DAY 179 OF 365: GETTING BACK INTO THE GRIND

It is always hard to get back into the grind when you return from a vacation. For me, the hardest part has been the food. Not only was it healthy but it was also prepared for me. So after a great workout or a hike, I didn't have to prepare anything. Now, I come back from the gym and I have to prepare an amazing and healthy meal. It sounds bad, but after a week of having amazing food prepared for you, you kind of get used to it.
Well the laundry is done and the bills have been paid. The only think left to do is get back into my routine. Tomorrow is my first day back working out with JC. Even though I worked out everyday at the ranch, I am still anticipating a hard and intense session with JC. He will not be taking it easy on me and I don't expect him too. I have decided to step up my challenge and in a couple of days I will be filling you all in on what I mean. But for now, all you need to know is that I am increasing my workout and concentrating on tightening up my core. Well, off to bed. Early morning working out with JC. Till tomorrow.

DAY 178 OF 365: A RESTFUL YET BUSY FIRST DAY BACK

The first day back from vacation is always a bit chaotic. There is all the laundry that needs to be done. The mailbox full of mail (mostly bills) that needs to be sorted. Not to mention that musty smell of the house/condo that happens when the windows have been closed and the air has been turned off while you are away. I spent most of the day taking care of all the above mentioned as well as dealing with my jet lag. I was up today by 8am, which in LA would be 5am. Now, lets not forget that I went to bed at 1am NY time. So needless to say, my poor body is a little confused with the time change. 

I am hoping that tomorrow I can hit the gym before running some errands. I am enjoying the taking it easy part though. It is nice coming home from a vacation and not having to go right back to work. The only downfall is that I miss the amazing food from the ranch. Well, I guess I will have to master the cuisine of the ranch. Hmm, that might not be as easy as one may think. Time for bed. I am exhausted, though I feel like I have hardly accomplished anything today. Till tomorrow.

DAY 177 OF 365: BACK IN NYC

So I spent most of today traveling from LA to NYC. I woke up this morning and enjoyed some coffee and breakfast with Marcus and Diane before packing up my things and enjoying one last view of their gorgeous backyard. I love that they have fruit trees all throughout their backyard. We even enjoyed some fresh squeezed OJ this morning. After packing up and saying my goodbyes, Diane drove me to LAX for what seemed like the longest check in process. There was a moment I actually thought that I might not make it to the gate in time. LAX is crazy and no one really wants to help you. But, I lucked out and made it to gate 33B with 15 minutes to spare. Now my flight to LA was great. The plane was hardly filled and no kids. This flight home however was packed and about a third of them were kids that felt the need to scream and cry the entire flight. One of them was sitting right across from me. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant flight home. But I landed unharmed and I am home in Jersey City. I was greeted by bills and my new credit cards and lots of laundry. Fun times! Well, I am back to reality and back to working out with JC. I am going to try and increase my workout schedule and include more juicing in my diet. I am bringing the Ranch and it's philosophies home with me. Tomorrow I am going to research some yoga classes in my area and also check into pilates classes. Till tomorrow.

DAY 176 OF 365: LAST DAY IN LA

So today was my last day in LA. Hard to believe my LA/Mexico meditation spa retreat vacation has come to an end. Well, I enjoyed some time today with Diane at the Santa Monica pier followed by some much needed lounging by the pool. Tomorrow morning I will have just enough time to pack up before heading to LAX to catch my flight back home to JFK. The sad part is that there is the whole three hour time change so by the time that I land and get home it will be past midnight. Not looking forward to that. Well, I am off to bed. Till tomorrow.

DAY 175 OF 365: EXHAUSTED

So today was the first day back from the ranch and I am exhausted! I underestimated how much it took out of me, especially getting up every morning at 5:30am. I woke up this morning and helped Diane set up for a party. Well, sorry to be short and sweet but I am off to bed. Till tomorrow.

DAY 174 OF 365: BACK IN LA

So we drove back to LA this morning after an amazing week at Rancho La Puerta. I had an amazing time. This is the most relaxed I have felt in a long time. I will try and post some photos tomorrow that we took at the ranch. I am exhausted and looking forward to some sleep. Going to bed now. Laundry will have to wait till tomorrow. Going to keep this post short and sweet! Till tomorrow.

DAY 173 OF 365: LAST DAY AT THE RANCH

So I started today off with a 5.5 mile hike called the coyote hike. Once again the views were amazing. I have to say that I am very proud of myself in that I got up every morning to do an early morning hike. We took some amazing photos that I will post on the blog when we get home to LA tomorrow. The evening ended with an amazing dinner at the dining hall with a live band and dancing. By the end of dinner we were all on the dance floor having a great time. I am sad to leave tomorrow morning. Some great memories were made and some new friendships created. So,I have to thank Trevor Donovan who inspired me to do this challenge. Because of him I was able to experience the beauty of Rancho La Puerta. Well, I am off the enjoy the evening with friends. Till tomorrow.