lights out

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I get a little cranky when I have to work a bunch of days in a row. Last week, I worked 4 out of 5 days, and to say that I was irritated when our power went out halfway through the day and I was left without the ability to do the things I needed (wanted) to do on my day off was an understatement.

What's been on my mind for the last few days as I have reflected on our day without power was how lost Sam and I were when the lights went out. My immediate panic was "how am I supposed to get ready for work at 5:30 in the morning," which is legit..but I was more concerned about how my hair would look than anything. It takes the power of a blow dryer to tame the beast.

My not so immediate panic was that Sam and I had NO idea what to do with ourselves. I was hungry, with a headache, and without knowing how long the lights and power would be out, I was afraid to open the refrigerator too much for fear of the food going bad. We just stared at each other as if to say, "well..what now?" It was almost as if we were incapable of even speaking to each other without the use of our electronic gadgets.

After a quick break for a shower and a little bit of caffeine, we decided to go out to dinner and froyo. We hung out for a bit at dinner so I could charge my phone (thanks Noodles & Company), then decided to take a long drive. Luckily, about 10 minutes after we got home, the power came back on. And while the beginning of the night began in frustration, it ended up being a great surprise date night. And it was also a great realization that we don't need electronic gadgets to have a good time :).

personal trainer: day two.

I have been in the trenches of night shifts so I haven't been great about updating the world about my personal trainer (I know you are all shocked).

Here was my day two work out [what I can remember]*.

Warm-up: 5 minutes on the row machine (I love it and am so glad she's been having me use it!)

Next, into the circuits:

1. 10 push-ups
2. 20 "step-ups" while holding a 15 pound medicine ball, then 20 more using the other leg first.
3. 15 ball slams using the same medicine ball (hold the ball above your head, throw it down as hard as you can into a squat, repeat).
4. Arm lifts (I know you love my technical language...). Get into the squat position with one hand at your side, or on your hip if you need help with balance, which I do. Dangle the other arm while holding a weight of your choice between your legs, then swing that arm up above your head. Repeat 15 times, then switch arms.
5. Dead lifts. Hold weight in your hand, or kettle bell, lower weight to the ground in front of you while kicking your other leg out behind you...sort of an arabesque type move, if you're familiar with ballet.

Next cardio bursts.

First, we did toe touches on the box I used for my step-ups...I jogged for 20 seconds, rested for 10, jogged for 20...so on and so forth for 6 rotations.

Then, repeat the first cycle.

Next, another cardio burst. Side to side toe touches for the same amount of time.

Finally, we finish with abs.

In the plank position (no knees!) balance on both of your hands and slowly reach with one hand up to touch the bicep of your opposite arm. Lower the arm back to the ground, then repeat with opposite arm. The trick here is not to swing your hips (harder than it sounds). Repeat thirty times. Finally, we finished up holding a 10 pound weight and doing side to side crunches 40 times.


I think I'm forgetting something from the strength cycle, but it was two weeks ago and for the life of me I can't remember what it was! What I love about my trainer is most of the moves she is showing me can be done at home with minimal equipment.

What I don't like about my trainer is that she is ALWAYS HAPPY and sometimes I just want to punch her in her face.

*Again I am not a certified personal trainer, you should always take advice from a CPT or your physician. These are just what my trainer is doing for me, which works personally best for me!
 

personal trainer: day one.

Today was my "first official" training session, although I'm fairly certain last week should have counted because boy, was I sore after our initial "get to know you session".  We worked out together for about 20 minutes, and then I couldn't walk up and down stairs for the next three days.

Anyway, today we met for my first "official" session and I was still worn out, but it was manageable. I could do everything she asked me to, although I needed some breaks in between (like instead of doing 15 reps in a row, I would have to do 5 or 10 and then rest and finish out the set).

 

So, in an effort to try and remember what the workouts were and to give you a general idea of what I am doing, I wanted to blog some basics about the workouts that I'm doing. Although I'm a healthcare professional, you should obviously seek the advice of your physician, not me. And I'm a nurse, not a personal trainer, so don't ask me the real terms for half of these moves, because I don't know. 

Warm Up: 

15 shoulder presses using a TRX rope 

20 jumping jacks

15 arm circles forward, 15 arm circles back

20 jumping jacks

After the warm up, we dove right in.

• First, we did some "wall ball squats" with some sort of ball (sorry, I am so official..) that weighed 10 pounds. You squat, then using your legs, throw the ball up against the wall as high as you can. Repeat times 15. 
• 15 shoulder rows using the TRX rope. 
• 15 backward lunges while holding a 20 pound kettlebell on each side. 
• 15 "push ups" using the TRX rope. 
• 30 crunches while holding a 20 pound weight
• 30 second plank
• Jog down then sprint up 2 flights of stairs...repeat 4 times.

Then...repeat again.

It might not sound like much to someone who is in shape, but I'm not. And it's hard. I'm wiped out still 5 hours later.


My "homework" is to do 2 days of cardio before I meet with her again next week. Anyone have suggestions for some fun workouts I can do (cardio OR otherwise) in the next few days? I'm wishing I had better balance because yoga sounds delightful right now.

So, even though I'm exhausted, this is the thought that's running through my mind:

the day I discovered I had a hidden talent

On our Michigan trip last summer, Sam and two of our friends convinced me to go fishing. I had not been fishing in many, many years, and wasn't super excited to do so again. Several reasons for this: one, worms are disgusting. Two, fish are mean. Three, fish scales are painful. Four, while I'm not a vegetarian, I don't find it entertaining to maim animals (including fish, excluding deer) for fun.

Sam is a great fisherman, as is evidenced in this photograph of Sam from when he was a small child. 

Look at Tiny Sam with his Tiny Chucks.

So we headed out to the middle of Lake Leelanau and cast our lines. And although I was not the first to catch a fish, I certainly caught the biggest.

And the most. *

This is actually Sam's fish. He did catch one. Or two. Not six like me.

I'm also humble.

Such a pro I don't even lose the worms, say whaaaat?!

You'll notice that Sam is holding most of these fish. Although I'm great at reeling the fish in, I'm not as interested in touching them once they are in the boat. Therefore, Sam was in charge of unhooking them and tossing them back.

There you have it. My secret talent. If you ever need a fishing buddy, you know who to call!

*No fish were harmed killed in the making of this blog post.

getting "personal"

You may have noticed this tab on my blog at the top of the page: 500 Miles in 2014.


My friend Leah once blogged about how she was trying to run 500 miles in a calendar year, and I thought it was a great idea (I still do), so I tried to do the same thing in 2012. I think I ran around 100 miles that year. Needless to say, not quite 500.

I decided fine, 2013 was going to be my year. I turned 25 and wanted to get in shape and be fit. I was finally off orientation at my job, and was starting to settle in to living in St. Louis a little more.
 

You know what's coming. I ran a total 7 miles in 2013. SEVEN. I used to run 7 miles in a day and it would be no big deal. Instead of doing something about it, I continued laying on the couch on my days off, justifying it by saying, "Well, I'm on my feet for 14 hours during my average work day!" That's true. I'm not saying it's not tiring, because it is. But guess what: my friends who are nurses do CrossFit, and run marathons, and go to kickboxing, and spinning, and are active. They work just as hard as I do and they are just as tired, and some of them even have children to take care of, or pets. I don't have either of those things.

I knew it was all just an excuse, and I was tired of it. I began to change my eating habits, and even though they are not perfect (and likely never will be), I have gotten better about the choices I'm making.

 Choice #1: Join a gym.
 I joined the same one that Sam & his mother belong to, so I have a built in gym buddy. I like this one for several reasons. One, exercise classes are included. Yes. Check. I hate it when gyms charge you extra on top of the membership fee you already pay. Lame.

Choice #2: Cut out soda.
 It's hard. Every single day this is a challenge. I go a few days without it, then I have a lapse. I'm constantly trying to work on this and hope that someday, I will be able to go more than a few days without Coke. And don't bother suggesting I drink Diet Coke, because I'd rather die. Ok that's dramatic but I seriously. hate. diet. coke.

Choice #3: Hire a personal trainer (note the title of this blog post.
 This was an expensive choice. I doubt that it's one that I'll be able to keep up with. Right now though, once a week, me and my personal trainer Malinda are going to be working it out. And let me tell you, how sore I was after the first day is a definite motivator to get in the gym on the days I'm off work because I never want to feel like THAT again.

Choice #4: Be happy.
And even though it's a struggle sometimes as well, that's what I'm choosing today, and hopefully most of the other days in the future. 

when funfetti cupcakes fulfill you

So much joy from such a little cupcake.

Sam & I have been staying with relatives for almost 6 months now, which means I don't have quite the same freedom in the kitchen as I used to.

This is mostly because when I cook, I use every utensil, bowl, pan, and measuring cup that I can get my hands on. My mom used to encourage messy cooking, so I've embraced it as I've gotten older.  Not everyone appreciates this characteristic, so I've started to shy away from making messes in kitchens that aren't mine.


I went home a few weeks ago and made apple crisp (which was an actual recipe, not a box of cake mix) and it was gone the next day. I then decided that my need to bake wasn't quite fulfilled, so I made up a batch of funfetti cupcakes. So delicious (so much sugar!) and I felt my anxiety over not being able to meal plan and bake and stress relieve ebb a little bit.


Thank you, Pillsbury.

throwback thursday

I mentioned in this post that Sam and I had been on vacation for a while in one of our favorite places on earth. Since I abandoned blogging around that time, I never wrote about our actual vacation!

Wouldn't it be your favorite place on earth, too?


Several members of Sam's family own property in Northwest Michigan, and let me tell you: it is to die for. Everywhere you go is so peaceful, and Lake Michigan is at it's finest. I've only been three times, and I'm in love. Sam has been there almost every summer (every summer?) of his life, and I'm so jealous!

 Eating some gyros at an art festival

These pictures are from the Sleeping Bear Dunes, which is a you-know-what to climb but is totally worth it once you get to the top! Look at that view!

Sam's best friend and his sweet girlfriend came up to hang with us for a few days! It was so wonderful to have another girl around with all of the testosterone (Sam has two brothers). 

Another one of my favorites--sweet shops in Fishtown. This one makes the. best. sandwiches around. 

Lots of beach time. As you'll notice, I'm wearing a sweatshirt in this picture. In August, it's not uncommon for temperatures to drop into the 40s at night!

Back porch sittin'

Here are a few pictures just to spark your interest. If you ever need a different kind of vacation, you should definitely head to the Traverse City area (we travel a bit more north) and check it out!

Can't wait for next year!