I (sort of accidentally) took three weeks off from exercising. I never mean to do this, but it happens. When it does, it's always so hard to get back into the routines that were so easy to let slip
It started with the fancy dinner party we threw a few weeks back when Chev was in town. We moved the bike to the laundry room so we'd have space to play True American. Then we never quite moved it back. The week ended up being incredibly busy. We were trying to clean up after the party, and then clean up more in preparation for the cleaning people. Plus we had to do laundry and pack and were leaving straight from work on Friday. So, knowing how little time I had anyway, working out was the first sacrifice I made to fit everything else in.
Then we were on vacation and instead of working out every day, I was eating out and drinking with friends and family. I was sick when I got home, which ended up killing another week's worth of exercise as I tried to pull myself back into normality. During this time I also stopped weighing myself. There's this weird fear that builds when you've been weighing yourself every day, trying to lose weight, and then you just stop for a while like this. I dealt by not dealing and took to avoiding the scale along with the bike.
Last weekend, even though I still wasn't feeling 100%, I went to buy a new bike. I'm determined to spend more time riding outside this year, and this seemed like the right weekend to get started on that. I even went for a ride, though it was short because Kevin got another flat tire less than a mile in. It felt good, though, to be back on the bike.
The next week I screwed up my courage and got on the scale, convinced I would find that I'd regained the three pounds I've managed to lose since the new year. To my surprise I'd managed to lose a pound instead.
It makes sense, once I stopped and thought about it. I hadn't really quit exercising as completely as I thought. I still met with my trainer that week after fancy dinner party. In San Diego we went on a 3 mile hike up a hill and along the beach. In Colorado I skied for two full days. Well, almost full days. And last week, sick as I felt, I still managed to get my butt to the gym and walk on the treadmill for half an hour.
Getting back in the habit of riding the bike hasn't been too bad. I've had to work up to it, because my cough is still lingering and breathing has been harder than it should be. Instead of 45 minutes on the bike each day, I managed to do 20. Then 30.
I'm hoping to get out for a ride this weekend, though that will depend a bit on the weather. Despite the warming weather during the week, we might be backtracking to winter for a day or two. Maybe I'll be okay with a sweatshirt and some ear muffs, though. I'm ready for Spring to get here, definitively, so I can go for nice long bike rides. I think I may even be able to keep up with Kevin this year. Or at least not slow him down too horribly.
That may have to wait until next month though. In the meantime, I'll keep going with the stationary bike. Slowly but steadily losing some weight and getting in better shape.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Things That Are the Worst Things About Having a Cold
When you're brushing your teeth but your nose is so stuffed you can only breathe through your mouth
When you're brushing your teeth and your nose starts running
When you're brushing your teeth and all of the sudden you have to cough
When your daytime medicine has worn off and it's too late to take more but too early to switch to the nighttime medicine
When you lay down and you start coughing so you have to sit back up
When you're so tired you finally just fall asleep sitting up
When you have to choose between the hot toddy to soothe your throat and the NyQuil that will help you sleep maybe
When you realize you bought the stupid over-the-counter medicine instead of the good stuff with pseudoephedrine. Past-me, what were you thinking?
When your nose is running so much you have to actually carry the box of kleenex around with you
When your nose gets all raw because you've been blowing it too much, but it's not like you can stop blowing it
When the sun is finally shining after a long, cold winter and it feels like the whole universe is mocking you
When all you want to do is sleep, but instead your have to walk the dog and feed the cat
When you cough so hard you pee a little
When you're brushing your teeth and your nose starts running
When you're brushing your teeth and all of the sudden you have to cough
When your daytime medicine has worn off and it's too late to take more but too early to switch to the nighttime medicine
When you lay down and you start coughing so you have to sit back up
When you're so tired you finally just fall asleep sitting up
When you have to choose between the hot toddy to soothe your throat and the NyQuil that will help you sleep maybe
When you realize you bought the stupid over-the-counter medicine instead of the good stuff with pseudoephedrine. Past-me, what were you thinking?
When your nose is running so much you have to actually carry the box of kleenex around with you
When your nose gets all raw because you've been blowing it too much, but it's not like you can stop blowing it
When the sun is finally shining after a long, cold winter and it feels like the whole universe is mocking you
When all you want to do is sleep, but instead your have to walk the dog and feed the cat
When you cough so hard you pee a little
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Ski Trip
Every year our friends Alyssa and Brian organize a week-long ski trip in Colorado. Every year we have to miss it because our plans are so full of weddings and family that we can't find the extra time or money for a week-long vacation. But this year they added their wedding to the festivities and we were finally able to join everyone in Colorado for a few days of skiing and partying.
It's been five years since I've been skiing, and that was true the last time I went skiing, too. But last time it came back quickly, so I was confident it would this time too. And it mostly did, except that I no longer live in Colorado and hadn't quite thought to account for the extreme elevation change I would be dealing with.
This was somewhat mitigated by our arrival in Colorado on Monday with no plans to ski until Thursday. I figured this would give me plenty of time to adjust to the climate. Especially since we were spending two nights with my mom who lives at 8000 feet. It mostly worked. But with everything together (elevation, dry air, crowded condo, lots of skiing, impending illness), I was off balance for most of the week. Which mostly manifested as a lack of partying or even staying up late.
The skiing itself was a lot of fun. After a bumpy first run, during which I fell and spent several minutes wondering if I'd be able to get back up, I traded in for better equipment and did enough to have fun for the next couple of days. When I fell, I was convinced I had managed to twist my ankle. This should be (and is) impossible in ski boots, but my boots didn't fit great and my ankles are horrifically weak. I figured if there was going to be an exception, it would probably be me. Instead it appears that I merely bruised my ankle, albeit in the place that bugs me whenever I do twist or sprain it. Which happens entirely too often.
After that mishap and a bit of time to recover from it, Kevin and I had a lot of fun on the blues over on the west side of the mountain. They're a bit shorter and less steep than the ones on the east side of the mountain, and I had a lot of fun flying down them.
Around all of the skiing, the bride and groom had planned a bunch of events, including happy hours, lunch barbeques, and the bachelor ad bachelorette party. As I said, I wasn't up for much partying, but I did manage to hang out with everyone until at least 10 every night. I'm such an old person.
The wedding was on Saturday, but not until late in the day. Kevin and I used the time to go tubing (expensive, but highly recommended), wander around the village (I bought a sweatshirt) and hang out with beer and board games before it was time to get ready. The ceremony was lovely, with Bryan and Alyssa officiating their own wedding, which is a thing that I think should spread throughout the country. Currently it's only legal in Colorado and Pennsylvania. It adds a nice, personalized touch to weddings, especially those without a religious component.
Around our time in Copper, we also had a few meals in Idaho Springs (pizza at BaeuJo's and beer at Tommyknockers), visited with my parents, and read a bunch. We also go sick, with Kevin getting the bulk of his illness out of the way on Tuesday before we went up to the mountains and me suffering on the trip home. At least it didn't interfere too much with skiing and socializing. I just hope we didn't give it to anyone else staying in the condo with us.
It's been five years since I've been skiing, and that was true the last time I went skiing, too. But last time it came back quickly, so I was confident it would this time too. And it mostly did, except that I no longer live in Colorado and hadn't quite thought to account for the extreme elevation change I would be dealing with.
This was somewhat mitigated by our arrival in Colorado on Monday with no plans to ski until Thursday. I figured this would give me plenty of time to adjust to the climate. Especially since we were spending two nights with my mom who lives at 8000 feet. It mostly worked. But with everything together (elevation, dry air, crowded condo, lots of skiing, impending illness), I was off balance for most of the week. Which mostly manifested as a lack of partying or even staying up late.
The skiing itself was a lot of fun. After a bumpy first run, during which I fell and spent several minutes wondering if I'd be able to get back up, I traded in for better equipment and did enough to have fun for the next couple of days. When I fell, I was convinced I had managed to twist my ankle. This should be (and is) impossible in ski boots, but my boots didn't fit great and my ankles are horrifically weak. I figured if there was going to be an exception, it would probably be me. Instead it appears that I merely bruised my ankle, albeit in the place that bugs me whenever I do twist or sprain it. Which happens entirely too often.
After that mishap and a bit of time to recover from it, Kevin and I had a lot of fun on the blues over on the west side of the mountain. They're a bit shorter and less steep than the ones on the east side of the mountain, and I had a lot of fun flying down them.
Around all of the skiing, the bride and groom had planned a bunch of events, including happy hours, lunch barbeques, and the bachelor ad bachelorette party. As I said, I wasn't up for much partying, but I did manage to hang out with everyone until at least 10 every night. I'm such an old person.
The wedding was on Saturday, but not until late in the day. Kevin and I used the time to go tubing (expensive, but highly recommended), wander around the village (I bought a sweatshirt) and hang out with beer and board games before it was time to get ready. The ceremony was lovely, with Bryan and Alyssa officiating their own wedding, which is a thing that I think should spread throughout the country. Currently it's only legal in Colorado and Pennsylvania. It adds a nice, personalized touch to weddings, especially those without a religious component.
Around our time in Copper, we also had a few meals in Idaho Springs (pizza at BaeuJo's and beer at Tommyknockers), visited with my parents, and read a bunch. We also go sick, with Kevin getting the bulk of his illness out of the way on Tuesday before we went up to the mountains and me suffering on the trip home. At least it didn't interfere too much with skiing and socializing. I just hope we didn't give it to anyone else staying in the condo with us.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Beach Living
When we were planning our trip to Colorado for Bryan and Alyssa's wedding, we decided to tack on a stop in San Diego to visit Kevin's sister. Because if you're already flying 2/3 of the way across this country, you might as well fly all the way.
Upon landing in the San Diego airport, the first thing I did was trade out my snow boots for flip flops. DC had been in the grip of an unusually cold winter (though it didn't feel nearly as cold as the previous winter, it was actually colder). The day before we flew, we got six inches of snow and everyone except me got to take a snow day. But Southern California was, as ever, a perfect 70 degrees. Erin, having grown used to the weather since moving there a year ago, was wearing a down vest while Kevin and I happily donned short sleeves.
While in California we snuck in as much beach and sun time as we could. The first day we went for a hike near one beach, then over to another one to see the seals. Then it was back to Erin's neighborhood for what are, reportedly, the best tacos in San Diego. They were pretty delicious. Unfortunately, I'm not used to all that sun and warmth and walking, so I faded kind of early that night after getting a bit sunburned (my purse rubbed off the sunscreen I'd put on my shoulder). Luckily the bar we ended the night at was only a couple of blocks from Erin's apartment, so it was easy to get home and let everyone else stay out later.
On the second day I was little less enthusiastic about being out in the sun. We went down to Mission Beach, which can easily be enjoyed from the shade of the boardwalk. We ate lunch/dinner at a bar with fantastic views at about 2 in the afternoon, then proceeded to drink beer and play shuffleboard before switching over to indoor/outdoor mini-golf. We finished the night off with make-your-own ice cream sandwiches, wine, and board games.
It was a quick trip, but so nice to get some sun and sand in before heading back to winter in Colorado. I got bored of the weather after living in California for four years, but it's definitely a nice place to visit. I'll have to start finding more excuses to get over to that side of the country, especially with all the friends and family who live out there.
Upon landing in the San Diego airport, the first thing I did was trade out my snow boots for flip flops. DC had been in the grip of an unusually cold winter (though it didn't feel nearly as cold as the previous winter, it was actually colder). The day before we flew, we got six inches of snow and everyone except me got to take a snow day. But Southern California was, as ever, a perfect 70 degrees. Erin, having grown used to the weather since moving there a year ago, was wearing a down vest while Kevin and I happily donned short sleeves.
While in California we snuck in as much beach and sun time as we could. The first day we went for a hike near one beach, then over to another one to see the seals. Then it was back to Erin's neighborhood for what are, reportedly, the best tacos in San Diego. They were pretty delicious. Unfortunately, I'm not used to all that sun and warmth and walking, so I faded kind of early that night after getting a bit sunburned (my purse rubbed off the sunscreen I'd put on my shoulder). Luckily the bar we ended the night at was only a couple of blocks from Erin's apartment, so it was easy to get home and let everyone else stay out later.
On the second day I was little less enthusiastic about being out in the sun. We went down to Mission Beach, which can easily be enjoyed from the shade of the boardwalk. We ate lunch/dinner at a bar with fantastic views at about 2 in the afternoon, then proceeded to drink beer and play shuffleboard before switching over to indoor/outdoor mini-golf. We finished the night off with make-your-own ice cream sandwiches, wine, and board games.
It was a quick trip, but so nice to get some sun and sand in before heading back to winter in Colorado. I got bored of the weather after living in California for four years, but it's definitely a nice place to visit. I'll have to start finding more excuses to get over to that side of the country, especially with all the friends and family who live out there.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
sick
I have so much to write about. But this is what my life has been like since getting back from vacation.
9:00 PM - I think I'll take a NyQuil and go to sleep
9:30 PM - Or maybe I'll just lay here and cough
10:00 PM - Still coughing
10:30 PM - I wish I had some PTO left
11:00 PM - Maybe I could just take leave without pay.
11:15 PM - No, I can't do that. I'll just work from home
11:30 PM - Except my computer's at the office
11:45 PM - Fuck Everything
6:00 AM - No
6:10 AM - No
6:20 AM - No
6:30 AM - FINE
6:45 AM - I wish Kevin were here
7:30 AM - Sudafed! Oh, thank God
1:00 PM - Why the hell did I buy 6-hour sudafed instead of 12-hour?
4:00 PM - All I want to do is go home and lay on the couch
5:30 PM - Do you really need to be walked twice a day, Kina?
7:00 PM - If I go to bed now, maybe I'll fall asleep by 10
I've been running on empty, and it's amazing to me that I've been able to do such basic things as walk the dog and feed myself. Not to mention getting a load of laundry done and running to the store. On top of all the actual work stuff I've had to do because I used up all my PTO to go on vacation where I got sick.
The good news is that I finally got a solid 8 hours of sleep last night (going to bed at 7 totally worked) and am feeling halfway human. So maybe Kevin won't come home to a pile of dirty dishes and an overflowing trash can (yeah, I totally forgot about trash day).
Mostly I just want it to be the weekend so I can lay on the couch for several hours and reset and tackle next week like a person. This one feels like a wash.
 |
| This is my life right now |
9:30 PM - Or maybe I'll just lay here and cough
10:00 PM - Still coughing
10:30 PM - I wish I had some PTO left
11:00 PM - Maybe I could just take leave without pay.
11:15 PM - No, I can't do that. I'll just work from home
11:30 PM - Except my computer's at the office
11:45 PM - Fuck Everything
6:00 AM - No
6:10 AM - No
6:20 AM - No
6:30 AM - FINE
6:45 AM - I wish Kevin were here
7:30 AM - Sudafed! Oh, thank God
1:00 PM - Why the hell did I buy 6-hour sudafed instead of 12-hour?
4:00 PM - All I want to do is go home and lay on the couch
5:30 PM - Do you really need to be walked twice a day, Kina?
7:00 PM - If I go to bed now, maybe I'll fall asleep by 10
I've been running on empty, and it's amazing to me that I've been able to do such basic things as walk the dog and feed myself. Not to mention getting a load of laundry done and running to the store. On top of all the actual work stuff I've had to do because I used up all my PTO to go on vacation where I got sick.
The good news is that I finally got a solid 8 hours of sleep last night (going to bed at 7 totally worked) and am feeling halfway human. So maybe Kevin won't come home to a pile of dirty dishes and an overflowing trash can (yeah, I totally forgot about trash day).
Mostly I just want it to be the weekend so I can lay on the couch for several hours and reset and tackle next week like a person. This one feels like a wash.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Fancy Party
Last week, our friend Chev came to DC for a conference and stayed through the weekend to visit. Kevin and I decided to throw a fancy dinner party, because we don't need much of an excuse to have all of our friends over. We made spaghetti and meatballs from scratch, with garlic bread and salad. The recipes didn't work quite as well as we'd hoped in the larger quantities we made - the noodles all got stuck together and the sauce never fully thickened - but everything was delicious nonetheless.
After dinner, we learned how to play True American, the drinking game from New Girl. It was really silly and a lot of fun and made a complete mess of our basement. Some of the questions tended a bit more towards British history than American history, and others were nothing more than inside jokes that only a handful of people ever stood a chance of answering correctly. That was probably due mostly to the alcohol. And an unfamiliarity with the game.
In the morning, we made bacon and pancakes and scrambled eggs and drank mimosas and played board games until people drifted home. It was a great weekend, and we have Chev completely convinced that she needs to move to DC. She should be here more permanently this summer, and I can't wait.
After dinner, we learned how to play True American, the drinking game from New Girl. It was really silly and a lot of fun and made a complete mess of our basement. Some of the questions tended a bit more towards British history than American history, and others were nothing more than inside jokes that only a handful of people ever stood a chance of answering correctly. That was probably due mostly to the alcohol. And an unfamiliarity with the game.
In the morning, we made bacon and pancakes and scrambled eggs and drank mimosas and played board games until people drifted home. It was a great weekend, and we have Chev completely convinced that she needs to move to DC. She should be here more permanently this summer, and I can't wait.
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