OK, maybe Im selling myself short.
This involves a lot of stress and late nights staring at a screen.
By the end of the day, Im running on fumes.
Domenic Bahmann
As I barrel toward 30, there are signs that my lifestyle is unsustainable.
My sleep schedule is a mess, and fatigue launches me into endless cycles of procrastination and anxiety.
I know, its a seriously sweet deal.
On the advice to switch up my workouts, I try new classes, like aerial yoga.
The army of top wellness professionals on speed dial is just a bonus.
Also: insanely terrified.
I kick off the month by meeting with fitness editor Emily Abbate, who is also a certified trainer.
I load up on fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to help stabilize my energy throughout the day.
Abbate sizes up my sporadic regimen and suggests I experiment with some new workouts.
The workout meets all the criteria for my personal version of hell:Burpeesare in the warm-up.
Ive always avoidedboot camp workouts, particularly coed ones, for exactly this reason.
One week in, my cravings are in overdrive. Shake Shack, I miss you!
I hate failing hard in front of jacked, gorgeous people.
It doesnt help that the next morning I can barely walk up the subway steps.
On the advice to switch up my workouts, I try new classes, like aerial yoga.
Nutritionist Jackie Newgent helps me load up my Whole Foods cart with healthy staples.
(Tell me how you really feel!)
Skolniks assessment does take some of the sting out of my HIIT-class disaster, however.
My low energy is partly due to myeating habits, she says.
After only a few weeks of near-daily workouts, I’m able to get through my classes with less effort. I feel stronger, and my endurance has improved, too.
For instance, Imlow on fiber.
I also have functional dyspepsia, a chronic indigestion that causesbloating, nausea, and premature feelings of fullness.
(Sexy, right?)
By the end of the month, my workouts feel easier, and I’ve found a few classes that I love.
She prescribes at least 20 grams of fiber per day from foods like fruit and vegetables.
I load up on fiber-rich fruits and vegetables to help stabilize my energy throughout the day.
I know what needs to be done with my diet; now, on tomy career.
Sometimes Im paralyzed by indecision, scared of making the wrong choices.
Should I be trying to freelance more, or should I focus on my next novel?
I get on the phone with Susan Karda, director of leadership development at Lululemon.
Kardas mission is to help employees find personal and professional happiness.
Karda suggests that I picture myself sitting on a bench and imagine my thoughts as leaves blowing by.
I let in those anxious thoughts about deadlines and page counts, then visualize them floating away.
Per Skolniks orders, I reluctantly trade my beloved morning latte for icedgreen tea.
The coffee withdrawal makes me cranky.
I feel fuzzy, unfocused, and constipated, and I forget to meditate.
Despite cutting back oncaffeine, my sleep is suffering instead of improving.
Im having vivid, gory nightmares that jolt me awake in a cold sweat.
I develop dark circles under my eyes.
One morning my boyfriend tells me I woke him up at 2 A.M. with whimpering noises like a dog.
Once Im caught up, she says, theyll likely go away.
(Until then, Ill be avoiding mirrors and using concealer.)
This is my life now!
Still, Gwyneth I am not.
One week in, my cravings are in overdrive.
Shake Shack, I miss you!
Nutritionist Jackie Newgent helps me load up my Whole Foods cart with healthy staples.
Yes, these things are delicious.
Juggling all these lifestyle guidelines while also trying to live my life is hard.
Some nights I find myself speed-walking around my apartment so you can get to 10,000 steps.
The first glass is heaven.
After the second, I amdrunk.
I wake up the next morning puffy, dehydrated, and mad at myself, a sinkingly familiar scenario.
This is usually the moment when I give up on that newfound health regimen.
I grab my phone to cancel my afternoon HIIT workout, but this time something stops me.
I wont let a single slip ruin all the work Ive done on myself.
I feel stronger, and my endurance has improved, too.
I head to my first Fhitting Room class since the initial disaster.
Im prepared for pure misery, but its actually way more fun and doable than I remember.
Thanks to Skolnik, Im properly fueled.
Ive learned to eat a slice of whole-wheat bread with nut butter an hour before a workout.
Maybe its the endorphins talking, but I totally get why fit people are obsessed with this place.
Im making meals like mango chicken with cauliflower rice a few times a week.
My improved sleep quality has given me moreenergy.
Im not as overwhelmed by writing stress, and I have 50 new pages of my second novel.
My body is starting to show signs of becoming sculpted, particularly my thighs, arms, and butt.
That, and the occasional slice of pizza.
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