In Which the American Media Shats on Culture and Embarrasses Women…Again.

Dear Smart and Funny Women Who Keep Blabbering About How Excited They Are to See the Sex And the City 2,

Please read THIS.

Thanks!

Love,  Becky

Wedding Stuffz, Be Gone!

Hello to whoever is out there!  I apologize for my 2 month hiatus.  I was in Estrogen Land putting the finishing touches on my wedding.

I am relieved and happy (and a little bored butinagoodway) now that it is finally over. I am now attempting to resume life as normal (just with a new last name) and impatiently waiting for all of the checks I wrote to freakin’ CLEAR already so that I can balance my damn checking account.  Along the lines of resuming normal life, I am happy to report that I am cutting all ties with the wedding world. 

That’s right! I am graciously giving up wedding blogs, episodes of “Say Yes to the Dress",” and my obsession with weather.com (outdoor wedding + expensive non-refundable tent deposit = weather induced anxiety)  Andrew made me promise to give them up once the wedding was over is really excited about this. And actually, I am too. Because weddings are just overly commercialized and if I have learned one thing, obsessing about any wedding related detail is just a waste of time.  Because no matter how many dress fittings you have, it probably won’t stay put (or look the same) once you get dancing.  And no matter how many times you walk through the venue with your caterer, they will probably still forget something.  And no matter how much you obsess about the weather, if it rains, it rains. I’d like to meet any bride (zilla or otherwise) who can do anything about the weather. (Disclaimer: this is hindsight.  I realize that for the week fifteen days before the wedding I was a total nutcase about weather.  I’m just trying to pass on my two cents with the hopes of saving someone else from such unnecessary stress.)

It turned out to be an amazing day, weather –wise.  I stayed calm and collected and then drank too much and sort of ruined the end of the night (and all of the pictures).  But if you know me in person, you know that this is pretty much how I roll and probably wouldn’t expect my wedding/most important day of my life thus far to be any different. 

So there was that.

Then there was the awesome incident of me falling and spraining BOTH of my ankles 6 weeks ago.   So those runs I was training for (10miler and 5k) didn’t happen.  In fact, for almost 3 weeks, NO exercise happened.

(Can you imagine how much fun I was to be around?)

I cried for the first 2 days after I fell about how I couldn’t do the runs and all of my hard work went out the door.  And then I argued with Andrew about how I was going to be fine in 2 weeks. And then I got pissed off at myself for being clumsy.  And then I (finally) accepted my fate and decided to make the best of it.

Turns out, it was a blessing in disguise.  I was going too hard, too fast, too often.  I wasn’t present. I was just hustling around and pushing myself too much.  I’m not a very good listener when it comes to these things.  So the Universe took matters into its own hands. 

I couldn’t even get my sorry butt out of bed, let alone walk.  So I rested, slept a lot and really focused on healing.  I did everything they told me to: rest, ice,compression, elevation for 3 weeks STRAIGHT.  Here’s the thing.  I have sprained my ankle at least 2-3 times per year for the past ten years.  I always take a week or so off from running (but still do other things), I start to feel better and I’m off again.  4 months later it happens again. Rinse, repeat.

I’m tired of being hurt all the time so I’m taking recovery seriously this time.  My doctor said I could do any activity that didn’t hurt with the exception of running.  So I tried the elliptical. After 3 minutes, it hurt like hell.  Old Becky would have kept going and worked through the pain.  This time, I got off.  I gave up the idea that if I wasn’t killing myself, I wasn’t healthy. 

I have made very good friends with the recumbant bike.  I feel SO lame doing it, but its the only thing that doesn’t seriously irritate my ankles. I have stopped obsessing over getting to the gym everyday and instead, go when I feel like it.  I focus on core stuff, arms and whatever light cardio I can do pain free.  And I’ll be damned if I haven’t lost 7 pounds and my blood pressure is finally (comfortably) in a good place.

My theory is that I was being so rigid with my training and my working out and not ever giving myself a break that I was just a walking ball of stress and anxiety about the run and my appearance.  Stress is a major culprit when it comes to weight gain, there’s plenty of evidence to demonstrate that.  Its really nice waking up without the feeling of dread, knowing I have to get in a workout at some point.

So I just decided to watch what I eat, relax, gym it up when I felt like it, and CHILL OUT.  (Note: chilling out is REALLY hard for me. But I did the best that I possibly could.) 

And, when all was said and done, if I hadn’t gotten hurt, I (may) have looked a little better in my wedding dress, but it wouldn’t have changed how happy I was or how amazing I felt.  That was going to happen no matter what.

 

Things I Love and Don’t

Hey party people!

Can we chat for a second about something that I feel should be addressed?

When I was at my personal trainer workshop, I heard one of the trainers-in-training ask the instructor how she could get rid of her flabby arms.  (For your sake, I will not even touch upon how annoying a question like that is in the context of trying to learn all those muscles, physiology and science.)  But for the purposes here, I think it makes sense to answer this question in the most basic way I know how, because it comes up ALL THE TIME.

Here’s the short answer: You can’t.  You cannot specifically get rid of flab/fat in one area of your body.  It doesn’t work that way.  You can do a zillion crunches and sit ups a day and it still won’t make you have a firm, flat belly..IF you’re not combining it with cardio and/or some kind of fat burning exercise.

This is not just for chicks, either.  One guy at my gym actually bought some sessions with my trainer and then told him that all he wanted was big biceps so that he could “get the ladies.”  I kind of wish I were kidding about this.  This is a frustrating situation for a trainer.  Working only one muscle group isn’t going to get you in better shape, help you live longer, or “get you ladies.”  In fact, if you’re not working the muscle groups that stabilize those muscles, you’re doing more harm than good.  I digress.  But the point is that women aren’t the only ones who think like this.      

Our bodies are one big package.  We don’t just lose fat in one area, we lose it all over.  Similarly, when we lose weight, we lose it all over.   We may notice it easier in the areas that were the biggest (like my ass) but its really coming off everywhere.  A good example of this is how we can notice weight loss in someone’s face.  Is anyone ever really like, “man, I just really need to lose some of this cheek fat I got?’  No one ever really TRIES to lose weight in their face.  I can’t even think of an exercise that they would do.  Nose crunches? Aggressive smiling?

That’s my rant for the day.  It was sparked by yet another misleading e-mail newsletter from SELF magazine telling me how to get a firmer butt.  Apparently, all I need to do is like 6 exercises for 4 minutes 5 times a week and I will look like Jennifer Aniston.

I’ll let you know how that works out. 

 

Now I will tell you about some things that I actually like and love!

Kombucha!!! 

This stuff is DEELICIOUS!  But wait! I didn’t like it at first.  It kind of tastes like vinegar.  But it has totally grown on me and now I like all the flavors, especially Grape, Raspberry and Guava!  I should also mention that my GI system has not always been my friend.  But this stuff makes it happy.  Therefore, I am happy. Read about it and try some! Let me know what you think.  They sell it at Whole Foods and other health food joints.

Balega Hidden Comfort Socks

 

It’s like running on pillows. Which is a miracle when all you run on is concrete.

 

Madden Girl Sursey Patent Pumps

They come in teal, yellow, grey, eggplant, black, red…I just can’t pick which color I want. Suggestions?

 

I’m so glad that it is finally Spring!  The birds are chirping, my windows are open and I’m dragging out all of my cute dresses and skirts!  Soon it will be time for bonfires and BBQs!  I love it all!

What are YOU loving right now?

NEDA Week

Technorati Tags: eating disorder,lists,motivation

I’m about a week late with this post (again).  Seems to be a recurring theme with me lately.  With two months until our wedding, I really need to kick this habit and get stuff done. 

Lists help.  Showering before 5pm helps.  A lunch break that actually allows me to step away from my desk helps.  Its the little things that help with motivation.  I don’t know about you all, but when I sit at my desk for hours and hours with no break, I end up doing less than I do when I sit down for just an hour.

But I digress..

Last week was National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.  I thought it worth mentioning because it is a cause close to my heart (although I try not to make it the focus of this blog or my life).  It is also worth mentioning because awareness about eating disorders in general don’t just center around what is it and how to I get better.  It also includes legislation, insurance issues and education and outreach that goes far beyond what many people understand about eating disorders.

That being said, when I did my interview over at Weightless, I was contacted by a woman named Shannon Cutts who runs a program called MentorConnect.  MentorCONNECT is an organization that believes that supportive relationships are key to eating disorder recovery.  The organization works to bring together those people in recovery(or successfully recovered) with those who are seeking recovery from an ED. 

I think the model makes a lot of sense because eating disorders tend to be very isolating.  Encouraging those suffering to reach out (either to ask for help initially or to share a personal story) is probably the most important step in recovery.  Once the cycle of loneliness and lies is broken, there exists an opportunity to have new, healthy relationships that support a new and healthy life.

Shannon was kind enough to send me a copy of her book, Beating Ana: How to Outsmart Your Eating Disorder and Take Your Life Back for me to give away to one of you!

I have read the book myself and I found it to be very clear, concise and practical.  It is a book geared more towards those suffering with an ED, as it has workbook type exercises throughout.  But there are excerpts from letters that she has exchanged with other sufferers looking for help, and I found those to be very revealing. 

So, kids, for the price of a comment below, I shall enter you into the drawing.  If anyone knows anyone suffering, or is suffering from an ED themselves, this would be a very helpful resource.  If you want to remain anonymous (I understand this is a very personal issue) but still want to be entered, you can e-mail me at: RebeccaOot at gmail dot com.

I’ve never done a giveaway before, so I’ll pick a winner on Friday. Yeah. Friday.

Oh, Thirty..

I have been putting this post off for the past few weeks. It is supposed to be a post wherein I reflect upon the past 30 years. Except that I can't decide which angle to take: witty, insightful, deep and meaningful, bullshit....you get the idea.
To sum up 30 years with one angle is possible, but I am pretty sure it wouldn't do them (er, my life so far) much justice. Oh, did I forget to say that I turned 30 last week? That would be a helpful explanation, eh?

I have a list of things I wanted to do before I turned 30. I have only done one of them. I'm okay with that. The list is now titled "Things I Want To Do Before I Have Kids." (which, for anyone who cares/keeps asking, won't be for a few more years thankyouverymuch).

It doesn't feel much different, 30. To be honest, I kind of expected more fanfare. Or that I would wake up and be horrified by all of the wrinkles that had appeared overnight. I expected to FEEL different, or look different. That people would just KNOW I was 30. But none of that happened. Someone actually thought I was lying when I told them I was 30. (I'm hoping this keeps happening. It's good for my self esteem).

Andrew got me this really sweet birthday card that read: "How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?"
"That's easy," I say. "25!" (the ironic part is that I've been telling people I'm 25 for the past 5 years and yet, I don't really actually remember much about being 25. It was a very dark/drunk year).
I didn't particularly love being 25. It's just how old I FEEL. And, although my life has changed in many, many ways since then, its how old I still feel. (Except my knees. But they have always felt older than me. Even when I was 20.)

I wish I had more to say about being 30, but it feels the same as 29. And 28.

I will sum it all up by saying that in the past 30 years, I have: grown, changed, adapted, moved, learned, loved, sang, fallen, ran, flexed, cried, laughed, tripped, lost, won, jumped, given, received, pushed, bent, turned, stretched, matured and lived.

You get the idea.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

I have been MIA for a few weeks, sorry kids! But thanks all for the really nice comments on my Weightless interview! I'm really feeling the love.

Sorry that I have been stinking at blogging lately. I have been tossing around the idea of switching over to Wordpress for awhile now, because blogger just doesn't make blogging fun or easy. Its not an excuse for not blogging, but it has definitely affected my motivation to write lengthy posts. So that switch will probably happen soon. And possibly a whole new blog, too! But more on that in another post.

Currently, life is just super busy. Which is cool.
In personal news: I have committed to coaching 5 people through a program that I took myself last spring. It is amazing experience but a total time suck.
Its is also busy time with my work, which is actually nice because my days have been FLYING by.
I have literally been crashing into bed at night and falling right asleep. This basically never happens.

In health and fitness related news: I have decided to get my certification to be a personal trainer. I registered for a two day hands on workshop to take place in NYC later this month. In addition to that, I have books and study materials to prepare me for the exam (which I can take whenever I feel ready).
I would by lying if I said I had given the decision an extensive amount of thought because I thought about it for maybe 2 days. The decision was easy, really. I'm at the gym everyday (sometimes for several hours), and I love working out. The only piece that was missing for me was to make some money doing it. I went to my gym and spoke with the owner about the various programs, she gave me some advice and off I went. While it is not set in stone, I am about 96% sure I will be able to work at the gym I go to. So even if I have zero clients, I get a free gym membership which is TOTALLY worth it.

The reading has been really challenging. My degrees are in political science, theater and government administration. You will notice that none of those have anything to do with science.
I did take AP bio in high school but I fell asleep almost every day. While I read this book I think about AP bio a lot and how, if I had stayed awake, I probably would have done a LOT better on the AP exam. Turns out, this stuff is pretty interesting. Especially when I can apply to my diet and exercise routine. I am getting a much clearer picture of why my body behaves and reacts the way it does.

In other personal (and work) related news: I spent all of last week in Las Vegas for a work conference. I have never been to Vegas. I probably won't ever go back, but it was fun. Andrew flew out on Thursday and we spent the weekend wandering around. Here are some highlights:

Drinking beer on the astroturf in front of the Wynn (pretty much the only green you'll see in downtown Vegas):


















Lake Meade:


















The Hoover Dam:


















Can you tell I'm terrified of heights?


















We make a tradition of seeking out local brewpubs when we go places:
























Beer flight. The Blueberry Bock (top left) was AWESOME!
























Mmmmm beer!
























We found a program from the Bette Midler show. Naturally, I needed to include Bette in all of my photos that night.
























I bet this guy ends up on a lot of blogs.
























So, yeah, Vegas. A very shiny, dirty, lonely, depressing (and yet highly entertaining) place to visit.

We are also just shy of the three month mark for our wedding. I have so much left to do it makes my head spin. So I will probably put most of it off for another few weeks or so.
Also, the new (and final) season of LOST just started. I will spare you my theories for another post. But I think I know where it's going and I'm NOT psyched about it.

Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I ate french fries for dinner last night.

A Shout out to Myself!!

Margarita Tartakovsky over at Weightless recently interviewed me about my eating disorder recovery for her blog (which I linked to last month) and now its posted!

It was my first official "blog interview" so it was exciting and also kind of scary to post my deep, dark secrets for the interwebz to read. But if it can help just ONE other person from succumbing to the evil vortex of an eating disorder, then it's worth it.

So go check me out, yo!

What's Up, 2010?!?

WOO! I have now officially had this blog for 5 YEARS!
5 years and I haven't even hit 100 posts. That means I now have my first official goal of 2010!

So, here's the bottom line: I think New Year's resolutions are total hogwash. No one takes them seriously for more than a month. Then we all stumble around for the next 11 months either feeling like total failures, completely unaware of the resolutions we made, or vowing to make the changes "next year."
It makes no sense to me. So I don't make resolutions. I set goals.
If there is some positive and permanent change I wish to see in my life, I don't understand the benefit in waiting until the start of the next year to begin working on it. Why not just do it right then? Why do we always have to have "occasions" for things? Things like nice dishware and fancy soaps and candles, and a nice dinner out. We hoard these things for some occasion and then never really get to enjoy them. Just burn the damn smelly candles from Pier 1 that cost 12 dollars. And when it's gone, go get a new one. Go out to dinner for no reason. You might get hit by a bus tomorrow. If so, I bet you'll wish you had that amazing last meal.

There is no special occasion to warrant making positive changes. So just do it. Don't turn it into a damn "resolution," just do it.
But goals on the other hand, are different. Goals are quantitative. Some boys think that girls don't understand numbers, but they are wrong. For those of you who don't know:
quan·ti·ta·tive (kwnt-ttv)adj.

a. Expressed or expressible as a quantity.

b. Of, relating to, or susceptible of measurement.

c. Of or relating to number or quantity.

Goals are measurable. I like this. Its the easiest way to say "I did it!" or "I didn't. I stink."
Resolutions, typically, are not.

Anyhow, goals should be able to produce a measurable result. Like, I will eat 17 cupcakes. You should be able to look back and say with certainty whether you did or did not eat 17 cupcakes in 2010.
Or, I will workout 3 times a week. Again, either you did or you didn't.
Well, what about my broader, more general goals, you ask? Like, for example, getting healthy.
A great goal, I might add. So for those, think about what things you would need to do to start getting healthy. Then assign them a quantitative value. For example, I will include one fruit and one vegetable in each meal I eat. Or, I will do 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Or, I will read 2 books about healthy lifestyles. You get the idea?

Try to focus on things you will and CAN do, instead of things you won't. Instead of saying "I won't eat cookies" try "I will allow myself two dessert per week." The idea is to keep the verbage positive. If you focus on things you will do (CAN do) you are far more likely to stick to your goals, rather than if you add in things you "won't" "can't" or "shouldn't."

Make sense?

Some of my goals for 2010 are:

*complete the Broad Street Run (10 miles) in less than 1:50:00
*complete the SheRox sprint triathalon
*weight train 2xs per week
* drink at least 32 ounces of water a day
*get to 100 blog posts
*blog post once a week (at least)

there are others, but you get the idea.


What are your goals for 2010?

2009 in Pictures