When I was cleaning out my magazine bin, I found the July issue of Runner's World. It had gotten lost in the pile and I'd never read it. Since it was so old, I decided just to sit down and read it at home. Normally, I save my fitness related magazines for the gym where I read them on the elliptical or stair climber. It helps the time to pass more quickly and all the fitness content keeps me motivated.  Plus, if I get inspired to try a new workout I see in the magazine, I am already at the gym!



But I noticed that when I read Runner's World at home on the couch that I retained more. I even found myself thinking about information I'd read later that day. That practically never happens when I read at the gym.

This surprised me because I thought it would be the opposite. For example, I've found that I do better at Jeopardy when I watch it while I elliptical. Something about the physical motion gets my brain working faster. Apparently though, when it comes to reading, it is better to have no distractions.

I probably won't stop reading at the gym, because really that is the only time I have to read magazines. Plus, it isn't exactly like this is earth shattering information that I need to commit fully to memory. I guess I know now not to try and study anything important at the gym?

Do you read while you are at the gym? What helps you to best retain information? 

Bye Bye for Now

I am getting married in just 2 weeks! While I refuse to starve myself and don't feel like I need to be super skinny, I do want to feel healthy and happy on my wedding day.

So I have decided to swear off two of my best friends until the wedding: cake and ice cream.


I generally eat pretty healthily, but believe that life is also about moderation and pleasure. Unfortunately when it comes to cake (frosting really) and ice cream I can't seem to be moderate.

I probably have ice cream at least 5 days a week. With my activity level that would be totally fine if I stuck to a single serving. But I don't. I have one bowl, and then go back for another, and sometimes another one after that. Moderation fail.

I've been working out really, really hard. In fact, I am so sore from my personal training session yesterday that I had to slide down the stairs on my butt this morning. This is something that I usually have to do the day after a marathon. It's silly to sabotage all that hard work by sitting on the couch and eating 3 bowls of ice cream every night.

This is not to say that there is anything wrong with cake or ice cream as part of your regular diet. It is just that I can't seem to find balance when it comes to eating them. So, I am issuing myself a challenge to go without them for just 2 little weeks. Then they will be all the sweeter on my wedding day!

What is your biggest weakness when it comes to food? Have you ever tried to give it up?