Whenever I am creating a playlist to run to, I have to make sure each song I add has a quick enough BPM (beats per minute) that I can keep time with the song, but not so quick that I end up running my little legs off trying to stay in step. :)
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Keeping time
Forever a marching band geek, and I love it. :)
Whenever I am creating a playlist to run to, I have to make sure each song I add has a quick enough BPM (beats per minute) that I can keep time with the song, but not so quick that I end up running my little legs off trying to stay in step. :)
Whenever I am creating a playlist to run to, I have to make sure each song I add has a quick enough BPM (beats per minute) that I can keep time with the song, but not so quick that I end up running my little legs off trying to stay in step. :)
Monday, December 24, 2012
Healthy and the holidays
(So this is late- but I thought I had already posted this one. :) My bad.)
Let's face it- eating healthy during the holidays can be REALLY challenging. That sentence feels like a huge understatement.
There are goodies, sweets, and treats lurking around every corner. People make cookies and baked goods, give them as gifts, leave them for coworkers...it is impossible to avoid Christmas treats.
I'll admit- I did not do as well at saying "no thank you" to all of the sweet temptations that Christmas brought as I could have. It didn't help that I was PMSing as well. (Thanks Mother Nature!!) I know y'all wanted to know that. ;)
It was pretty cool, though. Yes, I indulged in chocolatey goodness. Yes, Instead of just having a "taste" of said chocolate, I wolfed down more than my fair share. ;) But you know what? It made me feel AWFUL! (Doesn't sound cool- let me explain. :))
Now for the cool part- I can actually feel a difference between eating healthy and eating junk!! My body isn't used to junk anymore! So much so, that when I do eat it, I feel yucky!
I was tired, irritable, bloated and incredibly uncomfortable. I'm starting to recognize what junk does to me, and realize that it's just not worth it! Now, THAT my friends, is progress. ;)
Let's face it- eating healthy during the holidays can be REALLY challenging. That sentence feels like a huge understatement.
There are goodies, sweets, and treats lurking around every corner. People make cookies and baked goods, give them as gifts, leave them for coworkers...it is impossible to avoid Christmas treats.
I'll admit- I did not do as well at saying "no thank you" to all of the sweet temptations that Christmas brought as I could have. It didn't help that I was PMSing as well. (Thanks Mother Nature!!) I know y'all wanted to know that. ;)
It was pretty cool, though. Yes, I indulged in chocolatey goodness. Yes, Instead of just having a "taste" of said chocolate, I wolfed down more than my fair share. ;) But you know what? It made me feel AWFUL! (Doesn't sound cool- let me explain. :))
Now for the cool part- I can actually feel a difference between eating healthy and eating junk!! My body isn't used to junk anymore! So much so, that when I do eat it, I feel yucky!
I was tired, irritable, bloated and incredibly uncomfortable. I'm starting to recognize what junk does to me, and realize that it's just not worth it! Now, THAT my friends, is progress. ;)
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Ouch
Ever have to ice your butt after a squat-intensive workout? Yeah, that just happened. :) You're welcome.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Progress
Bodycombat kicked my tail again today. :) Lots of lunges, (I didn't tip over this time- so that's fun. :)) jacks, and PUNCHIN! lol
I love this class cause it makes me feel tough. It's anger and frustration release, and I love seeing the progress in my stamina.
My sciatica was full force tonight. I'd kick and when I dropped down into a squat or lunge it would lock up. :/ Still trying to figure out how to push through the pain, or if I need to do something different to work it out before and after. My foam roller helps, but I really need to make it a point to do it every single day.
My feet also cramped up about ten minutes into the workout. They always do that in this class, but not usually that quickly. It's SO frustrating, cause I have to lower my intensity by not bouncing or doing jacks to stop the cramping. :/ It honestly feels like Charlie horses in my feet!
I know workouts are supposed to hurt. They're supposed to burn and make you feel like you might die a little. :) I'm still in the stage where I'm figuring out good pain vs bad pain, and what to work through as opposed to stopping and working it out. I'll get there!
All in all it was a good workout, despite my feet and lower back trying to kill me. :)
I love this class cause it makes me feel tough. It's anger and frustration release, and I love seeing the progress in my stamina.
My sciatica was full force tonight. I'd kick and when I dropped down into a squat or lunge it would lock up. :/ Still trying to figure out how to push through the pain, or if I need to do something different to work it out before and after. My foam roller helps, but I really need to make it a point to do it every single day.
My feet also cramped up about ten minutes into the workout. They always do that in this class, but not usually that quickly. It's SO frustrating, cause I have to lower my intensity by not bouncing or doing jacks to stop the cramping. :/ It honestly feels like Charlie horses in my feet!
I know workouts are supposed to hurt. They're supposed to burn and make you feel like you might die a little. :) I'm still in the stage where I'm figuring out good pain vs bad pain, and what to work through as opposed to stopping and working it out. I'll get there!
All in all it was a good workout, despite my feet and lower back trying to kill me. :)
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Zumba today
PHEW! Zumba was intense!
Weird workout thing: my lazy eye is VERY noticeable if I watch myself in the mirror while Zumba-ing. Weird.
I can feel a big difference in my stamina and endurance in the class! It's very exciting.
I need to make it a point to use my foam roller EVERY. DAY. My sciatica was full force today. :/ When I roll it out the night before, I barely notice it when I work out. Shame on me for not doing it last night. :P
I have never sweat more in my LIFE!
#randomworkoutthoughts
Good class today! Zumba's mah fave. :D
Weird workout thing: my lazy eye is VERY noticeable if I watch myself in the mirror while Zumba-ing. Weird.
I can feel a big difference in my stamina and endurance in the class! It's very exciting.
I need to make it a point to use my foam roller EVERY. DAY. My sciatica was full force today. :/ When I roll it out the night before, I barely notice it when I work out. Shame on me for not doing it last night. :P
I have never sweat more in my LIFE!
#randomworkoutthoughts
Good class today! Zumba's mah fave. :D
Monday, December 10, 2012
Cheese and carbs, please? :)
Pizza and Mac-n-cheese (gotta be the blue box!!) PLEASE?!!
I have been craving both of these for about a week! Currently looking for a healthy/carb free version of either of these.
No idea where these cravings are coming from. Possibly hormonal. I've been eating plenty, every 2-3 hrs, but I have seriously been having dreams about pizza. I can imagine what it'd taste like to eat a gigantic bowl of Mac-n-cheese. :(
I've done we'll avoiding it this far. If anyone eats a slice of pizza in front of me though...you're goin down. ;)
I have been craving both of these for about a week! Currently looking for a healthy/carb free version of either of these.
No idea where these cravings are coming from. Possibly hormonal. I've been eating plenty, every 2-3 hrs, but I have seriously been having dreams about pizza. I can imagine what it'd taste like to eat a gigantic bowl of Mac-n-cheese. :(
I've done we'll avoiding it this far. If anyone eats a slice of pizza in front of me though...you're goin down. ;)
Thursday, December 6, 2012
My favorite workouts :)
Since starting back to the gym, I wanted to make sure to take a wide variety of classes. This way, I can keep it fresh and fun, while working different muscle groups.
Here's a list of classes I've been taking, what muscle group they work out best (for me), and what I like/don't like about each class. :)
Bodypump- This class is cardio + weightlifting. It's an hour long, and targets one muscle group per song, working out the entire body! I REALLY feel it in my thighs and triceps. I love how much stronger I've been feeling after taking it. It's made a big difference in my thighs (TONS of squats and lunges. :/ lol) The only thing I don't like with this class is that they do the an track last. My whole body is already exhausted by that point, and I don't feel like my abs get a good workout because I'm already so tired.
Zumba- This has to be my favorite class! I look forward to it all week! It's cardio on crack. This is one of the only classes that my abs are sore afterwards. I come out of that class sweatin like a big dog! I can't think of anything I don't like about this class. :) It's fun, really tough, and a fantastic workout!
Bodycombat- This is another super tough class! It's basically a cardio kickboxing class set to music. It's also another really fun one! My arms get the biggest workout from this one, but it is most definitely a total body workout. The class is GREAT for stress release, and I always feel like a tough cookie after I'm done. :) The only thing I don't like about the class right now is that I can't keep up yet! lol There are quite a few times I have to pause during each track.
Yoga- I have never really been a huge fan of yoga. It didn't seem like it would have much benefit for me. I was definitely wrong! This class helps my strength, balance, and loosens up my muscles. I've found that incorporating yoga into my routine has made me significantly less sore and able to push myself a lot harder during my other workouts.
CSI- (Stands for cardio strength interval) I have to say it...I hate this class. lol It's the shortest class I take (only 30-45 min) but holy cow is it hard! It's circuit training (I think that's what it's called) and you only do each part (squats, planks, etc) for 30 seconds, then switch to the next one. That makes it nice, because by the end of each 30 seconds I am READY to switch! I only hate this class right now because I have the hardest time keeping up! :) Mountain climbers, pikes and planks on the balance ball, squats... It beats me up. :) It is a great cardio workout, as well as strengthening. I feel this class working everywhere.
Though I don't think it's necessary to take classes to lose weight, it helps me a lot. I push myself a lot harder in classes, enjoy the group setting, and love how encouraging and supportive the instructors are. I would definitely recommend any of these classes! I was told in the beginning to take each class three times before deciding whether or not you'd like to continue, so that you can get the hang of it and give it a chance. I'd definitely recommend that as well. The first class can be confusing, as you're figuring out what the terms and moves are, the second class you're starting to get the hang of it, and by the third class you can get a better understanding as to whether the class is for you. :)
Give em a shot!!
Here's a list of classes I've been taking, what muscle group they work out best (for me), and what I like/don't like about each class. :)
Bodypump- This class is cardio + weightlifting. It's an hour long, and targets one muscle group per song, working out the entire body! I REALLY feel it in my thighs and triceps. I love how much stronger I've been feeling after taking it. It's made a big difference in my thighs (TONS of squats and lunges. :/ lol) The only thing I don't like with this class is that they do the an track last. My whole body is already exhausted by that point, and I don't feel like my abs get a good workout because I'm already so tired.
Zumba- This has to be my favorite class! I look forward to it all week! It's cardio on crack. This is one of the only classes that my abs are sore afterwards. I come out of that class sweatin like a big dog! I can't think of anything I don't like about this class. :) It's fun, really tough, and a fantastic workout!
Bodycombat- This is another super tough class! It's basically a cardio kickboxing class set to music. It's also another really fun one! My arms get the biggest workout from this one, but it is most definitely a total body workout. The class is GREAT for stress release, and I always feel like a tough cookie after I'm done. :) The only thing I don't like about the class right now is that I can't keep up yet! lol There are quite a few times I have to pause during each track.
Yoga- I have never really been a huge fan of yoga. It didn't seem like it would have much benefit for me. I was definitely wrong! This class helps my strength, balance, and loosens up my muscles. I've found that incorporating yoga into my routine has made me significantly less sore and able to push myself a lot harder during my other workouts.
CSI- (Stands for cardio strength interval) I have to say it...I hate this class. lol It's the shortest class I take (only 30-45 min) but holy cow is it hard! It's circuit training (I think that's what it's called) and you only do each part (squats, planks, etc) for 30 seconds, then switch to the next one. That makes it nice, because by the end of each 30 seconds I am READY to switch! I only hate this class right now because I have the hardest time keeping up! :) Mountain climbers, pikes and planks on the balance ball, squats... It beats me up. :) It is a great cardio workout, as well as strengthening. I feel this class working everywhere.
Though I don't think it's necessary to take classes to lose weight, it helps me a lot. I push myself a lot harder in classes, enjoy the group setting, and love how encouraging and supportive the instructors are. I would definitely recommend any of these classes! I was told in the beginning to take each class three times before deciding whether or not you'd like to continue, so that you can get the hang of it and give it a chance. I'd definitely recommend that as well. The first class can be confusing, as you're figuring out what the terms and moves are, the second class you're starting to get the hang of it, and by the third class you can get a better understanding as to whether the class is for you. :)
Give em a shot!!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Bodycombat
I always go into bodycombat thinking I'm going to kick some tail, and yet it always kicks mine. ;)
I absolutely love this class! It is REALLY hard. It's similar to Zumba in that it is choreographed moves to music, only instead of dancing it's kickboxing. The first time I took bodycombat, I thought I might throw up! (My BIGGEST fear in working out!) I was breathing hard, my muscles were screaming, and the instructor says, "Ok- that was a great warm-up! Are you guys ready to work now?!" And the rest of the class yells, "WOOOOO!!!" I'm sure I would have wooed too, but gasping for air doesn't really make it possible to woo.
I learned quickly to take it easy in the beginning of each song, then push hard at the end, or I will be sorry! :) I can already see my endurance improving!
I love this class! Maybe I'm just a sucker for punishment, ;) but this is definitely a class that packs a punch! (I'm so cheesy.)
I absolutely love this class! It is REALLY hard. It's similar to Zumba in that it is choreographed moves to music, only instead of dancing it's kickboxing. The first time I took bodycombat, I thought I might throw up! (My BIGGEST fear in working out!) I was breathing hard, my muscles were screaming, and the instructor says, "Ok- that was a great warm-up! Are you guys ready to work now?!" And the rest of the class yells, "WOOOOO!!!" I'm sure I would have wooed too, but gasping for air doesn't really make it possible to woo.
I learned quickly to take it easy in the beginning of each song, then push hard at the end, or I will be sorry! :) I can already see my endurance improving!
I love this class! Maybe I'm just a sucker for punishment, ;) but this is definitely a class that packs a punch! (I'm so cheesy.)
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