I've got a new attitude...

A lot of people have been noticing some changes in me. People say that I sound different -- more relaxed, happier, ?younger (I still don't really get that one). As I mentioned earlier I've been working on having a positive attitude. And while I haven't quite mastered it, maybe it's working more than I realize...

I still have some slip-ups. This weekend was challenging and pretty stressful... at times the stress definitely got to the best of me. But at least I'm beginning to recognize when I'm getting overwhelmed and I can take steps to come back to normal. And every now and again, when it comes to my attitude, I'm finding that if I "fake it 'til I make it", I eventually actually become less stressed. Who knew?

Unfortunately this is very short break from work (only 2 days)... but I'm making the most of it so I can go back and tackle whatever it brings my way.

Relieved...

So it's finally over, but not without a little last-day drama... My workout with Sean yesterday caught up with me and I had AWFUL back pain all day long :( I must have looked pretty pathetic because my resident offered to roll me around the hospital more than once (twice he suggested a chair and the third time he offered to use a dolly!).

I called Paula to schedule a massage and she told me to come right over... It was wonderful! I am no longer in agony. She managed to not only massage away the pain but also the stresses of the last 2 weeks. Of course, I still have to stretch and ice but I can handle that... and perhaps the best part -- Paula said no "bodybuilders" for the next few days :)

Looking forward to a wonderful week...

Happy Sunday!
LP

Checking in...

So, my week off is coming to an end... I actually am pretty proud of myself for not letting my days off from work and the gym go to waste. And even though I still have the weekend, I will say that I didn't wreak havoc on my overall fitness goals. To recap...

- Sunday and Monday. I worked the afternoon (1-11p) shift. And even though work had it's ordinary frustrations, I managed to be efficient and get out of there almost on time. Truth be told, I actually stayed later at work just chatting with my friend who was just coming on. So, fairly good nights at work relatively speaking.

- Tuesday. I had to teach FCM (my small group class for junior med-students), which meant sitting through them practice doing histories and physical exams on patients who agreed to spend an hour with a med student. These are usually painful to sit through, but I found myself thinking about how special our volunteer patients are -- they answer a billion of personal questions and then sit through what is usually not the smoothest of physical exams, with the only goal of giving med students practice. I decided to write one of them a thank-you note.
After FCM, I took a spinning class with a friend from work. It was a lot of fun, but OUCH! I actually had a bruise in a rather unfortunate location. But I was so proud that I made it through the class. And I even got props from the instructor!

- Wednesday. Wednesday was a rainy, yucky day. The kind of day that you just want to stay in bed. My car was in the shop (my "check engine light" kept coming on intermittently"). I greatly underestimated how hard it was raining and I decided to walk to the Honda dealership to pick up my car. Well, that was a bad call because when I finally got there (it's a little more than a mile away) I was DRENCHED! Oh well, at least I got a little activity in.
I spent the rest of the day pampering myself... I went to the bookstore to get some new reading material, and then to the nail salon for a pedicure. Later, I had an appointment for a massage. I must say, I never thought I would be someone who enjoyed massages... I'm pretty self-conscious about my size. But I've learned to let that go and relax. I was so relaxed that I was even able to take my "check engine light" coming back on in stride.

- Thursday. Back to the Honda dealership in the morning (actually twice because the first time the light had gone back off) and I'm happy to report the problem is fixed. Next on the agenda was a trip to Fredericksburg for lunch with a HS friend who travelled to DC for work. It was so nice to catch up and the weather was absolutely lovely. Enough to put anyone in a fantastic mood!

- Friday. I weighed in at WW to make sure that I hadn't gained 10 lbs while not paying close attention to my diet (I hadn't... I stayed exactly the same). Then I dropped by the gym to visit with Sean. I wanted to schedule my assessment for tomorrow so that I can start fresh on Monday. We had a nice talk.
Later today I go for a facial. Should be another relaxing experience... never had one before.

So, that's all I have to report. Here's hoping all of this relaxation and self-nurturing helps me keep the stresses of the next 2 weeks in control (ah, yes... I start another 14 day stint at work). I'm going to try and find a little time for myself each of those days (kind of like a maintenance program)... I'll let you know how it turns out!

Have a wonderful weekend!
LP

Self-reflection and the importance of letting go...

Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm wound a little too tight... Things upset me easily, and I can get myself worked up over what are sometimes small things. When I get that way at work, one of my good friends is usually there to remind me to "let it go". Sometimes that is easier said than done...

I've been thinking about things and I desperately need a change. I've been failing with my New Year's resolution to maintain a better work/life balance. Work is stressful, and that isn't likely to change any time soon, but it's up to me how I handle that stress. Being stressed out all of the time is not healthy. I'm certain it is in part sabotaging my fitness efforts, but more importantly it's making me really unhappy. I need to have some positive outlets for my stress. Working out used to do the trick, but now I'm finding that I need more. Finding a balance is what I need to do in order to stay sane...

So, I'm recommitting to working on these things today. Whether that be a new hobby, quality time with friends and family or just some time for self-nurturing, I am going to do something to help me let go of the stress and frustration that I've been keeping inside.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Have a wonderful day!
LP

Time for a breather...

Hey all,

So, I start a kind of long stretch of time "off" from work today. It wasn't asked for initially, but the schedule came out with 9 days in a row of no shifts for Dr. Paletta. I usually don't want to "waste" days off like that (when I have nothing planned) because it usually means working a harder stretch later, but I've got to tell you, this couldn't have come at a more perfect time...
Work has been a little stressful over the last few weeks (and yes, I know I had a vacation in there, too). Most of the time I love what I do, but there are those occasions (yesterday was one of them) that I just wish I was a carefree kid again with no job or responsibilities whatsoever. So this break from being at the hospital is just what I need.

Unfortunately, I'm a little bit of a procrastinator so there are things that I need to do to catch up -- both for work and at home -- but I'm sure there will be plenty of time for me to decompress and relax as well. And I'll have plenty of time for my new favorite stress reliever (which actually is doing cardio -- something I never ever thought I would say) and for spending time with friends and family. And the absolute treat at the end of this block of time off -- my cutie patootie niece Jasmine (pictured with me in my profile pic) turns 2 and I'm heading to Charlotte to spoil her as any good aunt and godmother should do...

I hope everyone has a restful and relaxing weekend.
Happy Friday!
LP

Looking forward to some R&R...

Hey guys,

I have had a pretty stressful week. Work has been crazy and I have been sleep deprived which has not helped matters. Anyone who knows me well that stress management is, ahem, not my forte but I am really trying to work on it. Getting on a regular schedule of sleep and exercise helps tremendously and to that end I have been doing a lot better in the stress management arena -- most of the time...

I have a day off tomorrow which will be great and then I have a long break starting on Wednesday. I am so looking forward to some much needed and well deserved time off... For those of you who don't know, Wednesday is my birthday (I'm getting a little old to call it my twenti-thirteenth, huh) and also the day of my next fitness assessment. I'm not worried though... I had a sneak preview of the scale today (the 12th day of the Lean in 13 -- which I plan on following for 16 days)... On this program alone I have lost 10 lbs so far!!! Needless to say, I am super excited and highly recommend the program to anyone needing a boost... (email me if you want more info). But that's not the only reason I'm looking forward to Wednesday...

... I'm hitting the road!!! I'm going to see a bunch of friends from high school. We are having a girl's weekend and it is going to be tremendous fun! Lots of time for relaxing and catching up and there may be the occasional drink or two. But I've been so good that I can let myself have a cheat day (which let's be honest may actually be days)... I know I'll be back on track come Tuesday when I'm back in town. (I can always start the Lean in 13 process over again if need be!)

Have a lovely weekend, everyone!
LP