In the Zone

"I'm up against the speaker, tryin' to take on the music
It's like a competition, me against the beat
I wanna get in the zone, I wanna get in the zone"
-Britney Spears


Sing it, Britney!  


This is where I am right now, trying my hardest to get in the zone. You know what I mean: when making all of the right choices comes naturally and you're just cruising. You're chugging your protein shake with a pep in your step on the way to the subway (or however you get to work --car, bike, pogo stick); you have energy to tackle your vigorous workouts and even MORE energy when you're done; you're able to anticipate and sidestep those sneaky saboteurs to healthy living (endless office birthdays, client dinners, well-meaning-but-pushy relatives). It is almost effortless, and it feels GREAT.


It has been a while since I've been in the zone, and it feels like I am going to have to fight and claw my way back there. Where I am now: no time and no energy for my workouts; bad meal planning; eagerness to indulge in any and every treat that makes its way into the office. 

Mmm...donuts. I'm a sucker for the pretty pink ones.

But I've done it before and I can do it again. Here are the steps I'm taking to get back in the zone and get my healthy mojo back:

1. Admit that I'm not perfect, and that's OK


What? No, never!!! Type A personality in the house! OK, moving on...


2. Make the time


"I don't have time" is the oldest, most cliche excuse in the world, and I am no cliche. I'm going to work hard over the next month to make time for a daily 30 minute workout (at least) and a weekly grocery shop/meal prep session. 

I kick it old school -- I actually still use a paper planner. LOVE this cute one from Whomi (you can find it on Amazon). The color coding helps keep track of different projects, different family members, etc. I use one of the colors to keep track of my training.

I need to break my bad habits and make some new good ones, and I need to pencil even the simplest tasks into my schedule until they become second nature.


3. Find Inspiration!


Really, there is nothing more inspirational than reading the great healthy living blogs out there (check out my blog roll for some of my faves). Thank you, ladies! So many of you are in zone hard core, and it is really amazing to read about all of the races being run and goals being achieved while women just like me kick-ass at their jobs, plan weddings (everyone is engaged! I hope it is contagious ;)), raise kids, etc. Again and again I am reminded that if you do the work, you get the results. I'm going to get there, too!


4. Remember my goals


I want to run a marathon. I want to be a runner. I want to look great in my clothes. I want to have tons of energy.

(Insert Peacock Here)

5. Turn off the TV


A little weird, but let me explain. I am a bit of a TV junkie, I could sit and watch the pretty moving pictures for hours. But recently I have come to realize two things:


-The quality of the programming I choose is, um, not good
-It is a total time suck! Even when I try to turn it on for some "background noise", I find that I end up on parked on the couch wasting precious minutes (...or hours...or weekends).
Basically, I am overindulging on TV junk food: too much crap, too often. It isn't good for my body, and it is doing nothing for my brain. I am going to rely on my trusty DVR to record the shows that are worth my time (The Daily Show, Glee, Judge Judy), I'm going to Netflix the good shows that I have missed out on (please don't tell me to watch The Wire -- I know!) and use my old TV time to take Audrey to the park, go for a run, or read one of the million books I am dying to crack open.
(No joke: as I am writing this, the TV is on. I don't remember what I was watching before, but I looked up to find some random show about RV travel on my screen. Ugh. Turning off the TV now.)


I'm getting revved up just writing about this, so with that I am headed out for an evening walk...and a little Britney on my iPod to keep me going!