Spin that Stress Away!

Hey Jeni! 

Happy Monday! How was your day? Mine was the typical Monday, not enough hours in it! 

I mad a pretty productive day at work. Mondays are difficult for me:

1. I am not a morning person

2. I am generally switching gears in my brain

3. There is a lot of work activity in Monday! 

So, back in November/December, I tried to start a weekly ritual- Monday spin.  I like it for a few reasons: I can generally pick up on any increased strength or improvement in fitness level, I like the instructor, it helps me think about my goals for the upcoming week, and it helps melt away stress. I find that if I am feeling stressed out, I can really focus that energy into my workout.  I feel wonderful after doing it. 

Spin isn't easy- but it helps for training and improving endurance on the bike.  So sometimes I love to hate it as well :-) in a good way. 

Today was a little tricky on the bike.  I'm not really sure what happened but abut halfway into the class I wasn't feeling my greatest.  It could have been for a variety of reasons: turbo beginning, red pasta sauce for lunch, too much water (what can I say, I was thirsty today!).  I thin it's good to try and finish things up because this type of thing could happen out on the road, it's about learning about the body and figuring out what works best. I toned it down for the rest of the ride and concentrated on breathing.  I made it through the class. 

Have you developed any fitness rituals? I'd love to hear about them. 

Xoxo

Jenne 

P.S.  I'm convinced it was the red sauce, by the way.  

A Week in Review

Jeni, 

I know. I've been gone again! Things have been a little hectic. I also have crafted a few notes to you, but then I've had some updates! 

I learned a few things this week: 

1. Starch= more than just potatoes

2. I can give up diet/light products

3. I am really loving avocado

4. Strength training is important

5. I <3 8 hours of sleep a night

So I've been making some dietary changes lately along with my challenge. Things have been at times easy and other times hard. I met with a trainer at my gym the day after our birthday and I got some personalized recommendations: 

1. 8 hours of sleep at night

2. Drink at least half your body weight and + when working out

3. If you want to eat something, don't bother with the diet version, eat the real thing

4. No sugar or starch after 4pm

5. No nuts

6. Organic animal products and byproducts only

Now, #5 and #6 are personalized to me based on some things but #1-4 are pretty general.  

So back to #1, I didn't know how many things were considered a starch! This week has been more difficult as I cut things down. The past few days when I was busy and having some work stress, I just wanted carbs! CARBS! Chips and salsa, ice cream, fruit, everything! I stuck it out pretty good though and I've been feeling great.  I eat more things (like cheese) that I've been trying to avoid because its "bad" and enjoying it. And I haven't gained weight! In fact, I am heading in the other direction. 

I will keep you posted on this. I am going to wind down before my new 9:30pm-10:00pm bedtime and think of my workout plans for tomorrow (spin? weight machines? row machine?) 

How has your diet been going lately? Have you made any healthy changes? Are you drinking enough water? 

Xoxo

Jeni

Yoga Time

Hi Jeni, 

How was your first day back at work? I cannot imagine 17 days off, I already have to hit the reset button on Monday because of the weekend! 

We must be on a yoga wavelength, my plan for this evening is vinyasa yoga. Normally I like to start my week with spin class to work off that stress and energy associated with it, but I didn't make it because of work. 

A challenge update: I am feeling good about the challenge. I am in the mindset, minus a few areas (we'll get to that later).  My team is already supporting each their. We exchange emails with our workout plans and try to fit in workouts together. I've already shared our blog with them so if any of Team Vibe Tribe is reading... Go team! 

The weigh in: I am not surprised, but I am surprised with my measurements, I thought they would be less. I am actually very disappointed in those because they make me feel like I'm back at where I started. The weight portion, I was not surprised about at all. I think I have a lot of work to do to get leaner. 

Motivation level: My motivation level is good! Today I feel a little guilty that I am not planning on any cardio, but that's ok. I need to ensure that my body is rested so I do not cause any injuries. I believe that yoga builds strength anyways! My second self guilt trip is due to soda.  I had a great day planned out with food and then during the day I felt the need for kettle chips and a diet Dr. Pepper. Naughty! I traded that out with another meal so from a calorie perspective, it balanced itself out. But that was diet soda that went into my body instead of water. I'm not so upset about the kettle chips because they have limited ingredients and non saturated fat. Whenever I track meals and really watch what I eat, I generally do not eat a lot of fat. I will need to explore the soda thing more. It's a sheer love of carbonation and diet soda taste. Perhaps this year I will get over my soda cravings. Right now I am going to aim for one 16oz. soda a week. This would be a decent goal I think. Then I can slim it down more. 

I find it interesting that when life happens, we often turn away from exercise when trying to cope. I got off the bandwagon when work got busy.  I was too tired, too stressed, etc. Well, exercise and yoga would have probably helped me more with that. I think there is a lot to be said for the power of exercise. I'm sorry to hear about V. 

How was crossfit this evening? I hope you had fun. Any updates on the sugar front? What workout are you looking most forward to this week? 

Keep me posted on your end of yoga mediation and relaxation, I should try that sometime, I am always raring to go at about 10pm.  

Xoxo

Jenne