Reasons I <3 Exercise

1) Few other feelings match that "just finished my workout" feeling.

2) Completing a workout makes me feel healthier, more confident, and thinner all day long.

3) That bad decision drink/snack doesn't feel as bad.

4) I always get my best nights sleep on days I've worked out hard.

5) I'm less likely to make bad choices throughout the day that would "ruin" the work I've done.

6) I drink more water when I exercise.

7) Each consecutive workout makes the next one a little bit easier. 

The Joys of Alternate Side Parking

So here I am waking up at 8:45 on my day off to move my freaking car. This is the worst part about being a driver in NYC, when you have a day off you have to move your car for no reason at all. I've never once even actually seen a street cleaner clean the street during alternate side. And the worst is... people are crazy! Most people, instead of moving their car, actually just sit in it from 9:00-10:30 in case a cop comes. At 9, I moved my car to a meter, but in money for an hour (a whopping 3.50) and then will go park my car back in the same spot and sit there for a half hour. Its honestly one of the more ridiculous things I've had to do in my life.

Let's review my "summer" so far. I'll rate each day on a health scale from 1-5 (5 being healthiest)

Friday (1)
-Last day of work, had BBQ catered. Went out for drinks (4 beers) and then got pizza and wings for dinner. -No exercise

Saturday (3)
-Fairly healthy eating all day, had a BBQ at my apartment but barely ate because I was too busy hosting. Drank a few vodka sprites. Ordered french fries at 1am.
-Walked about 3 miles total.

Sunday (2)
-Moderately healthy eating, no alcohol. Went to Freda's finally, a hole-in-the-wall Caribbean restaurant in Harlem, but my food was so spicy I could barely eat it. Stopped to get ice cream after dinner
-No exercise

Monday (3)
-Healthy breakfast and lunch, went to a yelp event had 2 beers, 2 shots, and then bombed dinner: turkey burger, shared plate of wings & fries
-Worked out (LMC) and walked about a mile

Tuesday (3)
-Healthy breakfast and semi-healthy lunch (falafel in a pita). Sushi for dinner. No alcohol
-No workout but walked about a mile

Wednesday (3)
-Healthy breakfast and lunch. Semi healthy dinner (chicken tagine w/ couscous). Got a  symbolic ice cream cone from The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop in the E. Village. Also drank 3 beers + 1 martini
-Worked out (LMC)

And now its Thursday! I vow to make today a 4 or 5. I have no plans all day, so there is no excuse not to eat healthy, abstain from alcohol, and work out. I might even treat myself to a mani-pedi.

Here are some parts of my life in pictures over the last day or so. 

On my desk on the last day of school. From my favorite student: Isaac 💘

One last juice from my favorite store near work: beet, carrot, and pineapple 

Celebrating our lease signing at the Starbucks near our new apartment!!!!

The sunset at Brooklyn Terrace on the last day of work

Marvin's nephew covered in roti at Freda's

Woeful Wednesday

Let me just get right to it. I'm back to the weight that I was before I started Insanity.

Okay. Now that's it out of the way, I'll say why this is not a big deal.
1. I only lost a total of 5 pounds from doing Insanity. My body changed a lot, but my weight did not really. Still, 5 pounds is 5 pounds.
2. Diet-wise, I haven't actually been trying to lose weight. In fact, I would say that lately my food and alcohol intake is a little bit on overload. Nothing crazy, but definitely not "healthy."
3. Overall, I am still working out at least 5 days a week. I feel healthier in other ways, excluding weight loss.

It is a big deal because:
1. I worked crazy hard during Insanity and was so proud of my body changes and small weight loss. Its absurd how fast those pounds came back with just a slightly more relaxed attitude about exercise and eating.
2. Some of my pants were literally falling off a month or so ago and now they fit again. They are nowhere near tight, but the fact that they fit shows that I have actually put back on the pounds. There's no excuses or "my weight fluctuates so much every day." Its real that I have put back on some weight.
3. My first motivational event is coming... in 19 days: Grenada. 19 days is nowhere near enough time to get my body to where I want it to be.

Still, all that being said, 19 days is still 19 days. I HAVE to have more self-control during these next two and a half weeks. Friday is my last day of work, so I'll have a lot more time and flexibility with my schedule. I'm not exactly sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Breaks and vacations, for me, tend to lead to an increase in exercise but also an increase and alcohol and bad eating (from going out so much). I just really have to try so hard to make sacrifices these next two and half weeks, keeping in mind that I don't plan on doing any exercise or diet restriction in Grenada!

Monday Funday

Today was my last Monday of the year... Woohoo! By this time next week ill be whittling away my summer break :D

So here are some great things to brighten up my Monday:

Return of the whey protein shake for dinner tonight. So yummy!

Skinny girl margaritas. Only 37 cal per ounce. With about 70 total calories in my drink, that margarita is a hundred times skinnier than my blockheads favs.

This girl's body. I love how she's got such big hips but still looks amazing. Thats gonna be me one day. 

These suspenders that I had... circa 1986

And last but not least....

Kim had her baby!!!! This is about the most info they've released to the public but I can't wait to see her!!!

All You Need is Love

Unrelated title post. I'll just never stop loving that song. <3

Tuesday night I went to a great yelp event at Loi. It started off a little shaky because my friend was an hour and a half late... I didn't know anyone so I just snagged a corner spot at a table and started chugging wine. A little while I noticed a girl near me who seemed to be alone as well. In a very awkward pick-up line moment she asked if this was my first yelp event. A few glasses of wine later, I made a new friend :-)

The night was awesome, with some delicious Greek wine...

And delectable Greek bites... my favorite, shown here... octopus in a balsamic sauce:

Today is Day 7 of Les Mills Combat. Technically it should be my rest day but since I took it upon myself to take an addition "rest day" on Monday... I'm pretty sure I will be skipping today's rest.

Overall I don't really feel like I even need the rest. The sorest part of my body is my upper back, the area right under my neck and between my shoulder blades. I honestly didn't even know I had muscles there, but all this punching is making me feel muscles in many new places...

And let's end with some countdowns....

6 work days left to the last day of school. That includes 1 full planning day and 3 half days... so really... 

3.5 days left of teaching!!!!

24 days left til Grenada

That will be me: that little one walking into the water during a beautiful Grenada beach sunset

A new feeling

Today I am so anxious to get home and workout! I honestly don't think I've ever felt this anxious/excited to do a workout before. I guess I'm just mad at myself that I already got off track after doing 4 days of LMC. Sunday was actually my rest day, but yesterday I skipped. I was SO tired (after being kept up all night from Marvin's snores) and actually had a small fever. It was only like 99.8 but I felt extremely hot/cold and in no mindset to workout. Plus, the last time I worked out when I was over tied, I threw my back out. There's a fine line between pushing yourself and knowing your limits. Its hard for me to know sometimes if I should just tough it out or let myself skip.

In other news, the new apartment we're (hopefully) getting is soooo much closer to work.

Here's google maps data:

Driving: 1.1mi (6 min)
Walking 1.0mi (18 min)

I just cannot IMAGINE being able to walk to work!!! Right now my morning commute is about 25 min (car) without traffic. My afternoon commute ranges from 30min-120min (not including ooking for parking.) There's always afternoon traffic. I will still have my car for two more years so I will most likely be doing  a mix of driving and walking. Unless of course, I jump on the new citibike craze:

Which I wont. Because I can't imagine that biking is any safer than driving in NYC.

Monday Funday

In an attempt to make my Mondays more enjoyable, I think I'm going to start a Monday Funday post. Monday Funday posts will cover all things cool, cute, delicious, or just... fun!

1) Bakery on Main Gluten-free Granola

I don't eat a gluten free diet, but I do LOVE granola. Unfortunately granola packs a healthy punch but is also pretty high in fat and calories. This gluten-free version is slightly lower calorie and fat, and has this awesome crunchy texture. It also honestly tastes like apple pie. I cannot get enough.

2) "Upstairs" at the Kimberly Hotel

This weekend I finally visited a rooftop bar I've been hearing about for awhile. "Upstairs" at the Kimberly Hotel. I just LOVED the hanging lights and of course, the gorgeous view. One day, when I have my own house and backyard, I will definitely be stringing those lights

3) My Bridesmaid dress!

I'm in my friend Ava's wedding and she ordered us these convertible dresses from Etsy. It is pretty much one giant piece of fabric but the fabric is soft, light, and a great color. Best of all you can twist it and wrap it around your body into whatever style benefits you most! Ava tried some style on me and I can say this is the first time I actually DID not feel fat in a bridesmaid dress. We definitely have to do some work with shoes and jewelry, but I think it looks so cute!