January 25, 2011
Last Sunday I had the good fortune to sneak away for a ladies brunch. We were celebrating a friend of mine's birthday. AND it was wonderful! A few unencumbered hours of girl talk, great food, and lots of vino! Now for those of you who are single this does not seem like a big deal, in fact you may do this every week. For those of you in a new relationship there's no way you'd sneak out of a warm bed on a freezing January morning if someone isn't paying you to. Those in longer relationships or married a few years may be back to your former brunch status, but the hubby/or boyfriend will probably be tagging along (and in truth you want him there!) And for those of you who have young children the art of brunch, and I mean a good two-three hours at least, is a very rare occasion.
However, after having reacquainted myself with this lost art I wondered why I don't insist upon this luxury every week. Well, perhaps it wouldn't be as special if it happened every week. Maybe the conversation wouldn't have been as lively if we'd seen each other frequently. It was a wonderful mix of ladies. Three of us were moms, one pregnant, two single girls, a few actresses, a P.H.D., personal trainer, some old friends and some I'd met for the first time. I was grateful to my friend Shannon for bringing us all together on that frigid Sunday morning.
So why were these three hours so special? Why did it feel like I was getting a glimpse of my former self. I see my mommy friends at least once a week if not more. The difference, of course, is we always have our children in tow. It was lovely to be free to speak our minds, laugh, and hear about the single girls' issues. Something we haven't dealt with in a while. The dating, the men, the boys, the craziness of being single in NYC. Not that I want that life again, I just like hearing about it once in a while rather than stressing about why I haven't signed my son up for pre-school already. If I don't act fast all the good ones will be full by September. Enough. It was great to hear about my mommy friends outside lives. The projects they are doing, the books they've been reading. Not once did we talk about toddler beds, or potty training. We actually are interesting people too! Did you know the French Horn has a thumb key? I did not until Sunday.
I'd love to say we vowed to do it again next Sunday, but that would be too soon. Like going to Vegas two weekends in a row. What I did learn is that it's important to take time to remember and enjoy yourself outside of being a mom, or wife, or (enter your job description here) it's good to just laugh, and listen, and let the girl in you shine through! Alas, we did decide that we should start a book club...Is that an excuse to get together and chat? Yes. Will we discuss the book? I believe so. Will there be wine? Absolutely!
Buy the Book...
I Don't Know Jack
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
First Run of the Year!
January 5, 20011
There's something about taking a little break from your exercise routine and then returning to a healed, energized, raring to-go body! The last few weeks I've been under the weather, that combined with the holiday rush, travel, and family time left me practically exercise free for three weeks. Those few sunny strolls along the beach don't count.
You might say that if you took that much time off it would be impossible to start back up. Your body may revolt or those hard earned muscles may begin to atrophy. Perhaps. I'm not a workout expert, but if you've had some form of exercise routine for a few years letting it go for a week or two will not wreck all the work you've done. Your body will rest and heal. Don't get me wrong there were moments when all I wanted to do was jump on the nearest treadmill, but the cold kept me in bed. Grant it my body was telling me to rest. This time I was able to let it. Normally, I'd still have to get up with my son. But at my mom's house she was there to do that for me. I didn't have to clean, or plan meals, or do any of the things that keep me from napping at nap time. I slept in for almost a week!
Not to mention it was over the holidays, so there was plenty to eat. Add to that the idea of guilt-free vacation eating and I was in heaven. Luckily, my cold did not warrant a chicken noodle soup only diet. Plus, I still managed to enjoy some wine and margaritas (not on the same night) which may be why the cold lingered longer than it should. To that end it was a marvelous holiday. I still played and indulged, but was able to rest enough in-between to keep going.
So it was not until I returned to New York after three extra days in Florida (thank you blizzard) that I began feeling up to exercise. Mind you I knew it was time. My body ached to run, leap, headstand, whatever. I could not spend another day in inertia. The weather was in the thirties so I went to the gym. I flirted with the idea of a yoga class, but really wanted some hard core cardio to jump start my metabolism. (Again not a workout expert, just felt that was what the body was craving.) My favorite elliptical machine by the window was available, however, I walked right past it to the treadmill. I haven't run in quite a while I really prefer to do it outside and once it dips below 50 degrees I'm done until spring. But on this particular day I really wanted to run.
I stepped up. Set my time. Blasted my ipod, and let my body take over. I was shocked at how good it felt! All that rest and relaxation meant that not one inch of my body felt kinked or tight. My muscles felt oiled and happy to be in use. I panted a little, but that was only when I did the incline sprints. (Yeah I went for it!) Everything was just as I had left it. Almost. That day I left the gym after my stretching and ab work feeling invigorated and ready to tackle the New Year. It was amazing.
If you've given yourself some time off from your workouts don't fear the return. Your body will remember, eventually, and when it does it will thank you... I won't mention the day-after soreness.
Happy Running:)
There's something about taking a little break from your exercise routine and then returning to a healed, energized, raring to-go body! The last few weeks I've been under the weather, that combined with the holiday rush, travel, and family time left me practically exercise free for three weeks. Those few sunny strolls along the beach don't count.
You might say that if you took that much time off it would be impossible to start back up. Your body may revolt or those hard earned muscles may begin to atrophy. Perhaps. I'm not a workout expert, but if you've had some form of exercise routine for a few years letting it go for a week or two will not wreck all the work you've done. Your body will rest and heal. Don't get me wrong there were moments when all I wanted to do was jump on the nearest treadmill, but the cold kept me in bed. Grant it my body was telling me to rest. This time I was able to let it. Normally, I'd still have to get up with my son. But at my mom's house she was there to do that for me. I didn't have to clean, or plan meals, or do any of the things that keep me from napping at nap time. I slept in for almost a week!
Not to mention it was over the holidays, so there was plenty to eat. Add to that the idea of guilt-free vacation eating and I was in heaven. Luckily, my cold did not warrant a chicken noodle soup only diet. Plus, I still managed to enjoy some wine and margaritas (not on the same night) which may be why the cold lingered longer than it should. To that end it was a marvelous holiday. I still played and indulged, but was able to rest enough in-between to keep going.
So it was not until I returned to New York after three extra days in Florida (thank you blizzard) that I began feeling up to exercise. Mind you I knew it was time. My body ached to run, leap, headstand, whatever. I could not spend another day in inertia. The weather was in the thirties so I went to the gym. I flirted with the idea of a yoga class, but really wanted some hard core cardio to jump start my metabolism. (Again not a workout expert, just felt that was what the body was craving.) My favorite elliptical machine by the window was available, however, I walked right past it to the treadmill. I haven't run in quite a while I really prefer to do it outside and once it dips below 50 degrees I'm done until spring. But on this particular day I really wanted to run.
I stepped up. Set my time. Blasted my ipod, and let my body take over. I was shocked at how good it felt! All that rest and relaxation meant that not one inch of my body felt kinked or tight. My muscles felt oiled and happy to be in use. I panted a little, but that was only when I did the incline sprints. (Yeah I went for it!) Everything was just as I had left it. Almost. That day I left the gym after my stretching and ab work feeling invigorated and ready to tackle the New Year. It was amazing.
If you've given yourself some time off from your workouts don't fear the return. Your body will remember, eventually, and when it does it will thank you... I won't mention the day-after soreness.
Happy Running:)
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