on going upside down and other 2014 goals

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Did you know almost half of New Year's resolutions have to do with getting healthier? Lose weight, exercise, eat better, quit smoking...

The list goes on and on. 

Mine don't. Well, mostly don't.

My two resolutions are:

1) Take a photography class this year

2) Be less busy

I could argue that they'll impact my health overall, but they're less blatant than, say, go to the gym every day. 

However, ever since cutting back on running, I've been a little bit of a workout funk. Less running means I have to be more creative with my workouts - I can't just lace up my kicks and head outside. I have to think through routines, find a class, be more intentional. 

With that in mind, I decided I needed some goals to give me focus. So although these are not my resolutions, here are a few of my fitness goals for 2014:

1) Do 50 good push ups without stopping

2) Plank (on elbows) for 4:15

3) Do yoga 50 times (just under once a week)

4) Learn to do a headstand in yoga

5) Go rock climbing

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As of today, I can:

1) Do 20 push ups

2) Plank for 1:40

3) Have done yoga once this year (this morning!)

4) Am sitting comfortably at shoulder stand and cannot even fathom how to make this transition

5) Have been wanting to go rock climbing again for months and haven't done it. What am I waiting for?

Like I said, these aren't so much resolutions as they fitness goals. They're not about weight loss or about my shortcomings. They're simply about getting stronger, taking on something I've wanted to do for years but am hesitant to try (headstand!) and making time to do yoga instead of constantly doing workouts that break me down physically and mentally. It's learning to focus less on exhausting myself and more on making time for things that give me clarity and make me stronger.

What are your fitness goals this year? Join me! 

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it's working!

OK. I know it has only been a few days, but I'm telling you, I already feel better with the changes I'm making. I know the placebo effect is a very real thing but I don't think that's what's happening here. I'm feeling more rested, more limber and I'll tellyawhat. I really think my skin is clearer. Could it be the spinach? I'm not sure. 

Since I'm breaking out of my normal yoga schedule, I've had to try some new classes. And yesterday after work I was completely exhausted, but still felt the need to go to a hot core power class. Walking into the class I was teetering between knowing I should take the day off from working out and wanting to give in to my inner masochist and really go for a killer workout. 

But, as with so many things these days, I was not in control. And it turns out the instructor was more along the lines of 50 percent strength and 50 percent deep stretching. During the stretch part, I found myself frustrated that it wasn't harder - that I was wasting time and money. But when I walked out, I felt de-stressed and restored in a way I haven't felt in weeks. 

Sometimes the instructors just know, don't they?

Also, a few of you have emailed me asking what to put in a spinach smoothie. Quick answer: spinach and any fruit your heart desires!

My style:

Spinach 

Vega protein power

Banana

Water

Nut butter (rocking Sunflower Butter this week!)

And sometimes I throw in chia, flax or hemp. Because, why not?

And, my friend Robyn supplied a coupon code (GGV682) for $10 off Vega here. Yaay!  Enjoy :)

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happy weekend

It's Tuesday, which means I'm a little late on a weekend update. With that in mind, what's a few more minutes for a quick bit of business?

 

Just a quick reminder that I would absolutely love it if anyone who is willing would donate to my trip to Africa, or share the link with people they know who might be interested. I'm four months out and hoping to buy a plane ticket soon - eek! I'd absolutely love your help getting to that point.

 

Now on to less awkward topics...

 

//

 

Last Thursday I headed to Savannah to meet my family for Duke's graduation. He earned his Masters in Psychology and I'm so proud of him! Duke's crazy-modest, and it was so fun seeing the way his peers and professors adored him. He'd never let on to just how much he dominated the program, and I am so glad we got to see him in action!

 

 

 

We spent Friday evening in Savannah, sitting outside for dinner, eating froyo - all the normal things we love to do.

 

 

Saturday, we headed back to Atlanta where we walked all over town looking at places for Duke to live, went to dinner at El Taco and had an early Mother's Day celebration.

 

Sunday, my parents left for Indy, but Duke and Sam stayed a bit longer. We went for a run, kick-started our 30 days of green smoothies, visited Georgia State (where Duke will start his PhD program next year), picked up lunch at Whole Foods, ate it in Piedmont Park, with a side of Frisbee, went for a walk around Midtown and then ended the day with some yoga. It took a touch of convincing for Duke and Sam to try it, but by the time we walked out of the 90-minute class, they were hooked.

 

 

I hope your weekend was wonderful, too!

30 Days. Three challenges. (let's go)

I went through a phase of life (~25 years), where I was obsessed with self-improving. 25 pushups for 25 days. 10,000 lunges in 100 days. Learn to like kale. You get it. The list is endless. 

But then around a year ago, I flipped. I decided to give myself a little more grace. That doing what I am doing was enough. That I didn't need to improve or should. To slow down. To take rest. And it was a very lovely lesson to learn - life changing, in fact. Irreplaceable - one everyone deserves to learn, love and live. 

But, as I mentioned last week, life often comes down to a math. A little of more of this, a little less of that. And the greatest lesson I've ever learned in life is that moderation is the key. To find balance in an often unbalanced world brings me every-day sanity. 

So after months of just being, I'm up for a little month-long challenge. I'm ready to tackle it with vigor. 

On tap: three challenges for 30 days. 

One: Thirty days of yoga. Not every day - but most days. Three to four times a week. I'm doing it because I love yoga, but I don't make time for it. I love what it does for my mind and I want to see what will happen if I make it a priority. It's going to require some early mornings, which leads me to...

Two: Eight hours of sleep every night. No excuses. That's an average of two extra hours each night. I expect to feel like the king. Will certainly keep you posted.

Three:  Swapping coffee for green smoothies. In with the spinach, out with the caffeine.

So that's the plan. Want to join me for one, two or three of the above? Thirty days isn't too long, but it's nine days longer than they say it takes to make a habit. I kick-started the week with yoga yesterday and a cool eight hours of sleep and so far, so good! 

I'll report back with details on June 12!

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you're kind of a big deal

Have you ever been to a workout class where everyone there is totally present? The energy is high, people are focused and everyone is ready to work. It changes the class from a workout you're just doing to an experience. 

This is how yoga was last night, and, this is bold - I know - but I think it might have been the best yoga class I've ever been to. Not only was everyone completely focused, but it was also so hard. There were points at which I really wasn't sure if I'd be able to finish the class.

I obviously loved it. 

One of the things the instructor kept reminding us throughout the class was: to work with who you are, you have to love who you are. And I thought this was a nice idea. 

In a season of resolving and changing and goal setting, it was a good reminder that to get where we want to be, we first have to appreciate where we already are. I've seen so many lists of resolutions that look like a full person makeover. And I love the zeal behind them, but it's important to honor all we do before trying to do more. 

Because, you're kind of a big deal.

I was cashed out the rest of the night and am so sore (sore, sore, soreee) today. Just how I like it! Namaste!

PS: Or if you want to disregard this post and instead continue to resolve, check this out. It's fun :)

::order::

This weekend I binged in the best way possible. 

On organization. 

Lately I've been feeling a little out of control, mainly because I haven't been able to workout as I'd like to. And so, after going to yoga and spinning last week and tasting that bit of control I so deeply crave, I suddenly needed order in every way: my closet, under my bed, desk drawers, nightstand, dresser drawers, the bench at the end of my bed, kitchen cabinets, under the sink, in the bathroom...

I couldn't stop. And I didn't want to. 

I didn't intend for it to fall exactly between Nourish and Order, Weeks 6 and 7 of the Wellness Challenge, but it undoubtedly fulfilled both. I felt so relaxed and at ease by the fact that every inch of my space was in order. It was the perfect way to leave things before two crazy weeks of traveling. 

I can't wait to get back to my happy house tomorrow and see things still neatly arranged. Spring cleaning may get all the attention, but there's something to be said for going into the winter with everything in order, too.

Happy Wednesday!

image via my instagram

it's here!

 

Last night at yoga, in honor of the solstice, we participated in the biannual tradition of 180 sun salutations. The entire thing takes 3 hours, and we only had about 100 minutes, but we did what we could during that time.

When we started the class and he told us what we'd be doing, I was kind of annoyed. Really craving a hard workout, I was frustrated that we were just going to repeat salutations A, B and C, considering they're normally a warmup.

I stand corrected.

It was so incredibly hard; there was a point when I wasn't sure I would make it through. My entire body is rocked with soreness today. I left the class feeling exhausted, detoxed and centered.

When I got home, I talked to my favorite yogi and friend forever, Katie, who told me she'd recently been in a class and the instructor closed by saying: You're living your dreams - don't miss it!

And I thought it was just a lovely way to start this Friday and first full summer weekend ahead.

I hope your weekend is dreamy!

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yoga summa

Yoga last night was a little bit of a mess - not because of anything the instructor did, but because of my own struggles. My body was impossibly tight and my mind was ev.er.y.where but there.

More specifically, I spent the majority of the class thinking about summer camp.

Days on the lake, morning walks to chapel, the smell of the dining room, where my camp crushes are now (I'm looking at you Pat and Mike)...

What prompted this level of reminiscence, I'm not sure. I think it had something to do with the way this unusually cool Georgia weather filled the studio - the windows were open and the cross breeze felt much more similar to nights in the cabin than the average June day in Atlanta.

Although I left the class slightly less zenned out than I typically hope for, it did make me extra happy about life. Less than one week until it's officially summer, and camp, or no camp, I'm really excited about all the season has to offer.

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back in the yoga groove

I finally got to do yoga last night for the first time in a month. I was so very happy. It felt wonderful to be back in the lavender haven and to see my yoga friends. I also slept like a little baby girl because, as usual, it was very very hard.

And today I'm sore, which feels nice and productive. It's all very happy.

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New Age Hippie

I’ve been meaning to blog about this for weeks, but it just kept falling off my radar. Last week, though, when I got a Real Simple email about closet organization tips, not once, but twice (thanks to Allie for forwarding!), I decided it was time to get posting. The market need was evident.

When I moved to Atlanta, things got a little tight. Things, meaning my budget. However, I had gotten so addicted to yoga that I couldn’t quite deal with the thought of quitting. And, let’s be honest, yoga through a video doesn’t even begin to compare to a class. I pushed through for a few months, but this spring I realized the money I was spending on yoga was pretty much equivalent to a me pretending to be a king. 

Faced with the decision of giving up eating or giving up yoga, I was slightly disheartened. I thought about giving up food for like, two seconds, until I realized food includes ice cream, and decided it was time to take a yoga break.

When I told my instructor, though, she wouldn’t accept my sabbatical.

Do you have any skills? She asked me.

Well I’m really organized… I faltered (Clearly not showcasing my interview skills)

Great. You can organize my house for classes.

And that was how I became a modern day hippie.

I had organized for money in college, but I’d never thought to barter. 

But, after spending a few hours buried in her house, and walking away with a pass full of classes, I can now say I’m hooked on it. Sure, it takes a little more time than buying a class, but for me, organizing is soothing, and it felt so wonderful to see how excited she was when the project was complete. And now, after months of greatly benefitting from her skills as an instructor, she can benefit from my organizational skills.


Check out a few of my before and afters of the desk area below. I also did a hall closet and the entryway sports area, but this one was my favorite... 


Before:

After:

And the inspiration for my life - I wrote it on the dry erase board so it could continue to inspire her as well...

It was all very lovely :) 

PS: Know anyone in the Atlanta are who would benefit from my skills? Email me! 

on getting graceful

For my birthday, Duke got me Yoga, Booty, Ballet. It's made by the same company as P90X, but geared more toward women.

It was especially thoughtful of Duke, as he knows how much I love yoga and how badly I want to be a ballerina.

My mom and I did the video last night (note: this is the first day I was able, since it was the first day I was no longer sore from tubing), and while I'm not positive I'm any more graceful just yet, I am feeling especially svelte and streamlined today. I'm very excited to add this into my regular regimen.

And I'm pretty sure that in a few more weeks I'll be pirouetting more naturally than I am walking...

Photos via absolutely ladylike

planting seeds

"It's not what you don't have. It's what you do with what you do have." Kitty Bartholomew

I really can't say enough about Simply Yoga, the studio Jenny and I have been attending since February. After three months of one to two classes each week, I still leave exhausted every time, wondering if I'll be able to blow dry my hair the next day.

After such a positive experience, we decided to try a new studio. Why not be able to do more classes each week?

When I arrived at the new class, I knew it wasn't going to be quite the same. It didn't have that yoga smell (ah lavender), the lighting wasn't right, the room echoed...

But, I know different isn't always wrong. So I tried to maintain a positive attitude.

Unfortunately, things did not improve. The mats were smelly, there was no eye pillow (!), and it wasn't even a challenge.

I left feeling slightly downtrodden.

However, when I returned to Simply Yoga this week, it only made my regular class seem even more amazing. Did it always smell this nice? Are the eye pillows always so soothing? And am I always so sore the next two days?

It was a subtle reminder that, yes, sometimes, you should look into other options. But other times, it's important to be grateful for what you have. Whether it be a job, a house, or a friendship, do more with what you have, and focus less on what is missing. You never knew who might be envying exactly what you have. Besides, I've found that the grass is typically greenest right where you planted it.

yoga

This week officially marked Jenny and my two-month Yoga-versary. We've gone consistently for two months and not only can I say I'm much more flexible, but it's become a highlight of my week. I've gotten to the point where I can actually calm my mind during the class, and I leave feeling much more relaxed.

We decided that since we're officially dedicated yogis, we're allowed to invest in our own mats. We also decided it's a little bit disgusting to use the communal mats. It may not be Bikram, but it's still a serious workout.

I secretly want to buy one from lululemon because I love the way they advertise (their social media sucks me in), but their mats are a little pricey. I'll probably stick with a Target one. Maybe if we stick with it for two years I can upgrade...

Photo: lululemon

On getting healthy

A few years ago, I came across an article that delineated the habits of highly healthy people. I was happy to learn that I already practiced quite a few (like exercising and eating breakfast).

However, I decided once I graduated college, I would try to commit to a few of my weaker areas.

A progress update…

Get at least eight hours of sleep every night. And always keep the same bedtime.

This was going well – atleast Monday through Friday. My success began to derail once I discovered 24, though. Sometimes one more hour with Jack Bauer is worth a few yawns.

Don't add salt to food.Seeing as I love the white death, this is going surprisingly well. I've become somewhat of a pepper addict though...

Take vitamins.
After getting the flu in July and the Swine flu in October, vitamins quickly became part of my regimen. Since October, I've been a vitamin devotee. The unexpected benefit? My hair has never been so soft! And, other than food poisioning, I haven't been sick since the Swine.

Meditate every day.
I wish I could say this one has been more sucessful. Originally, I didn't think it would be too difficult. However, it's hard to count praying in bed at night when I often fall asleep or get really distracted. In the article, she said taking a bath counts as meditation. Unfortunately baths sick me out and showers apparently aren't sufficient. Meditating is pleasure. Showering is business.

I am proud to say, though, that on Tuesday, my friend Jenny and I went to a 90 minute yoga class. This, my friends, worked as meditation. And after 90 minutes of being entirely silent while sweating and bending my body into crazy positions, I definitely felt more centered.

Afterward, I went home and had a salt-free dinner. And then I went to bed right on time.

After one successful day, I can't say they're my habits. But I can say I'm trying.

Photo via google images