Form on Film

on January 12, 2012
in All Posts

Fact:  You swim a lot faster when there’s a camera on you.

photo (92)

But then you burn out after 300 meters.  Oops.

 

Today’s workout was fun – the local NBC news is doing a piece on GymPact (the app that pays you to go to the gym and fines you if you don’t) and interviewed me as a local resident who is using the app to stay motivated.   I talked about the app for a bit, and then they filmed me working out.  All I could think was, “FORM FORM FORM – Don’t let your form suck on television!”

 

Side note:  A few people have asked me about maternity swimsuits.  I just bought a regular TYR swimsuit two sizes larger than I normally wear; there are almost no maternity swimsuits for exercise on the market.  Mine is baggy in places but I think I’ll fill it out in the next 4 – 5 months…

 

Anyway, I think that news reporters have one of the coolest jobs.  Every day is different, and you get to talk to so many different types of people.  Any real reporters out there who can verify whether the job is as neat as it seems?

photo

After they left, I did another 700 meters to round up to 1,000.  It was a slow workout because I took another break to talk to the guy in the lane next to me – I peeked at his workout (in a Ziploc bag on the edge of the pool), and he was doing over 3,000 meters of a variety of strokes… my workout was literally his warm-up.  It was NUTS.  Of course I had to ask what he was training for (an Ironman).  I was impressed!  I finished up, dried off, and then I walked 1.25 miles. 

 

Eats:

IMG_6006

A homemade Mexican platter!

 

Corn tortillas

Spinach

Tomatoes

Baked tofu

Brown rice

Refried beans

Salsa

IMG_6001

If you could have any other job, what would it be?  I would love to be a professional dachshund cuddler.  Does that exist?  If not, it should. 

{ 95 comments }

 

  • Amelia January 12, 2012, 2:04 pm

    I was just shopping online for a new suit and saw this: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/11521.htm?color=11607 maybe once you get really big? Love swimoutlet.com!

    • Caitlin January 12, 2012, 2:05 pm

      Aw that’s a good one!!!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat January 12, 2012, 2:06 pm

    That sounds like a lovely job!! There are many jobs I’d love to do – celebrity chef or personal trainer would be two of them… ooh or maybe food critic?! 😉
    Congrats on your workout – even though it’s just an Iron Man’s warm-up, it looks pretty respectable to me!

  • Sara January 12, 2012, 2:06 pm

    Recovering journalist here: Mamas, don’t let your kids grow up to be reporters! Unless they like spending their 20s in small towns working weird hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays). Some people love it, but I realized I preferred living in a big city with lots of other people my age, working a regular 9-5 job!

    • Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count January 12, 2012, 3:07 pm

      Could not agree more. I majored in broadcast journalism, and worked at a couple of local news stations as an intern…NOT a good industry to go in unless you like being overworked and underpaid…and working on holidays.

      • Mel January 13, 2012, 11:07 am

        yep I agree. That was my major…and I’m now in law school. Reporters work weird hours, get paid nothing, have to report outside in every terrible weather condition imaginable, and have to intrude in peoples lives who have just experienced usually something awful. Don’t do it! haha

  • Devon January 12, 2012, 2:07 pm

    Your lunch looks super yummy! Mexican is my fav! It’s really cool that you did an interview for a tv show! In your bathing suit at that! Brave! Hope you have a good day!

  • Coco January 12, 2012, 2:09 pm

    I want to be on the female version of Man vs. Food! hahaha

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb January 12, 2012, 2:12 pm

    i would love to be a professional photographer for some super fashion-savvy magazine. i think the shoots would be so fun!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) January 12, 2012, 2:13 pm

    Hehe, funny what a little bit of pressure can do for our performance, right?
    That’s really cool, though!
    I think I’d be a professional vacationer 🙂

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat January 12, 2012, 2:15 pm

    One of my dream jobs is to be a dog walker 😉 Interesting that there aren’t any sports-appropriate maternity swimsuits you could find. Especially since swimming is the thing they tell you is safest for pregnant ladies!

  • Emily @ The Swallow Flies January 12, 2012, 2:16 pm

    I could never give up teaching, but I would love working in fashion or becoming a “real” writer. Luckily, I kind of get to do both in my part-time jobs as an independent stylist for a jewelry company and a freelance writer for a national company – the best of all worlds. 🙂

  • Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine January 12, 2012, 2:17 pm

    The camera guy looks like Woody Harrelson 🙂

    I would love to be an actress!

  • Liz January 12, 2012, 2:18 pm

    I find it so interesting to hear about sports from a “non-expert” point of view. For example, I am a newbie runner, so when I hear about you running 17 miles, I bow down in honor. I am a swimmer, so hearing about the guy swimmer 3000m is like me on my light day. So funny how perspectives change when you change sports!

    • Caitlin January 12, 2012, 2:20 pm

      It’s all relative! What do you swim on long days?! He said it was a light day for him, too!!

      • Liz January 12, 2012, 5:04 pm

        On light days I do around 3200m. Long days range from 4000-7000m, but were significantly more when I was actually competing. The longest days are the ones where you do twice a days! Clearly, the double duty workouts is a universal problem with endurance sports. Keep up the swimming, I’m so excited that you are getting into it. And 1000m is nothing to sneeze at! 🙂

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) January 12, 2012, 2:19 pm

    Best thing about working in journalism: every single day is different. There’s no boredom from sitting at a desk all day. I love that. Although I still want to be Samantha Brown when I grow up. 😉

    • Natalie January 12, 2012, 2:20 pm

      Amen! Who doesn’t?!?

      • Caitlin January 12, 2012, 2:21 pm

        me too!

  • Laurel (Runaway Laurel) January 12, 2012, 2:21 pm

    Professional leisure worker outer and craft maker? Is that an option?

  • Erica H. January 12, 2012, 2:22 pm

    “real reporter” here — every day is usually super cool and very fun. There are some downsides: It’s not easy, it’s a very tough market, and hard to break into, hours are unpredictable. That’s to say, there are good days and bad days just like any other job. Sometimes I wish I could work 9 to 5 go home and not think about deadlines, but I like spending most of my time out with people and not behind a desk better! I’ve heard so many interesting stories and met so many interesting people … can’t imagine doing anything else.

    I would let my (future) kids be a reporter.. My boyfriend’s parents are both former news folks and he is a photo journalist too … guess “the bug” bites some people and doesn’t let go 🙂

  • Amanda January 12, 2012, 2:23 pm

    I worked as an editorial intern at my local newspaper this summer, and it was an awesome experience! I wrote articles ranging from gender reveal cakes/parties and how granola can be healthy to Independence Day and Memorial Day celebrations and the shaving of my high school history teacher’s beard (he is also the high school track coach and lost a bet after two of his athletes placed at states. So the girls shaved his beard at the annual track and field picnic. He looked exactly like Santa Claus before he got his beard shaved off and even has the jolly, friendly demeanor. So that was fun!). I met a range of incredible, inspiring people that I would have never come across had I not acquired the position and also got to travel to different places! However, as Sara mentioned above, the hours of a journalist can be pretty crazy. I worked both 10-6 pm and 3-11 pm, but mostly the latter, and also worked holidays. The newspaper needs to get out every day! So while I am reconsidering my future career options, I loved my experience at the newspaper!

  • Hillary January 12, 2012, 2:24 pm

    I do love teaching, but I think I’d also love to just bake all day!

  • Natalie@fitjamericangirl.com January 12, 2012, 2:25 pm

    I’m an attorney, but if I was anything else I would either (a) be an opera singer or (b)run my own bakery. Random, I know.

  • Rachel January 12, 2012, 2:29 pm

    I was a broadcast journalism major in college for the first two years before changing to philosophy instead.

    It did seem interesting, but I was really turned off by how negative the news is so much of the time (obviously your specific news story wasn’t negative at all!), but I wasn’t willing to get into an industry that was after ratings, and those ratings were mostly achieved by dramatic, sad, violent, ugly stories.

    • Rebecca January 12, 2012, 6:06 pm

      Reminds me of the book Prophet (Frank Peretti), kind of. The news anchor wanted to change the way his station was reporting, or what they were reporting on, and they totally shot him down.
      That’s part of the reason I don’t watch the news much, is because a lot of it is negative. =\

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats January 12, 2012, 2:33 pm

    That dinner looks delicious! It’s making me crave mexican! I have no idea what kind of job I would do… haha that’s kind of the issue right now!

  • Lexi @ Cura Personalis Foodie January 12, 2012, 2:38 pm

    I would be a restauranteur!

  • Shallin January 12, 2012, 2:41 pm

    My sister & I always talk that we would love to be pro cocker spaniel snugglers and watch Law & Order SUV all day because we already have our Ph.D’s in snuggling!

    Please post a link to the interview after it airs!

  • Kasey January 12, 2012, 2:44 pm

    When I swam in college, we would do 7,000M-9,000M in 2-2 1/2 hours with two practices a day, everyday but Sunday. Our two practices a day would be followed three days a week with an hour of weights…it was crazy!

  • Laura January 12, 2012, 2:49 pm

    I’m a media analyst. I read news all day and write reports for companies on the perception in media of their brand/s and I LOVE my job. I thought I wanted to be a reporter, but MUCH prefer reading & analyzing the news.
    I think my dream job would be a fiction writer & sitting around thinking about creative plots and then travelling around for book promotions and meeting folks.
    That or teaching people how to write/film their “stories.” Everyone has a story to tell and I LOVE to hear people talk about their lives. People are so darn interesting!

    • Amanda January 12, 2012, 2:53 pm

      How did you get into being a media analyst, Laura? That sounds fascinating! I would love to learn more about your job!

  • Amanda @ AmandaRunsNY January 12, 2012, 2:49 pm

    I’d love to be a professional traveler. THat’s also a real job right? Also, can I be rich too?

  • Debbie January 12, 2012, 2:57 pm

    I always wanted to be a Zamboni driver! 🙂

  • Kendall (On An Inhale) January 12, 2012, 2:59 pm

    I’m working towards my dream job now! I’m a pt yoga teacher and nutrition student and I work FT too. I’m hoping to teach yoga and be a nutrition coach full time between October-December depending on finances. Congrats on the segment- very exciting!

  • Ellen F January 12, 2012, 3:06 pm

    Oh my goodness being a dachshund snuggler would be the best job ever. I went home at lunch today to check on my cute little mini dachshund and could barely convince myself to come back to work. I am also routinely late in the morning because I get back in bed to cuddle with my puppy!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife January 12, 2012, 3:10 pm

    That would be a cool job—a news reporter! Except i would hate to be on camera all.the.time.

    I HAVE my dream job 🙂 I am a health coach, fitness instructor, personal trainer, and health/nutrition blogger. Score!

    but it could be fun to be a doctor–I always wanted to try that too 🙂

  • Greta @ Staying Lost January 12, 2012, 3:19 pm

    I would hate to be filmed while working out! I’m sure a better swimmer would find something to criticize in my form. 🙂 The interview sounds neat, though.

  • Lindsey January 12, 2012, 3:26 pm

    I would love to be a nutritionalist or own my own cafe!

  • Mellissa January 12, 2012, 3:35 pm

    I want my own show on the Travel Channel about food, travel and wine.

    • Sarah @ w30 January 12, 2012, 5:27 pm

      yes! ME TOO! Actually, I don’t want to be on TV. I want to be a full time travel and food writer/blogger. Can I just be Anthony Bourdain (without the cameras)?

  • Laurie January 12, 2012, 3:38 pm

    I’m with you Caitlin, love to cuddle a doxie all day! :). I have a desk job and even though I like my job, sitting all day is not good! I get up every hour just to walk around, I would go crazy if I didn’t! I think I would like a job that has more walking involve, not sure what yet, but lately I would love to get more involve in the nutrition field!

  • Jenny January 12, 2012, 3:43 pm

    I’m a reporter for a newspaper in a small town (right across the state line from you, actually). IMO, it’s awesome. I’ve met some of the coolest people and, yes, some of the weirdest. I interviewed a man once about a mission trip with his church and mid-conversation he switched gears to give me a detailed explanation of how he, personally, knows who shot JFK. He even had notebooks he’s written in for years, with bits of “proof.” Bizarre, and awesome. I’ve interviewed true hometown heroes, but I’ve also met criminals that scared the crap out of me. I’ve met many politicians and had some great discussions with one or two of them.

    Best of all, I met Richard Simmons. No joke. It’s my favorite story of all time.

    It’s always different, always interesting. 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP January 13, 2012, 11:27 am

      Hahah I love crazy peeps.

      • Jenny January 13, 2012, 2:52 pm

        Dealing with crazy peeps is my special gift.

  • Sonia the Mexigarian January 12, 2012, 3:47 pm

    fantasy job: if i were several inches taller i would love to be a model. dress up in all tose fancy clothes and shoes 🙂

    maybe if i worked hard: a yoga/zumba instructor. i definetly would love that.

    ultimate dream job: still dreaming of being a famous writer and artist 🙂

  • Rebekah January 12, 2012, 3:56 pm

    Caitlin, I have a serious question. How the hell do you get so much press??? Inquiring minds want to know. 😉

    Others have already answered this, but I love and hate being a reporter. Sometimes it’s awesome because I get to interview people and travel to places like Austria, Vienna for a conference. But other times I want to poke my eyes out because it can be so boring/monotonous. But then again, I work for a trade publication. . .

    • CaitlinHTP January 12, 2012, 5:26 pm

      Well this doesn’t count as real press for me because it wasn’t me promoting the blog – I mean, I hope they plug HTP but it’s just about Gympact!

      Re: other press… I don’t know, honestly. I think its my active social media work? Also press begets press so once you have some it increases a lot. I rarely intentionally seek it out.

  • Laura Z January 12, 2012, 4:00 pm

    Honey you are training for a baby! He could never accomplish that.

  • Chelsea January 12, 2012, 4:07 pm

    The people you meet in the lane next to you…so cool! & for you to be interviewed that’s so cool! I need to get on this gympact app for sure.

  • jamie@cueyourlife January 12, 2012, 4:08 pm

    Great work swimming! I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it, but I life guarded, taught swimming lessons AND swam full-time until 1 week before my little bean was born. While it wasn’t pretty (i’m 5’2″ and was big as a house)…it was a lifesaver! I only felt comfortable in the water the last month or so! Now, the bean is 6…and the best swimmer in her age group!

  • Ginger January 12, 2012, 4:10 pm

    Well, I can verify that the hours are terrible, the money usually isn’t that great, and people have a tendency to hate your guts because you’re trying to do your job. Oh, and getting nasty comments about your appearance from complete strangers constantly. So if you can handle that, yeah being a TV reporter is awesome. 😉

    • CaitlinHTP January 13, 2012, 11:27 am

      Ouch. That does not sound fun.

  • Jesse (OutToLunchCreations) January 12, 2012, 4:20 pm

    After reading all of your swimming posts I tried swimming for the first time in a long time. Thanks for the motivation! It was a lot of fun but the swimming pool left my eyes burning and blood shot. I wasn’t wearing goggles so I know that would help with the burning next time. It just made me realize that my skin is probably absorbing all those as well. Have you ever worried about the chemicals you absorb while swimming in pool?

    • CaitlinHTP January 12, 2012, 5:27 pm

      YES. I try to rinse off ASAP and scrub really hard.

  • Sara January 12, 2012, 4:23 pm

    I have a degree in print journalism but I work in PR where the hours are better 🙂 Ha ha But I do write “news” stories so I meet a lot of interesting people (mostly farmers.)

  • Kristin January 12, 2012, 4:29 pm

    I’ll second (and third) what the other real TV reporters said…long and weird hours, no holidays, no weekends, underpaid….
    but when you tell a fun or inspiring story it makes all those bad days worth it.

  • Dee January 12, 2012, 5:03 pm

    You just planned my dinner for tonight with those photos!

  • Kayla January 12, 2012, 5:05 pm

    I’m a real-life reporter…well, I was until some job changes, but I’m freelancing for the local papers now, so I guess I’m still a real-life reporter!

    The job is as neat as it seems, but the job also is VERY demanding and challenging. You learn a lot about your community — warts and all — and you learn a lot about yourself. You meet lots of people, some well intentioned and others not so well intentions. You see lots of things, some good and some bad.

    It’s hard to leave the job at work, and I often found myself working at home or thinking about work at home. It’s not for the faint of heart, the impatient or the disorganized. It’s for people who are passionate about their surroundings and the people who make them go ’round and are excellent writers, no, storytellers.

    I absolutely love being a reporter!

  • Brigid January 12, 2012, 5:39 pm

    My dream was always to be an actress, but now that I live in LA and watch my boyfriend pursuing it, I know I crave a little more stability. I would love to be a professional travel writer, or run a bed and breakfast in Tuscany!

  • Rebecca January 12, 2012, 5:42 pm

    I like your job idea!
    If I could get paid to surf the internet or read books or play with animals or something, I’d love it.
    I’m a Media Comm major, but I don’t want to be in front of the camera or producing a show—too stressful for me. I’d rather be behind-the-scenes doing something relatively easy that I enjoy. I like editing footage and helping at church. Maybe that will fit in eventually.

    My dad is doing a Half Iron Man in June. He’s going to be doing lots of training these next few months. His ultimate “someday” goal is to do the full IM in Kona, Hawaii, but that’s spendy. But if he does go, my mom is going with. Haha. 🙂

  • Allison January 12, 2012, 5:42 pm

    Woo woo for being on TV! If I could be anything, I’d love to be a wedding planner like David Tutera!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf January 12, 2012, 5:52 pm

    That GymPact is such a cool idea!

  • Laura January 12, 2012, 6:16 pm

    I’ve always thought it would be fun to be a features reporter – get paid to go around and try new things. Of course, it would have to be all on my terms. That’s why I blog – so I can try new things on my terms. I just don’t get paid.

  • Kimberly @ sketchtheebbandflow.wordpress.com January 12, 2012, 7:07 pm

    I work in magazine publishing, and am working towards a grad degree in Psychology so I’m working towards one of my dreams. BUT I’d love to work full time in animal rescue!

  • Caroline January 12, 2012, 7:13 pm

    I think being a reporter would be interesting as well. So cool that not only did you get featured on the news, but GymPact got some good press too. Awesome all around:)

  • Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs January 12, 2012, 7:21 pm

    I would also love to be a professional Dachshund cuddler! I’m already pretty qualified — I’ve put in many hours with my mini, Hali! They’re the best!

    • Brittney January 13, 2012, 8:59 am

      Michelle, your mini looks a lot like mine! I agree- I’d like to be an dachshund cuddler too!

      • CaitlinHTP January 13, 2012, 11:28 am

        We should start a club.

  • Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy January 12, 2012, 7:39 pm

    I would love to freelance and work from home…or be a nanny. I know that sounds kind of silly, considering I spent a bunch of money on college, but I love kids, and I’m learning that a desk job is not my favorite.

  • Robyn January 12, 2012, 8:20 pm

    At the children’s hospital where I did my internship, they have a volunteer position as a baby cuddler. A whole fleet of volunteers whose sole responsibility within the hospital is to cuddle new babies. 🙂 I would dig that… Apparently, the waiting list to be one of these volunteers is quite long and they want you to volunteer in another role for some time before they let you cuddle the babies, but I imagine it’d be worth the wait…

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey January 12, 2012, 8:25 pm

    That sounds like so much fun! I agree, reporters seem like they have a fun job. Although I’m sure like any job there is some downside to it!

  • tracey January 12, 2012, 8:28 pm

    Any other job – no doubt – a sideline reporter for a network that covers the NFL. I love football. I love everything about it. And I think I’m pretty intelligent on the subject too! So if anyone knows anyone who know anyone – let me know!! 🙂

  • Deva @ Deva by Definition January 12, 2012, 9:22 pm

    That must have been quite the experience – to be on TV. I’ve been on TV twice, and it was very interesting to talk to the reporters!

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) January 12, 2012, 9:27 pm

    Super fun question. I love reading everyones responses. I would be a professional baker and have a little mom and pop bakery.

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin January 12, 2012, 9:39 pm

    That’s so awesome that you were featured on the news!

    I think it would be fun to work at a fashion magazine – it seems so glamorous (although I’m sure it’s not as glamorized as movies make it out to be. ;))!

  • Aylin January 12, 2012, 9:57 pm

    hi Caitlin, just finally wanted to say hi and that I read your blog all the time. I’m really happy for you that you are pregnant and think being a professional dachshund cuddler is the cutest answer ever to that question! Anyways, just randomly wanted to come out the woodwork and tell you you’re awesome!

    • CaitlinHTP January 13, 2012, 11:28 am

      Thank you so much Aylin. You are so sweet!

  • emily January 12, 2012, 10:34 pm

    I would be a forensic anthropologist! Or an actress.

  • Lauren @ Sweet and Twisted January 12, 2012, 10:52 pm

    My husband is a photojournalist for our local news station! Sometimes it is really fun and he gets to do cool stories! And sometimes he gets stuck in a 4 hour meeting or out in the rain all day. 🙂

  • Khushboo January 12, 2012, 11:49 pm

    I think owning a cute lil bakery would be super fun! Between the quality control for taste and interacting with clients, it sounds ideal!

  • Victoria January 13, 2012, 5:17 am

    Your lunch looks great!!!

  • Sarah@The Flying ONION January 13, 2012, 8:43 am

    That is so awesome that you were on TV for the app! And great looking lunch too. 😀

    If I could have another job, I’d be a cafe owner. Complete with sandwiches and soups with local ingredients and lots of different types of cupcakes. 😀

  • krista January 13, 2012, 8:50 am

    I’m 39 weeks pregnant. So at this moment I’d love to get paid to sit at home and watch movies! Instead I’m at work as a software engineer. Ask me again in a few months. 😉

  • Lindsay@FuelMyFamily January 13, 2012, 8:58 am

    That app does seem motivational, especially to a coupon clipper like me!

  • Kelly January 13, 2012, 9:02 am

    I can’t believe you walk after swimming. I would walk first because getting on a treadmill all wet and cholrinated just seems like something I would talk myself out of!

  • Carolina John January 13, 2012, 9:47 am

    Making the local news again? how cool! Your form is insane when you see it on video. always. makes you want to get a coach to help correct it.

  • Joy January 13, 2012, 10:16 am

    It’s so cool that you got to be on camera! I’m 16 and I’m so inspired by you and everything you do. Congratulations on your new baby. I think it’s going to be a boy ^^

    • CaitlinHTP January 13, 2012, 11:29 am

      🙂 I think it will be too! Well today I do, at least. LOL

  • Katy @ HaveYouHurd January 13, 2012, 11:56 am

    I would love to be a professional food photographer and personal chef!

  • Amber K January 13, 2012, 3:01 pm

    That sounds like fun! Although nerve-wracking. I’d be thinking about my form the whole time too.

  • Keri January 13, 2012, 7:05 pm

    I would love to be a writer, yoga teacher, or health coach.

    Also, I’d like to be as motivated and fit as you during my pregnancy (if and when it happens 🙂

  • Sarah January 13, 2012, 10:34 pm

    ive been craving refried beans since you posted the taco lasagna!

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