I took a work ‘break’ to go to IKEA. I use the term ‘break’ loosely because, while I love assembling IKEA furniture, I hate actually going to IKEA. It’s so overwhelming. And I always end up spending half the day there – it’s a vortex of Swedish goodies.
We bought a new bed for the guest room. My BFF Lauren is coming to visit me (from Singapore!) this weekend and, since our air mattress went kaput, needs a place to sleep. One day, this will be Henry’s big boy bed. So now you know what I’ll be doing tonight… building a bed.
And eating chocolate. For some reason, I was possessed at the check-out counter and grabbed five IKEA chocolate bars. These are the best.
Now I must hide them from myself.
Lunch was leftovers from last night – quinoa, steamed cabbage, onions, and asparagus, and cast iron tofu. With a glob of Earth Balance.
Now that my IKEA break is over, I’m attempting to get some work done, and then I’m going for a run. My energy is kind of waning, so I’m trying to build this workout up in my mind… this is truly the key to staying motivated for evening workouts. I tell myself all day long that my run will be awesome and that I’ll feel SO good when it’s over. And when I catch myself ‘checking out’ (you know… “Oh, maybe I’ll just do it tomorrow…”), I nip that thinking in the bud. TONIGHT! Not tomorrow!
Hold me to it – 3 miles or bust.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I feel the same way today… 3 miles or bust!!! Tonight, not tomorrow!
It’s always so surprising how good IKEA’s food is!
You and me both! If you run, I will too… I get off work in 40 minutes and then I run!
I need help learning how to not talk myself out running too!
DO IT! Three miles and done.
i’ve never been to ikea – i feel like the first time i go i will be so completely overwhelmed. and want to buy everything. hahaha
and i know you’ll get the three miles done!!!
You’ve GOT this! 3 Miles or BUST, baby! (besides, you never regret a workout)!!!!
Are you still doing dairy free?? Just wondering if the dark chocolate at IKEA is free from milk…
yup and yup!
So awesome! Ill have to snag me some IKEA chocolate too!
Oh my goodness I hate IKEA! I have only been there once and I got so overwhelmed and frusterated I ended up buying a plant. A PLANT from IKEA and walked out. I have never been back…I can’t have that many options. It is too much for me to handle! ha!
I’m terrible at putting IKEA furniture together. I love the way it looks when it’s finished, but I usually have to con someone into helping me! Good luck tonight!
Keep the chocolate bars in the freezer…out of sight out of mind…plus they taste wonderful frozen! I just grab a small chunk once in a blue moon!
You’ll feel so good after you get in that run!
I love shopping at Ikea. It’s like going to the container store. I get to imagine how organized and clean my home could one day be.*
You have some pretty impressive will power. I need to get to that place where the “you are doing this tonight” voice is louder and stronger than my, “maybe i’ll just squeeze it in tomorrow” voice. I’ve tried to workout before work and I can’t bring myself to get up any earlier than I already do! So, I’ve resigned to the evening workout and man is it tough!
Other than talking it up all day do you have any other tips for staying motivated for evening workouts?
This would be a fun post – will try to do soon!
What if IKEA started out as a successful chocolate business that yet was struggling-so they had a great idea to make a large furniture store maze with the chocolate at the end?
Also, have you seen the 30 Rock episode about going to IKEA? It’s dead on!
I’m the total opposite: I LOVE going to IKEA (minus the crowds) but hate assembling furniture. I always end up asking someone else to do it for me. Hey, other people seem to enjoy it, I’m being nice…
I think you should use that IKEA chocolate as motivation… Mmm!
I’m in love with IKEA. I had never been to one until about a month ago when I moved to Texas. Obsessed. And I agree, the chocolate is the best.
I LOVE IKEA. I definitely see the Swedish vortex “problem” and maybe this is my Swedish blood talking, but I kind of LOVE that. They’re such smart people…
Loooooooove IKEA!
And you can do it!!
Totally saw you and your fam at Ikea! I would have come up and said hi, but I had just smashed my finger while wrangling two heavy bookcases onto my cart. Needless to say, I was slightly cranky ha. And yes, I agree that Ikea is a vortex. I won’t even let myself go onto the showroom floor or I could easily spend another hour there just window shopping.
Aw! Hi
Ha, I was similarly possessed to buy chocolate at our local co-op and just stuffed it in the freezer behind frozen veggies.
Did you run?
I can only do my workouts in the evening so often spend the day, talking myself up! However, after recently completing the C25k, I am finding that all of a sudden, about halfway through my run, I lose steam and stop to walk for a moment and can’t get the motivation to get started again. I was totally beating myself up over this tonight.
Do you have any recommendations to remain motivated during a run and not give up?
MUSIC! I will answer this Q more fully in a post soon!
The hardest part is getting out the door! Once you get going you’ll be so glad.
Go get it Mama!
I have never had chocolate from IKEA! I am intrigued!
I think you should have combined the IKEA trip with the exercise – it’s such a cattle run the way you’re herded around the store layout to get you past every.possible.buying.opportunity. that you’d probably cover three miles easy…. next time, take your trainers and do a “speed lap” first!
I’ve had to ditch the IKEA habit as there are – wait for it – NO IKEAS IN NEW ZEALAND!!! Good job, too – far too easy to come out with nifty little purchases you never knew you needed…
You can do it!
You own those miles!
When we were long distance, my SO would hide chocolate throughout the house. That way, when I had a bad day, I could call him and get the location of ONE chocolate. I have a horrible relationship with sugar, and I knew if I had an entire bag I would eat it
It seems crazy and neurotic, but it worked!
I went to ikea today too (in Philadelphia)! I also spend hours there. I bought a new duvet cover, two lanterns, a tray and a grill pan. Spent less than $100…unbelievable. Somehow I managed to pass up the chocolate at the register this time.
How have I never seen those chocolate bars at Ikea before?! I’m tempted to make a trip to Ikea now just so that I can try them haha.
Yay for new beds! Especially when they are for me : )
I agree – Ikea always sucks me in too!!!! And I also can never make it out of there without eating something. Ridiculous!
I love Ikea, and I wish there was one closer to me. I always spend as much time as possible there (not that that’s hard
) since I only get to go about once a year or less.
Good job getting your run in yesterday! I’ve got to keep up my motivation today to make sure I get to the gym after work.
What a beautiful lunch! And believe it or not, I have never been to IKEA. I’m from KY, but have been in NYC for the past 8 years and it is SUCH a trek to get to a store! (However, you kind of sold me on the dark chocolate.
I love IKEA. The key is to find all the cut throughs. When I am in a hurry I can weave through our ATL store using the short cuts (they are labeled with tiny signs) to get where I want in minutes, unless GA Tech’s entire student body is dorm shopping! No matter the short cut it always seems to lead to the cinnamon roll counter! YUM!