AQUA CYCLE

Today, I embarked on a very interesting class called AQUA CYCLE. I brought my friend Adrianna with me and the brilliant jewelry designer behind HADRIANYC. I am so glad she came with me-I cant imagine doing this particular class on my own!
This was a very different experience than your typical spin class. Why you ask? well... the bikes are completely submerged in a 4 foot pool in the basement of the impressively large TriBeCa
studio on Franklin street. I had gotten there a few minutes before the class had started and the instructor helped us set up the bikes. They give you water shoes that
are an absolute must when riding. One thing I have to say about the instructor was that she wasn't overly warm or inviting. The entire class was all new people, probably about 8 of us
participating in the class, and she didn't explain very much. The feeling I got from the overall demeanor of the class was just to get a workout and not much emotional or spiritual
feeling. I suppose that's fine since there are many places that provide that in addition to the workout, but in terms of instruction there was a major disconnect. Pedaling is very awkward at the
beginning of the class because you are trying to acclimate yourself to the bike in the water and the resistance is odd. She never mentioned anything about form or the muscles you should be feeling.
I didn't get much from her I suppose. Not to say all instructors are like that, I'm really not sure. I just feel like they could have worked at since everyone was new. The music was also extremely dated and there were some awkward silences. On top of everything the chlorine was burning our eyes!!

I suppose I didn't give this a rave review, but I am so glad i tried it because my legs feel like jello and I have been unbelievably curious. On the plus side we had an awesome after class rendez vous. We decided to put off our day just a little longer by walking through the rarely quiet and sunny Soho to Melvin's juice box for green juice! Then we were still hungry so we ended up at a whole in the wall delight called LOCAL on Sullivan street for avocado toast and iced tea!

 I'm officially obsessed. Happy Friday everyone!!

xx

POSITIVE MIND

 

 

CLASS #2

Today was the second class I participated in thanks to my Classtivity passport. The studio/class is called the Nalini method. I had looked it up briefly before booking, but the class had gotten great press and seemed to be very effective so I figured why not? I went this morning at 7:00 am which was great in one aspect because I got it over with for the day, but the studio is on 68th and Columbus avenue which is completely out of the way from my apartment. I now know that if I have a class on the west side, better to do it after work as opposed to the morning.

The class was very similar to exhale core fusion barre. I have gone to a few of those classes so I was prepared in that way...or so I thought. The class moves at a very fast pace, and the instructor knows everyone's name and calls you out on your form, speed, posture, etc... the entire class. She calls everyone out in a productive way that will only help you improve so I didn't mind that as much as I usually do. There were a lot of small movements that burned every muscle in my arms, legs, butt! You also have to use free weights, blocks and ankle weights that you use on both your wrists and ankles. That was really different. I liked that part!

I am extremely sore and its only 10:15 in the morning. Tomorrow will be interesting and I have AQUA cycle in the morning! I would suggest the Nalini method to anyone that wants to mix things up, however I don't know If I would rush back since its pretty far from me.

STARTING

This past weekend was quite eventful to say the least. I celebrated my birthday at Soul Cycle union square with my friends and then completed the weekend with my Run10Feed10 10K race. Both events came with their own challenges, and I think that I feel most proud of myself for overcoming these challenges.

I took Jolie's class, and her class is really difficult. You have to be 100% on your game in her class. The studio randomly moved me up to the front row, and instead of calling and disputing it I accepted it as a great fear to overcome. Turns out I got such a rush in the front row and probably had one of my best classes/workouts ever. I think the fact that my friends were there supporting me really helped.

As for my race, I felt completely pumped up and significantly more confidant than the year before. I think it was comforting to know what to expect. However, anytime I start a run no matter how far I plan to go whether its 1 mile or 10 miles I find that the first steps are the most difficult. Then I realized around mile 4 yesterday, that I had to share this thought in my blog. (that's also where I feel I finally found my stride!) This feeling of being worried to start related to everything in life. ?Yesterday, the thoughts going through my mind throughout the entire first mile was, "what the hell was I thinking?!" I started off in the front his time around with people that run 7 minute miles. To my benefit believe it or not I ran my fastest mile ever because subconsciously I was trying to keep up. Then I had to really focus on finding my pace. But, it never fails that those first few steps and miles are always a challenge for me.



I'm most definitely at a point in my life where I want to start new things! Whether its knitting a fisherman sweater project that I have been dying to start or the French classes I have been dying to take to learn the language and meet new people, its all about the START and overcoming the dread and worry.

I also learned how lucky I was that my friends and family committed to being there for me this weekend. This was not an easy venture signing up for that particular time slot at soul and they made a point of doing there best. And of course my parents were at the finish line cheering me on as always!

 

I am so thankful!

LOVE IS

UPLIFT

 

 

I am trying something a little different. I took the plunge and canceled my gym membership last week! It was really difficult because I was really comfortable there. It was a block from my apartment and I was a member for 4 years!

So why exactly did I do it?

I realized that I wasn't using the gym to its full potential like I used too. I used to take classes at my gym, but I have been taking these amazing classes other places and paying additional money, therefore wasting my membership. When I got back from vacation I decided that I wanted to kick myself into high gear and try to lose a certain amount of weight by Thanksgiving! So I set the goal and gathered up the classes that I received for my birthday. On the days that I don't have a class I am going to do my best to run, especially since I am in the process of training for my 10K which is this SUNDAY and my half marathon. Once I have completed my half marathon, then I will most likely join Blink fitness which is a great no fuss gym owned by equinox a few blocks from my place and its only $20 a month.

So what I would like to do is review the classes as I take them in case you have been thinking about trying anything new. There are these really great sites that combine all of these boutique class venues on to one site and allow you to try different things for great prices! I use Fitist and Classtivity. I think this will help me remember what I have done and keep me on track. Eyes on the prize!

MY CLASSES:

TRACY ANDERSON

SOULCYCLE

1 WEEK @ CRUNCH GYM

1 WEEK @ EXHALE

11 CLASSES FITIST

10 CLASSES CLASSTIVITY

 

Today, 6:30am, I used my 30 day classtivity passport at Uplift. I honestly had no idea what to expect. I really enjoyed the class because we did tabata's and circuits that I rarely like to do on my own. It helped to have the energetic teacher push me and guide me through the motions. There were probably about 8 other people in the class, and I found the intimate small setting highly beneficial. Especially for things such as planks where I usually feel like my back is straight as a board, but when she told me to lower about another inch or so it made all the difference in the world. The class was also a mix of strength training with free weights and my own body resistance and cardio. I would most definitely recommend this class.

After the class, I received an email from the studio to receive 10% of a 5, 10, or 20 class package. So awesome. I think I am pretty good on classes for the moment, but what a great perk.

SAVING

I think it's a well known fact that living in New York City can be quite expensive. Its pretty difficult to not spend any money every single day!!! Even going to the movies costs at least $13! I found this really great link on 94 creative ways to save money.

Even if you don't live in New York City, most of the tips are pretty helpful. Happy Saving!

(via: greatest.com)

CHIEF WORLD EXPLORER

Hi Everyone!!!

Below this descripition is a link that I hope you can all find the time to like, share, vote, etc... to help me become Jauntaroo's Chief world EXPLORER. This is pretty much my dream job if ever there was a way to describe it. Now please forgive me as my video is pretty scary! Haha- It was the first one I have EVER done and I think that may be pretty obvious! However, I mean every single thing that i shared in that video and I would really love a shot at this. I really appreciate your support! Thank you so much!

CLICK HERE--->JAUNTAROO-CHIEF WORLD EXPLORER!!!

VACAY

Hi Everyone!!

I am officially back from a much needed vacation with my family away from the city. I just got back this week and still seem to be getting into the swing of things-this is really my first chance to post!

My vacation began in Seattle to visit my brother. We had such a great time and stayed extremely busy the entire time. The city is incredibly green and organic- I was in heaven! We did some sightseeing such as Pikes Market, Nordstrom/downtown, The Space Needle, the Chihuly glass and garden exhibition and so on. I even got a chance to work out with my brothers trainer so I didn't fall behind on anything.

Throwing the fish at Pikes

 

We then met our parents in Arizona to visit my grandpa for Rosh Hashanah. Eric and I had brought a king salmon fresh from Pikes Market that my mom had made perfectly for the holiday. This year we had a Mediterranean style holiday which could not have been more perfect considering how hot it was in Arizona.

Arizona was so nice because we are all able to completely relax, and most of all we are all so lucky to enjoy each others company. We also wanted to take full advantage of having Eric there considering he is so far away. It was also my birthday on September 8th! My mom made me a birthday cake made completely of watermelon!!!! I am officially old and it feels different for sure. 25 always seemed old to me-but I am doing my best to embrace it. I was most definitely spoiled this time around and feel really lucky. I think the most exciting part about my trip was that I conquered Camelback Mountain! I have been wanting to climb it since I'm little but never had the chance. I also heard how challenging it was so I had always been a little nervous as well. The day before my birthday I made it all the way to top! Not only was that on my bucket list, but it was a reminder of how far I have come and how far I am able to go! so incredible!

 

Now that I am back, I have hit the ground running. I have altered my diet slightly to hopefully move things along and have started to schedule all of my classes and such. My goal is Thanksgiving so I'm working extra super duper hard for the next 11 weeks. I have my 10K and half marathon approaching at rapid speeds, so I have those to focus on as well. I'm using my workouts as a focal point at the moment which I think should be helpful!

Hope you are having a fantastic Thursday and just think-tomorrow is FRIDAY! You're almost there!

xx

ALWAYS REMEMBER