there's rest. and then there's good rest.

January 30, 2014 Whitney Saxon

anyone have an image source?

On Monday, I went to work feeling like I needed another weekend. Last weekend was a total whirlwind of good and great things, but it left me feeling depleted. I started the week exhausted and fearful for the week ahead. I was busy at work. I was getting ready to travel. I didn't know when I'd get my workouts in. I had no food and no time to go to the grocery. I was feeling stressed by stressors I'd created on my own.

And then the snow came. And ice. And Atlanta was paralyzed.

And suddenly I found myself house-bound for two full days.

But instead of feeling like my usual self, I felt energy low. I had an entire day at home, but didn't feel like packing for my trip, working out, baking or doing much else besides cleaning out my inbox and going for a walk around the neighborhood. I didn't feel like myself.

And I felt guilty.

Like I should have used the time to organize something that didn't need reorganization. Or do a killer three-hour workout. Or at least pack for the weekend.

But I didn't do those things. I relaxed. I hung up our freshly washed shower curtain. I blogged. I replied to emails. I strolled around the neighborhood. And that was all.

And that was enough.

All too often I let being productive define who I am. I let it give me worth. I let it make me feel like I am worth space on this earth because I earned this space. I organized something, gosh darnit! I did a hard workout. Doesn't that make me worth this little plot of land?

It doesn't. It makes me productive, yes. And it makes me a good employee. And a good volunteer. And it makes me have an organized closet. And those are good things.

But sometimes it makes me tired. And I've noticed that even though I've tried to pare down my calendar, I was still feeling tired and overwhelmed. Like I was drowning. Because I wasn't using my free time to slow down. I wasn't allowing myself to just be.

So on our snow day yesterday, I practiced just being. I was uncomfortable. I was anxious about not working out. I was anxious about not organizing under my bed (yes, I said it.). So I read Robyn's post on rest for a reminder. And then, I relaxed. Took some deep (grounding, sanity-inducing) breaths. Sipped coffee. Went for a walk. Stole a yard sign to go sledding with Melly and Chris. Made nachos and margs and cookies.

And realized it was just what my body needed. There will be time for a good, sweaty workout tomorrow. There will be time to run around like a crazy person. There will be time for all of these things.

But yesterday? Yesterday was for resting. And it was good.

hip hap wednesday // with a free workout code

January 29, 2014 Whitney Saxon

Happy Wednesday my friends. Here's what's making me want to high five all around the town:

1. Tomorrow I head to Virginia for sweet Lily's seventh birthday. I don't know when this happened, because it feels like just yesterday that she was here:

and now she's here:

How did it happen?

2. I love a good workout class (obviously.) but must admit that sometimes, I just want to get in a quick workout at home. Sans fighting traffic. And sans spending money. I read about Booya Fitness on Pumps & Iron last week and was immediately hooked. Booya allows you to stream workout videos from the industry's most challenging boutique gyms and instructors. They have yoga, cardio, strength & toning, bootcamp, quiet workouts for those early mornings and more. It's $9.99 a month, but you can try it free for a month with promo code:

sanblogpromo

A month of free workouts! That's a way to feel good on Wednesday! I love that the site tracks how many workouts you've done. It's so fun to see. I'm pumped to try it this weekend with Courtney.

FYI: You will be asked for billing but won't be charged for the first month.

3. This video is money. Let's get happy.

4. This weekend is February, which means we are touching the month that brings us spring. March! Yaay.

5. I love this post about eating clean vs. eating junk food. Food is not good or bad. It's just food.

6. And last but certainly not least, yesterday Ashley welcomed another sweet baby boy into her family! I love him already and cannot wait to meet him next week.

Happy day!

on why you should refuse to settle

January 28, 2014 Whitney Saxon

Have you ever noticed the way we girls sometimes eat part of a cookie, then 12 minutes later go back for a little more? And then do it over and over? We end up eating the whole thing, but not enjoying it in its entirety. I think it ends up being less satisfying this way - it's piecemeal instead of the full indulgence, but yet, it still gets consumed. It's like we're pretending it's not happening, but before we know it, the cookie is gone.

Lately, I've noticed a lot of girls doing this with relationships. They're willing to take just part of it. The hook ups without the title. The dates without the emotional commitment. The weekend hangouts without the exclusivity.

They're taking the piecemeal relationship.

But is it really that satisfying?

It seems to me that we all deserve more than crumbs - the whole cookie, in fact. And I was thinking about how a lot of us feel pressure to race to the altar, and because of it, we accept less than we deserve. There can be so much pressure as people around us get engaged, married and pregnant. That constantly ticking clock - those constantly updated statuses - can make you feel like you should hurry.

image source

When I found myself unexpectedly and abruptly single at 24 - just months away from 25 - I was panicked by the looming birthday. I cannot be single at 25. I kept thinking. I for sure thought I'd be getting engaged at 25, not singlefied at 24-and-three-quarters.

But I was, and I felt really lonely. And sometimes I just wanted to rush forward - to hurry up and meet someone and get to know him and get engaged and finally have that wedding I'd dreamt of since age five.

image source

But I don't think we should race. I don't think we should try so hard to keep up with it. Whenever I start to feel rushed, which is more often than I care to admit, I think about the idea of living one way now, so you can live another way forever.

For right now, you live with those high standards; you don't give in -

you don't date someone you know isn't right for you

or someone who is only kind of right for you

or someone who is great but doesn't share your values

or someone you're constantly questioning

or someone who is nice to everyone else but hurts your feelings a lot.

And it's a little bit hard, because life can get lonely and it's painful to feel like you're getting left behind. It's painful to feel like you're the only single one left. Like you're so ready and you don't know what you're doing wrong.

But then, you get to live the way you want - in love and with the guy worth waiting for forever.

image source

A while back, I read about a study that was done that showed toddlers who were given candy and told to wait to eat it. Those that waited versus those that didn't ended up being more successful later in life. And I keep thinking about those toddlers and that I should be like them.

Because if we're willing to wait a little bit longer - if we refuse to settle - if we're willing to walk away from good in order to get to great - I think we'll be more successful later in life, too. We'll have partners by our side. We'll have the whole cookie instead of crumbles. And that sounds pretty great to me.

atlanta rocks! workout review // climb on

January 23, 2014 Whitney Saxon

Last summer I lured my brothers to Atlanta with promises of warmer, humid winters.

I think they're mostly wondering what I was talking about, because this winter Georgia has been anything but warm.

To make it up to them, I asked them to join me for an introductory class at Atlanta Rocks! indoor climbing gym. I can safely say that none of us knew just how awesome this class was going to be - and it was the perfect opportunity to get away from the cold. We took the class on Monday and, as I write this, I am still sore. Still! Such a good workout.

We did the Intro to Climbing class, which is offered daily and teaches you tie knots, belay and use a harness. The class certified us to belay (plus one belay check we will take next time we go back), which allows us to climb without a belay assist anytime.

After the class, we climbed on our own, which was so much fun. They have more than 50 top-rope stations with hundreds of climbs. They also have a gym onsite, so you could go lift prior to climbing - although I don't know who in the world has that kind of forearm strength.

My favorite part of the gym (besides the double-purified water at the drinking fountain) is that they have automatic belay stations, so you don't need someone there to belay you. This was perfect for me while Duke and Sam climbed in another part of the gym. I'm also thinking about getting a pass so I can go some mornings before work and love that I won't need to coordinate with anyone else's schedule.

Although you can climb without getting certified (by either passing the belay check, or at the discretion of a staff member and with someone else belaying you), I strongly recommend taking the class. Duke, Sam and I all went to camp where we rock climbed daily when we were younger and did a bit of climbing in middle and high school. While the techniques weren't completely new to us, it was so helpful to have the refresher course - and would also be beneficial to beginners. Those knots don't tie themselves!

I've driven by Atlanta Rocks off of I-75 hundreds of times and have always wondered what it takes to get to climb there. So, in case you're like me and are a little intimidated by the thought of walking into a climbing gym completely clueless, here's what you need to know:

- Yes! You can go on your own :) You don't need to be a climbing pro.

- Wear flexible clothing. I suggest yoga pants or capris so the harness doesn't make them ride up. On top, a tank or tee is ideal.

- You can rent shoes for $4 - or they're included in the class fee if you take it.

- If you're not in climbing shape (ahem, this girl), I suggest not working out prior to the class. You can burn ~570-700 calories an hour and you're going to want all the arm and leg strength you have the first time you go.

- For your first class, arrive 10-15 minutes early to get settled. The class lasts about two hours and then you can climb for as long as you want. AKA until your arms and legs give out :)

My brothers and I raced up the wall at one point and they absolutely dominated me. I think I was about a third of the way up when they got to the top. It reminded me of climbing trees with them in our backyard when we were younger and I couldn't have been happier. It was the perfect way to blend exercise and play and I can't wait to go back.

And I'm so glad I checked it off my Atlanta workout bucket list, and 2014 to do list. Now, just give me just a few more practice runs before we head outdoors. :)