Point and lift: two words from barre class

I survived another barre class, this makes two full classes since I tried the sample class a few weeks ago.

Seriously I now know why ballerinas are skinny and toned. I run, I walk, I have a personal trainer so I lift weights, I row, swim, play basketball, attend Zumba and none of it, I mean none of it makes me feel like I do at the end of the barre class. It so royally kicks my ass, that I gulp my water and sit in my car waiting for my legs to stop trembling so I can drive home. How long can one girl point her toe while lifting and bending on her other leg?

The exercises and the repetitiveness of them reach and work some of the tiniest muscle groups in my arms, legs, core and hips.

This last week I was doing so badly that I kept dropping the ball we were holding between our knees. I couldn’t even hold it there and I was not alone. But while tiring it also feels great, and even better when I’m finally done.

I think I am a little addicted. It makes me want to eat better and sleep more, so I can handle more classes! But healthy eating will start Monday after my first weight in; I don’t want to lose anything before the Biggest Loser challenge starts.

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Keeping fit in the cold … or rather not so much

It’s after Christmas and I would argue that is one of THE most important times to be going to the gym. I mean not only did I eat more food than normal, I drank more than normal and the food and drink I was having was significantly richer than what I am used to. Not to mention starting tomorrow and lasting between two and four weeks the gym will be packed with people who are trying to keep the same New Years resolution as last year … “go to the gym,” “lose weight” etc.

Not that I don’t encourage these people, but they inevitably clog my gym space.

However, instead of going to the gym, I’m not leaving my house. Not because I don’t want to go … but the temperature is so cold – in the colder than -40 C range – so I cannot bring myself to walk to the gym.

I’ve been doing some home-based workouts. I’ve restarted the 30 day ab challenge and been practicing more yoga, but if this cold blast continues, I am going to get bored fast. Anyone have any suggestions for things to do at home?

 

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Fall Foods: Squash

Last night I wanted to keep with the fall theme.

I love acorn squash, but instead of the standby with butter and brown sugar, I wanted to try something different.

I wanted to stuff is with something.

I found a recipe that suggested using macaroni and cheese.

The macaroni and cheese was good, homemade and some of the best I’d ever created, BUT stuffing it into half of an acorn squash for baking didn’t do anything for it … or the squash.

Fall food fail.

Better luck next time.

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