Fitness Survey Fun

Happy SPRING BREAK Sunday! Hallelujah, we made it! And I have loved every minute of it. It's been mostly spent relaxing and cleaning and packing because I leave for the Pacific Northwest TOMORROW! I'm so pumped for this little getaway, and I could not be more excited to explore a part of the country I've never been to before. I think I've got my days pretty much planned out by this point, but feel free to send any last-minute suggestions my way!

Horns up for spring break!

But first, let's keep things regular around here with a Sunday Survey.

1. What is your favorite snack?

I think I could eat Chobani coconut yogurt with dark chocolate chunks mixed in every day for the rest of my life and not get tired of it. I’m also really into eating mango slices these days. I probably eat enough slices at one time to make up an entire mango, but hey, it’s fine.

2. Favorite workout move, and what does it target?

Hmm, I am probably going to sound crazy, but I really love doing lunges. I think I do them so inconsistently that I feel the burn every time I actually do do them. Lunges target the lower-body – specifically the glutes, hamstrings, and quads. Oh my quads!

3. Least favorite workout?

I dread sprint work almost as much as I love what it does for my running ability. I’m definitely more of a distance runner, so getting my speed up for such a short amount of time is hard for me. But what’s hard is usually the most beneficial, right? Embrace the hard is what I'm learning.

4. When do you feel your best? 

Typically, it’s after a good workout. But lately, that just means after a good run. And running will always be my go-to form of exercise. Because as much as I dread speed and tempo work, I always feel such a sense of accomplishment afterward. And there is nothing better than lounging on the couch with your pup post-shower, knowing that you don’t have to move for the next couple of hours.

5. Describe your “perfect” breakfast? 

Breakfast is hands down my favorite meal of the day. If I had the time each morning, or maybe, if I made the time each morning, I would alternate between making vegetable-filled omelettes, experimenting with any of the various healthy waffle/pancake recipes I’ve pinned, blending a refreshing smoothie, or whipping up some trendy avocado toast. As it stands, I grab a yogurt or two and dash out the door.

6. Favorite splurge meal?

A hamburger and sweet potato fries. That’s actually my go-to pre-race day meal, but I’ve been known to enjoy it other days of the week as well. I always have to laugh at myself when I go out to eat with my girlfriends because they have this ability to take half home with them in a to-go box. That is not something I have ever experienced.

7. Best advice for a beginner? 

Keep going. It’s not going to be easy, and you won’t be able to do it all right now. And that’s okay! Find something you truly enjoying doing. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle is far more important than losing a quick ten pounds.

8. Favorite one liner for motivation? 

You haven’t come this far to only come this far.

9. Best place to buy workout clothes?

I hate myself for saying this, but I do love Lululemon. I know that comment just earned me quite a few eye rolls from some of you guys, but their shorts are THE best. I’m not as much a fan of their tops, but I will gladly spend $50+ for a pair of shorts that fit me well, and that I will have for years. A pretty solid investment if I do say so myself.

10. Favorite workout/running shoes?

Right now, I’m a big fan of Brooks, but I’ve run in pretty much all of them. I love a good pair of Nikes for walking the dog and any cross training that I may find myself doing.  

11. What is your ratio of clean vs indulgence?

Probably 75/25. Honestly, it may even be higher than that. I am fairly conscious of what I put into my body, and while I have gotten so much better about letting myself enjoy foods that I used to completely reject, I know that I feel better the cleaner I eat.

12. Best way to feel confident? 

If only I had the be-all, end-all answer to this question. I think it’s different for every person, but for me, it’s to think and act positive, and to smile. It sounds silly, but it’s all too easy to let negative thoughts cloud our minds, and if we can replace them with something positive, we can stand a little taller. And I bet you that extending a smile will get you a smile back.

13. Number 1 tip for beating cravings? 

Sometimes, you just have to let yourself eat a little bit of what it is that you really want. I cannot go a day without eating dark chocolate, so I allow myself two little squares of Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate squares after lunch each day. I mean, I allow myself more chocolate than that, but I’ve found many times that, when I’m trying to avoid eating something “unhealthy”, I end up eating even more and then I’m not even satisfied. If I had just allowed myself a little bit of what I had wanted in the first place, the whole fiasco could have been avoided.

14. Describe your “dream” day of fitness? 

I would start with a long sunrise walk with Mack along the water. Hey, you said “dream” day, so I’m living my water-side dream. I would come home for a light breakfast, head out for a six- or seven-mile run through the park, play a few rounds of sand volleyball or paddle out on Town Lake, and end the day with a sunset bike ride.

15. What is your “power” song, the song that keeps you going? 

Well, this answer could potentially get embarrassing. I definitely go through “power song” phases, but my current power song is Downtown Girl by Hot Chelle Rae. I ran some fast miles to that song the other night.

16. Favorite fitblogger?

Julie over at Peanut Butter Fingers was the very first healthy living blogger I ever followed, and the blog inspiration for fitnessandfroyo. I’m not quite as creepily obsessed as I once was, but her blog posts never fail to put me in a good mood.

17. What do you wear to workout? 

Typically shorts and one of the dozens of performance tops I own. Or just a t-shirt. I’m not too picky. The other day I was freezing in my apartment (cheap people probs, not turning on the heat), and I kept on the yoga pants I was wearing as I traipsed over to the gym to sneak in a treadmill run. I regretted that decision approximately three minutes into my run. And always with a Lulu headband on top.

18. What is your biggest accomplishment?

Because this is a fitness-related blog survey, I’m going to keep this answer in the fitness realm. I think my biggest accomplishment is finishing a half Ironman. That was arguably the hardest day of my life, and while I definitely cried a few times along those 70.3 miles, I finished the race. I may not necessarily be proud of my time, nor am I at all proud of my training, but I am proud of mental toughness, and my ability to finish something I wanted so badly to quit.

19. What is your fitness goal?

My overall fitness goal is for fitness to never stop being a part of my life. I hope to always make time to be active, and to continue chasing after my big goals.

20. What is your next fitness challenge?

This time next week, I’ll be running in Portland, going after that sub-1:45 half marathon time. And if and when that ever happens, I’ll take it one step (okay, multiple steps) further by going after that sub-3:35 marathon time. Boston, I’m chasing ya!

And with that, I'm off to be semi-productive before I press pause on all things school related. Hey, we all need a break every now and again. Enjoy your Sunday!

Sunday Fitness Survey

Happy Sunday! I know this post is coming at you late, but because I didn't have to spend my Sunday grading papers, planning for the upcoming week, or prepping food, I spent it doing some Christmas shopping in the Village, and lounging on my couch finishing book number three of the week. This is the first time I've opened my computer since recording grades on Friday morning, so I'm feeling pretty good. But it is Sunday, and I did make a promise to keep up with my weekly survey post, and I'm going to stick to that promise. Especially since I fully intended to do a Things I'm Loving Friday post, and then opted for the two-hour post-first semester nap. What can I say?

All grades are DONE!

1. What’s your favorite type of exercise?

Running. With the training plan I’m on, that’s really the only exercise I have time to do. And it has always been my favorite type of exercise, but I’m hoping to squeeze in a couple of Body Pump classes and leisurely neighborhood bike rides over this two-week holiday break.

2. What’s your biggest personal exercise pet peeve?

I’m going to go ahead and copy what the person before me wrote and say when my ponytail comes loose. I used to wear my hair in a bun when I did any type of exercise because I hated the feeling of my sweaty hair touching my neck. But lately I’ll get maybe half a mile into a run and I’m having to stop and fix my hair because it has come loose. I have since fixed the problem by quickly pulling my hair back into a French braid, but there is no time for hair to be an obstacle.

 

Almost always with a headband

3. What’s your biggest gym pet peeve?

People who use the equipment so blatantly incorrectly. And I most definitely don’t know how to use every piece of equipment in the gym, but I am pretty good about observing other people and/or looking things up so that I don’t embarrass and/or injure myself. I think this incorrect use is most common when two people are working out together, and the conversation is more important than the workout. Which is fine. But there’s likely a coffee shop in the area.

4. How many days a week do you workout?

I run five days a week. I guess I theoretically could do something those other two days, but I walk my dog multiple times a day, and I typically use those two days to see friends or catch up on any grading on which I may have fallen behind. Besides, after a tough speed or tempo run, my body craves a bit of a break.

5. What’s one exercise you love to hate?

Burpees and jumping lunges. I haven’t done either of those exercises in forever, but man, they absolutely kill me. But in the best way.

6. What is one form of exercise you wish you loved but don’t?

Yoga. I know it would benefit me to get into a good stretching regimen, but one, I can’t ever seem to get the breathing down, and two, I am always so self-conscious about how absolutely inflexible I am. Which is probably a pride thing. But I think the fact that I’m so bad at yoga actually adds stress as opposed to relieving it. Plus, I like to sweat when I workout.

7. Do you prefer to workout alone, with a friend, or in a group?

When it comes to running, alone. I can’t carry on a conversation when I run, and I use my runs as my (much-needed) “me” time. That being said, I L O V E group exercise classes. I still miss my high school gym and Felipe’s killer classes. Felipe had me doing exercises that I most definitely wouldn’t do on my own. Same with Body Pump. I love the idea of weight training, but doing it in a group that is led by someone who has a routine down pat makes it so much more enjoyable.

8. Do you match your workout clothing to your shoes?

… No. Though I do love buying athletic shoes.

9. What’s your biggest fitness triumph?

Man, before I started this running training program that I’m currently on, I would have definitely said completing the Chevron Houston Marathon. But I think being able to stick to this training plan and be able to physically track the progress I have made. When I first started, at the end of July, I would shudder at the thought of an 8:00 min/mile pace. Now I’m frustrated when I run a mile above an 8:00 min/mile pace. And I still have my not-so-great days, but it’s moreso what I’ve accomplished mentally. I’ve proved to myself that physically, I can do it. So when I’m told to run four miles at a sub-7:15 min/mile pace, I know that I can do it. And as not exciting as this may sound, running a 7:02 min/mile pace at the Bellaire 5K in November was a huge bump to my confidence.

10. What’s one of your fitness goals this year?

Because the year is almost over, I’m going to go with my first big goal of 2017, and that is running the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in under 1:45. Does putting it in writing make it real?

2015 Goals

And with that, I’m off to open up another book and call it an early night. I’m hoping to get all of my Christmas shopping and card-writing DONE before Wednesday, so here’s to making the beginning of this week a productive one. Have a great one!

Fill-in-the-Blanks Survey

Happy rainy Sunday from Houston! It has been a cold and rainy weekend, and it appears as though the rain is going to be sticking around for at least another 24 hours. I'm all for the colder weather, but I could do without the rain. It makes walking Mack, running, and running errands 10 times more difficult. But I managed to walk Mack this morning and late afternoon, I even managed to squeeze in an almost eight-mile run before I went up to school to help with volleyball lessons. And the cold and rain makes it all the more acceptable to whip out the tacky Christmas sweaters, right?

Tacky Sweater Day 2016

But for now, I am committed to bringing back Sunday's survey tradition. At least until the end of this year. Surely I can stick to that commitment, right? This week's survey is one that I found on my favorite blogger's - Peanut Butter Fingers - page, and I just had to give it a go. 

Fill-in-the-Blanks Survey

• I would do an Ironman once.

Throwback to six years ago when I did a half ironman in college. I had no idea what I was doing, and I had not a fear in the world. I figured, 'Hey, I like working out, and I'll be living in Austin. Sounds fun!' It turned out to be the farthest thing from fun, and I distinctly remember crossing the finish line in TEARS (they were not tears of joy; they were tears of pain) and telling my dad that I was never doing that again. And typically when I say that, I do it again. But it is not something that has even crossed my mind these past six years. That being said, I think I could probably do it if I had the right training plan. So, I might do it once.

• The weirdest thing I ever ate was some unidentifiable fish.

I am THE least adventurous food person around, so what is weird to me is probably not weird to anyone else. It is very rare that I try food that "sounds weird" to me, and I've always been that way. I stuck to Spaghettio's and Lunchables for a good portion of my childhood, and cereal was my go-to in college when I wasn't feeling the other options. What can I say? I'm a creature of a habit! But when I was studying abroad in Spain, I ate some unidentifiable, downright strange food that my dorm served. I really like fish, and all of the seafood I ate in Spain was absolutely fantastic, but we're talking bones and eyes happening here. If that's not stepping outside your comfort zone, I don't know what is. 

• The movie of my life would star Sandra Bullock.

Isn't the resemblance obvious? Just kidding, but Sandra Bullock is an absolute all-star. From Miss Congeniality to The Proposal to The Blind Side, and everything in between, she's an absolute superstar. I also wouldn't hate being played by Emma Watson. 

Queens (Source)

• My go-to food indulgence is dark chocolate.

Can it really be considered an indulgence if I eat it every day? Probably not, but at least I acknowledge that it is an indulgence.

The best brand of chocolate

• The last live concert I saw was Kenny Chesney.

In addition to not being a very adventurous foodie, I'm also not a huge concert-goer. I love the rodeo because one, it's the rodeo, and two, the concerts are THE perfect length. In my opinion. And I typically know all of the songs being performed, as opposed to traditional concerts when the artists decide to debut new songs, thus not allowing me to sing along. Which is probably a blessing for the people around me. But I would be lying if I said I wouldn't L O V E tickets to see Taylor Swift when she comes to Houston in February. Doesn't she tell us to never grow up?

Taylor Swift Concert circa 2010

• My favorite jeans are my red Mid-Rise Rockstar Skinny Jeans.

Obviously the red (Rockstar) pants that I wear to school almost every Friday get the nod for favorite jeans. I happened upon them at Old Navy my senior year of college - before I even knew I would be teaching at a Cardinal Red school. But they've turned out to be my most frequently worn pants. They're comfortable and spirited, and they were approximately $20. Can't beat that.

 

But if we're talking jeans jeans, you can't go wrong with 1969 denim from Gap. They're some of the only jeans that I have found that fit both my legs and my waist. Ex-volleyball player runner problems, am I right?

• My can’t-live-without beauty product is my Benefit They're Real! Mascara or my EOS Lip Balm.

Adding to my non-adventurous foodie, non-concert going self, I'm also not a beauty guru. I prefer days when I don't have to put on makeup, and my makeup routine takes maybe three minutes. Maybe. But I do love They're Real because it's the one mascara I've tried that doesn't leave clumps. And it does lengthen eyelashes like a dream. And I used to be all about Burt's Bees, but once I was introduced to EOS Lip Balm during my student teaching semester, I never looked back. My students keep me up on the trends.

And with that, I'm off to get some work done before the penultimate Monday of the fall semester. How that happened, I am not entirely sure. But I certainly won't complain about a couple of weeks to spend catching up with family and friends, reading, running, and snuggling with my sweet pup. Let's all Celebrate Monday by making it a great one!

10-20-30-40

Happy MONDAY! I don't know about you guys, but I am LOVING that I still have one more week before I'm thrown back into the craziness of a new school semester. I understand that many of you guys probably don't have that luxury, but even Huffington Post says that teachers need a break. I love this article because I tend to get a little defensive when people point out how much time off teachers enjoy, but our job truly isn't sustainable for 12 consecutive months. Honestly, I'm sure there are quite a few jobs out there that aren't sustainable for 12 consecutive months, but hey, there are certain perks to working with children.

Without breaks, they would definitely meet my wrath

Anyway, I'm going to get off of my soapbox now, and share with you guys a quick warm-down workout that I completed yesterday.

It's pretty self-explanatory. I headed up the road to the MAC for a Sunday afternoon swim, but before I left, I made my way upstairs for a quick, total-body warm-down. It probably took me little more than 15 minutes, but it was 15 minutes well spent. I simply completed one set, gave myself 30 seconds of rest, and moved right on into the next set. Easy as pie, and something that could easily be incorporated into your everyday fitness routine. Hint hint: New Year's Resolutions are comin' in hot.

Alright, now that I've put that bug in your ear, I'm off to walk the pup and apartment shop with Nat. Adios!

Jump Rope Heavy Workout

I am absolutely loving this four-day week. I know I sound like a total diva saying that I was more than ready for a little break when I just came off of an entire summer vacation, but, teaching is hard. And I know every job is hard. But you forget how much energy being around teenagers all day requires. But I absolutely love it. And, knock on wood, my classes have been awesome. I'm waiting for the flood gates to open, but for now, I'm enjoying it.

And  I don't have much time to spend on this post, but I have yet another killer workout to share with you guys. This one is heavy on the jump rope. I'm talking 18 total minutes spent jump roping. Yes, my calves were screaming.

This workout is, once again, pretty self-explanatory. I don't even think any of these exercises need explaining. I went all the way through set one, and then I did it all over again. Then I went twice through set two, for a total of four sets. The entire workout took me between 40 and 45 minutes, and it left me sweaty, sweaty, sweaty. The 20 burpees just about did me in, so I feel a little bit sorry for all the burpees I make my girls do at practice. But only a little bit.

Anyway, if you're bored at the gym, this is definitely a workout to try. When you're tired of doing one exercise, it's time to move onto the next one. And you'll certainly leave the gym feeling like you put in some work. Which I definitely needed last night. But for now, it's time to make some puppy chow. I'm going to surprise my girls with a sweet treat that will hopefully inspire them to #BeatLamar tomorrow afternoon in what will probably be our biggest game of the season. 

And before I sign off, check out my very first guest blog post over at Creating a Better Tomorrow. Sarah reached out to me with this opportunity weeks ago, and I finally sent something over to her. I had so much fun tweaking this post for her, and I am so grateful for this awesome opportunity. Check out my post here, and while you're over there, check out her awesome blog. I've been loving it!

1000 Rep Workout

Hey hey hey! How's it going? I'm surviving week one, so I'm going to go ahead and say that things are pretty darn good over here on my end. You can't ask for much more than that when you're talking about the first week of school. Even if you have to Uber to school on occasion, but that's a story for another time. It probably doesn't help that I started out the school year feeling sleep deprived, but that's just the nature of juggling teaching with volleyball season. And trying to maintain some semblance of a life. I'm struggling a little bit on that last one, but I'm doing things here and there, I promise! When you realize you spend more time around 15-year-olds (and 50-year-olds, just being honest) than you do people your own age, it's time to put down the red pen and get out of the house.

And while I don't have long to chat, I do have a great workout to share with you guys. It's nothing new, as there are so many versions of this workout out there - variations that focus on the upper body or the lower body, variations that work the whole body, etc. My workout contains cardio, upper body work, and lower body work, and it probably took me about 35 minutes to complete. I finished my 1000 reps with 10 minutes on the elliptical, simply because I had that 10 minutes, but this workout alone is more than enough to get you going in the morning.

I think all of these exercises are ones that you recognize, but let me just tell you that the squat jumps, pushups, and chest press absolutely did me dirty. And I'll give you guys a laugh when I tell you that I actually contemplated doing 50 burpees instead of 50 seconds of burpees. I promise you that 20+ was more than enough. The reverse crunch is just what it sounds like. Instead of raising your shoulders off the ground, you keep your shoulders on the ground and raise your hips off the ground.

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It's a toughie, but a goodie. And the possibilities truly are endless when it comes to this workout. And the best part is, once the 50 reps are over, you don't have to do that exercise again. And sometimes that's all the motivation you need.

Catch y'all later, but don't hold me to that one!

Ten Rounds Workout

I am so bad. I told you guys that I would be better about keeping up with my blog this week. But then I didn't leave school before 7:30pm one day this week. And I was busy, busy, busy almost every hour of the day. Okay, maybe not every hour of the day. But when I did get a free hour, I typically spent time chatting with my fellow teachers. I found that I missed seeing them and talking with them far more than I thought I would. So I'd consider it time well-spent. And today I spent all day up at Don Coleman Coliseum watching our varsity volleyball team take FIRST PLACE in the Spring Branch Volleyball Tournament. I've come full circle, because six years ago, as a senior in high school, my team won the tournament. And now, as a second-year coach, I got to watch my school come away victorious. They played so well, and even though it ate up the entirety of my Saturday, there's no place I would rather have been.

But I do have a couple of workouts to share with you guys, and this is the first one on the agenda. I did it one morning last week, when I didn't much feel like running, and I didn't feel like battling the crowds for a lane in the pool. If you don't get there right when the gym opens, good luck getting a lane to yourself. So, I headed upstairs and completed the following workout.

Let me explain this one to y'all. I completed ten total rounds. I did five rounds of set one, and then I completed five rounds of set two. Five and five makes ten, so it makes total sense, right? I think most of these exercises are pretty self-explanatory, but I'll give you a little bit of instruction on the Russian twist and the jack knives. For the Russian twist, I grabbed a 12-lb dumbbell and sat on the floor, with my knees bent at a 90-degree angle. I kept my feet a few inches off the floor, but this exercise is just as effective with your feet on the floor. Lean slightly back, without rounding your spine, and twist your torso all the way over to the left, and then all the way over to the right. Your arms should not move, as you are working your obliques here.

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I feel like I've called the jack knives something different on this blog - maybe in and outs? But I've also heard the exercise called jack knife, though I'm not sure that's the official name. Anyway, it works your core by starting with your back at a 45 degree angle with the ground. Your knees are drawn to your chest, and you can keep your hands on the floor, or, if you are looking for more of a challenge, you can keep your hands in the air, or even hold a weight. You will simultaneously lower your upper body and straighten your legs so that your body is parallel to the floor. The lower you go, the tougher the exercise will be. You will then return to your original position, taking care to control your movements so that you do not get out of control.

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And I'm off to do some food prep for the week, and hopefully get in an evening run, since I chose to sleep in a little bit this morning and skip out on my running group. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body.

New York City: My Experience

Hello, hello! I know it's been a while since I've had a real-time blog post around here, but seeing as I've been exploring a new-to-me city, I hope you guys can find it in your hearts to forgive me. And I'm trying something new as I recap my trip to the Big Apple. Instead of taking you day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute - because I feel confident that would bore you all to tears - I'm going to talk about some of the things I noticed, some of my thoughts, some of my tips and tricks, and anything else that comes to mind, using my experiences to do that.

Above all else, you will need a good pair of walking shoes. I mean seriously. I'm not a member of the FitBit fam, but I would have loved to know how many steps I took over the course of the five days I was in the city. In fact, the walkability level was one of my favorite parts of being in the city. If it was feasible to walk, I walked. Even if it wasn't so feasible to walk, I walked. Mainly because ...

... the subway system was confusing! And normally, I'm good at that kind of stuff. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I had the Barcelona system down. And I figured out London and Paris and Washington D.C. relatively quickly when I was there. But I found myself on the wrong subway a couple of times. In fact, I found myself in Brooklyn twice in one day without even meaning to. But in my defense, my usual route apparently gets rerouted on the weekend evenings, and I guess I didn't register it after the ten times the conductor announced it, but whatever. Luckily, I found my way back home safe and sound. Anyway, back to the walking and the shoes. You will walk a lot. It's how you'll find some of the most hidden gems. And you don't want an uncomfortable pair of shoes to ruin that for you. My trusty little Chacos treated me so well, and my feet didn't hurt a bit. Well, maybe a little bit here and there. But nothing debilitating. And I also want to note that I am a huge fan of public transportation. I spent not even $30 on Subway fares, which is a small fraction of the amount I would have spent had I done the Uber or taxi thing.

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You know how it's so unbearably hot in Houston these days? Yeah, it might be worse in New York City. Not because the temperatures are higher, but, well, I'm not entirely sure why, to tell you the truth. There's not much of a breeze, parts of the city don't smell fantastic, but then again, I did far more walking in New York than I will ever do in Houston. What I'm trying to say is, if you are going to visit New York City, especially in the summer, bring a reusable water bottle of some kind with you, unless you want to risk dehydration. I was so overheated on Sunday (and so unbelievably sweaty) that I had to stop into some random building to ask if I could sit in there and cool off for a second - sidenote: New Yorkers aren't that mean. This guy was more than willing to let me cool off, even offering me water. - and when I finally made my way to my destination - the High Line - I stopped halfway through my walk to lie down in the grass and take a nap. I was exhausted, and it wasn't even noon! And I had a bit of a headache, which I definitely attributed to not drinking enough water. Thankfully, an hour-long nap in the shade cured that right up. What I'm trying to say is - HYDRATE!

Next to my nap spot

Speaking of Houston, New Yorkers pronounce it wrong! I'm totally kidding, of course, but New York City just has a completely different feel than the city that I live in and love. New York is fast-paced, it's all hustle and bustle, and people are very much worried about themselves and only themselves. No one is paying you any attention, which is a real shame because if there's one city that would give people a lot to watch if they would just look up every once in a while, it's that one. I feel as though I screamed "visitor" when I smiled at people on the street, because I rarely got a smile in return. There were no hard feelings; it's just not something that happens there. New York and Texas are so very different, on so many levels, but they're two great places nonetheless.

And something that makes New York City far different from Houston is the obesity level. I know why you don't see many overweight people in New York City. At least, you don't see many overweight locals in New York City. One reason for that is all the walking, yes, but it's also because there are so many incredible fitness opportunities just waiting to be taken advantage of. I myself took a SoulCycle class - which absolutely kicked my booty - as well as two Physique 57 classes. They're out of this world expensive if you were to take them on a regular basis, but they often offer first class specials, and even new client specials, so I took full advantage. Physique 57 is very similar to Pure Barre, in that it combines cardio, strength training, and stretching, and it very much works your entire body to the point of exhaustion. And because I don't do workouts like this as often as I probably should, I was very much feeling the burn. It wasn't easy, but I loved it. The instructors were knowledgeable, energetic, and always willing to correct - in a positive way. And great news for those of us who don't live in the select few cities home to the workout, there are workout DVDs that bring the workout to your home. And it might be one I actually check out. Added incentive: Celebs like Kelly Ripa, Erin Andrews, and Zooey Deschanel swear by it. And we all know that they're rockin' their bods. 

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As for SoulCycle, I felt like a total n00b. The front row attendees' legs were moving so fast that I couldn't even dream of keeping up. I was a little put off by how close the bikes were to one another, but luckily my 8:00am Monday morning class wasn't completely booked. Those two things aside, I still left a sweaty mess, and I certainly feel as though I got in a great workout. Would I pay $34 per class on a regular basis? Probably not. But the people who love it, love it hard. And I understand why. The music is fun, the instructors are high-energy, you really do get a total-body workout, and so many celebs are full-on addicts. Katie Holmes, Lady Gaga, and again, Kelly Ripa are a few who pay this high price tag. But it very clearly pays off.

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As for what I did. Oh, of course I hit almost all of the main tourist attractions. Upon my arrival on Friday morning, I immediately hit Central Park. Which was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. Talk about a magical, magical place. First of all, it's huge. It would take hours to cover the entire park, but I did my very best to see as much of it as I could. From the Conservatory Water where you can rent a motor boat, 

the South Pond containing the ducks that nagged at Holden Caulfield, 

endless sculptures like this one featuring Alice in Wonderland,

the Carousel that Holden Caulfield (can you tell that I like Catcher in the Rye?) rode around and around and around,

and so much more. The greenery left me in awe, and I even ordered food from a Halal street vendor and sat in the Central Park grass and ate it. Dogs were everywhere, and I felt like I was anywhere but the hustlin' bustlin' city. Peace amidst chaos. And one of my very favorite attractions.

After Central Park I hit the MET. That's the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for those of you who aren't in the know. Not that I'm a museum junkie. Because I'm far from it. But this museum was something else. Too big to do all in one day, I had to pick and choose. I didn't know much going into it, so I just sort of wandered through. I started out in the Greek and Roman wing, where I ran into my good friend Homer - English teacher dreams - 

and my not-so-good friend Voldy. I promise I took the rest of the museum seriously.

I then wandered into the Robert Lehman wing, because Van Gogh's 'Irises and Roses' was said to be there. And they were breathtaking. Pictures weren't allowed, but trust me when I say that this is my kind of art. I really enjoyed much of this wing, Claude Monet and Augusta Renoir's work, in particular, and I spent a fair amount of time just wandering, admiring art that I don't usually give much thought to on a regular basis.

The American wing and the Egyptian wing both took up quite a bit of my time, as did the Arms and Armor wing. I hit the European paintings a little bit, but it had been a couple of hours by this point and I was fading fast. I wandered up to the MET rooftop, which was packed to the brim, but offered one of the most spectacular views, before calling it a day.

I found myself in Times Square, where I promptly crossed a New Year's Eve in Times Square off of my bucket list. It was a normal Friday night, and this place was crawling with people. This place was tightly packed, dirty, loud, and full of chaos. I just have no other word for it. I sort of nixed the Broadway show at that point, knowing that I didn't want to be alone in Times Square late at night. You just never know with that place. Strangely enough, I found myself walking through Times Square more times than I care to admit. To be fair, it is very convenient, and full of anything you might need.

Grand Central Station is next on the list. Even if you have no reason to take a train anywhere, I absolutely suggest making Grand Central Station a part of your itinerary. I don't know much about architecture, but I know enough to know that this place has absolutely stunning architecture. I actually took a train from Manhattan to New Rochelle to visit my Granny's plot at Beechwoods Cemetery, but if you don't have a destination in mind, at least visit the Whispering Gallery. I didn't have a companion this time around, but it's one of New York City's most hidden gems.

And as sad as I am that we have something like this, the 9/11 Museum and Memorial is an absolute must-do. I mentioned earlier that I am not much of a museum person, but I spent a couple of hours - and I easily could have spent all day - reading and learning and seeing and watching the events of that September day. I was brought to tears multiple times, and everything was done so well. It was very clear to me how much time and energy and effort went into putting this museum together, and that so many different people played such a big role in making it what it is. It is factual and emotional and respectful and dignified and educational and all things positive for something so truly devastating. The water features where the towers used to stand. It truly took my breath away. A most beautiful and moving tribute to those who lost their lives that day. I know I may have been only nine years old the day of the attack, but I will never ever forget the way the coverage made me feel. To experience it all over again was tough, or lack of a better word, but it was a very real and personal experience. One of the highlights of my trip, if that makes any sense.

And it's tourist central up there, but the Top of the Rock is a must-do. My pictures don't even do the view justice. I felt like I was quite literally on top of the world, and it hit me why it's so easy for people to fall in love with this city.

And to round out my tourist-filled trip, I couldn't let a visit to New York pass me by without an up close and personal glimpse of Lady Liberty. I ended up paying for a boat tour that took me under the Brooklyn Bridge and about 15 feet from the Statue herself. She really is an incredible sight to see, and stands for something that I think we sometimes take for granted - freedom, friendship, and democracy. 

The food. Oh the food. I could go on and on and on about the food. My biggest complaint about New York City is that I would stumble upon a new restaurant upon walking through the city, knowing that there wasn't nearly enough meals in the day to get to all of them. The food I did eat was marvelous, and I can honestly say that the food that I ate was the highlight of my trip. New York City is very much a foodie's dream, and though I didn't even come close to hitting all of the spots on my list, I already have a list started for my next visit. But here's the quick and dirty on the restaurants that I just adored -

• Sweetgreen - Create your own salad. Much like Salata. This meal lasted me for two.
• Chobani - Sweet and savory yogurt creations.

• The Egg Shop - An entire menu devoted to eggs. Very Instagram-worthy. I'm definitely going to try and mimic some of the recipes.

• Bread and Butter - Reminded me of Whole Foods. I loved it so much I went back twice.
• Bareburger - Very similar to Hopdoddy, but there were far more hearty, beef-free options.

Quinoa burger

• The Meatball Shop - Those chicken meatballs, though.
• Pause Cafe - Small in size, but chock full of healthy options. The acai bowl was so refreshing on a hot summer morning.

• il laboratorio del gelato - One scoop of the dark chocolate sorbet combined with one scoop of the coconut. To die for. Even though I finished it in a panic when I got notification that my flight had been canceled.
• Cafeteria - Rose Sangria and sweet potato fries. The only two things a girl really needs.

And when all else fails, there's likely a Pret a Manger located on the very next street corner. And you're sure to find something that is both healthy and delicious. My kind of fast food.

In other New York noticings - you can not only spot the tourists by the way they're wearing their backpacks, but by who was carrying a selfie stick. You haven't seen selfie sticks until you've been to New York City. They are everywhere, but to be fair, everything is a photo-op. And speaking of photo-ops, New York City offers some of the best. What I found myself getting frustrated with was the fact that there were so many beautiful photos to be taken, but there were so many people in the way! I found this to be most true while walking the Brooklyn Bridge. A stunning piece of architecture and engineering, it has been dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World. Though I think the Astrodome will have something to say about that. But there were just so many people that I had a hard time capturing the absolute perfect picture.

Off the beaten path, I kayaked the Hudson River, ran to Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge, explored independent bookstores, lost myself within the streets and avenues, and felt really grateful for the opportunity to visit one incredible city. Grateful for legs to carry me from place to place, grateful for an iPhone to direct me from place to place, and grateful for a cousin who let me crash at his hip apartment for the week.

New York City, you were good to me. You were a dream, you were magical, and you absolutely stole my heart. Five days wasn't nearly enough, but I know I'll be back. I've been bitten by the bug, and though I could never call the Big Apple home, it builds in you a feeling of excitement that just can't be matched. Rent prices are sky high, you will wind up paying an arm and a leg for your meals, and the city really doesn't ever sleep, but I fell in love with the place that two of my cousins and a few of my good friends get to call home. I was exhausted at the end of each day, but I felt more relaxed and peaceful than I have in a while. My last hoorah, and one well-spent!