A Little Fresh Air

Hey J,
  I can't believe January is almost over, how did that happen?!?  Only 11 months left in this year... I really hope to make the best of every day.  Today was great!  While we're renovating the farm house E and I are staying in the apt we have in town.  Without having daily access to our farm I forget how much being in the fresh air and nature really helps to reset my soul after dealing with intense stress.  E spends two days a week down in the city and is leaving this afternoon, so today we decided to have a bit of quality time together, as a little family of 3 (don't forget the dog).  So we bundled up, cause yes, it was only 10* and headed outside.  There is an incredible land conservation area about 2 miles outside of town that offers incredible views and is such a restorative experience.  We covered 2.5 miles of trails, weaving in and out of the woods, over frozen streams and around fallen trees.  We sometimes complain about there not being enough date-worthy activities in town... the minute we stepped foot into the conservation area we both said, there are no dates we like better than being outside.  What a nice reminder.
  What about you?  Which do you prefer, the gym or outdoor activities?  For me there's nothing like being outside, no matter how cold it is... with that being said, I can't wait till I can walk out the door in the morning with just a light jacket on!  Yay, it's almost February!

What's going on with you today?  How will you get active?

Work hard, eat well!
xo
Jeni

Back for the second time

Hey Jeni! 

Oh my, it's been awhile! The past two weeks have been very busy, and I'm happy to report, good from a fitness perspective! 

I went to New York last weekend where I ate lots of food and had some girl time with my friends. I felt a little guilty after but remember that I work hard at the gym and it is not often that I indulge in cake, champagne, food and more food! In the end it was a great weekend! What did you do for your birthday? 

So after I got back I decided to hang out. I took about 3 days off from the gym, even though on Saturday I did some core work while watching Sex in the City! This past Monday I was tired. So I decided to take that day to regroup and think about my week ahead. I think those days are needed sometimes. I try not to beat myself up over it, I think that's something that is hard for us not to do. 

On Monday, I met with a trainer at my gym to go over my diet. I'll cover this in another post. On Tuesday, I was back in the game! Here's what I accomplished this week:

Tuesday: Zumba and Strength training

Wednesday: Inclined power walk and row machine

Thursday: Strength training and my own spin routine

Friday: Tried a new class called cycle and core- half spin, half core work! 

Saturday: off from the gym, worked at the mall

Sunday: Weight training and Zumba

I had a first this week- I went into the weight room at my gym and worked out on the weight machines! This is something I haven't done since high school. I get intimidated in there, but I went in! I also did my own core work, too. I went into Zumba feeling the work that I did. I was so proud of myself! I feel what I am trying to accomplish is the better version of me. The best version is on a bike for sure, but it is also building my arm muscles, trying to get a slightly defined core, and being in the best shape possible. Finally, the best version of me is happy with the results of my hard work. 

Tonight I made soup for the week and muffins, I am on a role! I also cleaned, which helps me keep myself on track through the week. Have you cooked anything healthy this week? 

What are your plans for this week? I hope it is getting some rest! I am getting 8 hours of sleep right now every night, trainers orders! 

Xoxo

Jenne

Inspiration

Hey girl.  Am I right in saying this past week has been insane for both of us??  I haven't had a second to think, let alone workout.  With my hectic teaching schedule and finishing up this dress for the Grammy Awards and starting class at Marist, I averaged 5 hours of sleep or less each night this week.  I also ate terribly!!  I hate it.  I have made a decision though this week that I am taking a break from Crossfit for a month and joining a gym called ixl.  I want to have use of a treadmill- running keeps me sane and the temps outside are just too insane!!  I also want access to traditional workout classes that I can attend with some of my lady friends.  I don't have enough time to be healthy, socialize and workout separately.  I hope that joining the gym will let me do all 3 in one shot.  Anyway, here is a video that I just love watching for inspiration.  Hopefully it will pump you up too.

How was your week?  Did you stay on course with healthy goals and being active??  Or was this week just as crazy for you? 

xo
Jeni

The BEST Version of ME

Jenne,
  I am so proud of your dedication and progress.  You are really doing so well!  I am so jealous of your gym.  I remember in a previous phone convo you told me that your gym has a lounge with fireplaces... I mean, AWESOME!  I love discovering new muscles.  Every spring when I ride (horses) for the first time in months, I remember muscles I forgot I had.  It is incredible how intricate and strong our bodies really are.  Do you have a "core"that you aspire to have?  Like, do you look in magazines and say, "I wish my abs looked like that" or are you just in search of strength?

  So, now, about me.  I know that cycling is your thing, you being the best version of you.  There is nothing that makes me feel more like myself or a better version of myself than when I am running.  It has been months since I have run on a regular basis.  I don't have a treadmill and I don't have a gym membership and it has been COLD outside.  I don't mind running in the cold but, my running shoes, Vibram Five Finger shoes, aren't your standard running shoe.  There is no warmth or protection from the winter elements.  I ran a few weeks ago when it was in the 20's and my toes froze so badly that for days my left food felt bruised.  Luckily Vibram came out with a winter version of my shoe!  I have been waiting weeks for them to arrive and yesterday I finally had a chance to take them out for a spin!!!  It was like HEAVEN!! I was cruisn'.  I didn't have much time, only a half hour, so I went out for a 3 mile loop of town.  The first mile is down hill and the 2 miles back are up some INTENSE hills.  I have been reading running blogs for years and have seen that everyone uses Nike+, I have always wondered what it was... yesterday before my run I downloaded the app and tried it out.  Let me tell you, it was SO cool.  It talked to me!  It alerted me when I hit each mile mark, told me my average pace and the overall time for that mile.  It also congratulated me at every mile.  I am hooked!  At the end of the run, Nike+ lets you take a picture, describe your run and prints your course on the photo.  How cool is that?!?  I can't wait to use it all the time.

So tomorrow is our bday!!  Everett is buying me a new bike.  I am really interested in doing Triathlons this Summer and he and I are planning to go touring and traveling on our bikes all Summer long and the bike I have now is a 1980's mens Schwin, that doesn't really fit me well.  He's done lots of research and found a few options that he thinks will be the best bike for the job.  We are going tomorrow to check them out.  I'm so excited, like a kid at Christmas.  He's a GREAT gift giver and I'm a spoiled thing!  This weekend is going to be insanely busy, I am hoping to go hiking on Monday, since I wont have work due to the holiday.

I hope I get to see you tomorrow!

Happy early birthday my dear!  Here's to being 29!!
xo
Jeni

No longer MIA!

Jeni! 

I haven't given up on us! I am here! It's been a busy past few days! But very productive! 

Let's see...  I've been to the gym everyday this week so far. I have been trying out different classes at my gym, it's fun to try new things right? It also lets me check on my progress.  Sometimes you start working different muscle groups and you realize there are some muscles you haven't been working! 

So on Monday I took this class called Cardio Strength. One of my areas for opportunity is strength training. I don't do a lot of it. I like my cardio burn! So I thought this class would be a good mix. Holy cow... The reps were fast, I'm not sure I even remember what I did. But it was a challenge! I hope to ace that class sometime in the future- it will certainly not happen overnight! 

Yesterday I did WERQ again. It was fun. I am definitely learning the moves so I feel less dorky! 

Today I also tried a new class! It was called Core Dynamics. It was core work, obviously, but there were some different exercises. I liked it! I tried my best in the class, I was really proud of walking in plank with sliders at my feet. I did need to take a few breaks but I found resolve when I did it to keep going. I felt the muscles working. We'll see what happens! I also rode on the bike for a bit too.  

I've made some really good recipes this week. Simple, fresh, and yummy.  But first, what have you been up to? Have you recovered? Have you been doing any core work? 

Xoxo

Jenne

Oh LORDY!

Hello my dear,
  Where do I start?!?!  This weekend went every which way but right!  For starters, I did NOT go to crossfit, I did NOT go running and I did NOT eat healthy.  Friday life just got in the way and E and I didn't make it in time to go to the 6:30pm crossfit class.  So we decided to get up early for the Saturday morning class... well, 1:00am rolled around and I wasn't feeling well and could not fall asleep... so rather than waking up at 6:30am as we planned we slept until 10:00am.  We have NEVER slept that late, ever.  Then all day I just did not feel right.  We walked Roscoe a little over 3 miles and I hoped the fresh air would snap me out of my funk.  Then, stupidly, one of my closest friends came over to  introduce me to her new man!  (They were so cute).  We went out for ice cream and cookies.  What ever was I thinking?!?!?  So the rest of the day poor E had to hear me really moan about how sick I felt.  I slept terribly last night.  Tossed and turned and had the worst stomach pains.  This morning when I woke up at 6:30, I reached over, grabbed the waste basket next to the bed and just puked and puked and puked.  I don't know what caused it.  I have never felt so terrible.  It is 7:00pm and I am just now taking my first bite of melon.  I am so far beyond dehydrated and empty and have a throbbing head ache.  I accomplished nothing today and just now got out of bed for the first time too.  So, what did I learn from this experience??  Even if the junk food had NOTHING to do with me being sick, I do NOT want or need it in my life.  I felt unfulfilled after and silly.
  So, now about your kicks and Fleet Feet.  There is one in Albany and I LOVE it there.  The staff is so cool and knowledgeable!  Finding the right pair of kicks makes a huge difference in your fitness success.  Yours are so cute!!  Over the summer, E bought me a pair of Vibram Five Finger shoes, he had done a lot of research on the benefits of them.  Especially since I deal with so much pain and stiffness after breaking my back (can you believe it has been so long?! 7 years this February).  The Vibrams have totally transformed my life!   Running is back to being fully enjoyable.
  So now tell, me, how are you doing eating wise?  Are you stretching enough after workouts and drinking enough water??  These things are so important.

Ok, my darling fitness buddy!  It is time for this little sick thing to go back to bed.

caio!
Jeni

Sneakers!

Happy Sunday Jeni!

They are essential to the gym. They are a fashion statement. They keep our feet supported and protected. Sneakers! 

I've had a pair of Asics running shoes from my college days. I'd been wearing them to the gym for the past year and had used them for spontaneous exercise and other activities in the year prior. The shoes were dated, they were for running, I was looking for an upgrade. 

First off, shoes make me nervous. I always get the wrong fit. Second, I loved my trusty Asics. The sneakers I had before were also for running. As we all know, I have been forced to retire from running (sad face). I decided to go to a local sports store where I could get more attention and work with knowledgable staff. This store was Fleet Feet. 

I went in armed with my old sneakers and determined to find a good fitting shoe. I also brought my parents so they could stop me from buying a bad fitting shoe. I tried in several different pairs, did lunges and squats and some Zumba movements in the store. I then walked on the treadmill.  I thought I found a pair of Saucony's that fit well, but then they started to feel a bit off after awhile. I was a little stuck and then Bruce, who was helping me, brought me out another pair of Asics! He said that although they were running sneakers, they were still a medium support sneaker that would work for what I wanted to do. Bruce had that extra knowledge of what I was doing because he also happens to be a trainer at Midtown, my gym! 

Not too shabby, right? I cannot wait to test them out! I am on the docket for Zumba and spin today, however, I am still feeling my hamstrings from my strength training workout today, so I may need to cut out Zumba so I don't overdo it. I'll report back on what I decided and how things turned out. What have you been up to this weekend? 

Xoxo

Jenne