Author Archives: sorellaaglio

give a little, get a little, lose a little, gain a little.

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So it’s February 1. It’s a month after the beginning of this lovely year 2012.

Everyone has a bunch of goals every January 1, and for me, it was no different. My goals this year though, I have to admit, were meant to be different. It is simple: do less, better. This would lead to less stress, more energy. Paired with this in January was a challenge at work, called the Skinny Beeyach Challenge. It’s simple: four weeks, whoever loses the most weight (percentage wise) wins.

Now, I am not a dieter. In fact, I don’t believe in diets because I think they tend to be unhealthy, and ultimately unsustainable because who can only eat lettuce and carrots for the rest of their lives? Not me, that’s for sure.

So I have been eating less this month, fitting into the “do less, better” category by cooking the things I love and appreciating smaller quantities. I’ve gone back and forth with calorie counting, fitting it into my schedule when it makes sense, but not doing it when it’s too much. I am constantly aware of what I’m putting into my body, however, and as I don’t drink soda, eat high fructose corn syrup, or frozen food, I’ve been able to monitor my levels of sugar and salt well.

I’ve been trying to exercise, but January has been a sick month for me, so I’m not pushing myself. In the past, working out has been a chore, and I find that I can’t add anymore chores to my plate – stresses pop up enough in my life without adding another daily. Instead, I find exercises that make me happy, feel better, and that I look forward to. Like yoga, walking, biking, and hiking.

And, although I’ve committed to running 100 miles this year, that doesn’t mean I have to run a marathon. It means I need to figure out a way to work running into my life in a way I enjoy, because I truly think I will enjoy it. I’ve only run a scant mile this year, so I have 99 to go, and 11 months. Which is plenty of time to work up to that mileage — I think my sister runs 100 miles a MONTH.

So what does this mean for the Skinny Beeyach Challenge? It means I’ve had several people tell me I look slimmer. It means I feel better every day, and I sleep better at night. It means I’m aware of what I’m eating. It means I’m aware of how I’m feeling.

How are you doing with your resolutions?

bowling and Dustin Hoffman

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Last night I went bowling with Becca and some co-workers. Becca and I walked from my house, and went the more populated route, through Hollywood and Highland, where most tourists head in Los Angeles. (Along the way I said to Becca, “I smell daffodils!” to which she said, “Well it’s almost spring.” Yes, yes it is, in LA.)

On the way, there were tons of people out and some kind of premiere happening at the Chinese Theater. Turns out it was actually for Luck, with Dustin Hoffman, who happened to be standing across the street. I resisted my urge to pull out my phone and snap a shot, as dozens of other people were doing, because I so wanted to disguise myself as someone from LA who doesn’t care about that type of thing. But boy, do I love Dustin Hoffman.

Then we headed to the alley, where I became forever known as “Bossy.” Are we surprised? After all, it is my boss’s nickname for me.

 After bowling, we walked home (as I joked about the fact that I had earlier said I needed to stop home for a coat, only to get out of the car and realize it was 70 degrees…) Becca and I stopped at the shoe store to see if they had anything cute. (In the shoe store, we stopped to look at some neon shoes, to which Becca said, “Well it’s almost summer!” Yes, that’s true in LA, too.)

Only in LA, I guess, do you see Dustin Hoffman, go bowling, and go shoe shopping in one night…

So let’s agree right here, right now: No side issues. No drama.

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Last night, President Obama addressed the nation during the State of the Union address. I listened on my way home from work, watched the rest at home, and listened to the Republican response on my way home.

Regardless of what you think about our President, our politics, or people’s positions, this speech was meant to be heard by all citizens. I loved especially the President’s take on illegal immigration, and his dedication to getting things done. And he’s right, we’re all a little cynical. But I have hope, and I believe this year we’ll get things done.

Here’s our President’s speech, and the full transcript. I hope you’ll take the time to watch it, and get an update on the state of our wonderful union.

 

I’ll ride with the tide and go with the flow

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We’ve headed to 2012 with gusto. This year is is full of hope, and I’m attempting to ride the hope train as far as it’ll take me.

Last night, I ran for the first time of the year, working myself back into jogging. I rewarded myself with a fresh smoothie and a big salad dinner, with delicious cheese and salmon. This morning, I got up for yoga, and my yoga said, “Don’t visualize what you don’t want, or what’s wrong with your life. Visualize what you do want.”

Though I’ve said Kundalini yoga isn’t my jam, I must say it’s nice that I’m in a class where my eyes are closed, and my poses are no one’s but my own. It’s also nice sometimes to roll around on the floor and laugh a little. And yes, we definitely rolled around on the floor.

This morning’s yoga was based on the immune system, which is great because I fear I’m getting Jeff’s cold. It was a class in a smaller room, so there was lots of giggling as we all ran into one another and dealt with the tight spaces as best we could.

Tonight I’m headed out for a night on the town with two girls who I went to my study abroad program with. I can’t wait to laugh our heads off, as we always do. Tomorrow, hopefully I’ll be headed to more yoga to keep this year movin’ along.

And, hopefully this weekend I’ll be working on my newly decided goal of the year: run 100 miles in 2012. Last year I ran 54 miles, and I know I have more than that in me. I’m sure my sister runs like 100 miles a month, but for me, this is a goal that is obtainable but still challenging. Wish me luck, friends!

 

shake it out, shake it out.

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Happy 2012! This year’s first week has gone swimmingly, I’m happy to report. First of, we returned from the east on January 1, just in time to celebrate Jeff and my 5 year anniversary. I had Monday off, and so we spent the day relaxing and I started strong with a New Year’s resolution to be healthier. Step one was to relax more, step two was to exercise, and step three is to spend some more time working out.

And so, Monday I headed to yoga at the nearby yoga studio. It was my first experience with Kundalini Yoga, which I must confess I don’t think it quite my yoga. It’s a bit more meditation than I am used to, which does the opposite of relax me and rather stresses me out.

Nonetheless, I have a Groupon, and the Hatha Yoga classes aren’t at the most convenient times. And so, I have continued to go. Anyways, so I go to yoga on Monday during the day, and again on Tuesday morning. I babysat on Tuesday night, so I skipped Wednesday yoga, and opted for a 3 mile walk with Jeff around West Hollywood, the area we want to move, instead.

Thursday morning I was back at the yoga, and this morning I liked the most of all my yoga days at this new studio. Even though what I am about to say is pretty weird, it was actually fun, freeing, and made me giggle.

For the first ten minutes or so of class, our teacher asked us to wave our hands, torsos, and heads, while sitting cross legged on the floor, to music, as fast and as “crazy” as we could. And all I could think the entire time was of the Florence + the Machine song “Shake it Out.”

2011 was a rough year for a lot of reasons, and I think 2012 is going to be the year of shaking it out. As our yoga teacher yelled, “SHAKE IT OUT! SHAKE OUT YOUR ANGER. WHEN YOU GET TO THE POINT WHEN YOU NEED TO STOP, THAT’S WHEN YOU MUST KEEP GOING.” He sounded one part Wonka, one part Billy Blanks, and strangely, one part my mother. You must keep going. You must finish. You must do this.

And so, this year is about standing the test of time. Of getting healthy. Of shaking it out. Of standing up, and breathing. One day at a time. And, my new motto for the year is to do less, better. I heard it from somewhere (I think Real Simple) and it’s stuck. We get ourselves so busy, so tired, and so run down, we miss out on our actual LIVES. And so, this year, I shall do less. better.

After Thursday morning’s session, I rounded the week off with another long walk on Friday, and a day at the beach on Saturday. Today, Jeff and I biked about 16 miles along the LA River. I still haven’t unpacked, and I’m ok with that. There is sand on the floor from the beach, there are some dishes to be done, and Jeff and I are sitting here plotting an eventual trip to Europe. Life, my friends, is grand.

What are your new year’s resolutions? Or is your resolution not to have one? I’d love to hear from you!