If I've been a little quiet lately, it's because sometimes you're just slogging ahead and nothing particularly interesting or exciting is happening; and this is one of those times. This has been put-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other time, as I continue to heal and rest up and prepare for my next opera adventure: six weeks in Sarasota, followed by seven in Miami, sandwiched between road trips of several days each. I might even get to go home for a couple of weeks after that, before reporting to my next gig.(I'm going back to the Princeton Festival --- yaaay)!
I'm excited about these engagements for a number of reasons, not the least of which because it means spending three-plus months in gorgeous Florida. Because we're driving, I have big plans to take my bike and ride to work, at least in Sarasota. I have big plans to walk, if not run, on the beach every single day. I'd hoped to be in better shape before I went --- hoped to spend my time at home in January working out like a demon --- but my mind/body had different plans, and I am okay with it. Perhaps this is a lesson I needed to learn now, better self-care. I thought I'd been taking pretty good care of myself, but apparently not. So a big part of what I'm doing right now it taking it easy and not pushing.
This means walking every day --- like we did this morning, first thing, enjoying seeing the waterbirds and deer, and the gigantic Longhorn in the pasture of the ranch across the street from the trail. It no longer tires me out like it did a few weeks ago; in fact, I'm walking farther and faster. In some ways it feels like a return to square one, but gradually I have become okay with that. If that's what it takes. Some days, my legs urge me to run again. Soon, I'll give that a try.
I'm keeping up with my simple little Diva Warrior routine --- 25-30 crunches, 30 squats, 25-30 pushups, 15-25 tricep dips, one minute each side planks. It's already easier than it was when I started. I can do more, faster. In fact, I usually do all except the side planks in about five minutes, while I'm waiting for my French press to be ready.I'm already thinking about another set to add.
I've also been giving some thought to what to do about my eating. What is sustainable for me right now? What would make life easier, not harder? The answer that keeps coming to mind is to eliminate as many food decisions as possible on a daily basis. I'll have real kitchens in both locations, so that's not a problem, thank goodness! But I'm toying with the idea of streamlining my day-to-day food choices to a very limited selection of dishes, and pre-determined portion sizes. For example, nonfat Greek yogurt, a smoothie, or oatmeal with fruit and a handful of nuts for breakfast; soup and salad for lunch; chicken, fish, or a veggie protein with steamed, grilled, or roasted veggies for dinner. Snacks would be limited to a piece of fruit and homemade walnut butter, or a homemade smoothie. I'd program in a couple of days a week for a special treat like a "free" breakfast out, where I could have a pastry and some eggs; or an afternoon sweet with coffee or chai. An occasional glass of wine, an occasional lunch or dinner out. This sounds pretty doable, and would hopefully take the focus OFF food, because while I am determined to eat healthy, at the same time the focus needs to be on whole body/mind fitness, not on one single aspect of it.
So there it is. Nothing glamourous or earth-shattering. Glam is good, but so is restfulness and recharging. So is simplicity. Namaste!
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