Category Archives: balance

When it’s worth it.

Posted by Jess Sutera in Uncategorized, balance, confidence, healthy eating, body image, growth, barre n9ne, 60 day transformation

I had a moment the other night.
…where I questioned.

…why does mindless eating — or the simple urge to – (an old, a very stubborn habit of mine that now and then likes to try to rear its ugly head) throw me into a tailspin of doubt and frustration?

…why do I push myself to run harder, faster, longer? Do I do it because I love it or because I simply can’t stop doing, going, moving?

…why do I sometimes beat myself up in those rare instances where I don’t give my workout every last ounce of strength and energy I have?

…why do I feel the need to strive for perfection all the time?

The answer? Well, it took me a day or two to get here but here’s the bottom line in all of this questioning and wondering I’ve been doing.

And really, there are two “answers” to the why’s.
…First off – I have some work to do in terms of quieting the mind, of striving for excellence instead of perfection. Note to self.
…but secondly, (and more importantly?) I do, I am, I strive…

…because I’m worth it.

The nearly year-long journey I’ve been on to reshape my eating habits – towards fueling (and downright delicious) foods, eaten with a mindfulness I never posessed before (and sometimes still struggle with, admittedly).

Worth it.

The same nearly year-long journey with barre n9ne, towards reshaping my body — but even more importantly — reshaping my mind. Around the concept of working smarter, not harder. Of connecting my mind with  my body with every plie, every shoulder raise, every glute lift. Of learning to love the mind and body that stares back at me from the mirror every day.

Worth it.

The miles and miles I’ve put into training and running half marathons. That has lead me towards a bucket list item of mine. The elusive 26.2 miler. Just once. I want to do it, just once. It’s a huge committment, but it’s mine to make.

Worth it.

The hours and weeks spent training to become barre n9ne certified. Which meant saying “no” to plans with friends on weekends, and even less time spent with my husband (our time already so short during the week given work schedules and ‘life’ in general) while in training. But those hours sacrificed with loved ones? Equalled chasing and captured a huge dream of mine.

Worth it.

So next time I start to question my intentions in life — from the very smallest to the very largest — I’m going to think back to this post.

The day where I remembered that I’m worth it.

Because if I remember that I’m worth it?

I’ll be a better wife to my husband who I adore.

I’ll be a better sister to my beautiful sisters who are my best friends.

I’ll be a better friend to those who constantly lift me up and support me, loving me for me (quirks and all).

I’ll be a better follower of His word, a believer in Faith and all the blessings that come with that.

Because that’s what matters most.
(said far more eloquently by Lindsay in her post yesterday, a total must read. And even though I read her post after writing this one, where for a split second I wondered if my own post sounded too “me-centric” — I reconsidered. Because part of our life “resume” is about fulfilling your own dreams and self-worth and in turn, passing that “worth” forward through the actions and emotions you share with loved ones to, in turn, lift them up higher, higher, higher…)

Training…by feel.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, running, breathe, half marathon, friends, barre n9ne, Chicago Marathon, Cox Rhode Race half marathon

This post is totally inspired by a conversation I had on Saturday with these lovely ladies:


Meaghan (total rockstar) and Samantha (another rockstar) and moi!

My sis, Meaghan and Samantha – at our sushi date at Snappy Sushi on Newbury Street in the city.

This lunch date was a LONG time coming — we talked about getting together way back in January but it was around that time that Jo and I started barre n9ne teacher training and all weekends were spent training away. WELL worth the effort since we’re now both instructors at the studio but it meant waiting uber-patiently for this “date” of ours to finally happen.

We talked about a million things at lunch – spending over three hours at the restaurant well after we’d devoured a gorgeous plate of sushi (that I’m still dreaming about today!).

But one of the topics that made a big appearance during lunch was running, training, listening to our bodies when injured and everything in between. A biggie (at least for me) was around training for the Chicago Marathon and doing right by my body, both in terms of fueling needs but also in terms of the race day itself.

…and training, by feel. Which is how I roll, but very few runners (at least the ones I know) tend not to do.

For me, I know it’s been a good run when I don’t hit the proverbial wall during a longer run, or I hang in there during that last round of speed work on the treadmill, or I have that “I could run for miles” rockstar run like I had on Saturday.  I don’t need a series of numbers to tell me how good or “bad’ or challenging a run was.

I train…by feel.

I don’t train with a Garmin. You all know this by now. I don’t avoid the Garmin to be a running rebel or anything, I just know that for me — I’ll get so caught up with the numbers that it’ll steal the joy from a sport I’ve grown to love, and it’ll prevent me from getting my head fully in the game, both during training runs and on race day itself. (As Meaghan said during lunch, “the Garmin can be a total mindf*ck”…right on!!)

And for me – having my head fully in the game is the key to running strong, running happy and running proud. My ongoing running mantra these days.

But interestingly, this “training…by feel” mentality is also serving me well as it relates to that training “fine line” I blogged about just last week. When it comes to barre n9ne classes — I know what my body is capable of and I try, with every single class that I take, to give it my all. To know that I’ve pushed myself to that shake point and beyond and can confidently walk out of that studio knowing that I left nothing on that floor but my best effort. Every single time. And when it comes to balancing taking classes with teaching classes and training for the half marathon in May — the training by feel mentality has helped me to tweak my plan each week. Even just minor tweaks like turning Sunday into my rest day this week, pushing the 6-miler I had planned for the day to Wednesday night after work instead.

Little tweaks. Training smarter, not harder.

So I guess what I’m saying is this. The bottom line (realizing this way of training won’t work for everyone, per se) is that training by feel is what’s working for me.  It keeps me balanced. It helps me maintain the mind/body connection I’ve fought so long for. And it’s keeping me strong and energized during a very busy training cycle leading into race day.

The big goal in all of this is to have a great race on May 6th (and *maybe* a shiny new PR…maybe), but also to go into full marathon training with the tools I need to continue to train smart, to train by feel, and to toe that starting line on October 7th ready to run proud, strong, and happy.

A very fine line.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, half marathon, barre n9ne, focus, Cox Rhode Race half marathon

<Editor’s Note: I have a feeling this post might spark a bit of healthy debate and I don’t mind if it does. I do hope that it doesn’t send the wrong impression about my approach to training, though. I promise you that I am still on the balance bandwagon all the way. This post was a way for me to get my head straight and ‘in the game’ so to speak as things heat up around here. Annnd end side note…>

It’s getting all kinds of crazy up in here. As you saw from my big, bad (super-pretty) half marathon training plan the other day, I’m working really hard to balance it all.
…taking barre n9ne classes – to continue to hone my own practice.
…teaching barre n9ne classes – to become the best instructor I can be.
…and training for the half marathon – so I can run a race I’ll be damn proud of.

But after I wrote up my plan, I immediately started re-thinking things. Shuffling classes around. On-days for running and off-days for running. Making sure not to overdo it one day only to set myself up for disaster (and junk miles) on another. I started to worry that I wouldn’t be able to TAKE as many classes as I’d like to take, while also managing things as an instructor and oh yeah, fitting in the miles, too.

<insert crazy jiggering and re-jiggering of my training/barre n9ne plan about a million times over the course of an hour>

An exercise that proved to be very sobering.

Tina actually touched on this in her post yesterday and it really got me thinking. How far is too far? And, how “easy does it” is too “easy does it” (if that makes sense)?

It’s a very fine line.



…between maintaining good balance vs. overtraining.

…between going ‘balls to the wall’ all week for every single workout, only to feel like you’re about to crumple to the floor the next week.

…between pushing yourself to new highs with your workouts vs. pushing yourself smack dab into the wall. And hitting it hard.

A very fine line, indeed.

So what have I decided? For one, I’m going to be assessing my schedule week-to-week. To ensure that I’m not overdoing it in any one area. Teaching vs. taking class. Running hard and fast versus recovery runs. And resting. Oh yes, there will be resting.

What I’ve also decided? I can’t really “choose my battles” in terms of focus quite as easily as I could before. I can’t say that barre n9ne takes priority over running; nor can I say that running takes priority over barre n9ne. Yet I know I can’t make *both* a priority and expect to maintain good balance.

So what’s a girl to do? Quite simply: The best that she can.
…to maintain a semblance of balance where possible.
…to *really* listen to my body and be ready and willing to nix a workout or a run if and where needed.
…to avoid trying to be everything to everyone.
…and above all else, to be willing to be flexible (not easy for this Type A-er!)

I know this probably sounds very excuse ridden wishy-washy right now but I promise you it’s not – it simply goes back to that very fine line I talked about above. I literally do need to take my training on a week-to-week basis, to make smart decisions based on how I’m feeling at that moment in time.

Like I’ve always said, any plan is meant to be a guide, a tool, but not gospel. So that’s what I’m focused on doing. Toeing that very fine line, working that “inner tightrope artist” in me to the best of my ability. Being the best that I can be, on any given day.

 

On staying open to change.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, breathe, change

I woke up on Sunday morning feeling anxious. Saturday was a whirlwind. Of catching up on my workouts. Errands. House-cleaning. Cuddle time with Scott. But not nearly enough decompressing. That much was clear to me the second I woke up on Sunday. Anxiety. Stress. Discomfort. Exhaustion. I couldn’t shake it.

…so rather than force a workout, I chose Sunday as my rest day for the week. (change #1).
…went downstairs and started up breakfast, trying to avoid rushing through it. (change #2).
…turned on an episode of Joel Osteen. Hoping it would re-center my mind a bit.

The topic? Change.
…how fitting.

On staying willing and open to change versus fighting it or worse yet, avoiding it entirely. Sticking with the status quo, thinking where you are in life is ‘good enough’ versus seeking out new paths.

Joel made some awesome points about the purpose of change. It isn’t meant to last forever – change, that is. Some changes are fleeting and are only meant to come into your life to enact bigger, longer-lasting change. The main goal in all of this is to get closer and closer to your own personal ‘promised land’ in life.

The key, though, is being open and ready and willing to change. Not to shy away from it. Not to fear it. But to embrace it. Seek it out. Don’t sit idle. Embrace the season (of change) that you’re in.

So where does this leave me? Well – for one, it helped to re-center me. I am living in a sea of change right now. At work - pushing myself to get out of my comfort zone. At barre n9ne – transitioning from teacher to instructor. With running – switching from running to run, to running with purpose (more on this tomorrow…).

I could very easy allow myself to sit in this state of change and feel anxious and unsettled. Or I could choose to embrace and stay open to the changes that surround me. As Joel pointed out, this season of change is pushing me closer to my ‘promised land’ – which in my view, is simply a ‘land’ where I’m living my best life now.

 A very fitting message given how much change I’m about to experience just this week alone - my barre n9ne teaching debut on Friday (!!) and the start of half marathon training (!!). Among other changes I might not even be aware of at this very moment.

So on this day, everyday — I’m going to change how approach change. I will step back, exhale, and embrace it. Be thankful for this season I’m in versus questioning it or fearing it. Staying open to change.

Is it selfish?

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, breathe, fitness, healthy eating, relationships

Is it selfish?

…to carve out a significant portion of your weekly budget on healthy food to stock your kitchen cabinets, fridge and freezer with?

…to schedule your workouts into pieces of your day, just like anything else? Even if that means splitting them up into two workouts a day?

…to invest in the friendships and relationships in your life who support your desire to live a healthy, fit lifestyle? Who ultimately are a positive, uplifting and supportive force in your life?

…to build your life around something you are very passionate about: living your best, energized and fittest life now?

…to re-organize your schedule if it means you can make that class at your favorite gym or studio, the one that really gets your blood pumping and keeps you coming back for more?

…to take 20-30 minutes even on the busiest of days, to do something (move! skip! jump! laugh!) that will make you feel good and have a positive impact on your health?

…to choose to be healthy, especially if it means being a positive influence on the loved ones in your life – your children, your husband, your wife, your sisters, your brothers, your parents, your friends – even if that choice sometimes takes you away from the very same loved ones you’re trying to influence?

…to put yourself first, if it means that you’ll live a longer, happier, more fulfilling life? So you can be the best you can be for yourself and for all of the people you love, and all that love you?

…to live your best life right now?

…Is it selfish?

No.

It is selfless.

*Editor’s Note: some of these comments come from the super-fab Fitfluential Ambassadors who I *may* have surveyed for ideas for this post. :)

Numbers.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, body image, confidence, fitblog, healthy eating, perspective

What size are your jeans?
(how do you feel in those jeans?)

What does the scale say?
(why does it matter?)

How many miles did you run – today? this week? this month? this year? Ever?
(or, how alive did you feel on that run?)

How much site traffic does your blog get?
(how much did that insightful and perceptive blog comment from a friend mean to you?)

How fast did you run/bike/swim that race?
(how proud were you to simply cross that finish line?)

Numbers.

They make the world go ’round.
…or do they? should they? why do they?

We are surrounded by numbers. Blog stats. Workouts completed. Miles run. Comments given. Comments received. Blogs in your RSS reader or on your blogroll. Sizes of your jeans, number on that scale.
…you get my point.

Numbers can be all-consuming. I’ve made it no secret that I can get a little crazy by numbers. Which is why I stopped keeping a workout log. And why I stopped food logging (yes, I log now, but more on that in a minute). And why I don’t closely track my run mileage week-to-week right down to the last decimal point (hence no “junk miles” up in here).

However.

Numbers can also be an excellent tool – a progress report of sorts when working towards a specific goal. And that’s when I think numbers can be invaluable. When they’re used to track progress - but not to gauge success/failure. It’s a fine line, but an important one. Tracking progress means you’re working towards a goal and seeing positive changes that are pushing you closer and closer towards that magical finish line. Using numbers as the one, the only, indicator of success? I think that can quickly become a negative mind game.

Let’s take that food log thing as an example. For me – I started using the food log as a way to help me stay accountable as I worked towards the goal of completing the barre n9ne 60-day challenge. It was my measuring stick to help me figure out how to (successfully) eat for my (caloric) number and it helped me reach very important qualitative and quantitative goals.
…yes – I’ve lost two pants sizes and many inches since starting that challenge last May.
…but the more important goal for me – way beyond the size of those jeans?
…that I am confident and strong and sure of myself. Things you can’t measure with a scale or a measuring stick. Priceless in my book.

So what am I getting at with all of this numbers talk? I urge you all to take a really close look at how you track progress. Does everything *have* to be tied to numbers? Are there any progress reports you can gauge that take a more qualitative approach than quantitative? Hey – I’m not saying everyone needs to be just like me in their approach to numbers, I just think that we could all benefit from stepping back and re-evaluating now and then, yeah? Trust me, I know I’m not perfect and definitely no expert — I’m just sharing what’s been working really well for me…y’know, in case you’re looking for ideas. ;-)

…and if you dig this topic as much as I do (based on the length of this blog post, clearly I do!), I’d love it if you’d join me for next Tuesday’s (Feb 7) FitBlog chat at 9pm ET. I’m moderating the discussion and am super excited to hear what you all have to say!

Foodie Friday – things I could eat every. single.day.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, foodie friday, healthy eating

The other day, I tweeted the following:
Jess Sutera
JessFit654
Do you ever find yourself uninspired, blogging-wise? It happens from time-to-time and everytime it does, I hate it. Am I alone?

After weeks of blog posts just flowing right along, without ever having to stop and think about a topic to blog about, I hit major writer’s block this week. I was feeling uninspired and it was driving me nuts. I’m not one to “blog just to blog” so I was fully prepared to take a few days off from blogging.

But then, I got an email from blog bestie Heather. After a little back and forth with her, she suggested I might start talking more about the foods that I eat, the meals that I make, etc., since I sort of gave my eats a “makeover” when I started the 60-day challenge last May.

Um hi, genius.

Instantly, the ideas for posts started flowing. (thank you, Heather!!) Again, this drives back to me writing with passion. I am *so* passionate about food and my new(ish) approach to eating. So why have I not been sharing more of my foodie faves with you guys on the blog?

I have no idea. It’s long overdue.

With that, I bring you: Foodie Friday. I’m not sure yet if this will become a weekly series or not, for now I’m just going with it. (that’s how I roll, hehe)

Today I’m focused on things I could eat every.single.day (and in fact, pretty much do). Just a smattering of some of my fave snacks, treats, breakfasts, lunches, etc. With pictures (which I promise to do more of, especially when writing food-related posts!).

Peanut butter: I <3 it so much, I have at least one jar on backup at all times. And in this case, I also have some super-fresh PB that I ground myself at Whole Foods last weekend (I was legit giddy when I saw the machine in the PB aisle!)

Salads with yummy “things” in them. Think avocado with strawberries and mixed greens (dubbed the “barre n9ne summer salad by Tanya). Or goat cheese, figs and fresh spinach. Or blackberries, avocado and a bit of chopped almonds on top. Or mexican style with fresh corn from the cob, black beans and red onion. I could go on. And on. And ON.

Bananas – on top of a bagel thin with pb (duh), or in my beloved irish oatmeal (OBSESSED with oatmeal – deserves a post of it’s own and in fact, probably will be one!), or with a tsp or two of nutella. In fact, the bagel thin/pb/banana concoction was a favorite of mine this summer at the lake (ah, bliss).

Fresh berries. So versatile – can be sweet or savory. Savory in a salad. Sweet on top of yogurt. Or all on their own. Particularly yummy when freshly picked – like these from our summer outing to the local strawberry farm. mm.

Yogurt. Preferably greek yogurt (hi Chobani, I love you). Lately it’s been the apple cinnamon that has my heart. But yesterday, I went with plain greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and a drizzle of honey. Yum. Protein packed. Delicious.

Healthy appetizers ala date night in. This is a biggie for me. A little back story for ya’ll…

Prior to the food log thing, my biggest weakness (BY FAR) were the cheese/cracker plates Scott and I would devour with our pre-dinner glass of wine during our infamous date nights in. Once I was introduced to my friend moderation and realized that pounding a half a stick of cheese before dinner wasn’t exactly “moderation,” I was on a mission to find a good replacement for the cheese/cracker pre-dinner snack that would still give me the experience of an app and a glass of wine before dinner with Scott but wouldn’t leave me feeling like I was missing out. I bring you my solution: Fresh tomatoes and basil, a few sliced red peppers, two feta-stuffed olives and a baby belle (or laughing cow) wedge. Delicious, refreshing and barely 100 calories. Perfection.

Chocolate. And wine. Shocking, I know. I’m constantly posting about my love of Dove promises and a good glass of wine. A recent addition to that list? Anything salted caramel. OMG best invention ever.

And just so happens to pair beautifully with a glass of wine. I think it was created just for me, seriously. (another pic from this summer, can you tell I’m lusting for summer over here??)

So, there you have it. Just a few things I could legit eat (or drink) every.single.day. And because this was SUCH a fun post, I’m thinking I *will* make this Foodie Friday thing a weekly series. Whatcha think? ;-)

Mind games

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, breathe

Dear mind,

You’re awfully chatty up there today. And not the good kind of chatty – the ones that revolve around daydreams and inspiration. The chatty I’m talking about is the bad kind – the mind games variety. And I’d really like it to stop.

You just made it through a whirlwind of a week. (actually two weeks, considering last week’s chaos on day one of the new gig). Un-routine was tested to the max. Your workouts were a challenge to get through each morning thanks to screwy sleep/eat patterns. The intensity wasn’t what it usually is. But the bottom line is – you never missed a planned workout. And you stuck to your guns on the eating front. You pushed through even when you wanted to get off that clunky hotel gym treadmill and tromp back upstairs to bed.

Don’t discount this week. It was a week of discovery and growth. Not a week meant to end with mind games and negative chatter going on up there.

Embrace your return to routine. Recognize that the intensity of your workouts will be back in about 35 seconds. And that having a lower-ish intensity week than you’re used to is actually good for your body (and yes you, mind) now and then.

So give it a break, will ya? Calm that chatter please. I’m sick of hearing all that noise up there, quite frankly.

With much love,
Me.

Daydream.

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, breathe, perspective

Daydream.

That very word elicits visions of sandy beaches, carefree afternoons and a life where worry doesn’t exist.

Daydreams can be an escape, sure.
...but do they have to be?
…need to be?
…can daydreams be about realistic ‘dreams’ too?

These were the thoughts that started streaming through my head when I opened this little dove chocolate message the other night. Somehow I always end up unwrapping the exact right message at the exact right time with this little dove chocolate obsession of mine. This was one of those instances.

So…can daydreams be about realistic dreams, and not just fantasy?

I think so.

My daydreams lately revolve around the following:
…date nights in with Scott. Picnics in the living room. Skating on the frog pond in Boston. ’24′ marathons on the couch on a Sunday afternoon.
…crossing the finish line in Chicago. With pure joy spread across my face. (and a little pain)
…cookie and tea “sister nights” with little Isabel in tow. Now that Jen lives closer to me and Jo, sister nights need to become the norm. <3
…loving the flexibility of my new job, and yes – embracing the un-routine that comes with travel (this week kicks that off – I’m in Cali as we speak!).

What I’m trying not to center my daydreams around lately?
...envisioning worry-free days. It’s just not realistic. Life includes moments, days, weeks of worry sometimes. It’s how you handle those moments of worry that matter most.
…“can’t waiting” for the future. Staying present is the name of the game lately. I don’t want to rush through this thing called life – we only have one shot at it, and I don’t want to miss it.
…perfection. You’ve seen an awful lot of posts on balance and learning to be less Type-A. Perfection comes hand-in-hand with that. It’s a fantasy to think that anything in life can or should be perfect. If life were perfect, we’d all be in our dream jobs, making zillions of dollars, traveling the world, and drinking the best bottles of wine every single day of the week (ok, that last one may just apply to my own personal fantasy lol)

You see where I’m going here? Dare to daydream. But realize that daydreams don’t have to only revolve around fantasies that may never come to fruition. Daydreams can revolve around little joys in life, too.

…like unwrapping a dove chocolate and finding the perfect message at the exact right time.
Daydream.

Traveling – the fit and healthy edition

Posted by Jess Sutera in balance, breathe, career, challenge, Core Fusion, running

I’m gonna go ahead and call this post the traveling – fit and healthy edition.

I basically spent all of Sunday morning prepping for my trip to Cali this week for my second week on the (new) job.

As you can see, I packed a TON of healthy food for this trip. I made my way to Whole Foods on Saturday to stock up (for some reason I had no idea how close the one nearest our house really is, two cities over but surprisingly quick trip…I’ll be back, OFTEN. I was in heaven wandering those aisles!). Some of the items I packed:

  • Larabars – *finally* found the blueberry muffin flavor and the coconut creme, plus my favorite: pb&J. These will come in handy on the plane or as an in-a-pinch breakfast in the office
  • Instant oatmeal – not nearly the same as homemade irish oats on the stove, but it’s better than no oatmeal at all while I’m away. I chose the weight control variety because it’s higher in protein and fiber so while I don’t love the added sugars in it, it’ll work in a situation like this.
  • Bananas and apples – snacks at work or in the AM as part of my breakfast
  • Barney butter 90-cal almond butter packets – to go on top of those bananas and apples (the 90-cal pack is genius btw, love it)
  • 1 oz portions of dry roasted almonds packed in neat little snack bags – to eat before I workout or mid-flight if I get hungry
  • Protein bars – again, an in-a-pinch meal substitute. Protein = filling. Something I’ll need, particularly given how out-of-whack I’ll feel due to the time change (which I’ve learned from my sis who battles it everytime she goes out west for her job)

Whew. That’s quit the list, huh?? But I kinda dig it. I feel prepared for this trip and know that even if I can’t control some of my meals entirely (dinner, especially), at least I have some semblance of control and balance as it relates to breakfast and snack options pre/post-workout and while in flight. This is how I’m creating balance while traveling, amid all that un-routine I’ll be facing.

How else will I be creating balance amid the chaos? By packing lots and lots of workout clothes! So much so that I ended up re-packing my work clothes twice. Choosing one pair of tall boots to go with the three dresses I’ll wear to the office each day. I just couldn’t fit another pair of shoes to wear with pants plus my sneakers and my workout gear. So I swapped the pants and extra shoes for a couple more dresses instead. Priorities, people!

Just for a taste of what that workout gear entails…

  • Running shorts – x3
  • Running tanks – x3
  • Sports bras – x5
  • Socks – x5
  • Sneakers – x1 (and already packed for fear of forgetting them after my pre-flight run)
  • Loose-fitting pants from my kickboxing days (that’s another hint for those of you wondering what this “out of my comfort zone” workout I’ll be trying later tonight! and no – it’s not a kickboxing class).
  • Core Fusion DVDs – x2 (yoga energy flow and power sculpt – it’s not barre n9ne but it’s better than absolutely no core and strength work while I’m away this week!)

As you can see, I had very little room for other essentials. Y’know, like stuff to wear to the office and out to dinner at night. Like I said, I had to choose my battles packing-wise. And what can I say? The workout gear won, hands-down. ;-)

So anyway, I’m en route to Cali today and feeling ready. Anxious, sure. But I’m also excited. To continue testing the waters in my new job and to see how well I handle un-routine this week. At least I know I’ll be traveling fit and healthy this week, something that makes this girl very happy. Plus, I know I’ll have a smiling husband ready to give me the biggest welcome home hug ever when I land on Thursday night. :)

Cheers friends – let’s rock this week, shall we??