My new obsession with spinning

I never thought I would ever say this, but I LOVE SPINNING.

I used to go to my old gym and see those poor souls in that room full of bikes and think to myself Why on earth do they do that? It looks like torture! – In a way it kind of is, but it feels so good. Workouts always start very hard for me, but then my body kicks into gear and it becomes hard for me to stop.

A few weeks ago, during all of my ankle issues, I was looking for cardio options that wouldn't put too much strain on my ankle, but would still give me a good sweat and calorie burn. I took to the spin class at my gym, and as hard as it is, I really really love it. I can already see a difference in my legs and it causes absolutely ZERO pain in my ankle. WIN.

Last night I went to my 5:45 spin class and decided, out of mere curiosity, to wear my heart rate monitor to see what my heart is at during this challenging class AND to see about how many calories I am burning during a typical session. I went through an hour of spin, and Dave and I decided to do a little arm workout with the ropes afterward.

We were only messing around for about 20 minutes when I looked down at my calorie burn and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.

900 calories. Holy moly. Now I love Spin even more!!! HAHA
Seriously though, I highly recommend this workout for cardio. It's a great way to get a sweat on without too much impact on knees or ankles that might be hurting... also, you can adjust your own resistance to make the workout as hard or as easy as you want. I like that kind of variety. :)

Wednesday workout....

Last night I made it to the gym by my house for a little sweat sesh. I have done this workout before, but I added a few things in between to use a little more of my balancing muscles.

Here's my Wednesday night workout:

I have to admit this thing kicked my butt. I was only able to do 2 rounds, but was close to completing the 3rd. Dave was pretty hungry and ready to go grab dinner at whole foods, so I caved and only did 2 rounds of this. Someday I will manage to complete 3 rounds - it takes a while though.

On a side note: how cool is my Trifecta Tank from RokFit? I love it so much I kinda want it in blue as well... I'm a sucker for cute gym clothes... and yes, this trio is completely accurate. Bacon, coffee and fitness are indeed my top priorities! (And Dave too! HAHA)

Thanksgiving weekend, workouts and a Frenchie

This weekend went by in a blur and I realized it had been way too long since my last post. My main goal this past weekend was to not focus the weekend too much around food, rather, focus the weekend on working out and getting things done.

On Thanksgiving Day, Dave and I got up early to run the Arroyo Verde hiking trail just a few miles away from our house. These photos were taken after the 4 mile run with our little fur-child, Phoebe. Below the trails is this beautiful little park. After our runs I always just want to lay down on a blanket in this park and take a long nap. 

We ate with my family later that afternoon at my Grandparents. Thanksgiving isn't the tradition it used to be because my grandparents aren't very mobile anymore, so we visit them in their retirement community, and it is usually over no later than 2:00 - which is always a little bit of a letdown. You know, since nothing is open on Thanksgiving, so there isn't much else for us to do. But we did enjoy a bottle of wine and some Lord Of The Rings.... I had never seen it, and Dave was appalled, so we watch it. Haha.

Friday morning (Black Friday) I decided to forgo the shopping experience and went to a 7:00 am boxing class at the (new) gym. Damn I love that class. It kicks your butt. Definitely worth getting up and going to. I need to remember that. 

 Olive was just being extra cute this weekend so I thought I'd post some photos of her squishy mug on here. In this photo she was very serious about me getting out of bed to feed her. Googly eyes and all. Girl loves her food. Hmmmmm I wonder where she got that from?

Later on Friday we decided to put up our Christmas decorations. Mostly the tree and the outdoor lights. I do love my little tree - covered in pinks and blues and starbucks cups and owls... It's my favorite night light. I wish I could keep it up for longer than a month.

 Olive and Phoebe were very curious about what the heck we were hanging on the house.

Saturday my parents held a non-formal Thanksgiving feast at their house. It was delicious, but again, I took no photos of the food. I guess I was really serious about not focusing too much on food that weekend. We did, however, get another workout in before the last feast of the weekend. My brother Shane invited us on a little hike up the trail behind my parents' house in Ojai. It was only a couple of miles but it definitely helped with all the food we had eaten over the weekend. It was also very special because I hadn't gone on this trail since I was in junior high, so there were lots of memories on this trail. Sometime soon Dave and I have agreed to do the FULL day hike to the top of the Topa Topa mountain (the top of the mountain in the photo below - I've heard its a cray hike but totally worth it)

And then Sunday was just another day of getting groceries and things in order for the week ahead. That concludes our crazy Thanksgiving weekend! I truly enjoyed the time off and all of the time we spent on exercise and getting outdoors. It was a great weekend.

Foxy Boxing and a new gym!

Last night I took a boxing class with a good friend of mine, and loved it. No it's not called Foxy Boxing... I just called it that because it sounds funny. Haha. This class was at a DIFFERENT gym than the one I go to, and I think I've been converted. I may have to break up with my current gym. 

You see, I had recently gone to a boxing class at my current gym and wasn't all too thrilled with it. The instructor was lethargic and her enthusiasm was extremely forced and I wasn't convinced she even wanted to be there. Needless to say after the class ended, I left unmotivated and not all that sweaty. It felt more like a social hour for her and the other women who weren't there to break a sweat.

Yesterday I got an invite by my good friend Hayley to join her in a boxing class at HER gym. Life changing I tell you! It was intense!!! The instructor almost raps the moves to you to an amazing music mix that is motivating and sweat-inducing. Every inch of my body was drenched in sweat and my muscles were burning. I loved it.

Not only did I love the class itself, but the rest of the gym was exactly what I'd been looking for. I've only been at my current gym for a month, but haven't yet felt comfortable there and even though it's a very large gym, it is always PACKED, and the classes are only so-so. I haven't felt happy there, and when I saw this awesome gym it was love at first sight:

(I only got one photo, but it shows enough to get my point across.... haha)

See what I mean? There is ROOM to do things!!! AND all of the equipment here is stuff I recognize and use.... It's open for you to make your own free-weight workouts, not filled with unnecessary machines. I will have a boxing buddy because my friend goes here. I won't have to fight off giant gorilla meatheads for the weights or mirrors. Plus, because this is a gym owned by a single person, rather than a giant corporation, that also makes me extremely happy. I'm supporting someone's business, rather than being just another one of thousands feeding a corporate bank account. 

I'm gonna do it. 

I'm going to break up with my gym and start going to this one!!!

Update: Vacations, gym time and food

I just realized I have been MIA from this blog for a bit. So much has been going on I completely failed to post anything. So in a nutshell, this is what I've been up to...

I was hell-bent on getting ready for my Arizona trip with my man, so I practically lived in the gym. I even bought new cute clothes to keep my motivation going. In the process of gym-clothes shopping, I came to realize I am officially a size Medium in about 80% of my new clothes! --- Even in most sports bras!!!!! (I know most women won't understand my excitement for smaller boobs, but trust me when you have what feels like kettle bells in your bra all your life, going down a size feels AMAZING)

And then, out of nowhere, our AZ vacation was upon us, and it was glorious. We were good little paleo cavemen and did a major whole foods shop before the trip - to make sure we didnt cheat too much on our vacay... just take a look at our road trip snacks:

Amazing right? 

Breakfast of champions!! Paleo turkey chili with bell peppers and onions in an avocado.

And then came the poolside shenanigans.... we pretty much laid around all day.

and then I realized that our resort had one of the most amazing Fitness Centers I had ever seen. I was in heaven.... my poor boyfriend wasn't all too thrilled with the idea of working out, but he joined me out of support. sweet thing.

I just loved it there... even though it was a sweltering 100+ degrees... 

it was a lovely vacation free of guilt, thanks to good planning and staying on track with my goals - all while enjoying myself in some relaxation and sunshine. I think I may have even lost a little weight while I was there. I am so proud of myself for what I accomplished on this trip. It reminds me of a long ago post about how I wished I could have that kind of motivation... and now I do. It's a beautiful thing when you reach a goal you've been trying for. But this was only one of many.... on to the next accomplishment... and the next.... and the next.  :)

Workout of the Day

I've been doing a lot of research online, on youtube, Pinterest and Popsugar Fitness, and found a few new moves that really make you sweat.

The first video I watched was a sweet pyramid workout. Of course I upped the weight from 5 lbs to 10 lb weights, but everyone is different.

Next, I tried the Shredmill. It is indeed as horrific as it sounds, but it keeps it's promise. I can barely move because of these new moves (especially the first and last one). Note to self: Get some workout gloves. The treadmill belt is pretty rough on the hands.

Todays workout was a BEAST:

Run 1 mile on Treadmill for warm-up

Set treadmill to 1.0 speed, do plank walks on treadmill for 30 seconds, 20 seconds rest
{repeat 5 times}

50 mountain climbers
{i did them the old fashioned way instead, I'm still unsure about using the treadmill for them}

Set treadmill to an 11 incline {as high as it will go} and to a 6.0 speed
run\sprint uphill for 30 seconds, 20 seconds rest
{repeat 5 times}

Pyramid workout with 10 lb weights

{repeat 3 times}

12 jumping lunges

{repeat 2 times}

Weight machines - Rows @ 80 lbs - 10 reps

{repeat 3 times}

30 second plank

{repeat 3 times}

10 full situps

{repeat 3 times}

stretch.

done.

On weight training....

A few months ago I started lifting weights. I found a video online that shows you different weight lifts that give you serious muscle definition - and a good burn in the shoulders the following day.

I've been doing this routine two to three times a week, three reps of all 7 lift types, with slightly heavier weights - 5lb weights. (everybody is different and I don't recommend that everyone uses 5lb, heck, you might even want 8 lbs if you're stronger... I just felt like 5lb suited my needs to start). I've also been doing bench press pyramids starting with 30lbs, working my way up slowly 10lbs at a time to 60lbs and back down.... so ten reps of 30lbs, 40lbs, 50lbs, 60lbs, 50lbs, 40lbs, 30lbs.

Whoa, the muscle definition is definitely starting to show. 

That right there is a little bit of muscle definition peeking through. 

Huh, weights really do work.

I'm very impressed with the results so far, and I'm proud to admit, I am starting to graduate toward heavier weights. I noticed myself going thru 12-15 reps of each lift rather than my initial 10. So, out of sheer curiosity, I grabbed two 10lb weights and did 10 reps with difficulty, but I finished them. 

Should I officially move up to the 10lb weights? 

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. 

I will admit in the beginning I was worried about getting "too bulky" from lifting heavy weights. You know, that lame excuse we women use to just plain avoid lifting anything and sticking to the cardio corner of the gym?

Pssshhh!!!

I read this article and saw it for myself. A woman who lifts just as much (if not more) than men do, and she looks amazing. Not bulky in the least bit. This is what a strong woman looks like. That is exactly what I am trying to achieve... ok maybe not to be able to lift as much as her, but you get my drift. 

Getting over the three-week hump...

I'm trying not to get discouraged here. I know it has only been about 3 weeks of clean eating and excercise, but when so many changes have been made with barely any results seen, its hard not to feel defeated. All of my friends and closest supporters are telling me to keep my chin up, because this kind of lifestyle change is not going to show immediate results, but in time I will start to see the difference.

I met with a nutritionist yesterday, mostly to talk about dinner. I've met with her before, and she made wonderful suggestions for breakfast and lunches, which I have recently implemented into my diet. Yesterday was the time to talk about dinner.... and my progress. She made me feel better about my results, or the lack thereof, and tried to have me focus on the other reasons I am making this change. I want to be healthy, I want to feel young and vibrant and happy, not sick and tired all the time. For too many years I've been feeling lazy, lathargic and just plain down on myself. I am enjoying how I feel on the inside... it's just hard when how i feel on the inside doesn't match how I feel on the outside. I still hate how I look in my underwear. I still feel like a one piece at the beach is an absolute necessity. I'm 28, I am still well within the teeny bikini age bracket, this is just ridiculous.

Where were we? Oh yea, dinner. 

So my dinner plate is supposed to look pretty bright and green, with a little meat (about 25% of the plate) a little healthy starch (carrots, peas, sweet potatoes - again about 25% of the plate), a salad with leafy greens and some fresh green veggies. Easy peasy.

So, I'm pretty much doing that – and it's pretty much a 180 flip from what I was doing before, and yet I weigh... wait for it..... 1.9 lbs MORE than before.

I know I know... I shouldn't be weighing myself. Even the nutritionist said to avoid the scale. But seriously, who wouldn't be curious after like 3 weeks of all this hard work and healthy eating?

Notes to self {from the nutritionist and good smart friends}:

• Fu©% that scale.

• Muscle weighs more than fat. the extra 1.9 lbs perhaps?

• Think positive. Look at the perks that are already showing themselves. 

  – Hair is not falling out nearly as badly - it's a long-hair thing.

  – I work out better, feel fuller longer when I eat well.

  – Bad cravings are almost completely GONE.

• This is me now....

.....and quite frankly, its not that bad. 

Nothing is impossible... and this is a damn good starting point.

And so, long story short... meeting with the nutritionist brought some motivation back, and talked me into not giving up like I usually do.

Am I crazy or what?

Sooooo I've been a crazy-gym-goer since I joined the LA Fitness... so crazy in fact, that I do believe I've been to the gym 5 days a week the past few weeks!! Crazy right?

My crazy gym schedule:


Monday: Step Sculpt Aerobics


Tuesday: 30 minutes elliptical, 1 hour Yoga


Wednesday: 30 minutes elliptical, 1 hour Pilates


Thursday: 30 minutes elliptical, 1 hour Yoga


Friday: rest


Saturday: rest


Sunday: 1 hour elliptical, 30 minutes free weights

told you I was crazy... I plan on taking some measurements after 1 month at the gym (so about two weeks left) just to see the results of my insanity.  : )

Let's see how long I can keep this up!!

A Partner in Crime . . .

Yesterday I received a text from one of my besties that she had joined the same gym as me, and wants to start taking the body sculpting classes, and pilates, and yoga.... Apparently she went to go buy new jeans, and she decided she wasn't going to allow herself to buy a new pair of jeans until she needed a smaller size... so she used that money and joined my gym!! YAY

I get waaaaaaaaaay better results when I have a gym/workout partner picking me back up when I slow down... this seriously is so motivating!!  I'm thrilled.

Body Sculpt class tonight, Pilates on Wednesdays and Sundays, Yoga on Thursdays and Saturdays.... look out everyone, I'm becoming a gym rat!!!

My first fitness class. . .

Last night I attended my first fitness class... and I'll say this:
It was interesting, and effective. I'm very sore today.

It started off with some silly warm up routine you might find on a Richard Simmons video...

I felt a little silly waving my arms in the air and doing the grapevine steps... I was trying with all my might not to laugh at myself when it completely changed gears and kicked my butt. Full squat position while doing weights... a plié position while doing curls and squats simultaneously.  Honestly my brain had trouble keeping up because we changed things up so much it was like a dance routine...

After it was all said and done I think I enjoyed it, and it passed the test when I woke up sore this morning. Because honestly, if you're not getting sore, you're not working hard... right? PLUS it's on a Monday night... the busiest night at the gym... so I'd rather do that class than fight people for a treadmill or elliptical machine.

Now, if only I could find a friend to go with me....

So I know it's been like years since I've posted . . .

But I did something crazy on Friday. Something I've been wanting to do, and dreading to do at the same time. I finally swallowed my pride, got up the courage and did the unthinkable....

I JOINED A GYM.

Amazing isn't it? Now I will be forced to go to the gym and work out, or pay my "fat tax" which is my gym membership. First class is tonight.... Body Sculpting. Yipeeeeeee....

Aren't ya proud?

hehehehe