Mis-Match

Well after completing my 8th day on the new job, it took some inspiring words from Julie’s post to motivate me to go to the gym.

The one that I told myself was, “I’ve never regretted a workout”. It’s true! Once I make time for exercise and just DO it, I’m so happy with myself after.

Today I did 30 minutes of weight training and 45 minutes of the stair-master (while watching Princess Diaries).

I’m really glad I’ve gotten back into weight training, because I love being able to see results after my hard work! This week I was able to up my weight amount, and I can definitely see more muscles in my arms and legs. Woop woop!

I’m going to be the new Arrrrrrnold any day now, I mean just look at those bulging muscles! Okay look closer….? maybe?

I kind of look like I’m levitating here right? It’s thanks to all the weight training 😉

By the way, you gotta take advantage of this deal before it’s too late!

Berry Yummyyy

There was a lot of hype about this “blizzard” making it a snow day from work… but we ended up getting about 3 inches. What a joke!

Today was my third day at the new job, and so far I’m loving it. I’m training for 10 weeks with a great group of new hires, and tomorrow is my first day training in my department.

Getting into the grind of waking up at 7am and going to bed at 11pm is tough, but waking up to a delicious and colorful breakfast makes it a whole lot easier!

I had some vanilla chobani (my favorite), topped with some fresh/on sale blueberries and raspberries, with a multi-grain vans waffle and real maple syrup on the side.

For lunch i had a certifiably boring and unfilling romaine green salad with that amazing buttermilk ranch dressing and a few snacks on the side.

I got out of work early, and headed to the gym to beat the crowds. I did 30 minutes of weights, 15 minutes spinning and 15 minutes on the stair stepper.

For some reason the magic number for me on boring cardio machines is 15 minutes… I can run outside forever… but stairclimb for long? hell no!

Now I’m going to attempt to stay awake until AT LEAST 8pm. That’ll mean its a successful night!

Healthy Living/Healthy Finances

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep, my phone beeped, indicating I had received an email. I grogilly looked to see who it was from, and I’m glad I did.

Mint.com was alerting me that my credit card had just posted interest on my account.

Excuse me ?? Posting interest? I never carry a balance! So all these thoughts were running through my head… Did my payment not go through? Did I not pay in full? Did I leave the oven on again…?

I immediately called the number on the back of my card and explained to Jagadev (hey at least he didn’t lie and say his name was Mike!) what was going on. He said, “Ok it’s fixed” and pitched me a new credit card. Thanks bud, but was it a mistake or not?? (Spoiler: it was a mistake)

I consider myself to be somewhat financially knowledgeable, perhaps it was those four years of studying economics in college…? I thought I’d pass on my most basic tips for dealing with finances/banks/credit to you!

1) Frequently check your online statements:
I log on to my bank account online every few days to check the activity and balances. My credit cards are through the same bank so I can see it all at one glance. If you wait weeks to check your account, you can miss payments, mistakes, or other issues on your account

2) Never have a balance on your credit card
Credit card interest rates are very very high (as in 20%)! Leaving even a 100 dollar balance for a month on your card will result in the balance being $120 the next month. Don’t pay your hard earned cash to the credit card companies! Strive to be the customer they hate- the one who never holds a balance and pays in full every month on time! This way- the credit card is like a free loan. If you don’t pay in full, it is easy to accumulate debt over time, and hard to pay it off.

3) Call your bank with questions
If you have a question about your balance or how your card or account works, call your bank! They are there to help you, and the better you understand your situation, the more likely you are to be successful

4) The first time you get a bank fee, call the bank
The first time you get a bank fee, like a overdraft fee, call the bank and politely ask them to remove it as a courtesy. This works 95% of the time if you haven’t asked the same bank before. They let you go with a free pass because they want to provide good customer service, so you can get your $35 dollars back with hardly any effort. Just don’t try this often, I find it only works the first time as a courtesy (perhaps more if you are a loyal customer with them for a very long time)

5) Don’t open too many credit cards
It can be tempting, but having too many credit cards is not only too tempting, but they are hard to keep track of and can negatively affect your credit score. If you apply for several cards in a year, your credit score is negatively affected. Personally, I have two cards and find it to be the perfect amount for me right now.

6) Get organized!
Keep a file, notebook, word document on your computer…anything! Just get organized. Remind yourself when payments are due for credit cards, bills, rent etc. I personally use mint.com. I think it is a great tool for budgeting, tracking spending, and thanks to their email I was able to call Visa ASAP to get the charges fixed.

Debt and financial problems are hard to bounce back from, in part because of the lovely concept of interest on debts and the glaring credit score that will follow you forever. Getting a hold on your finances is one of the most difficult things, but it is also very rewarding. Less money spent paying off interest means more money for shoe shopping right???

What are your best tips/strategies for dealing with your finances?

Stinky Salad

Halfway through my pasta cooking for lunch, I popped open a new bag of salad (yes i buy bags) ready for a nice big side salad… until the smell hit me. It was the telltale smell of bad lettuce. Ooof.

I quickly checked the expiration date, thinking, “hey i just bought this on monday!”. Well Jenny- you’re a little slow- because you bought a bag on monday 1/3, but the bag expired on 12/31. Good job.

I finished prepping my noodle bowl, sliced some carrots and cucumbers :(, and made do.

I love topping my pasta with creamy WHOLE MILK ricotta cheese. Add some eggplant in there and I’m in heaven!

My sliced veggies were just not as appealing as the salad I was craving. Lesson learned on checking expiration dates every time!

Now I’m off to the gym for a cardio day. I was planning on running outside today, but the snowstorm is not exactly accommodating my plans! How rude.

Gifted Bread

This morning I cut two more slices of my mother’s homemade english muffin loaf for breakfast. It’s very tasty, and so simple to make.

I topped it with some peanut butter and had some sliced banana on the side.

Bananas are one of my favorite fruits, but I like them when they’re pretty GREEN! Even if they are a little…firm 😉 haha

Now I’m off to my last day at my part-time job (before I start my new job on Monday). My friend suggested I go out with a bang and show up in pajamas and glasses, but I’m forcing myself to at least put some contacts in… I can’t promise anymore.

Homemade Pizza

After my successful afternoon of shopping for new work clothes, I had quick snack and headed to the gym to beat the evening rush. I swear the only reason I make it there at all is because it is literally one block away from my apartment.

I ran four miles on the treadmill, slowly getting faster each 1/4 mile until the halfway mark then slowly getting slower each 1/4 mile. Changing the speed often keeps me interested on the dreadmill 😉

I finished the 4 miles in about 34 minutes, walked a few minutes and then did a 10 minute cool down on the spin bike.

After a quick shower I headed over to Bianca’s apartment for dinner and to see Black Swan at the theatre!

For the pizza we used Trader Joe’s garlic and herb dough. I wasn’t a fan of homemade pizza until I had this dough- it’s delicious.

Added some sauce

topped it off with some freshed sliced mozzarella and into the oven it went

I ate one third of the pie, a little better than my normal HALF!

We paired it with a big side salad. That makes the meal healthy now right??

Now we’re sitting on the couch with big ol’ glasses of vino, bag of gummy bears and bad tv. Perfect night in.

And yes- that is an ice cube in my wine, because I’m a classy lady.

Pre-Shopping FUEL!

I took advantage of my last  week of freedom before starting my new job by sleeping in again. I don’t think I’m ready to start waking up at 7am or earlier…. must buy industrial sized alarm clock asap.

While bumming around this morning, heated up two multi-grain waffles in the oven, topped them with real maple syrup, 1 sliced banana, and 1/4 cup raspberries.

The fake sugary stuff doesn’t hold a candle to real maple syrup!

Now I’m off to try to get a new black pencil skirt for my new job, which starts Monday! I’m hoping the rush of shoppers has died down after the post Christmas sales. Wish me luck!

Where is your favorite place to shop for work/office clothes?

I’m the Biggest Loser

….for watching the biggest loser while stuffing my face with pasta and chocolate tonight 🙂

This afternoon I headed out to the gym for about an hour. I started out with a 30 minute weight training session. I did:

 

3 sets of this shoulder move from Peanut Butter Fingers

3 sets of bicep curls

3 sets of lateral raises

3 sets of bent over rows

3 sets of squats with an upright row (with kettlebell)

3 sets of reverse lunges

3 sets of leg presses

 

I followed up that 30 minute routine with 10 minutes walking at a 10% incline at 3.5 and 5 minutes jogging, followed by 10 minutes jumping rope

It was nice to get in a solid workout on my day off today!

Tonight I threw together a quick meal of whole wheat rotini, marinara sauce, and ricotta cheese.

I paired it with a simple crisp salad (although it was pretty boring)

VERY shortly after dinner I indulged in this DELICIOUS candy (times two!). (Please tell me you guys have tried Bacio candies? Hazelnutty deliciousness. Need I say more??

Now I’m off to finish watching the biggest loser premiere. I love this show (even though I do have some gripes about it), and I can’t wait to pick a favorite contestant.

Do any of you watch the Biggest Loser? What about the new MTV show “I Used To Be Fat”? They’re my guilty pleasures. 🙂

Fresh Start, Fresh Lunch

This morning I got up bright and early (does 9:15 count as early??? haha) and headed to Whole Foods to do my weekly grocery shopping. I had made a list ahead of time with the goal of trying some new foods. That goal really cost me… an extra $25 dollars than I normally spend on groceries each week. Whoops!

Last week I went to The Meatball Shop for dinner with my friend Bianca, and was so impressed with their vegetarian meatballs that I decided to put my new items to use for lunch and make my own faux-meatball hero. I used some whole wheat panini bread from the bakery department, locally made mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce and Nate’s Meatless Meatballs. It was so delicious, and definitely something I’ll be making for lunches or dinners in the future.

I also had a handful of carrots on the side.

I have to think of some different ways to use these meatless meatballs, because they were really delicious and filling!

Now I’m off to check some things of my long to-do list.

Anyone have some recipes or ideas for using my faux-meatballs??

Back to the Long Run

Friday, I finally got back into the groove after moving and completed my week of training (for the triathlon on august 29th, and the half marathon on October 10th) with a long run. *Gasp*… I haven’t run more than 4 or 5 miles in weeks!

I woke up early, high-tailed it to central park and started off.

Let me tell you… in the first few steps, I felt that there was no way I could complete the planned 8 miles. I think it was because I’m still not used to running hills. I can usually maintain my pace for the most part, but I get so tired!

Source: CentralPark.com

After I made it to the reservoir, I felt a little better. At mile 4 I ate a Gu. It was my first time trying it.. and I didn’t love it. The texture was vile, but it did help my energy a little bit.

I ran the 8 miles in : 1:90:34 (69.5 minutes)
My splits were as follows:
Mile 1: 8:34
Mile 2: 8:37
Mile 3: 8:53
Mile 4: 8:42
Mile 5: 8:45
Mile 6: 8:49
Mile 7: 8:43
Mile 8: 8:30
average mile: 8:42

& can I count the 5 blocks that I ran after the downtown bus to my total? 😉

Today I woke up with the worst eye pain. I could hardly open them! I thought it would subside so I went for a run. Unfortunately… I only ran 2 miles because I was feeling a bit of shin pain. I’m thinking about going to the running store to get compression sleeves today. I think it may be necessary. I went home, iced the shins, and elevated them while I took a nap.

For lunch, I had a big bowl of simple salad with a piece of garlic naan bread on the side.

Check back later- because I’m going to review the Think Thin bar that I tried yesterday.