I can still taste it. A mix of rotten egg salad and sulfuric acid. It was worst in the spring afternoons when the air was hot and thick. It stuck to the back of your throat and clung to every panting breath as we sprinted up and down the field. It was our home-field advantage. The thick, sour smog that loomed from the factory next to our field became our ally for those two halves; but by the next practice, it was back to being our biggest rival.
Air pollution and athletes don't mix. My lacrosse team swears that down the road one of us will have defective babies or some mysterious disease from hours of sucking the poisonous air, and we'll regret not sending letters to our state congressmen like we wanted. But even if we all keep our strong, healthy physiques and our offspring have the appropriate number of limbs and digits, there's reason for fitness buffs to worry about the supply of fresh O2.
As Dr. Homer Boushey of the Health Effects Institute explains in "The air we breathe" on CNN Paging Dr. Gupta's blog, typical breathing during intense workouts is through the mouth, rather than the nose. Problem? When dirty, polluted air is your body's fuel, that breathing pattern exposes you to more pollutants. And you don't have to be Al Gore to figure out what that does to your health.
That's why Haile Gebrselassie, 34-year-old Ethiopian marathoner, will pass on the summer Olympics in Beijing. The world record holder has exercise-induced asthma, and worries that it won't mix well with Beijing's chart-topping pollution levels. Even though Boushey doubts a short trip to the heart of China's economy will do significant damage to Gebrselassie's health, it's not a risk he's willing to take. Even if it means forfeiting his chance at gold.
While we may not be breaking world marathon records or shipping out to Beijing any time soon, the inconvenient truth is that we can't breathe easy. Unless we start making some green changes, fitness junkies could be taking their workouts indoors--permanently.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Lasagna Done Light!
My mother--famous for creating delicious, more nutritious renditions of our classic faves--knocked it out of the park with this birthday entree. Traumatized by the fat, carb-laden ghosts of lasagna past? This makeover swaps the high-fat cheeses and meats with waist-line sensitive ingredients, and holds them together with fiber-packed whole wheat pasta. It's a lighter lasagna with a punch of flavor, and will be sure to win over any guest who loves their greens (and reds. And oranges.).
Birthday Butternut Squash Lasagna
3 cups chopped onions
10 cups fresh spinach
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded provolone cheese
10 Easy Steps
1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Sauté chopped onions 4 minutes or until tender. Add spinach and continue for 1 1/2 minutes or until spinach wilts.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine provolone, parsley, salt, pepper, eggs, and ricotta cheeses.
4. Throw squash cubes in a microwave-safe bowl; cover and nuke on high 5 minutes or until tender.
5. Coat 13x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray.
6. Spread 1/2 cup marinara in the bottom of dish. Pile ingredients as follows: 3 noodles over sauce, 1 cup cheese mixture over noodles, 1 1/2 cups squash over that, and 3/4 cup sauce on top.
7. Add 3 noodles on top of sauce, and mix up the layer: 1 cup cheese mixture, 1 1/2 cups onion/spinach mixture, 3/4 cup marinara.
8. Repeat Step 6 & 7.
9. Top it off with 1 cup marinara and 1/2 cup Parmesan.
10. Cover each pan with foil. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 30 minutes.
Enjoy! Let me know what you think!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Happy Birthday to...me!
I know. Where have I been? I became blatantly conscious of my absence when my uncle calling from Germany asked about my plans to rename the blog. "It should be more like Jen's Bi-Weekly Serving," he said. "A man could go hungry waiting for your daily serving!"
I can really only amass a lame, I've-been-too-swamped excuse. I've got about 10 drafts waiting to be finished as proof that I've meant well, but I'll give it to you, my delivery has been piss-poor. But here I am, on my 22nd birthday, with the daily serving on my mind (let's leave assumptions about my social life aside...I've got an early date with a root canal in the morning, so I'm opting for a low profile night of March Madness with the family). That's gotta be automatic brownie points, right?
Waking up as a 22 year old didn't feel the same as my morning a year ago (but I guess most mornings sans massive hangovers don't). While things were definitely more relaxed this March 27th, I can't complain about where I'm at one year later. I'm wrapping up a rejuvenating spring break and heading back for one more quarter at a school I love. I've got an interview with a magazine tomorrow (post-root canal) that I'd absolutely love to work for. I'm surrounded by some of the greatest friends this world can offer. I'm blessed with a loving and supportive family, and I'd trade in kegs of warm beer for this nice glass of wine any day. Ya, life's been pretty good, and I have a feeling this year will bring many more exciting things my way.
Alright, so I've strayed from health tips and topics, but I had to acknowledge the white elephant cramming the HTML coding of my recently empty pages. I do have a great recipe from my birthday dinner that I'll get up here tomorrow, as well as a few articles and studies I've been reading about. For now, I've got to get back to prepping for my Men's Health interview tomorrow (not to mention the Louisville/Tennessee game!).
Oh, and Uncle David, this one's for you. Thanks for being there, from reading this blog to calling with heartfelt support and birthday wishes. I'll try to keep my portions more sustainable from now on.
I can really only amass a lame, I've-been-too-swamped excuse. I've got about 10 drafts waiting to be finished as proof that I've meant well, but I'll give it to you, my delivery has been piss-poor. But here I am, on my 22nd birthday, with the daily serving on my mind (let's leave assumptions about my social life aside...I've got an early date with a root canal in the morning, so I'm opting for a low profile night of March Madness with the family). That's gotta be automatic brownie points, right?
Waking up as a 22 year old didn't feel the same as my morning a year ago (but I guess most mornings sans massive hangovers don't). While things were definitely more relaxed this March 27th, I can't complain about where I'm at one year later. I'm wrapping up a rejuvenating spring break and heading back for one more quarter at a school I love. I've got an interview with a magazine tomorrow (post-root canal) that I'd absolutely love to work for. I'm surrounded by some of the greatest friends this world can offer. I'm blessed with a loving and supportive family, and I'd trade in kegs of warm beer for this nice glass of wine any day. Ya, life's been pretty good, and I have a feeling this year will bring many more exciting things my way.
Alright, so I've strayed from health tips and topics, but I had to acknowledge the white elephant cramming the HTML coding of my recently empty pages. I do have a great recipe from my birthday dinner that I'll get up here tomorrow, as well as a few articles and studies I've been reading about. For now, I've got to get back to prepping for my Men's Health interview tomorrow (not to mention the Louisville/Tennessee game!).
Oh, and Uncle David, this one's for you. Thanks for being there, from reading this blog to calling with heartfelt support and birthday wishes. I'll try to keep my portions more sustainable from now on.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Take Small Steps to Drop Big
I just read a great story from CNN's Health Minute about Lois Fletcher and the small steps she started taking toward a healthier body. By substituting a subway ride in place of her daily car commute to work, she added a regular exercise routine that helped her drop more than 30 pounds and get her health back on track. It's an incredible story--take a look.
Fletcher is living proof that it is possible to add fitness into your daily life--regardless of your schedule or shape. I found the same positive effect of inter-commute workouts this summer in NYC. I lived 20 blocks from my office (20 city blocks is about 1 mile), so on nice days I would forgo my trip on the 4 train for a round-trip walk instead. And there were so many amazing benefits. My mornings became more productive knowing I needed to get out the door a few minutes earlier, and less stressful by avoiding the jam-packed, super-muggy subways. It helped me unwind after a hectic work day, and spend some time in the summer sun. It made me feel more connected and familiar to the new city I was a part of, and it gave me a way to explore; on some afternoons, I would take a different route or walk way out of my way--just to see a new angle of the city. I got so much out of the short, 20-block trip that I never realized the workout I was getting. Just another reason why I can't wait to get back to the city!
Fletcher is living proof that it is possible to add fitness into your daily life--regardless of your schedule or shape. I found the same positive effect of inter-commute workouts this summer in NYC. I lived 20 blocks from my office (20 city blocks is about 1 mile), so on nice days I would forgo my trip on the 4 train for a round-trip walk instead. And there were so many amazing benefits. My mornings became more productive knowing I needed to get out the door a few minutes earlier, and less stressful by avoiding the jam-packed, super-muggy subways. It helped me unwind after a hectic work day, and spend some time in the summer sun. It made me feel more connected and familiar to the new city I was a part of, and it gave me a way to explore; on some afternoons, I would take a different route or walk way out of my way--just to see a new angle of the city. I got so much out of the short, 20-block trip that I never realized the workout I was getting. Just another reason why I can't wait to get back to the city!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Pound-Melting Miracle or Just Another Fad Diet?
While some people swear by their fat-zapping powers, I've never been bit by the fad-diet bug. To me, there's nothing less appetizing than cabbage soup or more boring than Subway subs. I don't like red meat, so Adkins was never an option. Math's not my strong suit, so I never got my head around The Zone's percentages. I tried South Beach awhile back with my mom, and while I did drop some lb's during Phase 1, the food options just weren't practical for my busy (then) high-school life. So when a new fad diet--the Alternate-day diet--started making headlines, I thought I'd at least take a look (while preparing for disappointment).
Created by New Orleans plastic surgeon James B. Johnson, the diet's mantra is "no restriction necessary" and the concept is simple--every other day, eat as you please. Yes, absolutely however you want. Craving pizza? Go for it. Sweeting on ice cream? Add an extra scoop. The catch? (Because obviously there has to be one.) Those other days you've got to cut your cals--big time.
Johnson got the idea from animal studies that have shown weight and health benefits from fasting every other day. As an overweight and mindless eater himself, Johnson tested the animal-based theories and saw dramatic results (35 pounds in 3 months!). Instead of fasting like the test mice and primates did, Johnson stuck to a calorie-restricted diet (approximately 20 to 30 percent of his daily caloric intake) of low-cal foods like yogurt, fruit and salads. The best result for him? The one-day-at-a-time mentality was doable and he never felt deprived.
I'm all for anything that lets me enjoy the "forbidden foods" that have been exiled by other diets, but something about this on-off approach has me thinking twice. On the one hand, I'd be a perfect candidate. I can't seem to say goodbye for good to taboo foods, I have great short-term discipline, and I'm an eater who laments every time I "mess up" on my diet (causing a downward, devastating blow to my progress). On the other hand, I see red flags all over this diet plan. My be-healthy intuition leans toward making balanced and nutritious choices everyday, while giving yourself room to enjoy the things you crave in moderation. This diet certainly doesn't teach a healthy mentality; instead it teaches that you can eat absolutely anything--just as long as you don't eat the next day. When I dug around Johnson's website, I found a calorie calculator to breakdown the "up" and "down" days based on my info. While I tend to nibble into the 1,200-1,600 daily calorie range, I could eat my way up to 1,900 calories if I wanted to on the "up" days. But on the "down" days, I'd be looking at a 350-calorie allowance. I really don't see how that could get me through 24 hours.
My verdict's still out on this one while I read into what other people have to say. What do you think? Is this a legit, get-slim-quick plan or just another fad diet gone wrong?
Created by New Orleans plastic surgeon James B. Johnson, the diet's mantra is "no restriction necessary" and the concept is simple--every other day, eat as you please. Yes, absolutely however you want. Craving pizza? Go for it. Sweeting on ice cream? Add an extra scoop. The catch? (Because obviously there has to be one.) Those other days you've got to cut your cals--big time.
Johnson got the idea from animal studies that have shown weight and health benefits from fasting every other day. As an overweight and mindless eater himself, Johnson tested the animal-based theories and saw dramatic results (35 pounds in 3 months!). Instead of fasting like the test mice and primates did, Johnson stuck to a calorie-restricted diet (approximately 20 to 30 percent of his daily caloric intake) of low-cal foods like yogurt, fruit and salads. The best result for him? The one-day-at-a-time mentality was doable and he never felt deprived.
I'm all for anything that lets me enjoy the "forbidden foods" that have been exiled by other diets, but something about this on-off approach has me thinking twice. On the one hand, I'd be a perfect candidate. I can't seem to say goodbye for good to taboo foods, I have great short-term discipline, and I'm an eater who laments every time I "mess up" on my diet (causing a downward, devastating blow to my progress). On the other hand, I see red flags all over this diet plan. My be-healthy intuition leans toward making balanced and nutritious choices everyday, while giving yourself room to enjoy the things you crave in moderation. This diet certainly doesn't teach a healthy mentality; instead it teaches that you can eat absolutely anything--just as long as you don't eat the next day. When I dug around Johnson's website, I found a calorie calculator to breakdown the "up" and "down" days based on my info. While I tend to nibble into the 1,200-1,600 daily calorie range, I could eat my way up to 1,900 calories if I wanted to on the "up" days. But on the "down" days, I'd be looking at a 350-calorie allowance. I really don't see how that could get me through 24 hours.
My verdict's still out on this one while I read into what other people have to say. What do you think? Is this a legit, get-slim-quick plan or just another fad diet gone wrong?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Portion Sizes attack!
They're merciless, they're uncontrollable and they're here to menace your figure! It doesn't take a registered nutritionist or public health lobbyist to explain our country's weight problem--our food does all the talking. Take this "Portion Distortion" quiz courtesy of the FDA and you'll see the direct and every-expanding line that links our waists to our plates.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Who's the Healthiest of Them All?
I like to think of myself as a pretty nutrition-knowledgeable gal, so when I stumbled on a healthy vs. healthier quiz on MSNBC's website, I was sure I'd ace it (I got an 85%). It was trickier than I thought (ie. apple vs. banana), but the data-dense explanations after each question were great. Just goes to show, making healthy choices isn't cut and dry--even when your choices are both great options.
Stop Stressing...Stop Cancer?
When it comes to your health, stress has earned its bad boy image (Want proof? Just take a look at what it does to your body.) I just got done reading Steve Mitchell's "Feeling stressed out linked to cervical cancer" on MSNBC, and it's definitely worth a read. A new study shows that a woman's stress-level might be a factor in her body's ability to fight off the cancer-causing virus, HPV. It's too soon to tell (they're currently doing more research), but it's a good article and it definitely doesn't hurt to think about it it--just don't stress about it!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Give V-day a Break!
I sat in English Thursday, listening for almost two hours as my teacher facilitated a discussion that could have been titled, "Why Valentines Day is Mankind's Worst Modern Invention." My classmates went back and forth sharing their passionate opinions on everything from the chocolate-rose-card company conspiracies to holiday-related suicide rates. I get it. It's cool to hate Valentines Day. If you're not in a relationship, you hate that it makes you consciously aware of your single status. If you are in a relationship, you hate that you have to show-off your love by buying candies and roses.
But I just don't see the big-bad, cynical side of V-day that everyone else does.
(In the sake of full disclosure: I've been happily dating an incredible kid for over 2 years and I'm still starry-eye in love with him. I've shared Valentines Day with him, with others, and with no one, and February 14th has never made me jaded.)
To me, it's a day to surprise my magazine staff with heart-shaped cookies and my roommates with chocolates. It's a day to be a kid again and make old-school valentines from construction paper. It's a reason for my grandma to send me an I'm-thinking-of-you card and my parents to send me a we-miss-you care package. It's a reminder to tell the people in my life how much they mean to me. And yes, it's a day to fall in love all over again with someone I sometimes take for granted.
I think in life you always have control over two things--your attitude and your actions. So while Hallmark holidays might not be your thing, being negative about it just brings you down more. And life's way too short to be negative all the time! Let people be sappy, send flowers and eat chocolate if it makes them happy, and find something positive that brings happiness to your life!
But I just don't see the big-bad, cynical side of V-day that everyone else does.
(In the sake of full disclosure: I've been happily dating an incredible kid for over 2 years and I'm still starry-eye in love with him. I've shared Valentines Day with him, with others, and with no one, and February 14th has never made me jaded.)
To me, it's a day to surprise my magazine staff with heart-shaped cookies and my roommates with chocolates. It's a day to be a kid again and make old-school valentines from construction paper. It's a reason for my grandma to send me an I'm-thinking-of-you card and my parents to send me a we-miss-you care package. It's a reminder to tell the people in my life how much they mean to me. And yes, it's a day to fall in love all over again with someone I sometimes take for granted.
I think in life you always have control over two things--your attitude and your actions. So while Hallmark holidays might not be your thing, being negative about it just brings you down more. And life's way too short to be negative all the time! Let people be sappy, send flowers and eat chocolate if it makes them happy, and find something positive that brings happiness to your life!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Heartwarming Spouse Study
Hate how he always leaves the toilet seat up or that his morning breath lasts all day? A new study from the University of Michigan's Institute for Social Research says to get used to the stuff that bugs you about about your better half. In fact, if you're in it for the long-run, buckle up--it could be a bumpy ride.
Kira Birditt, the lead author of the study, and colleagues Lisa Jackey and Toni Antonucci, sampled 800 people in the greater Detroit metropolitan area in 1992 and 2005 to evaluate how negative views of spouses, children and friends changed over time. The consensus? Each of the three age groups (20-39, 40-59 and 60 and over) viewed their spouses most negatively compared with friends and kids. The better news? That feeling typically increased over time.
And while individuals were busy getting more bugged by their spouses, their other relationships actually became less irritating over time. Why? Well, it actually makes pretty logical sense. Kids grow into mature, independent adults, making the parent's role a whole lot less demanding (and irritating). And as the saying goes ("you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose..."), we actively and highly-selectively choose our friends as we get older, so our negative feelings stay at bay by simply ditching ones that don't fit the bill.
Not exactly the way it works in partner relationships. The longer you're together, the more real your relationship gets. Sometimes that reality isn't picture perfect. His dying-to-impress you gig when you started dating can change faster than Cinderella at midnight, and your polite, I-love-everything-about-you act sometimes doesn't last long either. But that might just be the way the cookie crumbles in normal relationships.
So should all young, unattached singles out there throw in the towel on finding their happily ever after? Not yet. Researchers still seem confident about love, marriage and the happy-ending that ties it all together. While it may not be perfect or easy or pretty all the time, if you keep a healthy dose of reality (and a big bottle of mouth wash), you'll be able to work through every bothersome bump together.
Kira Birditt, the lead author of the study, and colleagues Lisa Jackey and Toni Antonucci, sampled 800 people in the greater Detroit metropolitan area in 1992 and 2005 to evaluate how negative views of spouses, children and friends changed over time. The consensus? Each of the three age groups (20-39, 40-59 and 60 and over) viewed their spouses most negatively compared with friends and kids. The better news? That feeling typically increased over time.
And while individuals were busy getting more bugged by their spouses, their other relationships actually became less irritating over time. Why? Well, it actually makes pretty logical sense. Kids grow into mature, independent adults, making the parent's role a whole lot less demanding (and irritating). And as the saying goes ("you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose..."), we actively and highly-selectively choose our friends as we get older, so our negative feelings stay at bay by simply ditching ones that don't fit the bill.
Not exactly the way it works in partner relationships. The longer you're together, the more real your relationship gets. Sometimes that reality isn't picture perfect. His dying-to-impress you gig when you started dating can change faster than Cinderella at midnight, and your polite, I-love-everything-about-you act sometimes doesn't last long either. But that might just be the way the cookie crumbles in normal relationships.
So should all young, unattached singles out there throw in the towel on finding their happily ever after? Not yet. Researchers still seem confident about love, marriage and the happy-ending that ties it all together. While it may not be perfect or easy or pretty all the time, if you keep a healthy dose of reality (and a big bottle of mouth wash), you'll be able to work through every bothersome bump together.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Healthy Holiday Round-up: February style
While interning this summer, I was eager for opportunities to write, so when the web editor at Positive Thinking asked if I'd like to write a "10 Things to do in July" article, I responded with an emphatic yes! When the summer was over, he gave me opportunity to make it a monthly column (another emphatic yes!). An unforeseen side effect? It has given me a wealth of random facts and information (and to my friends dismay, an endless supply of "Hey guys, did you know that today/this week/this month is...?" questions). "10 Things to do in February" will be coming out soon, but I thought I'd take up some web space here for a few healthy observances that didn't make the 10-count cut.
Pistachio Day (February 26th)
Go nuts for these nuts! 1 ounce (about 49 kernels) weighs in at 160 calories, and is packed with 13 grams of healthy fat (only 2 grams of the saturated stuff) and 3 grams of fiber--making it a perfect mid-afternoon snack. Added bonus? Their natural safety lock for fast snackers! Taking time to open each shell slows down your munching, helping you to satisfy your hunger without going overboard.
And for the finale, the month-long celebration...
Sweet Potato Month
(for full effect, this should be read with a Bud Light's "Real American Hero" pizazz. You know, like one of these):
National Carrot Day (February 3rd)
This low-cal snack (35 per 100 g serving) is loaded with Vitamin A, C, Folate, Iron and Potassium. With 3 grams of dietary fiber and 0 grams fat, carrots are a great option for healthy weight loss snacking.
National Frozen Yogurt Day (February 6th)
I just like any national holiday that says I can eat sweets, guilt-free! There are tons of great picks out there for delicious fro-yo and low-fat frozen treats--from chains like Tasty D-Lite and Pinkberry, to store-bought faves like Skinny Cow sandwiches and Smart Ones Sundaes. So treat yourself to a tasty treat in honor of the national holiday!
Pistachio Day (February 26th)
Go nuts for these nuts! 1 ounce (about 49 kernels) weighs in at 160 calories, and is packed with 13 grams of healthy fat (only 2 grams of the saturated stuff) and 3 grams of fiber--making it a perfect mid-afternoon snack. Added bonus? Their natural safety lock for fast snackers! Taking time to open each shell slows down your munching, helping you to satisfy your hunger without going overboard.
And for the finale, the month-long celebration...
Sweet Potato Month
(for full effect, this should be read with a Bud Light's "Real American Hero" pizazz. You know, like one of these):
This February we salute you sweet potato. Often forgotten and neglected, thought of as nothing but turkey's side dish, you swallow your pride every Thanksgiving and forgo your naturally delicious flavor to be dressed in melted marshmallows. How do people not see that you are best Au natural? A fully-equipped, mid-sized complex carb, complete with 103 calories, 4 grams fiber, 438% daily value of Vitamin A and 37% of Vitamin C (fat and sodium not included)--you in your most basic, baked state are a dieters dream. So this month, we salute you, sweet potato, because you truly are an under appreciated tator.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Learning to chill-out my workout
I have never, and most likely will never, be one to cringe at the thought of physical fitness. I am a product of endless sport seasons--swimming, softball, basketball, gymnastics, field hockey, lacrosse--and beside my brief stint at soccer (when the coach took my 5-year-old self out of the goalie spot due to my inability to focus, move, or want to do anything soccer related), I have loved every minute of it. It was time well-spent with my dad (aka Coach Steve) and what I did with my summers; in high school, it was part of my identity and my group of friends. In college, it gave me an instant family away from home and kept me out of trouble (and gaining the freshman 15!). But it also gave me a militant mentality that I never knew could sabotage the way I looked at exercise.
Our lacrosse program got cut (a whole other story in itself), and I had to trade in my "collegiate athlete" title for "active college student" instead. The first time I walked into our school's fitness center, I felt out of place. I was used to the flaky turf and 5-yard lines of our field. I knew the spots on the track that got slick after it rained, and I had become accustom to the rusty dumbbells in our weight room. To me, treadmills were a last resort for when it was snowing or raining too hard. The last time I had biked was when I was training for a 75-mile race, and the only time I had used the elliptical was when I was nursing a sprained ankle or torn hamstring. I didn't understand how walking or yoga constituted as exercise, and my workout garb was baggy shorts and over-sized T-shirts (hardly close to the "gym-fashionable" outfits other girls wore).
I didn't fit into the mold that many active young women did. They obsessed over pounds and numbers just like I did, but we measured very different things. For them, it was the falling numbers on a scale and the countdown of pounds; for me, it was dropping numbers off my timed mile or adding 40 pounds to my squat max.
This drive, this push that was deemed dedicated and determined on the lacrosse field turned out to be flat out unhealthy off the field. I didn't have to beat times or whistles or weight maxes anymore. For the first time, I could work out just because. But it didn't work out like that. If I wasn't dead and exhausted, or didn't spend more than 30 minutes at the gym, I felt like a failure. I was always having to out-do something or someone. If reports recommended 30 minutes of activity most days a week, I had to do at least 60 every day. I held races with unknowing competitors; if the girl on the treadmill next to me was doing 6.0, I couldn't be under 6.5; if the person across from me stayed on the bike for 40 minutes, I had to stay for 60. It's sad, pathetic, and flat-out creepy (believe me, I know), but it was my unconscious way of satisfying that relentless mentality I had.
It finally hit me. As much as I enjoyed being active, I had no idea how to do it just for fun. These insane, intense and unreal workouts had become my fun throughout the years. I lived for the workouts where you never thought you could make it, where you pushed your body past every logical limit and never thought twice. Those workouts, the ones you could only get though by gasping for air and encouragement from your teammates, were what I considered normal. When my new routines failed to meet that intensity, I was left feeling defeated.
I've had to work hard at re-conditioning my mentality on exercise, and I'm starting to get on the right path. I get out and run simply because I like the way I feel during and after, and when my busy schedule means missing a date with the gym, I don't stress about it. Exercise shouldn't be torture (even if you're sick like me and can find enjoyment from it). It should be a part of your everyday life, not because it has to be, but because you want it to be. For me, that means playing racquetball with Craig more often, taking a pilates class, or catching up with my best friend over a walk rather than a cup of coffee. For you, it could mean gardening, jumping rope, or yes, even cleaning your house! Whatever you choose, it is possible to be more active and actually enjoy it!
Our lacrosse program got cut (a whole other story in itself), and I had to trade in my "collegiate athlete" title for "active college student" instead. The first time I walked into our school's fitness center, I felt out of place. I was used to the flaky turf and 5-yard lines of our field. I knew the spots on the track that got slick after it rained, and I had become accustom to the rusty dumbbells in our weight room. To me, treadmills were a last resort for when it was snowing or raining too hard. The last time I had biked was when I was training for a 75-mile race, and the only time I had used the elliptical was when I was nursing a sprained ankle or torn hamstring. I didn't understand how walking or yoga constituted as exercise, and my workout garb was baggy shorts and over-sized T-shirts (hardly close to the "gym-fashionable" outfits other girls wore).
I didn't fit into the mold that many active young women did. They obsessed over pounds and numbers just like I did, but we measured very different things. For them, it was the falling numbers on a scale and the countdown of pounds; for me, it was dropping numbers off my timed mile or adding 40 pounds to my squat max.
This drive, this push that was deemed dedicated and determined on the lacrosse field turned out to be flat out unhealthy off the field. I didn't have to beat times or whistles or weight maxes anymore. For the first time, I could work out just because. But it didn't work out like that. If I wasn't dead and exhausted, or didn't spend more than 30 minutes at the gym, I felt like a failure. I was always having to out-do something or someone. If reports recommended 30 minutes of activity most days a week, I had to do at least 60 every day. I held races with unknowing competitors; if the girl on the treadmill next to me was doing 6.0, I couldn't be under 6.5; if the person across from me stayed on the bike for 40 minutes, I had to stay for 60. It's sad, pathetic, and flat-out creepy (believe me, I know), but it was my unconscious way of satisfying that relentless mentality I had.
It finally hit me. As much as I enjoyed being active, I had no idea how to do it just for fun. These insane, intense and unreal workouts had become my fun throughout the years. I lived for the workouts where you never thought you could make it, where you pushed your body past every logical limit and never thought twice. Those workouts, the ones you could only get though by gasping for air and encouragement from your teammates, were what I considered normal. When my new routines failed to meet that intensity, I was left feeling defeated.
I've had to work hard at re-conditioning my mentality on exercise, and I'm starting to get on the right path. I get out and run simply because I like the way I feel during and after, and when my busy schedule means missing a date with the gym, I don't stress about it. Exercise shouldn't be torture (even if you're sick like me and can find enjoyment from it). It should be a part of your everyday life, not because it has to be, but because you want it to be. For me, that means playing racquetball with Craig more often, taking a pilates class, or catching up with my best friend over a walk rather than a cup of coffee. For you, it could mean gardening, jumping rope, or yes, even cleaning your house! Whatever you choose, it is possible to be more active and actually enjoy it!
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