Va-cay!!!

I look forward to vacations as much as the next person. When you think of vacations, you typically think of relaxing, sightseeing, lounging, drinking, eating....definitely not exercising. That said, when you travel, you typically walk. A lot. I'm a lot more adventurous when I'm abroad than when I'm home, too. Why on earth would I use the Metro in LA?! Put me in New York, though, and I will walk or ride the subway before I even think about hailing a cab. I would never stick my thumb out for a ride in CA, but I've even been known to hitch-hike in Israel! In Mexico this summer, my sister and I went para sailing! There's something about being somewhere new and exciting that ignites a fire within me to try new things.

That all being said, I've tried to incorporate more activity into my vacations. In New Hampshire this past Fall, we went apple picking and I walked a little farther up the hill than I normally would've. When my BFF came out to CA for Thanksgiving, instead of sitting in a coffee shop and gabbing, we got our joe-to-go and strolled the streets. I'm leaving on Thursday for a long weekend in the South and am already planning on taking a couple runs and trying to stay active. You have to plan ahead and be deliberate (and by 'you', I really mean 'me'). That's step 1.

Step 2. Food. I've really tried to only eat foods that I've never had before, are specific to the locale or are the most-amazing-at-this-place kind of thing. For example, my friends in New Hampshire make amazing home-made Mac N Cheese. I rarely cook Mac N Cheese and even more rarely see them, so it was mandatory to eat their one-of-a-kind Mac N Cheese. I also feel obligated to try food that the place is known for; cheesecake in NY (even though I don't even like cheesecake!), deep-dish pizza in Chicago, cheese steaks in Philly, falafel in Israel, beer in Germany....you get the idea. I'm not going to waste my time on pizza in Mexico or Israel, but bring on the deconstructed enchilada casserole in Mexico! I suppose part of this logic is that I know I will only get the Hall's Mac N Cheese when I'm in NH, so I look forward to sharing that with them. When you connect a food/drink to an event or place, there are special memories that you create and isn't that part of what holiday celebrations are about? Elizabeth has a certain home-made snack mix only on New Years. She enjoys it that one day and looks forward to it and that, makes it special.

Step 3. Have a plan. I have to plan ahead. Don't get too hungry, take a few extra steps, make me-time, make the most of moderation. I suppose my trip this weekend may include some good 'ol Southern faire and I know beer is on it's way, but I'm also anticipating running. Must run. Or at least walk. :) Either way, I'll have a good time, be in good company and will get my butt in gear.

2010

Happy New Year!

I goofed a bit, I have to confess. I have a lot of blog ideas and so when I get them, I type a few lines to remind me about it later and then I can go back and write it up. Well, I did that today only to find that it kept the original date of SEPTEMBER! So, my current thoughts are labeled "Stressed?" in September 2009. Sorry!

Now that I'm effectively in 2010 though, let me tell you about my Christmas! I received, drum roll please.....a Bodybugg!! Woo-hoo!! Anyway, it's super cool...and kinda frustrating. I did really well yesterday and today with working out, staying active, etc. only to plug it in and there was nothing. Nothing to show for my 2 mile run/walk yesterday or my 3o minutes on the elliptical plus weights tonight. BLAST. I know I did it. Bodybugg apparently thinks I was "inactive" all day.

It is currently charging and so once I get over it, I'll strap it back on and off we go!

I don't know what motivates you to work out but for me, it's either habit once I finally get there or if I get out of it, anger. Anger totally motivates me. Frustration motivates me. Emotions towards others and even feelings I have. Whatever it is, I'm getting better at channeling it in the right direction. I suppose someday the feeling of health should motivate me, but really, right now, it's other driven and that's okay, so long as the job gets done right? Right.