peace

I feel like I am far from at peace right now. Over the past two weeks, I have been dreaming about work every.single.night.

I have had a couple of these nights–after work. imagine that.

The most at peace I have been this entire week was the hour that I went to yoga at Lululemon. The instructor just spoke to me and I even teared up a little bit at the end of the practice. It is crazy how powerful the words I hope you find peace in your mind, I hope you find peace in your body, I hope you find peace in your heart can be.

Clearly if these words caused this type of reaction it has a deeper meaning for me. I feel like I don’t have any of these things right now.

My mind is clearly not at peace. I always have something on my mind rather than being present in the moment. I wish I just knew how to make it be still. My body isn’t at peace because of the binges. My stomach is screaming at me to stop. I feel like my heart isn’t at peace because in my heart I don’t absolutely love where I am at in life.

I bought a one month unlimited pass to use at one of the yoga studios in town. I think it could really benefit me from a standpoint of stress relief and being more zen. I don’t want to initiate using it until I start working night shift which is coming up June 4th. I don’t really know what my “routine” will be like at that time and I really want to take full advantage of the deal that I got.

• What do you do to find “peace”?
• What is your definition of “peace”?

taking it outside

Wednesday morning’s workout was a good one. Taking it outside for a change of scenery was definitely nice.

Here’s a breakdown of what I did:

0.4 mile walk to warm up. At the first bench I stopped to do this:

• 15 box squats on bench
• 10 one-legged step ups each side
• 3o seconds jumping jacks

0.4 mile jog. Stop at the bench again to do:

• 30 box squats on bench
• 10 one-legged step ups each side
• 30 seconds jumping jacks

After that, I stopped in another area and did:

• Squats with woodchops 30 seconds each side
• V-Sit Crunch 30 seconds
• Tricep extensions with body in plank position 15 each side
• Reverse lunges with bicep curls 30 seconds each side
• Y, T, I for 30 seconds
• One-legged step ups with shoulder press 8 each side
• These exercises were all done using 5 and 10 lb. dumbbells.

Next was about a 0.75 mile loop. I stopped in various places and did:

• Toe taps (30 seconds)
• Box Jumps (10)
• Pushups (10)
• Tricep Dips (10)
• Box Squats (30)
• Side to side bench vaults (30 seconds)
• Since I wasn’t carrying a phone, fanny pack or a notepad, I can’t remember exactly how many sets of each I did-the box squats, tricep dips, and pushups were the most common!

There was sprinting up a hill involved in the last loop along with walking lunges for a good little section of the trail right when getting to the top of the hill. I walked it out to cool down and did a bit of stretching.

No better way to refuel than with a smoothie.

• Do you ever take your workouts outside?

wiaw–day trip

Hi guys! Time for another WIAW! Thanks Jenn for being a wonderful hostess!

I started the morning off with some Fitmixer aminos before heading to the gym.

I refueled post workout with breakfast cookie dough cereal.

1/3 c. oats, 1 scoop Sunwarrior, 1 tbsp. almond butter, 1/2 banana, strawberries, 1 c. almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt

I hit the road to meet my family for lunch. Starbucks and a lemon Chobani were my morning snacks.

For lunch, we went to Wave Pizza Company. It was good but not the best pizza I have ever had. Pizza is one of my favorite foods of all time but as we all know it isn’t exactly the healthiest thing on the planet. We ordered a pie with red sauce, roasted peppers, onions, mushrooms, broccoli, sundried tomatoes, and olives (which I picked off of course). I was so proud of myself for sticking to one slice along with a side salad. The dressing was a basil parmesan viniagrette–basically runny pesto! It was great. My pieceofshitdroid wonderful phone decided not to save any of those photos though. How thoughtful.

For the ride home, I made another Starbucks stop for an iced green tea and some trail mix.

Dinner was a simple stir fry of chicken, stir fry veggies from Trader Joe’s, brown rice, and organic hoisin sauce.

After a five mile walk with friends, I came home and had a couple of snacks. #1 was 6 oz. plain greek yogurt, 2 tbsp. PB2, 1 tbsp. cocoa powder, and half of a banana. Before I ate this I was really craving an almond butter and jelly tortilla and didn’t listen to that craving because I kept telling myself it didn’t have enough protein. Well, too bad. I ate it anyways. And it was so good! It is kind of amazing what just listening to what your body actually wants can do for a person. Maybe I should try it more often.

• What was the best thing you have eaten this week?

rambles from monday.

Monday was a great day. I am probably one of the few that was excited for it to come but when you work all weekend it is certainly welcome!

I started my morning off with some fitmixer aminos and a sweaty workout from the days with my trainer. I am totally on the fitmixer bandwagon now. It definitely beats ON’s Amino Energy in my opinion!

I was a total sloth all morning otherwise and got all caught up with everyone’s weekend festivities via Google Reader while listening to Taylor Swift. Seriously…I have never been a fan of her but I am obsessed with these two songs.Pretty unusual I’d say.

The reality check that I start working night shift on June 4th hit me today when the schedule came out. Fellow nurses, seriously. Help me out! Any pointers to stay healthy and sane are more than welcome!

I spent the afternoon working on my workbook. I will do a full review on my thoughts once I get done with it but it is definitely really eye opening to the types of negative thoughts I have at times.

By the time supper rolled around, I had a massive craving for lettuce wraps from PF Changs. I didn’t really feel like spending money eating out, so I made something kind of similar with what I had on hand.

Chicken, brown rice, stir fry vegetables, hoisin sauce, and romaine leaves. It totally hit the spot!

I’m off to see my mom, step dad, and little brother today! We are meeting halfway for lunch because I haven’t seen them for almost three months! I can’t wait!

• Don’t forget to give me some tips for night shift if you have them!

my first win

Friday was a great day off. I used it as my weekend since I am working as you are reading this.

I had a great chest and back workout with a friend I met at the gym. I also tried a few moves with the TRX straps. I am not a fan.

I refueled with some Starbucks. I had a perfect oatmeal, a scoop of Sunwarrior, and an iced coffee.

I spent the morning researching a new workout plans because I have really been lacking motivation but then I had a really exciting offer during the afternoon that I hope will work out.

I got my hair cut too! I was having major anxiety about this but I love it. My hair was feeling so heavy  before hand but I love it now. I also am in love with my new stylist. Her five minute scalp massage was like heaven. If anyone would like to do this for me every night feel free to apply.

The relation of the title to this post comes from my afternoon. I was having major cravings for all kinds of shitty foods like chocolate, pizza, and ice cream. I was grocery shopping at the time so I really had access to any of these foods. I walked around the store contemplating how those things would make me feel physically and how much guilt I would feel if I really would have eaten them. I also thought about my fitness goals and how badly I really want to get back in shape. I ended up leaving the store with only the items that were on my list and coming home and making a salad for dinner. This made me feel so good! One day at a time.

Something that has been helping me is logging my meals. I have been using My Fitness Pal. Please feel free to add me as a friend! I need all the accountability I can get.

Hope you are all having a great weekend so far!

the big 23

My birthday ended up being pretty darn fabulous.

I was up bright and early so I walked to Starbucks and enjoyed breakfast. I have to soak up these gorgeous spring mornings before the wrath of humidity arrives.

I came home and made a delicious salad for lunch. This had romaine, orange peppers, tomatoes, red onion, salsa, avocado, a fried egg, and chorizo seitan.

I treated myself to a pedicure.

I got treated to happy hour. Who knew that two glasses of wine would get me all buzzed.

I took another walk in the evening at Lake Zorinsky. Such a beautiful area.

Of course, I had to end the night with cereal for supper and The Bachelorette.

I definitely felt the love all day.

If you follow me on Instagram, sorry for the repetitive photos. If not, you should! @abznoats of course.

birthday thoughts

My grandma’s birthday email really made me think. She wanted me to share some of my favorite birthday memories.

I think one of my first birthday memories was when I was about five years old. I really wanted Princess Jasmine on my birthday cake. I remember my grandma trying to come up with all of these ideas to make her hair when decorating the cake. Finally, she went with chocolate sprinkles! Genius!

From 1996 on I got to have joint birthday parties with my little sister until I turned 16. Her birthday is five days after mine so we usually tried to kill two birds with one stone to get our huge family together.

My grandma’s chocolate cake with brown sugar sour cream frosting will be something I will never forget. That cake makes me drool just thinking about it.

This cake will never escape my memory either. My dad just went to buy a cake at the local bakery. They had this one that wasn’t decorated yet but a lady offered to decorate it. Clearly she was a little shaky and didn’t know how to spell.

On my 21st birthday, I had to work. I went out to the bar with my boyfriend at the time and a couple of friends for a few celebratory shots afterwards.

This year my birthday is going to be pretty low key. I am looking forward to a relaxing day to myself!

• What is your favorite birthday memory?

looking back on 22

Today is my last day of being twenty two. This year of my life has been a whirlwind to say the least.

I started this little blog. This reflects on some things that inspired me.

I went through some relationship changes.

My running world was turned upside down.

I graduated from nursing school.

I moved back home for a few months.

I moved to a new city.

I made a new best friend. This girl is my rock.

I picked up a horrible habit after trying not to be so perfect.

Needless to say, I feel like twenty two has been a year from hell for me. There have been a lot of ups and downs. I think it is what being young is all about. 

Here’s to hoping twenty three will be full of ups!

 

weekend accountability

The weekends tend to be a time that I get off track. This weekend I want to take the time to document my workouts and eats.

Friday’s workout was cardio based. 

Warmed up on the bike for 5 minutes–1.78 miles.

Foam rolled.

Walked/ran on the treadmill for 20:15–1.75 miles.

HIIT on the rowing machine. 30 seconds hard + 30 seconds recovery–7:50 1616 meters

9:30 AM- Breakfast cookie dough cereal–1/3 c. oats, 1 T. almond butter, 1 scoop Sunwarrior, cinnamon, 1 c. blueberries, 1 c. almond milk

12:45 PM- 1/2 c. greek yogurt + 1/4 c. Love Grown Foods Cranberry Pecan granola

2:45 PM-pita stuffed with turkey, spinach, hummus, avocado, tomato + carrots on the side

4:45 PM- apple + 1/4 c. greek yogurt mixed with 2 T. PB2 + cinnamon

Dinner-3 oz. tilapia, 1/2 c. barley, sundried tomatoes, a wedge of Laughing Cow, asparagus

Snack-my weak place. Love Grown Granola x2 = 4 servings…eek.

nurse’s week–a day in my life

In case you didn’t know, this week is nurse’s week. Nurses are some pretty special people if you ask me.

I can think of a few lovely ladies who also deserve recognition for all of their hard work in the nursing profession.

Since I have started my new job as a labor and delivery nurse, I figured I would give a little idea of a typical day in the life for me.

My patients are usually coming in for elective inductions. This means that they are usually not already in labor on their own. They are given medication via IV called Pitocin which stimulates the uterus to contract.

Here we go…

0400-Wake up. Get dressed. Get to the gym or do pilates at home.

0515- Head back home. Shower. Get ready.

0600-Make coffee and breakfast. Eat up.

0630-Head to work.

0645-Change into my super attractive green scrubs and Danskos

(source)

0655-Clock in. Obviously pretty important.

0700-Huddle up. This is a quick report with all of the nurses so everyone knows a little about what is going on throughout the unit.

0705-Hopefully my patient has arrived by this time. Get mom hooked up to the heart and contraction monitors, get IV access, do the admission assessment–aka 745,000 personal questions, check cervix, and call and update the physician.

(source) hopefully you’re laughing at this.

0800-??? Hopefully Pitocin is started by 8 AM. Increasing the rate of this medication varies for every patient. Depending on how well the mom and baby tolerate the contractions, how the mother is progressing, etc. My eyes are pretty much always glued to the monitors to keep an eye on that baby. Sometime throughout the morning the physician will typically make rounds and rupture the membranes–aka break the water. Once the mom gets to the point where she isn’t tolerating the pain as well, IV medications are usually requested and usually followed up with an epidural.

Depending on progress, I usually like to have my surgical tech set up the table with everything needed for delivery when the mom is dilated to 4-5 centimeters. You never know how fast that kiddo is going to be coming and I like to be prepared. I also make sure my baby warmer, suction, neopuff, and all of my other baby toys are working at this time.

Oh how could I forget charting! Documentation is so important. I am always making entries about the fetal heart tones, contractions, respirations, pain, intake, output, education, communications with physicians…I can’t even begin to think of what else. Basically, you document everything that happens throughout the day.

Once the cervix is completely dilated–10 centimeters–it is time to push. We get the patient up in stirrups, instruct on pushing, and call the doctor to come over. 

Once the baby is born, it is time to get mom all cleaned up. Assessments are done every 15 minutes to make sure bleeding is under control and mom is staying in stable condition. The baby nurse usually gives report shortly after and baby assessments are also taken over at this time. Then there is a bunch more charting to do about the delivery. This recovery period lasts for an hour. If it is a busy day you might take on more patient assignments once the hour is over. As a new grad, I find this extremely overwhelming.

 

(source)

If the patient had an epidural, once their legs come back to life it is time for a jacuzzi or shower if desired. Then they get to move to a nice, clean post partum room and hopefully eat something without vomiting!

Assessments continue until the end of the shift. Hourly rounding is done to make sure all of the patients needs are being met.

1900-1930-Jump for joy when the night shift nurse comes to get report from me. Give report, introduce the patient to the nurse taking over, change clothes, and rejoice when I get my first breath of fresh air in 12-13 hours.

There is always something that changes throughout the day. No delivery is ever the same. Some people have a higher pain tolerance than others, some babies have crappy heart tones, sometimes moms don’t make cervical change, the baby might be too big to fit through the birth canal, some people bleed more than others, some people don’t have family support…the options are endless. It is a job that definitely keeps me on my toes and I am so grateful for experienced co-workers who can usually answer any questions that I have.

I also find this job very different than some of the experiences I have heard about in nursing school. My maternal health instructor was a midwife so she taught us a lot about having a more natural experience. I would love to work in a place that isn’t so based on medical interventions to be able to compare the two.

I am grateful to be a part of such a huge part of my patient’s lives whether they consider it a positive or a negative change in their life.