I’m busy. But not too busy to blog, obviously. And instead of being overwhelmed, I’m trying to prioritize and to remind myself that all the things I NEED To do will get done if I make  appoint of doing them…after I blog.

Kidding, but seriously, I never want to be too busy for the things I love!

Today’s flying by — I started my morning at 6am with some caffeine and a banana before bootcamp, but I woke up to dark clouds and some menacing radar. Plus the realization that my A list boot campers were mostly: a) out of the country b) ignoring my pushes to get their rears into gear or c) sick. Sad Cheryl.

Happy Cheryl came right back after I got down to business at the gym when I was presented with my bootcamp hour and abso-freaking-lutely pure nothing to do bliss.

Like I said, nothing like failing and realizing you’re pushing yourself to make for a good start to the day, albeit a little bit demolished.

Speaking of demolishing, my morning meal was “weird” by common standards but if you understood how amazing my apartment smelled last night when I went to bed (I’d fired up the crock pot mid afternoon so the roast I made was just finishing as I was calling it a night), you’d get why I had to dive into the goods for “breakfast” (or second breakfast, I guess). Pork and cabbage and an apple. Kind of like the applesauce, sauerkraut, and pork my family used to eat when I was a kid. So it makes more sense than the picture might suggest…and it was also tastier than that! 

After a chit chat at Starbucks (I have lots to think and journal and undoubtedly blog about), I had a quick lunch and sat down at my computer. When I realized my apartment is not my ideal working conditions, I relocated to another Starbucks (variety is the spice of life) and here I am. Apparently, I’m still not working. Luckily, I’m okay with it.

I’ll get to work…soon.

But first, Cait’s post at Beyond Bananas just inspired me to extend my break, so here comes a this or that fitness survey she shared earlier.

1.  Run/workout in the heat and humidity or freezing temps and snow?

I love love love working out outside in the summer. I started to like it more this winter when I took up winter running but I prefer the summer. Also now that I’m all about running in a sports bra, there’s something liberating about running on a toasty day. That being said, I’m not a tool. A few summers ago I was so compulsive that I’d work out on smog days and in the heat of the afternoon if it meant losing a workout otherwise. Turns out I was being an idiot and now I get it — warm and toasty workouts are still awesome, but I’m not into upping my heat stroke risk.

This winter, I want to take up cross country skiing. Or just build lots of snow forts. Exercise is exercise, right?

2. Have washboard abs or flat abs?

I thought these went together? I’m all for muscle. I don’t care if it comes out washboard but a strong core should be the focus. I don’t like this question !

3. Dr. Oz or The Doctors?

Oh lord. Both are entertainment for me – it’s funny to watch and to hear about the “breakthroughs” and the “secrets” that these shows talk about. Since Jillian Michaels brings some fun to The Doctors, let’s choose them! 

4. Cardio or strength?

All of the above, plus flexibility and mobility, please. You can’t just be strong if you want to be healthy. You can’t just be aerobically fit if you want to be healthy. Maybe it’s the future Crossfit trainer in me, but fitness is a pretty broad term and health is even more holistic, in my humble opinion. If you wanna read someone who I think does a good job summing this up, check out “What is Fitness?” on one of the crossfit coaches from London’s blog this week. Good timing on his part and good reiteration…

5. Cravings: Protein or carbs?

Emotional cravings? Pass the ice cream, the chocolate, the cake, etc. Real hankerings? Pass the protein. I had a chat with my sister about this over the weekend — when we’re hungry, we both agreed that we could leave cake and ice cream behind any day and dig into some “real food”! Amen to steaks.

6. Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper?

Jillian, mostly because she is doing more than just kicking people’s asses or helping them lose weight now. I know Bob is also awesome, but his latest book was called “Skinny Rules” so I’m mad at him for perpetuating the idea that skinny is even healthy, attractive, or something we should focus on. Jillian’s last book was called “Unlimited” and even though it wasn’t about fitness, I think challenging your beliefs (which is what she does with it) and coming up with a vision for your life is arguably essential to being successful in anything–running a marathon, losing weight, getting jacked, running a great business.

7. Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream?

Froyo comes up approximately every 3 posts–eating it, joking about it, wanting it. They’re different awesome though — if I’m under the bridge or want a cone, gimme the ice cream. But maybe cuz froyo can literally come with endless options, it’s not getting old…

8. To train: Upper body or Lower body?

Since I’m usually teaching spin classes, running, and biking, I neglect my lower body. But I never really just train upper body cuz that seems so silly. I like full body stuff and mostly focus on body weight exercises in my workouts. I’m really looking forward to learning more about lifting heavy and shifting away from what I’ve always done. Change is exciting!

9. Protein powder or food with protein?

Ha. Let me refer you (again) to a post that resonated with me on this one. And let me say it: eat food. I think protein powders are kind of silly. There’s tons of protein in food — so if you need more, eat more food! Simple.

10. Lunges or squats? 

Squats, even if mine leave a lot to be desired. However, you’re still going to lunge your butt off in any class I teach.

11. Sweet or salty?

Combined, please. I salt my apples. No big deal. I only want sweet after my salty needs have been satiated, so salt takes the cake on this one (ha ha).

12. Workout attire: cute or comfy?

It better be both and it better be functional. There’s nothing more annoying than shorts that ride up, shirts that cling, or fabrics that just don’t work for what you’re doing. Amen to lululemon for getting this and making stuff that works, explaining it to people, AND making it adorable (usually).

13. Body Pump or Heavy lifting?

Body pump = cookie cutter. I think of it as a good way to get started if you’re new to weight training, but I don’t think you’re doing the fit self you have the potential to be if you stick to it for too long…

14. Yoga or Pilates?

YOGA! Pilates is challenging, but there’s SO MUCH MORE to yoga than the physical benefits (strength, flexibility, etc.). Mind-body. Body acceptance. I could write a whole post about this — but yoga changed my life!

15. Nike or Adidas?

Nike. I can’t remember the last adidas thing I bought. I like lulu though, remember? And underarmour.

16. Running on the treadmill or outdoors?

Am I a rat? I’ll use the treadmill (preferably a manual one) to sprint but there’s not much that will keep me from running outside. And when it comes to outside running, get me on a trail STAT–roads are boring!

17. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? Remark or Sunripe? 

Remark. They have more pre-cooked things with acceptable ingredient lists on them. It’s “remark-”able how much I can spend there. But they also always have kale and chard and alfalfa sprouts and these things bring me great joy, as does their complimentary coffee. I like Sunripe’s giant apples and the samples and the fact that packaged foods are few and far between there, but Remark wins on this one!

18. Summer or Winter Olympics?

Summer! Maybe cuz I have had more time to watch these ones, or maybe cuz there’s so many sports I like. Or men’s sports where the mens are oh so dreamy…and sigh*

19. Exercises classes or Exercise videos?

Classes. Gimme some social stimulation! Better yet–let me teach it!

20. Steamed veggies or roasted veggies?

Roasted! I just don’t always have the patience…luckily I can zap em in the microwave to speed up the process.

 

What are your thoughts on the survey?
Do you like being busy? I’d rather be busy than bored is my motto. Feeling like there are 1209102910 things I want to do is an awesome feeling–it means I’m excited about things!