GOD BLESS IT!!!! My back feels like it's been cut open with a knife!!! Every movement sends searing pain up and down sections of my back. And my arms feel heavy- like they weigh 70lbs each!
Seeing as how I had to be at work at 2p, the only class I could have taken was Power Yoga at 12:15p. Also, today is the first day of Miami Dolphins preseason football!!! I am a huge football fan, but the game was during my work shift, so I had to record it on my DVR and I'm currently watching it while I'm typing this!
I glanced ahead at the Vixen schedule and saw that there were a ton of classes coming up that I wanted to take and try. Thus, I deemed today to be a rest day. I need one day of rest a week, and I think Fridays might be that day of rest!! But today the the one week anniversary of the start of Marisa's Movement and I love this new me!!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
August 9, 2014- 67 days until the wedding!
A day off was necessary for my body to rest, but I felt so guilty! I understand that I will need to give my body at least one day of rest a week, and yesterday was that day. And now I'm going to go hard this next week. I have 6 days left of my 2 week trial at Vixen and my plan is to try a bunch of new classes this week so I can experience everything!
I had a later work shift again today (in at 3p), and luckily Vixen offers a ton of classes on Saturday mornings, so I had a lot to chose from!! I picked 2 new classes, and the first was one I was really excited to try: Sexy Pole Dance!!
Ok, so I had to ask if I was even able to take the Sexy Pole Dance class because I hadn't taken Intro to Pole, but I was assured that I would be ok. I remember reading on the website that you had to wear shorts "as short as you felt comfortable wearing" to the class, because skin on the metal was the best for gripping. I'm not very comfortable in my own skin right now, ESPECIALLY around other ladies who have taken pole classes for years!! Now, Vixen has members of all shapes and sizes, and I have not heard anyone being judged or talked about or teased. In fact, quite the opposite is true! Everyone is completely supportive of each other, we cheer each other on (even if they are complete strangers), and all of the ladies are very open and friendly! That's probably one of the biggest reasons I love this studio!
The pole room has 8 poles in it, so each class can really only have 7 students in it (with one pole for the teacher.) We started out with an awesome and sexy warm-up, and then the routine started. Picking up cheoro is a little easier for me, but the teacher threw in a few lifts, and pole swings that I couldn't do. There was another girl in the class who hadn't taken a pole class before so she was in the same boat as I was! The teacher was very understanding and just told us to try what we could, or we could just dance around the pole. At one point in the routine, everyone had to climb their pole for 2-8 counts and then slide down into a split. I couldn't climb the pole, so I just danced and then dropped into my half split (I'm not flexible yet to do a split, so I keep one leg bent.) It was a fun class and I did end up doing one pole hold/spin!! The teacher said that she was going to be back in a week and she was going to do the same routine, so I plan on doing that class and hopefully I'll be a bit more advanced!!
The second class I took was 30 minute Power spin with 30 minute butt & abs with Jesus. Guys, Jesus is a beast!! Spin hurts my pelvis bone so much!! But the initial pain wears off after about 8 mins, so I stick with it. We did about 10-12 minutes on the bike, then did floor work- which included about 1000 push up and crunches! Lol!! My limbs were pushed to their maximum capacity. My arms were shaking and my abs were straining!! We did another 10-12 minutes on the bike and then more floor work. It was intense. But I made it through without dying, and that's all that matters!!
After today, I know that I definitely want to invest the time in more pole classes. It takes a lot of upper body strength and I need to focus on my arms! My wedding dress is sleeveless, so toned and fit arms are a MUST!!
I had a later work shift again today (in at 3p), and luckily Vixen offers a ton of classes on Saturday mornings, so I had a lot to chose from!! I picked 2 new classes, and the first was one I was really excited to try: Sexy Pole Dance!!
Ok, so I had to ask if I was even able to take the Sexy Pole Dance class because I hadn't taken Intro to Pole, but I was assured that I would be ok. I remember reading on the website that you had to wear shorts "as short as you felt comfortable wearing" to the class, because skin on the metal was the best for gripping. I'm not very comfortable in my own skin right now, ESPECIALLY around other ladies who have taken pole classes for years!! Now, Vixen has members of all shapes and sizes, and I have not heard anyone being judged or talked about or teased. In fact, quite the opposite is true! Everyone is completely supportive of each other, we cheer each other on (even if they are complete strangers), and all of the ladies are very open and friendly! That's probably one of the biggest reasons I love this studio!
The pole room has 8 poles in it, so each class can really only have 7 students in it (with one pole for the teacher.) We started out with an awesome and sexy warm-up, and then the routine started. Picking up cheoro is a little easier for me, but the teacher threw in a few lifts, and pole swings that I couldn't do. There was another girl in the class who hadn't taken a pole class before so she was in the same boat as I was! The teacher was very understanding and just told us to try what we could, or we could just dance around the pole. At one point in the routine, everyone had to climb their pole for 2-8 counts and then slide down into a split. I couldn't climb the pole, so I just danced and then dropped into my half split (I'm not flexible yet to do a split, so I keep one leg bent.) It was a fun class and I did end up doing one pole hold/spin!! The teacher said that she was going to be back in a week and she was going to do the same routine, so I plan on doing that class and hopefully I'll be a bit more advanced!!
The second class I took was 30 minute Power spin with 30 minute butt & abs with Jesus. Guys, Jesus is a beast!! Spin hurts my pelvis bone so much!! But the initial pain wears off after about 8 mins, so I stick with it. We did about 10-12 minutes on the bike, then did floor work- which included about 1000 push up and crunches! Lol!! My limbs were pushed to their maximum capacity. My arms were shaking and my abs were straining!! We did another 10-12 minutes on the bike and then more floor work. It was intense. But I made it through without dying, and that's all that matters!!
After today, I know that I definitely want to invest the time in more pole classes. It takes a lot of upper body strength and I need to focus on my arms! My wedding dress is sleeveless, so toned and fit arms are a MUST!!
Friday, August 8, 2014
August 7, 2014- 69 days until the wedding!
Waking up, and I felt great!!! No intense soreness at all. I still feel a dull pain in my legs but that's about it. Because I was feeling so great, I decided to be brave- one of the qualities of a Gryffindor!- and tackle 2 classes that look like they would be a bit more difficult.
First up was Cardio Kickboxing. Yep... not just regular, good-ole kickboxing, but CARDIO kickboxing!! The class was with Jesus so I had a feeling it was going to be intense and my intuitions proved correct!! We started the class with about 15 minutes of different cardio/kickboxing movements. This included various punch sequences and kick sequences. Then we did partner work with one person wearing gloves and the other person wearing mitts. Jesus taught us an awesome punch combination, and then we switched gloves/mitts and repeated. It was an excellent arm work-out and definitely something I was looking for. Toned arms are a MUST whilst wearing a wedding dress!! The rest of my body is fairly hidden (I mean, the dress hugs my waist a bit, so I can work on my abs) but ARMS is what I need the most of.
After both partners had completed their combinations, Jesus taught us another combo, this one included jabs and a duck and a kick. We do that and switched and our partners completed it and he taught us the final routine. The final combo included jabs, a knee, a push and a duck! Both my partner and I were exhausted at the end of our turns. She kept encouraging me and I encouraged her- it was all very helpful!! Afterwards, we put the equipment away and did about 7 additional minutes of cardio and leg activities. I was exhausted and I drank one entire bottle of water and then a third of another bottle!!
Instantly regretting my decision to do the next class, I took a deep breath. What the hell possessed me to sign up for Butt & Abs Bootcamp after doing cardio kickboxing?! Just the word 'Bootcamp' scared me!! But my friend was in the kickboxing class with me and she was staying for Bootcamp, and she reminded me what I was working for!
Butt & Abs Bootcamp was rough. My thighs were already burning from kickboxing, so I had a rough time. There were 5 girls in the class, 3 of us were first-timers to Bootcamp. Kristie was the instructor and she began the class with 50 squats. I was ok with that because I'd recently done a 30 day Squat Challenge (which I quit after 20 days...) but squats aren't too bad for me. The girl in front of me, on the other hand, whispered to me: "50 squats?! Oh my god!" I started to worry about her right then and there! We then we given weighted bars and had to do different squats with the bar held behind our head on our shoulders. It got harder with each position. Next up was pushups with our feet on this workout discs that allow you to glide your feet. We did a tons of different glides- butt completely up, legs at 90 degree angle to rest of body and back, etc. I didn't complete a single exercise in its entirety! I couldn't perform each movement as quickly as Kristie wanted, my feet kept coming off of the discs, so I was constantly readjusting, AND I had to keep taking breaks because it was so difficult! About 20 minutes into the class, the girl in front of me (who had left the room a couple of times to, I can only assume, use the restroom) started packing up her things. She put everything away and left the class and just sat on a couch outside the room. She freakin' quit! I wanted to quit too! I REALLY did!! But I couldn't. I couldn't do that to myself. I toughed it out and I swore to come back to the class so I could master those dang discs!!!
I finished my second bottle of water during the duration of the Bootcamp class. I was working hard today!! We finished the class with 8 minute abs and a light stretch. Whew!! I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm going to feel this tomorrow!!
Food journal:
Breakfast: I woke up too late for an actual breakfast!
Lunch: Olive Garden!!! I ate 3-4 breadsticks (so yummy!!), half a bowl of chicken and gnocci soup, and half of my fettuccine alfredo!
Dinner: After Bootcamp, I knew that I was extremely hungry, but I didn't want to cook when I got home, so I stopped at Chick-fil-a. I ordered a chocolate milkshake, chickn sandwich (sans pickle) and fries. On the way home I drank the milkshake. Towards the end of the shake my stomach started to rumble. Maybe dairy after 2 intense workouts wasn't a great idea!! I then ate the sandwich, which was very good. Then I attempted the fries. I ate one fry and my stomach wasn't happy! I'm fairly certain that my stomach is shrinking and I don't need as much food intake. This is an excellent thing!!
August 6, 2014- 70 days until the wedding!!
Another glorious day off and another opportunity to sleep in so my body can rest and recover!! But there were 2 classes at Vixen that grabbed my attention for today. Well, to be honest, 3 classes REALLY stood out (Insanity, Booty Bouncin', and SEXY chair dance) but I was worried about doing too much too fast. I know that I desperately wanted to do the chair dance class, and Insanity sounded extremely difficult. I would love to tackle Insanity, but I might need to save that class for a day when I don't have another class. So, Booty Bouncin' it was!!
Booty Bouncin' is exactly what it sounds like! It was an hour long class on how to use your hips, legs, waist and tushie to create different booty movements. Ok, so I've tried to 'twerk' before. I've even had my best friend teach me how to twerk, all to no avail. I can't explain it, but I cannot get my cheeks (or "Booty meat" as our instructor Staci called it!) to bounce up and down. We were also instructed on the best way to learn how to 'booty clap,' and various other movements. I have never felt so uncoordinated or dumb!! I felt like I was an old women gyrating to some unknown beat that only she can hear!! The class was fun, and I would love to take it again just to see if I've improved!! I didn't sweat or every start breathing hard, but my legs and thighs burned at times, and I'm certain that all that action worked my badonkadonk!! All I want is a nice, firm bubble butt, toned legs and a tiny waist- is that too much to ask?!
Second up was SEXY chair dance with Jasmine. This was a fairly full class- 7 girls total. We learned an adorable routine that utilized the chair and it was choreographed to a Justin Timberlake song. I LOVED this class! It was so enjoyable and, like in Hip Hop, the hour went by so quickly, and the routine was so fun that I forgot that I was working out!! Jasmine did say, towards the end of class, that this was the slowest, easiest routine she's ever taught and for us not to get used to it!! I loved hearing that! This class is on my list of MUST's for each week!!
Food journal:
I'm so sorry, but I completely forgot to write down what I ate today!! I tried to rake my brain to try and remember, but I have no idea!!!
Booty Bouncin' is exactly what it sounds like! It was an hour long class on how to use your hips, legs, waist and tushie to create different booty movements. Ok, so I've tried to 'twerk' before. I've even had my best friend teach me how to twerk, all to no avail. I can't explain it, but I cannot get my cheeks (or "Booty meat" as our instructor Staci called it!) to bounce up and down. We were also instructed on the best way to learn how to 'booty clap,' and various other movements. I have never felt so uncoordinated or dumb!! I felt like I was an old women gyrating to some unknown beat that only she can hear!! The class was fun, and I would love to take it again just to see if I've improved!! I didn't sweat or every start breathing hard, but my legs and thighs burned at times, and I'm certain that all that action worked my badonkadonk!! All I want is a nice, firm bubble butt, toned legs and a tiny waist- is that too much to ask?!
Second up was SEXY chair dance with Jasmine. This was a fairly full class- 7 girls total. We learned an adorable routine that utilized the chair and it was choreographed to a Justin Timberlake song. I LOVED this class! It was so enjoyable and, like in Hip Hop, the hour went by so quickly, and the routine was so fun that I forgot that I was working out!! Jasmine did say, towards the end of class, that this was the slowest, easiest routine she's ever taught and for us not to get used to it!! I loved hearing that! This class is on my list of MUST's for each week!!
Food journal:
I'm so sorry, but I completely forgot to write down what I ate today!! I tried to rake my brain to try and remember, but I have no idea!!!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
August 5, 2014- 71 days until the wedding
I have the next 3 days off in a row! I have a TON of vacation time that I need to use to I will lose it on my work anniversary, so it's perfect timing with my new workout Movement!
First workout of the day was Yoga with Jesus at 5:30p. This class was not as intense as Power Yoga was on the first day of my Movement, but it was still a strain on my muscles. It was a great class and the front desk girls had even brought in candles to add to the ambiance of the class!
Then it was onto co-ed Hip Hop at 8pm with Josan! I've taken plenty of jazz and broadway classes, but NEVER a Hip Hop class! I was extremely excited for Hip Hop and I had heard great things about Josan. Everything was true! I broke a nice sweat dancing, and it was such a FUN cardio workout. Dance classes are so much fun that you forget that you're working out and you forget to check the clock!! It was an awesome time and I even got a compliment from Josan at the end of the class! I loved it!!
As a side note: my body, while still incredibly sore, is slowing adjusting to the constant movement and lack of sweets and junk food. I did have a craving when I was driving home, but I ignored it. That, my lovely readers, is willpower!
Food Journal:
Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs and 5 pieces of bacon (the remained of the bacon went to my Fiance who took his real estate license today. He passed and he is now officially a realtor!!!)
Lunch/dinner: 2 grilled cheese before I left my house to go to Yoga.
Snack: a large banana once I got home from Hip Hop!
August 4, 2014- 72 days until the wedding!
Woke up at 9:30a and, yep- still sore from my chest to my toes! But I had a co-ed Body Control class at 12:15p with Jesus. I walked my pups, made a late lunch/early breakfast, and left for the class.
I get to Vixen Fitness and put my bag down, and Jesus instructed us to run 5 times around the building. Ummm...excuse me? 5 times?! I'm a newbie to all this cardio! And it's summer in Flroida- so it's about 97 degrees once humidity is factored in! 97 degrees!!! I thanked heaven that I had brought extra clothes to change into for work!
So 5 laps around the building. Now Vixen is not in a free standing building. It is in a section of a huge multi-layered office complex! I actually was able to control my breathing enough to jog the first 3 laps completely. For the last 2 laps I walked halfway then jogged the remained of the lap. I got a later start then the other girls in the class (no boys showed up) so I was the last to get back into the studio. I stumbled in, drenched, and Jesus asked me how I was feeling. Besides being sweaty, I felt fine, so I told him so. I looked around the room and each girl was performing a different exercise. Jesus had me to 3o crunches followed by 15 push-ups, and I had to repeat the sequence for a total of 5 times. Next was 30 lunges followed by 20 (I believe) reverse crunches, and I had to repeat the sequence for a total of 4 times. The class continued on with Jesus giving me different sequences and the number of times each was to be performed. About 45 minutes into the class I felt like I wanted to puke!! I just kept drinking water and keeping my breath under control and calming myself down. This was definitely the hard class I've done so far! But it felt good! I ended the class feeling incredibly exhausted, but glad that I made it through.
I worked from 3p-6:30p, so a short shift- 3 little shows! My foot felt great so no Hunchback of Notre Dame here! My only plans for after work was a meeting at 8pm with my Fantasy Football league to discuss roosters and scoring changes. I live too far from work to go home so I checked the Vixen schedule. Jesus had a 90 minute class that ran from 6:30p-8p and was divided into 3 parts. I called the studio and they said I was more than welcome to pop in for the 7p-7:30p section- so I did just that! I had no idea what to expect! When I signed in at the front desk I was told that they would be in the spin room in a few minutes! Spin room?! Oh no!! I had been so nervous about taking a spin class because I have such short legs that bikes always felt uncomfortable. But, no turning back now! And it was going to be under 30 minutes- I could make it through 30 minutes. And if I hated it then I knew for next time!
(not me in the pic)
The minute I sat on the bike (which Jesus had help me adjust) it hurt my...ahem...pelvis area. Most specifically my pelvis bone. I found myself standing up every once in awhile for a little release! My legs started burning about 7 minutes into the class, but Jesus made the class fun and 30 minutes passed by rather quickly. I made note to definitely try one of his one hour classes- to the dismay of my pelvis bone!!
All in all, I'm starting to get in a groove of working out! They say that it takes 3 weeks of doing something before it becomes routine, but it might be earlier for me!
P.S.- I got weighed at my job today for the "30 day weight loss challenge"!! So now I have two goals to works towards!!
Food journal:
Breakfast/lunch: 2 grilled cheese sandwiches (they are so delicious and take almost no time to make!)
Dinner: I made yet another stop at Pei Wei this week! Got the same ol' large shrimp fried rice meal and a soda and I ate half of it during our FF meeting!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
August 3, 2014- 73 days until the wedding!
BRIDAL SHOWER!!
I woke up in even MORE pain than yesterday!! Not only were my sides still sore, but now a dull throbbing pain was pulsing in my legs and butt! I postponed getting out of bed as long as possible because of my foot, but I couldn't postpone it forever- my dogs needed to be walked and my Fiance was still out cold!! So I stood up and walked to the bathroom and my foot was fine!! I still feel a tiny pain, but nothing that would prevent me from not going to another fitness class!!
Today, my 4 beautiful and sweet bridesmaids got together and threw me a lovely bridal shower!! Due to this, I took a break from my new workout Movement. The girls spent a lot of time and energy planning and putting this party together so the last thing I wanted to do was rush it so I could work out. I also put aside my diet because everyone baked and cooked for the party and it seemed rude not to partake when it was all for me!
Food journal:
Breakfast: none. I woke up with just enough time to walk my dogs and get ready for the party.
Lunch: a mini ham and cheese sandwich/sub that my mom had purchased for the party from Publix.
Dinner: 2 grilled cheese sandwiches
Cheats: 3 vanilla cupcakes with white frosting that a bridesmaids had baked, a cup of homemade butterbeer made by my sister, and a piece of cake that my mother had baked.
Here are some pics from the party:
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