Tag: MLbalance

Telework Tuesdays!

Today is my first telework day since starting my new job 7 months ago. Yes, I’m reporting live from my living room in my pjs, comfy robe, and NO BRA!

Telework is “new” to my employer as of September and I also knew I needed to “prove” myself for a few months before making the request. I put in the request in early January and it was quickly approved with today as the start date. My plan to telework on Tuesdays this whole semester with two exceptions in which I will need to come to campus on Tuesday, but may do a half day telework when I’m needed on campus. 

I was able to telework 1-2 a month at my old job and I really enjoyed it. It was so lovely sleeping in an extra hour (and not commute ~50min each way). I’ll be able to start my Shred DVD right at 4:30 (last day of 30 day Shred) before heading to the gym for some intervals on the treadmill. Then to the season opener of my barsports league (cornhole/skeeball/shuffleboard).

I bring lunch to work 95% of time time to work, but still it was nice just grabbing it right from the kitchen. 

I got SO much done today without the regular work environment distractions. I’m really looking forward how telework Tuesdays will contribute to my overall  work/life balance!

Work/Life Balance

I just submitted all the HR paperwork to my supervisor, which he already signed off on for me to TELEWORK 1x a week starting at the end of the month! 

I AM SO EXCITED! 

My old job allowed for telework and I usually teleworked 2x a month, but it was more informal because it was sporadic. With this I will get to update my calendar with “working elsewhere” and will be supported in calling into meetings that may pop up. I picked my telework day as Tuesday all last semester I rarely had meetings that day and also to break up my grueling commute. 

I know some people like teleworking on Monday or Friday, but Monday I want to hit the ground running and also prep for my telework day and Fridays are usually “fun” days at work and the commute is significantly better. Plus my cornhole league is on Tuesdays so I won’t have to rush home to made a game.

With teleworking, I’ll be easily getting 2 hours BACK in my life from not commuting on Tuesdays and I can get in a midday workout (which because when cornhole is in season I don’t usually get in a workout) and I can do laundry or get my car serviced and telework from the dealership or a coffee shop. So much of this will give me an ease I didn’t have last semester. I know I needed to “earn” this privilege and I’ve been plotting it (haha). I just passed my 6 month mark at work and my boss is very pleased with me. I gave some great examples of how telework will help my productivity and add some nice work/life balance. 

My summers at work are always busy so my request is only through mid-May for right now, but then I hope to pick back up the telework option again in September if it works out this semester or even a compressed work week in the fall since under normal (I won’t be new and we won’t be launching a new software system) circumstances fall is quieter. We shall see. 

Weekend Rundown

Friday

  • Took a half day to take Freddie to the vet because he had been sporadically vomiting all week. Vet called Saturday – Blood work revealed he has hypothyroidism – aka his thyroid is inactive, so he will need a pill 2x a day for the rest of his life. Clearly I was upset, but he’s in perfect health otherwise. This new pill will help him maintain his weight and improve his hair.  
  • I was SUPER productive at work since I was only working a half day. I am always extra productive on days when I’m working an abbreviated day. With focus I’m sure most people could do their jobs in ~25 hours a week.
  • I spent late Friday afternoon at one of my old work bestie’s house hanging with her and her 3.5 yr old and 4 month old. Awesome time hanging out. I definitely miss seeing her daily back when we worked together. 
  • I took a rest day fitness wise since I had worked out for a week straight prior to today. 

Saturday

  • Snow! Just a light coating, but it was super pretty.
  • I had to drive in the snow because I had to bring a urine same to the vet since Freddie didn’t want to go when we were there on Friday. 
  • Made it to body pump class and then walked on the treadmill.
  • Big grocery shop/meal prep shop with T for the week, then we watched movies and were lazy bums. 

Sunday

  • Slept 11 hours, I needed it. I didn’t sleep well Fri and Sat worrying about Fred. 
  • Did Shred Level 3 – day 2. I freaking love level 3 – it’s my favorite of the 3 levels. 
  • Got a manicure, my first since E’s wedding in September. All the housework made it silly to waste money and time on my nails. I got a gel manicure for the first time in YEARS. I discovered the Sally Hansen Nail Effects 2 years ago and they were my go to with an occasional regular manicure. I always admire nails and I feel better about myself when my nails are done (and not super stubby). I’m hoping to keep up a strong nail game this year! 
  • Went to a beautiful Brewery with T in Bluemont, VA and stumbled across a super cute old restaurant that was heated by fireplaces

New (Old) Routine

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? My old healthy eating routine worked, I just got bored of it after a while, but here I am. 

Last night I made steel cut oats for the week and out them into their own containers. Bought plain greek yogurt and fresh fruit to top the oats. I LITERALLY ate this for breakfast every day for nearly 5 years and then stopped with the oats like 2 years ago. 

The plan is to eat the oats/yogurt/fruit as a snack either mid morning or mid afternoon based on my lunch/workout plans. 

I also am back on the Shakeology wagon. This will be my breakfast during my drive to work. Keep it simple. Unsweetened coconut/almond milk blend with ice and chia seeds or frozen raspberries with water. Or half water, half skim milk with PB2 and maybe half of a frozen banana. 

I also have the Shakeology 3 day refresh which I am going to do this month. I need to buy the advised food and pick the best 3 day window for me to stick to it. 

News I already know

Working out and eating well for a few days in a row MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER. Also it makes you want to continue to work out and eat well. 

Taking small steps in the right direction can easily turn into bigger steps. I was quickly able to turn unnecessary sweets and alcohol – they won’t make me feel better and I rather keep up my momentum. 

I’ll keep my alcohol indulgences to the weekends and the sweets for only when I really will savor it.

Weight-related real talk

94monkeys:

Feel free to skip this post if it’s not your jam. 

Back in June I decided I was going to try to lose 4 pounds for
my wedding and then just maintain my weight where I was. You can read that post
here although it’s really long and dithery (also tw: wedding talk I guess). Well,
I never ended up losing those 4 pounds but I kept my weight right around where
I was in time for the wedding. Surprisingly, the threat of not being able to
fit into the nicest dress I’ve ever owned was a strong motivator. (Maybe this
doesn’t happen that much but I came across MANY stories of people with
last-minute dress woes.)

Since the wedding I’ve gained about 10 pounds in a
combination of general laxity, stress eating (mostly job related and election
related) and binge eating (same). I don’t like it. To be fair, this is somewhat
new territory for me, as in my life I haven’t been the person to freak out over
10 or so pounds; mostly I would just gain weight and then be in denial about it.
But here is my thought process, first negative motivators, and then positive
ones.

Keep reading

I am one to rarely reblog, but tumblr and being part of community is so important. I’ve felt so alone in falling off the fitness and wellness wagon. I’ve felt embarrassed and depressed. However knowing that I am not alone it not only comforting, but motivating. 

94monkeys is someone I care about and I’ve followed her journey via tumblr since summer 2010. She is someone I’ve gotten to know offline as well (and had the pleasure of going to her wedding, where she looked stunning, not just on the outside, but her soul was radiating). Thank you for sharing, love you!

Pre-Work for 2017

Hi Tumblr, 

Remember me. I know it’s been a while, but I’m finding my way back. 

I plan on spending these last weeks of 2016 to prep for ensuring I set myself up for success in 2017. Between adjusting to a new job, new commute, new town, new house, and first time cohabitation it’s been hard to find balance and thus very stressful. 

I’ve also still been fighting nagging Plantar Fasciitis, which finally lead me to buy shoes from The Walking Company which are helping (first one pair then two, now I have four pair). However they all have a chunky heels and as someone who has always worn the flattest shoes possible my calves and ankles are adjusting to being elevated on a regular basic. 

Plus my Fitbit HR and Fitbit Aria scale crapped out, thankfully Fitbit is sending replacements for both that should arrive soon, but I’ve been without my Fitbit all November and my scale has been “broken” since I moved in August (the issues was with the wifi syncing due to a new network which impedes it’s ability to display your weight – weird). Which means I’ll weigh myself for the first time in months soon…scary. 

Basically I’ve given myself an excuse to throw a full blown pity party which has involved not working out and eating junk when I want to. The holidays and change of weather are also stressors for me, so I hoping to at least try and do some “pre-work” before kicking off an effort to re-find my balance in January. I always love a new year to reset.

I have been prioritizing sleep lately (hi stress and a bought of mild depression) and I need to GET CONTROL. At the end of the day nothing is terrible in my life (in fact my relationship with T and actually being comfortable financially are freakin’ wonderful), it’s just all so new and that in and of itself is the root of my stress. I feel like Jessie from Saved By the Bell “NO TIME, THERE’S NEVER ANY TIME!” The reality is when I get overwhelmed I procrastinate, it’s one of my ugliest habits/vices.  

I went to a “Manage Your Stress, Take Charge of Your Life”  session at work yesterday sponsored by AHealthyU which is through HR (and one of my favorite things about working at AU are lots of workshops, cooking demos, classes, etc). We filled out a “Perceived Stress Scale” and did a “Stress Vulnerability Inventory”  which helped me frame a plan.

  • I need/want to exercise – and it’s okay if it’s not running (I’ve defined myself as a runner for 6 years, but it’s okay if I shift due to injury)
  • I need/want to meal prep and focus on what I’m eating (I’m strongly considering joining Weight Watchers at Work, a new work friend goes so it would be nice to have a buddy, a new group starts in late January)
  • I need/want to get back to both blogging here and writing in my paper journal which I’ve neglected for mooooonths (both of these are my best spaces to think/plan/reflect)
  • I need/want to better manage my time and prioritize 
  • I need/want to find a church, I got out of the habit of going to my old church, but now that we’ve moved I want to explore churches (which I have done in January of 2010 and 2013 to help me recenter and I lucked out finding great churches)
  • I need/want to do the foot and ankle conditioning program/exercises my podiatrist gave me which I have slacked on

I’m New York bound this evening for the first time since June/July. I’m thankful that I decided a few weeks ago to spend the extra money and fly. I don’t need the added stress of a white knuckled 4.5 hour drive turned 7 hour drive to deal with. I get to see my sister tonight then, Long Island tomorrow. Plus with flying I get to come back Friday night and have the weekend home with T. T is staying in MD with Freddie and doing Thanksgiving with his family. This is the first time we’ve been apart since we moved in together in August which I also think will be good. I do miss just being with just myself sometimes and I know I need to create “me” time in order to focus on getting back on track. 

Shout out to A who inspired me through her journey back to blogging to transform an email I was writing to her into a blog post.

Knowing my limits

There is a big difference between excuses and recognizing limits – which is sometimes a hard concept to grasp when it comes to myself. 

I signed up for the Army 10 miler on May 25. I interviewed for a new job less than a week later and started said new job within a month of the interview. I then moved in a house with my boyfriend in a new part of town. Couple all of that with it being SUMMER and hot as blazes in the DC area with the fact that I’ve had a nagging heel/PF/Achilles issue since last fall that I’ve been treating only with mild success. 

I am firing all cylinders all the time these days. Faking it until I make it at work, fixing up the house bit by bit, navigating a new routine with T, creating a new personal routine from commute, to eating schedule, to working out schedule, to social time with friends. 

A few weeks ago I looked into deferring the Army 10 miler until next year, but they don’t do that. I also missed the transfer window. I thought I could force myself to train up to at least walk/run it – but my heart isn’t in it, my body is flat out tired, and I’m really trying to mend and overcome this heel issue. 

I randomly posted on FB yesterday about maybe not running the race and who may want my bib (”illegally”). Within minutes a friend who joined the Army in his 30s inquired. He is super pumped, I made some of my money back, and most importantly I took the pressure off myself. Running is something I love and for it to be overly weighing on my shoulders wasn’t good. 

I’m free from the commitment to train and “race.” I feel lighter and happier. I’m going to try and get to body pump 2-3x week and yoga 1-2x a week plus walk/run as my heel allows. I want to focus my extra energy on being a good manager, girlfriend, and friend right now.