I’ll never tire of surveys.
How do these things take me longer than “regular” posts?
Megan nominated me for one of those Liebster award quizzes a couple of weeks ago andI’m finally getting around to it. It’s fun airplane project as I fly back to Atlanta from San Diego. The random pics throughout are from Vegas’ and my long weekend on the coast.
La Jolla Sea Lion
1. What is your current health related goal?…
Life is a jungle gym.
And I like monkeying around.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned lately is life isn’t linear. This sounds obvious even as I write it, but over and over I’ve been surprised when my carefully laid plains deviate from the path I’ve plotted. Things change – you grow up. You learn new skills. You have setbacks. Life happens.
Plan changes have happened in all aspects of my life – career, relationships, fitness, etc. – and I’m sure you’ve experienced the same. I gt a lot of questions about how I began competing, so today’s Work It Out is my fitness journey. My jungle gym.
Before I get into it, I want to be very clear that this is my path. I’ve done things that were right and that were wrong. Some are tender subjects; they were part of my journey. I know you all have your own stories. I simply submit that I hope no matter where you are in your journey, that you stay true to yourself and have FUN. No regrets.
I love a competition. Sports, spelling bees, pie eating… you name it, I’m up for the challenge. It’s how I’m wired. This has taken me on many a fun ride in my life.
Related to fitness, I have tried just about any sport you can think of. I was lucky to have parents who encouraged me to sign up for all sorts of things – from ice skating to horseback riding to softball. Softball stuck – I still play every season!
Years later I still morn the day that bat broke.
In my college years, I wasn’t very active unless you count partying and working. I was a bartender. I smoked, drank too much, and ate crap. Not surprisingly, I gained the “freshman 15” (and the sophomore 15) and was always tired. When my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer something clicked in my head. His disease wasn’t related to unhealthy living; he had actually lost a ton of weight through diet and exercise a few years prior and never smoked a day in his life.
The message that life is short came loud and clear to me. While my dad was getting treatments he continued light exercise to keep strength that allowed him to turn 6 months into 4.5 years with the disease. Through his example, I was inspired to clean up my act a bit and started workout out casually. It wasn’t a total turnaround… but it was a start.
Which beer shall I drink first…
Fast forward a few years and I discovered a new passion – roller derby. I only wish my dad had been around to see that! I had a blast, met some really cool people, and skated about 12 hours a week. It was thrilling. I’d found a sport I loved again!
It also proved to myself that it is impossible to out exercise a bad diet. I was doing intense workouts nearly daily but gaining weight. I am not saying I was “fat,” but I wasn’t healthy and, more importantly, I didn’t feel good.
Looking at my unhealthy habits, I decided it was time for a cleanse. It was the derby off-season and I took the opportunity to give my body a break from getting beat up (literally and figuratively). 21 days of clean eating was amazing for me. I reset some habits, had boundless energy again, and I learned to love running.
That Thanksgiving I ran a 10K with my baby sister and my mom!
Then came a new season of derby. I was still doing really well with healthy living and had come back for the next season with more energy and passion and ever. Whatever was in stow, I was ready to jump on it. Life had other plans.
I broke my jaw during an expo bout (bout = a roller derby game). It was miserable. I looked like Jay Leno and it cost me a pretty important trip in my new job.
6 weeks later my jaw was as good as new but I decided it was time to find something a little safer. Plus, I’d lost a TON of weight from not being able to eat solids, which was not good for playing a contact sport. I looked unhealthy, and I’d basically forgotten how to eat. All I’d been able to have was soup, pureed oatmeal, and smoothies!
I struggled with the aftermath of that injury for a while. Rather than derby, I ran all the time. I was faster and going longer than ever, but – even though I was eating – my new teeny body couldn’t keep up. When you are at a deficit and continue to workout at the level you were before… well, you are just going to get skinnier (read: my mom was worried sick).
I almost didn’t post this pic. It pains me to look at it… but it’s what happened.
Unrelated to that, my knee decided to give out. I got half a mile into a run and was in so much pain I had to stop. The doctor told me my PCL was hanging on by a thread and if I wanted to run distance again I’d need to have surgery. That may have been the best thing that could have happened to me.
Time for a new hobby! Instead of going under the knife, I decided to go the route of building. Body building. If I could build up my quads, my knee wouldn’t bother me in daily activity and running short distances. I’d always loved lifting weights and had done a round or two of P90X, so it seemed to be the perfect next bar to grab.
Two and a half years ago I met with my trainer the first time and started down the path of something that would forever change my life. Lifting feels like it did when I fell in love with softball – I look forward to going to the gym, I want to talk strategy with anyone who will listen… it’s my passion!
Lisa and me at Palmetto – both Top 5!
I feel great: inspired, focused, and having fun.
Fitness looks like a million different things. What you do isn’t important, as long as it’s something you love and something that contributes to your health. Don’t be afraid to change your course as you evolve. Yoga, walking, lifting, cross-fitting… whatever. Find something you are passionate about and embrace it.
Having been both active and inactive to my detriment, I can promise you that finding balance and the thing that turns you on will make all the difference. That high, that endorphin rush, is sheer joy. It’s worth it to make time for it.
YOU are worth it.
***
Need some inspiration? Check out this post full of inspiring athletes from all walks of life.
Have you always been “healthy,” or was there a turning point for you?
What brings you joy?
I never was a cornflake girl…
Except for that time in MBA school when I was voted prom king…
Please, someone get the Tori Amos reference.
On my 30th birthday, I was going to rebel and not post the typical “things I’ve learned.” But I guess I can be a bit of a joiner… here are 5 important lessons I’ve learned at the sage old age of 30:
1. Being Strange is GOOD
I wasn’t kidding – I wasn’t a cornflake girl. I never really fit in. That used to bother me, but – especially over the past 10 years – I’ve learned to embrace it. Being part of the crowd is boring. Love the things that make you unique!
This lesson was really driven home when I played roller derby. The ladies on my team and in my league 100% embrace what makes them who they are. They own it unapologetically, and I’m forever grateful for the experience (broken jaw and all).
2. Learn to Say NO
It’s can be a good thing to be a little selfish with your time. I find that I tend to commit to too many things, leaving little “down” time for myself. While it’s fun and I love being active, I also need time to chill.
This is something I continue to struggle with (and have failed at over the past couple of weeks), but I continue to learn the lesson and I know that in the long run not saying yes is better for everyone (grumpy, over-extended Laura is no fun to be around).
3. Be Sensitive to Others
This is a recent focus for me. I used to associate being sensitive with weakness. I was proudly selfish with more than my time. While I still think being selfish to some degree is a good thing (see #2), you can go too far to the extreme.
Unfortunately the reason I’ve been more aware lately is because there are a few people in my life who I felt hurt by. I always saw them as considerate, caring people, but I’ve recently struggled with some things and they sort of disappeared. It hurt my feelings, but it was a lesson I needed. It showed me that I was guilty of the same, and I’ve been working to modify that.
No more starting fires for me
4. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously
This is something my dad constantly told me growing up. All of us do stupid things. We make mistakes. We’re goofy and imperfect. Laughing at yourself will save your sanity.
My sisters and I are polar opposites. We tap dance on each other’s last nerve. Like many of you, we’ve dealt with illness, loss, and fear. We get through it all and forgive. Someone farts in the middle of a heated debate and the room inevitably fills with laughter. And a foul smell.
5. Love Your Mother
She is the one person who will love you unconditionally and will do anything for you. She’ll drive across town at 2am when you have the stomach flu. She will forgive you even when you act like a complete asshole (not that I ever do that…). She will bathe you when you can’t lift your arms. She will understand that sometimes you just need a hug. She will go out of her way to make sure you celebrate turning 30 even when she feels like crap.
My mom rocks.
Mom, me, and my baby sis on my 29th birthday
***
I had way too much fun going through old pics for this post. So many fun memories!
What are some of the most life valuable lessons you have learned?
If you could go back 10 (or more) years and tell your self something, what would it be? I’d tell my 20-year-old self not to be in such a rush to grow up!
Still in the hospital with mom.
I’m rapidly becoming less and less impressed with doctors. They are supposed to FIX problems, not create them!
Anyway, since there isn’t any food to speak of, I thought I’d share my Amazon Christmas Wish List! Baby Sis was looking for mine and texted me to ask a question: “Is yours the one with all the cooking stuff?”
Duh.
So here are my Top 10 Wish List Items (no, they aren’t ALL about cooking!).
1. The Improvisational Cook – There are several cookbooks on my list, yet I know I’ll do my usual. Use them 2-3 times and then get distracted by other shiny objects recipes and not open it again for 2 years. I still want this one though. The theory behind why certain ingredients work and how to expand dishes fascinates me. Some people read novels, I read cookbooks.
2. Food Scale – For my diet?! HAHAHAHA! No, friends. Scales are much more accurate than measuring cups. Better to bake with! I’m fully aware that I’m probably the only person in the world wishing for a scale so I can make more yummy anti-diet food.
3. The Healthiest Meals on Earth – This is the last one, I swear! Again, this book has a lot of background and “why it works” info, with the addition of more nutrient data. Love. It. I’ll probably store it on the scale to balance out the baked goods.
4. Glass Straw – I love my smoothies. And I do have occasional hippie-like guilt for the excess plastic I waste using a different straw everyday. A glass straw would solve it all!
5. Ice Cream Maker – It is the perfect size – 1/2 a pint! I’ve been eyeing a certain Oatmeal Ice Cream recipe for a while. Add blueberries and cinnamon. Peanut butter sauce. Chopped walnuts. Coffee. Is anyone else hungry?
6. Shun LEFT-HANDED 6-in Utility Knife – That’s right. LEFT-HANDED!!! Maybe this will help alleviate the little problem I have with slicing my fingers?!
7. Wrist Guards – These are for derby. Mine smell so bad I can hardly stand it. I’m also hoping Santa brings some elbow pads to replace that stench too. 
8. Ninjabread Men Cookie Cutters – Speaking of derby… these will allow me to make appropriately themed cookies for my Sake teammates!
9. Measuring Matroyshkas – How cool are these? Hopefully they are accurate. I cannot get enough nifty kitchen stuff!
10. Power Balance Wrist Band – I heard these work. I saw a demo. It is probably a load of you-know-what. I reallllly want to try it out. In theory, this band “uses holograms embedded with frequencies that react positively with your body’s natural energy field.” It supposedly makes you stronger and more steady. Sounds like an athlete’s dream come true.
Honorable mentions:
***
I’m now trying to shop for a certain sister who is IMPOSSIBLE to buy for.
What do you do for situations like that? Gift cards???
Yesterday turned out to be eventful.
Much more eventful than I would have liked.
First of all, the good parts.
Ceremony for Bobby Cox
The Braves game. The ceremony for Bobby Cox was great – I definitely had chills. The tickets to the game were amazing – 5th row just behind 1st base -and my company was good as well.
Too bad they lost. 
That’s just fine because they won tonight. We are going to the playoffs!
Beer Pong
Then it was off to the bachelorette party – roller girl-style. There was beer pong (no, I didn’t partake), singing, and general debauchery.
At one point we were standing around this lovely (read: suggestively shaped) cake, eating it with our fingers. The cannoli cream was soooo good!
That’s what she said.
Then comes the bad event. I was driving home and some drunk dude side swiped me!
I got out, told him not to move, and went to call the police. Of course, the drunk drove off. My poor car.
Pass the blood pressure medicine.
I did get his license plate number. After consulting with my uncle (who was a saint for answering the phone at 3am!), I finally called 911. The officer who responded was really nice, but was realistic about the fact that it is unlikely the guy would ever get caught. At least I have the police report for insurance purposes.
Note to self: do not decide to drive home at 2:30am when the bars have just closed.
After all the excitement I didn’t get to bed until after 5am, so I slept until 10:45 the next morning. That’s when my very worried mother called and woke me up. After some coffee I enjoyed the last of my Atlanta Farm Fresh greek yogurt, topped with granola and a perfectly ripe peach.
I’m going to miss the summer fruit!
The afternoon was just what the doctor ordered after all that late-night stress. I got to hit stuff. Mom came over and we played tennis. She taught me a new way to grip the racket and I am well on my way to becoming a superstar. Or at least on my way to being able to play without embarrassing myself.
We walked through the neighborhood and wound up at Tap (1180 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309) for dinner. Tap is a gastro-pub that serves a tasty burger.
That IS a tasty burger.
First we needed refreshments. Their special selection was Cuvee des Fleurs.
It was interesting in a good way. Fruity, a little spicy, and carbonated in a way that was reminiscent of a sparking wine rather than a beer.
That’s no PBR!
Our starter was a meat and cheese plate. Aged Parmesan, creamy blue cheese, prosciutto, and some sort of sausage. It was served with sesame toast (not pictured), jam, and candied walnuts. The blue cheese and sausage paired particularly well with the beer.
My two favorite food groups.
The only issue was that our burger came out no less than 5 minutes after the starter. I will forgive them this time because the service was great other than that.
The burger was perfectly cooked. It is served on a whole wheat English muffin. Clearly I am concerned about eating whole wheat bread with my red meat and fries. This may be my 2nd favorite burger in Atlanta (certainly a top 5). The fries are crispy and if you ask nicely they will bring a side of their jalapeno mayo to dip it in. This is the time to go European on your fries – try the dip.
The best part? Tap serves their burger with a shot of chocolate milkshake perfection.
My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…
Not that the tiny shake is enough to count as my dessert.
My mom brought me Kentucky Derby Pie! This will be featured on my blog soon – it is my winter party staple.
“If when you die you get a choice between pie heaven and regular heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick but if not mmmboy.” – Jack Handey
It is basically pecan pie with chocolate chips and bourbon. Did I mention that I love my mom?
