Dreams!

Hey all! So, I just had a dream about running. And vampires? Why not! Anyway, in this dream I was running after someone, and became breathless rather quickly (why can't I be in shape in my dreams?) and recognized that I needed to slow it down to a jog. I then ran into people I knew on the street, and we went to an Asian store, where I discovered microwavable cupcakes and hummus. And a shiny new wok. Clearly, you can tell what my priorities are : P Who cares about the person I was running after? They probably got turned into a vampire or something.

Away from the vampires!!!

Anyway, this dream resonated with me because I'm lazy! I wouldn't have made this blog if I wasn't. I've posted many personal stories and recipes so far, but here is a post dedicated to exercise!

I enjoy running at times. The freedom, the rush, the gasping for air shortly after. Mind you, I was a smoker. I'm still battling cravings from time to time and still dealing with my lungs repairing (it takes about 7 years for your lungs to fully recover from smoking). I also have bad knees/ankles (at 22?!?!?! grr!) and big boobs. This makes me reluctant to run. But there is relief!!! I love walking.

Walking is a great exercise option that's low impact. You can receive the same benefits of running (if you get your heart rate up! This ain't no stroll!) from walking, if you maintain a certain pace. It may take a little longer, but it allows you to keep strain off your joints, your boobies, and your lungs. Once more confident, you can always add a jog to your usual walking routine, to switch things up.

Now, as a larger boobied lady, it can be hard to find a good sports bra. I've been following an amazing Comic Blog called Busty Girl Comics, which discusses the every day woes of being busty. It's HILARIOUS. It resonates with me completely! She also gives good advice on buying undergarments for us ladies, which is fantastic! Now, I must say, it's a crime that sports bras for bustier ladies are so expensive! Most of the ones I've seen are in the $50-70 range. That's not something I can afford, and I'm sure many others can't/don't want to spend that kind of money either! Hell, I don't even spend that on normal bras (Soma Intimates has awesome sales on their bras). So this brings me to places like Target or Walmart. Target's "C9 by Champion" line is very affordable, cute, and amazingly priced,  with most bras ranging between $7-17. Walmart offers "Danskin Now", a lower end line from Danskin as well as some other sports bras. These are mostly between the $9-15 range. Not bad!!! My one main tip for busty ladies is not to get a sports bra that crosses in the back---they pull a lot on the shoulders and neck, which can make things very uncomfortable! The more structure, the better. Wide straps, a little padding (for modesty), and cute design can be awesome on the cheap!

My next issue is finding a gym. I'm the type of person that believes that if I pay to have a membership at a gym, I'll be more inclined to go because of that. Which is fairly true of me. But I am having the hardest time finding an affordable gym in my area! Being a college student, my funds are limited and I can't shell over the $100+ a month to work out. Even the YMCA isn't that cheap at $36 for a young adult. Plus you have to pay often for group classes on top of that. I've narrowed it down to two places right now, one of which I have no information on (price wise), all I know is that they offer discounts to students and don't have a yearly contract, and the Y, because they offer a sliding scale financial assistance program based on income. I think that is amazing, and the Y near me is lovely, and the perks of being a member are fantastic. Always look into your local programs, such as recreation centers, JCC's/other Community Centers, and then some. Plus, always take advantage of your one week free trials! Some don't have to be used all at once, and it'll allow you to have a more...ritzy experience at another gym to pamper yourself with (for free!!!). Anyone else turned off because of steep prices at gyms?

Finally, because I love food and I'm sure you love food, I want to introduce to you a new weekly segment called "Quick Eats"! Most of us have crazy schedules, children, significant others, school, work, etc, and I want to come up with some quick ideas for take along foods. And because I often eat like a child (Lunchables, anyone?), I'll have some ideas for kids too!

Just a little example:

"Deviled Eggs":  84 calories for 2 eggs with hummus.

Now, I get a little nauseated from the smell of traditional egg+mayo ANYTHING. Make them the night before, and you have an amazing high protein snack to get you through the day!

-Take two or three hard boiled eggs (can be done the night before), cut in half, and scoop out yoke.
-Take hummus, your pick on flavor! and spoon into eggs (about 2 tablespoons, I like roasted garlic!)
-Top with paprika, a Kalamata olive, green onion, whatever!
-Throw in a container with baby carrots and some other veggies for a quick snack!

Hope you all have an amazing Sunday! Tomorrow starts my Halloween countdown <3

-Whit