Shop therapy

So after yesterday's post, and the realization that I'm timing my eating all wrong, I didn't work out yesterday like I had originally set a goal for earlier in the week. When 5-o-clock came around I was starving, which isn't good if you plan on working out in 30 minutes, so I proceeded to get a "snack" at Arby's (four mozzarella cheese sticks ^_^). Then, after picking up my new-old LSAT books for the course I'm retaking at Kaplan for the LSAT, I headed to the mall.

JCPenny's was having a sale on polos and crew neck t-shirts, so I picked up a few. They'll be good for walking door-to-door during the campaign this year. Then, to Charlotte Russe for some earrings; by far I think they have the cutest stuff for the most reasonable price. Can't beat 6 pairs of not-kiddy-pre-teen earrings for $8 bucks.

After coming to the conclusion that I did not want to do dishes later (my flat does not have a dishwasher, much to my chagrin) I picked up a baked spaghetti at Fazoli's and headed back to my place to watch an episode of the West Wing. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I relaxed yesterday evening.

While at the Mall, I happened upon a couple books about stress management. The first, Stress Free for Good, seemed to pretty much give advice that one can find for free online anyway. Breathing techniques, the need to say "no" sometimes, time management skills that create time for you. After leafing through the book it seemed like the conventional wisdom I hear so often anyway.

The second, which I might actually get, is So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women, which was more scientific in nature. They talked about the four types of stress response, including one that I think was pretty accurate in describing me: HyperP stress response, where a high-achieving multitasking woman crashes when stress piles up too much, and needs a few days to "recharge." Or, when that woman runs out of things to do, they don't know what to do with themselves. That, for the most part, sounds like me - but I'll have to read the book to actually find out. It seemed to prescribe scientific things one can do to combat stress. If I really am a HyperP, then I need to eat more protein to combat stress. Don't quite know why yet, though.

In other news, I have a suspicion that taking the stairs is an abdominal workout. I haven't worked out my abs in a long time, however I find my abs are sore as if I did a reasonable amount of crunches. I have no proof to back this up other than the fact that my abs have been sore since I've started taking the stairs, but I think it's true. The stairs are becoming easier, too, so that's a good thing as well.

Also in other news, I made an offer on a house a couple weeks ago and the seller accepted my offer!!! I'm excited but I'm not going to hold my breath, we still have to wait and see if the bank accepts the offer too. So, if/when I get more news I will definitely post it here.

Today the high is going to be around 60*, so I might go to the track and do a run-walk for a mile and a half. You can only take so much elliptical before it makes you crazy.

Til tomorrow,

Melissa