  had a decent run in the hotel's gym. I started to think about two years ago, when I was staying in the same hotel and using the same gym. Then, I was just starting to run, and still working my way through intervals. Today I ran the whole way through and didn't even consider stopping. I've come a long way in two years, and despite not every choice being a great one (I may or may not currently be consuming a club sandwich), I like to think I make the better ones more often than not (I'm having a piece of fruit for dessert). Travel is always going to be difficult for me, especially in a foreign country, but this time around, I am holding myself accountable.







   

Summer of Change

It's easy to focus on the things I haven't done, or haven't done well. Since my little tumble two weeks ago, I've only been for 3 rather short runs,and my eating habits have really suffered as we have approached phase 2 of the big move. Rather than beat myself up about it (sometimes, you just need cookie dough Oreos) I've tried to focus on all the good stuff I've accomplished the summer of  2014- the Summer of Change!

1. Hiked a mountain - with 15 lbs strapped to my back, no less
2. Got a promotion at work
3. Completed 2 5ks, lived to tell the tale
4. Lost 14 lbs since June, despite vacations/business travel and we're-moving-and-don't-have-food-or-plates-so-let's-have-takeout dinners
5. Become a homeowner!

It's been a summer out of the ordinary for me, but regardless of how big or small the accomplishment, we all should take the time to acknowledge our own awesomeness.  It always seems easier to focus on the negative, the stuff you didn't do, but I'm hoping you'll look back on the summer and remember all the things you did right!