Ambitious Exercise Times

I am getting overzealous with my exercise.  

I signed up for a Class Pass deal - $10.00 for 1 week of unlimited fitness classes all over the city.  

It's my goal to complete 8 classes this week. 

Having been a college athlete, I've struggled with the "drop off" experience I've had since having to leave swimming due to a shoulder injury.  I get 'back into' it, with running, sometimes swimming, pilates, etc. but I'm really looking to establish a routine with my new life in DC.  I'm especially drawn to Class Pass because of the variety, but not sure the price is something I can manage $100/month for unlimited studio classes throughout the city.  I'm currently involved with Yoga District, volunteering at their I St Studio, so that will probably what I stick with for the mean time.  This seemed like a fun challenge to tackle and with the ball coming up this weekend - it's time to look slim and trim.  

So far, I've completed 3 classes at different studios around the District.  

1. Fuel Pilates DC - Georgetown

My first class was Pilates Mat Foundations with Sara on Saturday morning at 9:00 AM.  Having taken a pilates class before I assumed that I would be really comfortable with all of the positions - wrong.  Fuel Pilates is very much boutique fitness - I took the class with one other person and received constant personal correction, demonstration, and encouragement.  I really enjoyed using the ring, tubes, and balls for various moves - and seeing updated methods of teaching since I had last taken my class in Chestertown.  

 Their spray-down-the-matt substance had some sort of lemon/thyme scent going on which I especially enjoyed at the end of class.  Located in a small row house on O St NW (right near M St) - I obviously especially enjoyed my walk to the bus past all of the amazing shopping.  Definitely far out of my way for an early morning class but worth the fun trip over to Georgetown on the weekend.  

2. Biker Barre - Capitol Hill

So far, my favorite class.  This was my first 'barre' experience, so I was super open minded to whatever was about to happen.  Having been a lackluster dancer throughout most of my childhood, I was pumped to display my turnout and impressive foot pointing skills.  Jessi was our instructor at the 9:00 AM class and we had some awesome music pairings with our routine.  The fusion with yoga and pilates was more so apparent than dance during this class but I enjoyed it very much.  Lots of great stretching, movement, options, and encouragement.  Jessi constantly had a smile on her face and cracked jokes which set a great tone for the class.  I liked that I left feeling more limber and sure of the fact that I would not struggle moving the following day.  I felt lean and strong after this class - which is exactly what I'm looking for.  

Something I thought after this class was how achievable it was - challenging, but very rewarding because I was felt in control and strong.  I didn't feel like this was something I had never done.  

That was about to change.  

3. Pure Barre - Capitol Hill 

Pure Barre is no doubt trendy - so I was especially excited to get in on the action, see what all of the fuss was about, and keep my eyes peeled for some of my favorite DC bloggers.  It may have been my mood going into the class (bus line running late, below freezing temperatures) or the time of the class 7:55 PM, but I really struggled mentally through this class.  It was probably one of the most challenging fitness experiences I've had since I quit swimming.  The instructor showed me a lot of attention, which in a large class size kind of made me feel like I was messing everything up.  It was very apparent that I had never been to a class there.  The whole, "shake" thing is real.  As in, my body convulsed throughout the entire workout.  The pace is fast, like really, fast - so if you aren't really paying attention you're most likely going to be facing the wrong way, using the wrong foot, with the incorrect turnout.  Not sure I would go back - but ultimately felt satisfied with my workout. 

Overall - I've noticed I've been the youngest person in all of the classes which is strange.  I'm also definitely happy that I hit up Marshall's over winter break for some cute workout wear.  Now that I've been doing lots of yoga - my favorite gear has honestly been the basics from H&M - loose fitting, light tanks and t-shirts over yoga pants has made me feel really comfortable and lean.  Finally, rejoice - really digging the "let's wear socks" movement that seems to be trendy now in the studio fitness world - I'm not about #feet. 

5 more classes till Friday (ahhhh) - stay tuned.  

xo

Stress Relief

How do you handle stress? 

Does it exhaust you?  Do you have the ability to turn off your mind?  Does it wake you up at night?  Just how long is your to-do list?  Do you know how to say no?  

These are all questions that I've been faced with recently.  

Full time work is awesome.  I. Love. It.  I've always wanted to work.  I loved my internships.  I love professional development.  I'm a work nerd.  But I'm worried that I'm letting my work consume me whole.  

Some products I use to tackle my stress & anxiety. 

Yogi Kava Stress Relief Tea  // Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Scrub // Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Candle //  

I've also recently started participating in PiYo (fast paced pilates + yoga).  It's definitely more yoga heavy but I love it so much.  So much that I bought my own yoga mat.  Knowing that my mind is controlling the simply and challenging movements of my body gives me the confidence and certainty that I can control my mind. I've also been drinking lots and lots of tea.  I do still need my 1st cup of coffee in the morning to get the day going, but after that I feel jumpy and anxious.  I think coffee has a lot to do with it so I'm cutting down.  I've been drinking Yogi Stress Relief tea but also just regular green tea & peppermint tea.

1. // 6 Mindful Habits: Stop Worrying
2.  "Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace."
3.  Yoga Poses to Ease Anxiety
4. Is Stress Killing You?

Stressed out?  Let's talk about it.  I've found that confiding in my coworkers about how I'm feeling and the triggers that make me overwhelmed has helped. What helps you fight off stress and anxiety?

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Fitness

On my recent spring break trip I brought my great pal, Ms Maire, who I totally forgot is a fitness instructor.  Boy, were we in store for an active week.  What I thought was going to be a week of laying on the beach turned into a week of gym time, long walks, and lots of veggies.  I couldn't be more grateful than Marie kicked all of our butts back into shape.  I was an NCAA athlete for the first two years of my college experience and since I've stopped due to a shoulder injury, I've put fitness on the back burner.  It's so easy to do.  With meetings, thesis writing, job hunting, project management, and the whole 'school' thing, how do you pencil it in? Recently, I've been getting up super early and running before class.  It gives me energy and a 'can do' attitude for the rest of the day.  

I've been using the Nike+ Running app since last year.  It keeps me motivated and tracks my courses as I run throughout Chestertown.  There is no better feeling that clocking in a run and watching the mileage increase.  Currently, I'm using the Coach tool.  It provides me with a training program to my abilities and pushes me each week to run a certain amount of miles.  I'm at 6 miles for this week and hopefully clocking in 4 more before Monday morning.  

One of my 101 thing in 1,001 days goals is to run 30 miles in 30 days!  That's what I'll be doing this April!  Join me in making time for your health! 

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Working Out on the Wall

I was skimming Pinterest this morning over coffee when I saw a load pinned workouts [shocker].  These were different.  No equipment, no gym, and they actually looked fun.   I was just complaining to my supervisor that no matter how many sit ups I do, I will always have a little belly.  In the peak of my swimming career swimming 2+ hours a day and running and lifting, I still had a little pouch tummy.  

The juice cleanse thing, yeah that ended by lunch time day one.  I love solid food and I can't be productive while I'm hangry.  I was back to running a lot [for like 3, days] but then there was this heat wave thing.  Now it's cold [go home, DC you're drunk] and I'm realizing that my days are numbered here on the Hill so I better start worrying about the museums and neighborhoods I didn't check out rather than how tone my legs are.  There's a gym back at college. 

But I found this really cool work out from Self.com that I had to share!  All you need is a wall.

If you're from D.C., you know the post Good Stuff feeling; you have to reevaluate your life after you eat their food.  

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This will be me reevaluating my choices for the rest of the afternoon.  

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This one doesn't look so bad, right? 

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I'm kinda worried about this one; God did not bless me with balance.

Do you have an 'at home' workout regime? 

Does it work?  

Let me know!  

PS Check back on Monday for an exciting new series on Purple Flowers.