I have quite a few active co-workers. We often speak about our fitness activities (i.e. training for marathons, gym classes taken, work out schedules, etc.). Two of my co-workers speak about their spin class and how much they enjoy them. My response to that, 'can't do it, the seat will hurt my butt!'. Their response to me, 'ah...you're butt will get used to the seat!'
After many conversations about spin, my co-worker invited me to his gym for a lunch time spin class. I accepted the invite and I put it on my calendar in ink, too! I was excited about the class, he was excited about me taking the class.
Spin class day arrives and we're both excited, but I'm still concerned about my butt! For real, ya'll! I don't even ride the stationary bike at the gym!
I get to the class and take a bike near the back; in case I leave early. I would have hated to be tough girl on the bike in the front, but have to do the 'walk of shame' out of class because I couldn't hang. Anyway...I'm trying to figure out my bike. Thankfully, the instructor asked for newbies and who needed help. She got me all set up, yet I'm still worried my butt would hurt. She told me as long as I used proper posture, which she demonstrated for me, I'd be okay. I put two towels on my seat, just in case.
And we're off! I'm spinning...following the instructors direction. Turning my tension up, doing sprints, normal pace, turning the tension down. Off the seat, going up hill, sprint, normal pace, etc...I'm spinning and yes, my butt was a bit uncomfortable, but it was such a great workout. I really enjoyed the class. After, my co-worker smiled and congratulated me. He said I did a great job.
What a great lunch date....a spin class!
Thanks, Amiy!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
'I need some ME time'
I've had recent encounters with ladies who've been too busy to work out. Both responding they've been, 'too busy', 'too stressed', or 'trying to get back on track'. I'm just as guilty of all of the listed excuses, but my response to that? Make time and get back to 'ME' time.
I say often at work that, 'it's in your (referring to co-worker's) interest that I work out. I feel better about myself and I'm taking care of me'. It's also in the best interest of myself that I take care of ME. Additionally, when you're feeling better about yourself, it's easier to care for others in your life, especially if you're a mom, spouse, or partner. When you feel good, those around you feel good, too. It's just great positive energy that's flowing.
When you're feeling stressed out or too busy to work out, it's probably really the best time to fit it in; even if it's 15 minutes. That's better than zero minutes in my book. Think about how good you will feel and how those around you will feel, if you do.
While the lyrics in Heather Headly's song, 'Me Time' refers to her needing her 'ME' time to hang with her girls and not with her man, use the lyrics to refer to yourself. Take your 'ME' time to take care of yourself. Sit quietly for 15 minutes if you can't get that 60 minute cardio workout in. What ever you define to be your 'ME' time, just make time for it. You'll feel so much better if you do.
** my disclaimer: (She is in no way saying she' not feeling her man, she just wants to hang alone or with her girls.)
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/heatherheadley/metime.html
I say often at work that, 'it's in your (referring to co-worker's) interest that I work out. I feel better about myself and I'm taking care of me'. It's also in the best interest of myself that I take care of ME. Additionally, when you're feeling better about yourself, it's easier to care for others in your life, especially if you're a mom, spouse, or partner. When you feel good, those around you feel good, too. It's just great positive energy that's flowing.
When you're feeling stressed out or too busy to work out, it's probably really the best time to fit it in; even if it's 15 minutes. That's better than zero minutes in my book. Think about how good you will feel and how those around you will feel, if you do.
While the lyrics in Heather Headly's song, 'Me Time' refers to her needing her 'ME' time to hang with her girls and not with her man, use the lyrics to refer to yourself. Take your 'ME' time to take care of yourself. Sit quietly for 15 minutes if you can't get that 60 minute cardio workout in. What ever you define to be your 'ME' time, just make time for it. You'll feel so much better if you do.
** my disclaimer: (She is in no way saying she' not feeling her man, she just wants to hang alone or with her girls.)
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/heatherheadley/metime.html
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
'Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name'
I have two East Bay Lounges I frequent where it feels like 'Cheers' when I go. It's always a welcomed feeling, but my most recent visits came with, 'hey where ya been?'. I had to let Ben and Chris know that I've been working on my sexy and that I'm not drinking as much these days.
Bijou Restaurant and Bar and Mimosa Champagne Lounge are my spots! I love going there and being greeted with warm hugs from the owner Ben, Chef Christian, or Alfred the bar manager at Bijou. Or a big hug from Chris & JP, owners of Mimosa or a hug from Tim the bartender. By being that frequent customer comes a few perks that I admittedly enjoy.
While visiting Bijou, I noticed they changed the menu and didn't see my panko shrimp I often ordered to enjoy with my basil gimlet. I asked the server about the missing item and he informed me the item has been removed from the menu. In jest, I asked to speak with Ben. Not in an angry way, of course. I asked Ben if it were possible to ask Chef to make the shrimp. He honored my request without a thought or a question. I loved it!
This past weekend, I visited Mimosa. A place I've not been to in months! It was great to see everyone and was even asked where I'd been. My response, 'drinking is counter productive to bringing sexier back'. While hanging at Mimosa, I tried two new mimosas on their menu, blueberry-limon and pineapple. YUMMMMM!! Both were very refreshing. Our server Tim pops by to check on us and brought a round of apple-pie mimosa-for us to 'sample'. YUMM, again! Bar Manager, Amy pops over to say hello and than asks, ' have you girls tried our white chocolate mimosa?' Next thing you know...here comes white chocolate mimosas. Not my favorite, but appreciated the 'sample'. Chris stops by our table to say hey and to see how things are going, etc. He walks away and returns with amaretto mimosas. Now that I'm full of mimosa's, next on my conversation list was the after drinking food fest! I wanted a cheeseburger and fries or just fries to ease the hangover I was sure to have the next day. My sister was the driver and declined my requests to make those stops. I settled for waffles with butter and a tall glass of water.
In thinking about my drinking experiences, I always pair drinking with eating. My post drink meals aren't typically healthy choices, either. It clicked even more for me why I cut back significantly on my drinking. I can't physically afford to drink and eat as often as I did. As I mentioned above, it's counter productive to bringing sexier back.
Yes, I love going to Bijou and Mimosa, but I have to learn to exercise a drink limit. I can have a great time hanging out with friends. I can also have a great time by drinking a glass of sparkling water after I have one adult drink.
If you're ever in the East Bay, check out Mimosa or Bijou.
Cheers!
http://mimosachampagnelounge.com/
http://www.bijouexperience.com/
Bijou Restaurant and Bar and Mimosa Champagne Lounge are my spots! I love going there and being greeted with warm hugs from the owner Ben, Chef Christian, or Alfred the bar manager at Bijou. Or a big hug from Chris & JP, owners of Mimosa or a hug from Tim the bartender. By being that frequent customer comes a few perks that I admittedly enjoy.
While visiting Bijou, I noticed they changed the menu and didn't see my panko shrimp I often ordered to enjoy with my basil gimlet. I asked the server about the missing item and he informed me the item has been removed from the menu. In jest, I asked to speak with Ben. Not in an angry way, of course. I asked Ben if it were possible to ask Chef to make the shrimp. He honored my request without a thought or a question. I loved it!
This past weekend, I visited Mimosa. A place I've not been to in months! It was great to see everyone and was even asked where I'd been. My response, 'drinking is counter productive to bringing sexier back'. While hanging at Mimosa, I tried two new mimosas on their menu, blueberry-limon and pineapple. YUMMMMM!! Both were very refreshing. Our server Tim pops by to check on us and brought a round of apple-pie mimosa-for us to 'sample'. YUMM, again! Bar Manager, Amy pops over to say hello and than asks, ' have you girls tried our white chocolate mimosa?' Next thing you know...here comes white chocolate mimosas. Not my favorite, but appreciated the 'sample'. Chris stops by our table to say hey and to see how things are going, etc. He walks away and returns with amaretto mimosas. Now that I'm full of mimosa's, next on my conversation list was the after drinking food fest! I wanted a cheeseburger and fries or just fries to ease the hangover I was sure to have the next day. My sister was the driver and declined my requests to make those stops. I settled for waffles with butter and a tall glass of water.
In thinking about my drinking experiences, I always pair drinking with eating. My post drink meals aren't typically healthy choices, either. It clicked even more for me why I cut back significantly on my drinking. I can't physically afford to drink and eat as often as I did. As I mentioned above, it's counter productive to bringing sexier back.
Yes, I love going to Bijou and Mimosa, but I have to learn to exercise a drink limit. I can have a great time hanging out with friends. I can also have a great time by drinking a glass of sparkling water after I have one adult drink.
If you're ever in the East Bay, check out Mimosa or Bijou.
Cheers!
http://mimosachampagnelounge.com/
http://www.bijouexperience.com/
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