Category: YMCA

This Week: Workouts, Big Decisions to Make & Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Good morning! How was your weekend? Besides the weather on Saturday, mine was really great. My brain was pre-occupied with thoughts surrounding a big decision I need to make, but luckily I was surrounded by lots of support which helped to ease my mind a bit. While I think I am a pretty good decision maker in that I don’t think I’m overly indecisive, there are just some decisions that aren’t as easy to make as a dinner reservation, for instance. Needless to say, there was lots of list making, lots of weighing of the various pros and cons, lots of conversations and lots of going back and forth.

Even though I was mentally fried on Thursday and Friday and didn’t want to workout, my workouts helped clear my mind a bit- it was nice to have that time as time where I was thinking about the workout vs. other things. Anyone else turn to workouts in times of stress?

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I went to my office gym on Monday for a quick lunchtime workout. The workout was fast, efficient and left me sore for a few days. Success!
  • Tuesday- I ran 4 miles before work… at a faster pace then the morning run the week before!

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  • Wednesday- I ran 3 miles outside before teaching UXF Burn. It was my first outdoor run through Cambridge since last season and it was awesome! So many people had the same thought so it almost felt like I was running with people… almost…

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  • Thursday- I taught a SHRED class based off of the workout I did on Monday and then taught a kickboxing class I had taught a few weeks ago. I don’t like to repeat workouts in their entirety, but I just didn’t have the time or thought space left to make up a new one. I don’t think they noticed.
  • Friday- I did 10 minutes of random cardio exercises before doing 35 minutes of yoga. I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to shut off my thoughts and focus on my breathing, but luckily, that wasn’t the case. Although I did have thoughts come through, they didn’t interrupt my flow or focus on breathing. It was actually a really good yoga sesh!
  • Saturday- My sister and I went to a class at Flywheel. It was such a fun way to start our Saturday. Now that we don’t live together anymore, we try to get together on the weekends for a workout and lunch when we can. Our instructor was Ann, and I picked her class because I loved it the last time I went!
  • Sunday- Nothing! I did a few standing ab routines while I was cooking for my mom, but other than that I relaxed and sat in the sun and spent time with my family. It was great!

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I am teaching my 6am Muscle Work class today and then I’ll stick around and do 20-30 minutes of cardio after.
  • Tuesday- I will probably run… maybe outside?
  • Wednesday- Maybe another run before teaching UXF Burn.
  • Thursday- SHRED followed by Kickboxing
  • Friday- I am going to a surprise party with the boy after work, so I think I’ll try to get in a workout during the day. Nothing crazy, just a little something!
  • Saturday- I was supposed to teach my kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA, but I decided to switch with the other instructor so that I wouldn’t have to worry about teaching in the morning while at the party on Friday night. With that said, I’m not sure what I’ll end up doing. I’d love to get to a BodyPump class, but we will see what I end up doing (if anything).
  • Sunday- What I do Sunday will be dependent upon what I do the rest of the week. I have a few plans during the day and at night, so I may not even have time to do a workout (rather, I may not want to MAKE THE TIME to do a workout… and that’s ok!).

Things I’m Looking Forward To

Making a decision! I’m looking forward to not having to go back and forth between various options and just picking something! I’m also looking forward to having a fairly open schedule after work this week. It’s nice to be able to have time to do things that I may not have been able to get done over the weekend. Lastly, I’m excited to go to a surprise birthday party (even though I won’t know anyone there!)… I don’t go out-out like that very often anymore, so when there’s a special occasion that warrants it, I get excited 🙂

Questions for you: Are you a good decision maker? What do you do to relieve stress? What was your best workout last week?

This Week: Workouts, weekend recap & things I’m looking forward to {hosting Mother’s Day!}

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Good morning! Happy Cinco de Mayo! Are you doing anything to celebrate tonight? Did you guys have a good weekend? I did! Friday night started on Lisa’s deck. She, Lauren and I all got together for some after work cocktails and snacks- it’s awesome to have girls in the same apartment building that are fun to hang with! Lisa’s view is amazingggg and she made a delicious white sangria- can you tell we are itching for summer to be here? Lauren swung by Angela’s Café and picked up some fresh chips and guac. Have you ever been there? Their Mexican food is absolutely delicious! Thanks for a great start to my Friday night, girls!

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After cocktails with them, I met up with the guy and we headed into the city to meet up with my friend Jessi and her boyfriend for a little double date bowling night at Jillian’s/Lucky Strike. I cannot say I was good (at all), but it was a really fun night regardless!

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Saturday morning, I got up, taught and then pampered myself a little by cashing in the pedicure gift card that I got from my gym friends Alice, Steph and Jen- thanks girls!! I finally had a Saturday where I had nothing “planned”, so I did a little shopping… whoops! Check out these awesome buys 🙂

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That night, the boy and I watched the Derby and he made us dinner. I was asleep on the couch before 10pm… I am so lame.

Sunday morning, he made us pumpkin banana paleo protein pancakes and we went on a walk along Constitution Beach. The rest of the day required lots of computer work, a yoga class and finally a night in the kitchen cooking! All in all, a really great, relaxing weekend, which was so necessary after the craziness over the past couple of months.

Let’s get to workouts, though, shall we? Last week’s workouts were good and I was happy to be able to get some yoga into my life. Every time I do it, I always say I need more of it, but do I do it? No, not usually. Ugh. Anyway!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I taught my 6am muscle class and followed it up with 30 minutes on the elliptical and a little extra core work- Miami is in a month… gotta put in the extra effort 😉
  • Tuesday- I was invited to try a class out at The Handle Bar’s new location in Fenway, so my friend Lisa and I headed there after work. I’ll share more on that experience later!
  • Wednesday- I worked from home and had all intentions of getting up to run before I started work, but it was raining and I just wasn’t feeling it. I kept putting it off and off until I finally saw motivation on Facebook from my friend Jen, saying she had run 4 miles at lunch. That was just what I needed to get my butt out the door to run! 4 miles later, I was feeling so much better! I also taught, but didn’t DO, my UXF Burn class.
  • Thursday- I taught my SHRED and Kickboxing classes. We did my Across the Floor workout in SHRED- love that workout! I lost serious amounts of energy after that class, though. The studio was SO HOT and I had to really dig deep to get energy to make it through my kickboxing class. Hate that.
  • Friday- I did 25 minutes of yoga in my apartment followed by 10 minutes of core work. My shoulders were rather sore on Saturday, just from those 25 minutes of yoga- yikes!
  • Saturday- I taught my kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. It’s crazy how much more energy I have when that is my one and only class to teach!
  • Sunday- The boy and I went for about a 35 minute walk throughout East Boston and along Constitution Beach- it was nice! Later in the day, I went to a yoga class at the East Boston YMCA. While I liked the class and felt like I worked really hard, I could’ve done with it being a 60 or 75 minute class rather than a 90 minute class. Otherwise, I loved it and will likely go back. Running into my upstairs neighbor, Lauren, in the class was an added bonus 🙂

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- My plan today is to get in a strength workout during the day.
  • Tuesday- I have an appointment mid-morning so I decided to take the morning off from work. I’m going to get up and run or do something else before I go to that since I’ll have extra time.
  • Wednesday- Probably running before teaching UXF Burn. Hopefully it will be nice enough for me to run outside!
  • Thursday- Teaching SHRED and Kickboxing- any suggestions for SHRED? Fitness instructors, any good formats for me to try?
  • Friday- Probably a rest day, or maybe some yoga.
  • Saturday- My sister and I have plans to go to the 10am class at Flywheel before running errands to prep for hosting Mother’s Day.
  • Sunday- I’m not sure! Maybe a walk with my mom? Maybe rest?

Things I’m Looking Forward To

There’s not really much going on this week, which is kind of nice! I may get together with some girlfriends on Tuesday night for dinner which would be fun since I haven’t seen them in so long. Other than that, I am excited to host Mother’s Day on Sunday. We have to figure out what we want to make, though- any suggestions? We are doing brunch, so we are thinking we’d like to make some type of fancy egg casserole and fruit salad and potatoes… help!

Questions for you: What was the best part of your weekend? Did you watch the Derby? Get outside to enjoy the warmer weather? Do you like to go bowling? Did you have any particularly good workouts last week? What are you looking forward to this week?

This Week: Workouts, getting back to a normal schedule & things I’m looking forward to

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Happy Marathon Monday! Do any of you have it off? I wish I did, but I did decide to work from home in Maine today, so that counts for something 😉

Last week was a tough week of workouts, for some reason. I don’t know what it was, but I was pretty sore all week, especially on Friday. There’s something about doing my own workout and then teaching on Wednesday, followed by my double on Thursday that just makes me physically very tired on Friday. Guess it kind of makes sense, right?!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- This was my birthday workout! I taught my favorite “across the floor” workout (similar to this workout) and then ran 2 miles on the treadmill. I had wanted to run 2.9 miles for my 29th birthday, but I ran out of time. Oh, well!

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  • Tuesday- I was going to go to the gym after work (I worked from home… had 1 too many cosmos the night before 😉 ), but it was raining and windy and gross, so I just stayed home for an at-home workout. I did 10 minutes of cardio before completing this workout from Blonde Pony Tail, which I loved! I felt this the next day for sure. I ended my workout with 10 minutes of abs. Solid at-home workout if you ask me!
  • Wednesday- I woke up feeling kind of crappy (I’ve been battling a stupid cold for weeks now- it comes for a few days then goes away. so annoying), so rather than running before class, I just did some steady-state easy cardio. After, I taught a tough UXF Burn class. We used towels in place of Glider discs and it was awesome! I also made them do the plank run, which I think they loved to hate.

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  • Thursday- I tried to get a sub for my classes because I felt awful in the morning, but by mid-day I felt ok, which was good because no one agreed to sub. I taught a pyramid workout in SHRED and a high cardio kickboxing class. Few. Between Wednesday and Thursday workouts, I was really sore on Friday!
  • Friday- Rest day, besides some walking around the city.
  • Saturday- I taught my cardio kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. Even though most of my “front row” wasn’t there, the class was still packed with people ready to earn their Easter candy. My sister also came, which is always a fun treat. My heart rate was SKY HIGH the whole class- seriously, like upper 170’s the whole time… wonder if it was a mix of being excited and having had a couple of wines the night before? It was weird.
  • Sunday- I helped my dad move some wood from the yard and went for a walk with my mom. I also practiced some “new to me moves” from the Shape magazine my mom got me.

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- My plan today is to get in a strength workout in the morning before I start working. I feel like I should run since it’s Marathon Monday, but I doubt that will happen. Maine is still cold… and really hilly…
  • Tuesday- I will probably do some type of cardio class. I was invited to take a class at The Handle Bar in Fenway, so my sister and I are either going this Tuesday or next Tuesday.
  • Wednesday- Cardio before teaching UXF Burn
  • Thursday- Teaching SHRED and Cardio Kickboxing
  • Friday- Rest? Probably!
  • Saturday- I need to go to Maine for the day, so I’ll get up and do something before I head there.
  • Sunday- Not sure! Maybe yoga? A run outside? Nothing?

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I thought I’d never hear myself say this, but I’m looking forward to my birthday month celebrations being over! Don’t get me wrong, it was a really great month filled with lots of fun things, but I’m ready to get back to a more normal schedule- not drinking during the week, no birthday cake, no days of multiple celebrations… call me boring, but it will be nice to have a little more time to breathe. This week isn’t necessarily a light week, but it’s coming! My sister will be staying with me a few nights while the bathroom in her apartment is getting re-done, so it will be nice to have company! I am going home to Maine for the day on Saturday to model in a fashion show, but will probably come back to MA on Saturday night since I am going to a baptism on Sunday.

Questions for you: What was the best workout you had last week? Do you like to workout on your birthday or give yourself a day to rest?

This Week: Workouts, the big 2-9 and things I’m looking forward to

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Good morning! Happy Monday… and happy birthday to me (and my birthday buddies, Jess and Ashley! Hope you girls have a wonderful day! xo)! I cannot believe another year has come and gone and I am 29. I’ll post more on my birthday later, but let’s focus on the workouts first. When I told people I was teaching this morning, they thought I was crazy, but to be honest, starting my birthday with a workout is the best way to start it.

Last week’s workouts were good, but I just felt weak and drained during them. I think it’s a mix between fighting off a cold and just being run down from my crazy March. With that said, I rested on Friday and Sunday which was needed. Hoping my energy is back up this week!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- Last week I did a strength session during my lunch break. Mostly upper body and core- it was good!
  • Tuesday- I got up before work and did 35 minutes of kickboxing and body weight lower body strength moves.
  • Wednesday- I taught my first double of the week. Although it makes sense for me to sub the 5:30 class before I teach my own, it’s not ideal for me. Teaching a double two days in a row is a lot! My new heart rate monitor came in which made me so happy!

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  • Thursday- Taught my 2nd double of the week. Boy was I happy after my second class was done!
  • Friday- Rest! As I stated, I just felt really weak during my workouts this week so a rest day on Friday was needed.
  • Saturday- I went to a class at Recycle Studio with my sister. We had all intentions of going to Lindsay’s class, but I was an idiot and we missed that class so we went to her roommate’s class after, which was equally as good!

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  • Sunday- I went for a nice, long walk. I walked for just under an hour- no clue on the distance, but I’m guessing almost 4 miles. It felt nice to be in the sunshine and spend time reflecting on the past year.

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This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- By the time this post goes up, I will have taught my Muscle Work class and hopefully have done some cardio- I’m thinking 2.9 miles to celebrate my 29th birthday??
  • Tuesday- I’m not sure. I might run after work? Rest? We will see.
  • Wednesday- Some light cardio before teaching UXF Burn.
  • Thursday- Teaching my SHRED and Kickboxing classes.
  • Friday- Rest! I have the day off, but am getting a massage (I think), hair cut and doing a “day of fun” with my date since I have the day off for Good Friday.
  • Saturday- Teaching kickboxing at the YMCA.
  • Sunday- I’ll be home in Maine for Easter so I’ll probably do something there.

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I’m looking forward to so many things that I think I need to list them out!

  • My birthday- duh! It’s week 2 of the celebrations, which is always a good thing 😉
  • The 80* weather forecast projected for today.
  • Birthday dinner at Row 34 with my date… and possible drinks outside somewhere beforehand since it’s supposed to be so nice.
  • Day off on Friday, which will include a possible massage, hair cut, sushi lunch and “day of fun” with the guy.
  • My sister got me tickets to go see Pat Green on Friday night at the House of Blues- such a thoughtful and FUN gift. I can’t wait!
  • Going home to Maine for Easter weekend!

Questions for you: Do you ever have weeks where you just feel weak with your workouts? What was the best part of your week last week? What are you looking forward to this week? Do you have Good Friday off?

This Week: Workouts & Things I’m Looking Forward To {Birthday Week pt 1}

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Hi there! How are you doing? I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was good- Friday night my upstairs neighbor, Lisa, and I had a glass of wine at my apartment, which was a great end to the week. Saturday was busy, but all fun stuff! I taught kickboxing in the morning and then went to lunch with my sister and my date, and while the company was good, the food wasn’t so good. We went to 5 Napkin Burger, which I had heard great things about, but it didn’t really “wow” me. That night, my date and I went to his brother and sister-in-law’s in the South End and had a BBQ- so fun! I’m definitely ready for the summer!! I went to the Red Sox game on Sunday with a bunch of friends and was so thankful the weather cooperated!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I taught my 6am strength class (which I’m really starting to love!!) and then after work I went to a 50 minute “Pilates ReMixx” class at Boston Body. The instructor ended up being the same instructor who taught the Flywheel class that I wasn’t a fan of, but she was better as a pilates instructor! I was pleasantly sore the next day from the countless glute exercises we did.

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  • Tuesday- I went to a Pilates Tower class at Studio J in Government Center. I was SO lucky and ended up having a private class. The instructor was amazing and asked about my fitness level and how I felt and when I told her I was an instructor and wanted to be challenged, she went for it and ran! We did all sorts of advanced things that absolutely challenged me. Wow. It was wonderful. I want to go back soon!

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  • Wednesday- I ran 3 miles on the treadmill before teaching a pretty tough UXF Burn class. I did warn my members before class started that we’d be working off the Crumbs Cupcakes I ate during the day 😉
  • Thursday- I taught a fun partner SHRED workout (similar to this workout) and then kickboxing.

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  • Friday- Nothing. Total rest day 🙂
  • Saturday- I taught my cardio kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. I know I’ve said it a million times before, but I just love that class. It is always packed (60+ people!) and the members are of all shapes and sizes, all ages and all fitness levels. The common denominator is that they ALL always come ready to work hard, sweat and hopefully laugh a little 🙂 It really does make my day to see so many people get up on a Saturday morning to come to my class, and that people aren’t afraid to come because we jump a lot or do a lot of burpees. I always tell people you can modify anything, but sometimes people don’t feel comfortable doing it. The fact that everyone in my Saturday class practices this is amazing.
  • Sunday- I went for a 5K run around Eastie. It wasn’t as nice as I thought it was going to be (so windy!), but it was still a beautiful, sunny day and it felt good to run outside again. My miles are so much faster than when I run on a treadmill. Anyone else feel this way?

This Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- My plan today is to get to the gym during my lunch break for a strength workout so that I can go home after work and catch up on some major blogging. This is the start of my birthday week, so I’ve got a lot going on and could use a night where I’m home before 8 pm!
  • Tuesday- Since I plan on doing strength on Monday, I’ll probably stick to cardio on Tuesday. Maybe a long run outside?
  • Wednesday- I am subbing Melissa Shaw’s 5:30pm Sports Conditioning class and then teaching my UXF Burn class. Come to one or both 😉
  • Thursday- I am teaching my SHRED and kickboxing classes.
  • Friday- Not sure! It may be a rest day, maybe some at-home yoga, who knows.
  • Saturday- I am going to my friend Lindsay’s class at Recycle. Saturday is my big day of birthday celebrations and since I’m not teaching in the morning, the next best way for me to kick off the day is Lindsay’s class.
  • Sunday- My guess is this will be a rest day since I’ll likely be out late on Saturday celebrating my birthday.

Things I am looking forward to

Well, as I’ve said, this is the start of my birthday week. Yes, my birthday isn’t until NEXT Monday, but this week I’m doing fun things that lead up to my celebration on Saturday (I realize I am completely obnoxious during my birthday month). I’m going to treat myself to a mani and pedi and I think I’m going to get a spray tan (nervous about this!). I would love to try and get a new dress, but I’m not sure that will end up happening. My parents are coming down on Saturday and I can’t explain how excited that makes me! I feel like I haven’t seen them in a long time, so it’s nice that they are coming down for the day on Saturday to take me to lunch and bring my birthday bunny cake! Lastly, I’m looking forward to getting dressed up and going out on Saturday night with some of my favorite people!

Questions for you: Have you been to Boston Body or Studio J? Do you like pilates? What was the best part of your week last week? What are you looking forward to this week?