Teaching + Fit Test +Lunch Bowl

Hey guys, happy Friday!
    Last night I went to the studio a couple hours earlier than usual because I was covering a “Gentle” yoga class. I’m not going to lie, teaching a gentle class is way out of my comfort zone, but it’s good practice. I did my best, and with a little guidance from a couple fellow teachers who regularly teach the class, I didn’t kill any one or see any tears! It’s pretty widely known throughout the studio that I’m the “tough” teacher.. but they were good sports and even laughed a couple times! Needless to say I was glad to teach my regular class afterwards!


    Back in May I did a little challenge.. I love Burpees.. LOVE them! I wanted to know how many of them I could do in 10 minutes. 94… Sure it wasn’t a bad number, but I was really bummed that I couldn't get to 100.
   Since then, I’ve done countless burpees of all kinds. I don’t discriminate- I do them and force my clients to do them too.. I figure someone, someday will love them too.. This week I took one of my clients through her first fit test. She did great, and I think she even surprised herself (which is even better!) I’m really looking forward to our next one in a couple of months…
   So today it got me thinking.. When was the last time I tested myself? Cue 10 minute BURPEE challenge.. Its a perfect challenge and measure of my fitness improvements. It is one of the best full body strength and cardio tester. So I laced up my kicks, put the “metal” pandora station on and got to work. (I only listen to this station when I’m looking to kick ass, BTW :)
DRUM ROLL…..
117 Burpees in 10 minutes!!!
  23 More than last time.. I am PUMPED!! Hard work really does pay off.. and now I really get why fit tests are important and I will do them more consistently from now on..
    The best part about it, it’s a 10 minute workout.. Which worked perfectly since I had to help a friend out- she needed a ride to and from school after dropping her car off to be serviced.

After I dropped her off at school, I ran over to Trader Joe’s. I don’t know if you heard about the Peanut butter/almond butter Recall, but if you have any of these items lingering in your pantry check the dates and return them back to TJs for a full refund.. 
 

  My breakfast was sad without its usual scoop.. but I was able to get a different almond butter to replace it.. Phew.. now all is right in the breakfast world..
    Lunch made up for almond butter-less morning

  Collard greens with garlic and olive oil + Lentils covered with two over easy eggs.. The yolks were popped as soon as this picture was taken so that all of the yummy “sauce” coated the lentils and greens..
I have a feeling this is going to keep me full for a long time..

So whats going on for the weekend? Our plans are pretty vague for the night… But I’m hoping to go apple picking in the morning (If the rain holds out.. or we will just go in the rain anyway- we’ve done it before!) I work at the restaurant tomorrow night and possibly Sunday, though I’m hoping to get a run in. I’ve decided that I’m going to attempt to train for a half marathon..  This should be interesting.

Have a great night!

Fitness Bucket List + Swim + Photo Droppings

       If your anything like me, you love a challenge. Some of my better qualities are determination and dedication, of which I seem to have an overabundance of.. so I’m always looking for something new to work towards and keep these things in check. Like a lot of you I have a fitness bucket list and I thought it was about time I shared some of it!

• Swim once again a 50 meter freestyle in 0:26 secs flat and 100 meter freestyle in 1:01 mins flat- I did this when I was 16 in the best swimming shape of my life
• Run a 1/2 Marathon 
• Run a Marathon
• Triathlon
• 5 minute plank
• Hold a freestanding handstand for 3o secs
• Back handspring
• Crossfit
• Tough Mudder

    If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that I practiced handstands like it was my job up until a couple months ago when my shoulder started to hate me

 Luckily, my shoulder has been behaving and handstanding is happening once again.. Planks and swimming are happening too.

   A few months ago during my journey through Livefit I got back in the pool for the first time in years- for laps. It was pathetic.. I mean I realize that it was 10 years after my peak swimming years, but wow… Out of swimming shape was an understatement! But it made me remember what I loved so much about the sport.. and it made me determined to get back into it on a more regular basis- just to prove I could do it. But coupled with the daily intense lifting of Livefit and teaching multiple classes a week, swimming only lasted about a month before I had to put it on the back burner, until this last week. 

    Maybe it only makes sense to those of you who are swimmers, but there is something that happens when I put my cap and goggles on and push off that wall, the way my hair and skin feels and smells afterwards, and the endorphin high… like no other! 

   But wait- let me get back to the story.. I went for a super casual swim with a friend who can swim but needed some direction.. for over an hour I taught her about freestyle. We covered breathing, stroke, and even flip turns. She was a great student and so excited which made it so much fun for me as well! Considering I had never taught anyone to swim before- she was doing great so I guess I did a pretty good job too ;) As we were leaving the adult swim group was getting in the water. I had swam with them a few times years ago and the coach still remembered me! After chatting for a few minutes, I got invited to swim with them this week and I’m PUMPED about it!   

   The last week has been filled with workouts from Phase 2 of Livefit trainer, and some cross fit from home:

 “Cindy”- 20 mins AMRAP

     5 pull ups

    10 push ups

    15 squats

I was able to complete 18 full rounds and made it halfway through the 19th.. Holy Guacamole- I was SORE the next day.. and can’t wait to be able to go to a cross fit gym someday so I can get the real experience.. But that will have to wait until I get a real job because man it is expensive around here! 

    Today I did the workout from the Fitnessista’s Summer Shape up. I really loved the workout. It was challenging and pretty speedy- even with 20 minutes of HIIT on the treadmill I was done in just under an hour- with a sweat halo around my head proving I got a good workout in :) 

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Remember this frame? 

I made it into this and hung it up and everything!

                                                                (P is our last name initial)

  Not only was this exciting because I finished something in a timely manner, but it also came out JUST like I had envisioned it! By the way Antique glaze is the most fun, ever! 

    I also got more pictures from the Warrior dash:

The Fire really did seem so much bigger and more scary- especially when you have a tutu made of very flammable materials! 

Dragging out from the mud for the finish

    And my most favorite of them all

  Nothing says a good time like Mud in my mouth and your eyes!

What is something from your Fitness Bucket List?

Happy Monday!!!