My 3 Week Challenge

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...no I have not morphed into Marissa Miller's body. I wish.

As I mentioned a few times throughout the past month, my trainer and I decided to do a 3 week challenge.. 

Now I will admit that I probably spend more time than most at the gym. And I'll also admit I never thought I'd hear myself say that. However, what I've learned is that it's really about finding the right fit. My roommate refers to the gym as the country club and I kind of like it that way. I like walking in and someone knowing my name, and usually its more than one person. It's accountability but also friendly, it kind of makes the process less intimidating.

And this training kind of challenge is exactly the kind of way to make the gym a little less daunting. 

About the Challenge:

 - The Goal: To Loose a Minimum of 4 lbs and 3% Body Fat

 - Work Out 6 Days a Week

 - Four of the Six Days were HIIT

 - Weight training was 2 - 3 Days / Week

How I did:

Well my trainer went through each of these goals with me yesterday and conducted an assessment i.e. body fat measurements, regular measurements, scale, etc. And what he asked me was, "did you do this 100%?"

The answer, was sadly no. I did try and do it to the best of my ability. However, getting to the gym 6 days a week is quite the challenge. However, when I did get to the gym, which was typically 5 days a week, I was either a. with my trainer lifting or b. doing one his workouts. And those work outs, atleast at first were hard. They're getting easier. 

So let's say I gave it 75%. And I'm happy to report I did loose 3 lbs and 2% body fat. Take that. 

So what I learned? That doing something like a challenge is such a great motivator. And three weeks is the perfect time. Why you ask? Because it takes approximately 3 weeks to make a habit, and these HIIT training work outs are kind of a habit. 

P.S. I promised my trainer I'd give him a shameless shout out to his website and blog, which is one of my favorite daily reads. Check it out. His humor and fantastic personality come through just as great while reading as they do in person!

Apartment LOVE: Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo and style are kind of synonymous with each other. There is probably no saying the things I would do to venture in her closet, which by the 63 square feet..

So I was happy to venture into her old Tribeca apartment. And it's pretty stylish. 

Photos courtesy of Downtown Oculus.

5.20.13

Good morning and happy Monday, readers!

This week...

+ is going to be a shorter one as I'm taking off on Thursday night to fly home to Boston for Memorial Day and this time, my roommates are coming with me!

+ While we're there we're going to split our time between the city and suburbs, we're going to a sox game, the better sox that is, red sox, and I'm planning to show them around my hometown.

+ Speaking of, I think they screwed up something with the damns and the boats still aren't in the water. I'm praying for a miracle they go in this week.

+ But before we get to that, I have a calendar full of meetings and appointments this week. 

+ The TODAY Show is coming to Chicago on Wednesday and a few of my coworkers and I are heading downtown bright and early to see if we can get on TV, and score a photo with Matt and Savannah.

+ My 3 week challenge ended today and I'm going to do an equifit this week to see how much progress we made. Crossing my fingers that we get to cross off those goals. But more on that later this week...

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Currently -

Listening: Guster, going to their concert in 2 weeks
Eating: leftover salad from last night, we made it with salmon marinated in Soy Vey, delicious and perfectly cooked

Drinking: Venti Passion Fruit Ice Tea, unsweetened and no water

Feeling: GREAT, not sure why but I'm okay with it
Wanting: Dunkin to get out of his cone, he just looks so sad with it

Needing: another massage, yes I know I just had one but this 3 week challenge killed my back and legs

Thinking: I should probably pay this month's bills, probably.
Enjoying: listening to Jon Hamm's voice, something about it just gets to me
Wondering: How I got the bruise that miraculously has appeared on my arm

Happy Weekend

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It feels like this week's been going on forever. It probably hasn't helped that it's been beautiful and all I've wanted to do is be outside and not working, which I plan to do allllll weekend long.

Happy weekend to you and yours!

Que me in: Introduction to Carly Numero Dos

Que me in. I'm Carly numero dos. I may be 11 months older, yet I don't consider myself any wiser than this one. 

Things to know about Carly # 2:

- I will use "y'all" often in referencing you all

- I'm from Louisville, KY -- & yes, I have been to the derby

- I gradated from IU in 2010, but do not entirely root for the Hoosiers

- I'm a PR Account Manager at Blast! -- so, Carly #1 and I do in fact work on multiple accounts together

- When I'm not at the office or at the gym (Equinox, LP) you can find me at Elaine's coffee shop or Heritage General Store

- I have two NBC crushes, Matt Lauer and Brian Williams, so nobody tell me that they prefer GMA or Diane Sawyer

- Oh, and I really love Peanut Butter

When I first moved to Chicago, almost 3-years ago, I was single & journaling about twenty-somethings in relationships, for Examiner. That came to a halt though, soon after January of 2011 when I met my now boyfriend, who I became very fond of fast, which in-turn stopped me from continuing to journal about dating life. I wanted my relationship to be personal, and had no desire to publicize. Looking back, I think that was the right move. Not over-sharing. I am happy though to report, I am still in a very happy relationship.

Finally, after about 17-ish months co-working together & contemplating whether or not to get back into the blogging world -- I let the blonde Carly talk me into this.

I'll now appear on Thursdays. Weekly. And, I promise to be funny. The subject of my column is still circulating, but it will often be on relationships. And, restaurants -- yes, definitely food!