Outside Motivation

Thoughtful Thursday.....

So last week my motivation was at a big fat zero to work out.  All the classes at the gym were cancelled because of our horrible weather and I was just not in the mood.  I did Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" in the morning just to have some type of workout.  If you have ever done this DVD it is a good workout but I have to mute Jillian.  She can be motivating at times but at 7:00 in the morning I'm not trying to her listen to her say, "Keep doing jumping jacks! I have 300lb people that can do jumping jacks!"  Ugh that will be enough from you lady.  I'm chubby, jumping jacks kill my knees, and it is way too early for me to listen to that nonsense! 

Fast forward to this week.  On Monday I went back to the gym.  I did a 30 minute treadmill warm up, 10 minutes on the Stair Climber (OMG first time on that..), and a short kettle bell workout.  Tuesday I was back in spin and it felt amazing after a week off!  Yesterday and today it has been GORGEOUS outside so I took my butt (and my mutts) to Iroquois Park to get some fresh air.  Iroquois Park is one of the prettiest parks you've ever set foot in.  Any park that has a lookout where you can see this gorgeous city is pretty in my book!  The loop around the park is about 3&1/2 miles with lots of hills.  I am not a runner by any means but today I ran down the hills and walked up the rest.  It feels good to get the fresh air in my lungs and the sunshine on my skin.  It has been so gloom and doom lately this sunshine is highly welcomed!

So I told you all that to tell you this.  Just start working out.  Just go to the gym.  Just go outside and walk or run on pretty days.  Just start.  That is all it takes.  Get up off the couch and decide, "Hey I'm going to work out today."  That's how I started.  One day I looked at myself in the mirror and told myself I was going to work out.  Everything I have read said it takes four weeks for you to notice your body changing and eight weeks for others to notice.  I completely agree with that.  I started my journey in February.  I lost 10lbs and 10 overall inches and I could tell.  I never heard anything from my husband.  I never heard anything from my friends.  Here it is March and now I've heard a few times, "Are you losing weight?"  WHY YES I AM!  When this question is asked it makes me realize I am doing the right thing.  I am moving in the right direction.  Working out is a habit now.  I go to the gym five days a week.  I try to alternate different classes and workouts to change it up.  I want to tone as much as I want to drop the weight.  I know I will never be "skinny" because I am not built like that but there are things I can be.  I can be toned, I can be fit, and I can be motivating to someone who feels like I did earlier this year. 

Just a thought....

Spin Obsession

Have you ever wandered aimlessly through the gym staring at everything?  There are all kinds of random machines sitting there and intimidating you with their shiny metal frames, cables, and heavy weights attached.  If you are anything like me you approach some of these machines and you look at the instructions, climb on, and try not to make a jack ass out of yourself while you figure out how much weight you can actually lift before you injure yourself.  I know machines are great workouts that get you ripped up but no matter how motivating my Pandora playlist is that day after about 20 minutes of making my rounds on machines I am done.  I have lost all interest and I am ready to go.  I need something that peaks my interests and keeps me motivated and moving.  Hence where my new obsession has come into play....

Hi, my name is Elizabeth and I am addicted to spin classes.

I tried my first spin class at the YMCA about two years ago.  I went with a friend who was a member and I really liked the class but the YMCA was a little too pricey for our budget.  At the time in my part of town there was only one other gym and it didn't offer classes so my love for spin fell by the wayside.  In January of this year Louisville Athletic Club opened up in the South End and they offer group classes with your membership.  I quickly joined and told myself I am going to try spin again.  From the first class I was hooked.

There are so many benefits to spinning.  It is a low impact work out which is great for bad joints.  I have horrible shin splints (from years of softball and cheerleading) that flare up fast on treadmills and elliptical machines but with spin they do not bother me at all.  You make your spin class what you want it to be.  You adjust you bike levels so that your tension is what you feel comfortable with.  If you don't want to climb a steep hill then don't.  If you want to go at a slower pace then do it.  You make your time on your bike worth it and when you are ready to challenge yourself you will know.

I think there are two huge factors to spin that motivate me.  One is the instructor.  My favorite instructor is a cute little bubbly thing who pushes you up hills and makes you want to work harder.  You will find instructors who do more strength training while others do endurance and you need to find what works best for you.  Some instructors you just wont vibe with and while the workout may be great you wont be as satisfied.  Find the instructors that push you to better yourself and stick with them!  The other factor in spin is the music.  It is loud and fast paced and pumping you up to work harder.  If a teacher has a bum playlist it makes it really hard to keep going.  I constantly find myself spinning and moving to the beats so I need something to keep my attention.

Now spin isn't all sunshine and roses.  The main issue I have with spin (and after a while you get used to it) is the bike seats are not comfortable.  Ladies, be prepared because your nether regions will hurt for a few days after your first class.  The first class you try when you leave you will say, "Oh hell no I am not going back."  DO NOT LET IT STOP YOU FROM GOING BACK!  Again you will get used to this and after a while it will not make your lady parts sore.  After about three classes I was good to go.  Another thing is the intimidation you feel in the beginning.  Lets face it, big girls walk into a class with bikes and a bunch of people that are super in shape and we get nervous.  I know I did in my first class.  Push through.  It doesn't matter if you are 500lbs or 125lbs get on that bike and just try it.  I'm one of the plumpest people in my classes but I'll be damned if that is going to stop me from sweating my ass off and getting in shape.  You have to learn to not look at your neighbor and how fast they are going and just pedal to the point where you are getting the best workout you can get.  My last class I took I burned 832 calories in an hour....let me run that by you one more time, 832 calories IN ONE HOUR!  I would NEVER do that in my own workout.  I'm telling you the group setting, the music, and the instructor keep me going and that's why I love it.

So if you are considering giving it a try go to your local gym and ask if you can try a class.  Most gyms will give you a visitors pass.  Check it out and see what you think.  Like I said it took one class for me to be hooked.  Try new things and change up your work outs ladies, you never know what your body is capable of until you push it to the limits!

Happy spinning!