Today’s Happy Note: It’s the weekend. Somehow, four day work weeks always feel especially long. My body never quite gets into the right rhythm. I haven’t been this excited about a weekend in a long time. With that said, I am feeling 95% better and am planning on enjoying this weekend and cramming it full of goodness and such.
The combination of recovering from a serious illness and the unbearable heat/humidity has left me exhausted. If I had to draw a picture of the way I feel right now, it would be a maple tree being tapped for syrup. Endless syrup would be flowing out of an open gash in the tree until it was sucked dry. I am the empty tree.
Bad tree metaphors aside (I have a minor obsession), I. Hate. Summer. I am ready for it to be over. My favorite season is fall, followed by spring, winter, and summer, at a distant last. I overslept this morning, was late for work, and was still too drained after work to do anything besides collapse on my bed and sleep for three hours. I had made plans for a quick run, yoga, and a meet up with a friend. Tired Caronae=Weakling Caronae=Anti-Social Caronae=Frustrated Caronae. Therefore when I am tired like this I end up frustrated.
I can’t even describe to you the amount of guilt I feel after a few days sans exercise. I walk about two miles every day getting to/from work and doing errands. But in my mind, it doesn’t “count.” Regardless of whether it counts, I want to be moving. It’s a healthy outlet that relieves my frustration.
So I am making a recommitment to my health. Less mindless eating, more fun exercise. More fresh fruits and veggies (although my digestion is still not back to 100%, so this will happen slowly), less lying on the couch in a half-dead position watching TV. Pretty simple. This is NOT an obsessive goal or a calorie-counting goal or even a weight loss goal (although that might be nice since I did gain weight while sick). This is just me consciously recommitting to the healthy lifestyle that I know I truly enjoy. I am giving myself guidelines, not rules. My goal is to have more energy and to feel better about myself.
Guidelines:
- Water. Drink it. A lot. I have a 32 ounce bottle and would like to get through it at least twice a day.
- Strength training: 2-3 times a week. Lifting makes me feel strong and toned and is, quite simply, fun.
- One exercise class a week: this is a nice way to switch things up.
- Cardio: 4-6 times a week.
- Yoga: 1-2 times a week.
- Positive self-talk (“gee Caronae, you look great in this dress today!”): infinite times per week.
- Real meals: no picking. Sit down and eat the damn meal. More veggies and real food in the evenings (this is where I really struggle).
- Take advantage of the weekends: come up with some new, awesome, longer workouts.
So that’s the plan, roughly. I might add more guidelines as I go along. We shall see. If any readers want to join me, that would be fun! It’s always nice to feel like you are doing a challenge with a friend.
Anyone have any recommendations? I am certainly open to your suggestions! What are your favorite ways to “get back on track”?
Okay. Enough boring stuff. Onto more important things:
Like blueberry banana smoothies:
And Mr. Softee ice cream cones (this was my Cookie Friday, although really, the whole rest of the day ended up being a Cookie Friday of sorts. See recommitment plan above.)
Cherry-dipped ice cream cones is one processed thing I will never give up. Another thing: the occassional goldfish (not the swimming kind, the cute little snacking kind). Someone had these in our office today and my hand kept sneaking into the bag. I’m sure they can’t be that bad for me.
The up-closeness of this photo is cleverly designed to disguise the size of my portion. Which was big. But I was feling genuinely snacky. I balanced it out with a power lunch!
Delicious salad beast with spinach, peppers, carrots, plain raw tofu (surprisingly yummy) and sweet poppy seed dressing.
What was your Cookie Friday treat today?
Off to write! Goodnight and happy weekend!
Run. Write. Therapy. Life. 