My Mini Vacation Prescription

For the past few weeks, and today especially, I've felt anxious and worn out. I've tried to focus on eating healthier and working out more, but I still feel lethargic (if a little slimmer). What I really need is to escape from everything weighing on my mind--the family problems, coworkers, and household chores that are always there-- and find balance again.

The Mr. and I started taking mini vacations to Disneyland a few years ago to de-stress, and now we try to make it to California at least a few times a year. The best thing about our mini vacations is that they are just for us; we don't worry about what we should be doing or wearing (or in my case how out of control curly my hair gets!), so we focus on what is important to the two of us.
He makes sure that I get to eat Swiss Oatmeal at the Corner Bakery Cafe every morning (because I would seriously consider getting up at three in the morning and driving to California for breakfast if I didn't) and we thoroughly enjoy our time together with no cell phones and no distractions. It's not that we don't enjoy our weekends together at home, but there's something about being "On Vacation" that makes me giggle a little more and worry a little less.

I sorely need a vacation right now! If only I could wiggle my nose... I would whisk us away to a beach front house in San Diego for a week of relaxation and healing. As much as I avoid the sun, I absolutely love the ocean and fresh humid air; I can't think of anything better than an early breakfast on a deck overlooking the Pacific and some beach front yoga.

Image from rentalspetfriendly.com

My Get Back In Shape Plan

Most couples start to gain weight after they're married, unfortunately the Mr. and I started pretty soon after we got together. Food is a big part of our entertainment; we love to go out to brunch on Sunday mornings and go out for dinner and a movie on nights that I don't work. Needless to say, we're not in the best of shape right now. The Mr. came from a tater tots and chili for dinner kind of family, and I was a classically trained dancer for 15 years. I watched what I ate and danced for about six hours a day, but now I work forty hours a week, take care of the house, and wish that I was healthier.

Lucky for me, the Mr. decided that he was ready for a change, and there's nothing like trying to support him to get me motivated too. We decided to go on the South Beach Diet because I've had good results with it in the past when I was dancing. It's a healthier version of the low carb diet fads... Once you get past the first few weeks you basically eat whole grains, lean protein and lots of fruits and vegetables. So far the Mr. has lost ten pounds and has been working out five days a week. My plan is to start doing a Pilates mat workout at home (I also used to be a Pilates instructor) and make it to the gym four days a week to use the elliptical machine.

Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a diet blog or a fad wedding diet. I'm just very excited that we're finally getting healthier, and fitting into my old clothes won't be bad either. It takes a lot more time to plan every meal and snack, not to mention cooking all of it, but to be healthier and happier I think it's totally worth it. Maybe I'll even go back to teaching Pilates some...