Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away! Because my family is Swedish, it was never a huge holiday in our house. I think I was in high school when we finally learned how to carve a turkey, and we generally have non-traditional sides. So, usually I don't count down or look forward to the holiday too much. But this year...I'm cooking dinner all by myself (insert scary face here)! I will be in Utah visiting Dr. Hottie- he OF COURSE doesn't have any days off Wed- Sun. Holidays do not exist in residency. Because he doesn't get home until 7 or 8pm at night, that means I'm all alone in the feast preparations. An additional challenge is he could be home as early as 7pm or as late as 11pm- so dinner has to be something that can be 1/2 prepped in the afternoon and then throw things in the oven and on the stove after Dr. Hottie confirms he has officially escaped the walls of the hospital with no chance of it swallowing him back up for the night. The menu includes:
1) Bacon-wrapped porkloin (recipe on food network from Giada)
2) Wild rice (recipe from my mother-in-law)
3) Butternut squash-and-ricotta-toasts (recipe courtesy or Real Simple magazine)
I'm always up for a challenge- wish me luck!
1) Bacon-wrapped porkloin (recipe on food network from Giada)
2) Wild rice (recipe from my mother-in-law)
3) Butternut squash-and-ricotta-toasts (recipe courtesy or Real Simple magazine)
I'm always up for a challenge- wish me luck!
In other news, I have 5 weeks left in Madison- woohoo! While it's very exciting, I always dread the month before a big transition. It's this weird sort of limbo, where I'm physically still in Wisconsin- taking class- and working in the lab- but most of my mental energy is in planning the move and starting to think about my work and life goals in Utah. I despise passing on my research work onto others- partly because I feel bad about giving others hours of extra work and partly because I'm a control freak. I'm an all in or nothing kind of girl, so it's particularly challenging to be slowly cutting the cord from the lab and life in Wisco. In my other past jobs, I would show up on the last day- say a few quick goodbyes- and never look back. I wonder if that makes me some sort of cold heartless person- never longing for the past- always marching on? Don't answer that.
Finally, I'll leave you all with some tips on getting out of a workout slump:
1) Something is always better than nothing! Consecutive days of sedentary behavior quickly adds up. It doesn't take much to maintain a consistent level of fitness. If you're feeling lackluster plan for a 20 minute workout-chances are you'll probably start feeling good towards the end and make it longer. If you don't , you still got in some movement which is essential to maintaining health, a good mood, and fitness.
2) Try something new. If you tend to be a road runner, try trail running or hiking. If you strictly road bike, rent a mountain bike for a weekend. Sign up for a new group exercise class at the gym you wouldn't normally go for. It will work muscle groups that are usually neglected, give you a new perspective, and present you with a new challenge!
3) Workout in a group. Swimming with a group in the mornings this semester has been so nice. I would never get up at 5:30am to jump in a cold pool alone. It also brings out my competitive side, and I work much harder than I would by myself. Group training provides a social network, accountability, and an overall fun time!
4) Don't beat yourself up. It's normal to go through ups and downs in motivation to work out. Just like anything else in life. It's a good thing that you are listening to your body and recognize when you need to back off. Giving yourself a buffer each year where you take time off and exercise with less intensity will make you better in the long run. The important thing is to be consistent in moving your body every day- fitness and health should be a life-long priority.
Finally, I'll leave you all with some tips on getting out of a workout slump:
1) Something is always better than nothing! Consecutive days of sedentary behavior quickly adds up. It doesn't take much to maintain a consistent level of fitness. If you're feeling lackluster plan for a 20 minute workout-chances are you'll probably start feeling good towards the end and make it longer. If you don't , you still got in some movement which is essential to maintaining health, a good mood, and fitness.
2) Try something new. If you tend to be a road runner, try trail running or hiking. If you strictly road bike, rent a mountain bike for a weekend. Sign up for a new group exercise class at the gym you wouldn't normally go for. It will work muscle groups that are usually neglected, give you a new perspective, and present you with a new challenge!
3) Workout in a group. Swimming with a group in the mornings this semester has been so nice. I would never get up at 5:30am to jump in a cold pool alone. It also brings out my competitive side, and I work much harder than I would by myself. Group training provides a social network, accountability, and an overall fun time!
4) Don't beat yourself up. It's normal to go through ups and downs in motivation to work out. Just like anything else in life. It's a good thing that you are listening to your body and recognize when you need to back off. Giving yourself a buffer each year where you take time off and exercise with less intensity will make you better in the long run. The important thing is to be consistent in moving your body every day- fitness and health should be a life-long priority.