TWO gym memberships! That's right. No excuse not to work out like a mad-woman!
I know I gave Golds Gym quite a crappy review a few years ago. I still think it's a smelly gym compared to my beloved Club One. Sometimes, it's not the place, but the person that makes all the difference. There are two very important people in my life affiliated with Gold's. The first is my boyfriend, who needs to exercise his body as well as his brain while in graduate school. The second is a friend who teaches a fantastic power yoga class, and has talked me into getting certified to teach a few group classes myself.
Don't get too excited about yours truly becoming the next Jackie Warner (my female crush). I got the reading materials and DVDs from my friend last weekend, and I intend to read through, and just go from there. Because I don't have a degree in physiology or fitness, and I don't have any world records or big athletic achievements to speak of, my friend advised against personal training certification. She said that teaching classes is much more structured, guaranteed pay, and a good way to get my feet wet. This is opposed to having clients that drop like flies because 80% of them don't want to work out anyway. (I agree this would frustrate me.)
I don't know if fitness can be a career, but studying will give me some knowledge about my own fitness, and maybe certification could lead to a few more dollars in my pocket. Baby steps.
Because I know you miss my week in reviews:
3 weeks LOW/NO cheese
0 change in my weight (I'm still holding at 134)
6 training sessions completed with Dan
0 training sessions left with Dan :(
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
No complaints
My Gram passed away last week, so I took the first flight I could afford out of San Francisco on Saturday night to spend time with family at her funeral. Gram was 92, was in constant pain and depression, and prayed daily that God would take her home. The last 10 years of Gram's life were not the memories I would like to hold onto; instead it was the first 20 that were wonderful and happy.
Before my grandpa passed in 1988, my family and I would travel to Burlington, Iowa from Illinois in one of those classic family driving memories with my parents, older sister and brother:
"Mom! Scott took my bear and won't give it back."
"Dad, are we THERE yet?"
The beginning of the movie musical, The Music Man, the train passes from Illinois into Iowa, and they never go over a bridge - this part has always bothered me.
The last part of our journey was the "big" bridge (I had not yet see the Bay or Golden Gate Bridge) over the Mississippi into Burlington which was a beautiful river city with large red brick warehouses, the prominent Burlington Hotel, and the former hospital which overlooks the roadway from a tall bluff. We'd drive a few streets into the residential neighborhoods and on to Bertsch Street to a small, neat, white house with a front porch. Before we even pulled in we could smell Grams roast beef simmering in the oven, and wonder if Grandpa would take us to the park to fly a kite or play a tune on his organ.
My grandparents acted to be tremendously in love, and their silly little arguments would often turn into flirting. Gram was a homemaker, and Grandpa was a retired clerk for the railroad. They were surrounded by other family members in town, mostly Grams 10 brothers and sisters, their children, and grandchildren. Every year I learned names at our summer family reunions, only to forget their names again the next year. My grandparents kind of seemed like the matriarchs of the family - perhaps to me, at least.
My Grandpa's funeral was the first I'd ever attended - I was almost 9 years old. He was my favorite guy. He had the most beautiful dark hair that I liked to comb, he always had a bowl of peanuts on the front porch and would feed the chipmunks living under the porch. (The chipmunks loved him too. After he was gone, they also went away.) Most of all, Grandpa was a musician. He played an organ, and composed songs, mostly religious, but he also had fun songs about Santa Claus and funny things that kids do. Gram was never quite the same after Grandpa was gone. Her house was still impeccable, and she still made her roast beef, but there was always this odd chair missing at the dinner table. Luckily she had sisters, brothers, and University of Iowa football.
During the last 10 years, her health started failing, as well as her ambition to live. She sold the little white house, and moved in with her brother who wanted to take care of her. She and her brother lived in The Burlington Hotel, which had been converted from a hotel into apartments and overlooked the river, big bridge, and railroads that slowly began to gray a little every year before our eyes. About this time, I moved to California so my visits became less, but going back was no longer the whimsical trip to Grandma's house that I remember as a child. Instead of the silly arguments and kites, turned into conversations about the horrors of the world, natural disasters, people dying, and sins.
It was said at my Grandma's funeral that she couldn't watch the news because it would worry her too much. She was luckily on her death bed during the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It was also said at her funeral that she was accepting of other people, which is difficult to remember from the last 10 years. I remember only she and her brother not understanding those with a different lifestyle: those who are divorced, homosexual, in jail (like those are all the same "sin"). Living in California, I found those conversations difficult because I was learning to accept those who lived differently than I do, and also to embrace differences. I usually kept/keep my mouth shut. (Imagine that!)
While traveling to the funeral from Des Moines to Burlington this weekend, we stopped for a bite of breakfast at McDonalds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. (Of course! So much for "no cheese.") As we ate, we couldn't help but overhear conversations of the little old people that sat in the restaurant at different tables with their watered-down coffee, looking out the window onto the brown fields, and complaining about traffic in the major cities. "I would never want to live in a place like Chicago, or Kansas City . . . and in California, they have those lanes that you can't drive in!"
My sister and I laughed a little, but it was also pretty depressing. I almost wanted to yell back like, "Oh you wouldn't want to live in those horrible places where people actually have things to DO besides sit around a McDonalds all morning!"
Driving into Burlington was equally as distressing, including those gray buildings, boarded up shops, half-fallen homes, and people without smiles on their faces. It was so good to see family again, and relearn those names, and hear wonderful things about my Gram again. It made me feel like I wasn't dreaming those first 20 years, but it also made me wonder where it all went. While I was busy building my happy life in California, my Gram was just letting hers go in a dilapidated town in Iowa.
I told my parents they should continue to find something new in their lives. They are looking at property in Arizona, which would be exciting for them and bring them a little closer to me! The experience back in Iowa definitely reminded me that life is too short for complaints. Life is really what you make of it - if you are unhappy and try to find faults in others, then you only confirm unhappiness and faults within yourself. It's time to find something new in my life and stay excited about the process. No complaints!
Before my grandpa passed in 1988, my family and I would travel to Burlington, Iowa from Illinois in one of those classic family driving memories with my parents, older sister and brother:
"Mom! Scott took my bear and won't give it back."
"Dad, are we THERE yet?"
The beginning of the movie musical, The Music Man, the train passes from Illinois into Iowa, and they never go over a bridge - this part has always bothered me.
The last part of our journey was the "big" bridge (I had not yet see the Bay or Golden Gate Bridge) over the Mississippi into Burlington which was a beautiful river city with large red brick warehouses, the prominent Burlington Hotel, and the former hospital which overlooks the roadway from a tall bluff. We'd drive a few streets into the residential neighborhoods and on to Bertsch Street to a small, neat, white house with a front porch. Before we even pulled in we could smell Grams roast beef simmering in the oven, and wonder if Grandpa would take us to the park to fly a kite or play a tune on his organ.
My grandparents acted to be tremendously in love, and their silly little arguments would often turn into flirting. Gram was a homemaker, and Grandpa was a retired clerk for the railroad. They were surrounded by other family members in town, mostly Grams 10 brothers and sisters, their children, and grandchildren. Every year I learned names at our summer family reunions, only to forget their names again the next year. My grandparents kind of seemed like the matriarchs of the family - perhaps to me, at least.
My Grandpa's funeral was the first I'd ever attended - I was almost 9 years old. He was my favorite guy. He had the most beautiful dark hair that I liked to comb, he always had a bowl of peanuts on the front porch and would feed the chipmunks living under the porch. (The chipmunks loved him too. After he was gone, they also went away.) Most of all, Grandpa was a musician. He played an organ, and composed songs, mostly religious, but he also had fun songs about Santa Claus and funny things that kids do. Gram was never quite the same after Grandpa was gone. Her house was still impeccable, and she still made her roast beef, but there was always this odd chair missing at the dinner table. Luckily she had sisters, brothers, and University of Iowa football.
During the last 10 years, her health started failing, as well as her ambition to live. She sold the little white house, and moved in with her brother who wanted to take care of her. She and her brother lived in The Burlington Hotel, which had been converted from a hotel into apartments and overlooked the river, big bridge, and railroads that slowly began to gray a little every year before our eyes. About this time, I moved to California so my visits became less, but going back was no longer the whimsical trip to Grandma's house that I remember as a child. Instead of the silly arguments and kites, turned into conversations about the horrors of the world, natural disasters, people dying, and sins.
It was said at my Grandma's funeral that she couldn't watch the news because it would worry her too much. She was luckily on her death bed during the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It was also said at her funeral that she was accepting of other people, which is difficult to remember from the last 10 years. I remember only she and her brother not understanding those with a different lifestyle: those who are divorced, homosexual, in jail (like those are all the same "sin"). Living in California, I found those conversations difficult because I was learning to accept those who lived differently than I do, and also to embrace differences. I usually kept/keep my mouth shut. (Imagine that!)
While traveling to the funeral from Des Moines to Burlington this weekend, we stopped for a bite of breakfast at McDonalds in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. (Of course! So much for "no cheese.") As we ate, we couldn't help but overhear conversations of the little old people that sat in the restaurant at different tables with their watered-down coffee, looking out the window onto the brown fields, and complaining about traffic in the major cities. "I would never want to live in a place like Chicago, or Kansas City . . . and in California, they have those lanes that you can't drive in!"
My sister and I laughed a little, but it was also pretty depressing. I almost wanted to yell back like, "Oh you wouldn't want to live in those horrible places where people actually have things to DO besides sit around a McDonalds all morning!"
Driving into Burlington was equally as distressing, including those gray buildings, boarded up shops, half-fallen homes, and people without smiles on their faces. It was so good to see family again, and relearn those names, and hear wonderful things about my Gram again. It made me feel like I wasn't dreaming those first 20 years, but it also made me wonder where it all went. While I was busy building my happy life in California, my Gram was just letting hers go in a dilapidated town in Iowa.
I told my parents they should continue to find something new in their lives. They are looking at property in Arizona, which would be exciting for them and bring them a little closer to me! The experience back in Iowa definitely reminded me that life is too short for complaints. Life is really what you make of it - if you are unhappy and try to find faults in others, then you only confirm unhappiness and faults within yourself. It's time to find something new in my life and stay excited about the process. No complaints!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Pssssst. . . I cut the cheese!
Pun intended.
Day 1: I had to leave my microwavable, ricotta and spinach-stuffed tortellini in the fridge and find another option.
Day 2: I didn't have time to go out for lunch, so I ate the tortellini anyway.
Day 3: No cheese. Pretty easy.
Day 4: Went on a double date at our favorite Italian restaurant in Los Gatos. Although I ordered the fettuccine with marinara and two meat balls -my dinner came with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on the top. I decided to just go with it because the cheese was clearly a "garnish" and not a substantial part of the meal. Right? I passed on the baked brie appetizer, and I also had a side of spinach to start the meal.)
Day 5: After a 4-miler in Sausalito, I went to my boyfriend's family's house for a St. Patrick's Day dinner. I passed up the cheese tray, again. Yay!
Day 6: I had the "Fitness Breakfast" at Bill's Cafe, and asked for egg yolks because I'm not giving up eggs too!
Day 7: No problem.
Today: I had a salad for lunch, and asked for feta on the side. I used half of it. Not bad.
The important part of no-cheese is really just to keep it "low"-cheese. It is nearly impossible to never eat cheese, ever. It comes on EVERYTHING, and it is already assumed by the dining establishment that you want it. Because really. . . who doesn't want some delicious saturated fat on their cheeseburger, or a grilled cheese...maybe some Parmesan on your pasta, or Gouda on your sandwich, or cream cheese on your bagel, or American on a Saltine, or some cheddar on your burrito! What a life that must be for those who are lactose intolerant! The horror! The horror!
By the way, if I don't see visual body improvements in the next two weeks, I'm going to go back to eating an entire Tillamook baby loaf in one sitting.
Day 1: I had to leave my microwavable, ricotta and spinach-stuffed tortellini in the fridge and find another option.
Day 2: I didn't have time to go out for lunch, so I ate the tortellini anyway.
Day 3: No cheese. Pretty easy.
Day 4: Went on a double date at our favorite Italian restaurant in Los Gatos. Although I ordered the fettuccine with marinara and two meat balls -my dinner came with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on the top. I decided to just go with it because the cheese was clearly a "garnish" and not a substantial part of the meal. Right? I passed on the baked brie appetizer, and I also had a side of spinach to start the meal.)
Day 5: After a 4-miler in Sausalito, I went to my boyfriend's family's house for a St. Patrick's Day dinner. I passed up the cheese tray, again. Yay!
Day 6: I had the "Fitness Breakfast" at Bill's Cafe, and asked for egg yolks because I'm not giving up eggs too!
Day 7: No problem.
Today: I had a salad for lunch, and asked for feta on the side. I used half of it. Not bad.
The important part of no-cheese is really just to keep it "low"-cheese. It is nearly impossible to never eat cheese, ever. It comes on EVERYTHING, and it is already assumed by the dining establishment that you want it. Because really. . . who doesn't want some delicious saturated fat on their cheeseburger, or a grilled cheese...maybe some Parmesan on your pasta, or Gouda on your sandwich, or cream cheese on your bagel, or American on a Saltine, or some cheddar on your burrito! What a life that must be for those who are lactose intolerant! The horror! The horror!
By the way, if I don't see visual body improvements in the next two weeks, I'm going to go back to eating an entire Tillamook baby loaf in one sitting.
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
...whereby our heronie gives up cheese. . .
If A = B. (Saturated fat makes you fat)
And C = A. (Cheese is made up of saturated fat.)
Does A = B? (Cheese makes you fat.)
We are going to use the transitive property, and find out.
Today I had to give away my teeny-tiny lunch portion of tortellini because it had ricotta cheese in it. I suppose it would have helped if I packed my lunch AFTER I decided to try a no-cheese diet for a few weeks. Experimenting with vegetables isn't going to be enough - adding good stuff to bad stuff does not delete the bad stuff. It's time to get rid of something bad. I mean good....oh, so good and tasty.
Mmmmmm. . . cheese.
And C = A. (Cheese is made up of saturated fat.)
Does A = B? (Cheese makes you fat.)
We are going to use the transitive property, and find out.
Today I had to give away my teeny-tiny lunch portion of tortellini because it had ricotta cheese in it. I suppose it would have helped if I packed my lunch AFTER I decided to try a no-cheese diet for a few weeks. Experimenting with vegetables isn't going to be enough - adding good stuff to bad stuff does not delete the bad stuff. It's time to get rid of something bad. I mean good....oh, so good and tasty.
Mmmmmm. . . cheese.
Monday, March 07, 2011
EVUIP
3 weeks of personal training
134 pounds
22.2% body fat
increased overall health
I've gained weight, and body fat. Not so awesome.
After meeting with Kolleen again today, it occurred to me that the only way to lose weight an body fat is to do something about my diet. Everyone told me. I listened, but I didn't do it. Although my overall health is better, my goal was also to lose a little weight and body fat. Good isn't my best, and I need to do more.
The suggestion for better eating: "Start meals with vegetables, and fill up on them before eating what you like to eat." I'm going to try this. I don't know if it's going to work because I feel like I'll eat the veggies, then eat the entire portion anyway.
For the next couple of weeks it's: Eat Veggies Until I Puke. EVUIP.... er, not such a good acronym.
134 pounds
22.2% body fat
increased overall health
I've gained weight, and body fat. Not so awesome.
After meeting with Kolleen again today, it occurred to me that the only way to lose weight an body fat is to do something about my diet. Everyone told me. I listened, but I didn't do it. Although my overall health is better, my goal was also to lose a little weight and body fat. Good isn't my best, and I need to do more.
The suggestion for better eating: "Start meals with vegetables, and fill up on them before eating what you like to eat." I'm going to try this. I don't know if it's going to work because I feel like I'll eat the veggies, then eat the entire portion anyway.
For the next couple of weeks it's: Eat Veggies Until I Puke. EVUIP.... er, not such a good acronym.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Dreams when you're 30
We've all had dreams about being back in college. . .
*****Entering Dream Sequence*******
Everyone around me is so excited about next year! The summer has been great, but we are all doing something new this year. Some of us are studying abroad, some are applying to graduate school, some are getting their first jobs, and others are just trying to figure out their class scheduled.
Fraught with possibilities, I start brain storming! Instead of going to Germany, I could study in Italy. I could learn Italian and make new friends, and come back singing opera! Or I could apply for law school. I could really challenge myself to hit the LSAT books and sign up for the test... Or gee, I should take that math class finally and graduate and get out of here.
*****Exiting Dream Sequence*******
OMG. Wait. Didn't I already graduate from college? I passed that math class and I can prove it! I studied in Germany, and I even moved back to Germany for awhile after college. I traveled to Italy. I don't need to find a place to live because I already have one. Also, I already went to graduate school. Shit! I wrote a thesis and everything!
******Totally Awake*******
I have a job. I have responsibilities. I want to go to Europe, but I can't afford it. I should have been lawyer. Damn. Being 21 was awesome.
*****Entering Dream Sequence*******
Everyone around me is so excited about next year! The summer has been great, but we are all doing something new this year. Some of us are studying abroad, some are applying to graduate school, some are getting their first jobs, and others are just trying to figure out their class scheduled.
Fraught with possibilities, I start brain storming! Instead of going to Germany, I could study in Italy. I could learn Italian and make new friends, and come back singing opera! Or I could apply for law school. I could really challenge myself to hit the LSAT books and sign up for the test... Or gee, I should take that math class finally and graduate and get out of here.
*****Exiting Dream Sequence*******
OMG. Wait. Didn't I already graduate from college? I passed that math class and I can prove it! I studied in Germany, and I even moved back to Germany for awhile after college. I traveled to Italy. I don't need to find a place to live because I already have one. Also, I already went to graduate school. Shit! I wrote a thesis and everything!
******Totally Awake*******
I have a job. I have responsibilities. I want to go to Europe, but I can't afford it. I should have been lawyer. Damn. Being 21 was awesome.
Finding purpose
My buddy KG suggested I meet a friend of hers, HL, who has quite a lot of experience in resume writing, and networking. Unfortunately we were only able to "meet" through email, but I did receive a lot of professional networking tips, and resume help which I greatly appreciate. HL suggested I do a personality test, maybe the Meyers Briggs, which I did about 4 years ago in a leadership class for my Master's degree. (That degree is TOTALLY paying for itself right now. *sarcasm*)
ENFP/ENFJ - Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving/Judging (I'm about 50/50 on the P/J)
HL wrote me back saying, "I'm an INFJ - borderline introvert/extrovert, so we are pretty close! We both need some serious 'purpose' when it comes to our career pursuits!"
Purpose. Yeah that's exactly what I need. I'm not one of those people who can just take any job. I need to care about work; I need to know the company's purpose, my boss' purpose, my co-workers' purpose, and my own purpose. It's actually purpose that I've been struggling with all along in my current position, and the fact that I feel like I have none.
Overall, my company is educational, so we have a great purpose! My department is struggling to figure out its place in the company, and is made up of individuals who don't have a clear idea of the company's mission, or they are out for their own purpose. When I started here, I thought my purpose was to keep people together, and create new and innovative programs. I really felt for a long time that we could do some strategic planning, and give the department some vision to move forward. Recently I feel like this purpose has been diminished to cleaning up messes, and just keeping the peace (barely) between people who are content with mediocrity. Furthermore, I realized this is not going away any time soon.
On a positive note -- I'm a stellar problem solver! But, I don't want problem solving and fixing other people's messes to be the purpose for my life. There is this whole creative side of me that needs to be realized, and I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out what it is. If I'm going to clean up a mess, I'd rather it be my own.
ENFP/ENFJ - Extroverted, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceiving/Judging (I'm about 50/50 on the P/J)
HL wrote me back saying, "I'm an INFJ - borderline introvert/extrovert, so we are pretty close! We both need some serious 'purpose' when it comes to our career pursuits!"
Purpose. Yeah that's exactly what I need. I'm not one of those people who can just take any job. I need to care about work; I need to know the company's purpose, my boss' purpose, my co-workers' purpose, and my own purpose. It's actually purpose that I've been struggling with all along in my current position, and the fact that I feel like I have none.
Overall, my company is educational, so we have a great purpose! My department is struggling to figure out its place in the company, and is made up of individuals who don't have a clear idea of the company's mission, or they are out for their own purpose. When I started here, I thought my purpose was to keep people together, and create new and innovative programs. I really felt for a long time that we could do some strategic planning, and give the department some vision to move forward. Recently I feel like this purpose has been diminished to cleaning up messes, and just keeping the peace (barely) between people who are content with mediocrity. Furthermore, I realized this is not going away any time soon.
On a positive note -- I'm a stellar problem solver! But, I don't want problem solving and fixing other people's messes to be the purpose for my life. There is this whole creative side of me that needs to be realized, and I'm driving myself crazy trying to figure out what it is. If I'm going to clean up a mess, I'd rather it be my own.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Here's a workout
1 mile
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
1 mile
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
1 mile
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX hip extensions
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX hip extensions
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/arm up sit ups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/ arm up sit ups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/arm up sit ups
stretch
I really need to figure out what these exercises are really called. I'm sorry if no one understands what the hell I'm talking about. Anyway, I'm enjoying my new workouts so far. :)
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
12 sit ups on incline bench
12 RDLs
1 mile
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
12 over head weights (15 lb each arm)
12 side sit ups on incline (25 lb weight)
1 mile
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX hip extensions
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX hip extensions
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX pushups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/arm up sit ups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/ arm up sit ups
12 TRX pullups
12 leg up/arm up sit ups
stretch
I really need to figure out what these exercises are really called. I'm sorry if no one understands what the hell I'm talking about. Anyway, I'm enjoying my new workouts so far. :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Lifestyle Coaching Today
The lifestyle coach told me almost exactly what I thought. There is no amount of exercise that will take the place of food, and it needs to be a balance of both exercise and eating. She did make me feel better about my weight, saying that I don't really need to lose weight. But, if I chose to lose weight, I need to experiment with my metabolism. Of course, she suggested a food journal. Ugh.
Experimenting with my metabolism is something that I've tried to do. I've logged my food into websites like www.sparkpeople.com, and I always come up over the limit. WAY over calories, or WAY over fat, or WAY over protein. By dinner I'm frustrated, and hungry. I've also tried small meals. Eating smaller meals, and more per day does not make me less hungry; it also doesn't allow me to go out to eat. As soon as I go out to a restaurant, my brain is screaming, "FEED ME SEYMOUR!" Also, as soon as alcohol consumption comes into play, it's all over. You might as well have skipped breakfast.
Side note: Maybe I should have a couple glasses of wine for breakfast. I could get the early morning breakfast calories, and have a nice rush to start my day . . . or fall asleep. . . ok, bad idea.
The good news is the lifestyle coach told me I shouldn't worry about my weight (although I'd still like to lose 5 pounds). She also told me that my body is craving protein and fat because I need protein and fat. I also drink PLENTY of water on a daily basis, so I'm good there. The other good news is now I've made myself accountable to 3 full-time employees at the gym. It will be difficult to avoid them, and they will ask me questions like, "How's it going?" I don't want to have to tell them that I made it to the gym, even after eating a burrito and drinking a bottle of wine.
I guess I'll keep exercising harder to earn that burrito. Oh yeah, and the wine. Oh and try not to over eat. Lots of exercise in my future.
Experimenting with my metabolism is something that I've tried to do. I've logged my food into websites like www.sparkpeople.com, and I always come up over the limit. WAY over calories, or WAY over fat, or WAY over protein. By dinner I'm frustrated, and hungry. I've also tried small meals. Eating smaller meals, and more per day does not make me less hungry; it also doesn't allow me to go out to eat. As soon as I go out to a restaurant, my brain is screaming, "FEED ME SEYMOUR!" Also, as soon as alcohol consumption comes into play, it's all over. You might as well have skipped breakfast.
Side note: Maybe I should have a couple glasses of wine for breakfast. I could get the early morning breakfast calories, and have a nice rush to start my day . . . or fall asleep. . . ok, bad idea.
The good news is the lifestyle coach told me I shouldn't worry about my weight (although I'd still like to lose 5 pounds). She also told me that my body is craving protein and fat because I need protein and fat. I also drink PLENTY of water on a daily basis, so I'm good there. The other good news is now I've made myself accountable to 3 full-time employees at the gym. It will be difficult to avoid them, and they will ask me questions like, "How's it going?" I don't want to have to tell them that I made it to the gym, even after eating a burrito and drinking a bottle of wine.
I guess I'll keep exercising harder to earn that burrito. Oh yeah, and the wine. Oh and try not to over eat. Lots of exercise in my future.
Monday, February 21, 2011
How I ruined my day off
1 day off
1 resume
1 talk with a friend (about above resume)
1 nervous breakdown
-1 workout
1 ruined day
1 resume
1 talk with a friend (about above resume)
1 nervous breakdown
-1 workout
1 ruined day
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Worth It
Legs. Butt. Hurt. So. Bad.
Instead of jumping up and down on my own two feet, I feel like someone twice my size jumped up and down on my legs. I got up again at 5:50am this morning to hit the gym, and I could barely get out of bed. After swallowing two ibuprofen and convincing myself that it's not that bad, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, and another 30 minutes running (slow) on the treadmill, followed by stretching. Now it is almost 5:00pm and I can barely move. Geez.
I fell asleep last night watching The Biggest Loser and wondered how those people feel after their first day with Bob and Jillian - especially since many of them have never worked out at all. It can't be comfortable. They must be thinking the same thing I am:
"Is the pain really worth it?"
Luckily, with exercise, I've been through this kind of soreness enough times to know that it will eventually go away and I will be a stronger person because I will have worked through it. Many others may chose to give up not knowing that they could have been stronger, or they will just start over and feel the pain again.
Unfortunately, I ask myself if the pain is really worth it in my current job - and I don't have such a well-defined answer. It's difficult to get out of bed, I feel stuck, unable to move, and don't see how this experience is making me any stronger. I also feel like I'm not growing and it's completely debilitating. Ibuprofen (or wine) doesn't help. It just hurts. The only reason I don't give up completely is that it's probably better than having no job at all. But, damn. That's depressing.
Next to my desk at work, I have a copy of the serenity prayer:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference; living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace..."
Instead of dwelling on things out of my control, I'm really trying to focus on those things that know I can endure, and continue to work through them so that it makes me stronger.
Instead of jumping up and down on my own two feet, I feel like someone twice my size jumped up and down on my legs. I got up again at 5:50am this morning to hit the gym, and I could barely get out of bed. After swallowing two ibuprofen and convincing myself that it's not that bad, I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, and another 30 minutes running (slow) on the treadmill, followed by stretching. Now it is almost 5:00pm and I can barely move. Geez.
I fell asleep last night watching The Biggest Loser and wondered how those people feel after their first day with Bob and Jillian - especially since many of them have never worked out at all. It can't be comfortable. They must be thinking the same thing I am:
"Is the pain really worth it?"
Luckily, with exercise, I've been through this kind of soreness enough times to know that it will eventually go away and I will be a stronger person because I will have worked through it. Many others may chose to give up not knowing that they could have been stronger, or they will just start over and feel the pain again.
Unfortunately, I ask myself if the pain is really worth it in my current job - and I don't have such a well-defined answer. It's difficult to get out of bed, I feel stuck, unable to move, and don't see how this experience is making me any stronger. I also feel like I'm not growing and it's completely debilitating. Ibuprofen (or wine) doesn't help. It just hurts. The only reason I don't give up completely is that it's probably better than having no job at all. But, damn. That's depressing.
Next to my desk at work, I have a copy of the serenity prayer:
"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference; living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a pathway to peace..."
Instead of dwelling on things out of my control, I'm really trying to focus on those things that know I can endure, and continue to work through them so that it makes me stronger.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Plyometrics
1 early morning (5:50 am)
1 personal training session
1 million lunges
1 million core exercises
2 exaggerations
133 pounds
Plyometrics (also known as "plyos") is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. (Wikipedia)
1 personal training session
1 million lunges
1 million core exercises
2 exaggerations
133 pounds
Plyometrics (also known as "plyos") is a type of exercise training designed to produce fast, powerful movements, and improve the functions of the nervous system, generally for the purpose of improving performance in sports. Plyometric movements, in which a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence, use the strength, elasticity and innervation of muscle and surrounding tissues to jump higher, run faster, throw farther, or hit harder, depending on the desired training goal. (Wikipedia)
Today I met Dan, my personal trainer for the next 5 weeks. Dan introduced me to plyometrics. I finally understand what those adjustable cords tied to the wall of the gym were for! There are other methods of plyos, like jumping up on boxes and using resistance bands which we may get into. Stay tuned.
Basically, anything new will kick your ass. In a good way. It hasn't been 24 hours, and I'm already sore. Tomorrow will be interesting.
I learned a few new things about exercise and about my own abilities. First, my legs are pretty strong but I need to work on my hamstrings, which are one of the most under worked area of the legs for most people. Dan showed me the correct form for lifting weights to target hamstrings. I'd done these similar weights for years, but incorrectly. To to them correctly, you actually get to stick your butt out. I've always had this idea in my head that you shouldn't stick your booty out, but I was wrong. There is some booty-sticking-outing that supports your back and legs. Second, I learned that after years of doing core exercises at least once a week, that I still have some work to do. Again, form is very important. Lastly, unless you are body building, there is no reason to spend a day on legs, a day on arms, a day on shoulders, etc. I'm going to learn some new full-body moves that can work my entire body.
Today, I also realized my worst fear. I need some nutrition help. Although Koleen said I didn't have a weight problem, I would like to lose a couple of pounds or at least a couple pounds of fat. Dan suggested I meet with the club lifestyle coach, so I made an appointment with her next week. Argh. My worst fear is that she's going to tell me exactly what I don't want to hear: I need to count calories, I eat too much cheese, I drink too much wine.
Changing habits is not just losing weight or getting into better shape. This is the #1 mistake of those I'm-going-to-lose-weight-for-my-wedding diets. Sure, you might look fantastic in wedding photos, but it will come back unless you are willing to change FOREVER. That's the part about nutrition that I'm not sure about. I'm going to have to give up massive cheese consumption - FOREVER? OMG.
This next week, I will incorporate as much plyos into my routine as possible and practice what I learned today. I will also eat massive amounts of cheese until someone tells me not to. :)
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
My Exercise Physiologist says I'm just fine.
You may remember a few years ago when I had my BMI measured and I was considered "fair." Well I had a licensed, degreed professional tell me that those doctors/trainers/people are idiots. Her exact words. *Holding up arms in a victory sign*
My EP, Kolleen, told me that between 19 and 25 percent is a healthy amount of body fat for women. Women working on strength training or muscle slenderizing can go all the way down to 12%, but not lower than 12% - those are the scary muscle women with veins popping about. I have 20.7% body fat, which is in the recommended range. Thank you very much. I'd like to see if I can lose 1% body fat.
I asked my EP about calorie counting. Recently I've been tracking my calories online and I'm over the allotted 1,200-1,500 calories like, everyday. She told me I don't have a weight problem, and I don't need to count calories. (See why I like this woman?) I'm not going to count calories, but work for every single one. I'm also going to try and not over-eat.
I've signed up for 5 sessions with a personal trainer. I will learn something new - my sessions start next Tuesday.
My EP, Kolleen, told me that between 19 and 25 percent is a healthy amount of body fat for women. Women working on strength training or muscle slenderizing can go all the way down to 12%, but not lower than 12% - those are the scary muscle women with veins popping about. I have 20.7% body fat, which is in the recommended range. Thank you very much. I'd like to see if I can lose 1% body fat.
I asked my EP about calorie counting. Recently I've been tracking my calories online and I'm over the allotted 1,200-1,500 calories like, everyday. She told me I don't have a weight problem, and I don't need to count calories. (See why I like this woman?) I'm not going to count calories, but work for every single one. I'm also going to try and not over-eat.
I've signed up for 5 sessions with a personal trainer. I will learn something new - my sessions start next Tuesday.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Vacation Recommendation
0 snow (Sorry everyone else. It's warm here.)
1 lazy day
1 day of grazing instead of eating
6 miles run
It was suggested by my uberboss (the boss of my boss) that I might need a vacation. I agree.
Boyfriend is feeling better, which is a great thing because we are leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow. I am not really a Vegas person. I lived there for 9 months. It sucked. During my online dating days, I would purposely go through profiles of men who posted pictures of themselves in Vegas - striped shirt, holding a cocktail, standing with blacked out buddies or smudged out women in party dresses. I think this helped me avoid some serious douchebags.
Anyhoo. . . I digress. . .
I will admit Las Vegas is a pretty fun place to go as a tourist though. This trip will also be the first time boyfriend and I have flown anywhere in an airplane together. I'm hoping for 4 fun days of eating, drinking (responsibly of course), and probably not exercising (unless strutting around in heals counts). Good thing I got that 6-miler out of the way today. Looking forward to starting over the exercise regimen next week.
See you in a week!
1 lazy day
1 day of grazing instead of eating
6 miles run
It was suggested by my uberboss (the boss of my boss) that I might need a vacation. I agree.
Boyfriend is feeling better, which is a great thing because we are leaving for Las Vegas tomorrow. I am not really a Vegas person. I lived there for 9 months. It sucked. During my online dating days, I would purposely go through profiles of men who posted pictures of themselves in Vegas - striped shirt, holding a cocktail, standing with blacked out buddies or smudged out women in party dresses. I think this helped me avoid some serious douchebags.
Anyhoo. . . I digress. . .
I will admit Las Vegas is a pretty fun place to go as a tourist though. This trip will also be the first time boyfriend and I have flown anywhere in an airplane together. I'm hoping for 4 fun days of eating, drinking (responsibly of course), and probably not exercising (unless strutting around in heals counts). Good thing I got that 6-miler out of the way today. Looking forward to starting over the exercise regimen next week.
See you in a week!
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Maintenance
1 lifestyle coaching scheduled
1 sick boyfriend
1 spin class
1 fond memory
And now I recall getting my butt kicked by people 20 years older than me.
I went back to my favorite spin class for the first time in about 8 months last night. Mark, the instructor, works out harder than anyone else, and leads the class with a series of quarter, half and full turns on the bike. I find this much more effective (and difficult) than "you are going up a hill," or "you are now on a flat road" imho. I've decided most beginners, like me, have no clue what a real hill or flat road feel like, really. It's also better to know what you are *supposed* to be feeling, and adjusting (backing off) as necessary instead of taking it easy.
A year ago, after kicking ass in his spin class for a couple of weeks, Mark asked if I'd like to join a group of classmates on a real bike ride - the "Saturday Casual Coffee Caravan (CCC ride)." I loaded my road bike into the car and headed to south San Jose for what I thought was a 25 mile bike ride to Morgan Hill and back, with a coffee stop between. Sounds good, right? I mean - these people are 15-20 years older than me. I'm super fit and awesome! . . .
My first realization was that pumping your legs at 16 MPH on a bike is anything but "casual" to a non-rider. But, everyone in the group was super supportive, and all told me I was doing great. On the way back to San Jose, they decided I could handle a monstrous hill affectionately called "The Wall" which I totally (but slowly) nailed.
Like a child I asked, "Are we there yet?"
Unfortunately it was the final 14 miles after The Wall that totally kicked my ass. I had been beaten by a group of 45-50 year-olds. These people were lean, mean, bike riding machines and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What is their secret? I think growing up is the ability to maintain, especially while pedaling slowly up a hill. Then being able to pedal some more after your ass is thoroughly kicked.
I'm not ready to go back on a CCC ride yet. At least spin class was fun.
1 sick boyfriend
1 spin class
1 fond memory
And now I recall getting my butt kicked by people 20 years older than me.
I went back to my favorite spin class for the first time in about 8 months last night. Mark, the instructor, works out harder than anyone else, and leads the class with a series of quarter, half and full turns on the bike. I find this much more effective (and difficult) than "you are going up a hill," or "you are now on a flat road" imho. I've decided most beginners, like me, have no clue what a real hill or flat road feel like, really. It's also better to know what you are *supposed* to be feeling, and adjusting (backing off) as necessary instead of taking it easy.
A year ago, after kicking ass in his spin class for a couple of weeks, Mark asked if I'd like to join a group of classmates on a real bike ride - the "Saturday Casual Coffee Caravan (CCC ride)." I loaded my road bike into the car and headed to south San Jose for what I thought was a 25 mile bike ride to Morgan Hill and back, with a coffee stop between. Sounds good, right? I mean - these people are 15-20 years older than me. I'm super fit and awesome! . . .
My first realization was that pumping your legs at 16 MPH on a bike is anything but "casual" to a non-rider. But, everyone in the group was super supportive, and all told me I was doing great. On the way back to San Jose, they decided I could handle a monstrous hill affectionately called "The Wall" which I totally (but slowly) nailed.
Like a child I asked, "Are we there yet?"
Unfortunately it was the final 14 miles after The Wall that totally kicked my ass. I had been beaten by a group of 45-50 year-olds. These people were lean, mean, bike riding machines and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What is their secret? I think growing up is the ability to maintain, especially while pedaling slowly up a hill. Then being able to pedal some more after your ass is thoroughly kicked.
I'm not ready to go back on a CCC ride yet. At least spin class was fun.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Day 1
1 Starbucks low-fat Greek yoghurt
1 coffee
1 close-call nervous breakdown
1 burrito
3 miles ran
30 minutes core workout
131.5 pounds
It's been a better week. The close-call nervous breakdown of today was not the total-complete flip out of last week, when I realized that I'm sick of working in ho-hum mediocrity, and I'm better than this. So, there are about 30 resumes and cover letters out there with my name on it, which was accomplished in 2 days. Yes. 30 in 3 days.
Unknowing if I can keep up with the 10-resume-a-day pace for very long, I've decided to focus on personal fitness research because exercise is the only thing that makes me feel accomplished and normal. The interesting thing about research is that the author typically starts out wanting to learn more about one topic - in this case personal fitness - then the research turns out to be about something else completely. The author can not be stuck to a certain topic; the author must be able to go back and re-write, and re-hypothesize. This may begin research on my exercise habits, and end up a story about finding a lost relative, or meeting Kanye West. I'm open to change.
Since I'm a fan of researching theories dealing with life and exercise, I've come up with a few hypothesis:
Hypothesis #1: If I can set a personal half marathon record at my heaviest weight ever, then using exercise to accomplish a better looking body is a better choice. Being good-looking is really all that matters in society anyway. Clearly it didn't work when I tried to break a personal record and look better in the process. If I exercise to look better, maybe I'll set another personal record.
Hypothesis #2: If I can't figure out what the hell I'm doing in many aspects of my life, then it is time to seek professional help. I'm taking advantage of the free lifestyle coaching, fitness consultation, and free personal training session at my gym. Maybe by the end of this adventure I'll be seeing a psychologist too. I'm starting out small.
Hypothesis #3: There is no better time than the present to begin a new adventure. I'm beginning this "new" research on a Tuesday, and only 4 days before I go to Las Vegas. The next 4 days of exercise will be completely ruined by steak dinners, wine drinking, and Superbowl snacks. Then I'll have to start over again. But that's ok. When you're ready - you're ready.
1 coffee
1 close-call nervous breakdown
1 burrito
3 miles ran
30 minutes core workout
131.5 pounds
It's been a better week. The close-call nervous breakdown of today was not the total-complete flip out of last week, when I realized that I'm sick of working in ho-hum mediocrity, and I'm better than this. So, there are about 30 resumes and cover letters out there with my name on it, which was accomplished in 2 days. Yes. 30 in 3 days.
Unknowing if I can keep up with the 10-resume-a-day pace for very long, I've decided to focus on personal fitness research because exercise is the only thing that makes me feel accomplished and normal. The interesting thing about research is that the author typically starts out wanting to learn more about one topic - in this case personal fitness - then the research turns out to be about something else completely. The author can not be stuck to a certain topic; the author must be able to go back and re-write, and re-hypothesize. This may begin research on my exercise habits, and end up a story about finding a lost relative, or meeting Kanye West. I'm open to change.
Since I'm a fan of researching theories dealing with life and exercise, I've come up with a few hypothesis:
Hypothesis #1: If I can set a personal half marathon record at my heaviest weight ever, then using exercise to accomplish a better looking body is a better choice. Being good-looking is really all that matters in society anyway. Clearly it didn't work when I tried to break a personal record and look better in the process. If I exercise to look better, maybe I'll set another personal record.
Hypothesis #2: If I can't figure out what the hell I'm doing in many aspects of my life, then it is time to seek professional help. I'm taking advantage of the free lifestyle coaching, fitness consultation, and free personal training session at my gym. Maybe by the end of this adventure I'll be seeing a psychologist too. I'm starting out small.
Hypothesis #3: There is no better time than the present to begin a new adventure. I'm beginning this "new" research on a Tuesday, and only 4 days before I go to Las Vegas. The next 4 days of exercise will be completely ruined by steak dinners, wine drinking, and Superbowl snacks. Then I'll have to start over again. But that's ok. When you're ready - you're ready.
Monday, February 08, 2010
I Can't Cook Too
Grandma: "Well, how are you going to take care of your husband if you can't cook?"
Me: "I'm going to marry a chef."
You know what's funny? I have never dated a chef - ever. Maybe it's because chefs won't date people who don't know how to cut an onion. I mean, really. Cutting an onion the *right* way? What difference does it make?
This weekend I attempted brunch for my birthday boy, and totally screwed up eggs. I had this brilliant idea to make fried potatoes with onion and bell pepper, then stir the eggs in. The scrambled egg just sopped up grease from the fried stuff, and it just looked disgusting. Luckily, I had bread a cheese, fruit, pre-made cinnamon rolls and mimosas.... because maybe if he drank enough champagne, he wouldn't notice. Well, I noticed! (And he laughed at me, in a nice way... kind of.)
My inability to cook well is somewhat a lack for trying, a lack of knowledge, and a lack of pleasure. Here are my top ten reasons I can't cook:
10.) My mother was a working woman who made 30 minute meals, which mostly included things out of a box or can. i.e. Chef Boyardee lasagne mix, salmon out of a can, instant rice, and tacos. I make all of these things very well.
9.) Not to blame everything on my mother: My father was a spoiled only-child who's mother cooked every meal for him, so he never learned to cook either.
8.) I was not raised to think that certain things were "womans work" or "men's work." I am pretty good at hanging pictures, washing the car, and mowing the lawn. These talents are not to be discounted.
7.) I work out in the afternoon, so when I get home I'm STARVING. I'm not going to read a cookbook when my stomach is screaming, "Feed me, Seymour!"
6.) The Bay Area has ridiculously good restaurants. If I was still living in the midwest, maybe I'd be Cat Cora by now. Cookin' up all kinds of jello salad n' such.
5.) The Bay Area has diverse ethnic cuisine, which I love! It's an art, and there is no way I cook Vietnamese or Italian food better than a Vietnamese or Italian chef (or someone who has studied cuisine.)
4.) Geez, I'm cooking for myself here . . . What's the fun in that?
3.) If I learned to cook, would I be expected to bake too? Awwww, shucks.
2.) If we're supposed to make things from scratch, then why is there all of this yummy frozen stuff! They even make organic frozen stuff!
1.) I don't like doing anything I'm not good at. Bottom line. I probably received some feedback in my childhood that told me just to give up, and that I wasn't any good at cooking, so I never really tried.
The moral to this story: Teach your children how to cook - all of them - male, female, scholar, athlete . . . and encourage them. When you are old, you might not be moblie enough to go out to restaurants, or maybe Meals on Wheels will lose funding. THEN, who is going to cook for you? The children are our future. It also might help them a make brunch for a friend, or marry a nice chef.
Treat your children well.
Me: "I'm going to marry a chef."
You know what's funny? I have never dated a chef - ever. Maybe it's because chefs won't date people who don't know how to cut an onion. I mean, really. Cutting an onion the *right* way? What difference does it make?
This weekend I attempted brunch for my birthday boy, and totally screwed up eggs. I had this brilliant idea to make fried potatoes with onion and bell pepper, then stir the eggs in. The scrambled egg just sopped up grease from the fried stuff, and it just looked disgusting. Luckily, I had bread a cheese, fruit, pre-made cinnamon rolls and mimosas.... because maybe if he drank enough champagne, he wouldn't notice. Well, I noticed! (And he laughed at me, in a nice way... kind of.)
My inability to cook well is somewhat a lack for trying, a lack of knowledge, and a lack of pleasure. Here are my top ten reasons I can't cook:
10.) My mother was a working woman who made 30 minute meals, which mostly included things out of a box or can. i.e. Chef Boyardee lasagne mix, salmon out of a can, instant rice, and tacos. I make all of these things very well.
9.) Not to blame everything on my mother: My father was a spoiled only-child who's mother cooked every meal for him, so he never learned to cook either.
8.) I was not raised to think that certain things were "womans work" or "men's work." I am pretty good at hanging pictures, washing the car, and mowing the lawn. These talents are not to be discounted.
7.) I work out in the afternoon, so when I get home I'm STARVING. I'm not going to read a cookbook when my stomach is screaming, "Feed me, Seymour!"
6.) The Bay Area has ridiculously good restaurants. If I was still living in the midwest, maybe I'd be Cat Cora by now. Cookin' up all kinds of jello salad n' such.
5.) The Bay Area has diverse ethnic cuisine, which I love! It's an art, and there is no way I cook Vietnamese or Italian food better than a Vietnamese or Italian chef (or someone who has studied cuisine.)
4.) Geez, I'm cooking for myself here . . . What's the fun in that?
3.) If I learned to cook, would I be expected to bake too? Awwww, shucks.
2.) If we're supposed to make things from scratch, then why is there all of this yummy frozen stuff! They even make organic frozen stuff!
1.) I don't like doing anything I'm not good at. Bottom line. I probably received some feedback in my childhood that told me just to give up, and that I wasn't any good at cooking, so I never really tried.
The moral to this story: Teach your children how to cook - all of them - male, female, scholar, athlete . . . and encourage them. When you are old, you might not be moblie enough to go out to restaurants, or maybe Meals on Wheels will lose funding. THEN, who is going to cook for you? The children are our future. It also might help them a make brunch for a friend, or marry a nice chef.
Treat your children well.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Cowboy take me away . . .
I picked up a Time Magazine while waiting on my to-go order today, and scanned an article about grass fed cows.
The short story is: Eating grass fed meat and promoting grass fed animals is better for the environment and the cow. The grains that feed most cows must be transported to the ranches (if you want to call them that), causing CO2 emissions. Then the cows are lumped together in a mounds of poo, which again, causes CO2 emissions. When cows are eating off of the land, the CO2 is more healthfully spread out, and well, if you were a cow, you wouldn't want to live with a bunch of poo either, RIGHT?
Oh, but I'm not here to talk about meat. I'm interested in cowboys! Read on!
Cowboys were ranchers, responsible for cows, who would travel the fields by horseback to care for the animals. Kind of like a shepherd for sheep. Ok, so real cowboys went out in the late 18-early 1900's when they found out that you can lump a bunch of cows together on a farm, feed them grains, and make them live in their own poo. What I find interesting is that the cowboy lifestyle persists in the country mainstream (is that an oxymoron?). Basically anyone who is "cool" in the country is or wants to be a cowboy.
I disagree with this. You-who-thinks-you-are-a-cowboy, you are a farmer or a rancher or in the rodeo. You ain't no cowboy. Pardon my, er, country English. There hasn't been a need for cowboys much since humans began mass-produding beef on cattle lots.
So, by going back to the root of animal feeding and feeding out animals---more like God intended -- won't that also bring back legitimate cowboys again? Furthermore, shouldn't that make country people excited about eating better meat?
It's time to start eating grass fed beef. Not because it is better for the animals, or the environment, but because people will become cowboys again, thus living out their dreams.
This random musing brought to you by Beef. It's what's for dinner.
The short story is: Eating grass fed meat and promoting grass fed animals is better for the environment and the cow. The grains that feed most cows must be transported to the ranches (if you want to call them that), causing CO2 emissions. Then the cows are lumped together in a mounds of poo, which again, causes CO2 emissions. When cows are eating off of the land, the CO2 is more healthfully spread out, and well, if you were a cow, you wouldn't want to live with a bunch of poo either, RIGHT?
Oh, but I'm not here to talk about meat. I'm interested in cowboys! Read on!
Cowboys were ranchers, responsible for cows, who would travel the fields by horseback to care for the animals. Kind of like a shepherd for sheep. Ok, so real cowboys went out in the late 18-early 1900's when they found out that you can lump a bunch of cows together on a farm, feed them grains, and make them live in their own poo. What I find interesting is that the cowboy lifestyle persists in the country mainstream (is that an oxymoron?). Basically anyone who is "cool" in the country is or wants to be a cowboy.
I disagree with this. You-who-thinks-you-are-a-cowboy, you are a farmer or a rancher or in the rodeo. You ain't no cowboy. Pardon my, er, country English. There hasn't been a need for cowboys much since humans began mass-produding beef on cattle lots.
So, by going back to the root of animal feeding and feeding out animals---more like God intended -- won't that also bring back legitimate cowboys again? Furthermore, shouldn't that make country people excited about eating better meat?
It's time to start eating grass fed beef. Not because it is better for the animals, or the environment, but because people will become cowboys again, thus living out their dreams.
This random musing brought to you by Beef. It's what's for dinner.
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Great Weekend and Half Marathon
Since my buddy Saba blogged about it, I thought I would give another running perspective from my Silicon Valley Half Marathon experience. High school buddy, Alison, flew in from Iowa to join in the experience. I was super glad to have two of my best girlfriends (and one of their fantastic hubbies) there on an excellent day. YAY! As the two of you who read my blog know, this was my second 13.1 mile race. The first I ran in Iowa with Alison in June.
It was very interesting starting out in the dark at 7:00 am. Unfortunately they didn't find someone to sing the national anthem and blared the over-played Whitney Houston one from the loud speaker. I even know the race organizer, but didn't think that they wouldn't find a suitable high school student, otherwise, I would have offered my services or the services of another find Silicon Valley musician or musicians. (He's getting an email from me.)
I was amazed that I wasn't having my usual ankle/shin-splint trouble during the first 4 miles, like I usually do. When I got to Willow Glen without pain, I got pretty excited that maybe those "sportlegs" pills I took did the trick. It could have also been the stretching, but I'm not sure.
Like Saba, I was thrilled to run on the Los Gatos Creek Trail (WORD to the LGCT!) because it's also my usual training grounds. It was fantastic to know exactly how many miles I had until such-n-such a landmark. I try to people watch when running because it makes the time go faster. There was a girl dressed up like a banana, and another with her butt completely hanging out of her spandex running shorts. I decided I felt pretty good, so I passed banana girl and butt crack girl. (If someone's butt crack isn't enough to make you want to speed up or slow down, I don't know what is.)
I saw SaBa's hubby and the CoDo at Campbell Park. I was very excited to see them!
I was already aware of the first, short, but very steep hill on the trail. As we got to the hill I clapped my hands and shouted, "Yes! I love this hill." I looked behind me briefly to see that others had a look of pain (or perhaps disgust) at this comment, and I felt a little silly about it, but I trudged on. It's not the hills I mind so much as finishing the hill. There is that slowing down period after the hill where you are catching your breath that is really uncomfortable.
At Los Gatos Creek Park I noticed a couple of people using the port-o-potties and I was really glad that I didn't need to use them too. Onward! At mile 6 I felt like a champion and I thought to myself "I could keep up this pace for the next hour, no problem..."
I think mile 8, 9 and 10 were difficult for me because I pushed through 6 and 7, but now I wasn't feeling too hot. I honestly don't remember much from the Vasona dam until the end of the park except thinking that Christmas lights in green grass still looks really strange to me.
There was a really cute guy in blue shorts who I kept passing, then being passed by. It was a fun game, but he really started to take off after mile 10, and I thought, "Oh well, he's probably married," as he went by for the last time. I had a little day dream about us finishing together and it showing up in our finish line picture, but I didn't want to kill myself. He probably would have just been pissed if he was beat by a girl. I just let him win. (Ha ha ha I slay me.)
The bridge over 17 to Los Gatos High School almost ruined my knees. That was the worst surface of the entire race.
I enjoyed that they made you circle the track before heading to the finish line. Not only is the track a boingy, fantastic running surface, it also makes you kind of feel like a champion. This is also the place where the full marathon runners turn around, and I remembered thinking how glad I was that I didn't have to turn around and go back.
I would also like to compliment the announcer who said almost everyone's name at the finish line. That was special.
After the race I got to eat eggs benedict with two of my best girlfriends, and best girfriend hubby, and it was awesome. Here's to our next race, ladies!
It was very interesting starting out in the dark at 7:00 am. Unfortunately they didn't find someone to sing the national anthem and blared the over-played Whitney Houston one from the loud speaker. I even know the race organizer, but didn't think that they wouldn't find a suitable high school student, otherwise, I would have offered my services or the services of another find Silicon Valley musician or musicians. (He's getting an email from me.)
I was amazed that I wasn't having my usual ankle/shin-splint trouble during the first 4 miles, like I usually do. When I got to Willow Glen without pain, I got pretty excited that maybe those "sportlegs" pills I took did the trick. It could have also been the stretching, but I'm not sure.
Like Saba, I was thrilled to run on the Los Gatos Creek Trail (WORD to the LGCT!) because it's also my usual training grounds. It was fantastic to know exactly how many miles I had until such-n-such a landmark. I try to people watch when running because it makes the time go faster. There was a girl dressed up like a banana, and another with her butt completely hanging out of her spandex running shorts. I decided I felt pretty good, so I passed banana girl and butt crack girl. (If someone's butt crack isn't enough to make you want to speed up or slow down, I don't know what is.)
I saw SaBa's hubby and the CoDo at Campbell Park. I was very excited to see them!
I was already aware of the first, short, but very steep hill on the trail. As we got to the hill I clapped my hands and shouted, "Yes! I love this hill." I looked behind me briefly to see that others had a look of pain (or perhaps disgust) at this comment, and I felt a little silly about it, but I trudged on. It's not the hills I mind so much as finishing the hill. There is that slowing down period after the hill where you are catching your breath that is really uncomfortable.
At Los Gatos Creek Park I noticed a couple of people using the port-o-potties and I was really glad that I didn't need to use them too. Onward! At mile 6 I felt like a champion and I thought to myself "I could keep up this pace for the next hour, no problem..."
I think mile 8, 9 and 10 were difficult for me because I pushed through 6 and 7, but now I wasn't feeling too hot. I honestly don't remember much from the Vasona dam until the end of the park except thinking that Christmas lights in green grass still looks really strange to me.
There was a really cute guy in blue shorts who I kept passing, then being passed by. It was a fun game, but he really started to take off after mile 10, and I thought, "Oh well, he's probably married," as he went by for the last time. I had a little day dream about us finishing together and it showing up in our finish line picture, but I didn't want to kill myself. He probably would have just been pissed if he was beat by a girl. I just let him win. (Ha ha ha I slay me.)
The bridge over 17 to Los Gatos High School almost ruined my knees. That was the worst surface of the entire race.
I enjoyed that they made you circle the track before heading to the finish line. Not only is the track a boingy, fantastic running surface, it also makes you kind of feel like a champion. This is also the place where the full marathon runners turn around, and I remembered thinking how glad I was that I didn't have to turn around and go back.
I would also like to compliment the announcer who said almost everyone's name at the finish line. That was special.
After the race I got to eat eggs benedict with two of my best girlfriends, and best girfriend hubby, and it was awesome. Here's to our next race, ladies!
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Ho-Hum from an entertainment perspective
I have lots of things going on, but none really great from an entertainment perspective, hence the month-long silence:
Work is in full swing, as is school and rehearsal. I decided to take a law class "just for fun" because I don't need it to graduate. I like it a ton. It's fun to use words like "precedent" and "tort" and learn about the "State Action Doctrine" and "Lemon Test." Maybe I should revisit the idea of a law profession, which is what I intended to do when moving back to California 5 years ago. The only thing that's really holding me back is money. . . anyone have $100,000 lying around. . . anyone . . . anyone?
This summer, I also thought about the idea of moving to Texas (Dallas) for a dual MA Arts Administration / MBA program. Then I received the brochure in the mail with a bunch of white people on the cover and decided it might be too much of a culture shock to move back to the middle states. Except Chicago. LOVE Chicago. The idea of working at a university in Chicago makes me overly giddy. To answer your question about weather: YES! Even in the snow and wind.
I'm not dating anyone, and I'm totally cool with that. Yeah, I look around, but no one really stands out except the standard "fall backs" like that guy who works across campus, the guy I dated 4 years ago, or the eliptical exerciser at my gym. Nothing to be taken seriously. Why create an in-flux relationship right now? That's just mean and just puts me on the same level as those guys who can 't decide what they want either. So, until my soul mate bangs into my cart at the grocery store . . . I'm staying clear of relationship land.
Work is in full swing, as is school and rehearsal. I decided to take a law class "just for fun" because I don't need it to graduate. I like it a ton. It's fun to use words like "precedent" and "tort" and learn about the "State Action Doctrine" and "Lemon Test." Maybe I should revisit the idea of a law profession, which is what I intended to do when moving back to California 5 years ago. The only thing that's really holding me back is money. . . anyone have $100,000 lying around. . . anyone . . . anyone?
This summer, I also thought about the idea of moving to Texas (Dallas) for a dual MA Arts Administration / MBA program. Then I received the brochure in the mail with a bunch of white people on the cover and decided it might be too much of a culture shock to move back to the middle states. Except Chicago. LOVE Chicago. The idea of working at a university in Chicago makes me overly giddy. To answer your question about weather: YES! Even in the snow and wind.
I'm not dating anyone, and I'm totally cool with that. Yeah, I look around, but no one really stands out except the standard "fall backs" like that guy who works across campus, the guy I dated 4 years ago, or the eliptical exerciser at my gym. Nothing to be taken seriously. Why create an in-flux relationship right now? That's just mean and just puts me on the same level as those guys who can 't decide what they want either. So, until my soul mate bangs into my cart at the grocery store . . . I'm staying clear of relationship land.
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