This Week's Workout Schedule

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Another week in the books, yall. I'm calling it a success. I'm gearing up for my bachelorette weekend, which involves some clothing I am rather excited about (not to mention... SHOES!). Stay posted for a photo dump.

WEDNESDAY: AM Cardio

I'm not going to lie to you here, I have no idea what I did on Wednesday. I know that I followed my plan, and my calendar just has "AM Cardio" from 6-7am. Other than that, I am clueless. 

Obligatory "Hot Room, Legs and Towel" Picture. Wonder if Lara is sick of me taking these yet!

THURSDAY: AM Bodypump, PM Runner's High @ The Mercury Method

For some reason (read: went out to dinner the night before, so I was probably on a carb overload -ALSO I SAW MICHAEL JORDAN, which I've mentioned 8124 times), Bodypump was a breeze on Thursday morning. I upped my weight on almost everything, but still felt like I hadn't worked that hard. Bizarre, because usually, I feel like I'm going to die during Bodypump.

So, in the afternoon, I hit up a Runner's High class at my favorite new spot, The Mercury Method. The class is geared at stretching and strengthening the big and tiny parts of your body that contribute to running. One of my coworkers is a runner and mentioned that even attending just one of these classes had significantly improved her pace, so with the Run for Boston 5k coming up, I figured I'd give it a try. IT. WAS. AWESOME. 

FRIDAY: Skip Day

I took the train up to the suburbs for my mamasita's birthday, so I decided to not only take a day off, but also eat a ton of food and have a few cocktails. Seems like a good idea before a race, right?  I'm only partially serious...

I didn't turn my Heart Rate Monitor off immediately after crossing the finish line, because I continued to move around and wanted to get an accurate idea of how many calories I burned by running a 5k, just for future reference (Priorities...). It ended up being about 350. Not particularly impressive.

SATURDAY: Run for Boston 5k
My actual time for the 5k was 23:23, which is awesome given my encounter with Michael Jordan on Wednesday night. Oh, and also awesome given that it's a PR. #Winning

In all honesty, I'm not sure if it was a fluke or what. I run somewhat frequently (maybe 2ish times per week), but I don't train for races because I have a serious case of what I like to call "Workout ADHD." My running consists of...

• 3-4 mile runs with my dog which are taken at a leisurely pace
• 4-7 mile runs at the gym while catching up on TV shows (read: trying to watch Game of Thrones without exposing the entire gym to a nude scene)
• Leisurely 15 minute runs (no idea on distance) to/from my classes at The Mercury Method

I definitely have the race bug after this last race - as soon as I crossed the finish line, I started strategizing on the next weekend I could run, and am planning on an 8k, 10k, and possibly a half-marathon (don't hold me to that, I have ADD, remember?!). That said, I refuse to follow a training plan, at least over the summer, so we'll see what happens.

I am obsessed with a water bottle. Is this normal? #Halp

SUNDAY: Bodypump & CXWORX

This is so very quickly becoming my favorite workout day of the week. It's awful and lasts forever, but I feel so solid and accomplished afterward. 

Also, check out my cute new water bottle! It's glass (with a silicone casing), which I am loving because it seems safer but also tastes much better. This picture doesn't quite capture its neon orange color. My fiance made me choose the neon orange instead of neon pink because "Orange is a Dutch color." Note: It's pretty much the same as the BKR (at the same price), but it holds 19.5oz instead of 16oz and it's skinnier in my bag, which I needed for commuting to work/gym.

MONDAY: 5 Mile Run + 20 Minute Stairmaster
I got on the treadmill with the goal of watching The Bachelorette, only to realize that it's set for "Web only viewing" on Hulu, so I couldn't watch it on my iPad. I considered downloading ABC's app, but was working with about 18% battery (If you fail to plan ahead, you plan to fail? Not me!). I ended up watching an episode of Modern Family and then something else I can't remember.

TUESDAY: Pilates & Shoulder Burn Out

This is becoming a usual, as well. I love walking out of a pilates class with sore shoulders! Post-workout-green-smoothie totally happened.

WEDNESDAY: Runner's High Class @ The Mercury Method

Happening tonight... we'll see!

What about you?

• Do you plan all of your workouts in advance or do you go with the flow? I have a few days per week that have turned into a plan (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday), but the rest of the time, I just see how it goes.
• Do you run most days of the week, or just a few like me? 

Getting Hot - Yeah, it's a Pun - WOTDs

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Guys, I got really hot this week. Yeah, that's right - I'm punny this morning.

Nonsense aside, this week was way different than my normal workouts. In fact, if you were to compare it to previous WOTD posts, you'd think I were a different person. Why? I didn't run once.

Workouts for the week! Never mind "At Home DVD," because there was no DVD involved... just dance moves.

Wednesday

Skip

Despite having the best intentions to start my Mercury Method deal last Wednesday, I just couldn't kick whatever cold or virus was attacking me. I ended up eating almost a whole pizza and sleeping all day. Seems fair, right?

Thursday

Self-Guided Cardio - 45Minutes

Wearing a heart rate monitor, I burned about 400 calories in my living room just jumping around and... well, dancing. My fiance and I were watching The Americans and I grabbed a jump rope, put my shoes on, and started moving. Not the fancy, fluid, perfect moves of a Zumba instructor. No, this was much more... uh... raw. I was pretty much doing it Liz Lemon style...

Friday

Mercury Method "Strength" Class [Instructed by Natalie]

I finally started my 6 Day Mercury Method deal on Friday and it was... well, glorious. As it turns out, I'm pretty sure that this Strength class I started with is my least favorite of the three classes they offer. That's by no means an indication of how bad this class is... just an indication of how great the others are. Also, this instructor has a beautiful British accent. Doing a workout in almost a hundred degrees while being told what to do by a Brit? #Reaganing

Super Red-Faced thanks to The Mercury Method

Saturday

Mercury Method "Stamina" Class [Instructed by Meredith]

On Saturday, I tried Mercury Method's "Stamina" class and thoroughly enjoyed it. I took a "Before" picture with the intention of taking an "After," but my brain was in such a calm state after this class that I didn't even remember to take one.

Yeah, I was that girl who takes a selfie in the bathroom.

Sunday

Mercury Method "Control" Class [Instructed by Jacob]

So far, this was my absolute favorite class. I was extremely sweaty, but three glasses of wine the night before and too much coffee the morning of could also have contributed to the sweat. My body was in serious detox mode.

I've mentioned a few times that I'll be doing a Mercury Method review... and I know you're probably thinking "Aren't you pretty much doing that now?" Well, the answer is no, I'm not. I actually have a bit more detail about the classes and the instructors to share later, once I've tried them all (I have yet to try the instructor who designed these classes, Lara - that's today's class). So... wait for it.

Anyway, Jacob was insanely helpful and walked around correcting form and fixing posture and making sure everyone was kicking their own ass. It was perfect and I left extremely satisfied.

Monday

Mercury Method "Control" Class [Instructed by Natalie]

After loving Control on Sunday, I was pretty pumped to go back to Control on Monday. It was the only time I could make, so I didn't have much of a choice, but I figured it would do double duty on my abs. It did not disappoint. I was on fire.

Tuesday

Ab Ripper X

We had a Potluck with a group of other engaged couples at our church, so I didn't have time to hit up Mercury Method. I got home at about 4:30 and we had to leave by 5:45, so I busted out an Ab Ripper X video (courtesy of P90X) and finished prepping what we were bringing (Chickpea-based Cookie Dough Dip).

Wednesday

Mercury Method "Strength" Class [Instructed by Lara]

I'm pretty pumped to go back to Mercury Method today, because I will finally be taking a class from Lara. She's the badass who opened this place and designed the workouts, so I'm expecting it to be even more amazing with her at the helm (yeah, Lara, if you're reading this... get pumped! and be nice to my wrists...).

What about YOU?

• Have you ever tried "Hot" room workouts? What did you think of them?
• Have you ever used a limited time deal to kick start your workout regimen?

  
AND NOW FOR THAT GOOD OLE' GRATEFULNESS:
Dear Body,
Thanks for not only being 'okay' when I totally change things up on you, but for actually responding WELL to it. You make me want to be a better... man. Err. Woman.
Love, 
Carly

Trying New Things - WOTDs

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The past week in workouts has been very interesting. Ever since our Engagement Party, my fiance and I have both felt a little lethargic. I think we just needed a week to de-stress, which is crazy because we didn't even plan or host the party. But, I think it was still a big deal to have so many of our favorite people in one place, plus I was working out pretty heavily to pull off my blue dress.

Wednesday
Full Body Weights, 10 Minute Abs, 1 Mile Cooldown Run
My brother visited on Wednesday. He took the train down from the burbs and met me at work, and we went straight to the gym afterward. He's sort of a workout nut, so it was fun to hit the gym together. We did our own thing for full body weights, and then did some ab exercises together before a cardio cooldown.

It was a great workout and I was totally sore the next day. Especially my legs. Yet, my heart rate monitor swore that I'd only burned 224 calories. Really? Argh.

Thursday

Skip

I was a little bit crazy this day. Just a ball of weirdness. So, Thursday night consisted almost exclusively of eating food and watching Harry Potter. I'm not sure if this is #winning or #losing. Whatever. 

Friday

Barre Burn  

After work, I headed over to the gym for a barre burn class. While last week's class was pretty much a total bust because of an obnoxious sub, this week my favorite instructor was back, so it was great.

Saturday

Skip

Saturday was yet another skip day. Did I mention we've been feeling lethargic and uninspired? Yeah. Saturday, we were pretty much just inspired to celebrate St. Patrick's day, so that's what we did. 

Sunday

4 Mile Run, Ab Ripper X

Sunday morning, my fiance and I woke up suddenly inspired to work out together. Finally. We suited up and went on a 4 mile run with the dog. I wore an awesome purple pull over that my future MIL and FIL gave me for Christmas. It has thumb holes and everything. #Winning

 

I generally run on the treadmill, partly because I'm super ADD about working out so I like to be able to watch TV or a movie. Because I run on the treadmill 99% of the time, it's always a bit of an extra challenge to run outside. The ground is less even (hello, crooked sidewalks and sidewalk cracks), and also much harder. So, while we didn't run a particularly far distance, it still felt like a good workout. 

My trusty heartrate monitor told me we burned 435 calories... meanwhile, my fiance burned over a thousand. Ah, the perks of being 6 foot 7.

After the run, I busted out a quick Ab Ripper X session.

Monday
Insanity Pure Cardio (~35 minutes)
15 Minute Abs
Body By Science (Full Body Weights) 
I forgot how much I missed Insanity. It's definitely much harder to do on my own than it used to be doing with my girlfriends but, as long as I really push myself, I'm always drenched in sweat. Also, confession: After hearing so much about it, I finally tried to watch Game of Thrones again. I tried once a few months ago and was too creeped out by the first scene. But, on Monday, I put it on during Insanity and watched as I worked out. It was actually pretty awesome. I think I might be hooked.

Tuesday
6 Mile Run, Stairmaster Sprint

Yep, watched Game of Thrones again. I put the brightness on the screen down as low as it could possibly go, so that any nudity scenes wouldn't be seen by my neighbors at the gym. As it turned out, Game of Thrones managed to keep the nudity to a minimum for a few episodes. Score.

Wednesday
Mercury Method 98 Degree Class
Today, I'm planning to try something totally new. My coworker and I bought a Gilt deal to The Mercury Method, and we're kicking it off with their 6-Days-For-$6, starting today. I'm not planning to do it 6 days in a row, but I am planning to do Weds, Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon. Wish me luck.
What's the big deal? It's a workout at 98.6 degrees. If you've ever done Bikram Yoga, you know why this is somewhat terrifying. No matter how hydrated you are, you almost always walk out feeling hungover, simply because you've sweat so much.

I. Am. Freaking. Pumped. --- except that I woke up today feeling like total crap, with swollen glands and a throat ache. We'll see if resting will fix me enough to start the classes... fingers crossed!


GRATEFULNESS...
Dear Body,
I am grateful that you give me cues when I need to rest. I need to a better job listening to you, but nonetheless your whispers are wise indeed!
Love,
Carly