Tag Archives: Spinning

Setting Myself Up To Win (or More Preparation)

Posted on April 24, 2013 | Comments Off on Setting Myself Up To Win (or More Preparation)

I do a lot of things to try to make my life easier. When I have late shifts at work, I try to get some extra sleep (because I really do function better on more than 5 hours a night). I know that when I don’t remember to prepare a lunch or a dinner one day, I can always find something at Subway or some salad places near my house. And I try to get things done on my day off so I don’t have to try to squeeze them in before or after an 8 hour work day.

But just because these things are easier doesn’t mean that they are good for me. I’m trying to look at things now as better options, not easier options.

One thing that I’ve been able to do is figure out when I can fit in spin class into my work schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have a shift that starts at noon. In the past, I used the late start to catch up on sleep. On Monday nights, there are times that I don’t get home until 10pm and then I still need to have dinner and get work done. But now I’m making going to an 8:30am spin class a priority. I know that this won’t happen every Tuesday/Thursday (yet), but I’m working towards it.

Also, I’m trying (again) to be better at having food prepared so I don’t have to think about what I’m going to do for lunch or dinner. I’ll admit that this week I haven’t been good. I’m going out-of-town this weekend and didn’t want to go to the grocery store if I didn’t have to before my trip. But no matter what I eat, I am tracking all my calories on my app on my phone. I’m holding myself accountable for my good and bad choices.

Finally, I’m allowing myself to make mistakes. I really am an all or nothing sort of person. I didn’t want to start this blog until I knew I could maintain doing it 5 days a week (there’s no way to get yourself ready for that). So when I’ve had slip ups in the past, I’ve allowed myself then to continue slipping up until a determined date/time that I was going to “start over”. There’s no starting over in this now, just continuing on. I’m not letting a speed bump stop me completely.

I’m hoping with this new mindset not only will I be moving towards my goals a bit faster, but I’m hoping that I will not feel so over worked and stressed about being at my day job 6 days a week. I need to allow myself time to have a life and do things that are good for me and I enjoy. I didn’t allow myself that freedom last year.

Of course, I could completely change my mind about all of this next month, but I’m giving it a shot for now.

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Default ThumbnailReadjusting (or I Guess I Forgot What It Felt Like To Work My Work Schedule) Default ThumbnailFitting It All In (or Getting Better At Time Management) Default ThumbnailBack Into The Groove (or Staying On The Right Path While At Work) Default ThumbnailScheduling Life (or Trying To Remember What Day Of The Week It Is) Default ThumbnailWorking On Figuring It Out (or I Wish This Was Easier) Default ThumbnailA Weekend Catchup Post (or Maybe The Craziness Made Me Get Sick)

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Posted in Fitness, Health, Tough Stuff, Weight Loss, Work

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Boy Band Ride (or Bringing Out My Inner Teenager)

Posted on April 15, 2013 | 1 comment

On Saturday, there was a special ride at SoulCycle. It was going to be all boy band music!

When I was in high school, it was like the battle of the boy bands. You were either a fan of *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys. I personally loved *NSYNC. I remember recording their Disney special onto a VHS so I could watch it again (this was a time before DVRs). I had their CDs, I went to their concerts (with custom-made t-shirts as well), and I even did the choreography for a high school lip sync contest for one of their songs. One of my craziest memories of being an *NSYNC fan was when I was a junior in high school. That year, I started school at 7am. And there was a radio contest for *NSYNC tickets on May 5th (they called it *NSYNCo de Mayo). I remember leaving the house at 4:30am (with my parents’ permission) to go try to win tickets before school. That’s dedication!

Anyway, I was beyond excited for this spin class!

When I arrived, the lobby area was all decorated with boy band pictures.

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I checked in, put on my fancy bike shoes that I’m loving, and headed into class.

There was some One Direction music in there, but most of it was *NSYNC and Backstreet Boys. We were encouraged to sing along, and yes, I remembered the words to almost all the songs!

The instructor, Heather, was amazing! First of all, I like that she pointed out that I was singing along when she asked us to. I was working hard to sing so I like that she saw my effort. Also, during the class, Heather mentioned that she used to weigh over 200 pounds and has managed to lose the weight. I love getting to meet people like that, because I really feel that they get me. She never pointed out that I did most of the class sitting down (I’m going to ask my hip surgeon about doing the stand up work when I see him at the end of the week).

After the class was done, I was a sweaty mess, but I had to get a picture with Heather, who is now one of my favorite instructors!

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I’m back to work this week, so I’m trying to figure out where spinning can fit into my life and not be an issue. I’m obviously not going to miss work to spin. I can’t do that with a seasonal job. I’m hoping that if I go early enough in the morning, I can make it back home to shower and then get to my job on time. I don’t know if I’ll try that this week since I’m going to be getting adjusted to being back on a 6 day a week work schedule, but I’m hoping that next week I’ll be back in the groove.

Thanks again to Heather who was such an amazing and motivating instructor!

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Default ThumbnailMore Disneyland (or The Post With The Ride Photos) Default ThumbnailA Smile In Spin Class (or Sometimes The Little Things Are Big) Default ThumbnailFinally Spinning Again (or It’s Been A Long Time To Be Sick) Default ThumbnailSharing My Soul (or My Dad’s First Spin Class) Default ThumbnailThe End Of My Musical Season (or Finally Enjoying Phantom) Default ThumbnailFitting It All In (or Getting Better At Time Management)

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26.2 (or No Marathon For Me)

Posted on March 18, 2013 | 1 comment

It was the LA Marathon here in LA yesterday. I had a bunch of friends running, so I had the news coverage of the marathon on my tv this morning hoping I’d catch a glimpse of one of them running (sadly, I didn’t).

I’ve never done a marathon (the farthest I’ve ever done was a 5K and that’s walking), and at one point in my life, I dreamed of being able to say that I ran a marathon. I even had a personal trainer at one point who was training me to run. That stopped pretty quickly due to my hip hurting. So I gave up on that dream for a while.

Then they started doing marathons on The Biggest Loser. Some of those people were in much worse physical shape when they started and they could do a marathon. So I tried starting with the Couch to 5K program. And I had to give up on that again because of my hip.

I’ve pretty much given up on the idea of running. I know that high impact workouts are not the best for me.

And then one day, I came across this post on Daily Garnish. And it made me realize that it doesn’t matter if I never get to do a marathon one day. That shouldn’t be an end goal for me. For some people, all they dream of doing is a 5K. I have lots of friends who don’t think that they could do one. And I do it. Sometimes I’m a lot slower than I’d like to be, but I still cross the finish line.

And running isn’t for everyone. For me, it’s just not something that I should do because of my health restrictions. But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to be healthy or that I don’t get good workouts in. I push myself so far in spin class. I drip sweat and I know that even though I’m not do all the standing work, I’ll get there one day.

So maybe I can take the approach I wanted to take with doing a marathon to spinning. Doing a 5K is the same as being able to do an entire class without a break. Doing a 10K is like not taking a break and making sure I use all the resistance that the instructor is saying. And finishing a marathon is being able to do the entire class, standing up work and all, exactly how the instructor wants it to be.

I might not be able to do a traditional marathon, but I can make my own marathon with what I am able and love to do.

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A Spin And A Spa (or More Spinning!)

Posted on March 14, 2013 | Comments Off on A Spin And A Spa (or More Spinning!)

I went to spin class at SoulCycle on Tuesday (which marked my 3rd spin class in 5 days). And this ride was called the “Beauty Ride” because after the class was over, there was going to be free mini-facials!

So besides wanting to get my workout in for the day, I really wanted to take advantage of the free spa treatment! First of all, the class was really hard for me. It wasn’t that this instructor was exceptionally tough, but I was sore. I really wanted to be able to do 3 spin classes a week while I don’t have work, but I’m not sure that is a reality. I might have to do a week of 2 classes and then a week of 3 and alternate. But I’m proud of myself for trying. And this particular instructor told me after class that she was so impressed that I was working at my own level, but I was working the whole time. That was pretty nice.

So after getting wonderfully sweaty, I headed out into the lobby where the facials were to take place. The spa that was there is named Arcona and their spa is located pretty close to the spin studio and my day job, so I might go check them out in the future.

They had all the spa stuff set up in the center of the lobby (and had free samples for us to take home as well).

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I totally forget the name of the woman who did my mini-facial (I’m so sorry!), but she was awesome! I apologized for my super sweaty face, and she was totally cool about it (and probably why they all wore gloves as well).

The products were really nice and soothing on my face. I try to wash my face right after spin class (they have face wash in the bathroom there), because I hate the feeling of sweat drying on my skin. I tried to get a picture mid-facial, but it didn’t quite work.

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BTW, I totally want some of the cute SoulCycle shirts that they sell there! I just wish they sold one in my size (maybe I should buy it as motivation?).

When my facial was done, I headed home. And I couldn’t help noticing that my skin looked pretty darn nice considering I just spent 45 minutes sweating my butt off!

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The only thing that stunk was as soon as I got home, I jumped in the shower to wash my hair, and I washed off all the lovely products that were put on my face!

I’m totally going to start trying those samples they gave me. And with the samples we got a 20% off card to use for our first visit, so maybe a facial is in my future soon…

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Spinning Machine (or Continuing My New Healthy Addiction)

Posted on March 11, 2013 | 1 comment

This past weekend, I got to take 2 classes at SoulCycle! This is the first time that I’ve taken more than one class in a week, but I’m really proud of myself for doing this!

The first class I took was on Friday morning. It was an 8:30am class, and one of the reasons I wanted to take that class was because I’m trying to figure out if I have time in the mornings to take a class when I go back to work (it would be cutting it close with the 8:30 class but possible).

On Friday, my friend Kate, who comes with me to spin class often, was able to come. And we were joined by my new friend Chelsea, who is participating in the same fitness challenge on Facebook that I’m doing. Chelsea had taken one spin class before, but never at SoulCycle, and all of our bikes were in the first row. I normally take the front so I don’t feel as claustrophobic. It might not have been the right choice as the instructor who was teaching that class likes the people in the front row to do everything as instructed (I’m still struggling with standing up on the bike). So the instructor encouraged me to try the second row for her classes in the future.

I’m not upset or insulted that she suggested that. I’m used to Sal’s class where he encouraged me to be in the front. I just need to test out more instructors and see what each of them like.

After the class, Kate took a picture of me and Chelsea so we could share it online with the other participants of the fitness challenge.

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And on Sunday, I went to a class on my own. I’m still a little nervous going to class solo, but I’m sure the more I do it the easier it will be. The instructor for this class was Laurie, who was in for the weekend from NYC (where SoulCycle started). I didn’t know this when I signed up for the class (I picked the one that worked in my schedule the best), but it was an amazing class. Laurie had a great energy and so did everyone else in the class.

Laurie’s class had more of a meditation element to it for me, and that’s what I needed. My muscles were still recovering from Friday’s class, and all of Laurie’s encouragement to let go and enjoy the ride really hit home for me. I survived and felt amazing afterwards! I’m only upset that she is not one of the usual instructors here at the Santa Monica studio, but when she returns to teach here again, I know I’ll be signing up for her classes!

I left on Sunday super sweaty but it was exactly what I needed!

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This week, I’m hoping to do at least 2 spin classes, but I might push myself and try for 3! And hopefully my bike shoes will be in this week so I can finally stop renting them!

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Feeling Like I’m Home (or My Return To Spinning)

Posted on February 19, 2013 | Comments Off on Feeling Like I’m Home (or My Return To Spinning)

On Saturday, I finally got to take another spin class at SoulCycle. I had missed going for a while because I was feeling under the weather, then had my audition and music video shoot, and then had family in town.

I ended up also having Saturday off of work (my boss wanted a 3 day weekend like “normal” people), and I noticed that my favorite instructor, Sal, had a 1pm class that day!

So that’s the class I went to.

It was a bit more full than I’m used to seeing it, but I did reserve a bike in the first row in the corner where I like (so I don’t feel claustrophobic). It’s still a little scary riding in the first row because I still can’t do all the standing up work on the bike yet.

I was also a little scared because this was my first spin class without my friend coming with me.

But all my fears disappeared as soon as I got inside. Sal was at the front desk area and as soon as he saw me, he had a huge smile on his face and said hello. He asked me about my friend and commented that I wasn’t on my usual bike for his class.

Just knowing that I’ve made that sort of impression on a spin instructor is so amazing to me. I love that I’m starting to get excited to see the people there and not being nervous for a tough workout.

This spin class was pretty tough for me. I had lost some momentum from not being there for about 2 weeks plus my back and butt are still bruised from falling down the stairs.

But I did manage to convince Sal to be in my post class picture this time!
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I’m planning on going back again this weekend on Saturday in case any of you readers want to check out the workout!

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Hitting A Dead End In A Maze (or Maybe I Should Have Had My Dad With Me)

Posted on January 31, 2013 | Comments Off on Hitting A Dead End In A Maze (or Maybe I Should Have Had My Dad With Me)

Yesterday I had a half day at work (because I’m working Friday night this week), so my friend who has been going to spinning classes with me and I decided that we were going to each make the investment and buy cycling shoes.

To rent shoes at SoulCycle costs $3 a class. Not too bad, but when I want to try to go every week, that $3 adds up quickly.

I had decided to go to Performance Bike to get shoes. I like that store, my dad likes it, and that’s where my mom and dad bought this really cute bike for my birthday.

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So my friend and I met there after I got off of work. When we walked in, we were greeted by a very nice salesman but he was busy helping someone check out. He pointed us in the direction of the cycling shoes and we figured someone would be over there soon to help us.

We got to the shoe area, and saw a lot of empty spaces.

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Those three empty slots on the wall? Those were the three types of shoes that I had picked out online that fit my criteria (velcro closures, road shoes not mountain shoes, and under $100). I was pretty frustrated, but was hoping a helpful salesperson would be along soon and would tell me they had more in the back or something.

Wrong.

The salesman who came to help us didn’t help at all. He didn’t seem to care that we wanted to try on those three types of shoes that they didn’t have. He said that if we found them online, we wouldn’t find them in the store. When I asked if I could have those shoes shipped to me, his response was “if you want to pay for shipping”. I asked if they did free shipping to the store and he said they did. Why wasn’t that offered to me? Also, the salesman offered no help when I asked what the European size equivalent to an American shoe size 8 was (I ended up looking it up on my phone).

I wondered if it was a mistake coming without my dad. He pretty much knows anything about bikes. He was with me when I got my cute bike and knew all the questions that I wouldn’t have thought of asking (and got them to add a kickstand for me). But I had spoken with my dad before this shopping trip and got all my dumb questions answered before I went. Now I wish he was there because I feel like he would have gotten something out of that salesman that my friend and I couldn’t because we didn’t know all the right things to say.

We both ended up walking out of the store with nothing. I didn’t want to give them my business. I’ve tweeted at the store, and I’m thinking of linking this post to them in an email.

This just reminded me so much of something Blake Robbins said on Inside Acting Podcast (I got to hear this twice, once at the recording and again on the episode). Life is like a maze. You know that somewhere in it, there is a place that the ball drops through. So if you hit a dead-end, you don’t give up. You aren’t in a maze where the ball doesn’t drop through. You just have to back up, take a different turn, and keep trying to find where the ball drops.

So maybe I hit a dead-end in this maze for my spinning adventure. It doesn’t mean that I’m going to give up. I just need to back up, look another way, and maybe order my cycling shoes from Zappos (I love them!).

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Another Busy Day Off (or Getting Everything Done and Nothing Done At The Same Time)

Posted on January 29, 2013 | Comments Off on Another Busy Day Off (or Getting Everything Done and Nothing Done At The Same Time)

Yesterday was my day off for the week. But that’s hopefully about to change! As of right now, starting February 4th I will be back to my old work schedule. I will still be working 6 days a week, but 2 of those days will be half days that end no later than 2pm (so I can still get things done during the day).

And this week will be a short work week for me since Saturday I will be doing my first 5K for the year, the Color Run! I’ve decided that I really want to protect my hair (I think my hairstylist friend, Erin, will appreciate that), so I made a stop today to Party City to pick up some supplies.

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I’ve decided to go pink for the 5K. So I have a pink wig, pink gloves, possibly pink shorts (I ordered them online and waiting for them to arrive before I decide), and I wanted to find some pink sunglasses but instead found some blue and silver Elvis style ones. I will totally be looking awesome.

And I’m excited because 2 of the 3 people on my team have said that they are thinking of walking with me! I had been preparing myself to walk solo again, but now I’m looking forward to maybe having some buddies with me to enjoy getting covered in colored cornstarch!

I also spent my morning on Monday at my usual spin class at SoulCycle with Sal. I’m sad because I’ll have to find a different class when my schedule goes back to normal, but fortunately Sal also teaches a Sunday evening class and I should be able to attend that one (any readers want to come with me sometime?). I really love Sal’s class. He is so motivating and never points out that I’m not doing all the jumps and standing up moves in class.

I left class sweaty like I like it.

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(I’m wearing one of the new tamis I ordered when I wrote this post)

And I spent my evening catching up on some TV and just enjoying the calm of my house. It’s exactly what I needed to get me ready for 4 days of work leading up to my 5K!

BTW, the podcast I work for is doing a fitness challenge. It’s a 90 day challenge and most people are going to be doing P90X. I won’t since I have to be careful with high impact activities, but I’m still participating. If you are interested in joining us, here’s the link for the FB group.

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Doing As Much As I Can In One Day (or How I Spent My Day Off This Week)

Posted on January 23, 2013 | 2 comments

When you only have one day off a week, you really have to maximize that time!

So this week, for my one day off, I started out with going to another spin class at SoulCycle. I had Sal again as the instructor, and I really like his classes. He gives a lot of motivation throughout the class, and he has a way of correcting you without singling you out. The class was pretty packed this time. I had forgotten that Monday was a holiday for many people. I just thought of it as my one day off.

Class was good and tough. I’m thinking of getting some cycling shoes soon so I don’t have to pay the $3 rental every time I go. Maybe I can go shopping for them on my next day off in a week.

I left class nice and sweaty.

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At home, I got some errands done and did some cleaning at my house (boring, I know, but it’s the only time I have to get it done).

And on Monday evening, a friend and I went to Luna Park to enjoy Restaurant Week!

I love Restaurant Week! It’s a great time to go try some wonderful restaurants without spending a ton of money. The 3 course dinner at Luna Park was only $25!

I’ve been to Luna Park a couple of times, so I do have some favorites on their menu.

I started with the goat cheese fondue (which I absolutely love). The fondue comes with bread and apple slices, but I prefer the apples.

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For my dessert (which I did share), I tried the peanut butter mousse. I normally get the make-your-own-smores, but my friend got that and I decided to try something new.

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Thank goodness I spent my morning burning off a ton of calories so I could enjoy this meal!

I also got some prosecco since they served these cute tiny bottles!

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All in all, it was a very fun and busy day off. I’m looking forward to my next day off (not exactly sure when it is though), but for now, I’m back to working hard!

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Another SoulCycle Day (or Maybe I Really Have Found My Workout Addiction)

Posted on January 15, 2013 | 6 comments

I seriously had an amazing time when I went to SoulCycle for the first time last week. As soon as I left that class, I wanted to go back for more.

I’ve almost never felt this way about working out before. Maybe at Richard Simmons’ class, but even there I had some hesitation at times because the room was so crowded (and I have a tendency to get a bit claustrophobic).

I’ve been stalking the SoulCycle website for a couple of days now. I’ve also googled a couple of reviews on the place. And surprisingly, many reviews were negative. They complained about the price, crowds, bad customer service, and not feeling like they are getting a good workout.

I have to completely disagree with those reviews. I might not be the best judge of what is a good workout or not, but my friend who goes with me has run marathons and thinks it is, so I trust her.

With all my obsession with SoulCycle, I took the plunge and purchased a 5 class package (I have 45 days to use it). I also signed up for another class yesterday since I had the day off.

This class was very different from the first one, but just as enjoyable. First of all, the other class was full. Not an empty bike in sight. The second class only had 7 students when you include me. We all rode in the first row facing the instructor. I would never want to sit there if there are people behind me, but as long as there isn’t, I’m ok with it.

Also, we had a different instructor this time. His name is Sal, and I think he was a great teacher. Super motivating, always mentioning proper form (very good info for a newbie like me), and he emphasized making sure that you are doing what you can do but still pushing yourself.

I wasn’t able to do many of the standing moves again. When I do, I feel the bones in my right hip grinding and my left hip catching a little (which is a sign that the cartilage has begun to tear and I might need surgery sooner than I’d like). I can stand up for maybe 30-60 seconds at a time, but then I have to ride back in the seat.

After class, I went up to Sal to say thank you and ask him his advice on what I should do so I can do all the moves in class. He reminded me that getting to that point is my journey, and even if it takes me longer than most people to get there, the important thing is to work towards that.

That was exactly what I needed to hear. Even though I know that I should be comparing myself to myself and not to other people, it’s hard to do that when there are only 6 other students in the room.

I left that class wonderfully sweaty again, but I’m seeing that as a badge of honor.

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It proves that I made it through class and I’m getting stronger (and hopefully lighter) every day.

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