The Neighbourhood Run - NYC Diaries

The best way to learn about a neighbourhood is to go for a run.

This week, I've been trying to get back into some sort of fitness routine so I went on a search around my area for a place to start. I found a pavement park path that wraps around a playground and various courts where tons of people hangout together; the "gatherers" as I've dubbed them. 

On my runs, I circle around sweaty babies in plastic swings, old gossiping dames, gents playing chess, skinny adolescent boys playing basketball, loners feeding pigeons, Asian senior citizens walking backwards and patting their torsos and dogs frolicking in a sand pit. 

Yesterday, there were these two tween girls sitting on a bench across from the basketball court pretending to be interested in their phones. Over and over, I ran by them and we stared at each other. 

"Oh man, they must think I'm such a loser," I thought.

There I was in my embarrassing getup that included a baggy t-shirt, a florescent pink hat and inside-out running tights (that I noticed were inside out when I left the house). Over and over I passed them and I thought, "Why do I care if these girls think I'm cool?!" 

Yet, it's summer and what I would give to be twelve again and sit on a park bench with my best friend giddy at the anticipation, at the brief possibility that the ball would roll over. We would have to decide who would go grab it and for a brief moment interact with them. The moment that would lead us to giggle uncontrollably and walk back to our parents' house and eat ice cream and talk about it, until the next day when we would run into them again while everyone pretended it didn't happen.

And then I miss my childhood. And my best friend.
And maybe, just maybe I want these girls to think I'm cool, so one day they are dorky enough to put on their florescent hats and run around the boys playing basketball instead of just staring at them.
 

Eat That Muffin Top

In university my roommates used to gently tease me about my legs.

"Chicken legs" was my nickname. I was the shortest of the bunch and my gams definitely didn't graze rooftops. Even when I was a little girl, I remember the bandages hanging off my knobby knees and gangly limbs. However, I never paid attention until people pointed them out to me in a negative way.

I began to think, "Maybe my legs are really unattractively skinny." 

Now hear this. A week ago, one of my best friends told me that she requested to her personal trainer (a friend of ours) that she wanted legs just like mine. What?! It can be said that body types can be perceived like art, 'another person's treasure can be another person's trash.' 

Upcoming Fall 2010 fashion has taken a turn to embrace the more "voluptuous" woman. This essentially means embracing large breasts, small waists and wide hips. If you happen to fall into that category you can breathe a sigh of double D relief. If you don't, you can head to your nearest lingerie shop.

It can be frustrating for some, yet liberating for others when the 'fashion world' decides to embrace a new form of woman. 

What matters though is health. How do you feel about your body? Are you trying to achieve a certain standard? Why are you trying to attain this look?

It is easy to bash and critique your body. Everyone has areas they don't like. It may even be easier to scrutinize other people, models or celebrities. When I look at my legs, I've learned to love them. I'm proud of them. Sure they're skinny and short in length, but they also have tone and muscle from running. Beyond aesthetics, I appreciate that my legs take me places.

I was involved in a car accident last week. It was pretty traumatic but thankfully everyone was okay. I did sprain my neck and still have to wear a really attractive neck collar, but the experience taught me two things:

1. Things could always be worse
2. My neck is really important. Every other simple task feels challenging when one part of your body is out of whack.

Therefore, try and be grateful for every inch of your body. Fuel it well. Work it. Understand it. Accept it. Once you do, there is nothing anyone can say that will make you love it less.

Now that's always in-style.

[photo cred Stefania Sgambelluri]

Free Yoga? Yes please!

It's no secret that I love yoga.

I've blogged about it, tweeted about it and preached about it to anyone who will listen. My good friend Kelly who is also a fellow blogger once said, "Saying you're not flexible enough for yoga is like saying you're too dirty to shower."

So when Kingwest fitness (171 East Liberty Street) approached me to speak about their All You Can Yoga event, I was happy to inform my lovely readers. Located in the bustling Liberty Village in Toronto, the All You Can Yoga program offers anyone and everyone the opportunity to attend free yoga classes, back to back and on multiple days. There is no need to register, just show up!

Dates: June 5-6, July 10-11, August 14-15 (weekends)

Classes are daily at: 10a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., & 3:00 p.m.

By helping with the promotion of this event, I will be a member of the gym for 3 months. So I hope to see you (if you live in the city) at the yoga classes. I'll tweet & blog reminders for the July and August sessions. If you see some girl with lots of hair toppling during toppling tree, yeah that's me.

If Your Dog is FABULOUS Raise Your Hand, If Not Raise Your Standards

It’s time for a status update on my fitness challenge.

To be honest, I haven’t exactly been meeting or exceeding the expectations I set out for myself.

Cardio? Nope. Strength training? Nope. Hot yoga? Nope. 

So what exactly have I been doing for the past few weeks since I set this tedious goal?

Well for one, walking my dog.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to my dog BAILEY. Or as my sister has named him: Bailey Milo Horton. Ridiculous right?

Bailey is a 6 month old Shihpoo. He enjoys liver treats, biting my favourite shoes (R.I.P black leather bow flats and suede ankle boots) and cuddling with each member of my family. He has a kind temperament and isn’t one of those god awful yapper dogs. Ugh nothing is worse than a yappy dog.

It does help that he is pretty. Oh so pretty.

Lately, the only exercise I’ve been getting is walking Bailey. I bundle up and we set off into the great suburban sidewalks. He sniffs, explores and kisses life on the mouth. I look forward to our walks. After a long stressful day at school and a tiring commute home- the last thing my body should do is sit down in front of a computer or on a couch. Bailey gets my lazy ass on my feet. I can clear my head, breathe some fresh air and see the world through his eyes. Bailey gives me a new perspective on my stresses. After our walk my homework and troublesome woes do not seem that unmanageable.

So I haven’t completely ditched my fitness goal- I’ve just found an alternative method of getting on my feet. I’l let you know how the rest comes along!

Do you have a pet? Do you enjoy fall walks?

Bailey would love to hear your comments!