Technological Malfunction (and Workout Schedule)

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It's been an interesting week in workouts. Other than the pictures I posted in my review of TRX classes, I only have one picture from this past week of workouts:

I'm trying to be positive here, but there is one thing that has been driving me nuts during my workouts. My Polar Heartrate monitor just flat out stops working. In the middle of a workout, it will suddenly show "00" for my heartrate (obviously wrong) or will say "Check heart rate transmitter!"

The monitor and strap? The strap is definitely too big, and tends to slide around a lot despite being on its smallest setting. But, if I am on a machine, the machine still picks up the data from my heart rate strap, even when the watch is showing no data. This leads me to believe that the culprit is not, in fact, the strap, but is instead the watch, itself.

So, what the hell is going on with this thing? It is so insanely frustrating to be in the middle of a workout class and have my heart rate monitor malfunction not once but twice in just a 30 minute class. Argh. Hence, I've taken no pictures of my workouts the last few days because I spend an unreasonable amount of time wondering if something is going to malfunction.

HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE?

Okay, moving on. Deep breaths. Chill out, Carly. Done and done. Here are my workouts for this week... (picking up just before I left off, since last week's workout post was on Thursday).

Wednesday: 60 Minute Stairmaster
Thursday: Bodypump Class, 60 Minutes
Friday: TRX Class, 60 Minutes
Saturday: Active rest - about 9 miles of walking
Sunday: Active rest - about 9 miles of walking
Monday: Extreme Cardio Class, 30 Minutes; 15 Minute Stairmaster Sprint; Body By Science
Tuesday: Pilates Class, 60 Minutes
Wednesday: (Planned) 4 Mile Run, Upper Body Weights

QUESTIONS:

• Do you use a heart rate monitor or other fitness tracking equipment? Does it ever malfunction? Obviously, I'm having this problem. Hopefully, I can get in touch with Polar and resolve it.

GRATITUDE:
Dear Future In Laws,
Thanks for getting your son the Jawbone Up for his birthday. Suddenly, we are walking EVERYWHERE, which means I have an automatic HEALTHY excuse for an active rest day. 
Love, 
Carly

The Pendulum Has Swung

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I know, I usually put up my Workouts-Of-The-Week post on Wednesday. I've been really busy, both at work (with a class on presenting for impact), and in regular, lovely life. #oops

Last week, I mentioned I'd been trying to diversify my workouts. It's like the pendulum swung so far into I-Love-Running territory that I'd forgotten anything else exists, and then it swung right back into No-Thanks-Running territory. So, you'll notice that I did not run even once in the past week. And you know what? I feel fine. In fact, I'm stronger and have more of what you might call tightness in my muscles, which I'm loving.

Wednesday: Pilates, 60 Minutes
This class was totally packed, but I stayed anyway. I did, however, vow to alter my schedule a bit to do Pilates on Tuesday or Friday mornings, when there are like 4 people, rather than Wednesday nights, when there are like 20.

Bodypump Wake-Up Call?

Thursday: Bodypump, 60 Minutes
I just... love... bodypump. It totally missed out by skipping it for a while and didn't even realize how much I was missing. Yes, waking up at 5:30 sucks sucks sucks sucks. But, being done with an amazing workout by 7am feels utterly amazing.

Set up for Barre Burn

Friday: Ballet Burn Class, 60 Minutes
I'm an awful dancer. I'm considering stopping this class simply because I feel bad forcing other people to watch me dance. Normal, human dancing = fine. Ballet dancing? No freaking clue what is going on. I also insisted on wearing shoes and was the only one. #loser

Saturday: TRX Class, 60 Minutes
Loved this! Can't wait to try another and post a review. Bodyweight training is the bomb.

TRX Class - Note the Hanging Things

Sunday: Active Rest - 9+ Miles of Walking
Yeah, we walked everywhere. Not much to say other than read this post on how I ended up walking almost 20 miles last weekend.

Monday: 30 Minute Cardio Circuit, Body By Science
I wanted to try a new cardio class and showed up a few minutes late but still went. It was awesome. We did a ton of jump roping and I ended up burning about 200 calories in that 30 minute class alone (which is HARD for me because I'm little, I guess?). After, my fiance and I did Body By Science. #sore

Tuesday: Pilates, 60 Minutes
Rolled into the early-morning-pilates again and yes, it was totally worth it. In life in general, I love large groups. With workout classes, not so much. So I loved how small this class was.

Wednesday: Stairmaster, 60 Minutes
I had missed a class I wanted to take, so I hopped on the Stairmaster with the book I'm reading for book club. 60 minutes later, I was drenched and happy.

Thursday: Bodypump, 60 Minutes
Victory. Another early wake-up call.

Early Bodypump Class & New Elle Clothing

QUESTIONS:

• Do you like taking group fitness classes? I obviously do after this week's summary! Sheesh. My favorite is probably Bodypump, but TRX and Pilates are giving it a serious run for its money.
• Have you ever tried a Bodypump, Pilates, or TRX classes? What'd you think? 

A Lazy Week - WOTDs

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I checked out a new dentist office yesterday. I had a semi emergency surgery last fall, when my wisdom teeth randomly decided to come in without warning me with any pain. My back molar is sort of tipped/twisted/moved over from that, so I figured I should hit up a dentist.

I tried White, on Chicago Ave. It's in the West Town / Noble Square area, and is my new favorite place. Ever. The lounge is totally modern and fancy, and I got to watch none other than HOUSE HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL as my teeth were cleaned. Are you kidding me? I'm totally sold.


ANYWAY, now on to... Workouts!
On to workouts... this week has been a bit light for me. I started a new medication that is leaving my stomach feeling a little off, and I've been much busier than average. Those two elements added up to leave me with less hours logged in the fitness realm. I'll be back on the horse this week.

Wednesday
45 Minutes Pilates
I still love this class with the fire of a thousand suns.

Thursday
6 mile (60 minutes) run, 30 minute bike ride
I had a nice long run while watching some show on Netflix about wedding planning in New York (I think it's called Wedded To Perfection?). The show makes me pumped for my wedding yet insanely stressed about it at the same time, which is somehow perfect for running. I do my best running under just a bit of stress, I think? Normal?



Friday
Rest
Justin and I had planned to hit up the gym for a nice run, but then plans changed a bit. My parents dropped off their puppy, FatBooty (fine, you can call her Rena if that sounds offensive, but trust me, she loves it). Once FatBooty was there, we just wanted to relax and play. With a pup this cute, can you blame us?

Saturday
Full body weights, 1 hour Spinning Class 
To make up for Friday's skip, we did double duty on Saturday. We arrived for our spin class about an hour early, signed up for our bikes, and then did some serious weight lifting. I started with the new armsandshoulders routine I've been perfecting, then moved on to just about everything else.

 



Sunday
5 mile (45 minutes) run, 15 minutes rowing, Abs
The rowing machine is weird, and this was my first time on this one. I'm not sure how I feel about it -- I kind of just feel like a dork who's about to fall on her butt.

I'm also still in a bit of pain from this ab machine. I did three 45 second sets at 90lbs, then moved on for a while, and then came back to it a bit later and did it again. I'm just now getting over the deep pain I caused myself. Humph.



Monday
Skip
I told you this was a lazy week, right? Well, on Monday, I had to work fairly early, and then I met my friend Emily at J. Crew for some Bridesmaids Dress Shopping and dinner. That meant no workout for the day. I don't regret it :) It was some much needed fun time.

Tuesday
Skip
I woke up early to try to get a run in, but my stomach was having some issues. I felt really sick and ended up just sitting on the couch drinking coffee, kind of staring into space. Oh well. I think my body needed a bit of recovery, and I'm hoping that I'll be back in full force after resting Friday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Wednesday
Shoulders/Arms and Abs Weight Training, Pilates
I'm looking forward to feeling the burn with some of my fave weight exercises, then cursing myself for 45 minutes during Pilates.

Just kidding. Somehow, despite how difficult Pilates can be and the burn I always feel in my core, I am never angry during! HOW DO YOU DO IT, ANNA?!

Your turn...

• What justifies an unplanned rest day for you? 
• Do you ever feel bad about it, or do you expect that it will give you more excitement when you get back in the game?

Fitness Tips & Week In Workouts

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Happy Monday! Back to the daily grind, and a week full of workouts and awesome meals. Or maybe a week of sitting on the couch and eating Oreos. Up to you, I guess...

I haven't done a Monday Fitness post in about two weeks because of my moving fiasco. That's a pretty poor excuse, but... deal with it! I'm back. 

In this post: A week of my workouts and a few fit tips. 

A Week In Workouts:

• Monday: Spinning Class, 1 hour
• Tuesday: Rest
• Wednesday: Yoga
• Thursday: Rest
• Friday: Stairmaster Sprint, 1 hour
• Saturday: Spinning Class, 1 hour
• Sunday: Body By Science (Weights), 20 Minutes Elliptical
• Monday: Spinning Class, 1 hour

Things:

Did you notice I'm enjoying Spinning Classes? Yeah. At my new gym, they have a room dedicated to Spinning Classes (I guess most gyms do if they offer spin), so they seem to have a ton of Spinning options every day. Because, I mean, why not, right? Anyway, I need to cool it on the Spin Classes. My butt is going to... well, fall off or something.

Tips of the Week:

1. Pre-cook your meals. That way, you guarantee you'll be getting nutrition without letting the hassles of life get in the way (running out of time, getting too busy, being too tired to make a meal). It only takes 1 hour on Sunday, and it means the world to your fitness. Great abs are made in the kitchen, my friends.
   
   
   
2. Be adventurous. Try a Spinning Class! Or if you already 'spin,' try yoga. etc. Change it up and make your body adapt to something new.
   
3. Eat breakfast. Just do it. It's really not that hard. Suggestions: Make yourself eggs. Half egg whites, half with yolks, then add some spinach and cheese (and more if you're fancy). Too "busy" for that? My breakfast this morning: Erehwon Rice Twice, Almonds, Chia Seeds, and Strawberries thrown into a bowl with Coconut Milk. Tastes like Strawberry Shortcake Soup. For Breakfast.
   
   

Workout Wrap Up

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Workout Playlist:

"May Mix" Podcast by "We're Awesome / You're Not"  <--DOWNLOAD THIS!

This is an hour-long mix of music that is a FREE DOWNLOAD.  If you have iTunes, search for it under Podcasts. It's a lot of fun stuff (like Miike Snow, Flight Facilities, & LCD Soundsystem) set to upbeat, high-intensity, techno-esque (but not quite techno) electronic music.

Workout Schedule:

Day 1: 4.5 Mile Run

Day 2: Jillian Michaels "Ripped In 30" DVD 

Day 3: Insanity: Max Interval Training

Day 4: 1.5 Hour Weights Class

Day 5: Insanity: Cardio Abs

Day 6: 4 Mile Run

        

Note: The Jillian Michaels DVD is new -- I'm still making my mind up about it and will post a review-ish post on it once I finish all 4 of the workouts on it!

Workout Breakdown:

• Cardio
• Cardio/Weights
• Cardio
• Weights
• Abs
• Cardio

I keep saying I'm going to add Yoga and then I don't... Hmm, guess that'll be my goal during beach week!  P.S. Here's where I am right now...

A Week In Workouts

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DISCLAIMER:  This is a workout post.  If you couldn't care less about someone else's workout schedule, check back later for a different post!  

Two funny stories from my workouts this week:

First, I run on a treadmill in my basement, where the old school light bulb has to be screwed in and out to control the 'on' and 'off' function that you'd typically expect from a light switch or pull string. On Monday, I went to turn the light off, and it burst in my hand. The light bulb just... popped. Thank God I didn't get cut or anything... but seriously, I looked around (as though there were witnesses or something) and then thought... Dang, maybe I'm like the Incredible Hulk.  Watch out for me.  I don't know my own strength.  Cheesy.

Second, I just got back from a "bike ride" with my mom. It turned into an interval ride... just because I could only stay on the dang thing for 1 minute at a time. I was feeling so pathetic - I mean, I can run 6 miles at once but can't stay on a bike for 5 minutes?  I must be suddenly super out of shape... Embarrassment.  I would just keep saying "Suck it up, Carly" and hop right back on after 30 second breaks.  Well, as it turns out, one of our new Trek bikes wasn't put together the right way... so I basically just biked intervals for over an hour with my back brakes on THE ENTIRE TIME.  No wonder it was such a good workout... I suppose next time I ought to check the breaks before taking the bike for a spin...

Anyways, here's my schedule from the week:

• CARDIO & ABS: 2.5 Mile Run & Ab Ripper X
• WEIGHTS: Jillian Michaels Weights (No More Trouble Zones)
• CARDIO & ABS: Insanity Pure Cardio & Ab Ripper X
• WEIGHTS: Weights Class (30 min Upper Body, 30 min Lower Body)
• CARDIO: Insanity Max Interval
• CARDIO: Interval "Bike Ride"
• STRETCH: Yoga X

Plan for tomorrow: Yoga X.