humor – Page 12 – Britt Skrabanek

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2

Last week, I covered dietary habits in The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1. Be sure to scope it out if you haven’t already.

Now, let’s get physical.

In our jam-packed lives, it is best to establish a regular exercise routine, one where we get moving every single day.

We pay our bills on time to avoid penalties, but we don’t prioritize taking care of ourselves. The soaring fees for a sedentary lifestyle are hefty and damaging.

Remember that crazed personal trainer I told you about last week? Besides the satanic crash diet, there was also a boot camp workout to complete my hellish impulse purchase.

During the hill sprints, chin-ups, squats, and every other moment of torture, she watched me with her arms crossed. I loathed every expensive minute I spent with her. I debated whether I should run away and cry in a corner, or keep at it and just barf on her sneakers.

I did neither, of course. But, oh how I wanted to.

Being the food lover that I am, I balance my indulgence tendencies with regular exercise. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible exercise habits.

Ditch the car keys Don’t wait around for that perfect sunny day to walk or bike. If it rains, so what? It’s not acid rain, people. Walking and biking are forms of transportation, believe it or not. Use them the next time you go somewhere.
Do something you love Unless those sweaty gym machines actually tickle your fancy, don’t commit to a gym membership. Revisit something you loved when you were a kid or try something new. You won’t exercise if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, so why bother?
Get cliquey with it Socializing is something we humans crave. Being surrounded by people with the same interests makes us feel connected. Take a class for a customized environment and a consistent schedule. Or find a buddy, preferably a fitness fanatic who won’t be sidetracked when you try to convince him or her to go to the bar or grab a donut instead.
Become a teacher Teaching is a great way to commit to an exercise routine. Inspiring others keeps you motivated to give it your all. Love volleyball? Start coaching a children’s league. Love Yoga or Zumba? Get certified and get out there.
Be a spaz This is going to be different for everybody. For me it means telling stories in a dramatic fashion with lots of gestures, making up silly songs and dances for my hubby, or blasting some music and dancing around when I clean the apartment.

Trust me, boot camp mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 1

Let’s face it. We all have routines in our lives: brushing our teeth, making our beds, feeding our pets, working 9-5.

Often we associate routine as being stuck in a rut. However, we can greatly benefit from the power of regulation when it comes to our health, where we often fly by the seat of our pants, and make poor decisions.

For those who don’t know, I am a self-proclaimed Dessertaholic. Check out Sweets Without Grief if you missed it.

Diets make me cringe.

Two months before I got married I had the absurd idea to get a personal trainer who encouraged me hand over fist to go on a crash diet.

Let’s just say I ditched that militaristic plan when I realized I was becoming hostile in the break room. I feared one of the neighboring employees would steal my food. Needless to say, I got a little loopy.

I am one of food’s biggest fans, but I try to find a healthy balance. So, I’m going to share a systematic approach to your body with 5 sensible eating habits.

Eat in, not out Guess what? When you’re not making the food yourself, you have no idea what’s in it. Take control by knowing exactly what you’re eating. Eat a good breakfast before you leave, bring your lunch, and eat dinner at home. Bonus…you’ll save money.
Carrots are the new chips I just made that up, but I think I’m on to something here. We love crunchy snacks, don’t we? I always keep a bag of miniature carrots around. When I’m in between meals, I chomp away. You can eat as many of these bad boys as you want–they’re awesome for you.
Go nuts I never leave the house without nuts. The moment you get hungry, have a few. This will keep you from making bad choices while you’re out and about. Almonds and walnuts are my favorite. Add a little dried fruit to change it up.
Cherish each meal Eating while working or watching television will leave you dissatisfied. Food is beautiful and important; we should respect it and savor every bite. Take your time and give it all of your attention. After all, food gives you energy and keeps you alive.
Water is your best friend See that water bottle I’m hugging down there? I refill it several times a day. A lot of times we mistake dehydration for hunger. Next time your tummy talks, try drinking some water before you eat. To jazz it up, add lime, lemon or cucumber if you’re not a fan of plain. Most importantly, the first thing you should do when you get up is drink a full glass of water. Then, proceed with your day.

Trust me, crash diet mentality is completely unnecessary. Be smart and be kind to your bod…it’s the only one you’ve got!

Join me next week for The Smart Bod Regimen – Part 2 to chat about exercise habits.

Another Happy Dance for My Followers

In celebration of 100 followers for a physical perspective, I decided it was due time for another happy dance. I recently saw The Artist (phenomenal, by the way!), and decided a silent film with overacting, absurdity, and the debut appearance of Hazel the cat was the best way to express my gratitude to you all.

Sit back, relax, and have some laughs…and, THANK YOU!!!

ZAP! BAM! POW! Hero or Anti-Hero?

I spent my entire weekend hanging out with my personal hero, Woody Allen, a man who inspires me endlessly. Don’t worry, I haven’t gone off the deep end. I simply connected with him in ways I didn’t know existed.

I discovered a fascinating tribute to his work, Woody Allen: A Documentary. It chronicles his life beautifully with compelling interviews and clips throughout. Even today, the man uses a typewriter he bought when he was 16, cutting and pasting with—wait for it—scissors and a stapler.

ZAP! I think no matter who you are, whether you like him or not, whether you like his films or not, you have to respect him as one of the greatest innovators of our time.

As an aspiring writer, I look up to him, and I see a little bit of myself in him.

He uses his natural rhythm as a musician to his advantage, creating a sense of flow and timing in his writing. As a dancer, I aim to do the same.
Speaking of aim, he’s a Sagittarius, as am I.
He’s a tireless go-getter, and as such, is rarely satisfied.
He will do and say anything he wants.
He’s often misunderstood.

My hubby and I saw To Rome With Love Saturday night. This alone is a testament of my love for Allen’s work as I do not spend money on overpriced movie theater tickets for anyone else. The last time we went was a year ago for Midnight in Paris, a true gem.

I’m not going to review To Rome, because I’m not a critic and everyone has a right to their own opinion. All I’m going to say is that once again he delivered another ballsy, whimsical experience. I was not only entertained, I somehow felt different when I left.

BAM! That equates artistic genius.

I’m part of a new generation of Woody enthusiasts. Before I saw any of his films, I thought he was a peculiar looking fellow with a Brooklyn accent. I found my rightful place as one of his quirky, adoring fans somewhere between Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

These are two of my favorite stories of all time. Not flicks…stories.

POW! To many, Woody Allen is an anti-hero, the guy people love to hate. But, I see him differently, as a genuine hero.

He doesn’t rely on a cape to get things done, he just does them.
He uses his intellectual superpowers for good.
He takes chances, and sometimes he fails.
He sacrifices in the name of passion.
He saves the world with his voice, reminding us that life is far from boring…it’s extraordinary.

My favorite Woody quotes…

“If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.”

“The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have.”