brain dump
December 4th, 2007 @ 1:47 am | blonde moments | Post a CommentFor what felt like the first time in a long time, we were both in town and sans houseguests this weekend. It was nice to get mundane things done like raking leaves (why was I so happy about buying a house with a tree again?), meal planning (oooooh), mopping the floors (ahhhhhhh), and (the ultimate of sexy tasks) recovering the dining room chairs.
Despite my amateur reupholstering skillz, I turned $100 of thirdhand craigslist chairs, $20 of clearance fabric, and a $10 staple gun into eight damn fine looking pieces of furniture. Considering that chairs at places like Pottery Barn retail for $179+ apiece, I’m feeling pretty good about it.
Oh, perhaps you want pictures? Sorry but you’ll have to wait because right now I am cozied up in my bed under a down comforter and a quilt and wearing socks and pants and a sweatshirt because it is freezing in my house and I’m too cheap to turn the heat on at night.
Next project? Throw pillows and curtains. Bring on the mad sewing skillz.
Hey, did you know that when a 25 pound cat walks across your chest when you’re laying in the bed, it can knock the wind out of you? Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
On a different topic, I’m trying to get motivated to get back into a regular gym schedule. Ever since we moved I’ve been bad about it. My whole life I’ve always worked out but I’ve really never been a person who loves it and can’t live without it. I’ve had phases where I am really into it (especially running, I love being addicted to running) but ultimately, I am just not one of Those People.
I have tried every gym trick in the book. Boot camp. Classes. Kickboxing. Podcasts. Lifting schedules. Personal trainers. Workout buddies. Working out in the mornings. Working out at lunch. Working out before dinner. Working out after dinner. Tae-Freakin’-Bo. Lordy, I have tried them all.
However, I can never get them to stick for more than about 3 months. Then I have to move onto my next phase. My current phase is set on “Crushing guilt every time the gym bill comes and I calculate dollars per visit.” I’m considering switching to a new gym in a new neighborhood just for the novelty of having something new! and different! Is that stupid?
Maybe I’m crazy. Do I just need to get back to the basics of a simple, no-fuss routine? Help, oh fitness gurus. I want to be one of those people who can’t fathom life without exercise. (But I don’t want to start twitching if I miss one day, because it’s one thing to become one of Those People and quite another to become THOSE PEOPLE, if ya know what I mean.)
I would love to be one of Those People.
(Without the capitals.)
I’ve slacked off in the last month or so because of all the craziness going on.. but hoping when I get to England, I can make some sort of routine again.
YARGH.
I want to see your chairs!
written by alyndabear
December 4th, 2007 @ 2:40 am
Try yoga, Jaynet! It is the best athletic addiction! Good for mind, body, and soul. And, skin too if you get into Bikram. Plus, you get to stand on your head…world is much more fun from that point of view!
written by Lori
December 4th, 2007 @ 4:39 am
You know what I’m going to say… train for a race! There’s a set schedule and a goal in sight, which definitely works for me. I do think exercise is one of those things where, when you reach the boredom point (which for me comes around 7-8 weeks), you have to push through for the next 7-8 weeks when you feel so over it. Then it’s fun again.
I am excited to see your chairs! I wish I could be so clever and creative. I AM receiving a new duvet and sheets from the Martha Stewart line at Macy’s for Christmas, which I’m sure you can support!
written by Laurel
December 4th, 2007 @ 7:32 am
Very cool chair project. Can’t wait to see the results. That gym thang is so hard to get. Either you like being there or you don’t. And at some point you have to come to some sort of peace with the person you are. And figure out the right balance between the gym, other exercise, eating right, etc. It’s an ongoing battle for me - probably for most. Sigh.
written by Nilsa S.
December 4th, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I just got married a few months ago i’m slowly slipping into a unhealthy slump and just started eating better and walking during lunch yesterday….i wish it wasn’t a struggle but i find that if you stick to the simple stuff it lasts longer!
written by Jackie
December 4th, 2007 @ 9:41 am
I am not one of those people, either, so I thank my lucky stars for my high (for now) metabolism, trips to the rock gym, and the daily dog walk. Heaven knows I love my carbs.
I am very impressed with your reupholstering! Pictures are appreciated, as always, but I understand the hibernation mode of a cold house.
written by RA
December 4th, 2007 @ 10:45 am
I’m going to watch these replies very, very closely… let’s just say my gym bill is atrocious, and I’ve only been there… maybe twice in the last three months? Yeah, it’s that bad.
written by Nic
December 4th, 2007 @ 10:48 am
I second the yoga vote. Great workout, makes you feel amazing, and your body responds quickly..very addictive!
I also walk a good bit, but only because I live in downtown Charleston South of Broad and it’s completely beautiful! When I return to Columbia to live with my fiance, I see the walking habit falling WAY off!
written by suz
December 4th, 2007 @ 10:59 am
We cancelled our memberships and bought an elliptical machine and weight bench. It’s actually worked for us. Plus if I have an “off” month (or five), I don’t feel guilty about a monthly fee, because there isn’t one!
written by Dirka
December 4th, 2007 @ 11:01 am
I’m not one of Those People, but I start to feel guilty and disgusting if I go more than a few days without doing some sort of exercise. But I could a long walk to Barnes and Noble as exercise.
For New Year’s last year, I started an exercise log, which is nothing more than a tiny notebook and a pen. I promised myself i would exercise in some form 5 days a week and then get two days completely off. It’s motivated me quite well, I feel like I’ve accomplished something when i write in my run/walk/hike/yoga for the day, and when i hit 5 for the week, I LOVE having 2 guilt-free days off.
By all means, switch gyms if you feel like it! Now that I pay for the gym I hardly ever go. It’s some sort of wierd psychological thing. It was more fun when it was free!
written by Operation Pink Herring
December 4th, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
maybe start small? exercise at home with DVDs or go on nightly walks/runs? that will get you liking exercise and then maybe you’ll work your way over to the gym.
and yes - must see the chairs!
written by michelle
December 4th, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
I’m having the same gym guilt right now too. My gym is ONE BLOCK away from my work - and I still makes excuses to not work out. And the sad part is that I can tell that my thighs have been rubbing together more than usual lately…is that TMI?
I’ve been thinking of starting a log book, or even tracking my progress on the sidebar of my blog, so that there’s some accountability…I never want to be one of THOSE PEOPLE, but I’d be happy if I was one of Those People.
written by Danielle
December 4th, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
You took the words right out my mouth - as far as that whole gym fiasco. I’m such a schlub. The only thing I’ve ever enjoyed enough to (perhaps) stick with was pilates. But they cancelled that class at my local gym - bah! I then tried yoga, just to feel hip and trendy and in touch with my soul, but I haaaaaate yoga.
I’m not bendy.
So, although I’m not overflowing with advice, just know I’m right there with ya. I’d love to find something I can stick with, for this coming year. Then I probably could actually lose those last 5-10 lbs.
Keep us posted on what you decide to do!
(And yes yes yes, please post photos of the chair! Eeep!)
written by wishcake
December 4th, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
I need to be one of Those People too. I just started going to the gym a couple months ago and am doing pretty good at going to the gym, it’s now just a matter of staying and reallly working out. I do think I work better with a buddy though, makes the time more fun.
And can’t wait to see your chairs and new pillows, you’re so incredibly crafty! I’m very impressed…and slightly jealous
written by katelin
December 4th, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
I am glad you aren’t one of those people. Sorry to be contrary, but I think it is a reflection of all the wonderful things you have going on in your life that you aren’t one of those people!
written by alexa
December 4th, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Umm, I am really bad about getting in and out of exercise habits. For me, the best thing (unless I just have complete free time and free schedule, which, ummm…yeah) is to exercise BEFORE I do anything else, which means really early in the morning. And I am SO not a morning person. I also have found that I can do it at lunch, if I really really make myself.
After work, though, it’s just not happening. I have too much fun to have, whether that be in tv watching or going out with friends or just lazing around with the hubs, but working out is NEVER something that I’m gonna give priority to at that point.
written by elise
December 4th, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Working out is similar to meal planning for me - if I don’t plan for it, you end up with half-assed results. Or, in my case, double-wide, extra-assed results.
If I don’t have a schedule or a routine, I won’t go to the gym. I have to have it in my mind that I’m going to the gym - no excuses. Just like I’m going to have spaghetti tonight, because it’s Tuesday and that’s what I planned in my meal plan.
written by Marriage-101
December 4th, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
i’ve always done best when i had a workout buddy who is as competitive as i am. then they can make you feel guilty if you skip out on your workout.
written by the wifey
December 4th, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
I have to agree with those who recomend yoga. It’s terific for the stress levels too. Oh, and it’s a misconception that you have to be bendy to do yoga, so don’t let that intimidate you!
I also find that I’m good at sticking to doing mat pilates on DVD in my living room.
written by jessica
December 4th, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
I am one of Those People, but not one of THOSE PEOPLE. I drag myself out of bed every morning at 5:20 to get to the gym for the 6 AM class. I pack my bag the night before. I don’t love it, but I’d rather get up and go in the AM than go after work. Zandria (http://www.zandria.us/) had a post where someone said that they work out in the morning so that the reason they get out of bed is for themselves and not to go to work. Pretty, good, eh?
written by Brie
December 4th, 2007 @ 9:47 pm
If it makes you feel ANY better, my trainer told me weight loss (or weight maintenance) is 75% what you eat. So, as long as you are eating healthy, why bother, right?
written by She Likes Purple
December 5th, 2007 @ 12:03 am
I am so not a health or fitness guru - and my gym cost per visit dollar is astronomicaly high. So… on to friendly subjects… I can’t wait to see your chairs!
xox
written by heidikins
December 5th, 2007 @ 12:50 am
TRY: billy blanks’ tae bo. swear, it works really well and you don’t have to leave your house.
DON’T TRY: carmen electra’s aerobic striptease dvd set. worthless.
written by tia
December 5th, 2007 @ 4:11 am
I love the way your thoughts just ramble on to something totally different. It really reminds me of myself.
written by Kate
December 7th, 2007 @ 5:15 pm
I say just keep it simple and try to get into a routine. And don’t beat yourself up if you miss some days or if it takes a few tries to get into the routine. I’m not one of THOSE PEOPLE, but I am definitely one of those people. I like to work out and, while I’m not obsessed, I’m addicted in a good way! Or do what psycho Laurel suggests and train for a race….psyyyychhhoooo.
written by Lindsey
December 10th, 2007 @ 8:48 pm