Prevention is Key

Hey, how's it going?  This is the first time in weeks that I've felt like I've had a productive Monday so I am feeling particularly accomplished today.  Volunteering- check.  Doctor's appointment- check.  Check emails and blogs- check, check.  I just have a dinner and a workout ahead of me.


Let's rewind to the volunteering part of my day.  For the summer I have been volunteering in the rehabilitation department of a senior center in order to fulfill PA school requirements.  Sadly, my time there is coming to an end so I've been reflecting on what I have learned over the past 2 months.  I've always loved working with the elderly, but working almost 20 hours a week with them has left me with even more respect for them.  I've found the patients I have worked with have been kind, resilient, witty, wise, and most importantly, aware of their wants and needs.  I think at a certain age you finally understand what is important to you and what you need from others. 


What also has stuck out to me this summer is how important our health is.  We know this and are taught this, but seeing older adults struggling with their mental and physical health reinforces the idea that many young people that they are immune to any health problems.  With this being said, there are so many things we can do at a young age to prevent poor health in the future.  Deteriorating health is inevitable, but it can be made easier.  Here are things that I find to be most important in maintaing my health and preventing future health problems (and no, this list is not revolutionary, just a reminder that we sometimes all need :) ) 

1.  Exercising your body- walking, running, biking, swimming, playing basketball, etc.  The best exercise is the one you will actually DO.
2.  Exercising your mind- I want to always be learning 
3.  Clean eating- easier said than done, but plenty of fruits, vegetables are a must 
4.  Sunscreen- Bronzer and Jergens gradual tanning lotions are my best friends
5.  Yearly (depends)  check-ups- I really need to improve at this.  Staying up-to-date on our appointments (dental, gyno, primary care physician, dermatologist) helps to prevent more serious health problems 
6.  Vitamins- I am a strong believer in taking vitamins.  Even if you eat really well, it's hard to get all your necessary nutrients in every day
7.  Sleep- I am so cranky and thrown off when I don't get 7 hours of sleep in. 
8.  Smoking- Just don't :/
9.  Relaxation/pleasure- Many people feel guilty of taking time to relax- don't!  It is so necessary to maintain your mental health.  So grab a book, hang out with a friend, watch a movie, do some yoga, indulge in yourself
10.  Socializing- Being around people that make me laugh, make me think, make me feel good about myself keeps me sane :)

What do you do to ensure your health?

Happy Weekend!

How's everyone's Saturday going so far?  Mine has already gotten off to a great start!

After checking out the Dark Knight Rises last night- no spoilers here, but go see it!- my roommate Ellie and I woke up early to check out the Rochester Public Market.  This was my first time going (remember it from my July post) and it definitely lived up to the hype.  We stopped at Boulder first to grab iced coffees and then headed out to the venders. 

 I love the idea of buying fresh, local produce and so was glad I was able to do my part.  Everything was much cheaper than at grocery stores too, another plus!  I bought 2 containers of squash and zucchini for $2, strawberries and blueberries for $5 and a bag of baby spinach for $1.  I'm thinking a trip is definitely in the cards for next weekend and that iced coffee and one of the delicious breakfast sandwiches I saw is gonna have to happen as well. 

 Another Rochester first for me this week (I'm on a roll)?  The Seneca Park Zoo!  My friend Annie and I went Thursday afternoon as volunteers for the senior home we have both been helping out at this summer.  It was awesome to feel like a little kid again and do good (DG!) at the same time :)

Are there any "firsts" that you want to complete this weekend, this week, this month?  Get out and do them, it's almost August! 

Summer Reading

Remember summer reading in middle school and high school?  Some people hated it, but not me.  I loved going to Barnes and Nobles to pick out my books (nerd status).  Some of my favorite books were also required reading in school: To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone with the Wind, The Joy Luck Club, Romeo and Juliet, The Great Gatsby (can't wait to see the new movie btw), and The Catcher in the Rye.

I'm a big reader and usually go through a ton of books in the summer.  I have been busier than usual though and haven't read as much as I've hoped to, but hopefully that will change in August.  There is nothing better than laying on the beach with a good book.  The problem is, I haven't heard of many good books to read lately, so help me out.  I've read Fifty Shades of Grey...maybe I will write a post on some of my thoughts, but let's just say Anastasia Steele, you are pathetic and I hate you.  And please tell you sub-conscious to kindly shut up.  I read the first two books of the Divergent series, which I highly reccommend if you are interested in a new Hunger Games-esqe series.  I am currently reading Harvesting the Heart, a Jodi Picoult book which is good, but not great so far. 

Books I want to read:

 

What are you reading this summer?  I would love more suggestions! 

Outside

Happy hump day everyone!  Does it feel like  Thursday to anyone else?  Depressing, but we're almost there.

Even though it has been so hot lately, this past week/weekend I spent the little time I have enjoying summer how it is supposed to be enjoyed...outside.  Saturday, 3 of my roommates, Julia, Ellie and Alycia drove out to the Finger lakes to go on Ellie's sail boat.  We met up with our friend Jess and Ellie's parents there.  I've never been sailing before so I was really excited.  It ended up being pretty much the perfect day.  Beautiful weather, warm water, good food (made by Ellie's mom!), and great company.

Monday it was pretty warm out but I didn't have to work so I wanted to take advantage and so something fun and active.  I also hadn't had Yotality (fro-yo) in a week so the obvious answer was to ride our bikes there.  This is not a short little bike ride though.  Ellie, Brielle (roomie # 5) and I headed out onto an 16-mile (there and back) bike ride along the Erie Canal.  We stopped at the 8 mile mark in town to get our fro-yo, tired, sweaty, and thirsty and then headed back.  It was a long adventure but something I've always wanted to do while living in Rochester and I'm so glad I did.  The canal was packed with people running, biking, walking, and even roller blading!  If you live in the area I recommend you check it out.

Tuesday it was a billion degrees so no outdoor activities there, but today was the return of the run!  I have been having knee pain so I took some time off and felt pretty good today.  I really need to work on my stretching post-runs!  I covered almost 3 1/2 miles in 34 minutes.  As much as I love having a fitness schedule, I love winging it and finding fun, alternative ways to stay moving just as much.  No pics, but see you tomorrow with hopefully another post!

Loving Lately

This weekend I have Friday AND Saturday off- I'm excited, to say the least.  Today I put in a pretty solid arms lift with some abs thrown in, laid in bed for a few hours and indulged some delicious Wegmans cheese dip.  Tonight I have a kickball game, am celebrating the night at East End Fest, and am getting ready to go sailing with my roommates tomorrow!  Weekends are seriously the best, hope yours is great too :)  Here are some other things I have been loving lately:  

Bare Minerals- after winning a "make-under" party from Bare Minerals last week, I bought the starter kit and am in love

Chobani Champs- For kids but they are the perfect size for a snack and still have a ton of protein

Weeds- you can currently find me laying in my bed watching this on Netflix, at all times.  Nancy Botwin is the shit

Savannah on the today show- She just replaced Anne Curry and has much more chemistry with Matt Lauer (who I also love, strange I know)

Anchor print at J. Crew- the Delta Gamma in me is dying for this skirt, but I will look like a tool holding my matching iphone case. #firstworldproblems

Tabata workouts- so quick and effective!  I did 2 rounds of Gina's tabata video yesterday and my legs are killing me this morning

Bouncing Back

This week has been a tough one for me so I am happy to say that we are almost 2 days away from the weekend (and one day away from my Friday and Saturdays off!).  I was already feeling like this week was going to be a busy one, working every day and being on your feet for 5 hours every night will take a lot out of you.  That, coupled with the stress of finding a job for next year and preparing for grad school apps put me in a defeated, grumpy mood Tuesday afternoon.  You know, those moods where you don't want to do anything, don't care how anything turns out and get annoyed at any question, person, request.  When I came home Tuesday night I was still upset but determined to turn this week around and stop being a brat.  I really don't like having a plan so the thought of having things up in the air beginning next month is really hard for me to handle, so I decided to stop complaining and do something about it.  So, I made a plan.  It may not be a long term one, but I made a plan with lists of things to do the next day, the next week, the next month, etc.  Instead of complaining and being sour, I will be doing.  I am bouncing back.

Today was a lot better!  I am still really busy and tired with work and all that I have to do, but I feel more in control.  I came home at my lunch break today and busted out some work.  I came right home from work and immediately went on a 4 mile run.  After I realizing that I didn't workout Tuesday I came to the conclusion that the lack of exercise had something to do with my bad mood as well.  Working out is a great way to clear my head, especially when I am stressed.

Moral of the story, sometimes things are going to be unclear, not go the way you planned, and just be freaking annoying.  I can either sit around feeling annoyed and sorry for myself, or start doing something.  No, I won't get instant gratification from this, but life's a marathon, not a race.


Now I leave you with some of my favorite pinterest quotes:

Running must-haves

Good news everyone...Monday is almost over.  Cue sigh of relief. 

After a week of taking off too many days in the exercise department (at least in my opinion), I was determined to sneak a run in today between my two jobs.  I only have about an hour and a half window to do so, which is plenty of time but nonetheless, not very motivating.  Still, I busted out a slow, sore 2.5 miles.  Any run is better than napping and/or watching Weeds in your bed right? 

In the middle of my run I stopped at Highland park and did a mini-bootcamp!  It wasn't too intense but it switched things up a little so I think I'll have to do this more often.  In the mix was:

10 dips on park bench

10 incline push-ups on park bench

10 mountain climbers

10 regular squats

10 plie squats

2 times through

Hi park

Made that bench my b****

What saved me on this run though, was my new handheld water bottle!  I got it for my race last week and can't believe I ever ran in the summer without it.  I usually hold off on grabbing water on my runs, or hit up the 100 degree water fountain in the park for a super refreshing pick me up but, bringing my own bottle= so much smarter!

That leads me to ask, what do you need on runs?  Running is great in that you really only need a (good) pair of sneakers to get up and go, but there is so much extra swag that I can say I really need.  For me it's ipod/iphone, headphones, my Brooks, non-slip headband, Timex GPS, water bottle (in heat) and last but not least....tissues!  My nose runs like crazy when I run and not having tissues can ruin a run for me fast.