Thursday, January 24, 2013

Defining My "Best" Life

Yesterday, Ali on the Run wrote a wonderful post about being a responsible reader. That is, no longer reading blogs only to get angry over them or feel badly about yourself in comparison. I thought it was wonderful because I think we've all been there, reading things we hate or continuing to follow people on Facebook or Twitter when their every tweet or status update annoys us.

But it made me want to reflect on a few things and define my blog's tiny space in the gigantic Internet world of blogs.

If I am defining my blog philosophy, I should probably include pictures of mountains. 
There's a reason I titled this blog Jen's Best Life. It's about my workouts and race training and balancing law school (and, come fall, work) with everything else in life, yes. But I also post about dinners out and seeing movies and getting drinks with friends. Because to me, living my best life is not about constant deprivation in pursuit of some unattainable vision of perfection.

Instead, I try to eat and live with a forward-looking view. That is, what will make me feel best today? Tomorrow? A month from now?

Having a dog? All part of living my best life. How could seeing this not make me feel happy?
Most of the time what will make me feel best is relatively "healthy" eating, lots of veggies and fruit. But I hate the terms "good" and "bad" foods. When I go to a Mexican restaurant and gorge myself on tortilla chips and guacamole, they taste extremely "good" to me. If covered in cheese, even better. I don't do that every night, but a life without nachos is a life unlived (to me). 


Oh, and I don't work out to burn calories. I don't even count calories. I tried to for a while, and yes I lost a few pounds, but it felt so restrictive. That doesn't mean it can't be a wonderful weight loss tool, but I'm not trying to lose weight so why would I do something that makes eating less enjoyable for me?


Going for a run and watching my dad "run" the mini dachshunds should probably also go in a post about living my best life, right? 
I've written before about how it's hard to motivate myself to go to the gym or head out for a run. But even the shittiest run feels great at the end. So I run. And I love how strong I feel when I strength train. So I lift weights and do push-ups.

Being strong and fit makes me feel excited and alive, but enjoying baked goods and Tex-Mex also make me happy. (Yes, I'm obsessed with Mexican food and have mentioned it about 5 times already, judge me if you want. Or go out to a Mexican restaurant with me -- even better!)

This picture in my blog header of me cooking? I'm in Mexico. Making Mexican food. Guacamole, to be exact.
When I am 90 and reflecting on my life, I don't think I'll say "I wish I were three pounds lighter." I also don't think I'll say "I wish I'd eaten that cookie that one day that I turned down." I'm pretty sure I'll reflect on the relationships I had with people and what I accomplished in my life, and that's why a great night out at a Mexican restaurant having drinks with friends and eating nachos is worth it. It's also why training for half-marathons and then, someday, a full marathon is worth it.

How did we get to me on my deathbed? That's morbid. Anyway, all of this is just my philosophy on how I can live my most fulfilling life. It's what motivates me as I write this blog, and use having a blog as motivation to live my best life.

How do you try to live your "best" life? 

11 comments:

  1. I continue to love all these posts where bloggers are working on reflecting on what works for them and making sure they're happy in their own life/skin/blogs... this stuff has definitely been on my mind lately as well. Great post! And ummmm anytime you need a buddy for Mexican food... let me know!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Liz!!

      Haha I will, you'd be shocked by the number of people I've met who don't like Mexican food!!!

      Delete
  2. Just like your last post where you're already planning retirement ;) Think big Jen! I agree completely with this. And it doesn't make me feel bad for the batch of brownies I may or may not have devoured last night.

    My best life is living the best I can to set an example for my family and babe, but not so type A that we can't eat brownies and watch tv. Everything in moderation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey, #thinkbig2013, right? ;) Brownies are so good. SO good. The batter is my favorite part! And based on your blog, I think you're living a GREAT example for your little girl.

      Delete
  3. Great post, Jen! I'm definitely the same--I feel better (and healthier and stronger) when I eat mostly "good" foods, but life is too short to say no the chocolate, wine, and Mexican food. (LOVE some good guac!) I also feel better (again, and healthier and stronger) when I swim, bike, and run. Working out makes me feel confident and comfortable in my skin, and I also experience workout "highs," which keep me coming back for more. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Carrie! It's nice to know that you share my perspective (which I could have guessed based on your blog, of course!). The crazy change in my relationship to food since I started working out has been really wonderful since I now don't hate myself for indulging at times!

      Delete
  4. Love this post. You absolutely have the right attitude about living your "best life". Life is about being healthy and happy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks Kim! I think it takes a while to find the right balance for *you*, but once you do it's a great place to be :)

      Delete
  5. I agree. Although I'm not in my best shape right now and I'm trying to fix that, I just ate a delicious cuban/peruvian meal with my husband. It made my life the "best" tonight, and I did it without regret! Now, about that canolli....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay! I've only had Cuban/Peruvian food a few times, but it's always been good. And I may or may not have consumed my weight in ceviche when I was in Miami last year at a Peruvian restaurant...

      Delete
  6. I use to wish I was Mexican. I thought I might be able to eat/make more Mexican food. Love it!

    ReplyDelete