Is This Really Motivation?

Since 2012 is brand new, I’ve started seeing “motivational” photos popping up. True, this isn’t new since there are tons of good and “bad” ones already online especially on the fantabulous timesuck that is Pinterest. This time it is a bit different.  It is older pictures of the person who has deemed themselves needing to get motivated.

I think this is a double-edged sword. True, this is the actual person. It is their body type, their bone structure, etc. It is sorta their metabolism (sort, and so I’ll get to this in a moment.) They aren’t photoshopping their head on someone else’s body and looking like some creepy cartoon.

However, it is the when that gets me thinking. What is a realistic gauge especially considering age? 5 years? 10 years? Does it make a difference if you are looking back at 25 from 30  vs looking at more like 10 years, even putting the person back in high school? Aging alters your metabolism too doesn’t it?

Personally, I would go back only a few years before some crazy times when stress took over. I was pretty active and went to classes pretty regularly (and could bust out a few decent real push-ups and some good balanced yoga poses.) Is it that big of a jump from where am I now? Nope. For me, that would work and it is something that I know once I get going I know I can do it. Being very early 30s and looking back to my late 20s isn’t that huge of a jump and way far from a decade jump. However, to someone else, this might not seem realistic.

Maybe I am over analyzing it (big shock right) but is it also setting the brass ring a bit too high or it is high enough? Let’s put it in running aspect for a different view. I am a newbie runner who fell off the wagon, ran after if a bit, then sat down until the dust cleared. I want to do a 5k again. I’m content with that now. Now wanting to run a 1/2 marathon is awesome but isn’t the best goal being able to run completely around the block first without stopping? Or is that long-term goal of running it the true brass ring?  (Honestly if I ever ran a long long distance race I’d cap it at a 1/2. I have no interest in a full.)

So as I asked in the very beginning: Is this really motivation? 

Music for this post: Dispatch

The Anti “Anti-30″: Age and Issues

One thing about taking public transportation is that at times you can’t help but listen to other people. (Unless in the case of Metra’s quiet car, then it’s just funny to watch people freak out at any sort of noise.) This is especially the case when they are right near me, loud and have a slight twinge of valley girl in their voice.  It’s like  some sort of beeping alert. No matter how hard I try my ears still catch it.

I usually block them out for the most part since I have yet to either buy a new ipod or load music into the crackBlackberry but this time I couldn’t.  It was two, possibly three but two voices were distinct, 20 something women talking about age.  Been there. Don’t that. Didn’t buy the tshirt since it was overpriced.

I was just about to seriously ignore them until I heard the standard blabbering about 30 going downhill.  At first I thought they meant kids since they had just been talking about a friend who was pregnant.  Ok, so that is medically said at times – though I don’t know all the details. THEN it flat out became a discussion of age.  One of them was 23 and was talking about how 24/25/26 was when you are starting to get old.

Reaaaaaallllllly.

I didn’t say anything since I didn’t want to be like the wacko yelling at the kids. (BTW I did see him recently and had to use all my self control not to start laughing at him and making kissy noises.)  I shook my head, mentioned the conversation to a few friends, and started mental notes on this post.

When I was about to turn 30 I had a number of people who asked me if I was freaking out about it. Um, no and honestly being 30 isn’t any much different than being 29 IMO.  (It actually made it extremely more difficult for Darth Husband to pull off a surprise party as well. He did though and it was lovely.) It just makes me go twen-thirty sometimes if asked my age but in general that is a rare case.  I recently read an article about Sarah Michelle Geller who commented on her 30s being when she really found herself/got in a good place/insert random cliche comment here.

I do agree though.  When I was in my early twenties, I didn’t have a lot of stuff settled. I am not saying that there aren’t any women pre-25 that have their shit (yeah I swore, sheet or stuff just didn’t work righ) together since I know quite a few who have.   I was finishing school, bouncing from relationship dud to moron and back, and just figuring out what I wanted to do in my life.  While there was a lot that I did know, there was a lot that scared me.  I had a plan but didn’t know what elements of that plan would work.

Add several years, lots of trial and error, decisions not to buy the Vespa and the condo on the Northside of Chicago, getting fed up with dating  and you have my late 20s.  That is when, for me, things started making more sense and falling into place.

What really bugs me is this view that turning a certain ages means all doom and gloom. Cue the thunder! Cue the lightning! Someone has gotten a year OLDER!   I am not anti humor about birthdays but I am anti panic attacks. I know people who had serious issues with turning 25.  Quarter life crisis is a term that is actually used now.  Like 30, 25 was another of those “oh, ok yeaahhhh” ages.

I think life should be celebrated.  It doesn’t need to be a party style celebration but celebration in a terms of appreciation for the lack of a better word.  There is that saying, crude as it may seem to some people, “You either get old or you’re dead.” I know a lot of people who have left this earth way too early would work gladly take that extra year or years.

Have you or someone you know freaked out about turning a certain age? Are you like me and think it’s not that big of a deal?

What do you mean healthy living isn’t just eating brussel sprouts and running 15.3 miles a day?

By the use of this title, I hope you realize that I am joking and not mocking the online community that I have loved being part of the past few years.  I see the summer vacation style “what does healthy living mean to me” posts pop up now and then which made me realize I never did one. Yes, I know pot meet kettle.  Thing is, I didn’t know really how to answer that or rather how I wanted to answer it.  The beauty of it all is that it really is how I wanted to answer it. So I did – TADA! See new page on the main site! It will probably get editing numerous times in the future but for now that works.

I figured it was easier than trying to explain everything and making it fit in a pretty little box. I’d end up more so like when you start getting frustrated with a large puzzle and all the dark green forest pieces all look the same. After awhile there is at least two pieces just mashed together so it is technically “done.”

However I don’t see it as a cop-out either.  My little blog-that-could chugs along at different speeds, some needing a kick in the butt more than others so it fits. That’s my life as well.

Life has chugged along a bit faster than before lately but in a good way. Now it’s figuring out how to not neglect the numerous elements  to favor others. Sleep however will usually triumph though especially when there is a head cold, NyQuil and 8 extra hours of sleep involved.

Now excuse me I need to set up the crockpot, play with the pets, fold laundry, do yoga, knit another scarf, write 15 emails and wash my hair… all at the same time of course since I’m Superwoman!

Snark snark snark….. or make my lunch for tomorrow and get ready for bed.

 

Edit/add 3/11/12: This is the content from the page mentioned above.

 

To me healthy living isn’t a cookie cutter deal. It is an ever evolving process.  What worked for me at 20 doesn’t quite work ten years later.  What works for me today might not work a year from now. It’s realizing this and working to find balance.

Some people like to use the word moderation. I like the word balance.  Think of it at a pretty basic level – a balance beam.  Leaning too far one way means wobbling and quite likely falling over. Trying to correct yourself too drastically could have you end up flying over the other way.  Finding that middle ground and wobbling along is the plan.

I say wobbling because I’m not perfect  (nor could I ever be since I have fake teeth) and life is what it is. Sometimes there is more good than bad or vice versa.  One week I might be awesome at home cooked meals but then I neglect my reading. Another I might be so lost in knitting I forget to do laundry and find myself wearing Christmas socks quite a ways from December. I might be all caught up and have a sparkly clean house (or not sparkly but cleaner) but forget that I need to make sure I get enough sleep.

It is a crazy mix mosh of everything. The key is figuring out what works and keeping up, figuring what doesn’t and fixing it and realizing that this isn’t the end.

Mrs. Crankypants doesn’t think you are funny

Earlier this week I would have answered to Mrs. Crankypants though the answer would probably been a glare. I generally try not to let the Irish temper rage on get angry about little things. I’m not saying I don’t get angry/grr-filled/upset because that would be a lie. However, flying off the handle is not the answer to life’s problems or mini-problems.

I came home to Darth Husband making sopes with beef fajita mix (beef strips, mixed bell peppers, onions and spices from a local grocery store), mushrooms and chihuahua cheese. I had a taste for tacos or some sort of Mexican food so I started happy.

Then I heard what was playing.

Internet radio comedy station.

Everyone has their little quirks, oddities, and whatnot. For some reason comedy radio when not in a moving car puts me on edge.  It has been like this for years. Road trips, televised shows, and live comedy shows are fine though. Strange, I know. So there I am unable to focus on casual conversation or my dinner. I tried to deal with it and didn’t enjoy dinner like I would have been able to if I just turned it off. Simple choice but by then I would have turned into a hybrid of Mrs. Crankypants and Stompy the Elephant since when I’m annoyed I walk w my heels hitting harder than the rest of my foot. (I’ve read that being called something along the lines of heel striking when running.) Being Crankystomp might have turned into minor grumbling between the us and that was not worth it.

So I ate and dealt.  Then I stated I needed at least 10 mins of music to get myself centered. A few songs by Beth Orton and Florence + the Machine later I felt more balanced and after a while pretty much back to the state I was in when I arrived home.

Music is one way I can get myself centered in grr-inducing moments.  What is one that always works for you? 

18lbs of crap

I remember climbing up onto a CTA bus when the steps were HUGE.  Safe to say I was a pretty little kid though I am unsure exactly how old I would have been. While I am a somewhat seasoned person in terms of Chicagoland public transit, there are still times that it bothers me.  Technical delays. Weather delays. Stupid delays. They are all there and I just have to deal the best way possible.

Recently, I had to deal the best way possible. If you follow my Twitter, you know what I am talking about.  I had taken a train slightly later than normal which was no big deal. I do this on occasion and yet get home at a somewhat decent time. HOWEVER my train had issues.  It was so much that my cell started recognizing #trainstopped and #trainstarted.  I guess I used it a bit too much. Oops! My apologizes to anyone… ok maybe not an apology apology but more of a sorry but I was bored and cranky and sick and hungry so Twitter kept me amused.

Taking public transit makes you act like a little kid in more than just that way. You must plan.  Bathroom breaks – I HATE when anyone uses the word “potty” not speaking to a small child or IS a small child – are a must beforehand. Have something to keep you from being bored if you have a long travel time. Bring SNACKS!

Thing is, I always have snacks. Almonds and gum, though technically not a snack to some, are always in my purse. There is usually some sort of mints and/or fruit leather in my bigger bag.  While it isn’t a full meal, it is enough of a kick to give me a bit of energy or not start gnawing on my purse or arguing with random people. Darth Husband learned early on when he was Darth Boyfriend that asking me serious questions prior to dinner and post dinner often would result in different answers. Realistically I’m not one to start arguments with random strangers. Sadly there are people like that. My snark side might not hide well if dealing with extremely rude people to begin with.

So while stuck on the indecisive train I start digging through my stuff to find said snacks. Digging is the key word.  This brings me back to the title that at least one person read and thought WTF. “18lbs of crap” is the default setting saying wise for the junk I carry around with me. True in the midst of said stuff is actual stuff but at times I don’t realize this.  The lost souls of the stale almond kind that escaped the bag and melted peppermints which mostly likely permanently will be wrapped in plastic are at the bottom. 

Safe to say I didn’t eat any of those. I had two fruit leather and a minipack of almonds in my purse. Safe and tasty. Eventually my train began to travel onward more consistantly and I was home… with a plan. Realistically there are things I carry with me on a daily basis that I don’t need like a half dozen maxi pads. Ditto with the mix of this that and whatever.  Those were hiding well below a magazine and my knitting. The latter two mentions however are things that I generally have with me – something to read and something knitting related be it actual knitting or a pattern which falls into both categories then. My plan is to keep an eye on what I’m carrying and NOT let it back to the level of “18lbs of crap.”

Have you been in a similar situation with an everyday bag?

Dance – commercial – express

We have Hulu+ for some time already and I had forgotten that it also meant there was fitness/exercise based shows as well.  I have a bad habit of buying DVDs on sale. Sometimes it is good. Sometimes it is really good. Sometimes I can’t stand the instructor no matter how good the DVD.  (I think it is the same as in any class as well.) If the person leading it doesn’t connect with me in a positive way, I get distracted and/or annoyed and stop.

Other than the general work week walking, I haven’t had the energy/motivation to do much.  True, walking over 13 miles a week does count but for one reason or not that was it. Some reasons were legit and others were just me not wanting to do it. A ways back taking classes worked for our budget, now it doesn’t. I guess paying for it out of pocket sort of motivated me a bit. I wanted to get my moneys worth as well as not waste it. When it is possible I am seriously thinking to take a Zumba class. Right now I can find a few that don’t seem out of the normal range for classes. Someday.

So I was looking through the listings in Hulu+ and found a dance related workout – The Firm: Cardio Dance Express. It was about a 20 minute routine. I include “about” since there are commercial breaks. The breaks were a bit annoying since they would cut in right when I was getting into it but it makes sense for the service. The workout, however, I really enjoyed. The people in the video aren’t cheesy annoying – you know what I am talking about.  I grew up with a mom who did the various 80s/90s tv and video programs. I’ve seen a lot as well as actually can stand Richard Simmons in small doses!  I think the cool down was missing since it seemed to stop at a faster pace. Nonetheless I liked it. 

While this is technically not a review, I am still adding this disclaimer that I received no compensation or whatnot from the company of this DVD or Hulu. I’m just wanting to share a positive experience with others.

What do you think about dance based fitness?

Reality check: Yoga edition

In case anyone was looking for this yesterday,  post ended up delayed due to a busy day. Dentist trip incl drilling (YUCK hot tooth smell!) and having 1/2 a numb jaw for hours where it was weird to put on lipgloss, visit w my mom & gram, trip to let’s-spend-2-hours-wandering-land Hobby Lobby w my mom (MMMMMMM Hobbbyyyy Lobbbyyy), and a friend’s 30th birthday BBQ/party.

Friday ended up being yard day.  I was able to spend the day home and work on and off rather than attacking it while the mosquitos attack me for a small amount of time in the evening.  It was hot to the point where everything started sticking to my legs but I played it safe with lots of water breaks and being inside to eat during the midday sun. Overall a good section of the yard was weeded and we are one step closer the goal of getting everything the way we want it to be… for now. (Yard/gardens are always a changing thing for me at least…oooh pretty flowers! OOOH lawn GNOME!)

Once I was done working in the yard but still all hot/sweaty/stinky/gross, I figured why not take the opp to work out a bit before cleaning up. The first plan was to do the kettlebell DVD but after sitting down a few minutes with yet another glass of water, it didn’t seem so appealing. Then that quasi-guilt/quasi-wtf kicked in. I was worn out but not that worn out.  I had a crazy busy day planned for the following day and didn’t need or want a migraine.  Then I decided to just shut up the inner dialogue and do SOMETHING.

I had the time and energy as well as the house to myself as long as the dogs weren’t in my way.  If  I didn’t take the opportunity, I wasn’t going to allow myself to complain about whatever aggravating weight/body image thing that decided to plague me.  If I didn’t do something it was my fault and so I did something.

I decided that yoga would be the best idea. Figuring being hunched over/stretched out funny pulling weeds would possible lead to my body revolting somehow the next day. Yoga stretching should help at least somewhat as long as I chose to do a mellow version of it. I decided to try the Crunch: Candlelight Yoga that I recently added to my Netflix cue once I managed to get Molly trying to do her version of downward dog off my yoga mat.  I like yoga of the more mellower style and so it was a perfect fit.

Sort of.

Yoga had been a class that I had taken on and off for a good number of years. I don’t like hot temperatures or hanging upside down from fabric which brings back bad memories of wall climbing in high school so they have all be pretty plain jane style but it works for me. Due to financial reasons, I had to cut all of my group classes.  Rather than putting on the DVDs or dragging out the old yoga book given to my by my mom ages ago (hers from the 70s) and doing something on my own, I did nothing. I was stressed and aggravated and pretty much every other result of the changes that we had to deal with. I walked. I read. I did other things to deal with what was going on but I didn’t go back to yoga.

So when I started up the “DVD” (in quotes since it was streaming – we only have that option,)  I got a reality check. My flexibility that I had was totally shot. Before it wasn’t that great anymore but something was there. Not. Happy.  I was the person who could do a good number of the crazy twists and scare friends in high school and balances like doing random tree poses at whatever moments  and there I was wobbling barely managing a downward dog. Not. Cool.  I pretty much made myself keep up with it rather than becoming aggravated (opposite of the goal of mellowing out) and finished the routine.

I am planning to do this routine more to slowly get back to where I was before  or at least not do a wobbledog.  I know it won’t be overnight as is any change. (I always remember someone talking about weight loss. She said it didn’t take her a week (or some other short amount of time, can’t remember exactly but the main point) to put the weight on and so it wasn’t going to take that short of time to take it off. 

I know this isn’t technically about weight loss but it makes sense.  I want to get back into a better routine to help me feel better. The feeling better will also come with the better health and as a result back to my happy weight. (But that’s a topic for another day.)

Have you recently had a fitness related reality check?