This is one of those (regretful) instances when my competitiveness got the better of me. Katharine was describing her performance in last year’s upstate triathlon a few months back. With four months of training on her side, she did quite well in her overall rating with running being an area she really excelled in. As a consummate braggart, I declared how easily I could slay her rating and the triathlon course. And now, here we are: it is three months later, and nearly at a time to register for the triathlon. And going back on my claim to kick her time to the curb would seem weak on my part, and I cannot concede that. Damn.
Where does that put me? Well, I’ve been attempting to exercise a bit more and eat healthier.
West Side Highway Biking/Walking Paths
The former was easy enough to accomplish considering my complete lack of exercise before I began this “training period”. I have gotten into a fairly regular pattern of exercise now after two weeks. Usually, I try to run as often as possible (trying to reach about 15 miles per week) with a little bit of swimming mixed in for flavor. Utilizing both East River Park’s and the West Side Highway’s biking/walking paths, I’ve been able to attempt a 3 mile run twice a week and a longer 5-6 mile run once a week. That may sound very tame (and it is!), but it gives me a large amount of recovery time in between and room to grow. My endurance is certainly not what it used to be, so I am working to get that a little better. The swimming helps that a lot, I think. Though I do find swimming at the gym terribly awkward. The biking has been ignored thus far, and I do not expect that I will get much biking in before the triathlon other than on the gym’s awful machines. I have yet to attempt any real gym workouts (aka weight room exercises). I am a little too scrawny and feel silly using a machine that a much more dedicated gym rat may find more useful. But I think today may be the day to try it.
The brand that I rely upon, Green Giant
The latter item, the food one, I knew would pose the greatest challenge for me. Without a doubt, I am under the psychological spell of food. I need a snack before bed. I need to eat certain foods while watching a movie. I have to eat foods to know I am full even if my stomach is already filled to capacity. It’s unhealthy, but has always worked for me so far. BUT there is hope! Considering I love vegetables so very much, I try to cook as much as I can. Throwing in a little plain ole’ chicken to my veggie mix adds the protein I need to “bulk” up. And fruits, now somewhat neglected, are saved for my dessert (and may or may not have a dollop of pudding or yogurt on them). It has been incredibly successful in keeping me satisfied, and I would guess that it is also very healthy. Most importantly, I have been guzzling water and tea, as many people have suggested. It is said that one should drink [their weight / 12] 8 oz glasses of water. I doubt that this number is scientific, but I am willing to try it.
2 months left! Overall, I am not sure what kind of results to expect and when to expect them in terms of my actual fitness level. But I have hope…and that hope is that I will devastate my sister in this contest!
Any recommendations?
1. Drink more. Never more so than this past holiday have I felt as though I had limited my social circle. I need to expand my social prospects. I need to go out on Friday and Saturday nights instead of going home after work or watching movies in the dorm. Seeing new places and new people is good for a busy schedule, which has been shown to increase happiness and lead to a longer life. I am not too worried about longevity at 20 years old, but it is a good thought nonetheless to keep a busy social life. And when I say drinking I really mean going out and meeting new people. Liquor is certainly part of that plan because I will likely loosen my seemingly strict requirements of friendship and downright orthodox requirements of relationships if I down a few cocktails. If nothing else, I meet up with my current and closest friends and enjoy a new bar or lounge.
2. Go for fresh veggies and fruit. The benefits of this are hard to ignore. I am not overweight nor even close to being so. I have been concerned of late, though, with the future state of my skin, heart, and metabolism. Spending time with my parents the past few weeks has reminded me of the silly way nature works. My mom, for example, eats terrifically healthy and is in peak athletic condition at 53, and yet she is taking a medication for high cholesterol and watching her blood pressure. My dad is already on cholesterol and blood pressure medications, while also being watched as a pre-diabetic candidate. Needless to say, I am slightly worried that, while I may be healthy now, nature may have its own providence. Eating bad foods may exacerbate a genetic predisposition, though no physical manifestations of their harm show on me currently. So, I propose taking the salad option more frequently and asking for fresh vegetables and fruits. I lack a kitchen in my apartment, but I can still eat healthy when I dine out. Besides my heart, I can improve my skin and get in better shape (with some exercise).
3. Take the stairs. I live on the 12th floor in my building. But my schedule is rather free this semester, and I have the time. Why not take the stairs? With the amount of times of I go to and from my apartment each day, I could likely burn off in excess of 200 calories a day. Add a little pace to the climb and that number could double. Plus, it saves me from making awkward small talk in the elevator. But even more so, I want take the stairs to mean really put an effort into being more fit. I have class at 11AM, leaving me a greater part of the morning to go to the gym (while the weather is cold) or run (when it warms up outside). A little cardio here, some weight training there (preferably when the gym-rats are in class), and I will be a brand new person physically. The extra benefit beyond the visual is all mental: exercise has been shown to improve mood and attitude. People are happier when they exercise regularly.
4. 
interests as well. Dexter- The Showtime/CBS hit that has found its way all over the internet. I do not know much about the show other than the fact that the title character investigates serial homicides and kills the ones guilty of the murders…sort of a serial killer of serial killers. Friends have recommended it, and I love the ads. Let us hope the show lives up to its reputation. Rome and John Adams- These two HBO series were extremely successful, one in popularity the other in critical praise, and I think they would fulfill my need for period pieces. I have begun the Rome series, which I did enjoy, but did not get any further into it than disc 1. John Adams does not intrigue me as much mainly because I dislike American history portrayals. But with Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, both of whom are fantastic in everything they do, I have to give it a chance. 30 Rock- I came across this while babysitting one night in October. While I was not entirely impressed by the much-priased comedy, I must admit that my focus was diverted much of the night. So I will give it the chance it deserves. If nothing else, it will get me away from so many depressing dramas about murder and corruption.
5. Travel more frequently. When reading about the process of making resolutions for the new year, I found that most articles advised against making extravagant purchases on an individual item, such as a piece of jewelry or expensive pair of jeans. Rather, they suggest that a purchase leading to an experience is a more worthwhile way to spend your money. Memories last longer than denim, and people have longer lasting positive associations with these experiences. Extravagant purchases without experience tend to lead to buyer’s remorse. Therefore, I propose to travel more and spend what money I have on experiences. I have already started checking off this item with my upcoming trip to London impending. And I will now state my committment to going on a trip for spring break (and am very interested in exploring the Aztec sites in Mexico if I can convince Ilona to do it with me). But small trips are useful too. Perhaps a ski trip upstate with Ali in January would be wise.
6. Make time for friends even if it is hard. This past semester was terribly difficult, both academically and emotionally. And every week, each and every day, my friends helped to rid myself of the stress that seemed to be bringing me down. So this is my chance to repay them by spending time with them, perhaps giving them the support they need. Regular lunches with Cathryn, getting weekly coffees with Riah, seeing movies with Carolyn: I can do these things, and I want to do these things. Why sit in my room and mope because I do not have anything to do when there are people perfectly willing to hang out and have fun. So even if I get caught up with school work, regular work, or extracurriculars, I am determined to stay in close contact with these people. Afterall, I may see very few of them after the school year ends.
