Lauren Herskovic
chicago
08/13/2009
So the Low-Car Diet is over. I know this because I only have $0.35 left on my Berry Chill card. It's been a long and extremely fun journey. I learned a lot over the past 4 weeks.
I learned how to use the big scary weight machines in the gym thanks to Kai, the best trainer EVER at Equinox. I learned how easy it is to survive in a city like Chicago without a car. In fact, I learned how much harder having a car makes my life. I learned that the gym is within walking distance, as are most of the places I frequent. I learned that taking 2 spin classes in a row is a bad idea for both your legs and your butt. I learned that Berry Chill is the only thing that makes me feel better when I've taken 2 spin classes in a row and I can't walk or sit.
I really feel like this Low-Car Diet changed my life for the better and I'm excited to take all these lessons with me. First step: get rid of my darn car.
08/06/2009
So, it's the last week of this Low-Car Diet. I'd like to say I'm feeling great, but all this intense exercise/walking everywhere makes me feel like my legs are going to fall off. And seeing how much they hurt, maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing.
I do feel really good about the planet, though. I have been really dedicated to decreasing my carbon footprint and if there is one thing this LCD has helped me do, it's that. (Although, I'm also eating healthier and seeing a lot more of the city, so my life as a whole HAS changed!) I'm not using my car, but I've also started to use the bus a lot less. Pair that with all the natural foods I've been eating (read: a serious reduction in waste from those crappy snacks I was eating) and I think Mother Earth is probably quite happy with me right about now.
Which is why I am going to celebrate... with some Berry Chill. And, of course, I'll be recycling that bowl when I'm done with it.
08/01/2009
Hellooooo August. I've been doing this Low-Car Diet for a little over 2 weeks now. I can't believe it! I also can't believe how much I miss working out since I've been on this business trip for 5 days. Sure, I'm walking all. over. NYC (I thought giving up cabs this week would be good for this Low-Car Diet sitch), but it's definitely not the same as a good, sweaty Equinox workout.
At the same time, knowing that I'm on this diet, I made some good calls this week. Normally on business trips here in NY I take advantage of eating at all my favorite places. But not this time. I tried really hard to eat healthy (and even brought nuts and protein shakes, a la Dave Grotto), walked everywhere and made all my friends do the same. And the trip was just as good as any other.
I head back to CHI tonight (yay!) and can't wait to meet with my trainer... and get a big bowl of Berry Chill.
07/27/2009
Two weeks into this Low-Car Diet and I'm feeling great. Not only am I hitting the gym/working out more than ever, but the changes to my diet have given me so much more energy to get through the day.
Not that I've been perfect, of course. I definitely made some poor decisions (beer) at the 4 parties I attended this weekend, but I was definitely WAY better than I would have been had I not been a part of this challenge. Yes, I ate cake, but I ate less than I would have. I also skipped the chips/fatty snacks and opted for veggies and salsa instead. And, even though I was feeling a little less than energized on Saturday and Sunday morning, I made sure to take a run by the lake, which was totally beautiful.
It's really not that hard to live a healthy lifestyle (especially during the summer months in Chicago) and I don't really feel deprived at all. Though I'm sure my car can't say the same...
07/22/2009
I've been doin' this Low-Car Diet for a week now and I am so completely in love. And I'm not talking the personal trainer (who is a doll) or the endless Berry Chill. I'm talking about Zipcar.
My biggest issue with my car (that I have tried to get rid of for months now) is that I park on the street. That makes errands really hard, because I have to time them when I won't have too much trouble finding a spot upon my return. Needless to say, it's really (REALLY) annoying.
And THAT is why I totally heart Zipcars. The other night I took one for a much needed trek downtown for some chilled yogurt. The treat was divine and so was the fact that I could drive down there and be guaranteed a spot less than a block from my apartment when I got back. It was heavenly. I was so excited that I just booked another Zipcar to make a Trader Joe's run. I booked it 10 mins in advance, did my shopping and, again, had a spot when I got back. It was seriously the highlight of my week.
I'm so happy I could kiss someone. But I'm working, so I'll settle for dancing around my apartment to some Madonna. What? It's a good workout!
I really can't wait to get rid of my own car and stop worrying about it on the street (or paying off all the parking tickets).
07/19/2009
I've been really good with my workouts since this whole LCD started. Not only that, but instead of driving or busing to the gym, I've been going on foot. Double workout! It feels great to be back in a workout routine -- I definitely let myself go over the past few months. ("Workout or...watch scary TLC documentaries for 6 hours? TLC it is!")
Anyways, it feels great to be back in this healthy lifestyle. What doesn't feel so great? My body after 2 back-to-back classes on Friday and a training sesh on Saturday morning. I can't laugh, I can't cough, and I can barely pull myself out of bed. My abs hurt, my legs hurt, my butt hurts. OMG everything hurts.
I know this is a good thing, but it's hard to remember that when my laughter turns to tears whenever my friends say something funny. I think I'll definitely take things easy today and get some much needed Berry Chill to ease my sore muscles. That'll work, right?
07/16/2009
So today was my first day of the Low-Car Diet. Seeing as I never really use my car during the week, I didn't really expect this "challenge" to really do much for me. But that clearly was not the case. I've been struggling with the motivation to work out and drop the 10 pounds I gained in 2008 (!!) for awhile now (clearly...) and the LCD finally pushed me into gear. I found myself eating healthier, taking the stairs, and actually being excited to hit the gym. Mind you, knowing I'd be following up that workout with a nice bowl of Berry Chill helped, but it doesn't matter. I made a big change today and I can't wait to keep it going for another 29. I'm even ready to reserve a Zipcar for Saturday to hit up the market for some healthier food options. (I'm thinking a MINI convertible since the weather will be perfection.) It's sad that it took something like this to get me going, but I am so glad I got to be a part of it.