Sometimes it’s backwards
Hi friends 😀 How was your day?? So glad you liked the banana bread recipe and the Livewell promo- we’ve almost sold out already! My day was bueno- I ended up team teaching a super sweaty Zumba class and taught my first LaBlast class. I was so lucky to have an amazing group –they were so excited and enthusiastic, and picked up the steps quickly- and it was a lot of fun.
So… I am a creature of habit.
I always put my right shoe on first
Eat each part of my meal separately (even the toppings off sandwiches and pizzas, and then the bread itself)
Sleep on the same side of the bed, always
and even though things are crazy, still manage to keep a routine for the most part.
But it’s also good to shake things up a little bit…
Like by showering at night instead of the morning, and waking up with hair that looks like this
[works for him, notsomuch for me]
teaching Zumba on a Thursday [I usually teach Saturday Zumba but got to double up this week]
and celebrating Indian Food Wednesday… at a sushi restaurant.
I just wasn’t in the mood for Indian (so weird) and the Pilot and my brothers were dying for sushi, so we hit up Sushi Garden last night.
They moved to another location and majorly upped the swankiness factor.
Sadly, what they gained in swag, they seem to have lost in service, but at least the food was good.
We dined with Kyle, Meg and Trev 🙂
I had a bowl of miso soup with a house salad- one of the best salads with ginger dressings I’ve had. The lettuce was actually dark green (instead of white) and fresh
+ hibachi shrimp and veggies, no rice
+ two bites of a California roll while I gazed longingly at the salmon sashimi.
I’ve also realized that I’ve been in a major routine when it’s come to my workouts.
For the most part, I teach the same classes each week, Saturday being my intense day
TurboFire
Walking or Elliptical
Weights
Yoga.
Definitely time to change around the order of things, look at my muscle split for weights and re-evaluate, and maybe add in some other faves like Pilates and… the stairmaster.
Tonight the Pilot and I are going to chill, take Bella to the park and then go for a swim. I use the term “swim” very loosely 😉 For me, swim = doggy paddling in between floating on a noodle.
See ya in the morning!
xoxo
Gina
Why changing your routine is good for your brain:
One good suggestion for improving your brain function in everyday life: Get out of that rut. At work, many people follow the same routine every day: Get coffee, sit down, check eBay, get more coffee, return e-mails, take bathroom break, do paperwork, call client, grab lunch, get yelled at by boss, and so on.
Of course, only your boss can tell you how to do your job, but I’d like to suggest that you switch up the order every once in a while.
Following the same routine every day will not stimulate your hippocampus-the part of the brain most responsible for memory. To keep your mind active, simply try to vary your routine at work or at home. Start with calls to your client, or write your report first instead of last. Whatever your normal routine is, change the order
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Those shrimp look amazing! Hibachi restaurants are the best.
I’m also a creature of habit- traveling sometimes stresses me out in the sense that I can’t perform my usual morning routines and that’s also why I despised sleepovers as a kid. It is good and healthy to switch it up though I do find myself often reverting back to my natural habit instincts
Haha I always shower at night but I usually blowdry before bed (weird I know) to prevent frizz fest from occurring in the morning
Great review on why changing your routine is good for your brain…I totally agree! It is so easy to get into a routine and it feels good to stay in this “comfort zone” we have created…but once we are willing to temporarily step out of our comfort zone, we have the opportunity to see many more GREAT things that we were missing out on…thanks for the reminder to change it up! It is fun to mix it up, right! 🙂
Just the other night I went swimming w/ my family and it has been forever since I was in the pool…it was SO fun and relaxing…such great exercise! I can’t wait to go again! 🙂
Have a great night!
I’ve been reading that a lot of “barre”/core focused classes are good for pregnancy, especially when it comes to that whole labor and delivery thing 🙂
oooh good to know!
I am definitely a routine kind of gal too! But I agree its important to shake things up and add a little spontaneity in every once in a while! Otherwise…how can we expect to change and grow as people if we are constantly doing the same thing!
I’m a creature of habit too. When I get up, I put my contacts in, brush my teeth, and wash my face. In that exact order. Every day. If I don’t it throws me off! There have been times that I forgot to put on lotion because it wasn’t in its normal spot during my routine.
I like to surprise myself and bust a move sometimes outside of my regular routine 🙂 I’m also usually a creature of habit, though. LOVE sushi – ahhh I kinda want some right now, actually…at 11pm…no biggie.
Sorry that you have to pass on the sashimi but your dinner looks delish! 🙂
I am totally a creature of habit but moving across the country and now moving into a new apartment and new town is spurring me to mix things up! I’m loving it! 🙂
I so want to go out for hibachi tomorrow night — that sounds so delicious!
I keep a pretty steady routine but I take a day off here and there to mix things up.
haha, I don’t think that hair works on anyone. even him 😛
and I am SUCH a creature of habit. On those rare occasions when I do allow a change of routine, it’s usually a positive experience <— note to self
Great post Gina. 🙂 I agree with the mixing up the routine thing, for sure–at first it feel so weird and kinda not cool, but then you realize how valuable it really is!
“The lettuce was actually dark green (instead of white) and fresh”– Thank god for small miracles, eh?
Trust me, having a baby WILL shake up every last fiber of your being, routine, attitude, life approach, you name it, consider it shook. Everything from workouts to food rules to food likes and dislikes, attitudes and approaches to things, time management, world views, I mean it’s just been…profound. I can’t wait to watch you hop on this ride!
And sashimi. To each her own but…millions of women in Japan and Asia have eaten sushi and raw fish while pregnant. And French women sure at a lot of soft cheese, i.e. brie. There are so many rules about what’s “safe” and what’s not when pregnant, but I always pondered world cuisine/world culinary paths and such when I was preggers. 🙂
I am a major creature of habit! I tend to eat the same things all the time and go to the same fitness classes, get the same particular dish at my fave restaurant etc. I am trying to mix it up a bit with workouts and my eats lately though and am starting to see a difference!
When I was pregnant all I wanted was sushi!! I was probably 3 weeks along and ate sushi 5 days in a row!! I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I love all fish and kept the preggo fish guide with me all the time. It was a killer!
I’m a sucker for routines too but I can see how it would be healthy to change things up. Luckily my boyfriend is way more spontaneous which keeps things interesting!
Agreed Dollface!! Change is great for life and the ol brain, but too am a creature of habit and have a hard time breaking it…..I always try to brush my teeth with the left hand…thats a tricky one 😉
xxoo
I have the same Asics!
Your swimming sounds like my swimming! 😀
i could really go for all you can eat sushi, its been awhile! yum
Way to switch it up (even if not on purpose)! : D I like when change is forced sometimes, but lately we’ve had no routine so finally getting settled back into life has been wonderful – set workouts, planned meals, etc. It’s been great! But I welcome change now and then because it keeps things fresh. Glad to see in your recent posts your feeling good with your new change (such a cute baby bump!) and your meal out looked fun. Happy almost-weekend!
That shrimp & veggies looks so good! How do you ask them to prepare it so it’s not smothered in sauce? Do they still stir-fry it in oil?
that’s how they brought it out- it wasn’t greasy at all!
I am 100% a creature of habit! I teach the same classes every week as well and really have to force myself to shake up my other workout routines. My favorite pilates class and my favorite stair master are just so dang reliable!! 🙂 Here’s to shaking things up! Cheers!
Now that it’s summer, this girl has NO routine! I love it 🙂 Yeahhh gurl that place has SWAG
That was very interesting about memory and routine. I am a creature of habit to. I will even eat the same foods in the same order for weeks on end. I am with you in switching things up a little!
Those veggies look great! That’s pretty much my ideal Japanese meal right thurr 🙂
I’ve ALWAYS wanted to like sashimi but I just cant get myself to! 🙁 How do you get over the stigma in your mind of eating raw fish!?
Just asking, because I thought you were pregnant: Aren’t pregnant women supposed to not eat raw meat/fish/seafood?
that’s why i only have a couple bites of california roll- it’s one of the few that only has cooked fish in it. the crab is cooked
and yes, i am pregnant
Great post- I am SUCH a creature of habit and tend to fall into workout ruts as well as eating ruts when I start to love something.. there was a scary sweet potato phase going on for a while here. Sometimes you’ve got to shake things up! As a result, I’m thinking of trying out Crossfit this wkend, or even just hitting up one of the classes at my gym (I am always a big scaredy cat at joining group classes besides spinning!).
I missed sushi the most during pregnancy. I always craved it! At least the food was really good after having not great service.
I used your Summer Shape Up as inspiration to change up my routine and I’ve noticed a massive difference. I have a lot more energy, I’m more focused & I want to go to the gym / exercise instead of dragging myself there.
that’s awesome! i’m so glad to hear you liked it 🙂
On a micro level of switching things up… my favourite yoga instructor always says when you’re clasping your hands together to moved the order of the knuckles you automatically go to. It feels weird but is a really small way to get your brain used to trying new things.
I love it!
I’m guilty of getting stuck in a routine rut, too. Sometimes my life scarily resembles the movie Groundhog Day. I like the advice of just switching a few things around—the change doesn’t need to be drastic, but even a small switch can make me feel energized. Thanks for the reminder!
I don’t know how I’m going to survive without sushi when I’m pregnant – I eat it at least 1x per week now! 9 months without it will feel like torture! 😛
i wanted to crawl behind the glass case and snatch up all of the salmon sashimi. it was bad.
mm Hibachi is the best 🙂 I have to change up my routine regularly ( as far as classes and workouts) or i get burnt-out easy…
That is an intense saturday! Keep up your hard work!
This is so true, it’s nice to mix things up a bit, and fun to see the ways you do it. That picture of Russell Brand is hilarious! My hair totally looks like that after going to sleep with damp hair. Not good 😛 Your dinner out looks amazing – in terms of things from the sea, nothing beats prawns and veggies! (Well…except salmon and veggies) 😉 yum! xyx
HAHA! That is me swimming too! I’m a horrendous swimmer! Doggy paddle all the way!
3 cheers for doggy paddlers! 🙂
Is it just order that helps? I have work in different locations each day and dont follow exact patterns like people who work in an office or some location – but I basically operate on need so there isn’t exactly a routine
I’m such a creature of habit too. I also eat one thing at a time, have to get into bed from one side, eat the same kind of lunch/snacks each day, and follow a specific routine at work on Fridays (not so much on others). A coworker told me it was good to rearrange things every six months though – like changing the location of certain things on my desk – to force myself to think differently and possibly improve processes. We both did that, and I think it helped.
I am definitely a creature of habit too. I go to the same classes at the gym every week. I need to start mixing it up a little more so I don’t get bored/burnt out.
Such a good point about switching things up! I find I need this especially at work! I just switch on auto pilot and become a work robot. Even though I’m at work, I’m still alive, I need to act like it!
you totally just confused me into thinking today was Thursday since you referenced “Indian/Sushi food Wednesday” yesterday…..but yesterday was actually Thursday. Am I making any sense? Whatever – you confused me is the point ; )
i confuse myself sometimes. haha
Why can’t I find, “SOMETHING FOR THE DJ’S” on iTunes???
it’s there- just don’t put the ” ‘ ” in there. search: pitbull something for the djs
Gracias!
I definitely get mired down in exercise ruts – something I’m working on changing by bringing more spinning and lifting and zumba into my liiiiiife. I agree with what Dr Roizen said; we have to be continually stimulated and challenged in order to develop and grow in a positive way. Easier said than done. I struggle when I veer off my usual workout/ eating path, but it always ends up being a good experience.
Love this post! I just wrote about being a creature of habit in terms of my food: http://thegoodlives.com/2011/06/30/creature-of-habit/
It’s so easy for us to get into a routine and I don’t really like change…but it’s so good for us!