Day 30: Back on the Wagon

Hey! You remember that time I swore to myself I would spend a small time everyday doing something I had never done before? Right, well this past week got away from me and I have not been blogging.

This means its time to jump back on the wagon! The thing with jumping back on the wagon is you can not beat yourself up about why you stopped in the first place. The moment you start, you will give up. Giving up is not an option right now. SO here I am, admitting my life got to hectic for my own good and promising to take time for me from now on!

Do not give up!
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Day 29: Urgent Care? What!

In my short life, I have had numerous hospital and doctors visits. For those of you who do not know, I am prone to the most unusual health issues. If it is rare, there is a good chance it will happen to me. Why? Who knows!

Well, I have been perfectly healthy all summer until about a week ago I started developing red itchy dots all over my torso. I thought maybe it was bed bugs so I spent that whole day washing everything that I had touched or had been near. The bumps continued to get worse. By the fourth day I knew I had to do something. Thanks to our wonderful Company Management, I was able to be seen at Urgent Care.

What is the difference between Urgent Care and a Doctors office? Honestly, I am not sure. It seemed like Urgent Care was a mix between a doctors office and the emergency room.  Well, the ladies were all so sweet and they could not help but gush about the production that is currently happening at the Merry-go-round Playhouse. I was off to a good start.

And then the doctor came in. He took one look at me and all he could say was "....oh my. What did you get into? " I get it, it was bad but what doctor would think thats okay to say! Haha! Anyways, It was pretty brief and I was able to get prescriptions right away to help. How many? Oh just the casual number of THREE!

For those of you who do not know, I just started swallowing pills. So staring at four pills three times a day is quite daunting.  But I am doing it!

I just hope it works!
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Day 28: Caught in the Rain

On of my oldest and dearest friends came to visit me while I am on contract in Auburn, NY. We spent the morning walking around Emerson Park. I wanted to show him the playhouse and how beautiful the lake is. It was a fantastic idea! That is, until the heavens opened up. A mad dash to take cover, minutes of laughter following and finally we got to talking.

How often do we take for granted talking with the people who know us the best. There is truth to be found about oneself when talking with a friend. It has been awhile--I need to reach out and do that more often.

I hope you all get caught unexpectedly in the rain soon.

One Day is Today.

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Day 27: Make a Scene!

Exercise Makes You Happy. Music Makes You Happy. Dancing Makes You Happy.

So the key to HAPPINESS is :

Exercise+Music+Dancing = Smiling

Do not be scared to enjoy that! I spend 30 minutes on the stairmaster "Dancing" and mouthing the words to

• P!NK "Raise Your Glass"
• Marron 5" Moves Like Jagger"
• Outkast "Hey Ya!"
• Ricky Martin "Livin La Vida Loca"
• C+C Music Factory "Gunna Make You Sweat"
• Halestorm "American Boys"

Did I make an ass out of myself? Oh, most definitely! But damn was it fun and I felt amazing walking out of that gym!

Enjoy it!

One Day is Today!

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Day 26: Nunsense

Today's Adventure: Learning a new musical from scratch

It is a similar feeling to the first day of school or cracking open a new book. The simple excitement that takes over your body and you find your breathing becoming shallow. The moment you hear the cast hit the harmonies for the first time the electricity in the room is intoxicating.

Now, Nunsense is a musical about 5 nuns. If you would like the basic synopsis, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunsense

Or a Clip :


If you are in the area, you should come check it out:  Merry-Go-Round Playhouse

Have your own adventure in Auburn, NY!

One Day is Today!
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Day 25: The Silver Anniversary! Fresh Start

The past month, I have hit brick wall after brick wall and when I thought I could finally stand up to it another one would hit. I know, we have all been there. A tough set of days, whether they be personal or professional, that seem to be never ending. What I find when I hit something like this is that I need to put myself into a pattern. An amazing suggestion given to me by my wonderful family. You find a great thing that is a part of your life and make sure it happens daily!

My great thing? My job. I have a wonderful job with a fantastic group of people around me! I could not ask for anything more. Lucky me, I get to see them at least once a day for a show (minus Sundays). It is the rest of my day I have to get into a routine. To help with that I have made a reward jar. For every work out I do, I place one dollar bill in my jar. That way, I will go to the gym and make it part of my routine AND in the end I can splurge and buy something fun! Or maybe save enough to go on a nice adventure. 

Here is my jar. Enjoy! 

One Day is Today!

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Day 24: Apple Picking Adventure

The wonderful season of fall. Pumpkins, apples, and leaves changing! How glorious is that? A few fantastic friends and I decided to spend our day off APPLE PICKING!

If you are in the Syracuse area I recommend going to Beak and Skiff. www.beakandskiff.com
It has:

1. A wide selection of apples
2. A cute store filled with apple cider, honey and fudge
3. Apple Cider Doughnuts 
4. Winery/ Distillery

During this adventure I was able to go on my first winery tour and climb my first apple tree. I know, it's severely frowned upon, but I needed to do it just once!

One Day is Today!

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Day 23: A Refreshing Sandwich

Whenever I walk through the grocery store, I am constantly thinking about what flavors would go well together.  On my last adventure through the grocery store I picked up low fat vegetable spreadable cheese, wheat bread, avocado and mixed greens. 

Toasting the bread until crispy, I spread the cheese (Rondele Garden Vegetable) onto the toast and allowed it to melt slightly. I then placed the mixed greens and 4 slices of avocado on the bread. Squishing it all together, I am finished! A 5 minute sandwich that is both nutritious and low cal! 

You all should try it!

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Day 22: Positive Play Time

When I was in college the most stressful time of the year was Finals Week. *Cue Dramatic Music* I mean, everyone knows that feeling. There are 5 papers due, 1 journal, 6 final exams and you only have 5 days to do it all! I used to count down to my winter/summer vacations by saying I only have "Blank" many tasks  left to complete before I am free.

What my college does during this time is they allow for an animal shelter to bring their dogs for the day. This allows the college students to take a break from studying and play with the animals. De-stress a little, you know? 

Now, I have not been feeling anywhere near as stressed as I used to during finals week, but everyone needs some fun time to let go and not think about things. And if you do not agree, you better get your butt to a spa because darling you are going to drive yourself up a wall!

Today:

 I went on an adventure with Miss Emily, The Brit, and Bubba. We went and got our nails done at this beautiful salon. A nice relaxing after noon out.

I'm sorry....was that anticlimactic? 

WELL! Then we saw the Promised Land, Pet Depot. Pet Depot means cool fishies, crazy birds and most importantly puppies! Who does not love puppies? Well, the puppies were behind the glass and sleeping. FAIL!  We all were about to walk out, filled to the brim with disappointment, when suddenly we noticed we were missing The Brit. Where was she? Why she was playing with the ferrets!

I tell you children, ferrets are just as entertaining as puppies! 

So take time out of your day and go play with some ferrets! De-stress and Laugh! 

One Day is Today!

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Day 21: Biking to Work!

Yesterday I decided that I should attempt to bike the 2.8 miles from my house to the theatre I work at. I know what you all are thinking, "2.8 miles? That's It?". Well, let me explain that the last time I rode a bike I was 15 years old. Although the old saying "It's just like riding a bike" implies it will be easy, it was not!

However, as hard as that "tiny" hill by the elementary school was to climb and how dangerously close some of the cars got, it was a ton of fun! There are few things that feel as wonderful as the wind hitting your face as you accelerate down a hill. Not to mention a great work out!

Another great thing about riding to work was that I was able to actually look at the beautiful houses that line the streets of Auburn, NY. Stunning mansions that have been left  long unattended and a beautiful park that could rival any in the United States. Here is a picture of the view. ENJOY!

One Day is Today!

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Day 20: How Many Different Ways Can One Attempt to Fix Their Back?

Every body has their ticks. Mine is that my lower back likes to tighten up on me so that I can not stand with my back in the proper alignment. This causes nerves to be pinched and pain to be had. Not a pleasant experience.

My wonderful mother had prescribed ice and hot treatments every 20 min and stretching 3 x a day. It was keeping the pain at the same level but not relieving.

Today I tried those medicated pain relief pads that stick to your skin. It allowed me to stretch with heat continually on it which helped release the seized muscles. You feel like a fool and you might have some strange tingly sensations but it will work!

With these heating pads on, I stretched and rolled out the muscles. If you have some pain, take care of it!

One Day is Today!

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Day 19: Penzu Your Positive Thoughts To the Surface!

Penzu-( http://penzu.com/aboutus ) A wonderful site that allows you to write down your thoughts online. The kicker? It's Private.

Now, I do not believe any site online is private. Anything online is out in the open. But after a nice suggestion from a great friend, I downloaded the APP on my phone. It was suggested that I should use Penzu to write down and take pictures of three things that make you happy through the day!

Today's Happy Thoughts?

Back at the Theatre for tech! Tried a wonderful recipe for Salmon fillet! Sabastiani dressing as a pirate!

Enjoy the pictures. Oh! And studies show that people who take the time to appreciate what they have will be happier. Just saying, it can't hurt you to try :)

One Day is Today!

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Day 18: Fighting for what you want

Sometimes, you have to be honest. Sometimes you have to fight for what you want. Do it. No questions. What is the worse that will happen? You get told NO and you take it one day at a time. But until then, don't give up hope

Day 17: Starting the Day off right! #adventurein2012

Have you ever stayed up all night just to watch the sunrise? I haven't. I mean, I have stayed up all night, typically in a back corner of the Library studying for a final, but I have never stayed up all night.

There is something therapeutic about watching the sunrise; watching the sunbeams tickle the tree limbs as you sit on a roof and drink your hot cup of coffee. What a wonderful way to start a day! Start new by watching everything come to life.

I know this is not exactly a long entry, but I think that experience is very personal. Try it out. Let me know what you think :)

One Day is Today!

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Day 15/16: The Last 10

With my new life goal to always have an adventure, yesterday I decided to start my adventure of being a healthier me! I have dropped 15lbs since my freshman year of school and now I only have 10 more to go!

What is helping me do this? I had to come to terms with a few things:

1. Baby Steps. You will not drop 10 lbs in one night (unless you cut off a leg). So accept the fact that this will take time and dedication. 
2. EVERY DAY COUNTS! You skip a day or overindulge too much; it will trigger a new pattern in your life. One that is not healthy. Keep your good mojo going! 
3. You have people in your life who will support you. And if you don't, than I will! ( We can be workout email buddies! )

The New Plan:

Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Sunday- These are your golden days! You just have to do 45 min-1 hour of cardio on these days. Go for a bike ride or a run. Step on that elliptical and plug in those headphones on your lunch break to listen to the news. You can give yourself 45 min of you time! You deserve it!

 45 min. Warm up for 5 (nice and easy). GET PUMPED! Do interval sprints for the next 35 min. For example, if you are running, increase speed in intervals. This will cause your heart rate to jump up. Last, COOL DOWN for 5. These cool downs restore your heart rate to its natural pattern. 

Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday- YOU FEELING STRONG? These are your toning days! My routine starting off is 

•  Reps of 10 - biceps curls with 8 lb weights- 2 sets each arm. Alternating and not stopping is best!
• Sitting on a large exercise ball (to engage the core)- Reps of 10- Shoulder press- 8lbs.
• TRICEPS! Stand facing the exercise ball. Put one of the 8 lbs weights in your right hand. Place your right shin bone on the exercise ball. Lean forward so that your left hand is resting on the exercise ball and your torso is parallel to the ground. REPS of 10, Each arm 2 times. 
• Take 5 lbs weights and stand with feet shoulder width apart. Raise both arms (so that the weight is parallel to the the floor) 45 degrees, then rotate the arms so that the weight is now parallel to the wall and lift to 50 degrees. Last pulse, rotate your arms upward so that the weight is parallel to the ceiling and bring it to 90 Degrees. Release. Repeat 10 times. 

Now legs:

•  6 lb exercise ball. 25 squats. 
• 6 lb exercise ball, 12 side lunges.
• 6 lb exercise ball 12 lunges front (both legs)

STRETCH! 

I am also taking advantage of my gyms sauna and steam room. I spend 20 min in the sauna( and if empty, I take some easy yoga poses to lengthen my spine and hamstring muscles) Then I spend 10 min in the steam room warming up my voice, realigning my spine and focusing on my breathing. 

The DIET!

I know, I KNOW. I am a FOODIE like no ones business. But what I have come to terms with is that being a "foodie" means that you can make some amazingly tasty dishes and still be on your diet.

In my phones calendar I have 5 alarms set throughout the day. What times? What do I eat typically? These alarms are 3 hours apart and are my 5 small meals. I eat less then 400 cals a meal, but because I eat every 3 hours I am never that hungry

Finally, Here is today's Schedule: 

• 7am Up and packing to go to the gym
• 7:30 am Grab and Apple and walk to gym
• 7:45-8:45 Workout
• 8:45-9:15 Sauna and Steam Room time. Ahhhhhh 
• 9:15-9:45 Get ready for work
• 10 am START WORK
• 10:30 Snack: Protein Bar (with chocolate and peanut butter, oh yeah!) 200 Cals 
• 1:30 Lunch(Tortilla wrap -110 cals, Chicken breast-90 cals, Sweet Peas- 60 cals, Hard Boiled Egg-70 cals)
• 2:30 Return to work
• 4:30 SNACK! Nutragrain Bar 120 cals
• 6:30 Work over
• 7:30 Dinner- 2oz of Pasta 200, Salmon 180
• Enjoy!

It's not that hard. These 5 meals help you not overindulge! 

Best of Luck!

One Day is Today

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Day 14: Overwhelmed? HELPFUL HINTS

Come On! Everyone has them. Those nights where everything seems to pile up at once and you can not, for the life of you, sort it so that it seems less overwhelming. Well, I have a fool proof guide to what works for me.

My routine: 

1. TURN OFF YOUR CELLPHONE(Trying to focus on getting work done with people constantly texting you or Facebook notifications distracting you will not help you stay calm)
2. Take a good old fashioned piece of paper and pencil and write out a schedule for the night in 40 min increments with 5 min breaks. 
3. Pop a nice piece of chicken or start boiling water for pasta as you begin your first Activity. 
4. TAKE YOUR 5 MIN Break to do something active. Pushups, sit ups, jumping jacks, etc.(Check your dinner)
5. When you schedule your night, make sure you put a reward at the end. For me, it involves a good movie and a glass of wine.
6. Most importantly, if you put in the time, you will get everything done! I promise 

Tonight's routine: 

 40 minutes on each character with pushups during my 5 minute breaks. Reward is wine and Madagascar! 

One Day is Today

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Day 13: What to do if your gym is closed?

It is Labor Day! That means picnic's and a day of relaxation for most. It also means most stores and, more importantly, GYM'S are closed!

If you are a work out fanatic (like I am) then you will not know what to do with yourself! Well, here are some easy options you can do at home!

1. Go for a run outside! A great App to help navigate and record your run is called "MapMyRUN+" It allows you to track your run, save your route and see your friends running routes. TIP: Run early in the morning or later in the evening. Although fall is on its way, the air is still humid and can make mid day running difficult. Also you will see wonderful sights on your run! 
2. YOGA A great App is YOGA. It lets your create your own flow or choose a pre created workout. These workouts range in difficulty and length. A fantastic way to get your flexibility on.
3.  A Picture Says 1000 Words I came across this FANTASIC tumbler sight where I was able to save these pictures to my phone. A work out a day! Please visit the original site! http://allyfit.tumblr.com              

 

Make it count! 

One Day is Today

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Day 12: Boom Babies

So, there is something therapeutic to shopping. Any female will tell you this. Now, add a really great friend and some vintage clothes and you have a recipe for success!

My day off, Brit and I got into the car and took off to Syracuse. With Scooby Doo leading the way, we only needed to make 6 U-Turns to find a wonderful shop called Boom Babies. Oh! I should also mention that the lovely driver told me this amazing story about how when she gets lost, she tends to end up in different states. Safe to say- it was shocking we made it there in only 45 min!

So Boom Babies has both new and vintage clothing in the shop. More of a selection then I had thought.
Boom Babies Now, this website only shoes the Prom Dress selection but the majority of the store is actually vintage shopping. If you are in Syracuse, YOU MUST CHECK IT OUT!

By the way, Can you find the Brit? 

One Day is Today

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