Since we last spoke, I took a "real person" job with a 401k, benefits, and vacation time. The transition from teaching yoga and dance to office work wasn't too bad - I actually like my job alot! On the other hand, going from a very active lifestyle to a 90% sedentary lifestyle is extremely hard on one's body. Needless to say, I've gained a substantial amount of weight in the last year or so. I'm not obese or anything, but I've crept into the "overweight" category of my Body Mass Index calculator.
The last month or so has been good because my partner and I both adopted a healthier lifestyle (less meat, less fast food, less soda, etc.). Also, I purchased an adorable puggle puppy - which has gotten me moving around a lot more. We go on 2-3 longish walks each day, which has been nice exercise. I've also reintroduced yoga to my life (did I mention that I quit teaching when I got my "real person" job?) and even went on a two mile run yesterday.
These changes have been remarkably great. I feel happier, more energetic, and at peace. On the other hand, I am terrified that this burst of healthiness will be short-lived. Once off the bandwagon, it's so easy to keep falling off. I'm hoping regular contributions to this blog will help me stay with it!
I thought, in honor of my return to healthfulness, I would share a few products that are helping me get excited about jumping back on the bandwagon:
- Nike + Running App - This delightful iPhone app tracks distance and speed during runs and syncs with your iTunes library. In addition, it cheers for you at the end of a run and sometimes even sends you messages from celeb runners (such as Ellie Goulding). What awesome encouragement!
- The Looneyspoons Collection Cookbook - This great cookbook is chock-full of healthy recipes and fitness tips. I've made a few dinner and dessert recipes from it and everything has turned out great! There's also a lot of variety too!
- V8 Spicy Hot Juice & Naked Brand Smoothies - I know there are many proponents of V8 (too much sodium!) and pre-made smoothies (too much sugar!), but these convenience products have really helped me increase my vegetable/fruit intake. Granted, fresh is always better...but a V8 or Naked Green Machine Smoothie are definitely better than soda or (God forbid) a milkshake, right? Plus, each of these products offers numerous vegetables, fruits, and nutrients. I love them!
