:: GOAL TRACKER :: Update 2/2/10

:: get a job!
In case you missed the announcement last week, I have a job!  I will be working for a cool tech company in Palo Alto starting next Monday.  So this week is officially my last week of unapologetic freedom.  I'm going to try and enjoy myself as much as I can, but I also have baby shower duties to tend to for my sister's shower, as it is coming up faster than I even realized.  Let the cutting and gluing resume!

:: get a job! - DONE and DONE!

:: move to San Francisco
Anyone who knows me (and you don't even need to know me well) knows that as soon as I got the call that confirmed my new employment, I was online looking at apartments in the city.  Actually, I've been looking at apartments since about the time I realized that I was less Orange County, where I lived for 4 years, and was more Bay Area, where I grew up.  Specifically, I was more San Francisco.  I think it's my ridiculously romantic, head-in-the-clouds ideals, but I've been craving city life for a long while now.  I just imagine myself in my 1920s, Victorian-style apartment with hardwood floors, decorated with panache, drinking tea from the kettle while snacking on a fresh baked croissant, reading the paper (which I don't even do now) and looking out at the tops of the Golden Gate Bridge reaching through the foggy ring around the city as the sun lightly taps each peak as if summoning them awake from the previous night's chilly slumber.  I want to be able to walk to a farmer's market every weekend and bring home fresh flowers to sit on my antique kitchen table.  I want to have my double-hung windows constantly open with the freshest California air filling my home and letting my French music filter out to the streets as a fellow Francophile walks by and is immediately lifted in spirits by the mysterious melody that seems to have come from the sky... *sigh*


:: read more books
Still actively working on this.  I am getting so close to finishing Eat, Pray, Love and it's definitely keeping me inspired and motivated, which is something I can definitely use at this time of serious transition.


:: relearn French
Eh...  I still haven't quite applied myself with regards to this goal.  But at the very least I do listen intensely when Conor's French roommates speak to one another.  They always say immersion is the best way to learn a language, right?


:: lose 15 pounds
I don't want to talk about it...  No, I want to report my progress to you but it's hard when you spend a weekend in Tahoe eating Creme Brûlèe Cheesecake and sipping warm, chocolaty coffee drinks.  I did get back to my routine today, though, starting with a 6:30 am wake-up call to walk with my mom and then my usual 2 mile run on the treadmill.  Between my interviews, being completely out of FRS and preparing for Tahoe last week, my routine took a dive...  actually, it just up and keeled over.  But I revived it, and my new supply of FRS just arrived, so I have high hopes for positive progress reports in the near future.

:: GOAL TRACKER :: Update 1/25/10

:: get a job!
I have some good-ish news to report on the job front.  After 6 months of sending my resume off into the veritable abyss that is the job market, I got two nibbles.  One for a part-time position and one for a full-time position.  Obviously my preference is for the full-time position, and luckily that is just the more appealing job to me anyway.  But I did already get an offer for the part-time position, which was bumped up to full-time when they heard that I was up for another position -- hot dawg!  However, even though it would now be full-time, the position is only temporary and on an as-needed basis.  So I'm still holding out for the original full-time job.  I just completed my second interview with them this morning and I'm hoping to hear back soon on whether or not I'm continuing on in the process.  It's a long process apparently, but I'm more than happy to be patient through it all if it means I'm going to have a job within the next month.  So I'm asking y'all to keep your fingers crossed and send good thoughts my direction please!!

:: move to San Francisco
Still contingent on my job search, so at this point it's on hold.  Of course for those who know me, you know I tend to have my head up in the clouds a bit, and so of course I started looking at what apartments are available now and just briefly starting coming up with a furniture layout in my head for the ones that I really liked... I'm a dreamer, what can I say?

:: read more books
I am happy to report that I'm finally getting back on track with Eat, Pray, Love and I'm nearing the end.  I'm not even going to bother with A New Earth at the moment because I'm just not all that excited about finishing it right now.  Great book, but just not the time for it.  And unfortunately, while I am very excited to be a part of the book club The Book Lushes, I am going to have to sit out on the first book.  I just feel swamped with the all these interviews and preparing for my sister's baby shower.  One book is enough for right now.  Don't hate me, Sarah!  I'll hop on the train on the next book!

:: relearn French
I haven't quite put those CDs and computer programs to use yet (and by that I mean not at all), BUT I do have the pleasure of listening to my boyfriend's new French roommates converse in French on occasion, so I'm hoping to pick up a little from them.

:: lose 15 pounds
Ummmm, yeah.  I don't know when working out meant that you gained weight, but apparently that's what I've been doing.  I know you can gain muscle mass, which weighs more than fat and so increases your overall body weight, but I really didn't think I was building that much new muscle.  I mean, I do weights and strength training but I use light weights and do repeated reps.  I just figured that muscle helps you burn more fat so I should include that in my routine.  Yet somehow, I've gained two pounds back... >:(.  And I haven't even been eating any more than usual either.  So I think I'm going to stick to just cardio and maybe one or two calisthenics, and hopefully I'll see an improvement soon.  But today was an awesome workout, p.s..  I ran 2.5 miles today and probably could have gone longer if my feet didn't feel like they were on fire.  I think a change in my music playlist really kicked my spirits up a notch.  Today's playlist included:

"Highway Star" -- Deep Purple
"Paranoid" -- Black Sabbath
"Fuel" -- Metallica
"Mony Mony" -- Billy Idol
"Little Bird" -- Annie Lennox

It's good stuff.  I highly recommend it ;)  Now I'm off to run errands and take care of stuff I neglected over the weekend - whoops!  I don't regret it though because my weekend was fantastic -- brunch with boyfriend and friends, checking out a new neighborhood, taking a break from everything, Big Love...  nothing wrong with that.

:: GOAL TRACKER :: Update 1/19/10

So I don't think it's enough to just have my goals hanging out there on the side of the page.  I should probably be talking about them and updating you if I'm ever gonna give myself the chance to stick to them.  So here goes...

:: get a job!

While this goal has eluded me for the last 6.5 months that I've been back up in Nor Cal, I refuse to continue on like this; penniless and ineffective.  On the bright side, I do have two (that's right, TWO) interviews this week.  One is courtesy of a staffing agency that I teamed up with last week and, while it's just a part-time gig, it is a step in the right direction and could lead to bigger things.  The other found myself by just checking out websites that I liked and seeing if they were hiring.  And I'll be hearing back soon from an internship that I applied for back in November.  I know an internship isn't exactly going to get me out of my parents' house any sooner, but it would be a really amazing opportunity and I'll be working from home so it's something I'll be able to do in addition to a full-time job.  Fingers crossed!!

:: move to San Francisco

This is goal is entirely dependent on the first one, so I don't really have much to report here.  But it is becoming seriously imperative that I accomplish these two goals quickly, folks.  Besides just wanting to have my own place again, I am struggling with my living conditions right now.  My parents' have a decent-sized home, but when my sister and I were finally both out of their hair they kind of stretched their arms and used the extra space for what suited them, and who can blame them?  But now that I've moved back in, with all my crap, the house that once felt like the 4-bedroom that it is now feels like the size of my old 1-bedroom apartment.  My computer and printer is set up at the kitchen table, my closet is split up between two rooms and the garage, and 3/4 of my possessions are neatly packed away in big plastic bins at a storage facility.  It's the pits.  So I'm really hoping to see one of these jobs work out...

:: read more books

So I've been reading Eat, Pray, Love and A New Earth for waaaaay too long now.  It's an amazing book, but for some reason I just can't seem to properly dedicate enough time to it.  I always think of something else that I can use that time for, which is usually no where near as satisfying as completing a good book.  But as my list of books I want to read grows, I realize that I better step on it if I'm ever going to get to the new ones.  And with the helpful suggestion of my friend Sarah to join her in the book club The Book Lushes (hint: one of my interviews is for a company related to this group), I have even more reason to make reading a priority.  After all, I'm going to feel awfully pathetic when I have to click "Leave The Book Lushes" link at the bottom of my settings page because I couldn't read the one book we're assigned each month.  Oh the shame!

:: relearn French

As an Art History major, which I was, you have to have 2 years of either French or German (I know right?  Where's the Italian option?).  I chose French because I have a ridiculously romantic heart and a love for all things French.  It's hard to learn a new language when you're 22, but it's even harder to remember it once you've thrown out your book bag and sack lunches for the last time.  So I've armed myself with both CD and CD-Rom versions of a French teacher.  By the end of the year I hope to be singing along with (and understanding) my entire collection of French music!

:: lose 15 pounds

I know it's not always good to use your weight as your indicator of progress, but when I saw the scale read... well let's just say it read the number I used to weigh plus 10 when I checked it after the holiday shuffle, I was a little disappointed.  I knew it was fat and not muscle adding the pounds because I certainly was not working out.  So if I can just get back down to my old number and then some, I should be a pretty happy camper.  So far I'm doing great!  It's my third week of my new routine and I've only missed this last Saturday because I flew to Newport for my sister's birthday.  But I was back on schedule again today and still feeling awesome about it!  And, my weight has already come down two pounds.  Not a huge success, but I'll take it.  On the other hand, my beautiful baby Belle has gained 2.5 pounds, and all since moving in with Grandma (my mom) who has gotten pretty good about sneaking bits of chicken and fish into her food bowl when I'm not around...  What an interesting correlation.

 

:: HEALTH :: How I Conquer My Workouts

I don't know if there's anyone else out there like myself who looks for excuses not to work out, but if you are one of those people, I have to say this to you:  Just start, and I promise you it will get easier!  But the first few times can be a bitter struggle so here are just a few things that really help me get the best out of my workouts and not want to throw my running shoes at someone's head...

1. FRS and/or espresso has been key for me.  They really get me going and keep me going.  With regards to the FRS, I like the Low-cal Orange drink concentrate (best bang for your buck), and any of the chews are palatable (notice I didn't say "delicious") and handy to have around.  For espresso, I'm going to have to support my Nor Cal roots and say Blue Bottle Coffee is my go to.  Not just because their based in the Bay Area, but because the coffee is just THAT good, plus it's organic and shade grown.  What else would you expect from Nor Cal?  We always have some of their beans on hand so just I make myself a quick shot before hopping on the treadmill.

2. Walking with my mom has been uber helpful.  The first portion of the workout flies by because we basically chat the time away.  The chatting also helps me forget that it's 6:30 am and 40 degrees outside.  So I highly recommend working out with a buddy.  If you're doing cardio on a machine and don't have a buddy, a good magazine or book is your next best friend; anything really to keep your mind off the fact that you're working out.

3. MUSIC!  There have been days, in the past at least, when I wouldn't workout because my iPod wasn't charged.  It's bad enough that I'm on a treadmill going nowhere and staring at the same point on the wall.  But if I don't have some good music to jam to then forget it!  Here are just a few songs that really get me pumped, especially during a run:

"Life During Wartime" - Talking Heads

"Everybody Wants You" - Billy Squire

"Shake It Up" - The Cars

"Run to The Hills" - Iron Maiden (for obvious reasons)

"The Girl's Attractive" - Diamond Nights
"My Sharona" - The Knack
"Kodachrome" - Paul Simon


4. They say that variety is the spice of life, and I think it's especially true for workouts.  Nothing is more discouraging to me than waking myself up bright and early to repeat the SAME EXACT THING THAT I DID THE DAY BEFORE.  Plus it has this eerie "Groundhog Day" feeling to it, like my life is going nowhere - yikes!  So when I see good workout moves in magazines or online, etc., I tear them out and keep them in a binder so I can always refer back to them.  I'll incorporate different moves into my routine and mix them up from time to time.  That way my body doesn't get too familiar with them, causing my efforts to plateau, and I dread the deed less.  It's a win-win.  



F.Y.I.: I'm smack dab in the middle of week 2 and I haven't backed down once!  I'm feeling good...  really, really good!

**DISCLAIMER**

I am not a trained or certified anything.  As always, check with your doctor before beginning any new supplements or programs.

:: HEALTH :: The Real Work Begins

In addition to starting my blog, and in the honor of making transitions, I have gotten serious about getting myself into shape.  And for me it's not about what size I am, but about feeling awesome and being healthy.  I always have those moments when I see moms (or sometimes grandmas) that are crazy fit and I think to myself "god, I hope I'm in that good of shape when I'm that age."  But who am I kidding?!  I'm not even in that good of shape now!  Not that I'm totally out of shape either, but let's just say I'm not where I want to be -- where I know I can be.  I grew up dancing so being fit was just par for the course.  But when I stopped...  heh heh, hello!  Nice to meet you metabolism.  So I've been there, done that, and I don't want to do that again.

In the past I'd workout sporadically, but I never really stuck to a regimen.  Well last week I started a serious workout routine and, to my delight AND surprise, I stuck to it everyday (except Sunday: free day)!  I also started this week out with full force.  And for the first time I feel like this routine is something I'll actually be able to stick to because I've been feeling so AMAZING after each workout.  Not to mention that by telling you I'll now feel like a total ass if I fail to stick with it.  So now you have to hold me accountable, got it?  And I have to give a big shout out to my mom, because it's been her dedication to getting up for a walk at 6:30 every morning that's kept me getting up with her and continuing to workout after.

Exactly what have I been doing, you ask?  Let me break it down for you:

Every Monday/Wednesday/Friday I get up with my mom at 6:30 am and we walk 2.5 miles, sometimes stopping for double espressos mid route.  Next I hop on the treadmill and run for 1-2 miles, then walk a little more to bring my heart rate back down.  I finish up with about 30 mins. of strength training -- from weights to pilates, calisthenics to yoga -- and then stretching.  All in all I travel about 5.5 miles and my workout totals about 2 hrs.  Then Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday I do just the cardio portion, to give my muscles a break, and I'm at it for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.  And everyday before I start I have either FRS or some espresso, which makes a WORLD of difference.  It really helps prolong your endurance, and after working out I'm totally still energized!  The first day I tried this I was on fire ALL day -- I imagine that's what it feels like to be on crack...

Anyway, aside from just sticking to my routine, I've been blown away with the fact that I've been able to get through each workout without carelessly bailing on it at least once or twice.  First of all, running even 1-2 miles is a huge feat for me considering that, in the past, it was a struggle to run for the duration of a single song.  My body and running never got along.  There was always something in extreme pain: knees, hips, back, chest, shin splints, you name it!  Fortunately the joint problems went away over time, and I learned to control my breathing so my chest wouldn't tighten up.  And I can't really explain it, but I somehow managed to "think away" the shin splints.  I found that simply focusing on my upper legs allowed me to use those muscles to push through each step, which put less stress on my lower legs.  So I conquered those problems and now I just have to build my endurance.

I also came up with other tips to help me get through each workout and not just give up when the going got tough.  Stay tuned and later this week I'll follow up with what gets me through my workouts!