In the past few years, I have used my week off between Christmas and New Years to become a hardcore gym rat. I would go to the good classes that those of us with full-time employment were not lucky enough to attend during the week and then bump up my sweat sessions with the TRAINER. This year, things have been a little different. With unseasonably warm temperatures and new winter-weather gear (I just ordered these shoes and am patiently waiting by the door for the postman to deliver them), it has been easy to get outside for a run. On Wednesday, I got in a 5.5 mile run with no wild animal run-ins (just a friendly little cat) and I am planning on enjoying the 50 degree weather with a longer outdoor run tomorrow.
On Tuesday, I fit in a HOT YOGA class and I am planning on doing the same tomorrow. Tuesdays class was crazy hard and I think I am still sore today. During a usual yoga class, I try to maximize my mind/body connection by setting an intention before the class (ie Mindfullness) that I hope to practice during class and then keep with me throughout the week. On Tuesday, however, I found a more superficial meaning in the class and while we pulsed in a squat position alternating between chair and half chair for an entire song (at least 2.5 minutes I swear!), I found myself repeating to myself ‘bikini, bikini’. And although my intention was slightly (ok…totally) superficial, I was able to power through challenging vinyasas, difficult core work, and even negotiated my first standing split balancing with my hands on my calf instead of the block or floor that I prefer to use. Now, I know in my head, I had a beautiful 180 degree split, when in reality I am lucky if I cleared 90 degrees, but either way, I was able to hold the pose for a few breaths feeling confident and in control. What a success!
Pictures above are actually a reenactment done in my living room this morning with Emmy as my cheerleader. It was with feelings of achievement that I awoke yesterday, enjoyed leftover Pumpkin Cream Pie Oat Bran (surprising good as leftovers…just microwave with a touch of almond milk…yum!).
And then headed back here for Bootcamp Round Two with the TRAINER.
If I thought Mondays workout was hard, this one was even tougher. We ran through strength circuits honing in on my glutes, my quads, my core, and then ran out for a round of bleacher stairs. Two by two up we went with my heart rate maxing at 175 bpm. Then back into the weight room for more circuits, including that dreaded 40 foot rope that feels like it weighs 100 pounds. After 60 minutes, I had burned 497 calories! Wow! This morning, I was headed back to the yoga studio, which worked out well considering the rainy day ahead. My intention was Wellness for the new year and a healthy and active upcoming vacation. And although I was focused on a higher meaning, you know I was whispering ‘bikini, bikini’ to myself as I worked through those last few bicycle crunches
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My a week of non-gym sweat sessions…
M-Bootcamp
T-Hot Yoga
W-5.5 mile run
Th-Bootcamp Two
F-Hot Yoga
S-Planned Run
Definitely have me feeling ready for vacation! I even went out and got a new bathing suit yesterday!
FYI, this is not be modeling it in the pictures, but there will be pictures of my new suit hanging on a beautiful beach SOON!
