A PSA

Oy vey.

Back in the Game

Opening weekend went well, and other than a raging case of PMS, it couldn't have gone better. I wish I could perform this show everyday.

Like I mentioned, last week was a toughie as we were in crunch time with getting the show on its feet, so time for fitness was scarce.

I managed:

Sunday: Short Cardio Kickboxing followed by The Shred (Level 2)
Monday: The Shred (Level 3)
Friday: The Shred (Level 2)

Not great at all, but it was something to keep me afloat and I am proud of the little I made happen.

This week I am so excited to get back on track and in the gym!!!

The plan is:

Monday: Shredded: Full Body Focus

Tuesday: Strength Boxing followed by Abs N' Butt Blast

Wednesday: R.I.P.P.E.D followed by Body Band Pilates

I'm going to be careful not to push myself too hard since I've had such a scaled back couple of weeks, but I am confident my endurance will build back up quickly.

I leave you with this shot of my amazing brunch salad that Mr. BB30 treated me to yesterday. The Chicago Diner makes the best vegan gyros. So good. I typically just eat the seitan and veggies and have a little pita, and was thinking on our way over how wonderful it would be if they would just make a gyros salad. Lo and behold, it's happened. We hadn't been there in a long time and they changed up the menu. I want another one right now.

Makin' It Work During the Busy Times

My new play opens this week. Such a fast and furious process! I definitely haven't been able to hit the gym as much, but have tried to combat the reduction is exercise with reducing my calorie intake a little, avoiding alcohol during the week, and not beating myself up (too much) about not being able to go. This week, I absolutely cannot get to the gym Mon-Fri so I must formulate a plan.

Yesterday after a rehearsal I decided I needed to get moving. Mr. BB30 wouldn't be home for a while (he is busy being famous with the play he wrote and is starring in that is selling out-woo hoo!) so I had some time at home to myself. As we know, I hate jogging with every fiber of my being, so I decided to hit up ExerciseTV.com and download a cardio kickboxing workout. It's only about 23 minutes long, but very effective. $2 well spent. My heart rate was up for sure. (Although, I doubled up on repetitions since they were a little slower than what I am used to). It's going to be a great one to have on hand. I knew I needed to keep going so I went to my reliable go-to, The Shred (Level 2). I ended up breaking a mean sweat and feeling very proud that I chose exercising over my sofa and Drop Dead Diva (but seriously-how cute is this show!) I took a cool down walk around the block with my doggie where he hit on some neighbor girls (he loves the ladies). Then I discovered that I had put toothpaste on a zit to dry it up and didn't take it off. Neighborhood weirdo.

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Thanks for the toning Jillian!

So, while the super ambitious part of me thinks I can attempt to squeeze in a 20 minute workout before I need to leave for rehearsals everyday this week, I have to stay realistic. Some nights I need to ARRIVE at 6:30pm. There just won't be time. But I will do my best to get in a few quick workouts to keep my bod in check. I can do that. I can make that happen. I have to choose to make that happen.



Today in gratitude I am grateful for my lovely fellow actor Tim and how enjoyable this crazy fast process has been all thanks to him. I am so lucky to have had this opportunity to bond with him and have full trust in my fellow actor. Friend love!

The Dame

My friend Shannon is one of the most confident, passionate and outstanding humans I know. She is in fact so fabulous that way back when she was dubbed, The Dame. There really is no other appropriate way to describe her. I met Shannon when we were freshman in college and we became fast friends. By our sophomore year it was time for her to leave for studies abroad in England and Spain. Through the powers of love, friendship, cell phones and the interwebs, we have remained friends ever since.

She has agreed to let me publicly brag about her recent accomplishment, because it's too inspiring and amazing not to be shared!
Here is Shannon last year braving the crowds at Lollapalooza. I love her smile:

 Here is Shannon this year:

SHE HAS LOST 100 LBS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, 1-0-0 pounds!!! She took the bull by the horns and started making healthier food choices and committing to regular exercise every day after work. When she's out and about she consults Eat This Not That to help her make the best food decision she can. She also keeps in mind that every little bit helps. For example: Cheese doesn't do much for her. She doesn't love it so she leaves it out of meals and sandwiches. The calories aren't worth it to her. Those small changes really add up!

I am so proud of her and know how hard it is to make a lifestyle change. AND SHE'S STILL GOING!

You know what else burns calories? Bustin' a fierce move on the dance floor!  Looks at those muscles (and the shirt I am going to steal)!

I love this woman!

Now for the last installment in my week of gratitude:
Today I am grateful for a deep and relaxing meditation yesterday. I set my intention to relax and enjoy the positive things that are happening around me. I think I have been caught up in thinking about my future for so long I haven't been fully present NOW. I feel much more mellow now. I've decided that I should aim to give gratitude for something in all of my posts. It's really very helpful. Honestly I should really start a gratitude journal based on my day job so I can appreciate the good things that it provides me, but...meh....we'll see about that ;)

Zucchini Challenge

I eat a lot of zucchini (and yellow squash). It's so abundant and cheap right now (hello-a couple of weeks in a row I've gotten 5 for $1!). It's also full of tons of vitamins and is super low cal. I sautee it, put it tofu scrambles, add it to burrito bowls and tomato sauces, grill it to put on sandwiches and make soup with it. A couple of times I've coated yellow squash in a little plain soy yogurt, dusted it with corn meal and lightly pan fried it to get that amazing fried squash taste I grew up on (sans horrible-for-you Fry Daddy).

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I love zucchini/squash especially since it takes on whatever taste you want it to, but I am out of ideas. Send me your favorite recipe!!! What haven't I thought of?!

Today in gratitude, I am thankful that it's monthly meditation day where I make myself take a lunch break to go to an awesome FREE guided meditation at a spa in the building I work in. I always come away with new insights and am often surprised by what comes up emotionally. I go in thinking my intention will be to focus on a certain issue, but many times something completely different pops up. It makes my inner hippie so happy. I've been going to this monthly lunch break meditation for two years now, and it has definitely made me a better person.

Hit me with your zucchini goodness!

More Gratitude

Today I am grateful for the joy that working on my current show brings me. Having a bit of drought was humbling and has helped me to appreciate what I have now. I truly love rehearsal and enjoy every minute of it.

Gratitude Days 3-5

What a lovely weekend with my dear pal Shannon. Alas, I had to give her back to NYC last night.

Saturday I was so grateful that Mr. BB30 spoiled us with a beautiful homemade brunch and that Shannon was so generous to gift me with an awesome Marshmallow Fireside BBW Plug-In. So light and sweet and perfect in my living room.

Sunday I was so grateful that the rain cleared up for a couple of hours and gave us time to walk a street festival in some gorgeous sunshine and blue skies.

Today I am grateful for a work-from-home day where I can deal with frustrating emails in the comfort of my own home in the company of my adorable dog. I'm also so excited to jump back into rehearsals and kick some butt.

Ahhhh...