Why I Am Glad I Moved to Newburyport, MA

Tonight’s weather report, courtesy of The Weather Channel:

Severe Weather Alert from the National Weather Service

… BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EST SUNDAY…

TWENTY TO 30 INCHES OF SNOW WILL ACCUMULATE IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS INCLUDING THE CAPE AND ISLANDS AS WELL AS ALL OF RHODE ISLAND BY LATE SUNDAY… MAKING IT HIGHLY PROBABLE THIS WILL BE ONE OF THE FIFTH WORST SNOWSTORMS IN RECORDED HISTORY FOR BOSTON AND PROVIDENCE.

DRIFTS OF AT LEAST 6 FEET ARE EXPECTED IN PARTS OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND WITH WIND GUSTS AFTER MIDNIGHT ALONG THE COAST REACHING 55 TO 65 MPH… EXCEPT POSSIBLY TO 75 MPH ON NANTUCKET AND CAPE COD SUNDAY MORNING.

THE STRONG WINDS WILL CAUSE SEVERE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WITH WHITEOUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES. THE WINDS LIKELY WILL ALSO TRIGGER AT LEAST SCATTERED POWER OUTAGES NEAR THE COAST… AND TO A LESSER EXTENT INLAND.

OVER CAPE COD… NANTUCKET AND MARTHAS VINEYARD… THE SNOW WILL LIKELY BE OF A SOMEWHAT WETTER CONSISTENCY… AND THUS CREATE THE RISK FOR WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES SUNDAY MORNING.

SNOW WILL TAPER TO SNOW SHOWERS LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON OR EVENING. CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL PERSIST INTO LATE SUNDAY EVENING ACROSS EXPOSED AREAS.

AMOUNTS AS HIGH AS 3 FEET POSSIBLE. THE MOST VULNERABLE LOCATIONS FOR 30 INCHES OR MORE OF SNOW ARE ESSEX… PLYMOUTH… NORFOLK AND BARNSTABLE COUNTIES IN MASSACHUSETTS AND PROVIDENCE COUNTY IN RHODE ISLAND.

ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL MAY CONTINUE ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS INTO SUNDAY NIGHT.

And the best part of all:

ANY TRAVEL IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED UNTIL LATE SUNDAY OR SUNDAY NIGHT. IF YOU LEAVE THE SAFETY OF BEING INDOORS YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR LIFE AT RISK.

Anna’s Not Alone

Lest you think Anna is the only Watkins who’s climbed back onto the Chuck Wagon, I’ve also resumed my weight watching. I’ve also started working out at the gym in my office building.

Summer is coming, and I haven’t forgotten my stated goal of weighing 160 lbs on the first day of summer. In addition to simply losing weight, I need to get into better shape to participate in some more athletic outdoor activities including rock-climbing and kayaking.

So, I’ve been rowing and cycling at the gym. Both activities can be tough on the knees, but I’m being careful not to hyper-extend either of my knees. Certainly the last thing I need to do is screw up my good knee or re-injure my bad knee.

Unfortunately, since going to Cancun, I’d put on about 8 lbs. I’ve managed to shed one of them, but there’s still 24 lbs to lose before I’ll hit my goal.

Back on the Chuck Wagon

Well, I am pleased to say that I have started my fitness program for 2005. I signed up for the local gym (Fitness Factory), tried my first spinning class (almost died), and had my first training session today. As embarrassed as I am to admit, it has been 11 and 1/2 years since I have been in a regular gym program. Even more embarrassing is that Dad is a fitness trainer, and has been trying to get me to join a gym for nearly as long.

Need more details about my overall fitness plan? You got ‘em! I resolve to:

1. Improve my eating habits:

• Join Weight Watchers and stick to it! Note: as of January 1, signed up.
• Eat more fruits and veggies!
• Take my vitamins!
• Reduce/elimate soda (January-March), and then reduce/eliminate caffeine intake (by end of May).
• No McDonald’s or similar “garbage” food. If need be, watch Super Size Me repeatedly until urge passes.
• Speaking of Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock (the director) and his fiancee, Healthy Chef Alex, have inspired me to try my own culinary experiment. In February, I will go Vegan for one month. Sure, it’s the shortest month of the year, but it still counts.

• Join a gym. Note: as of January 10, officially signed up.
• Go to gym every day. Cardio daily, weight/strength training every other day.
• Work butt off. Sweat. Repeat.

• Swimming. Note: will join YWCA for a class starting in February.
• Snowshoeing. Note: will attend a clinic at REI this month.
• Kayaking. In the spring, I am certain the folks at REI will help.
• Climbing. Did someone say REI?

• Yoga. Perhaps the Yoga Center of Newburyport? Perhaps I will wait for prenatal yoga…
• Horseback riding. I will give this one more thought. Perhaps I will just ride a couple of times now, and start lessons next year, after Wee Watkins is born.
• Bellydance. I have DVDs and there are local classes a-plenty. Now, the question is, do I have the time?
• Biking. Maybe those spinning classes will allow me to be able to ride this year, without panting and nearly passing out.
• Hiking. Working out, I should finally be able to keep up with Jeff…
• Walking. Note: I am currently using a pedometer, and am working towards a goal of 10,000 steps (approx. 5 miles) a day, in addition to my regular workout!

• Lots of water! Note: Still getting used to this “8 glasses a day” thing.
• Use only natural makeup, like Aveda. Note: for those of you who might otherwise make a comment, I will be getting a “professional” makeup lesson later this month.
• Weekly exfoliation/rehydration, and perhaps (bi)monthly deep cleansing at a place like Interlocks, a local spa.Note: My birthday gift this year from Jeff was a gift certificate to this spa. I think I will reward myself for working out later this month, or the beginning of next!

• Use my sonic toothbrush more often, instead of my regular one.
• Remember to floss!
• Have my teeth professionally whitened, or continue to use gentle products, such as this from my favorite folks at Toms of Maine.
• At long last- BRACES!