Ride the Wave

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You know what would be amazing?  If, during all major life events, everything besides the event just… stopped.  Meaning that when you’re graduating from college, getting married, having a baby, changing jobs, or moving into a new house, those little fairies came and handled all your e-mails and projects, kept up with your housework, paid your bills for you, and – oh yeah – reminded you to take a shower.  Alas, this is not how life works.

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Nicole and I went on a walk yesterday (my running buddy has lovingly transitioned to a ‘I’ll walk besides this slow pregnant lady’ buddy), and we were talking about the power of momentum.  Basically, sometimes you just have to keep going to make sure it all gets done.  If you come home from work and lay down for 15 minutes…. 15 minutes will become two hours, and then you will have not worked out, gone to the store, or washed the dishes.  And there’s a drool spot on the arm of the couch.

 

As a result, we ended our walk, jumped directly in my car, and went grocery shopping together.  Momentum for the win.  Otherwise, I would be starving today. 

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This mushroom recipe is quite similar to one included in the upcoming Healthy Tipping Point book (which comes out in a little over than a month – um, when did THAT happen?!).

 

Simply portabella mushrooms stuffed with hummus and balsamic vinegar and topped with cheddar cheese.  Baked fro 15 minutes at 350 – easy, easy.

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With fruit and toast.

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I’m definitely riding the wave of momentum today.  Checking one item and then another off the old To Do list.  However, I still have not showered.  That should probably happen soon….

{ 41 comments }

 

  • The Clean Eating Mama March 26, 2012, 3:12 pm

    I 100% agree – often stressful times seem very chaotic but add everyday life on top of it can make any situation seem more unbearable.
    Times like this I just take a breather, do some yoga, go on a nice run or just go to a coffee shop and relax.
    Hope you are able to relax today!
    XxOo
    Tasha

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery March 26, 2012, 3:14 pm

    I definitely agree that during big life changes everything else should slow down or stop. I’m currently a little over a month away from my college graduation and I have to decide within the next five days whether or not I’m going to be moving out of the state and what exactly to do with my post-student life.

    I’m trying to incorporate balance into my life; both momentum but also learning to not take life so seriously.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats March 26, 2012, 3:16 pm

    oh gosh, a 2 hour nap sounds amazing right now! Today is my longest day, I get up at 5am to hit the gym, leave for school by 7:30, then don’t get home until 7:00pm! And I could NOT sleep last night! Although to be honest, you probably needed that nap more, I’m not growing another person inside me! HAha just me!

  • Kate March 26, 2012, 3:18 pm

    I’ve been saying for a while that I would really appreciate a pause button just to be able to “catch up” with the little bits of life – like the pile of laundry I’ve been putting off for over a week now. I don’t know how we do it – cause lately I just feel exhausted – but sometimes all we can do is just keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually it all seems to come together. Let it ride, girl!

  • Caitlin @ This Bride's Joyride March 26, 2012, 3:19 pm

    Ahhh I wish these fairies were real! Trying to plan our upcoming wedding, moving, and new jobs = major stress! Lately I always try to schedule one thing a week that I know will be a complete destressor – a massage (my fav!), manicure/pedicure, movie night with the fiance, or even a girl’s sleepover. It helps so much when getting things done that I wish I didn’t have to do.

    Hope your momentum continues AND you get some relaxing time!

  • Laura March 26, 2012, 3:20 pm

    When I saw “Ride the Wave” I thought to myself, “She’s still writing about periods even though she’s pregnant?!” haha 🙂

    • Caitlin March 26, 2012, 3:26 pm

      bawhahah i heart periods.

      • Jess March 27, 2012, 4:35 am

        I thought the same thing! Esp. with the picture of the red flowers.

  • Christine @ BookishlyB March 26, 2012, 3:20 pm

    This is me on a daily basis. When I get home I literally have to walk the dogs in my work slacks, blouse, and work shoes or it won’t happen. I’ve also learned to utilize my phone alarm- forty-five minutes of cleaning wins fifteen minutes of blog browsing. Always a give and take.

    • Corrie Anne March 26, 2012, 3:30 pm

      I like that phone alarm trick!!

  • Corrie Anne March 26, 2012, 3:30 pm

    Oh I am such a huge believer in momentum!! I go to the gym every day after work, and basically, I refuse to sit down until I have everything done for the day. At least everything that I don’t necessarily enjoy doing!! Lol.

  • Justine Duppong @ Life With Cheeseburgers March 26, 2012, 3:33 pm

    Congrats on the upcoming publication of your book–I’m hoping to get my eating disorder recovery book finished within the next couple of months, after FIVE YEARS (speaking of momentum–ahem)!!

  • Lauren J @ The Barn March 26, 2012, 3:37 pm

    I need you to throw some of that motivation this way. I’m working down my last two weeks at my job, preparing to move from NC all the way to South Dakota, with the husband in training in Alabama, and I just decided to start a new strength training program last week. Life loves the full speed ahead setting 🙂

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed March 26, 2012, 3:38 pm

    Just ordered your book! Super excited!

  • Courtney Leigh March 26, 2012, 3:38 pm

    I HAVE to use momentum to get things done after work. I’ve discovered the best plan is to immediately unpack my gym bag, repack it for the next day, do the same with my lunch bag and do any dinner prep, like chopping/unloading the dishwasher etc. Also important to throw a load of laundry in first thing. THEN I can sit down and rest until the man gets home.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife March 26, 2012, 3:38 pm

    I’m riding that wave too! WAHOO 🙂 You’re so right–I do better with that momentum!

  • Amy March 26, 2012, 3:41 pm

    I came across this quote recently (on a cute poster on Pintrest, of course) and it really resonated with. You post today also reminded me of it:

    Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving ~ Albert Einstein

  • Anon March 26, 2012, 3:51 pm

    I have depression and I have no momentum.

    On a good day the very most I find myself able to muster is wearing real clothes, washing dishes, taking a shower, taking a short walk.
    I feel very ashamed of myself and my life. I was on an okay path and I fell off and suddenly I can’t get back to any kind of path at all.

    I’ve tried different therapies and drugs and nothing seems to work. I feel like I’m just lazy and a complete waste.

    You really are so great at having insight into your life and being at peace.

    • Caitlin March 26, 2012, 8:40 pm

      Hang in there! Depression and anxiety have ruled my life off and on for over 10 years and every time I struggle to find a different method to handle and overcome it. You’re not alone nor are you lazy or a waste. You’re stuck in a bad spot and you just need to keep pushing to find that tool or combination of tools to help control your depression. You need to want to get better before you will get better, so don’t talk yourself down. Try pointing one new positive thing out about yourself everyday and soon you’ll see you’re not useless or a waste. Just remember you’re not alone and you’re amazing. Don’t forget to reach out whenever you need to and try not to isolate yourself from you’re family, friends, or the world. I wish you the best and hope you can overcome this. I know you can!

    • Jen March 27, 2012, 1:13 am

      There is no way that I can come up with anything nearly as helpful or inspirational as Caitlin’s words above, but wanted to let you know that I am rooting for you too…don’t give up!

      • jen March 27, 2012, 9:44 am

        me too. i’m sure i’m at least as down as you. stinks, doesn’t it? one thing a friend told me once that i find myself thinking a lot is, “you can have a bad day, but don’t beat yourself up for having a bad day.” much love to you and all of us who are suffering. <3

        • Jen March 27, 2012, 10:50 pm

          I am so sorry to hear that you are suffering from depression too, Jen. Love and prayers to all you ladies and to all who are dealing with this!!!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat March 26, 2012, 3:52 pm

    I wish the best bits of my life would slow down so that I could fully enjoy them, and as for those bits that seem to drag on forever, like you said – it’s all about momentum! Congrats on the book coming out soon. I feel like the first one only just came out!

  • Taylor @ Nuts for Apples March 26, 2012, 4:32 pm

    Ah this is so true! I just started my blog & I’m always trying to work on more minor things for my new health coaching business…like working on the website, finding good articles to post, etc…while they are all important, I need to prioritize better & work on more important things first to keep the momentum going!
    Also, those mushrooms look divine! Yummm…

  • Allison March 26, 2012, 4:44 pm

    Ok, so I am guessing lots of people will send this NYTimes article to you, but in light of your recent post about eating your placenta, I thought you would find it interesting.

    http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/i-regret-eating-my-placenta/#more-35163

  • Amanda March 26, 2012, 4:46 pm

    Ah it would be so lovely to pause all the tasks while big life events are happening! I always strive to stay in the moment, but I often can’t help but think what needs to be done once the moment is over! Definitely agree with you regarding momentum … my fiancee often thinks I’m nuts as I just go, go, go after work, but there’s no better feeling than accomplishing all those little tasks and then collapsing on the couch to relax 🙂

  • Katie @ Soulshine and Sassafras March 26, 2012, 5:02 pm

    Holy guacamole those mushrooms look awesome.

  • Johanna B March 26, 2012, 5:17 pm

    Here’s a shout out for riding the wave!!! Momentum is awesome.

  • Alison March 26, 2012, 5:22 pm

    Those mushrooms looks fabulous!! And yes, I wish that everything else would stop during important life events. But alas I guess we just have to press on. 🙂

  • Life's a Bowl March 26, 2012, 5:33 pm

    YUM, I love stuffed mushrooms! Have you ever tried them raw and filled with a little salsa or hummus? I can’t help but popping a few into my mouth while I’m making dinner 😛

  • Amy Q March 26, 2012, 6:16 pm

    Thank you for posting such gorgeous flower photos daily. We are sooooo very far away from flowers here in Lake Placid, NY— sigh. I appreciate seeing yours!

  • Rachel March 26, 2012, 6:28 pm

    Whenever I don’t feel like doing something I always tell myself “An object in motion stays in motion. An object at rest stays at rest.” Reminding myself of this simply law of motion, I usually keep the motivation to get everything done I need to do before I sit on the couch. I also use it for the opposite, when I’m on the couch and don’t think I have the energy to get up. I remind myself that once I get moving it will be easy to stay moving.

  • Emily C March 26, 2012, 7:07 pm

    That is so true! I have never thought of it that way. I’m always like “Oh I’m so tired, I deserve a break after work,” but then, sure enough, fifteen minutes laying down and surfing the internet turns into two hours and I don’t get anything done. I’m definitely going to keep the momentum wave in mind for next time.

  • Coco March 26, 2012, 7:14 pm

    Oh yeah- sitting down is definitely not an option when I have a to-do list.. Nothing would ever get done.. I get to the gym super early and as soon as I come home I make a smoothie for recovery- usually enjoying it while I catch up on blogs or writing my own.. If I have no big plans I can end up being there for almost two hours.. Seriously how does time move that fast?

  • Linz @ Itz Linz March 26, 2012, 7:28 pm

    Those look and sound amazing! And showering is overrated… I mean seriously…

  • Jess March 27, 2012, 4:18 am

    I have to go straight from work to the gym/supermarket/ anywhere else I have to be later on. Otherwise I won’t move again for the rest of the night!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat March 27, 2012, 12:05 pm

    What a great idea, those look like little sliders! 🙂

  • Amber K March 27, 2012, 1:36 pm

    Chores are definitely where I need momentum to keep up with it all. I can usually start, but I have to keep going from thing to thing if I want to make sure it all gets done!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) March 29, 2012, 11:51 pm

    Those mushrooms!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want!

  • Mel April 15, 2012, 9:13 pm

    I had a conversation similar to this last week. I just moved to Morocco (with the Peace Corps) where life is vastly different from the States with regard to time. My fellow trainees and I were talking about how in the States even if we spend a full day at work, but come home and do nothing with the remainder of the day (i.e. not exercise, cook dinner, etc.) we often feel like we didn’t accomplish anything. In Morocco, people can AND do spend whole days literally doing nothing, and are seemingly content. I think this idea of momentum and needing to check things off lists, is very much a part of our western mindset. Not to say that any one way is better than the other..but it’s just different- and fascinating to observe! Anyway, congrats on the new house! 🙂

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