Jesus Freak

Hey hey hey! Just got back from Zumba and as you may expect, I have a few things to say:

First, there were so many people (around 20) there and this gave me quite a few mixed feelings. For one, I'm a bit introverted and I'm all about small class sizes. Then again, it's great that so many people are wanting to workout. But then again, I experienced a little bit of egocentrism (specifically imaginary audience) and think everyone is staring at and judging me (I was smack dab in the middle of the room today). Then again, if everyone is staring at and watching me then they know I've been here before and are looking at me for guidance (I am so full of myself, apparently). And then... I just decided to not think about it because I was focusing more on everything but working out.

Second, that song that i couldn't remember but I could remember the actual workout (click here for that blog entry) well, it was coupled with a different song today. I was so stoked that it was a song that not only did I recognize but it was the first one I knew the lyrics to. As you may have guessed from the title, the song was Jesus Freak by DC Talk (1995). I'm not sure if it's because I've done this workout a few times before now or because I was paying more attention to singing the song in my head but it seemed so much easier this time.

Third, I recognized another song! That song from Beetlejuice, Jump in Line (Shake, Shake Senora). There are parts of the workout to this song that I remember but it'll probably take another time of doing it before I can post it. I know that it works a lot on legs and jumping and arms and then the occasional posing like you're the star of the room. Yup, that made a lot of sense, I know.

Fourth and lastly, I have tips!!

The song doesn't really matter so long as it's up beat and you can rock out to it

 The workout doesn't have to be over when the class is over, jog or ride your bike home 

(if the weather continues to be nice, I think I'm going to start riding my bike there and back)

Get a partner! Whether it's just somebody you go to class with or maybe a spouse or just someone off the street, even if you don't make an agreement, they become an accountability partner  

(for me it's kind of this blog because I've convinced myself that people actually read it)

Hydrate. 

I've probably said this before but it's so important. Just drink water all day: If you're feeling a bit hungry - drink a bunch of water and then eat 30ish minutes later, can't focus on what you're doing - take a walk to the drinking fountain and back, working out - drink an entire water bottle at least! Just hydrate (with water, preferably)!

Yup, those were my thoughts for the day. I don't have any real plans to workout (physically) for the remainder of the day, though I still have quite a bit of homework (mostly reading) so I will be working out my brain (like that semi-annoying luminosity.com commercial where the girl says it's harder to workout her brain and I just want to scream at her like, "you're too skinny and probably workout all the time. Of course it's harder to workout your brain 'cause you don't have one!"... that's not true. I'm sorry. I love people). Actually, if the clouds hold in their rain a bit longer, I may convince my boyfriend to walk to the coffee shop instead of driving (I figured if we went somewhere to study we wouldn't be distracted by the things in my apartment like my cats and the TV and how I need to water my plants and.. you get the picture). Hmmmm, I'll think about it (I'm not a fan of being cold and wet). Whelp, that's it for now. Until next time (perhaps Monday), live long and prosper!

Adolescents and Heels

I intended to post last night but I had a presentation this morning and I thought my time might be better spent finishing my poster. Any whozzles: Last night, I lead games for the middle school youth group. Usually I try to give the kids something different then usual and go through about three games. However, there is one game in particular that they love that I decided it would be okay if I gave into it - Kick the Can. 

Pretty simple game: flip a garbage can over in an open area, those who are not it get to run throughout the entire building avoiding the taggers. If you are tagged you sit around the can. In order to be untagged, someone from your team comes and kicks the can (everyone is free). Usually works best if the teams are unevenly numbered. It's also a great game for the youth leaders to be more involved in the game since they are usually the taggers. Last night I added in my own flavor and for each round assigned different people to be it (e.g. anyone with black on their pants, anyone wearing pink or red, etc.)

As for working out, as a chaser you can get quite the workout chasing energetic 6-8th graders around the building. Unfortunately, I hurt my knee during Zumba so while I did play, it was minimally (which I was bummed about, especially since I chose the game).

Now today was another story. As I said in the beginning, I had a presentation this morning which means dressing all professional like. I was reminded (as I was on Valentines day) wearing heels is workout in itself. Since I'm a commuter, I obviously have to park in the commuter parking lot. Unfortunately for me, it is on the opposite side of campus from the building I needed to be in (and the classroom is on the second floor). So, my workout for today was walking across campus in a hurry (though I was there in more than enough time), attempting to juggle my huge poster and binder (having a poster that's only a foot shorter than you can be difficult to carry), and then walking back to my car afterwards. I did have to chuckle to myself when I got to the classroom because I was just about out of breath and starting to sweat. Phew-ee.

By the way, I saw this today and immediately thought, "YES! That's exactly how I feel [after doing the ab related Zumba workouts]"

Hope that brought a list half smile on your face. Also that's probably the only workout I'll do for today because I am absolutely exhausted (a combination of not as much sleep as usual and stress overload). Until next time, live long and prosper!

So much sweat

I did it; another 5:15am morning to be at Zumba at 5:30 (First time I wasn't late, actually). I didn't sleep well last night at all and had to get up several times for various things so actually getting up was more of a challenge then usual. Once I was up and on my way to Zumba, I was glad I had decided to go but I definitely already looking forward to going to bed tonight (I love my 8hours of sleep each night). 

Okay, so Zumba today: Two things I quickly began to notice about this morning: 1. I was incredibly sore (both from the new workouts we did on Monday and riding yesterday) and 2. I was sweating a lot. I mean, both are good signs, right? Anyway, I remembered two workouts this time (but not the song to the first one... sorry) so here they are:

• Song 1
• normal pushups (either full out, on your knees, or on your knees and barely bending your arms - choose your challenge)
• pushups with your fingers pointed in (this works other muscles)
• pushups with your hands making a triangle (this one kills me and, once again, works different muscles)
• Turn over and, remember when you were a kid and did crab races? Yeah, do that pose and pump your body up and down (so crab like then table like)
• normal crunches
• scissors (on your back with your legs up in the air moving up and down)
• Now move back up the list and you're done
• If at any time during the pushups you're like, "nope, not gunna happen" take a second or two and do the "child's pose" (sit back on your knees/ ankles, then lean all the way forward, almost like you're bowing).
• Skyscraper - Demi Lovato (You'll need a chair or something to balance against)
•  Start out with the chair facing away from you, and lean your forearms on the back of the chair), work out begins when the words do
• Lift one leg in a bend (I'll refer to this as 'down') and in four counts (smoothly) do the following (verse 1)
• Off the the side
• all the way stretched out (like you're kicking to the side)
• back in
• down
• Now push that leg straight back and hold it there (chorus)
• Bend your leg up as if trying to push your heel to the ceiling (chorus)
• Straighten that leg out again (chorus)
• Now switch and repeat the above with the other leg (verse 2 and 2nd time of chorus)
• Facing forward, spread your legs as if doing a squat, and get up on those toes (Rest of song)
• 2 counts down, 2 counts up (repeat)
• Occasionally mix it up by moving slowly down for more counts and then back up or by holding it down for 8 counts (perhaps whenever she changes her volume of singing)
• Finish the song on a good note (we usually finish with the holding down but whatever is a challenge for you, go for it)

That first workout is a killer! It was a new one on Monday and we did it again this morning. Skyscraper is also difficult at times, especially if we've already done other leg workouts before. I did also remember another song that, when it plays I can remember parts of the workout.. though I'm not sure how great I would be at explaining them since it's more of a dance. The song is Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) by Shakira ft.Freshlyground. It's a lot of movement with the arms and the legs and little bit of salsa and, yeah, lots. Oh and one more! Work Hard, Play Hard (which I believe I've mentioned before) is all about standing abs. There ya have it, I actually remembered a few things. 

I also found this video and while I prefer working out fully clothed and with my hair pulled back, I think this is pretty close to how we work out to this song. So watch that if ya want to perhaps see what I'm talking about.

I also thought of more advice to share:

Enjoy what you're doing (I'm sure I've shared something along these lines before but I think it's really important) - if you don't, you're not going to stick with it

and

BE POSITIVE (now I know I've said this lots but it's also so stinkin' true. I hate waking up at 5:15am but I do it to laugh at the sun when it finally decides to show up. Seriously, I walk out of the building we meet in just when it's starting to lighten up and I think, "Beat ya again Mr.Sun!")

That's all I have for you right now. I might post tonight after youth group since I'm leading games but we'll have to see and I'll definitely post tomorrow after whatever workout I decide on (I know I said I'd go for a jog but the forecast isn't looking like that'll happen). Until next time, live long and prosper!