For the past several years, I’ve created a vision board every January. I cut and paste magazine images of things I want in my life and inspirational phrases along with a list of aspirations for the year. Throughout the year, the board is on the wall by my desk as a reminder. Here’s what I’ve learned from the vision board…
Changing a habit, one episode at a time I love a good story, and I have trouble turning off the TV when I’m tired. Netflix knows this and has made it so easy to watch one episode after another without lifting a finger. My sleepy self loves this feature. My tomorrow morning self regrets it. That’s why I’ve decided to…
When I’m working overtime, I try not to give up my exercise schedule. Just like I need my morning coffee, I need the energy boost from my workout. Here’s how I manage to fit my routine in: Don’t cancel scheduled workouts: If I know I always go to yoga on Tuesdays, it’s more likely to happen even when life is crazy.…
Let the new school year be a fresh start for you, too. When I was a kid, the back-to-school shopping trip didn’t just mean new mechanical pencils and color-coded folders. It was a sign that a fresh start was coming. Now that I have school-aged kids, I’ve gotten nostalgic for that time when the first-day-of-school outfit may as well have…
Why I team up with friends On a sticky August day with lake grit and sweat still on our skin, two good friends and I celebrated completing a triathlon. We chose Chambourcin and cheese at the winery where the race was held. Then, we returned to regular life, worn out but renewed by facing the challenge together. Our camaraderie is…
Last weekend, I had a couple of firsts: 1) First Olympic distance race since before I became a mom and 2) first flat tire in a race. Now is a good time to tell you what I learned, in the hope you can benefit from my experience. That is to say, don’t be me. As to the first First, usually…
According to one of those online lists of weird holidays, this week we have experienced both Simplicity Day (July 12) and Pandemonium Day (July 14). The internet gave me precious few clues about the origins or meanings of these days, or how to appropriately observe them. Simplicity Day, July 12 commemorates the birthday of Transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. The…
There aren’t many things I remember from my first triathlon, other than the “Hey, I just did that!” feeling of accomplishment. One of them was my husband sidewalk chalking all over the course. (This was in the days pre-children before he was corralling munchkins who want nothing more than to scamper out in front of the cyclists.) I must’ve encountered…
I want to apologize to beginners for over-simplifying things. It’s been more than a few years since I completed my first tri, and I seem to have selective amnesia. This spring, a funny thing happened: a brand new triathlete started living with me. Well, he’s been living with me for a long time, but he’s just become a triathlete. We…
How to mix fitness with business If you are reading this blog, chances are you’re a multi-tasker. Like me, you probably wear many hats, often at once: ambitious professional, mom, fitness enthusiast (or at least trying to be), and any number of other roles. If I can wear my “professional” and “fitness enthusiast” hats at the same time, so much…