Getting Creative

Due to recent developments in my family and household, someone is required to be at home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Obviously, this makes getting to the gym almost impossible.  So I says to myself, "Self?  We have a vacation coming up-- how in the world will we get into any kind of shape to cram ourselves into a bikini?"

Thus, I dance at my desk.  I kid you not.

Let me begin by saying that I work alone.  In an entire office by myself.  My office is very large (and cold- the dancing warms me up), and I got this crazy idea from a couple of places.

1. Everywhere on the internet I see videos and articles talking about exercising at your desk.  
2. I wear a Fitbit every day.  For those of you who don't know, a Fitbit is a pedometer that talks to your computer via Bluetooth and a nifty little USB 'dongle.'
3. I was taking a Zumba class every Monday that had my step-count soaring!

I know it sounds loony, and I think if anyone caught me, they'd stand and stare until they gathered  their wits enough to point and laugh.  I don't dance here constantly, but I try to get up once an hour and shake my groove thing for at least half a song.  Picture this:  Me, by myself, hopping and jiving around my office to either Pink, Michael Jackson, the Bee Gees.  Oh yeah.  Look at me go.  The nice thing about dancing alone is when you almost trip over your own feet and face-plant on the corner of a table-- there is no one to laugh at you but yourself.

Not only has this helped me get in my steps and a little calorie burn, but I am genuinely happier throughout the day with more energy.  Sounds corny, right?  But when you are as enthusiastic and clumsy as I am, there are plenty of reasons to laugh.

So, I say:  Try it.  Why not?  Busy office?  Close the door and pull the shades.  Shimmy while you are on hold with a customer.  Dance when the elevator doors close.  Boogie down when you have the bathroom to yourself.  

Then let your coworkers wonder why you have this goofy grin on your face more often than not.  It'll be our little secret!

Resolute

This year, I have resolved not to make any resolutions.  Not only did the New Year pass without me even noticing between family events and my engagement!!  But I think not setting myself up for disappointment this year is the way to go.

I now have a wedding to plan and save for.  That alone is a daunting task.  Feeling guilty a few months from now when I miss a day at the gym or eat something fried and smothered in butter is not something I am going to have time for this year.

Of course I want to slim down for my wedding, but the last few days of being sick and waking up late have even had me forgetting my beloved FitBit at home.  Clipping it on my jeans had become second nature, but even that has gone by the wayside.  Feeling bad about it?  Yes I am.  For now.  But I am choosing to let it go.

I guess I have made a resolution after all.  I resolve to be human.  I resolve to make mistakes.  I resolve to make a note of those mistakes, and then let them go.

A very wise, beautiful, amazing woman (Thank you, Grams!) once told me that by your 35th birthday, you are too old for guilt trips.  I guess I am a little ahead of my time.

If you have made resolutions, good for you!  Do your best.  If sometimes you fall short, so be it.  You deserve to live a guilt-free life.  We all do.  We cut our friends, families, coworkers, bosses and countless others some slack.  Now it's time we do that same favor for ourselves.

Guilt trips be gone!