Getting older does not sound too bad...

Getting older does not sound too bad now that I made birthday plans!  Every year I try to keep my celebrations to a minimum; I hate planning and I feel uncomfortable asking others to celebrate my life.   This year I planned a little bit and asked others to plan as well!  I am looking forward to spending time with some close friends in Santa Monica to bring in my old age as well as relax at the beautiful JW Marriot Resort in Palm Desert!



Beautiful Santa Monica Boardwalk

What better way to start my celebration than to dine and drink in Santa Monica and recoup the next morning by lying under the hot sun!



JW Marriot

 

I have been to the JW Resort a few times in the past.  I used to work for UDA and I would teach at the Resort Camp at the Marriot every summer for about four years.  It was extremely hot and I was there for work but that did not stop me from having a fun time!  I wanted to try out a different resort for my birthday, but I know that no resort in Palm Desert would beat the JW Marriot.  They have an amazing Spa, Golf Course, Bar, Restaurant, lil' Club, pool etc...



Maslow's Hierachy

Last Saturday I ran a group on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Basically, you cannot move up to the next need until the need below is met.  When an incident occurs that has to do with disrupting your basic needs, you automatically concentrate on rebuilding that need until it is met.  If your physiological needs are not met, you could not possibly reach your love needs.

In terms of Eating Disorders (because that is the population I work with), you could not possibly fulfill your need for love and safety if you are depriving your body of nutrients, or throwing off your digestive system.  When having an eating disorder, you are not just changing your shape/weight; you are corrupting your mental and physical health. 

Some clients were arguing the order of Maslow's hierarchy, thinking Esteem should be after Self-Actualization.  They had a difficult time understanding how you could fulfill your esteem needs before reaching your own potential.  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear... 

I am back!

It has been a long time . . . Ok, a very long time!  It has been almost 2 years since I have written in my blog.  I am not sure why I ever stopped but I think it is about time to write again.  I am not quite sure where to begin but I will say that my job, shopping, the outdoors, and my relationships are the most important things to me (not in that particular order).

 

I just started Insanity, a 60 day workout program where Shaun T makes you sweat.  I am on my 2nd week and I am going strong.   Today I found myself wanting to turn off the video, but I pushed through and completed it.  Each day is a 30-45 minute cardio workout which also includes a warm-up, cool-down, and stretch.  I have written about working out and being healthy in the past.  I am trying something new, a 60 day challenge that I am trying to stick with.  I have been making multiple opportunities to keep me accountable; I have told friends and post on my Facebook after I complete a workout.  This may get annoying to my friends or "friends" but hey, it is keeping me going. 

In my opinion, Insanity is working because there are less steps to take until you are actually working out.  With a gym, you need to get dressed, head down to the car (or walk) and enter the gym. More time is taken up. With P90X you need some equipment;  I know, nothing major, a chair, couch, yoga mat, a few other gadgets.  With Insanity all you need Literally is yourself, a dvd player and a TV.  I do recommend water and a sweat towel each time.  There are less steps needed get you to work up a sweat; less opportunities to give up.  You do not take time traveling to a gym or setting up and you can wear whatever you want because no one will be around (unless your roommate or spouse is home but they are used to seeing you at your best and worst.)  You can even do it with friends if you would like!  I have been doing it physically alone, but my boyfriend has joined me and is doing it too!  We help motivate each other and ask each other how we are doing!  Support definitely helps you reach your goals.

 

GIVING UP

One of my patients gave me the name of Ingrid Michaelson when I said I wanted to play some pretty tunes on Pandora this morning at work.  This song played, and I have not stopped feeling connected to it  all day.  I am still tryin to sort out the meaning . . . got any ideas, would love to hear em

GIVING UP

Written by Ingrid Michaelson

What if we stop having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if I'm not what you think I am?

What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win, chase you with a rolling pin?
Well what if I do?

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

What if our baby comes home after nine?
What it your eyes close before mine?
What if you lose yourself sometimes? Then I'll be the one to find you
Safe in my heart

I am giving up on making passes and
I am giving up on half empty glasses and
I am giving up on greener grasses
I am giving up

I am giving up
I am giving up
I am giving up on greener grasses

I am giving up for you
I am giving up for you
I am giving up

Happy . . .

My past weekend was full and great.  I hope this weekend was the start to discovering my new, true, happiness. . .
Thank you to all of my friends who were a part of it.  You always look out for me, care for me, make me feel amazing. . .

Santa Monica - Got a little TOO much sun (burn)!

San Pedro Fire Department!  Thank you Capt. for finding my phone!

Revitalized my soul with Michelle and Tina Friday Night

Ran 4.5 miles and walked 1 more with Ana in Oxnard!

Better than the GSP Shields Fight

I couldn't stop staring when this happened!

Amazing . . . Loved watching it on replay and slow-motion

Mmmm . . . Katie and I got VERY full!

 

Melrose Trading Post - Megan and I like to hit it up . . . followed by The Grove of course!

Running

I met a guy tonight at Starbucks who compared running a marathon to life.  You prepare for the whole thing, 26 miles.  You hit each mile and feel like you have accomplished one more . . . and you think about the next mile you are headed for.  Half way through you do not give up because you have made it so far and you only have half way left to go.  You only live once . . . He said running a marathon changed him; He said running the marathon gave him a different and new outlook on living his life.

Running a marathon, even a half, okay even a 10k, is on my "bucket list."

I will do it one day . . . I am so busy right now that I would not be able to prepare the way that I would like. . . so until then I hike whenever I can and I run for however long I can last without the training.

I ran today and thought of my dad.  I never knew him that well because he died when I was very young but I know he was a runner.  I have been told I am a lot like him.  I love running. . . When I stop to take time to enjoy the outside and running I think of my dad and I feel like I can relate to how he felt when he ran and I can understand why he enjoyed running so much.  I am so thankful for that connection I feel I have with him.  As simple as enjoying running like him . . . makes me feel safer and more connected to who I come from.

Day by Day . . .

I am trying to Live day by day now rather than planning and thinking so far ahead.  I had been stuck in the future for so long that after hitting rock bottom I realized I need to stay in the present and worry about TODAY and not tomorrow.

TONIGHT I am in attempts to get rid of the clutter that has consumed my entire room!  While my roommate was smart, got off the couch, and made progress, I continued to sit and veg out to Sex & the City but now I am going to attempt to CLEAN.  I am listening to Adele getting my cleaning self ready :)

How has everyone else been doing?  My life has been rocky and falling apart so instead of focusing on myself I have been trying to focus on others.  Yep, avoidance. . . Yep, not healthy.  I'll get there.

(I have not forgotten about my New Year's Resolution.  Self Care does not mean your life wont be rocky at times . . . but imagine it without these days:)


Self Care: I visited 2 ol' friends from HS days and went to the Rose Bowl Flea Market!  It was AAAA-Mazing.  I bought this partition for a sweeeetttt deal and always wanted one:)

Self Care:  I spent the day with my friend Megan from SDSU.  I have not seen her in ages even though she now lives where I used to live in Los Angeles.  We started off with a walk to Starbucks, followed by going to the Melrose Flea Market where we created our own Fire Bead Bracelets!
Ate lunch at Vienna Cafe on Melrose and finished with a Mani-Pedi at Pampered Hands :)  Everyone needs a day like this more than once in a while . . . it soothes the soul.