Went to NOLA (New Orleans, LA) for 5 days, part fun part work. Still catching up on school. Will write as soon as I recover... YIPES
Coming up
Broke: NOLA travel for cheap special
Fit: Working out on the road
Happy: Knowing when to splurge (the best damn charbroiled oysters and apple cobbler EVER, that's right EVER EVER EVER)
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Fit: Cut A B*TCH
That's right?!?!? It's on and not with just 1 but 2, Nancy, Kelly I'm coming for ya. I got my earrings off and my Vaseline on. Before y'all go running to call 911 or worse, try to calm me down let me explain.
The majority of crossfit workouts have people names. Mainly girl names. Since starting my women's crossfit program. We've worked a whole lot on mechanics and Olympic lifts and completed two mini girl workouts which look something like this
workout 1 (mini nancy)
200m run
10 box jumps (20 inch box)
10 wall throws (with a medicine ball
Did the above 3 rounds, for time.
So, It took less than 10 minutes but I was huffing and puffing at the end, lungs about to explode. I loved it! Now, am more determined than ever to get faster and stronger (shorter time, higher box, heavier ball). So I'm just sayin watch out Nancy cuz I got you on my list.
How am I gonna get there, slow and steady, working cross fit 3 days a week, yoga 1 and a jog or two on the weekends. It's amazing how much more energized and focus I feel when I workout. So on the days when I don't quite feel like rolling out of bed I try to keep that in mind.
AND, when that doesn't work I imagine 80's training scenes, a little Lion Heart or Blood Sport anyone? OR get the Eye of the Tiger going in your head and it's too hard to resist the need to get up and go.
The majority of crossfit workouts have people names. Mainly girl names. Since starting my women's crossfit program. We've worked a whole lot on mechanics and Olympic lifts and completed two mini girl workouts which look something like this
workout 1 (mini nancy)
200m run
10 box jumps (20 inch box)
10 wall throws (with a medicine ball
Did the above 3 rounds, for time.
So, It took less than 10 minutes but I was huffing and puffing at the end, lungs about to explode. I loved it! Now, am more determined than ever to get faster and stronger (shorter time, higher box, heavier ball). So I'm just sayin watch out Nancy cuz I got you on my list.
How am I gonna get there, slow and steady, working cross fit 3 days a week, yoga 1 and a jog or two on the weekends. It's amazing how much more energized and focus I feel when I workout. So on the days when I don't quite feel like rolling out of bed I try to keep that in mind.
AND, when that doesn't work I imagine 80's training scenes, a little Lion Heart or Blood Sport anyone? OR get the Eye of the Tiger going in your head and it's too hard to resist the need to get up and go.
Fit: Zone Be Gone
Turns out the zone was like a summer fling. Once you get back to the daily grind it's just too inconvenient to maintain the relationship with this, interesting but needy entity. It was never meant to be, but we both got what we wanted out of it, I got a new way to eat and managed my weight while he got some free PR.
Bonus: When on the zone I'm much more of a lightweight so I guess DBF also got something out of it too, a cheap date.
Well, no fears I'm on to the next. We moving to the paleo diet. It's how many folks on crossfit who don't do the zone eat. The idea is pretty simple in theory, lean protein, veggies, nuts and seeds and some fruit. Whoa whoa whoa you say, no grains no alcohol?!?!? Now I know that girl is not about to give up her drink...you're right. You mean I can't count wine as a fruit?!?!?!? JK, I'm bringing along two things from the zone experiment, the 80/20 rule and a rough estimate of the proportions. So, no more measuring but by now I have a good idea of how much of what should be on my plate.
Wish me luck
Bonus: When on the zone I'm much more of a lightweight so I guess DBF also got something out of it too, a cheap date.
Well, no fears I'm on to the next. We moving to the paleo diet. It's how many folks on crossfit who don't do the zone eat. The idea is pretty simple in theory, lean protein, veggies, nuts and seeds and some fruit. Whoa whoa whoa you say, no grains no alcohol?!?!? Now I know that girl is not about to give up her drink...you're right. You mean I can't count wine as a fruit?!?!?!? JK, I'm bringing along two things from the zone experiment, the 80/20 rule and a rough estimate of the proportions. So, no more measuring but by now I have a good idea of how much of what should be on my plate.
Wish me luck
Monday, September 7, 2009
Leaving Broke Behind
Broke: Alright, no more messing around it's time to get with it, act right and leave "broke" in the past. Every latte, manicure and can of diet Dew counts. So to make my money longer and my savings account stronger I'm starting with the obvious: COUPONS. That's right cutting back on the grocery bill without sacrificing the diet, vino or cheese. How so? Well Sunday I sat down and made a list...just like Santa...only a thinner sexier female version of Santa, I made my list. There are two competing grocery stores near me so I went through both fliers looking for foods that applied to my new zone diet lifestyle and wrote down which store had what I wanted on sale. Then i looked through the rest of the circulars (quickly, cause this is not how I want to spend a Sunday or any other day) and ripped out (yes note my lack of scissors) any corresponding coupons. I went to the store and bought what was on the list plus 1 crusty roll (that fresh bread smell suckers me in every time, one roll, not a loaf, I'll count it as a cheat meal and keep it moving). Ok, I got a couple other things not on the list, salad dressing for DBF (he was with me and chucked it in the cart) and some Helluva Good Cheese. Why might you ask: BECAUSE It was HALF OFF!!! OH yeah, so I substituted the cheese on my list for that one, it was cheaper and I like the brand. I wanted to get more but when I asked DBF if we could freeze cheese he made an unforgivable face.
Oh, a note on cheese, don't get the store brand... it's gross. Helluva and Cracker Barrel are reasonable, but nothing beats a fresh cheese, a real cheese, a triple cream Pierre Robert but I digress. The point is, somethings are worth spending a little extra for and when you can get THOSE at a good price...celebrate ;) (one caveat...government cheese can make some good baked mac n cheese)
All in all we saved $42 on our $100 bill and then...we split the rest :) So that's $30 for groceries this week (yes, I'm sure someone is saying it could be cheaper....give me time people give me time).
I do still need to hit up the other store for Turkey Bacon (if you are into this and in Boston, StopnShop has it on sale for $2), I KNOW I can freeze this so will buy a few packs and be good for a few weeks. All in all am looking at $50 at the most for groceries this week ($5 for the bacon, DBF should chip in, and then extra for any special ingredients)
Alcohol has it's own budget and to stretch that I picked up a few bottles of Trader Joe brand wine. The Zin is amazing if you let it air ( PS if you have guests just put it in a carafe and they'll never know it's 3 Buck Chuck). I also got some TJ Sav Blanc, mix it with creme de cassis, and suddenly your hooch has turned into a KIR, so french, so sophisticated, so GOOD!!!
Oh, a note on cheese, don't get the store brand... it's gross. Helluva and Cracker Barrel are reasonable, but nothing beats a fresh cheese, a real cheese, a triple cream Pierre Robert but I digress. The point is, somethings are worth spending a little extra for and when you can get THOSE at a good price...celebrate ;) (one caveat...government cheese can make some good baked mac n cheese)
All in all we saved $42 on our $100 bill and then...we split the rest :) So that's $30 for groceries this week (yes, I'm sure someone is saying it could be cheaper....give me time people give me time).
I do still need to hit up the other store for Turkey Bacon (if you are into this and in Boston, StopnShop has it on sale for $2), I KNOW I can freeze this so will buy a few packs and be good for a few weeks. All in all am looking at $50 at the most for groceries this week ($5 for the bacon, DBF should chip in, and then extra for any special ingredients)
Alcohol has it's own budget and to stretch that I picked up a few bottles of Trader Joe brand wine. The Zin is amazing if you let it air ( PS if you have guests just put it in a carafe and they'll never know it's 3 Buck Chuck). I also got some TJ Sav Blanc, mix it with creme de cassis, and suddenly your hooch has turned into a KIR, so french, so sophisticated, so GOOD!!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Getting Started
Well, school is just a few days away and it's time to get serious... Not that I'm not or haven't been but as we've discussed there are some budget issues to work on and a waistline to maintain.
Fit: I started the zone diet with T. That's my DBF, we co-habitate so it's much EASIER to follow when he's down. So far so good. I modified the system so it's a bit less obtrusive to our lifestyle. Using the genius skills I've learned as an MBA I applied a version of the Pareto Principal (aka the 80:20 rule).
For anyone interested let's play follow the math (otherwise feel free to skip down): Not including snacks, we eat 21 meals a week, that 3 meals a day * 7 days a week
So out of those 21 I figure if we eat 80% of them as planned we'll see results. That leaves 20% or 3-4 meals for "cheats". Now pay attention I did NOT stay BINGES I said cheats. Like little white lies they are not actually horrible, they're just not quite right. So 3-4 times a week we can eat out with friends, at a work/school function, or get trashed (um binging does not apply to alcohol) without any guilt and still see results.
Now, it's true there would be no reason to CHEAT if this way of eating wasn't somewhat of a constraint so the question is now: WHY EVEN DO IT IF YOU'RE SO HAPPY WITH YOUR WEIGHT, HUH?
WELL smarty-pants weight doesn't just come off and stay off... so sad that it will go on and stay on, but I digress. ANYHOO, loosing the weight is winning the battle, keeping it off is winning the war. Old habits die hard so rather than try to stop them point blank, I continually try new things to keep me motivated. When the "new thing" gets old, I take from it what I found helpful and move onto the next. The ZONE and Crossfit are my new next.
CROSSFIT, I start the Cross Fit Boston Women's Program next week ( right along with classes, all or nothing, it's so they way I am ). Cross Fit is insanely intense and ridiculously fun, I got my Cross Fit level 1 certification this summer and simply CANNOT wait to get started full time.
If you have not seen or heard of Cross Fit, click on this link and watch folks have their asses handed to them, then ask for more. It will make you a beast, a SEXY STRONG FIT ASS-KICKING BEAST and I mean that it the most desirable way.
On to the next subject
BROKE: Yeah, nothing's changed here. Rent is due, that's 625 big ones, which is HALF of what's in my checking account (read: I could pay for one more month of rent, not eat or pay for utilities and then I'll be completely assed-out...come on loans c'mon)
I will say $625 is cheap for Beantown, that's one of the benefits of co-habitation, we share the bills and don't need as much space a roommates. Counting all of the basics (and yes, internet is necessary for students) I'm running at about $1400 (note there is NO as in zero fun worked into that number, why is life so expensive?!?!?!?).
Since a girl needs her fun and personal care too (nope, manicures, blow-outs and deodorant not included in the basics) I'm hoping to keep everything at about $2000/month and that includes, the fun, personal care, doggie care and $100 a month socked away in a Saab Story account. That's the account for when my little Saab gives me trouble. If I stay right, the loans will take care of that until December (new loans activate in Jan). Then, what I make from working and the stock market (oh yeah, watch out for some real money making day trading tips coming your way, PLEASE note sarcasm) I can put towards savings for the summer, future travel, future home, and Christmas presents. I know, how far can I really stretch a $, guess we'll find out.
I'm sure things will "come up" with school so not completely sure how I'll deal with them yet, but I'm working on it and I'll keep you updated.
Happy: Finding pleasure in the smaller things. It's AMAZING OUT, so I rode my bike along the Charles river and then stopped to get my nails done. (BUDGET someone screams) I like to be pampered so I've resolved to manage my toes myself (AKA, let DBF paint my toes and massage my feet for me, LUV YA HONEY) and let the pro's handle my hands (which really are more difficult to keep tidy than the toes).
Your hands are a reflection of who you are and in some ways what you care about. For example, I just got glitter topped gel nails (Tokyo style, a beauty trend I picked up in Japan). Mine are pink (this is best picture I could find online, I'll use my own photos soon) they are girly, fun and kinda international, they are not cheap but they last a lot longer than a regular manicure. I like fun girly things, I lo
ve to travel, I also prefer durability and value AND if you look at bottom of my hands you'll find paper cuts and callouses (I'm currently addicted to trashy vampire novels, love to cook but am a bit klutzy with a knife and lifting weights can rip your hands up). So look what you just learned from virtually shaking my hand.
Anyhoo, am loving today's weather and taking advantage with a lovely ride, lovely nails and now I'm going to take Spraga on a lovely walk .
Spraga "surfing" at last year's BBQ
Fit: I started the zone diet with T. That's my DBF, we co-habitate so it's much EASIER to follow when he's down. So far so good. I modified the system so it's a bit less obtrusive to our lifestyle. Using the genius skills I've learned as an MBA I applied a version of the Pareto Principal (aka the 80:20 rule).
For anyone interested let's play follow the math (otherwise feel free to skip down): Not including snacks, we eat 21 meals a week, that 3 meals a day * 7 days a week
So out of those 21 I figure if we eat 80% of them as planned we'll see results. That leaves 20% or 3-4 meals for "cheats". Now pay attention I did NOT stay BINGES I said cheats. Like little white lies they are not actually horrible, they're just not quite right. So 3-4 times a week we can eat out with friends, at a work/school function, or get trashed (um binging does not apply to alcohol) without any guilt and still see results.
Now, it's true there would be no reason to CHEAT if this way of eating wasn't somewhat of a constraint so the question is now: WHY EVEN DO IT IF YOU'RE SO HAPPY WITH YOUR WEIGHT, HUH?
WELL smarty-pants weight doesn't just come off and stay off... so sad that it will go on and stay on, but I digress. ANYHOO, loosing the weight is winning the battle, keeping it off is winning the war. Old habits die hard so rather than try to stop them point blank, I continually try new things to keep me motivated. When the "new thing" gets old, I take from it what I found helpful and move onto the next. The ZONE and Crossfit are my new next.
CROSSFIT, I start the Cross Fit Boston Women's Program next week ( right along with classes, all or nothing, it's so they way I am ). Cross Fit is insanely intense and ridiculously fun, I got my Cross Fit level 1 certification this summer and simply CANNOT wait to get started full time.
If you have not seen or heard of Cross Fit, click on this link and watch folks have their asses handed to them, then ask for more. It will make you a beast, a SEXY STRONG FIT ASS-KICKING BEAST and I mean that it the most desirable way.
On to the next subject
BROKE: Yeah, nothing's changed here. Rent is due, that's 625 big ones, which is HALF of what's in my checking account (read: I could pay for one more month of rent, not eat or pay for utilities and then I'll be completely assed-out...come on loans c'mon)
I will say $625 is cheap for Beantown, that's one of the benefits of co-habitation, we share the bills and don't need as much space a roommates. Counting all of the basics (and yes, internet is necessary for students) I'm running at about $1400 (note there is NO as in zero fun worked into that number, why is life so expensive?!?!?!?).
Since a girl needs her fun and personal care too (nope, manicures, blow-outs and deodorant not included in the basics) I'm hoping to keep everything at about $2000/month and that includes, the fun, personal care, doggie care and $100 a month socked away in a Saab Story account. That's the account for when my little Saab gives me trouble. If I stay right, the loans will take care of that until December (new loans activate in Jan). Then, what I make from working and the stock market (oh yeah, watch out for some real money making day trading tips coming your way, PLEASE note sarcasm) I can put towards savings for the summer, future travel, future home, and Christmas presents. I know, how far can I really stretch a $, guess we'll find out.
I'm sure things will "come up" with school so not completely sure how I'll deal with them yet, but I'm working on it and I'll keep you updated.
Happy: Finding pleasure in the smaller things. It's AMAZING OUT, so I rode my bike along the Charles river and then stopped to get my nails done. (BUDGET someone screams) I like to be pampered so I've resolved to manage my toes myself (AKA, let DBF paint my toes and massage my feet for me, LUV YA HONEY) and let the pro's handle my hands (which really are more difficult to keep tidy than the toes).
Your hands are a reflection of who you are and in some ways what you care about. For example, I just got glitter topped gel nails (Tokyo style, a beauty trend I picked up in Japan). Mine are pink (this is best picture I could find online, I'll use my own photos soon) they are girly, fun and kinda international, they are not cheap but they last a lot longer than a regular manicure. I like fun girly things, I lo
ve to travel, I also prefer durability and value AND if you look at bottom of my hands you'll find paper cuts and callouses (I'm currently addicted to trashy vampire novels, love to cook but am a bit klutzy with a knife and lifting weights can rip your hands up). So look what you just learned from virtually shaking my hand.Anyhoo, am loving today's weather and taking advantage with a lovely ride, lovely nails and now I'm going to take Spraga on a lovely walk .
Spraga "surfing" at last year's BBQ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
