What's the Plan, Stan?

/

I'm working on becoming less of a planner. And by "working on" I mean "taking no action other than hoping things turn out the way I want them to." Still, it's a start. 

I live by a plan. I really don't understand how people get by in life without them. It's not that I write down every moment of my day (well, not always), but I typically either review my calendar at night or first thing in the morning and at least make a mental note of what my day looks like. The problem is that if something new pops up--even something fun--I'm often reluctant to let go of the mental plan I had for the day and adjust to make room for the new thing.

Here's an example. Yesterday was beautiful and a friend texted me early to see if I wanted to get in a quick easy run that afternoon. Just to be out and enjoy the weather and each other's company. 

Sounds fun, but wait. Running was not in the plan. I'd already biked that morning. My legs had their workout. So no, no running. Can't do it. It's not in the plan. 

An hour later, I'm staring out at the sunshine thinking how nice it would be to be out there running in it and it occurs to me how stupid I am. This isn't about "exercise." This is about enjoying life and what it offers in the moment. It's sunny. It's pretty out. I have a great friend I get to spend time with. I get to enjoy being healthy and appreciate the fact that my life is set up so I can take off and enjoy an afternoon run. Throw the play book out the window and just go.

So I did.

I need to do that more often. I'm easily freaked out by things as simple as I planned to start my morning writing time at 7 am but now it's 8:30 and oh my God, the day is ruined. Calm. Step back. Readjust. Pull up your big girl panties and just deal with it. 

Can you see the free spirit in me taking over already? Almost there....

Cheers,

Dena

The Real Food Diet Cookbook

/

I never win contests. Well, maybe not never, but rarely. Which is why I did backflips of joy (Hey, you weren't there. It could have happened) when I found out I'd won The Real Food Diet Cookbook just for entering a comment on a blog post from my new favorite food blogger, Heather Eats Almond Butter. 

I am a huge fan of cookbook porn. I love leafing through cookbooks, ear-marking pages for recipes I want to try, debating whether I have the skill level to carry off a soufflé (no, I don't) and reading a dessert recipe so I can call out to Blair that No wonder Americans are fat can you believe this recipe calls for 2 sticks butter and more than a cup of sugar?! 

I hope the addiction to recipe books is leading me somewhere. When I first decided to be a writer, I did little more than read books on HOW to be a writer for close to two years before I figured out that more active participation was required. Maybe one day I'll actually become the cook I am in my mind when I sigh over glossy pages of perfectly presented food. 

Read More

Bikram Yoga Review

/

Made it out alive. That's the key point to remember in all of this. I'm alive.

Attended my first Bikram hot yoga class last night. Right before class, I was talking to BFF Trisha who asked if I was going to the class alone or with someone. 

"My friend Amy is going with me," I said.

"What's she like?" 

"Tall, blonde, pretty, about 24 years old." 

"Really? Maybe she's super flexible too so you both will have so much in common!" 

You can see why we're friends. =)

So. Class. Not so bad. Really. I'd expected my breath to be taken away by the heat, like when you enter a sauna and can feel the embers scorching the back of your throat. Walking into the bikram room was nothing like that. Warm, yes. But sitting still on our mats before class, it was almost comfortable. 

Of course, that didn't last long

Read More

First Bikram Yoga Class Tomorrow

/

Having discovered a previously unsuspected addiction to purchasing deals through Groupon, I am now the proud owner of thirty days worth of unlimited bikram yoga classes. I start tomorrow. 

Bikram yoga is more commonly known as "hot yoga." The class ia an hour and a half and the room is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Seriously.

A few people have told me how much they love bikram and how it's great for releasing all the toxins in the body. Of course, a few other people chimed in, namely:

  •  Christie, who told me she threw up after her one and only attempt at the class
  • Ben, who felt fine during class but ended up with nausea and diarrhea later that night
  • And Christopher, who today informed me the room smells like a foot locker and his friend got ringworm from one of the mats. 

 I've drank 78 oz of water today and will do the same tomorrow before class.

Stay tuned. The next post promises to be doozie.