March Challenge: Week 3
Monday
Intentional exercise: Today I ran up and down my stairs with my 33lb laundry backpack on. 3 down, 4 up, 4 down, then to the laundromat, then again at the end of the day, 4 up, 4 down, 3 up. Weird, yes. But intentional.
Stairs: See above.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: Yes! I took a quick walk around the block.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Yes!
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes!
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes, but just barely. I nearly forgot at the end of the day but just in time, got back out of bed and flossed.
Overall Score: 6/6
Tuesday
Intentional exercise: Took the long walk through the park to the far subway, including my favorite staircase.
Stairs: Yep.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: No, just couldn’t get away.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Yes, salad for lunch.
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes.
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes.
Overall Score: 5/6
Wednesday
Intentional exercise: My favorite long morning walk again. Saw some great dogs and did my best to clear my head… said, my head was not clear. Work has still been feeling impossible and I really hit a wall today.
Stairs: Yes.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: Nope. Probably should have though. I was really at my wits end by the end of this day.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Nope. I had a bit more wine than allowable during my challenge.
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes.
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes.
Overall Score: 5/6
Thursday
Intentional exercise: For mental health reasons I decided to work remotely today and Friday. I love working from home, I get so much more done and in theory I can go for a run at lunch… but I still didn’t do that. I did a few push ups and some plank-ups but this was pretty much a no… That said, I took what I needed to be okay and I’m giving myself a half point.
Stairs: Third floor walk up baby.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: Not exactly…
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Yes!
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes!
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes.
Overall Score: 5.5/6
Friday
Intentional exercise: Today I did that lunch run I’d intended for Thursday… and it SUCKED… My mom pointed out that last year it was spin and yoga that got me to my speed goal from feeling like just a mile was torture. That said, these couple days working remotely really soothed me.
Stairs: Yes.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: YES! and I ran! I may not have enjoyed the actual running, but I did feel good about my decision to get up and take a half hour for myself.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Yes!
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes!
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes.
Overall Score: 6/6
Oh and also, I freshened up my hair color:
Saturday
Intentional exercise: Monster Cycle with my friend Dan Rodriguez! I like inviting people to things they’ve never done before. He survived and said he might even try it again. I’m setting a Saturday intention to do Spin every Saturday. I’m already booked for Monster next week.
Stairs: Yes.
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: Yes.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Yes! I made a delicious and healthy brunch for myself after spin. I got the recipe inspiration from Run Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow, but I didn’t really follow it at all except for the tempeh preparation… and actually that I didn’t follow either, but I think it would have been better if I had. I really over did it on the miso, it was still good, but next time I’ll follow the recipe’s suggested marinade instead of going wild. Next time when I make it better I’ll do a post int the food section about it.
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes!
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes.
Overall Score: 6/6
Sunday
Intentional exercise: Yoga with my friend Erin. Today’s class started a bit late, our instructor Lizzy, who I idolize a bit, was late because a person was struck by the L train. This obviously disrupted her day, and all our days by rippling effects but the person, whom I understand may have thrown themselves intentionally in front of the train, was clearly the most disrupted. The class was great, as it always is with Lizzy, if you’re in the New York area you should make it a point to take her class. She’s inspirational.
Deaths of despair happen too frequently. Now more than ever, we’re seeing a rise in suicide in this country and more and more people dying of addiction related causes. People throwing themselves in front of the train are very dramatic but they are also just as mundane and tragic as every person who dies accidentally by shooting up or snorting something that they thought would just get them high, or who die quietly of pancreatic disease they might have avoided were it not for their history of drug use. All of these deaths are tragic. If you’re struggling with addiction consider getting help.. You can go here to find local AA chapters based on your zip code https://www.aa.org/ Even if you’re trouble is narcotics you can find help in the rooms.
I have been struggling with my mental health recently and I’ve found it striking how much the things that help, working out, eating right, reading for pleasure, drinking enough water, flossing, are difficult to do when you need them the most… but most important of all, is to get up, and carry on.
If you are struggling too, carry on. Drink water and floss. And if you’re thinking of harming yourself, there is help out there 1-800-273-8255. If you’re thinking about suicide please tell someone. If you’re not doing well, it’s worth risking whatever you think is at risk, to just stay alive. Take what you need. Your struggles and asking for help are not more of a burden on your loved ones than your death would be. Live on. Please.
Stairs: Yep! Lots of stairs today!
Take a break away from my desk at lunch: Yes.
Free Snack abstinence / 2 alcoholic drink max: Oof.. no, I had quite a brunch with my friend Lynell, she likes to lift and would not like to be my running buddy, but she is going to be my neighbor which means she will be close by to meet up after my 5ks in the park! Still… no points on this.
2 liters of water min / Morning vitamins: Yes!
Flossing / skincare routine: Yes. I did a wonderful facemask and am ready to face tomorrow with rosy clear cheeks.
Overall Score: 5/6