lovin’ me some…#16: park as far from the store as possible and walk

let me just say, weekend posting is the pits. there are about 101 things i’d rather be doing than blogging, but here i am, about to share #16 on my list of 31 things: parking as far from the store as possible and walking.

*not the actual parking lot in question*

yesterday, i stopped at old navy hoping to score some $1 flipflops (no such luck).

1500 pairs and sold out by 9 a.m.

i parked in the very last spot, the very furthest spot from the store, and walked.

this isn’t uncommon for me. i generally park far and walk — partly for general well-being and partly because i’m tired of people scratching my car doors being careless. in honor of jara’s 31 days til(l) summer challenge, however, i parked even further than i normally would. it was no biggie. didn’t break a sweat, didn’t get tired, just got a couple of extra steps in.

mallwalkers, anyone?

i suppose it’s all about “getting a couple of extra steps in,” so to speak. today, i got mine from not only parking far from the store (again), but from taking a half-hour walk around the neighborhood.

couple of extra steps a day, times seven days a week, times 52 weeks…well, i’m thinking it adds up to something.

as far as i see it, health and wellness is all about incorporating small changes (steps if you will) into your daily routine, making those routines habits, and making those habits a lifestyle.

while everyone else is trying to be a habit breaker, i want to be a habit maker.

what habits are you making?

lovin’ me some…#24: cutting out weekday naps

okay. today is the official start of jara’s 31 days til(l) summer challenge.

yesterday i blogged about the 31 things i’m doing for me over the next 31 days. today i’m blogging about #24 on the list: cutting out weekday naps. (essentially, i’m also tackling #4: blog (at least) once a week about my 31 things. hurrah! two birds with one stone. or at least part of the second bird. huh? what? i know.)

morbid, i know.

surprisingly (maybe), this may be the hardest thing on my list of 31 things.

if you know me, you know i love a nap. i even blogged about my love for naps way back when i was blogging once a day. (le sigh.)

so why would i cut it out?

after-work naps don’t keep me up at night. they don’t necessarily make me unproductive. in fact, after i wake up from my nap, i get dressed and head to the Y to run. i don’t know many other people who can say that.

but after-work naps are, for me, some sort of crutch.

naps are a way for me to deal with stress, sadness, displeasure, happiness, fullness, sleeplessness, ‘nesses in general. don’t get me wrong. sometimes a nap truly is needed, and there’s no way i’m cutting out the ones i take on the weekends simply for the enjoyment of a good afternoon nap.

but i will no longer rely on my weekday nap as a band-aid for what’s truly bothering me. i also will not use it as extra time to browse the internet, read blogs or watch tv. my hour-long nap will now be an hour of me time: writing a letter, reading a book, talking a walk, quiet time, spending time with loved ones. it kinda makes me sad to think how many amazing moments i’ve missed sleeping my stress/problems/dinner away.

yesterday was day one of no-nap weekdays.

e-man and i went down by the water for a picnic and a walk.

if i'd been sleeping, i would have missed it.

it was pretty chilly down there, so we ate and chatted, but cut it short before the walk.

regardless, it was amazing quality time with someone i love — quality time i would have missed out on had i decided to take my usual nap.

one day does not a habit make, but it’s a start.

looking forward to the hours of 6-7 p.m. from here on out.

lovin’ me some…31 things.

for the next 31ish days, this blog will be hijacked.

insert blood-curdling scream

yes. you heard right. hijacked.

(not that much blogging has been going on here as of late…but i digress…)

you see, my friend jara is doing a 31-days till summer challenge. you can read more about it here.

the jist of the challenge is to select 31 things i want to do in the next 31 days. and do them. and share them. and share my results.

simple, right?

if only there were an easy button for life.

mayhaps.

this is the busiest time of year for me at work and health and all that generally takes a backseat to afternoon naps and meals on the go. add to that general life stress (where to live, what to do, where to go) — it’s not pretty folks.

but for j, i guess i’ll have to suck it up and do 31 things: some i already do, some i plan to do and never do, and some i don’t want to ever do.

for the record, here are my 31 things.

1. Run at least three times a week.
2. Work up to running 30 minutes without a break.
3. Take a class at the YMCA.
4. Blog (at least) once a week about my 31 things.
5. Get 8 hours of sleep (at least once a week).
6. Bring one piece of fruit to work every day for a week.
7. Schedule my annual exam.
8. Take my Metformin – every day.
9. Share my fitness goals with a friend.
10. Read the nutrition labels on food.
11. Get a haircut.
12. Incorporate some kind of strength training into my exercise routines
13. Celebrate my victories.
14. Try a new recipe weekly.
15. Take my vitamins/supplements.
16. Park as far from the store as possible & walk.
17. Try a new fruit/vegetable.
18. Add 10 minutes (each day) to my workout schedule.
19. Track my food daily (for at least a week).
20. Listen to my body and stop eating when I’m full.
21. Incorporate more protein into at least one meal a day.
22. Eat a bigger breakfast.
23. Run outside once a week.
24. Cut out weekday naps.
25. Weigh myself only once a week.
26. Drink one water bottle (1L +) a day.
27. Take before/after pictures.
28. Share my 31 things with someone who can keep me accountable.
29. Watch food portions.
30. Make an exercise plan for summer.
31. Remind myself that the number on the scale isn’t as important as how I feel.

soon, i’ll share my progress on the first seven or so…GET EXCITED!!