Monthly Archives: May 2012

Breaking It Down: The Next Step

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It’s been a little while since my last progress report. Despite having a couple of weekends out of town, a crazy work schedule and an unhealthy dose of free iPad games, I have actually been doing a bit of exercise. It’s certainly helped me handle the stress of work and prevent further hair loss (though, to be clear, I have no medical expertise to back that up).

So what goals were left on the list last time…?

  • Go to the gym 10 times, for at least 30min a session, and
  • Walk home from work (5.8km) 10 times

      • Yes! To both of these goals. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve missioned home on the cold, miserable nights that come with the movement into winter – but I love them! It’s that time in the evening when I can withdraw into my mind and just think about whatever and get the endorphins at the end. Win/win!

      The gym is good too, though I tend to only go to do weights. Or cardio when it’s raining.

      A couple of nights I’ve done about an hour of both. I like those nights, but finding time for both is rare.

  • Workout with the rowing machine for more than 5 minutes (and be able to walk in a straight line afterwards).
      • Nope, still working on that one. I don’t tend to do a lot of cardio at the gym at the moment, but I am getting better!
  • Set up a personal training session, and
  • Try a group fitness class at the gym.
      • Unfortunately, I have reasons for not getting these sorted but I don’t like excuses so I’ll have to book them in this coming week
  • Get a drink bottle that does not leak.
      • Yes, sorted. But it’s already looking a little worse for wear…

    So, progress! Better a little than nothing at all, right?

    I’m really enjoying the stuff I’m doing at the moment, but I’m quite keen to start incorporating other things into the routine I’m trying to build. You know, find new and exciting stuff before I get bored and decide I’m no longer interested.

    So I propose the following three goals in addition to the remaining goals above and the 10k walk coming up towards the end of June:

  • Investigate ‘crossfit’. What is it? Is it something I would enjoy? Where is available in Wellington?
  • Start the Couch to 5k programme.
  • Find one childhood game/activity that I can incorporate into my (growing) fitness routine.

    • What do you think? Any suggestions? What goals worked well for you?

    The Six Enemies of Greatness (and Happiness)

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    If you haven’t already, I highly recommend that you check out Jessica Hagy’s article “The Six Enemies of Greatness (and Happiness)“.

    With honesty and simple common sense she points out the things that we all do that are (potentially) jeopardizing our success – and happiness.

    And if you have time, “How to be More Interesting (in 10 Simple Steps)“ is also worth a read.

    Rubbed Raw

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    Okay, so my fingers aren’t quite rubbed raw, but they haven’t had such a good workout since I was at primary school and discovered the fulfillment that comes from a good nose-picking.

    Why have I been relatively lazy with updating my workout goals? Because I’ve been fighting a painful addiction. An addiction of the iPad app variety.

    Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with the three apps that have brought me overwhelming joy, frustration, and playful mockery over the last couple of weeks:

    Aby Escape

    This game is available in both the iPhone and the iPad, though it’s a lot easier to play on the bigger screen. It’s controlled by tilting the device from side to side, and swiping your finger up to jump and down to slide. It’s fool proof, and probably designed for children. I like that.

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    Draw Something

    If you have an iPhone/iPad or an Android phone you probably already have this app. What is it? Pictionary with friends, more or less. The app provides you with three words to choose from, you select one and draw it out for your friend to guess. Once they guess, or pass, it’s their turn to do the same.

    While I tend toward the more cryptic clues (just look here to see my artistic talents), some of my friends have surprised me with their arty ways. If you’re keen to play a round or two with me, seek me out – my username’s peonut. Surprised?

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    And last but not least, Monster Burner

    You get to flick fireballs at bad guys – need I say more?

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    So now that I’ve got that off my chest I can start putting some real energy into communicating – and achieving – some of my fitness goals. Next post will be dedicated to them.

    I promise.

    Gettin’ Jiggy With It

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    Struggling to keep motivated? Me too! We’re heading into winter now and with the hours I work, we’ve been forced to spend more and more time inside. Inside is nice. But it can get so boring.

    Enter: motivation!

    Over the last couple of days, for me this has come in the form of a refreshed workout playlist. The key mood boosters?

    1. Nicki Manaj – Starships
    2. Body Rockers – I Like The Way
    3. Dev – In The Dark
    4. DJ Fresh ft Rita Ora – Hot Right Now
    5. Avicii – Levels

    What about you?  How are you keeping motivated?  Music? Visual aides?  An undying, burning desire?

    Putting a Spring in my Step

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    There’s good news, and there’s not so good news.

    To get the bad stuff out of the way – this weekend hasn’t been very good for the bank account. A lot of money’s been spent, and it’s only 2 days after pay day. Perfect when we are saving for our big trip at the end of the year. Not.

    But, thankfully, it didn’t get much worse than that. Bad news over. It wasn’t that bad, was it?

    The good bit? What, calling me a tease? You haven’t seen anything yet.
    Sorry, back on track – drumroll, please…

    New shoes!. And they’re fantastic.

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    The $200 spent on running shoes this afternoon was definitely worth it. These babies flex with my feet, hug my arches and make me feel like I’m walking on clouds. Okay, maybe not clouds, but the shoes are really, really comfortable. Really.

    Tomorrow I’ll give them a proper trial when I mission home from work. But I already get the impression that they’ll be exactly what I want for the 10km walk with my workmates next month.

    I would recommend them already.

    Great success!

    It’s a Small World

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    …unless you’re traveling to the other side of it. But that’s all part of the adventure!

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    We’re going on a holiday! We went and saw our travel agent today to try and firm up our flights for the end of the year.

    New Zealand’s a long way from anywhere so we’ve really got to try and make the most out of any long distance travel. This often means packing in a lot of stops in the time available. We have a very busy 5 weeks planned for the Christmas/New Year break…

      … fly into Los Angeles…

        … Christmas in Las Vegas …

          … New Years in New York City (Times Square, anyone?) …

            … London, and possibly a night in Edinburgh…

              … Munich for several nights Bavarian awesomeness…

                … overnight train to Amsterdam…

                  … sightseeing in Paris, and…

                    … stop off in San Francisco on the way home.

    See – it’ll be all go for 5 weeks of very exciting travel.

    We’ve both travelled before, but to different places. I did London, Paris and a Contiki around Italy just over a year ago. The Boyfriend lived in Canada for a short while a couple of years ago and saw a bit of North America. We both had things we really wanted to show the other, and each of us had burning desires to see some of the awesome places the other had talked about so often. I think our current itinerary addresses a lot of those.

    And what better time to do than while we’re young, happy, and still have disposable incomes?

    There are a hundred and one different things that each of us want to see and I don’t think we’ll be able to fit everything in. Actually, I know we won’t.

    So do you have any recommendations or suggestions for things we just have to see?

    Are you a local in these areas? Is there something that epitomizes your city that tourists just aren’t aware of (yet)?

    Or, perhaps more importantly, is there anything that we should avoid at all costs?

    Nothin’ but blue skies

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    It’s the busy season for us at work so I’ve been working long days, and parts of my weekends, so I’ve found it difficult to get to the gym before it closes at 7. Since discovering endorphins I would usually trade these days I had planned to visit the gym with walking home. It’s far more mentally stimulating, and technically multitasking since it is exercise AND the commute home all wrapped up into one.

    But here’s the kicker – the weather here has been horrible. Drenched to your bones, blown so you’re 45 degrees to the footpath, horrible. It’s the kind of weather that kills all motivation and the entire city has been enveloped in a blanket of soggy, foul-smelling bad moods.

    Had something else been getting me down I would have walked home, an hour long trip across town. This weather makes it virtually impossible to do that safely (for fear of cars not seeing you, and hypothermia). So I’m taking action against the moods.

    Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in reliving the joy of a good day with two unedited images of art from Wellington’s waterfront:

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    And tell me, what do you do on days when the environment around you has got you down?

    Breaking It Down: The Goals, Pt II

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    The only thing better than walking home along the Wellington waterfront at night is walking along the Wellington waterfront on a clear, sunny day with friends.
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    So, rather than update my list of current goals to make up 10 relatively superficial goals, I’m only adding one more: complete the Adidas 10km walk on 24 June 2012.

    My work is entering teams in each of the events held as part of the Armstrong Motor Group Wellington Marathon next month, including the 10km walk.

    Why I’m excited about it:

      1) It’s my first organised running/walking sports event since high school cross country – it is something completely outside of my normal habits.

      2) Work’s paying, and supplying running singlets. I never joined any of the firm’s sports teams, so this will be my first workplace branded gear – almost unheard of for someone that’s been there over a year (I like my workplace and really, really want a shirt… It’s not sad at all!)

      3) My first event-branded shirt, too! Since work is paying my entrance fee, I can splurge on an event t-shirt (and add to my limited collection of gym gear!)

      4) I’m keen to get involved in next year’s Around the Bays 7km run and this feels like a good starting point since I’m a confident walker and still working on my running…

    It’ll be good!
    But I guess it’s time to invest in some decent shoes.

    My City

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    Why is walking home from work one of my favourite things to do these days? Because it’s almost always dark when I leave the office and I get to see all the shiny lights of the city I love at night.20120507-205928.jpg
    Wellington city. A small, action packed city full of everything you want. Good shopping, great art, amazing food and possibly the best coffee in the country.

    I live on the other side of town from where I work and can still walk home in just under an hour. The perfect low-impact workout! And walking home at night means that no one can see the underwear lines showing through my workout gear. Bonus!