New Tights & City Lights

Today I am really grateful that I pushed myself into an outdoor run last night.

It didn't really hurt that these bad boys were patiently awaiting me when I got home.

My first ever lulu lemon purchase, and let me just say: Oh Baby. 

Don't get me wrong, I have heard the drooly murmurings from those lulu lemon owners I have come into contact with in the past. But, it just seemed too good to be true. I mean really, $68 for a fancy pair of leggings? As if, said the gym novice version of myself. The truth is, shorts are OK for summertime, but they get really annoying during the winter (read: who wants to shave her legs? We have to take the few perks that Chicago winters afford us.) I of course own my fair share of $12 Target leggings, and while I would never say an ill word about any such sensible purchase, I'm not sure I want the entire gym nor every person in Millenium Park to see my aqua blue undies through my leggings. 

Enter, the lulu lemon Wonder Under. They were advertised as "like a second skin". At this, I scoffed. Please. It's a legging. False! It's a dream. So bendy. So weightless. Yet snug enough to make a girl feel... enough structure to feel clothed :) 

I was really excited when I slipped these tighties on, and then, once I had snuggled into my new, slightly outrageous purchase, I remembered why I bought them. Not just because I am a hard working lady who deserves the quiet comfort of a sharp pair of athleticwear. But also because I have read numerous studies pointing out that owning work out clothes that make you feel good are more likely to support a working out habit. Fancy that! 

Instead of working out intermittently, I'd really like to develop a healthier, more intimate relationship with sweat, cardio and dumbbells. So, Wonder Under I purchased. And once I had them on, I knew I had no excuse not to put them to the test. 

Verdict? They were a dream -- almost as dreamy as the little run I had. 

I stopped for a moment to capture a slice of Chicago skyline through the spooky Octobery trees in Millenium Park. 

The temperature was more than I could ask for - 60's, a little breezy. I certainly was not the only person taking advantage, and it felt nice to be in the comfort of many other runners, bikers and aspiring athletes sporting their new work out gear.

Looking towards Navy Pier on the lake front path. 

I know some people are crazy about running - this, I have never understood. I kind of hope I will understand that some day. But for now, I am just a girl running a little less than 2 miles in her sassy new work out crops, feeling lucky and blessed to be huffing and puffing with this beautiful city as a backdrop. 

Today when I feel frustrated or stressed I will remind myself how invigorating and peaceful the city lights seemed against the dark lake as I breezed by, feeling like I was going so fast. It was nice to be outside. I know I will miss that soon enough.

Running Buddies

So last week I let you guys in on my running adventure I recently embarked on.

This week, this is what I'm workin' on.

Movin' up in the world. 

I'm still really enjoying this program, and after this week I'll already be a third of the way through the program! I'm finding it challenging and I definitely work up a serious nastiness sweat during the run because I'm taking it fast (the "jog" is more like a "run" for me.) But, it isn't SO excruciating that I dread tying up my running shoes. 

As endorphine-high as I am after a run, there are a couple of gadgety toys that have become staples during my regular runs. Thought I would share these guys, because I wouldn't look forward to my workouts nearly as much without these buddies. 

First, my new BFF:

Meet my gymboss, in his sassy green glory.

As a lady with a shortish attention span, I really enjoy my speed walk/run intervals. My gymboss gadget is awesome for this. I can set up my intervals and set this guy to vibrate, hook him to my bra strap, and it'll buzz me when it's time to move on to the next interval. No timing myself. And only $20 on the interwebz. Magic! 

Up next: 

Girl Talk. Creepy photo, but trust this lurker. He is a music mashup god man.

Most of you have probably heard Girl Talk, but I seriously run strictly with Girl Talk. Not even Today's Hip Hop on Pandora can compete, because with GT, there's no chance that Usher will decide to bring it down with a slow jam. 

And finally, a place to keep my toys ...

Sexiness, I know.

So, what are your can't-live-without workout tools?? Let's hear 'em. 

The tortoise, not the hare.

In the short time that this baby blog has been in existence, I've covered a lot of ground when it comes to healthy eating and tasty recipes that fit that bill. 

If you're wondering if the utter absence of fitness-related posts is a coincedence, the answer is sadly no. I'll admit, in the past I have made a habit of avoiding fitness type activities. I just don't find those topics as interesting to write & read about! Unlike a healthy eating lifestyle which can be sort of fun and invigorating, fitness has really felt like a necessary evil, another chore on my long (and ever-growing...) list. 

While I do believe that health & weight maintenance are about 70% related to diet, there's no excuse for ignoring that remaining 30%. I've made a lot of excuses for myself since I live in urban Chicago and walk, walk, walk. 

I think part of my problem - and I have a feeling I am not the only one - is figuring out where to begin. Yoga classes? How do I actually use the elliptical, is reading a magazine on a machine really doing anything? Should I just lift some dumbbells over my head for a while? 

There is certainly no shortage of options, but perhaps all of these options have made working out totally overwhelming. 

Anybody else feeling buried? It's tempting to give up. 

This brings me to the evil, the dreaded: running. I am really jealous of people who can run 4,5,6,12 miles. Though I was an extremely successful swimmer in lifetimes past, I have never been much of a runner. And when I do run, it feels like torture. Serious agony, like the last thing on Earth I want to be doing. 

So I think I figured out the solution, and I'm sharing it for other healthy-eater workout-phobes like myself. 

We need to stop biting off more than we can chew. Sounds simple, but that's it! If I step on a treadmill and just push myself to exhaustion when I'm not used to it, of course it's going to feel like less fun than memorizing the Oxford English Dictionary. 

So I've decided to take it slow, and follow a snail-like running regimen that makes me say, Hey, I can do this stuff! I've embarked on the Couch to 5k training schedule. 

I know what you're thinking. 9 weeks to run a 5k? That's pretty silly. And yeah, maybe it is. I've run a 5k before, but it wasn't fun. It's better than quitting and promising myself I'll do some crunches a few times a week, and counting my walk to the train station as strenuous activity. I think I've just accepted my tortoise-like running approach. 

So here's what I did last week: 

And here's what I've been up to this week:

Aggressive? Not really. Am I enjoying it? Amazingly, yes.

For my 11 readers: What do you guys do to keep yourselves interested in working out, while actually enjoying it?

Take me out to the ball game

Listening to: Packt like sardines in a crushd tin box by Radiohead & thunderstorms outside

Springtime in Chicago: not that I’m complaining, but it’s like it happened overnight!  Light fleece jackets replacing Eskimo gear! Temperatures nearing 50 degrees! Today I even noticed Cuna on Belmont had their big windows open.

Yes, something has changed in the air here in our fine city, and it’s actually becoming apparent that people in fact live here. The streets are filled with real people instead of sky high snow piles, and once again Emily and I are reminded of our observation that everyone in our Southport neighborhood is either the proud owner of a dog or a baby (without exception.)

So along with my personal restoration of hope in the world, I couldn’t help but notice a shift in the metaphorical attitude winds of my fellow Chicagoans. It started with the buzzing within the walls of my dude-dominated office.

That’s right, folks, I’m talking about …

OPENING DAY!

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Now at the risk of being burned at the stake, I have to admit I am a cubs fan in sheep’s clothing. In fact, if we’re talking about the cubs in terms of the nitty gritty baseball performance, I am outwardly no fan. I grew up a Braves fan, and have been choppin’ my tomahawk at Turner Field for close to as long as I can remember. However, I will be the first to admit that the cubs have got the whole gameday atmosphere thing figured out. From the belligerent fans to rooftop specials, Lakeview is one fun place to dwell during the summer months – that is, if you can get over the crowds and occasionally violent over-served cubby-loyals.

When I think about baseball, it strikes a particularly poignant cord of nostalgia for me. My dad is a huge baseball buff and made no bones about hiding that fact during my childhood. A baseball game broadcast over the radio is enough to send me reeling back to the days of lounging by my parent’s pool, visiting turner field, and lots of other summertime nuggets of joy.

So, in an effort to both preserve this family tradition and further break in my new home in Chicago, I’m drafting a take-me-out-to-the-ball-game to-do list, and it goes a little something like this:

  Enjoy at least a couple games from the comfort of a rooftop.

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Unobstructed views of Wrigley? Auto-replenishing supplies of gameday grub plus tasty adult bevvys? Sign me up.

   Catch some of the action in the bleachers section, prime heckling spot.

Because nothing screams Chicago Cubs like aggressive fans and under-21-year-olds getting bounced out of the joint.

Check out a White Sox game

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Because one time I heard Chicago has another baseball team.

    Try as many crazy hot dog concoctions as possible

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ObObviously if you've visited Chicago for more than 5 minutes or ever turned on a television you know this city serves up a mean 'dog. I myself know this embarrassingly well. BUT, what are these Loaded Dogs you speak of, Wrigley Field?! The Taco Dog? The Frito Pie Dog? Other creations, including those topped with mac & cheese? Ok, gimme a piece of that. 

    Sip a bloody mary at Vines on Clark

No explanation needed here.

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Get to Atlanta for a couple games, preferably with John in tow

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Partially so I can have my shot at smooching Brian McCann, mostly so I can enjoy the sport and show my fiance what I grew up with. Also to prove to John that he and Mr. McCann are, in fact, doppelgangers (anyone else see it?)

Pretty standard list. I think it’s safe to say that I’m hopping around with excitement to enjoy my first full summer in Chitown. Filling it with baseball, I am sure, will be one of the most worthwhile ways to soak up the sun.

Oh, and… Go Braves. 

heeeyy batta batta batta ...