The fast food soul-suck

Every time I am on a road trip I want fast food. It's totally a Pavlovian response because for the most part I am otherwise not interested (with the one exception of my time in Amsterdam at 19 when my friends and I discovered that a visit to a coffeeshop followed by a visit to McDonalds made for a truly fantastic afternoon).

I think the reason for my desire is that when I was a kid the only time my parents would take me to get fast food was when we were on long drives. Whatever the reason, I want it, and I am generally able to convince Pete to stop so we can get it. And then immediately afterwards I feel totally gross. I don't remember that happening when I was a kid, but maybe that is because of the move from Happy Meals to quarter pounders with cheese. and fries.

On Sunday, on our way back from visiting my sister, we took a break from the traffic for fast food. And I really think it is going to be my last time. It was just such a soul-sucking experience.
Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious. Always is. But it sank to the bottom of my stomach and I felt disgusting afterwards.

And on this particular trip our food took a really long time so I just sat and watched the fast food factory at work, watched the people come and go, and watched myself get more and more bummed out. I think that going in there makes people a little dead inside. Sure the food is high in calories, but every once in a while it's probably not too bad. What is really unhealthy is the whole experience. Rushing through eating, eating food that slapped together in an assembly line, sitting in a plastic booth in cookie cutter building -- that is what really makes fast food bad for you.

So from now on I am going to make an effort to stop some place with character, even if it takes a little longer (and even if the food still isn't that healthy!), or make my own food and bring it, even if it takes more advance planning. Because it's not really the calories that are bad for you fast food places, it's the atmosphere.

Running Map

This website is great for planning new runs or seeing how far you went when you get back. I'm in a new city now and still getting my bearings.
I miss running in Central Park. Who ever thought I would miss running at all? weird. I still can't run very far though. I get about 1.5 miles in and remember all the reasons I hate running. However... I have found that listening to trashy books on tape is way more helpful than music.

Run/walk?

Back to thoughts on running. Now that I am back in the saddle again. The NYT is suggesting the run-walk method. But I can't help feeling like I didn't quite get the job done if I stop to walk.
What's the best way to go?

Get up from your computer

Seriously.

My work has been super stressful lately. My inclination when it gets like that is just to power through. Work as hard as I can until I come out on the other side. But I am pretty sure that's not the healthiest way to go about it.

At lunch, the one time I am guaranteed to take a break, I usually don't even leave the building - I work in a building with a couple of restaurants in it, and sometimes I bring my lunch. No need to go out into the big bad world.

For no particular reason today I decided to go out for lunch. I don't mean take a lunch hour (although if you work somewhere where that works for you I fully support it), I just mean I left the building for the 7.5 minutes it took to walk a couple of blocks, buy a sandwich, and walk back.

It was awesome.

I might sound like I'm exaggerating but I could feel myself get happier the moment I got outside. Something about natural light, and fresh air, and a breeze. It's good for you.

So even though you might not think you have time, it's worth it for your wellbeing.
So I am adding that to my list of habits. I am going to get outside. For at least a couple of minutes. On days when it's nice enough out. Then you can go back to the hectic work world, back to being stressed, back to powering through and not taking breaks.

That one trip outside may not solve everything but it's a start. Baby steps.

Healthy gums

After my little TV rant on Friday I went on a long walk (by myself, in the snow), cooked chili, read the economist, and still managed to watch probably 5 hours of TV. Oh well. I guess you have to start somewhere.

Anyway, now I am back to little things in the month of January.

Last night I timed myself. It took me 56 seconds to floss. I got every tooth. Even the way back wisdom ones that my dentist insists should stay in.

My dentist also told me that if you floss for 21 days in a row it will become a habit. That's all it takes. 21 days.

Since I am pretty sure healthy gums are a solid first step towards a healthier me, I am starting a month consistent flossing (I have always been more of a sporadic flosser in the past, except for one extremely consistent streak in 2005).

In case you're planning on trying this with me, one tip. Don't just throw some floss in your bag and assume you'll remember to do it at some point each day. Decide to either do it when you brush your teeth in the morning or when you brush them at night. Making it into a consistent part of your daily routine is the only way to turn it into a habit.

In case you're looking for more reasons to floss, read this.

And if you already floss every day, well good for you! Pat yourself on the back. You'll have to think of some other healthy thing to do today on your own.

Long weekends and my TV addiction

Most years I spend Jan 1st wondering why I raged so hard on Dec. 31st. But I guess that's the tradition. I guess it's also why they went ahead and made Jan 1st a holiday. They, the holiday makers, whoever they are, figure a good number of people are going to be too tired and hungover to do anything productive anyway. Whatever the reason, most years I contently spend the first day of the new year as a complete waste of space - sprawled on the couch watching college football games I could care less about, and of course, my favorite, cooking shows.

But this year is special because New Year's Eve was on a wednesday, so I get friday off as well. A free 4 day weekend. Magical.

As I mentioned, I spent the first day completely uselessly. And, while I can support the idea of spending the whole weekend doing absolutely nothing, just relaxing (relaxing is good for you!!), I have just recently learned that doing stuff actually makes me happier (and more relaxed) than doing nothing. Go figure.

So turn off the TV and get out of the house. Even if its effing snowing and freezing outside. Which it is at the moment. And if you have no chores to do because somehow your apartment is clean (mine is not), and your errands are done (also not), then do something fun. And if you can't think of anything, here are some suggestions.

Go get ingredients and make chili or soup from scratch. Or both! Then freeze it to take for lunch next week.

Go for a good long walk somewhere you haven't walked before.

Write a letter to someone who lives far away. Ooh! Better yet, make them a care package!

I know that at first peeling yourself off the comfy couch may seem unappealing but I promise you'll end up happier at the end of the day. There's nothing good on anyway.