Use Whatcha Got

I keep telling myself I want to live in a “waste less, want less” world – and yet – my recent buying spree continues to crush me. I tell myself, “but I really NEED that”, or “it’s a BOGO deal, I should stock up now”! This is not working for my space or my wallet. It’s time to trim the freak down. What better way to keep myself on the “lose baggage, lose stuff, lose weight” kick than to review the mass of stuff I have as I go through it all.

Right now, I have a perfume issue. For a time, I thought it was a really good idea to spend 115 a year on samples that they will pretty much GIVE AWAY at any department store or Sephora if you were nice to the sales rep. Now, granted, I didn’t have to shlep to the mall (which I try to avoid at ALL COSTS), and be my fabulous gregarious self when I all I want is free swag. For $15 dollars a month, Birchbox will get me out of the hassle, fill a box full of deluxe samples, and the second Friday of each month was a baby Christmas. Awesome.

Instant Problem. I am a hoarder of samples. I don’t know why. I love them and I keep them. I put them in my gym bag, I think that I’ll “get to them” on a “at home spa day” (internal uncontrollable laughter), or that they will be PERFECT to pack for the airplane (yes, because I’m willing to try a brand new product when I’m on vacation and want to look my best . . . .). I currently have 6 boxes worth of items. This is not normal. Something must be done.

So, right now I’m going through my perfume collection. After 1,000 mini bottles sent to me from the wonderful people at Birchbox, samples thrown in my bags at department stores, and a deluxe sample kit from Sephora, I am starting to have quite the collection. Each mini-bottle gives me about 2/3 applications, which is nice because I can see how I feel about each fragrance and if this is something I should invest in. Note: I have a “signature” scent. VS Bombshell and I go way back and it works with my chemistry SO WELL. It’s the only perfume I’ve ever worn where strangers will stop me and ask what I’m wearing. That being said, it’s always important to have a couple “scents” because your body chemistry changes and, well, sometimes they just discontinue stuff. Always have a back-up. Always have a “day” and “evening” scent. Never be without perfume. It’s my mantra.

So this week, I have been testing my collection out.

1.)    Chloe, Roses de Chloe: This has the traditional undertones of magnolia and bergamot that is found in any of the Chloe lines, but I feel that this one is much lighter and has a “fresher” smell. It stayed around really well, and lingered without being overpowering. It smelled nice and clean – perfect for the random spring day we had this weekend. This is perfect for day, weekend or work!

2.)    Lancome, Tresor:  I made the HUGE mistake of wearing this to work. This stuff is strong. It’s like I fell into a lilac vanilla bath. Personally, it isn’t for me. It’s a super popular fragrance and a Lancome bestseller. It is traditional “romantic” musk, and would be perfect for a date night. That being said, I feel like I smell like a wealthy old lady. I’ll wait and revisit again when I’m in my mid 40s and want a “distinguished” scent.

Progression

Tomorrow officially starts week 11 of Half Marathon #1 training. With only a month left before the race, it seems like a good time to have a recap of how things have been going. First of all the old adage, “If it were easy, everyone would do it” is completely true. Training for anything or making fitness an integral part of your life is hard work, and in some ways, like a second full time job. The only difference is that the ROI isn’t money, but health, fitness, and a renewed sense of accomplishment and self esteem. 

Awhile back I briefly explained my schedule. Its a combination of things I was already doing along with a running schedule. Basically it broke down to four runs a week (one of them being tempo and one long), 2 sessions of personal training, 1 session of a partner kickboxing training, and then a group kickboxing class. It is a lot. In order to keep to this schedule, I have to be in the gym or running outside every day except Sundays. 

Weeks 1-4 I was on FIRE. There was no stopping me. I was making meal plans, tweaking my schedule, staying focused and on track. I made a fitness journal and got a Nike Fuelband (best invention ever). I went to the gym and was energized with every workout. I spent my free time thinking of new ways to log my miles, research the best equipment, the best foods, and what to do on my down time. 

Then life happened and I got sick. Not a little cough sick. Raging flu “I think I could die tomorrow” sick. I had to take an entire week off, which was HORRIBLE. I felt anxious about it. I felt guilty about just letting my body rest. I couldn’t wait to go back into the gym. The next week I came on strong and did what I needed to do and killed it! But life, once again creeped up on me and it was February vacation.

My wonderful, fabulous, amazing parents sent me down to the condo in Florida hoping I would use the time to “get away” from the craziness of my job. In order to prep my job and pack for this trip meant another 4 days out of the gym. When I got to warmer weather, all I wanted to do was rest, sleep, and be as lazy as possible. BUT, I did get out there and put three days of workout in (two run days and a 4 mile walk on the beach day). No, it wasn’t NEARLY enough, but I was determined to do something. 

Getting home on Friday, I became obsessed about getting back on track, no matter what. So threw my “rule book” into the Charles River (figuratively people), and went a little crazy. 7 miles on Friday, 3 on Saturday, a 3.6 mile run/walk on my “rest day”, and then back to regularly scheduled programming. 

WORD OF WARNING: DON’T EVER DO THAT. I am now in complete overtrain mode as my mileage keeps creeping up. I need to hit large numbers and not letting my body rest has been a major problem. I stopped tracking the fuel that is keeping me going through this, and started making bad choices because I knew my body needed something to give. I’ve lost energy, drive, motivation. It is a bad scene. I took two rest days, got back on track and finished my first ever double digit run OUTSIDE (yesssssssss.) But its time to get back on track. Its time to really go back to the purpose of this and rethink what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. 

I only have four more weeks left, so this may just be the fear and the jitters, but this is no joke training and it is hard and scary. Especially for a girl who still looks in the mirror and finds an overweight, uncoordinated, shy, unsure, non athlete. The body changes long before the mind does, and you need to listen to it in order to be truly successful. Here’s hoping I can get there.