Its been making it's way across the interwebs and may have popped up in your newsfeed. If you haven't watched it already, it's worth a look. Just try and avoid the comments section on YouTube, which is just good advice in general! :)
#thisgirlcan
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sweating Like a Pig
Have you ever been at the gym, looked around, and thought do some of these people live here? Do they even need to be working out? Or maybe you've been flipping through a fitness magazine and said to yourself "even if I follow the 'Only 10 Moves You Need For a Firm Butt' or 'Work Out On the Go: Equipment Free Hotel Room Exercises', even if I eat all the superfoods and then juice-fast for a month, I will still never look like that"? I know I have, and that's part of the reason I so love this video by This Girl Can, a national campaign celebrating active women in England, and featuring REAL women (leave it to the UK!) I could also listen to the featured Missy Elliott song on repeat for four days and never get sick of it, so that doesn't hurt either.
Its been making it's way across the interwebs and may have popped up in your newsfeed. If you haven't watched it already, it's worth a look. Just try and avoid the comments section on YouTube, which is just good advice in general! :)
#thisgirlcan
Its been making it's way across the interwebs and may have popped up in your newsfeed. If you haven't watched it already, it's worth a look. Just try and avoid the comments section on YouTube, which is just good advice in general! :)
#thisgirlcan
Thursday, February 12, 2015
The White Stuff
For those of you living under a rock, the Boston area is essentially non-functioning and buried under 27.9 feet of snow. Ok, 6 feet. And there may be more on the way. I give up. I. GIVE. UP. Driving? A nightmare. Walking? If walking in a narrow, snow-banked flanked street is considered safe, then sure, go ahead and walk somewhere. Running? HAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, I needed a good laugh.
Don't get me wrong, I want to be running outside. I can handle the cold. I can even handle a little snow cover on the sidewalks. But right now, well, there are no sidewalks. There's not even a shoulder on the road (it's a snow bank now) for me to run in. I see OTHER people out there (you, by the way are crazy people. Cra-zy. You should see a doctor), but I am not willing to take any chances.
My 10k training soldiers on, however, on the boring, dreaded treadmill. I'm starting to become ok with it. I have to be really, since I may be restricted to one until the actual race in July (maybe the snow will be gone by then). Music is making a huge difference. I added a few new songs to my workout play list that, frankly, I don't know how I managed to run without. Here is what I am into right now:
Lose Yourself, Eminem (oh, there goes gravity!)
Eye of the Tiger, Surviver (obvious choice, right!? I could run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, right!?)
Don't Let Me be Misunderstood, Santa Esmeralda (from the Kill Bill soundtrack, so it conjures up images of ass-kicking, sword-wielding female strength and hotness. It's also 10 1/2 minutes long so by the end of it, I have practically run a mile!)
Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (don't believe me? just watch!)
(I'm a) Slave for You, Britney Spears (I'm a) Slave to This Treadmill
I am always open to suggestions and new (or old) songs. What's on your running playlist??
Don't get me wrong, I want to be running outside. I can handle the cold. I can even handle a little snow cover on the sidewalks. But right now, well, there are no sidewalks. There's not even a shoulder on the road (it's a snow bank now) for me to run in. I see OTHER people out there (you, by the way are crazy people. Cra-zy. You should see a doctor), but I am not willing to take any chances.
My 10k training soldiers on, however, on the boring, dreaded treadmill. I'm starting to become ok with it. I have to be really, since I may be restricted to one until the actual race in July (maybe the snow will be gone by then). Music is making a huge difference. I added a few new songs to my workout play list that, frankly, I don't know how I managed to run without. Here is what I am into right now:
Lose Yourself, Eminem (oh, there goes gravity!)
Eye of the Tiger, Surviver (obvious choice, right!? I could run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, right!?)
Don't Let Me be Misunderstood, Santa Esmeralda (from the Kill Bill soundtrack, so it conjures up images of ass-kicking, sword-wielding female strength and hotness. It's also 10 1/2 minutes long so by the end of it, I have practically run a mile!)
Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars (don't believe me? just watch!)
(I'm a) Slave for You, Britney Spears (I'm a) Slave to This Treadmill
I am always open to suggestions and new (or old) songs. What's on your running playlist??
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
From Russia, With Vodka
For me, the holidays are not officially over until my good friend's anual Russian Christmas celebration, which happened this past weekend. If you're not lucky enough to have an awesome friend who lived in Russia and continues her connection to the country by hosting a food and drink orgy annually, let me break it down for you:
Wine. Cheese. Vodka. Cheese. Crostini. Football (on a good year).Vodka. Sugared lemons. Cheese.Wine. Conversation about men who wear silicone suits to look like women. Borscht (beets are good for you!). Vodka. Wine. Cupcake. Cupcake. Cookie. Vodka. Wine. Water.
I have no regrets. Really. I can't feel guilty for allowing myself in indulge in a celebration. But unlike previous years, I am back to reality, getting my eating and exercise on track, not allowing myself to use the "holiday" excuse clear through June. These nights of indulgence (which will be the title of the romance novel I write about my relationship with wine and cake--a threesome!--so HANDS OFF) are the exception and not the rule these days. I've come a long way in the past 10 months and 50 pounds and I have nothing to feel guilty about. I am stronger than vodka and brie!
Wine. Cheese. Vodka. Cheese. Crostini. Football (on a good year).Vodka. Sugared lemons. Cheese.Wine. Conversation about men who wear silicone suits to look like women. Borscht (beets are good for you!). Vodka. Wine. Cupcake. Cupcake. Cookie. Vodka. Wine. Water.
I have no regrets. Really. I can't feel guilty for allowing myself in indulge in a celebration. But unlike previous years, I am back to reality, getting my eating and exercise on track, not allowing myself to use the "holiday" excuse clear through June. These nights of indulgence (which will be the title of the romance novel I write about my relationship with wine and cake--a threesome!--so HANDS OFF) are the exception and not the rule these days. I've come a long way in the past 10 months and 50 pounds and I have nothing to feel guilty about. I am stronger than vodka and brie!
Monday, January 5, 2015
In the Long Run
I am obsessed with time.
It may be my German decent, it may be that I have OCD, maybe it's that I am a self-proclaimed control freak. Whatever it is, I am obsessed. I always wear a watch, I have at least one clock--sometimes as many as three-- in each room of the house, even the bathrooms. I have anxiety dreams about being late for work and appointments and trains and planes. Time pretty much rules my life. Even on lazy weekend days, when there are no real plans, I'm still stressed out about how long it took me to get out of bed, or how long it takes me to get ready, or "it's what time already? If we're going to grocery shop, we need to go now!" It's exhausting. Just ask my boyfriend.
This obsession with time is also a detriment to my 10k training. What I need to focus on now is stamina, distance. I need to push myself to run 4, 5, 6 miles without injuring myself, without falling over, no matter how long it takes me. But even on my "easy" 3 mile runs, I'm constantly checking my phone, my iPod, my FitBit, the treadmill. How long have I been running? I made it to this point last run in 6 minutes and today it took 7??! I need to finish in 48 minutes, tops. Can I run a half mile in 5 minutes? God, I am so slow today! It's like I can't shut the time part of my brain off. I know I need to slow down and focus on finishing the route, building my stamina. I know in time that the stronger I am, the faster I will eventually become. In the long- run, I just need to finish that long run.
I know all this. And yet I am struggling with the idea of letting time go, forgetting about my pace, and focusing on distance. How does an obsessive, German control freak deal with this?!
It may be my German decent, it may be that I have OCD, maybe it's that I am a self-proclaimed control freak. Whatever it is, I am obsessed. I always wear a watch, I have at least one clock--sometimes as many as three-- in each room of the house, even the bathrooms. I have anxiety dreams about being late for work and appointments and trains and planes. Time pretty much rules my life. Even on lazy weekend days, when there are no real plans, I'm still stressed out about how long it took me to get out of bed, or how long it takes me to get ready, or "it's what time already? If we're going to grocery shop, we need to go now!" It's exhausting. Just ask my boyfriend.
This obsession with time is also a detriment to my 10k training. What I need to focus on now is stamina, distance. I need to push myself to run 4, 5, 6 miles without injuring myself, without falling over, no matter how long it takes me. But even on my "easy" 3 mile runs, I'm constantly checking my phone, my iPod, my FitBit, the treadmill. How long have I been running? I made it to this point last run in 6 minutes and today it took 7??! I need to finish in 48 minutes, tops. Can I run a half mile in 5 minutes? God, I am so slow today! It's like I can't shut the time part of my brain off. I know I need to slow down and focus on finishing the route, building my stamina. I know in time that the stronger I am, the faster I will eventually become. In the long- run, I just need to finish that long run.
I know all this. And yet I am struggling with the idea of letting time go, forgetting about my pace, and focusing on distance. How does an obsessive, German control freak deal with this?!
Thursday, December 18, 2014
I think I can, I think I can?
It's on record: 10k training begins in January.
OH. DEAR. GOD. I am terrified
I have been reading articles about "taking my run to the next level" and it scares the crap out of me. You'll have to start running 5 days a week, they say. You'll need to average 15-20 miles a week. Get used to running 60 minutes at a time. Get used to declining social invitations. This isn't me. The thought of running for an hour makes me want to hurl. I'm weak! I'll fold too easily! Just last night, I got a last minute invitation to play bar trivia (if you know me, you know I take this very seriously), when I had already decided that I NEEDED to go to the gym. Frankly, I allowed myself to eat too many delicious leftovers from the previous day's office potluck, not mention what I consumed at the actual potluck, and an after work run was my get out of jail free card...
Despite knowing better, I totally rationalized not going to the gym. I'll have light beer. Or no beer. I'll order something relatively healthy. I'll wake up early the next day and work out ('cause that always happens). Being social is good! Trivia works out the brain, which is just as important as the body! But in the back of my head, I just kept thinking: I haven't even begun my training yet and I am already failing.
In the end, I did go to trivia, with no guilt. I used the gym at work (duh! that was an obvious choice), changed (sans shower, sorry fellow trivia go-ers!), and got the bar on time. I was able to have my chicken gorgonzola salad and eat it, too.
Maybe I shouldn't be as terrified as I am. Maybe I can figure out this run/life/work balance, after all. I guess the real question is: am I up for the challenge? I think so.
OH. DEAR. GOD. I am terrified
I have been reading articles about "taking my run to the next level" and it scares the crap out of me. You'll have to start running 5 days a week, they say. You'll need to average 15-20 miles a week. Get used to running 60 minutes at a time. Get used to declining social invitations. This isn't me. The thought of running for an hour makes me want to hurl. I'm weak! I'll fold too easily! Just last night, I got a last minute invitation to play bar trivia (if you know me, you know I take this very seriously), when I had already decided that I NEEDED to go to the gym. Frankly, I allowed myself to eat too many delicious leftovers from the previous day's office potluck, not mention what I consumed at the actual potluck, and an after work run was my get out of jail free card...
Despite knowing better, I totally rationalized not going to the gym. I'll have light beer. Or no beer. I'll order something relatively healthy. I'll wake up early the next day and work out ('cause that always happens). Being social is good! Trivia works out the brain, which is just as important as the body! But in the back of my head, I just kept thinking: I haven't even begun my training yet and I am already failing.
In the end, I did go to trivia, with no guilt. I used the gym at work (duh! that was an obvious choice), changed (sans shower, sorry fellow trivia go-ers!), and got the bar on time. I was able to have my chicken gorgonzola salad and eat it, too.
Maybe I shouldn't be as terrified as I am. Maybe I can figure out this run/life/work balance, after all. I guess the real question is: am I up for the challenge? I think so.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Not Bad for a Fat Girl
2014 has been quite a year. A new home, a new job, a new healthier lifestyle. I never thought I'd be the kind of person to run voluntarily, without being chased. I absolutely never imagined I'd maybe enjoy it. (Whether or not I really enjoy the running, or just how I feel afterwards, or the competition of it, or just the shopping for running clothes is up for debate!)
Three 5ks this year and I'm finally getting the hang if it. The first time, I just wanted to cross the finish line at all. This time around, I wanted to run the whole 3.1 without walking, all in 36 minutes. Did I do it? Well, I finished a minute and 25 seconds after I wanted to, but I DID run without walk breaks. Not too bad for a fat girl!
Three 5ks this year and I'm finally getting the hang if it. The first time, I just wanted to cross the finish line at all. This time around, I wanted to run the whole 3.1 without walking, all in 36 minutes. Did I do it? Well, I finished a minute and 25 seconds after I wanted to, but I DID run without walk breaks. Not too bad for a fat girl!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Thank you, wine.
I somehow managed not to eat my weight in cranberry sauce and stuffing this Thanksgiving. I can't say that my plate was always perfect and full of veggies, but considering my 4 day weekend consisted of two Thanksgivings, two birthday celebrations, and one mini college reunion, I faired pretty well! I managed to make it to the gym two of those days and I did, in fact, eat veggies. Let's just forget about the part where I drank a whole bottle of wine.
That bottle of wine does lead to reflect on the things for which I have been thankful for this year:
1. Wine. white, red, rose, I don't discriminate. Though I enjoy you (mostly) in moderation these days, I still love you.
2. My partner and the home we have created together (I should maybe mention here that these are not ranked in order of importance...)
3. My nutty friends and my even nuttier family. You're all crazy. And sometimes you drive me crazy, and into the arms of wine. But I can't not love you.
4. My (new, official, as in I'm kinda the boss) job and a staff that continues to support me and work their tails off.
5. My able body that I seem to be able to push a little further and further each day. Thanks for not letting me down, body! Honestly, we still got our issues, but the truth is, you let me do things like run 3 miles and for that I am forever grateful.
That bottle of wine does lead to reflect on the things for which I have been thankful for this year:
1. Wine. white, red, rose, I don't discriminate. Though I enjoy you (mostly) in moderation these days, I still love you.
2. My partner and the home we have created together (I should maybe mention here that these are not ranked in order of importance...)
3. My nutty friends and my even nuttier family. You're all crazy. And sometimes you drive me crazy, and into the arms of wine. But I can't not love you.
4. My (new, official, as in I'm kinda the boss) job and a staff that continues to support me and work their tails off.
5. My able body that I seem to be able to push a little further and further each day. Thanks for not letting me down, body! Honestly, we still got our issues, but the truth is, you let me do things like run 3 miles and for that I am forever grateful.
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