Caffeine Headache

Day 2 with no pop, & I'm starting to get my first caffeine headache.  Could also, very likely, be a stress headache.

I almost ordered a Diet Coke with my Schlotzsky’s sandwich yesterday, but I caught myself in time.  Having a water bottle at my desk helps, but I could definitely use a Coke right now!

On an UNRELATED note: I’ve started a second blog, which is food-centered.  It’s still in the works, so it’s pretty underwhelming right now.  But, if you’re interested to see what’s in my crock pot – check it out!  http://whatnikkiate.blogspot.com/

Déjà vu

Despite choosing to drive on Thursday, my Week Without Biking was an overall success.  I’ve got 3 of my 10 commutes in the books, which means I’m well on my way to completing my resolution.  I hope to bike a couple of days this week.  Bonus:  During my week of biking, we installed a new bike rack in the office garage!

This week, I’m bringing back an oldie but a goodie.  I just passed the first anniversary of this little blog, so I’m resuscitating the week that started it all:  A Week Without Pop.  It’s fitting, too – because lately I’ve begun to suspect that I’m developing a reaction (gasp!!) to soda.  If I feel better this week – I’ll likely give up pop for good.

Coke Zero, you & I had a good run:  Mornings together at the office, road trips, lunches at Mr. Goodcents, breaks at the vending machine… good times.  You even surprised me with gifts from your CokeRewards Points.  I’m sorry, but it’s time for me to move on.  It’s not you.  It’s me.  *burp*

The Downsides

I’m on Day #3 of bike commuting.  First off – I like it.  Second – there’s a lot of positives that bike commuters are always preaching about:

“It’s good for the environment!”

“You’ll lose weight!”

“You’ll feel great!”

“It saves you money!”

Yeah, yeah.  Those are all TRUE.  However…I don’t hear a lot of the negatives.  So here it is – the sh*t they don’t talk about:

-          You fall.  In front of people.  It’s embarrassing.  (and sometimes hurts)

-          You have to get up earlier & plan ahead much more. (...and then they’ll cancel the morning meeting anyway.  Harrumph.)

-          If you’re not used to biking, your nether regions are going to hurt for a while until they get used to it.  Even with bike shorts.

-          You’ll care about wind more than rain.

And the one even bike people talk about:  Drivers don’t see you.  They will run over you.

So far, my rides have been fairly uneventful.  I’ve watched out for drivers.  I’ve had fantastic weather.  I have the ideal work situation for bike commuting.  And I’ve felt great!  And aside from falling over yesterday in front of rush hour traffic, I’m happy with what I’ve done so far.

LOOK AT ME!

Day #1 of bike commuting was a success!  I experienced a bunch of things on the way to work that I wouldn’t have in a car:

•           A cool breeze on my face
•           Exchanging “good mornings” with 2 dog walkers, a utility worker, and a homeless guy
•           Meeting the electricians that were working at the office
•           Burning a few calories

Plus, I was really awake & in a great mood when I got to my desk.  (I can hear the “I-told-you-sos already…)  

Half of my route is through residential streets, and half of it is along busy streets in a commercial area.  I have ridden with traffic before, but I’m not yet comfortable enough to do it during rush hour on those streets.  Besides, I have a feeling my slow butt would seriously impede traffic!

The ride home was a little bit more stressful.  I actually yelled “LOOK AT ME!” to an oblivious driver on a cell phone.   Both the forecast and my schedule have worked out perfectly for this week – so I’m hoping for another successful ride tomorrow.

A Week Without Commuting by Car

It’s been months since I’ve done a “week without”, but that’s not to say that I haven’t been self-improving J  My husband and I have been cracking down on our horrible sleep habits, clutter covering the house, and next we’re looking to improve our finances.  There’s no shortage of things that we need to organize…

After a few weeks of HOT weather including three-digit temperatures, Nebraska is starting to feel like fall.  Perfect for football, and perfect for riding my bike to work!  “Ride my bike to work 10 times” was one of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2012, and it’s high time I got it crossed off my list!  So, starting tomorrow, I’m going a Week Without Commuting by Car.  I can still use my car for other things, but I’ll be getting to & from the office on two wheels.

On another note, I’m taking a long weekend beginning Friday to cross off another reolution:  taking an overnight river trip.  If all goes well, I’ll be paddling down the Dismal River – which I hear is contrary to its name.