Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
the workout...updated
is working out! i'm feeling great, lean, and toned. after two weeks, my stomach is already beginning to show more definition, which is exactly what i desire. i don't necessarily want a full-on 6 pack, but the less jiggle wiggle, the better!
update:
after 3 weeks of serious determination and dedication to working out 4-5 times a week with a strict diet of calculated protein, carbs and lots of cucumbers and carrots, my stomach is the flattest and the most toned it has ever been. yay to feeling healthy and beach ready!
update:
after 3 weeks of serious determination and dedication to working out 4-5 times a week with a strict diet of calculated protein, carbs and lots of cucumbers and carrots, my stomach is the flattest and the most toned it has ever been. yay to feeling healthy and beach ready!
Monday, December 6, 2010
funky fresh
one of the most creative and expressive areas of seoul is funky fresh hongdae. home of hongik university, the area exudes cool, from its graffiti tags, amazing array of cutesy coffee shops, eclectic decor, urban fashionistas and street performances by rocknrollers.
i spent a lovely sunday afternoon in hongdae with my fabulous friend, jennifer. we meandered the streets, observing and noting the architecture, restaurants and art. here are some examples of our wanderings.
i spent a lovely sunday afternoon in hongdae with my fabulous friend, jennifer. we meandered the streets, observing and noting the architecture, restaurants and art. here are some examples of our wanderings.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
this i know is true.
as expected, i'm finding truths as i pack. here's another:
from haruki murakami's what i talk about when i talk about running
pg. 5
to keep on going, you have to keep up the rhythm. this is the most important thing for long term projects. once you set the pace, the rest will follow. the problem is getting the flywheel to spin at a set speed--and to get to that point takes as much concentration and effort as you can manage.
from haruki murakami's what i talk about when i talk about running
pg. 5
to keep on going, you have to keep up the rhythm. this is the most important thing for long term projects. once you set the pace, the rest will follow. the problem is getting the flywheel to spin at a set speed--and to get to that point takes as much concentration and effort as you can manage.
quixotic
quixotic, adjective: exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic and impractical. extravagantly chivalrous or romantic; visionary.
i sometimes wonder, though, not with too much depth, if i am a bit quixotic.
i'm packing things up--FINALLY!--and not surprisingly, going down memory lane. (i expect this will be common practice in these upcoming and final weeks in korea!) i found this beautiful (and quixotic!) quote from isabel allende's, daughter of fortune, pg 406.
where is your joy, tao? she asked
the world is filled with suffering, lin.
suffering fulfills a spiritual purpose.
this is merely useless sorrow.
remember that the sage is always joyful because he accepts reality.
and evil, must he accept that too?
the only antidote is love...
i sometimes wonder, though, not with too much depth, if i am a bit quixotic.
i'm packing things up--FINALLY!--and not surprisingly, going down memory lane. (i expect this will be common practice in these upcoming and final weeks in korea!) i found this beautiful (and quixotic!) quote from isabel allende's, daughter of fortune, pg 406.
where is your joy, tao? she asked
the world is filled with suffering, lin.
suffering fulfills a spiritual purpose.
this is merely useless sorrow.
remember that the sage is always joyful because he accepts reality.
and evil, must he accept that too?
the only antidote is love...
Saturday, December 4, 2010
buttcheeks
day five of this routine and my buttcheeks have never been more sore. holy moly, squats do a number on your gluteus maximus!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
another level of awareness
i've always been a sports/health/active-lifestyle enthusiast and for most of my life, for athletics and food consumption alike, i've generally believed in the "everything in moderation" rule of thumb. however, i've noticed that within the past few years, that that's actually not very true at all, especially if i want to look more fit/tone/sculpted. everything in moderation actually goes against attaining defined arms and abs.
this month, i'm challenging myself to have a deeper understanding of how best my body can function. i'm committing myself to having a more discipline relationship with food and with exercise. i've always been curious about what i'd experience in undertaking such an endeavor. for four weeks, i'll exercise 4 times a week, doing a series of various circuits that focus on my core muscles, arms, and legs. last night, i focused on my core and arms with a repeated series of burpees, side plank balances, push-ups with dumbbells and finishing it all off with three rounds of sprints on the treadmill. i have never felt so winded, so quickly in my life. i was sweating like a beast and my muscles were spent in just over 30 minutes. my friend and "trainer," sam, is an exercise buff who has proven how effective this circuit training is on his own body and i'm excited to see the differences i'll notice as my dedication continues.
let me tell you folks, after day one, i realize that most of my down time is spent thinking about what not to eat and what time i actually can eat the foods i'm able to eat. think boiled eggs, baked sweet potatoes, plain yogurt, and as many raw vegetables as i want. now that i'm counting calories, i realize that i 1) have definitely over-eaten for most of my adult life. 2) i like to think about food, A LOT.
this may sound a bit extreme, but, it's actually more of an exercise in conscious awareness. i'm all about learning how to be aware in the present moment and what better way than to focus on my health and the mind-body connection.
this month, i'm challenging myself to have a deeper understanding of how best my body can function. i'm committing myself to having a more discipline relationship with food and with exercise. i've always been curious about what i'd experience in undertaking such an endeavor. for four weeks, i'll exercise 4 times a week, doing a series of various circuits that focus on my core muscles, arms, and legs. last night, i focused on my core and arms with a repeated series of burpees, side plank balances, push-ups with dumbbells and finishing it all off with three rounds of sprints on the treadmill. i have never felt so winded, so quickly in my life. i was sweating like a beast and my muscles were spent in just over 30 minutes. my friend and "trainer," sam, is an exercise buff who has proven how effective this circuit training is on his own body and i'm excited to see the differences i'll notice as my dedication continues.
let me tell you folks, after day one, i realize that most of my down time is spent thinking about what not to eat and what time i actually can eat the foods i'm able to eat. think boiled eggs, baked sweet potatoes, plain yogurt, and as many raw vegetables as i want. now that i'm counting calories, i realize that i 1) have definitely over-eaten for most of my adult life. 2) i like to think about food, A LOT.
this may sound a bit extreme, but, it's actually more of an exercise in conscious awareness. i'm all about learning how to be aware in the present moment and what better way than to focus on my health and the mind-body connection.
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