Back in Step

Finally, the weather broke and Ash and I got out for a walk today. I was so excited I almost didn't know where to start. I thought about looking at the amazing buildings downtown. Or checking out the park district. I had more fun though just looking for randomness that happens when everyone is out on a beautiful day.

This old cash register seen on this flat bed truck for instance.

Or Senor Taco! Seriously, I want him to be my mascot!

Or this reminder that amidst all the craziness, there is still an element of peace.

I love this rock at the edge of downtown. It looks so formal and then there's the pretzel in the corner that reminds us we are still Pretzel City.

This was actually my favorite thing from the walk today. A building came down in downtown recently. I was amazed to see some bits of wallpaper stuck to the building. I couldn't help, but think how long they have been there and really how lovely the pattern along the top is. There is hidden beauty even underneath the most broken down facade.

I love walking just as much as these bears love pizza!

Total distance: 6 miles
Total time: 2 hours 12 min
Pace: 22 min/mile

A little slow, but I have to get started again somewhere. :)

Because life happens

My schedule changed a few months ago. At first it was just an annoyance. I made a few simple adjustments in my life, but as time went on it was getting harder and harder to keep up with my new schedule and still spend as much time on the things that I loved. I just didn't see a good way to do both. Instead of adapting, I started to feel bitter. I cut down on walking, which I loved, because it wasn't fitting into my schedule the way I wanted it to. I stopped caring about what I was eating and making lunches. I just kind of shut down.

Two months and a hysterical meltdown later and I realized I was not doing things right. It's time to reboot and find a happy medium between my schedule and my life. The biggest thing that helped me today was a half hour of yoga with my mom, so it's time to start fitting yoga in again. That really helps with stress! And little by little, I can work in the rest.

So tonight, I am ending the day with a little yoga. I couldn't find my normal DVD, so I went to Youtube, the next best thing. Tonight's video - PM Yoga with Rodney Yee (Total time - 10 min):

It took me a little bit to get into this video. About half way through though I realized that it was a flow routine and I should just go with the flow. (Yeah, I went there.) I really started to have fun with it then. It ends kind of abruptly though, so I think I might look for something with more of a cooldown/shavasana ending. Looking forwarded now to seeing what's out there and finding what works for me.

Today's Motivation:

I forgot how much I need a time out by myself at the end of the day. Laying flat, legs up the wall, or just propped up on my bed, I need to take time everyday to just breath.