customer service woes

Today I went to the mall to buy new glasses. While waiting for LensCrafters to make my new glasses I wandered around for an hour. I was truly disappointed in the customer service, or should I say, lack thereof. Customer service is something I know something about. I worked in Retail from my high school job starting in grade 10 all the way though University. I even managed a Roots store for a year after University before going back to school for post grad.

Today made me want to start a new business. I know secret shoppers exist already, but considering the terrible service I received today, I can only assume most companies are not using the service or the employees don't care. I truly feel that I could help these stores do better.

A couple examples. I walked around RW & CO for 20 minutes today, carrying a couple sweaters, and not one sales associated said hello or offered me help.  I walked into The Source to find 3 sales associates around the cash desk, 2 playing with their smart phones.

On the bright side, I had a terrific experience at LensCrafters today. Very helpful sales associates and quick service. I also had a good shopping experience at Jacob. Attentive sales associate who helped me find sizes, had good change room follow-up and followed through well to close the sale. My only constructive criticism on that experience would be no up-sell. I even opened the door asking about the perfumes at the desk.

RW & CO, The Source, if you're interested in upping your game and doing better for your clients. Let me know. I'd be happy help.

S

day 30

All done. But now that I've created some good habits I think I will stick to it. We'll see for how long...

day 30

All done. But now that I've created some good habits I think I will stick to it. We'll see for how long...

Day 29

So, turns out I should have committed to blogging more often than my 30 day fitness challenge :)

So while I wasn't a good blogger I did a reasonable job with the challenge, but not perfect. Sadly. I found out quickly that I am not built for everyday fitness. I did the best I could exercising regularly, and much more frequently than I did before, but every day was not possible. With travel and some really long days at work, it just didn't work out for me.

However, it wasn't a complete failure. I am day 29 days in with no booze! And 29 days of eating better than I have in a long while. And 29 days of regular fitness, even if not every day. So overall, I'm proud of my small successes despite the overall failure. (cope out? maybe)

day 6

Beautiful day outside today! Good leg workout today. Seemed a shame to be inside at the gym when it was so nice outside, but you have to do what you have to do!

For dinner I tried a new recipe and it was great! I highly recommend. Here it is:

Rainbow Trout
Lemons
Thyme
Capers
Parchment pouches (or make pouches out of tin foil)
Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Line the bottom with lemon slices, put the fish on top, then top the fish with the capers and thyme. The real recipe calls for oil drizzled over, but I thought with the steam it wouldn't be needed. I didn't miss it!  I served with brown rice and asperagus. Delicious and quick!

day 4 & day 5

There was no time to write yesterday, but my log wouldn't have been exciting. I go in my 30 minute walk, but nothing else. I'm finding it very difficult when I'm on the road to not only eat well, but to get in some worth-while exercise.

Today I did the Arms/Shoulders/Triceps P90X video. I didn't feel like going to the gym after a long week and it's too hot outside to run. I really need to do better on the food. All the exercise is not going to do much if I can't get the food under control. So hard! I just love it so much!

So the battle continues. It's Friday night, the weekend is the hardest to not open that bottle of wine. But, I'm drinking my green tea and relaxing. Just as good right?

day 3

Day 3 brought a realization to me that I really didn't think through the logistics of my 30 day plan. Realistically it should be the no wine and work out 5 days a week plan. I am already being challenged to fit in even 30 minutes into some of my days. Tomorrow for example, I am in Toronto for work all day then have a social commitment after work. I likely won't get home until after 10 and with the travel and early start to the day am I really going to want to exercise at the end of it? No. Hmmmm.

The only option is to get up at 5:30AM and go for a run or to the gym to get it in. And then try and make it through a very long day. Doable. By my lazy self is mentally fighting me. I would say most of the challenge is mental. Mind over body. I'm pretty sure I know which of those two will win.

We'll see.

But for day 3 - success. An hour at the gym doing various cardio activities while watching SoYou Think You Can Dance. Pretty good on the food today too.

Here's my run down:

Breakfast: Protein shake
Snack: Protein cookie and a green tea
Lunch: Egg white pancakes with almond butter banana filling
Snack: Apple and 15 almonds
Dinner: Salmon with asparagus and kale
Snack: Green tea

Tomorrow is a new challenge. On the road all day, out for dinner and lots of possible excuses to be bad. And let's be honest...I'm weak. Fingers crossed.

day 2

Super busy day today. Knowing that I sneaked in a 30 minute walk at lunch. I don't typically like to do that because I generally eat at my desk through lunch and I wear full business attire to work, which usually means a suit. Not so conducive for exercise.  However, today it was necessary if I wanted to get my 30 minutes in.

Plus it was a beautiful day and got to take it in. Win win.

Exhausted. Time for bed.

day 1

Day 1 a success.

Full body weights work out today to start things off. Meals went well too until the Finance brought take out home for dinner. His idea of "making dinner". At least it was middle eastern - chicken, hummus, tomatoes - and not something worse (trying to convince myself). Will try to do better tomorrow.

30 day challenge

I am in some serious need of motivation. You would think my upcoming wedding might do the trick to get me into fitness high gear, but no. At least not yet!

So I have decided to give myself a 30 day challenge. And by putting it out into the black hole that is the Internet world I may feel motivated to stick to it! In theory anyway.

Here's the challenge. 

1. No booze, meaning no wine, for 30 days. (Vic stop laughing)

2. Some kind of exercise, each day, for a minimum of 30 minutes. (Dennis stop laughing) This can include anything from walking, yoga, spin class, gym time - whatever!

This may not seem like a hard thing, but for me, this will be a true test of my will power. Or lack thereof. So, wish me luck. I will post each day on my progress for each of my 30 days. Pass or fail. On or off the wagon. But hopefully firmly on.

Here we go.

Day 1 is tomorrow: Monday June 25th. Random I know, but must start while motivated. 

the common cold

I am currently suffering from my second cold this winter. Not impressed. These colds have come after a first time experience with strep throat. I was also not impressed when I had that. All this sickness has made me think, what the heck? What is with my immune system that I am so susceptible to illness. So I looked it up on the internet. What to do to boost your immune system and here was the list.

• Don’t smoke. - CHECK
  
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat. - CHECK
  
• Exercise regularly. - CHECK
  
• Maintain a healthy weight. - CHECK
  
• Control your blood pressure. - MOSTLY CHECK
  
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. - MOSTLY CHECK
  
• Get adequate sleep. - SOMETIMES CHECK
  
• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly. - CHECK
  
• Get regular medical screening tests for people in your age group and risk category. - CHECK
  

 I do most of these things all the time. My sister has also been quite sick this winter and after speaking with her yesterday she said something that resonated with me. She said I feel like I should start smoking, drinking and being lazy...doing all the right things is not helping. I think I agree with her. Do we try too hard to do all the right things thereby making things worse? Strange logic right? All I know is that I have never been as sick as I have been in the last couple of years and I don't like it. 

Suggestions welcome.

thought of the day

life is not fair

resolutions

It has taken me a while but I am ready to write down some resolutions for 2012.

In no particular order:

1. Be tidy - for the sake of future marriage and the sanity of my future husband I will strive to be tidy. This is a significant challenge.

2. Look forward not back - I am a dweller. I harp on things I cannot change. This year I hope to accept the past and embrace the future. Deal with the now and what is to come.

3.  Find a new hobby - I am on the look out for a new hobby. Something to try and something to learn. Not sure what it is yet, but hopefully soon I will know.

4. Drink more water - helps with all bodily functions. I will drink more water and less pop.

They seem small, but for me, they are big. I'll add if I think of anything else.

M&S

I just came back from England and while there I was reminded of how great Marks & Spencer is. There is nothing that quite says England like M&S. They have everything. They have the best food! I would never have to cook again if there was a M&S near my house. They have ready to meals for anything you can think of. And the desserts...Amazing. Then again, it's probably better that we don't have one. I'd be fat and broke I think.

thought of the day

Sometimes you just need to pick a path and go down it. One way or the other, it will move you forward. And at the end of the day, it has to be the right choice, because you made it.