resolution #4: from within

food-related resolutions
they’re clichéd.
they’re ubiquitous.
and they are notoriously short-lived.

magazines like whole living are chock full of stringent dietary advice, including a detailed 4-week “cleanse”.

i do have to concede that the cover art sure is attractive, though
this plan starts you off with the following list of “allergenic” foods to avoid for the first week:

i.e.: almost everything
even yesterday’s lunch box (which i personally deem to meet my standard of healthy) would be scorned: wheat and dairy are all OVER the place, not to even mention the two extra-dry martinis i imbibed*.

and yet, every year i fall into the trap, allured by a fresh new year glimmering off in the distance. after all, while aiming to live better, i need to feel great, and that has to start from within . . . right?

so if not cleanses and detox, what does that entail? i feel like i’ve had enough years of trial & error with my body to know what works for me.

i feel best when i . . . :
■ eat in far more than out
■ bring plenty of healthy snacks to work
■ include fruits & vegetables at every meal and often feature them front & center
■ choose high quality local foods whenever possible
■ slow down and pay attention to hunger cues (this applies to both mid-meal and during a busy clinic day when sometimes i will realize suddenly that i absolutely cannot think straight because i am hangry)
■ don’t regularly drink alcohol on weeknights (and stick to generally 1 drink/night on weekends)

however, this year is a bit different. even though i think i know myself, i am going to seek advice from an expert, too. i think embracing a fertility-friendly lifestyle will be easier if i have some professional guidance, so i am going to see an RD to see if there are any suggestions of things to add/delete/change in my diet. it is covered by my insurance, so i have nothing to lose!

and because of this, i am going to wait to make any specific goal at this point — so just consider this resolution a placeholder. for now, my nutrition-centered goals are to pay a little more attention to what i’m eating, and to get the appointment scheduled.

has anyone reading ever seen an RD for an evaluation, and was it helpful?

[*just wanted to see if anyone was still paying attention!]

finding balance
in a fitful act of self-pity, as one of two rather impulsive christmas gifts to myself (umm, the anthro sale booty is still on its way . . .) i bought a package of 21 classes at blue point yoga. i attended my first class yesterday (“all levels” with staci, for anyone local) and really enjoyed it.

i always feel like an impostor in a real yoga studio — a runner who just happened to wander in by mistake. after all, most of the yoga sessions i’ve done in the last year have been virtual via yogadownload. and certain parts of me are SO tight it’s unreal (helloooo, hamstrings). but a distance running background does provide the advantages of endurance and persistence, and after a few chaturangas i relaxed and realized that this may be the outlet i was looking for.

i was also happy to find that i can still do crow:

though not as prettily as janet, i imagine
and i have my sights set on this:

i could hold this one for a few seconds — but only against the wall!
and with that, i’m off on this morning’s allotted 3-miler. this time i am thrilled to note that i am not on page.

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12.27.10

workout: 90 minute yoga class (