'Irene-ageddon'

I haven't even been in New York a year and I've already survived the worst winter in recorded New York history that included two record-breaking blizzards. I've also now experienced an earthquake here and a historic hurricane is approaching.
Jeez! What a welcome.

Remind me why I left sunny California???

Now, Hurricane Irene has really become what I'm calling "Irene-ageddon." The media's sensationalist coverage of Hurricane Irene hurdling towards New York City has gotten the nation all worked up.

Sure it's a major hurricane that will most definitely cause flooding, wind damage, and even a few deaths but the media has latched onto this thing and are spinning out of control, creating unnecessary fear and panic. Safety is important and it is absolutely essential to be proactive in preventative measures but I feel that the sensationalization of these events is extreme. It seems as though the news and government need these high ratings so that they can "pat themselves on the back" for a job well done once this Category 1 storm has blown through.

I walked around Brooklyn for 2 hours earlier this afternoon and it's as if the apocalypse has happened. Every shop is closed. Subways are shut down. Windows are boarded and taped up. Aside from a few delis, pubs, and Game Stop being open, you'd think that the world had actually ended. It was eerily quiet and not even a bum could be found begging for money or crack!

Yesterday, I braved the supermarket to load up on my hurricane survival essentials: water, beer, and non-perishables. You couldn't find even a morsel of bread and shelf after shelf of packaged goods were almost all sold out. It. was. bananas.

I have a feeling that all will be ok here in the Big Apple once Irene is gone. Sure, it'll flood a bit and hopefully our power doesn't stay out for long but we've got booze and iPads, iPhones, and laptops. We'll be a-ok.

If I've learned one thing from living in this city, it's that New Yorkers are a strong and stubborn people. Despite the seriousness that the media is preaching about Irene, we're gearing up for "storm parties" and "hurricane pub crawls."

I'm starting to actually consider myself a 'real' New Yorker and I think Mother Nature is helping me earn that badge one crazy record-breaking event at a time.

yeeeehawwww!
Bring it on Irene! Bring. It. On!

Shapin' Up

I've been on a fitness kick ever since my ten year high school reunion date was announced (its in September!) and also since I saw photos of myself at a friend's wedding a few months ago. I didn't realize I had gained as much weight as I had.

When I weighed myself in the beginning of June, I had gained 10 pounds in the 8 months since moving to New York. 10 freakin pounds!!!
I was so mad, ashamed, frustrated, etc...

Slowly I've been working myself into a workout routine that I actually enjoy and eating foods that are healthy and low calorie. I no longer allow myself to turn to chips, dips, cheese, ice cream, cookies, and other crutches whenever I'm frustrated or stressed. I am an emotional eater and I've come to realize that if I don't find other outlets for relief then I will simply eat myself fat.

Don't get me wrong...I adore all of the red-flag foods and definitely allow myself a nibble here and there. Let's be real- who could possibly live without a bit of cheese every now and then? I do keep a stock of low fat string cheese as a snack and crumbled Feta for salads. I just don't allow myself to sit and eat a pack of cheddar cheese cubes anymore.
Bless Kim Kardashian for the smartest thing she's ever said- "A minute on your lips, a lifetime on your hips." So so so true, my friends.

Since I started my fitness plan at the end of June, I've lost nearly 10 pounds! I'm glad to say that I can fit back into my clothes, and I'm actually relieved to see that my progress is showing up in photos when they're taken.

My struggle has been a life long one. I'm lucky to have never been terribly over weight or anything but I simply want to look and feel my best for ME. I want to feel fit and strong. I don't want to let my emotional-eating keep me down.

My iPhone has been an invaluable tool for holding me accountable. I use the LoseIt! app to track my daily calorie intake and I also log all my exercise with it. I've been using the 200 Sit-Ups app and am now proud to say that I can successfully do 255 crunches!! There are several other apps that I really enjoy including the Nike Training App and Workouts app. They both offer personal training for targeting specific body areas/concerns.

My good friend Anika is using her blog as an accountability tool and I want to follow her lead. I'll blog about my progress and hopefully inspire others to do the same.

As a way to track my progress I'm going to be updating my measurements. My ideal measurements are:

Bust- 36"
Waist- 28"
Hips- 39"

My measurements today:
Bust: 36"
Waist: 30"
Hips: 42"

Since I'm a pear-shaped gal, I know I'll never realistically be a 36-26-36 but I believe that my goals are achievable since I've hit those measurements before. I want to lose 2 inches in my waist and 3 off my hips.

My fitness plan is simple. 5 days a week- 30 mins of cardio and 30 mins of strength training. I also will incorporate my new Danskin Portable Pilates Studio into my training. It helps to strengthen your core and help achieve long and lean muscle mass.

Bloggin'

So I've decided to join the world of blogging. I'm new to this and am not entirely sure what my blog life will entail but join me for my day-to-day commentary of my life as a new New Yorker.

I relocated to the Big Apple from Los Angeles, where I lived for nearly 4 years.

Why did I move to New York? Adventure. Life. Dreams. Forward motion.

I've always wanted to live in the greatest American city before I was 30 and I've actually done it! Big pat on the back to me and those who helped me get here.

I'm often asked: "Which city do you prefer?"
To be honest: I'm not sure. I like them both. Both have their pitfalls and downsides but both cities also offer loads of adventure, interesting characters, and an energy that sucks millions of people into living in their vicinity.