Tracy Calabrese

I have worked out every day so far this week. I enjoy the fact that the Katy Trail is steps from my apartment and that is free and ready for me to use whenever I want to.

I have been sporadically working out over the past few months (I stopped for a while when it rained for a week, JRL came to visit and then went to Vegas for CTIA), but I feel a serious sense of accomplishment that I have been out there for the past four days.

And every day I have tried to push myself a little harder. Walk a little farther, jog a little longer. It’s a good feeling.

Last week as I was walking along the Katy Trail, between Knox and Fitzhugh to be exact, out of the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a familiar face. I turned my head just a little more and realized…it was hot guy!

I quit the gym months ago so out of sight, out of mind. I saw him again today and we even crossed the street together. He got to the other side and sprinted off, leaving me to walk along at my slow pace. But I now have something to look forward to while I am working out on the Katy Trail.

Tomorrow? Same time, same place?

I was doing so well with my daily or every other day walks/jogs on the Katy Trail for a while, but one week of rainy weather, followed by a week of running errands after work, a weekend with JRL and then an entire week of working until about 7pm, I have lost my motivation.

I have also been stressed out, eating crappy, sleeping poorly and having one too many drinks lately, so I spent today relaxing and attempting to plan out my week.

I went grocery shopping and picked up some fresh fruit and veggies and some good snacks from Whole Foods. I am going to try a new spin on lunch tomorrow - carrot and celery sticks with light ranch dip, some grapes and a few slices of cheese with crackers. I used to do this back in NJ and it’s surprisingly filling. I also know that I have late conference calls this week on Tuesday and Thursday, so I am going to plan on getting to work a little early on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so I can leave at 5:30 and get some time on the trail in.

I am heading to Vegas next Monday for an entire week and that means long hours, aching feet and lots of food and drinks. I normally HATE working out when I travel (I am too tired and never have enough room for workout clothes in my suitcase), but I feel like if I skip a week, I will lose my motivation when I get back. Even if I am able to sneak in a few days of the elliptical, I will be proud of myself. Easier said than done, but I am going to try.

Maybe I should start a food diary/workout blog to help keep me motivated…?

I have been trying to eat healthier and work out more and it has been going so-so. Birthdays at work mean that cake is around for about a week, calling my name from the kitchen. Fridays mean eating out at lunch and the weekends mean having some drinks with friends.

I was up early this morning for a work thing and ate breakfast earlier then usual. At 12:30 I was starving and had a HUGE craving for Chinese food. An egg roll, fried rice and some beef and broccoli later, I feel full and guilty.

I am going to take advantage of being full and go to Sprouts, which is a farmer’s market/grocery store. I always buy less and think about what I am actually buying when I am not starving.

When I get home, I am going to start some laundry, vacuum and then walk the Katy Trail.

Tomorrow is a new day so I can put the greasy Chinese food behind me.

I was stressed out today.

I ate a cupcake.

Its cute pink frosting and sprinkles were calling my name from the kitchen all day.

I was at work late and then had to run an errand.

I didn’t get to work out today.

Now, I feel guilty.

I unofficially started a diet today. Back in January someone, a complete stranger, said something to me that was an honest mistake, but it was probably one of the most terrible things someone has said to me. Definitely in the top 10.

My unofficial diet consists of making better food choices. Order a turkey burger with fruit or a salad instead of french fries. Have a slice of pizza, not three. Stick with one bowl of cereal - there is no need to fill the bowl up just to finish the milk.

So, as I mentioned earlier, today I walked into work and found two trays of cupcakes and Rice Krispie treats. It was so incredibly hard to walk past them and not want to dive in. I planned out my lunch and snacks the night before and I so wanted to pass up on the sweets, but I couldn’t.

I am very proud of myself though. I only ate half of a Rice Krispie treat. I figure they are probably better than the cupcakes. I don’t know though…

When I got home tonight, I rushed in the door and changed into some yoga pants and a t-shirt and walked (power walked, I suppose, but not all cheesy like the old ladies) the Katy Trail. It’s been quite some time since I worked out and my legs feel like Jello and I am still slightly out of breath, but it feels good.

Now I just need to keep it up. I figure if you go from eating crap and junk food and not working out on a regular basis to making wiser food choices and working out, even for 20-30 minutes a day, a few times a week, that should help me get motivated and in shape.

Hey cute guy at the gym, with your amazing eyes, perfect 5 o’clock shadow and bronzed skin. I just wanted to let you know that I look forward to working out because I know you will be there every day around 6pm. And while I am huffing and puffing on my elliptical, I can glance down the other side of the gym while you workout on that weird cardio machine that all the guys use, and you motivate me to keep going just a few minutes longer.

And I think it is fate that today you parked just two cars down from me, in your shiny, new Lexus, in the lot across the street from the gym. And you just happened to walk out of the gym a few minutes after me so when I was driving out, I could pretend like I didn’t notice you, but I saw you push the clicker on your keychain to unlock your car (that’s how I know you drive a Lexus) and I was, in fact, staring  at you of the corner of my eye.

My name is Tracy. I am not a stalker. I promise. What’s your name?

It’s been about a week since I started going to the gym. And while I am the type of person who is expecting to see some results immediately, I am trying to be patient.

I am trying to build up my endurance and get back into the swing of things, since I am am lazy ass and haven’t worked out in months and months, but it’s frustrating.

I have found myself looking at the people next to me and the amount of calories they burn. And then I look at my own machine and keep pushing a little harder.

My question though — Do those calorie counters really work? How accurate are they?