Not Stationary

Yes, a double serving of comfort please.

Why am I so good at hydration when I'm sick and so terrible when I'm not?

Was at the 'Fugee's last night when I noticed how nice her corner looked. Took a few pictures then started paying attention to my meal. My sweet potato black bean burger, spicier than usual, did what I could not do for days -- clear the right side of my nasal cavity. Too bad that "the occupant" moved to the left side. The right side still felt amazing though and left me hopeful that change was on the horizon.

The 'Fugee and I, don't laugh, watched episodes one and two (season one) of Downton Abbey...

Left the 'Fugee's and there was very little traffic and, yet, someone was riding my bumper. However, if I'm not in the passing lane and someone is riding my bumper, I don't move over. Ended up being a cop and it was almost as if he or she was trying to push me over the speed limit so that there would be a reason to pull me over. The cop didn't stop me last night but it's so annoying because I've been stopped more times in the 'Fugee's area than anywhere else. Makes me want to put a bumper sticker on my car: not riding dirty...

No biking today. Tad bit chilly and too windy and I'm feeling Eastern European because I'm afraid of a cross-breeze right now.

Went to Zumba and talked with the newbie who I've dubbed Island Woman. Said woman has expressed concerned about not getting steps right but then came to the conclusion of Do what you can as long as you're not stationary.

Saw this shirt at Marshalls tonight. Really like the concept.

Just Because You Leap

Haven't had coffee in two days -- a sure sign of illness. The thought of coffee made my stomach turn which makes me wonder if it's a good thing to drink at all.

The common cold has me in its clutches again. No swimming. No climbing. I've been pretty much walking up until today when I felt energetic enough to go to Zumba.

Actually, I walked to work and went to Zumba. During my walk, finished listening to the Jane Fonda episode of Death, Sex and Money then started listening to Elizabeth Gilbert's Magic Lessons.

When I listened to Gilbert's first episode, thought it was clever of her marketing peeps to start a podcast as Gilbert's book, Big Magic, was released. I moved from episode one to five which is the last one in the season if I heard correctly. Gilbert interviews her friend Brene Brown who got the Midas touch from Oprah. At any rate, I enjoyed Brown's answer to a question that Gilbert posed.

Gilbert talks about a woman who was angry about being let down by inspiration. The angry woman had an idea, borrowed money, got others involved and she didn't get the results that she wanted.

Brown said that inspiration had not let that woman down and that just because you leap, it doesn't mean that there will be a net. Then Brown said the following:

I leap for the experience through the air, not for the landing. 

Well said Brene Brown. I need to give Daring Greatly another try.

Three Whole Days

My plan was to go to work at 12:30 but I didn't really wake up until 11:30 and I didn't think that I'd be able to sit in the upright position for long. Decided that I didn't need to be a hero and threw in the towel. A silent hero, I should add, because I barely have a voice.

The first food that I touched was an orange at 1:00 p.m. Guess my body is busy with its complex response to cooties and isn't craving food.

Spilled almost an entire cup of hot green tea on me barely missing my Fitbit and tablet. Material things aside, it was a painful incident but no serious burns.

I have not exercised in three days -- the longest that I've gone without exercising in a long time.

Got a hand-written note from the saleslady at Talbots today. Also got my new swimsuit. Yay and thanks to my swimsuit benefactor.

Re: Talbots, Alison told me that they were having a sale. I went to the most frou-frou of frou-frou malls. Last time that I was at the frou-frou mall was to see The Kite Runner when it came out.

Also went to JC Penney after yoga on Sunday and finally found a black pair of pants that I've been needing. Wish that I'd gone to Penney first but I'm not returning the Talbots stuff because it's been a long time since I've refreshed my wardrobe.

I also bought a second pair of pants, two Liz C tops and Nike. I got one top for $4 dollars -- not something I would normally buy because of the really short sleeves but it will look nice under a blazer and, for four dollars, I couldn't leave it.

I have pictures but something's wrong with my computer. :(  Can't complain too much since I'm typing on this tablet that my cousin Chiquita gave to me.

Yes, it is...

For One Thing

No swimming yesterday.

No climbing today.

Not sure how I made it through the afternoon at work. I've set a record for colds in the last couple of months.

Came home and crawled into bed but stayed awake long enough to drop tears over the Nadia Lopez story on the evening news. Lopez was on the verge of quitting until she saw one of her students featured on the Humans of New York blog. Everything after that is a blur until 7:30 p.m.

Hit acupressure points last night in order to get relief from congestion. It worked. Placebo?

According to the world wide web, I missed the window of opportunity for zinc.

At any rate, hope this situation runs its course soon because, for one thing, my nose is sore.

'Fugee, thanks for doing energy work...

Back to the green tea.

All In All

Banner At Yoga Studio

Body feels better. Right hip is still a little tweaked but all in all the body feels good. I'm pretty sure that The Yoga Bowl helped.

Went to a two hour winter solstice celebration that Alison dubbed The Yoga Bowl since it was yin yoga with singing bowls.

Tibetan singing bowls continue to move me. And yin yoga? Let's just describe it as dull and achy yoga but it definitely worked out tweaks...

I have a stupid cold again. Low-grade but, ugh, just had one last month. I remember a time when I would go two years without having one. The good thing is that I drink more fluids when I'm sick. Wish that I had been eating more of the items on this list.

Alison gave me three Cooking Light books and the chicken noodle soup recipe called my name even before the onset of cold symptoms. I was suspicious of the evaporated milk the recipe called for but I used it anyway because I wanted to follow the recipe on the first outing. Couldn't find my oregano and didn't have poultry seasoning so I used other spices. Definitely pleased with the way the soup turned out.

The Milky Chicken Noodle Soup

Deliciousness

No yoga on Sunday.

No swimming on Tuesday.

Tonight, yoga instead of climbing where I found reclining twists comforting.

Wondered why I struggled to do 30 minutes of exercise yesterday and remembered that I had a cold which explains the energy zap, duh...

Decided to do different cardio this p.m. because I feel like I've been doing the same things over and over so I pulled out willPower & grace which I hadn't done in forever.

Did 15-minutes of upper body work yesterday and my armpits are sore. Even though I've been slacking on the strength training, my pectoral muscles stay tight. One morning, had to look for stretches and found relief with bow pose and a doorway stretch...

Someone asked me what I do after work and I told her that I usually do some type of workout. Oh, that's why you look good, she said.

Told her about my seesaw struggle but she told me that I know what I'm doing. This someone knew me when I was living large and didn't realize how large I was living.

You look delicious, she said. I laughed because she managed to say it without innuendo. She is from another country and, kind of hard for me to explain, but I knew that she was sincerely applauding my efforts.

Nothing Common About It

Went swimming last Saturday and experienced congestion. No biggie. Post-swimming congestion happens. I was so sure that my congestion was swimming-related that I confidently told my massage therapist that I was not battling anything when she inquired.

Famous last words and hope springs eternal because I've heard a plethora of people coughing and whatnot in the gym and at work.

I have been fighting the good fight with Emergen-C, Cold-eeze plus green with sgs, ginger + lemon and rose hip teas. If nothing else, this cold should have drowned by now.

Whatever It Takes...

One of colleagues told me, by the way, that they used to throw rose hips and rub them into each other's backs as kids which reminds me of yet another colleague who's from California; they used to throw pomegranates at one another.

When I took a bath, I decided to throw my Reiki-blessed salts into the bathwater. This cold is going down!

In all seriousness, I have a fresh appreciation for wellness...

Infused with Reiki Blessings...