RE: Sharing

As I sit on my luxurious bed with my laptop and my neurotic dog, I am reflecting on a day that went 95% well. 5% of that was me being an hour late to work (so not cool), and this time it wasn't even the fault of the V train. It was the fault of me, my snooze button habit, and pure, unadulterated laziness.

The rest of the day went pretty well, though. I had a pretty productive day at work, once I finally got there. I had pleasant exchanges with co-workers. I got excited about a co-worker's comedy show and convinced some friends to come out with me on Saturday. I had a pretty good meeting with my nutritionist (lost 2.5 lbs in the past 2 weeks despite MANY nights out eating and drinking), and got some good feedback and advice to help keep me on the right track for the next couple of weeks. I then had a lovely dinner with Ashley, and I came home feeling happy and wanting to share.

Which reminds me of one of my original intents when I started this blog: "an opportunity to learn about my experience and share those learnings with others".

I think I've been a little too focused lately on the things I'm not doing right and the things I haven't accomplished. While there is some value to documenting things I aspire to, I also need to learn to spend more time focusing on the days like today, that are pretty OK, and thinking about what things made my day pretty OK, and what I contributed to that day's success. So that's what I learned today, and it feels great to put it out there.

Speaking of learning and sharing, indulge me while I gush for a hot minute. I discovered three pretty rad blogs last night, all written by one wise, super-cool and stylish mamacita from the very same neighborhood I call home. Here are some things from what I have decided to call The Tao of Bitch Cakes that I read last night and that stuck with me through the day today. Enjoy:

On motivation:

I remind myself that: This is it - I have one life. (Think about that, even if you're afraid to. You're here now, make the most of it!) How do I choose to spend it? Eating whatever and whenever I want but suffering by being fat, miserable and unhappy all the time?
I remind myself that: I wasted the most of 3 decades being very overweight, insecure and unhappy. That was such a waste of time!
I remind myself that: There are people who for whatever reason cannot walk, run, jump and play. They have no choice in that matter. But I am lucky enough to have a working body and I am going to use it.
I remind myself that: My body is mine. I make every choice that pertains to it. I have one body and I want to treat it right so it treats me right! I am in total control of my actions and ultimately my success.
I remind myself that: Nothing is guaranteed in life. Every day is truly a gift - and any one of them could very well be my last. I want to feel good about myself for the brief time I am part of this world.

So, my mental attitude - the way I think about things - has probably been the biggest and most important change, and is what helps to keep me motivated.

...So despite the fact that I occasionally revert to old habits I'm working to rid myself of, or make some not so stellar choices from time to time, I will never give up. Yes, there will be some bumps in the road. But I accept that. There is just no way I am trading my awesome new life for my crappy old one.

On style:

...you should always feel good about how you look when you leave your house - whether you're going to work, on a date, or just do do errands. I live this way, so I know it's true. But if you need more convincing, here are several reasons:

1. When you look good, you feel good.
2. Knowing you look good improves your mood and outlook.
3. You never know what that day has in store for you or who you might meet, or run into.
4. Looking good gives you a sense of confidence and self assurance.
5. And finally, seriously, why wouldn't you want to look good?

RE: Progress

P.S. I've lost 5 pounds. What a relief! For a while there, I didn't think I was capable of anything except doing my best impersonation of a human balloon.

RE:We Can Do Better

I for one think the feeling of transformation in NYC is somewhat palpable. Yes, I still work for an evil mega-conglomerate. Yes, I am watching people be laid off and escorted out of my building on a nearly daily basis. Yes, it is still fracking cold outside. But I'm noticing the usual jadedness I encounter when greeting my fellow New Yorkers, whether they be co-workers, friends or strangers, has dissipated at least temporarily.

I find that despite the fact that my normal day-to-day isn't transparently sunnier than it was two days ago, I feel better about myself, and about my country. I feel better about my President, who spoke in the most direct, matter-of-fact, and inspirational way I could have asked him to yesterday. Who sent a message to me personally, to my fellow countrymen and the rest of the world, that we do still have principles, and they aren't that different from what they were over 200 years ago, even if some of us (ahem) have seemed to forget that in recent history. And we can do better.

Which is kind of how I've been feeling in my personal life lately. I can do better. We can all do better. And we just need to have a little more optimism, roll up our sleeves and work a little harder, and be a lot more accountable. And we have to believe we can do it. For the first time in a long time, I believe that we can all do better, and I have faith that we will.

That's not to say that I don't doubt somewhat that all of the things Obama has promised can truly be achieved in the current environment, but I believe this man is the best possible person we could hope for right now, and he will do more than most people could. We just have to be patient, remain supportive, and do our part.

If you have been hiding under a rock and somehow have still not watched/ read/ listened to the Inaugural Address, please do so, and be hopeful, motivated and inspired.

RE: Total Health Makeover

I have a modest goal. To be healthier in January 2010 than I am right now. I'm not setting exact metrics for this, but I just want to be more proactive about my general health and make better decisions - maybe not all of the time, but more often than I currently do. Which shouldn't exactly be a stretch, if you know what I'm saying. (What? You drank 4 out of the past 5 days? You ate leftover pizza at 11:00 PM? You sit on your ginormous butt for a living?)

Since my last update on 2009 goals, I've outlined a basic two-part plan: Part I - hire a team of experts. (After all, I didn't go to college for eleventy-seven years. Or even get a grad degree. I'm not even that great at describing the difference between a tibia and fibula, ok?) Part II - get off my ass and do better.

Here's my progress on Part I:

1. Get a specialist to check out my knee. Check. (Including the subsequent 6 weeks of physical therapy. Ok, I got a head start on this one in November.)

2. Get back to the dentist for a checkup. Check. (Filling in February. Frown.)

3. Go back to the dentist for regular cleanings/ checkups. (August)

4. Get my annual physical. (May-June)

5. Go to a nutritionist and make a plan. (Scheduled for next Thursday)


Here's my progress on Part II:

1. Keep up with exercises at home to improve my knee and keep out of Physical Therapy. Not so much.

2. Start jogging again (my doc says it's OK)/ taking the dog on longer walks/ Do yoga at home or Wii Fit when the weather isn't cooperating. Not so much.

3. Eat better. I'm doing much better during the day at work. I'm downright disgraceful at home/ out and about. I guess I could be doing worse.

4. Floss EVERY day (not just most days). So far, pretty dern good.