Shake Your Hips!

Onto the next one.

We are not stopping at trying things!

We tried ZUMBA!

It wasn't a normal Zumba class however, it was Club Style Zumba!

That means, wear your neon and white and turn on the black lights!

(cred.)

Jen and I had Turbokick at 5:30 before this class, so we had already got our workout in at this point. But we are tough and kept going!

We got there and everyone got two glow sticks to wear as bracelets. As I was twisting and turning my glow sticks I was looking around trying to figure out who was a zumba-holic and who had no idea what was going on like me. As Jen and I were talking about non-related topics, the room completely filled from wall to wall with people of all ages, sizes, and genders. It was a well rounded bunch we had.

As she explained everything and shut off the light I promptly looked into the mirror and noticed I was glowing. I had decided to wear a neon pink shirt and boy did it glow! I was excited to shake my hips but was worried about how I would do. 

The warm-up started and I finally got it down. It was very fun and dancey (because that is a word). It was a little hard to follow because there wasn't much cuing and I am a person who relies on cues. I did get it though and I shook my hips like it was my last day of hip shaking.

The instructor and owner of the studio, Cassandra, went and grabbed a bag full of goodies. Those goodies can all be referred to as belly dancing skirts. Let the real hip shaking beginning!

Oh boy was this part the most fun. The foot stomping and hip shaking was a blast!

I never wanted to stop. The sound of all the discs, on the skirts, hitting each other when every hip in the room was shaking, was addicting.

After the booty shaking skirts were taken off, the cool down began. 

Although I sweat through this whole class, I never ever found it difficult.

So what is my final review?

7 out of 10

It was a fun class. I can totally understand why people go to these classes all the time. I didn't see it as a great workout. I like to be challenged and I viewed this workout as dancing in the club. I was never really out of breath and didn't feel a need to drink some water. I wish I sweat more and wish I viewed it as more difficult. Also I wish there was more cuing. I was thrown off by the fact that the teacher would just do the move without saying anything. Yes, I picked it up...just thought it was odd for a fitness class.

Will I be going again...YUPP!

What are your thoughts on Zumba?!

Well, Hello There

I am ever so sorry that I do not update this much.

I blog a lot more HERE

(Check it out.)

I just wanted to let you all knwo I am back on my grind.

I work out atleast once a day if not twice or three times.

My good friend Jen and I decided we wanted to kill ourselves and try new things! SO we tried Kickboxing last night.

We had to buy a minimun of 3 classes also..so we have 2 left.

My review of Burke's Kickboxing in Cranston, RI:

I wanted to die during the warm-up. As most of you know I have done the Insanity workouts, mind you they are in my own home and I stop when I need to, versus here where I just CAN'T stop (prideful) so I died.

We started with laps around the mat and then some side skipping things, mind you I don't run..gah. I made it though, no problem. Now I am hot. Did I mention that the room was hot hot hot to begin with. I was sweating filling out papaerwork and all I was wearing was yoga pants a tank top and a spring jacket (very light)

So the warmup.

From the running we stopped and did plank....for a minute. Oh hey, yeah remember prideful  so I did it..but hated every second. Then it was a combination of elbows to hands in plank...for another minute. This is when I turned to Jen and told her we may not be friends after this due to the fact that this was her idea. After that it was some of the normal warmup stuff, shoulder rolls, lunges, etc. Those I can handle.

THEN IT WAS TIME TO HIT THE BAG! 

This is where it got fun. We put on our gloves..(mine were pink) and started some combinations. jab,cross,jab,cross....jab,cross,jab,cross. Back and forth, then we would switch. One person holding the bag, the other hitting. Jen and I could not stop laughing. (The must hate us) I enjoyed the bag. It was then onto upercut,cross,hook,cross. Oh I liked this. We had some fun throwing in some "Shaina terms"

(Shaina is our coach and she has key phrases that are just  so Shaina!)

After this however we got into those dang plank positions and threw punches from plank at the bag.

WHATTTTT?!

Actually, I was okay with this at first.. they have this move in Insanity.

That was until I tried to plank WITH GLOVES ON! BAHAHA! Good joke on me. That stuff is hard! My knuckles still hurt from it!

(okay, I'm exagerating.)

We moved onto kicks.. I thought this would be better..and it was. We had these "bags" that you hold against your body so your partner can punch and kick at you. Sound fun?! Well it was.

We did a combination of four punches and then 4 roundhouse kicks on the right and then four roundhouse kicks on the left..and repeat. Jen went first, so I felt like I was getting beat up, and I was okay with this because it was just Jen. So now it's my turn and I had a little fun hitting Jen, (don't tell her!) I realized how weak my left leg is though! Oh man I couldn't down and infant with my left roundhouse kick...WEAKK!

I knew we didn't have much time left and this made me so happy. We did single leg kicks from this point on. Just picture the Rockettes kickboxing style. Except we just stuck with one leg at a time.

This was fun until your toes started hurting, and then the fun ran away...and fast.

So we were done after this..

NOT.

We dd high-five burpees.

yupp. you read that right.

Your partner and yourself highfived then burpeed, then came back up, high fived...etc

They didn't make them any more enjoyable this way.

What came after this you ask. WELL, high five push ups of course!

Just push up and high five with the right hand, then push up and high five with the left...back and forth. Then the pburpees, followed by the pushups..THEN WE FINISHED!

Overall rating.

6 out of 10.

I liked the limit it pushed me too, but the workouts weren't super hard, except the burpees and pushups both highfive and punching.. I wish it was more intense. The warm-up was when I sweat the most. I did enjoy it though. I will be back for the next 2 classes, but that's it for me folks.

Let me know if you've ever taken a kickboxing class before!

Let's Talk Snacks.

I love snacking.

I think everyone does.

One of my favorites:

Chobani.

 (greek yogurt)

I have a little trick that makes every Chobani, so much better!

All you need:

-Chobani Plain.

-Crystal Light (to-go flavor packets)

 Just plain greek yogurt.. Trust me I know it is not tasty alone, but hold on.

 My favorite is lemonade. 

 I use about half the packet. Use more or less to taste. (Note: I should have used a red colored flavor.)

Stir it up really well, and bam..you'll be eating these every day!

They are so beyond tasty and you save on calories (about 40-60calories) and sugar (about 10-15)and carbs (about 15-20)  and gain on protein (an added 4 or 5)

(This is comparable to the flavored Chobani's)

Give it a try, let me know how it goes!

P.s. you can always go and enter my Giveaway here !

MAX time.

I never thought I would be asking for the first month of Insanity back..

but then again I'm not.

I love the challenge Insanity brings me. I love the sweat and the burn.

So last week was Recovery week, the fifth week, I made it through FIVE full weeks.

Well, now time to move on. MAX month. I was nervous. I was talking to my brother before I went to work out and kept saying how nervous I was. I was smiling as soon as I came back upstairs and saw him still watching TV knowing I just burned a ton of calories. 

This is so rewarding people! 

I can't believe that I will be done with Insanity in 3 weeks. That's it! 

Anyway back to MAX week, these workouts push you harder, are not necessarily harder, but longer and more intense. The workouts are longer, but you don't really realize it. The warmups are different than the first month. It is a good change though. 

I thought I sweat a lot from month one, but this is like never before. I love it!

I saw this picture and thought it was perfect. I know it is not talking about the workout...but still!

Till next time

Too Busy for Words

I've barely found time to type papers and work never mind type in a blog.

Things have been going WONDERFULLY!

I did my weight and measurements for my conclusion of my first month the other day.

Conclusion:

I have love 20.5 pounds.

and...

12.5 inches around my body!

Yes let's celebrate!
I can not even express the joy this brought me!
I worked my butt off as soon as I was done.
Fitness is bringing amazing new opportunities and adventures to my life.
My brother is trying to get in on the Insanity gig with me!
Let's Work Out!

Day 20-22!

I cant believe I am on day 22 already!

Day 20 was pliyometric circuit,

I actually had Turbo Kick in the morning with my coach Shaina Johnson. She kicked my butt and I waited till night time to do my Insanity workout.

I am getting so good at these workouts! Go me..ok I'm done.

But really, I am getting kick ass at the warm ups and I am putting so much effort into these workouts now!

Day 21 was my off day.

I enjoyed this day so much, relaxing!

Day 22..weigh in.

I worked out and did Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs .

KILLER!

I actually only took about a minute in between workouts. I only did this because I needed to fit in time to shower and make Shakeology before heading to class.

I am noticing that I am able to keep my endurance up longer to continue and push through these workouts more!

I am loving myself once I am finished!

Week four..BRING IT!

p.s. I am down 17.5 pounds now! 

Yeahhhhh!

Day 19 and still going strong!

October 22, 2011

Cardio Power and Resistance.

To be totally honest with you, I was not into the workout today. I knew I had to do it so I brought myself downstairs and and pushed play (the hardest part) and went to it! 

I made it through the warm up and the stretch without stopping again.

My knees have been hurting me constantly so some of the workouts i've had to go lower impact, but I am not stopping.

I like the workouts in this one, but after doing pure cardio I don't feel this is as good of a workout.

Why? because I feel the need to kill myself daily with workouts.

Regardless, I like the sweat I get from this workout..it is tough, do not get me wrong.

I've changed and now do my workouts during the day.

It is so nice to come home from a long day at work and just be able to relax. I think this is so much better!

Till Tomorrow.