Gotta Get a Sweat On!

I know that I’m at a workout low when I choose a stationary bike over running outside by the beach (I love the beach but am soooo tired of running). Ugh! I’m not going to lie, working out (and being healthy in general) sucks when you’re on a long trip like this. I’ve been good….and I’ve been bad. I would say I’ve done some kind of workout 50% of the days on the trip….and probably made it to the gym about 25%. I think that’s pretty good considering it’s hard to keep up a routine when you’re on the road and most of the hotel gyms have been LAME. I will never appreciate Equinox more! ☺ When we haven’t had the luxury of a gym, we both do exercises (push-ups, sit-ups, band stuff) in the hotel room (this totally sucks) or I run outside (usually at ridiculously early times since it gets so hot). I guess that’s the price you pay for being neurotic about working out. ☺

Asia was much easier to be healthy. We walked a ton and the food was just better with a ton more healthy options. We both lost weight. Of course Darsh lost more despite the fact that his diet was made up of chocolate croissants, spring rolls, noodles/rice every meal, ice cream, and 4 beers a day (as opposed to my omelettes, papaya salads, occasional noodles/rice, fruit smoothies, and a couple drinks/twice week). In fact, Darsh was the most lean he’s ever been while I’ve lost all my muscle mass! Ugh Boys!! ☺

Europe on the other hand has been a nightmare! I have never eaten so many crappy salads with lame iceburg lettuce and processed meat. And I’ve stopped asking for dressing on the side because they often just don’t get it….so full fat it is! Not to mention no skim milk so full fat milk as well! Italy and parts of Spain (Basque region and Madrid) were the hardest….it’s been much better everywhere else. I just had to get used to eating more fat than normal....

While I generally try to be healthy, I do love “bad” foods….especially bad carbs so it makes it that much more difficult to refrain when there are so few options! I also like Happy Hour – who doesn’t when you’re on vacation? And of course you think of every reason in the book to be bad – “It’s my first night here” or “It’s my last night here”, or “Of course I need to have a crepe from France” or “Tiramisu from Italy”. Funny how your mind works to rationalize the bad stuff. ☺

When I was in Asia I thought I was going to come back in better shape. It was great. I was totally hardcore and all was good….and I still got to have fun! In Europe my goal changed to “Keeping the damage to a minimum”. Haha! That said, the weight I lost in Asia is back…and then some I’m sure. Yikes! But I’m ok with it. I’ll never go on a trip like this again – I can live it up for 4 ½ months of my life! There’s always plenty of time to reverse the damage when I get back….which will consist of a major detox/cleanse and hardcore daily workouts by the way.

I will say that despite the fact that I don't love running (at least for long distances), I was kept motivated by my iPod. I even rediscovered old favorites. Here’s the list that kept me going. Some are new, others are way old and cheesy but they got the job done. ☺

Let Me Think About It –Ida Corr/Fedde Le Grand
Waka Waka – Shakira
I Like It – Enrique Iglesias/Pitbull
Allez Ola Ole – Jesse Matador
Feel It – DJ Felli Fel/ T Pain/Sean Paul
Like A Prayer – Madhouse
Bhangra Fever – Midival Punditz
Tell Me – Diddy/Christina Aguilera
Lose Control – Missy Elliott/Ciara
Be My Lover – La Bouche
You Can Do It – Ice Cube
Aaja Nachle – Mychael Danna
Baby Got Back – Sir Mix A Lot
Escape (Spanish version) – Enrique Iglesias
Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls – Book of Love
Hoochie Mama – 2 Live Crew
Jai Ho – A.R. Rahman/Pussycat Dolls
Our Own Way - Klaas
Poker Face – Lady GaGa
Everytime We Touch (radio mix) – Cascada
It Takes Two – Rob Base/DJ E-Z Rock

One Night in Bangkok

I always wanted to say we did “One night in Bangkok”. Well technically we did, but the night wasn’t really anything similar to what my vision of a night in Bangkok would be.

We were actually supposed to be here for two nights but we changed our trip based on all the turmoil that was going on a few weeks/months ago. Thankfully, things are much better now but we had already changed our flights so not much we could do….plus we’ve been to Bangkok so we decided to do a quick stopover. We landed in Bangkok last night at 10pm and left for the airport at 6:30am this morning.

And since our hotel had a gym (which we haven’t had for a while), Darsh actually asked if they could open it early (at 5:30am) so we could use it before we left. I thought he was crazy when he asked the hotel staff at 5am but I was happy he did it after our quick workout (thanks Darsh!). Yes I know we’re both slightly crazy! :)

So that’s it - our “Night in Bangkok” consisted of going to bed at 11pm and waking up at 5am to workout. Not at all the night of debauchery “One night in Bangkok” probably should be! Perhaps I’m old or lame….or both! Maybe we’ll make it up in Bali!!!! :)

Rise and Shine!

So far I've written all Blog entries in chronological order by city we've visited but today I'm just writing because I'm a little behind on all my Vietnam entries and I felt like writing about something current.

We're in Nha Trang now which is beautiful and it feels so good to just hang out at the beach.

It's 8:52 am and I've already worked out, had breakfast, posted a blog entry, and am now researching Bali hotels. I know it's not a rough life but I feel like I've been productive! I went running at 5:40am. Seriously no joke. It is so hot and humid here that is the only time you can do it. Sunrise was at about 5:20am and I woke up to see 100's of people on the beach. It was packed! Mostly locals as the Vietnamese only go to the beach really early or in the evening....they don't like to tan and maybe they are just smarter than tourists because it gets so hot!!

This was the first time I was able to run outside. I've been wanting to but for the most part there weren't too many walkable areas to run in the cities we've been to. I'm sure I could have found parks but it isn't always as easy as you think when you're in a different country and not able to speak the language. Anyway, I was so happy to be able to run today....and being at the beach was another bonus. I definitely was one of few tourists up at 5:30am and at the beach but it was kinda cool hanging with the locals....well kind of. I lasted for 30 minutes. I would say that's pretty good considering I haven't run outside for at least 2 months and I think it was already 80 degrees with 70% humidity. Let's see if I can pull it off tomorrow. :)