Christmas was a little rough on me this year. The week leading up to it I was struggling a lot with thoughts about my Grandpa. Plus, I had to work...and I sort of came to the realization that unless I switch my specialty, or become a stay-at-home mom I will never get a full Christmas with my family again. If I stay in the department I am in, I have to work every other holiday and the years I don't work we will be visiting Jared's family in ND.
The day after Christmas I got the best present ever! At 5:30 AM I got a call from work saying that I could have the day off. I was so happy I almost cried. Of course a day off in the world of nursing means using vacation time, or no pay...but it was totally worth it, and meant that I would have an entire week off!!!!
It's been glorious. Jared has been on break from school, and not working either so we've been able to spend a lot of time together doing absolutely NOTHING! Seriously, if I leave the house once or twice to do something simple like go to the gym or grocery shopping I have considered it a successful day.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
On Hiring a Personal Trainer
Hiring a personal trainer was probably one of the best things I have done in a very long time.
In my last post I wrote a little about how I have slowly started to get back into a workout routine over the past two months. The more I was in the gym, the more I felt like I was missing something- strength training. I wanted to lift, but wasn't really sure where to start. I've tinkered around with weight machines in the past, and even have taken a few BodyPump classes, but the equipment always felt awkward and nothing every stuck. So I hired a trainer.
It is definitely an investment...but I think it's worth it. My mom has had both her knees and a hip replacement. My dad can barely walk because of back pain. I'm a nurse, which is actually considered a high risk job. On average, in a 8-hour shift a nurse lifts 1.8 tons. Which means If I don't take care of my body now I will likely need to find a new career in 20 years.
How am I paying for it?
Hiring a trainer wasn't exactly in our monthly budget...but I've been putting a little money away from each paycheck so I was able to afford an introductory package of three one-hour sessions. I also don't actually work full-time, so I also decided to commit to working two extra shifts/month to pay for two thirty minute session each week. I'm also going to buy the largest package up front because I will get a big discount and end up paying only $27/session instead of $45/session.
What I'm learning?
In my last post I wrote a little about how I have slowly started to get back into a workout routine over the past two months. The more I was in the gym, the more I felt like I was missing something- strength training. I wanted to lift, but wasn't really sure where to start. I've tinkered around with weight machines in the past, and even have taken a few BodyPump classes, but the equipment always felt awkward and nothing every stuck. So I hired a trainer.
It is definitely an investment...but I think it's worth it. My mom has had both her knees and a hip replacement. My dad can barely walk because of back pain. I'm a nurse, which is actually considered a high risk job. On average, in a 8-hour shift a nurse lifts 1.8 tons. Which means If I don't take care of my body now I will likely need to find a new career in 20 years.
How am I paying for it?
Hiring a trainer wasn't exactly in our monthly budget...but I've been putting a little money away from each paycheck so I was able to afford an introductory package of three one-hour sessions. I also don't actually work full-time, so I also decided to commit to working two extra shifts/month to pay for two thirty minute session each week. I'm also going to buy the largest package up front because I will get a big discount and end up paying only $27/session instead of $45/session.
What I'm learning?
- Foam rolling is awesome
- Apparently I have tight abs (???)- never would have thought this
- I am capable of a lot more than I thought I was
- I actually really like working out
- I need a massage really, really bad!
Friday, December 9, 2011
Why I Hate Working Out
Exercise and I have a on-and-off again relationship. I actually enjoy it when I can get into a pattern, but what I hate most about it is how hungry it makes me.
Over the past 6-8 weeks I have slowly gotten back into a routine...I started with fitness yoga, then added some jogging/walking intervals, now I'm beginning to take come cycling/spin classes and I also just hired a personal trainer (more on that in a different post).
Yesterday I worked-out twice: spinning in the morning for 45 minutes, then my first training session with my personal trainer (which was mostly an assessment to see where I am at).
But right now I blame my hatred for working out on the cycling class...because the second I finished class yesterday I felt hungry, and I have not been able to stop eating every since.
My hunger has been insatiable. I feel like I have been walking into the kitchen every 30-60 minutes to look for something to put in my mouth. I have eaten a ham & turkey sandwich, a large bowl of homemade acorn squash soup, grilled chicken w/roasted veggies (twice), a slice of pizza, chocolate whey protein shake made w/almond milk, ice cream sandwich, apple pie, scrambled egg w/bell pepper & cheddar cheese breakfast wrap, lots of fresh veggie/fruit juice a la my juicer, broccoli w/cheese sauce, apples w/peanut butter, peanut butter by itself, almonds, english muffin toast with lots of butter and peanut butter, oatmeal and the list goes on...and I am still hungry.
I'm hoping our double date to Hell's Kitchen tonight will bring me some relief. Otherwise I might have to eat my arm.
Over the past 6-8 weeks I have slowly gotten back into a routine...I started with fitness yoga, then added some jogging/walking intervals, now I'm beginning to take come cycling/spin classes and I also just hired a personal trainer (more on that in a different post).
Yesterday I worked-out twice: spinning in the morning for 45 minutes, then my first training session with my personal trainer (which was mostly an assessment to see where I am at).
But right now I blame my hatred for working out on the cycling class...because the second I finished class yesterday I felt hungry, and I have not been able to stop eating every since.
My hunger has been insatiable. I feel like I have been walking into the kitchen every 30-60 minutes to look for something to put in my mouth. I have eaten a ham & turkey sandwich, a large bowl of homemade acorn squash soup, grilled chicken w/roasted veggies (twice), a slice of pizza, chocolate whey protein shake made w/almond milk, ice cream sandwich, apple pie, scrambled egg w/bell pepper & cheddar cheese breakfast wrap, lots of fresh veggie/fruit juice a la my juicer, broccoli w/cheese sauce, apples w/peanut butter, peanut butter by itself, almonds, english muffin toast with lots of butter and peanut butter, oatmeal and the list goes on...and I am still hungry.
I'm hoping our double date to Hell's Kitchen tonight will bring me some relief. Otherwise I might have to eat my arm.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
What a Mess
Last night I had the good intention of using up food I already had to make dinner instead of going to the grocery store for a major shopping trip.
I'd say I was relatively successful, but I did end up with a minor problem. I cooked so much food that we will likely be eating mashed potatoes and acorn squash & apple soup for a month.
I also ended up with a ridiculous mess.
The other day one of my co-workers made a remark about how every time she works with me I never sit down, and she has to remind me to take a break. She then went on to say that if the way I work is any reflection of how I am at home, my house must be spotless.
I couldn't help but laugh at that point...and I told her I wished my house was spotless but unfortunately my type A personality is limited to work and school projects.
I am a very messy cook. I think the above pictures are evidence of that. I might also add that those picture were taken after Jared and I each did a sink full of dishes...but I can't blame my cooking adventures for the entire mess. After all, it doesn't take three pairs of shoes, a pile of mail and yoga mat to cook.
The good news:
Eeek!
I need to get going.
I have a lot to do!
Wish me luck!
I'd say I was relatively successful, but I did end up with a minor problem. I cooked so much food that we will likely be eating mashed potatoes and acorn squash & apple soup for a month.
I also ended up with a ridiculous mess.
The other day one of my co-workers made a remark about how every time she works with me I never sit down, and she has to remind me to take a break. She then went on to say that if the way I work is any reflection of how I am at home, my house must be spotless.I couldn't help but laugh at that point...and I told her I wished my house was spotless but unfortunately my type A personality is limited to work and school projects.
I am a very messy cook. I think the above pictures are evidence of that. I might also add that those picture were taken after Jared and I each did a sink full of dishes...but I can't blame my cooking adventures for the entire mess. After all, it doesn't take three pairs of shoes, a pile of mail and yoga mat to cook.
The good news:
- The soup tastes like Thanksgiving in a bowl, and I was able to freeze some of it so next time I'm feeling like soup or am to0 tired/busy to cook I already have something made.
- My kitchen is halfway clean.
- I have the day off so I can finish cleaning the kitchen.
- Washing the walls in our downstairs bedroom
- Paint the ceiling
- Begin to paint trim
- Meet with a personal trainer at my gym for a free consult
- Fold my laundry
- Finish my grocery shopping
- Clean the bathrooms
- Watch a Christmas movie
- Start my bible study
- Attempt to finish "Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God"
- Figure out how to hand the last three frames for my picture wall:
Eeek!
I need to get going.
I have a lot to do!
Wish me luck!
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