Month: January 2015

Be Nice at the Gym This Month

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As we all know, January tends to be a month that brings lots of new faces to the gym- maybe they’re New Years Resolution goers or maybe they’re semi-regular gym goers who have been on a holiday hiatus. Whoever they are, for us avid, consistent gym goers it can bring a certain level of, shall I say… frustration. I mean that in the nicest way possible, too! It’s not that we don’t want you there, because we do! Everyone who loves the gym and working out and working towards being healthy and fit wants others to share in those feelings. But, when our spots are taken, our machines in use and the gym has an overall crowded feel, it can frustrate us.

“Ugh. I hate the gym in January. It’s so crowded with people who won’t be here in another month.”

“That girl is totally in my spot… who does she think she is?!”

“I swear, if a January resolution goer takes my spot in spin…”

… the list goes on, right? Last year, I shared some tips for surviving the January Rush, but this year, I’ve got a different thought going into the January rush. That thought is to be kind to the new goers. To help them in the class with the weights and other equipment. To introduce yourself. To make them feel included and better yet, to not make them feel like they are unwanted.

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What was popular on B2B this year?

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New Years always brings a lot of reflection, right? What you did, who you saw, where you went, what you accomplished, etc. I’ve done a non- blog reflection already, but since I got some stats from WordPress, I thought I’d share with you some of the most popular things on B2B from 2014!

Most Popular Day: July 3rd and the most popular post viewed that day was this:
Wednesday Workout: Five 4th of July Themed Workouts

Stephanie’s Avocado Tomato Corn Feta Dip {Perfect for the 4th of July!} was the post that went up on July 3rd- such a great recipe! Thanks Steph 🙂

Most Viewed Posts:

Wednesday Workout: My Favorite Cardio Kickboxing Combos (including videos)
ClassPass in Review: Thoughts & Reviews of Classes
My first Stitch Fix: Why didn’t I love it as much as everyone else seems to?
My 2nd Stitch Fix Review {Hint: I loved it!}
Wednesday Workout: Upper Body Tabata Workout

What Brought People to the Blog?

Facebook! The power of Facebook is incredible. I’d love to get more “likes” on Facebook this year, so feel free to spread the word 🙂

Most Active Commenters

Kim was by far the biggest commenter- THANK YOU!! Not far behind was my mom and her friend Jean. Behind them were Athena and Meredith.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment- I know it can be hard because we often read blogs on our phones while waiting in line, on the T or quickly at our desks, so the fact that you guys commented so many times was awesome!

Although these posts didn’t get any top numbers, here were some of MY favorite ones to write. They required thought, time and often times shared quite a bit of vulnerability.

How to survive the “January Rush” at the gym– Especially good for this time of year!
My Thoughts On Being “Type A”– This was hard in that it opened up so many raw emotions for me during my self reflection
So… what about those rest days? I’m getting better every day at shifting my mentality here!
“You workout… you can eat what you want”– And why this is so not true!
Wednesday Workout: The Great CrossFit Debate: is it “bad” for you? What do you think?
“Why do you love to teach so much?”– Sharing my passion
Currently I’m Crushing On… This was fun because I was able to share some things I was loving at the time
10 Tips For Your First Group Exercise Class– I had so much fun writing this post!

My Favorite Workouts- These workouts range in time and in type, but they are ones that I tend to do more than once or at least copy the format of them.

I ❤ This Workout! {Timed Count Down Super Sets)
Wednesday Workout: 7 Minute Body Weight Upper Body Burner
Wednesday Workout: Body Weight Tabata Workout
Wednesday Workout: 15 Minute Full Body HIIT Workout
Wednesday Workout: Run the stairs!
Wednesday Workout: 20 Minute Count Down Body Weight Workout
Wednesday Workout: 4 Move Mini Strength Sets & A Treadmill Workout
Wednesday Workout: The “Everything Is Sore” Workout

This post was so fun to write! Often times I write posts and then don’t go back to them unless I need to remember something, so it was nice to take a look back at different posts from the year, especially the ones I was most passionate about writing. Thank you, again, for reading and commenting and sharing my posts and workouts- without you, this little blog would be nothing!!

What was your favorite post this year? Favorite workout? What would you like to see more of in 2015? Workouts? Videos? Fashion posts? I would really love to know what you enjoy and would look forward to!

 

Happy New Year!

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Well another year come and gone- can you believe it? As I mentioned yesterday, 2014 had some drastic, pretty great changes and I never imagined when 2014 started that it would end so awesome- serious, awesome boyfriend, new job, new apartment, friends engaged and pregnant… it’s so crazy!

Last year, I wrote up a bunch of “goals” for 2014:

1. Be more present.
2. Slow down and learn that it’s OK to say “no”.
3. Practice more yoga.
4. Focus more on the present, less on the past. Focus more on the positives, less on the negatives.
5. Become a better instructor and become a personal trainer.
6. Grow Burpees to Bubbly.
7. Be more financially stable.
8. Be more accepting of myself.

I put goals in quotations because more than anything, I just wanted to be more aware of these things and to work towards improvement in these areas. Most of these goals were not achievable in the sense of being able to check them off and say “yup. goal achieved”. Rather, they were areas of improvement I think I’ll continuously want to make in my life.

When I look back at 2014, I think I really have come a long way and have grown into myself even more. As far as 2015, I don’t really have any big, lofty goals. I am not going into the year hoping I’ll teach X amount of classes. I’m not hoping to squat XXX amount of weight. I’m not thinking about getting X amount of unassisted pull-ups (although I would like to get to 5!). I’m not working on going strictly paleo or losing X pounds. I’m not looking to buy a house.

Rather, I am just looking to stay present in my day to day activities.

I want to stay happy, healthy and fit (<—- get it?! 😉 )

I want to save more and spend less.

I want to explore more fitness trends and get more certifications.

I want to continue to become stronger at the gym, while also continuing to take time off from the gym when necessary and realize a good workout is not the end all, be all.

I want to meditate more, practice yoga more, and find peace with stillness and relaxation.

I want to cook more and experiment in the kitchen.

I want to get to Maine more.

I want to live passionately- in all aspects of my life, because where’s the fun in just going through the motions?

So, what about you? What are you looking forward to this year? Do you like to make resolutions, set goals or just open up to whatever the new year has planned for you?

Happy New Year, my friends- thank you for being so wonderful! I hope this year brings you happiness in everything you do!