The Difference Exercise Makes

Infographic by Alissa Scheller for The Huffington Post.

Work it Out

I killed my workout today. There was sweat, a lot of it. Some grunting, sprints, wall balls & squats. The stuff fat burning is made of. I didn’t want to go to the gym today. I wanted to run home from work and sit on my couch feeling sorry for myself.

You see, I was dumped yesterday. It’s a re-occurring theme in my love (lack of) life so although I knew it was inevitable in the back of my mind, I was blindsided by the timing. 7:30 AM is no time to dump anyone, let alone via text. If I hadn’t just finished a yoga class, I would have been less Zen in my response.

I felt drained and beaten down by the game and just wanted to hide out. I passed out on the train on my commute home. My mouth open, kind of sleep.  I woke up in time for my stop, feeling even less enthused for a workout. But as I dragged my pathetic butt to my car, I knew that I’d regret not going even more than agreeing to date a guy 6 years my junior in the first place.

What’s that saying? ‘The only workout you regret is the one you didn’t do.’  Well it’s true. I’ve never regretted showing up and sweating it out, even on my tiredest of days.  Not every workout is a killer. Some days I know I’m going too easy on myself but at the time, its all I have in me and it’s better than not working out at all.

When I workout I focus on my form, my breathing, getting lower, going deeper and feeling my body work for me.  Feeling the sweat, sometimes literally pouring off my face, is the most cathartic feeling in the world.

Do I still feel sorry for myself? Always. I also felt fantastic at the end of my workout knowing I gave it my absolute all. In the gym, as in life, sometimes that’s all you can do.

Smorgasburg!

My brother convinced me to tag along with him and the girl he's been seeing to Smorgasburg in Brooklyn this weekend. What is Smorgasburg? you ask. It's a Flea Market of local food vendors. There are sweets, savory, outlandish & comfort foods being sold by Brooklyn's finest underneath the Brooklyn Bridge*.

I didn't really want to invest time in meeting said girl, I have a feeling she won't be around for long, but there was food involved so I slapped on my polite face and took the ride to Brooklyn.  Luckily she brought a girlfriend with her as well, so I wasn't the awkward 3rd wheel.

This day trip would be exciting for a few reasons; 1) my brother hates people and doesn't do well in crowds, 2) I saw Porchetta on the menu and 3) I haven't spent a lot of time in Brooklyn and was excited to check out Pier 5. Not 10 minutes in and I convinced my cousin to join us. Copious amounts of delectable food is right up her alley.

First things first, we made our way to the Porchetta table. Good thing, because they were one of the first tables to sell out of food. For $7 you get a little bun filled with slow roasted, salty pork goodness.  I was sure to split mine with The Friend since I knew I needed room to taste as much as I could!

We made our way to get an "ice cold" coconut to drink out of. Do I like coconut water? Not particularly but When in Brooklyn, Do as The Hipsters do and walk around with a bowling ball sized fruit and a straw.  The wait for the coconut turned ugly when they ran out and had to restock. Of course I'd get a luke-warm nut. It was tasty and still somewhat refreshing in the surprising heat. No breeze off the Hudson today!

mmm coconutty!

Meanwhile my brother and his Lady Friend unwisely decided to EACH get a mac & cheese. It was pick your own toppings, not one to shy away from animal by-product, my brother got sausage and bacon on his large order of cheesy bow ties. It was delicious but more than any one (or two) people could eat, especially on a hot day. 

mac & cheesy goodness!

Collectively, we consumed Empanadas, noodles, ice cream sandwiches, pigs-in-a-blanket, fried chicken, tacos and ice pops. We were all over the place!
It quickly turned into a lot of line waiting and being overwhelmed by your choices. Do I want pigs-in-a-blanket or a Ramen burger (the line was insane)? 

Apricot Vanilla ice pop. Hipster Potpourri as my brother calls it.

My options were limited since I try to stay away from wheat. It literally makes me sneeze and does a number on my stomach. I eat it occasionally, but I pick my battles.
I just gazed at the massive, scrumptious looking black & white cookies. I was DYING to try one but I knew I'd pay for that decision for about a week. Not worth it. It looked worth it though...

I would definitely go back but with a better idea of what I wanted, head straight to that vendor and then make my way to the picnic tables along the Pier. Check it out if you want your taste bud's to party!

Smorgasburg
Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Porchetta
Brooklyn Piggies

* There are 2 Smorgasburgs. One on Saturday  in Williamsburg and the one I went to at Pier 5 on Sundays. 11am - 6pm