Erin in Neverland: My Adventure with Tink

Dangling her legs

practicing to

fly like Tink

This is a different kind of post for me this week. Unlike other weeks, I am going to tell you all a story.

For those of you who do not know my mother she has this fascination with becoming Tinkerbell at Disney World and “flying” down the zip line from Cinderella’s castle. This is on top of her past desires of being a dead body on CSI, being in the Olympics on the luge, being a back-up “booty dancer” in concert and countless other endeavors that lead to a very imaginative childhood. Since I’ve started my blog all she has asked is for me to take her with me to Planet. Yes, to workout. Yes, to feel the gym environment and get fit (not that she needs it) but most importantly, to be a character in my blog.

When I came down the stairs this morning dressed and ready to hop in the car and run my heart out, the first thing out of my mom’s mouth wasn’t good morning but, “PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE TAKE ME WITH YOU!” How could I say no? I just knew I was signing myself up for an experience.

So what happened?

• “You know, I was always raised, and raised you girls, to always think that less is more. Except when it comes to hot fudge. And jelly beans…”
• After our run we headed to the stretch. She grabs a stability ball and with her headphones still in, “IS IT OKAY TO PUT THIS ON THE GLASS?”
• Realizing she just yelled out to the entire gym, “Oops…”
• Background: Whenever my dad and brother hear any and all Metallica songs on the radio they both have this habit if yelling out, “METALLICA!” This is a habit that rubbed off onto my mom. Knowing that she can’t yell it out to the whole gym she quietly whispers, “METALLICA!” with a huge smile on her face and throwing her hands in the air.
• At age 51, still rocking it out harder than me.

My mom has faced and overcome so many obstacles in her life. She has had countless surgeries that baffle doctors, is a cancer survivor, the most stubborn and determined woman I have ever known, and a woman I can look to for inspiration as I struggle and strive to be a healthier me. That throughout chronic aches, pains and moments where you just want to give up, fight. So Mom, not only were you a character, but you were my whole post. I love you!

Second Bar to the Right and Straight on ‘til Morning

I was somewhat struggling this week as to what to write about. I have been regularly going to the gym, trying to eat right (emphasis on trying) and recent school deadlines have passed so I'm relatively less stressed. So that got me thinking. I am going to Ann Arbor this weekend and I know I am going to be doing some caloric damage through drinking. For those of you who don't know me, I am an extreme lightweight so after 1-2 beers I am feeling rather groovy. How am I going to get through this weekend without undoing everything I have been working so hard to build? 

I decided to take a lesson from Peter Pan: think of a wonderful thought… low calorie, low sugar, and low sodium alcoholic drinks.  Sounds too good to be true right? WRONG!

When going out to the bar with friends it is easy to get carried away and end up consuming way more calories than intended. So what happens when you play bartender instead? You GAIN CONTROL of your own intake. All you need is faith and trust… and a little bit of healthy thinking! Below are 8 examples of ways to make our delightful mixed drinks healthier.

1.    Instead of using juice packed with added sugars and artificial sweeteners, use fresh squeezed or 100% fruit juice

2.    For those recipes that call for soda, use diet (“natural” options preferred) and use seltzer water versus other carbonated waters

3.    Make your own simple syrup. Use the following recipe:

½ TBSP Honey

¾ TBSP Warm Water

Although sugary, honey is loaded with antioxidants, which is an added bonus to your buzz!

4.    Use whole pieces of fruit instead of sugar or flavored syrups. The fruit will add fiber, natural sugars and essential vitamins so you don’t feel as guilty!

5.    When given the option, always choose light alcohol over dark alcohol. The dark contains certain compounds that can worsen hangovers.

6.    Since alcohol in itself is already so high in calories, and not everyone is such a lightweight like me, limit yourself to one shot per drink. Although, I know what you’re thinking… you’ll just have more drinks!

7.    Let’s answer the age old question, SIZE MATTERS. With the U.S. portion sizes wildly out of control, try to remember that drinks should be roughly 8 ounces.

8.    And most importantly, choose nutritious ingredients. Ginger, coffee, and lemon are found in many alcoholic beverages and all offer several great health benefits! Just be careful mixing alcohol and caffeine, although delicious, it can seriously dehydrate you so drink with caution.

Now, I know all this SOUNDS great in theory but many times, eating or drinking healthy is easier said than done. Below is a link where I discovered these 8 great tips (if anyone underestimates the power of Pinterest, think again) as well as 60, yes you heard me, 60 healthier alcoholic drink recipes to try out!

http://greatist.com/health/60-healthier-drinks-boozing

So next time you are at a party or decide to play pretend bartender (because we never grow up, right?) use these tips and try out a recipe!

Hakuna Matata. What a wonderful, impossible, I wish, Let’s be Real kind-of Phrase!

Behold… the college paradox!

 

 

 

Between working 40 hours a week, taking three classes which includes countless papers, discussion boards and quizzes, being the Vice President of Walsh College’s charterr of the American Marketing Association, and trying to make time to go to the gym, my life has been INSANE.  It was to the point where I almost had a panic attack!

 

As much as I would love to apply Timon and Pumba’s motto of “Hakuna Matata” to my life, it really wouldn’t serve me any purpose other than failing all my classes, getting fired, and letting down my friends and family. So I developed a way for me to unwind and not let stress get the best of me.

 

Make to-do lists: every morning I write down what it is I need to get done today. This includes work assignments, schools assignments, and anything personal. This way I can physically see what it is I need to do and I can plan accordingly. Also there is nothing better than crossing more and more stuff off your list!

My Secret: I will even include things I’ve already done or something that will only take 1 minute just so there are more things marked off and makes me look more productive. Don’t judge me…

 

EXERCISE!!!! We all know the physical benefits of exercising by now but there is so much more it can do for you psychologically as well. When I am stressed there is nothing more enjoyable than jumping on that treadmill, cranking up some tunes, and running it out. I let my mind go wherever it wants to take me or even just block it all out. It is my form of meditation.

Mini-Status Update: Up to running 40 minutes, have lost 7 pounds and starting to get my body back in shape! Woo Hoo!

 

I am pulling out this next one from my practically perfect sister in Florida. Treat YOURSELF. When things get a little crazy, take time and do something for you. Whether it is getting a massage, going on a bike ride, have a beer (light please!) do something for YOU. You’ll feel less stressed and actually get some enjoyment.

 

I am making things interesting this week. Leave a comment and let me know what YOU do to distress!

My Practically Perfect First 5K

It’s official. I have registered for my first 5K! With frigid temps and mounds of snow (falling what seems to be constantly) it's hard to really want to get out of the house and push myself. But I knew I wanted to set a time limit on my first goal of running a 5K and with spring just around the corner (...maybe) I figured now would be a good time to buckle down and pick a race. But I knew there was something that I needed to really push me so I took a lesson from one of my favorites, Mary Poppins.

With every job that must be done, there is an element of fun:

I called upon my dear friend Belle from her palace in Ann Arbor and my UNBELIEVABLY AWESOME mother, aunt and cousins from the far away,mystical kingdom of Indiana (I have yet to come up with character names for you ladies so bare with me.) Having buddy system in place not only makes the race, and working out in general, more bearable but also is a great way not to back out because others are depending on you and keeping you motivated. 

I also wanted to pick a race that had something more too it than just running for the sake of running. Through social media I have learned of the color run, the foam run, Warrior Dash, the Tough Mudder and countless others. Having something to run FOR or TOWARDS makes the experience more than just about your personal goals and aspirations but allows you to get the ability to share something worthwhile.

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down:

The race I eventually stumbled upon was the Cocoa Classic. The Cocoa Classic will take place April 6^th in downtown Detroit. The event is both a 5K and a half marathon (sorry… not there yet folks!) What’s the best part? When you finish there is hot cocoa and a chocolate fondue fountain waiting to warm you up and celebrate! Check out more details at The Cocoa Classic!

If there is anything that I took from Mary is that life is what you make of it. You can spend night after night getting bored of the same old workout routine or you can add variety. Run a race. Take a class. Play a sport. Anything to make working out less of a chore and more like something you find to be practically perfect in every way.