Life Lately on the Fitness Front

I used to blog regularly and in tons of detail about my workouts.  Everything from about 2011 to 2016 is on MIS.  Jillian Michaels, half marathon training, T25, Tough Mudder training, Barre3.  It’s all on MIS!

I haven’t talked much about my fitness endeavors as of late because they don’t feel all that monumental.  I’m honestly just trying hard to listen to my body and work out appropriately when I can.  There’s not much more to it.  The one thing that has changed are my workouts themselves. 

Let me back up…

In March, I joined the gym across the street from where we lived.  Not because I was itching to, but because Vishnu realized that despite his best efforts, he wasn’t going to be able to go as much as he wanted/needed to.  We didn’t want to pay the cancellation fee, so we essentially worked with the gym to transfer his membership over to me.

As you guys know, I’m a home workout kind of person.  I absolutely don’t mind doing Barre3 online at home or using YouTube videos or even going to our apartment gym.  It’s what I’ve been doing for years.  But when Vishnu raved about the group fitness classes at this gym, I said, “Why not?!”

Guess what…

Vishnu was right!  I LOVE the classes and the instructors.  And lucky for me, there are quite a few good ones that fall around my lunchtime, making it extra convenient on the days I work from home.

In terms of the workouts themselves, I take a class called TAP, a Barre Cardio class, and a Cycling class.

TAP
TAP stands for Total Athletic Performance.  It’s kind of like a low-key version of CrossFit from what I gather.  The gym offers two versions – a conditioning class and a strength class.  Depending on the week, I’ll take one or both.  The conditioning one is more cardio – running, rowing, ropes, ball slams, body weight exercises, kettle ball swings, etc.  Lots of aerobic stuff mixed with a bit of strength.  The strength class is the opposite.  Lots of strength moves with barbells, hand weights, kettle balls, etc. and very little cardio.  Both great options!  Both leave me drenched in sweat at the end. 

Barre Cardio
The Barre Cardio class is exactly what it sounds like.  Barre with a mix of cardio in the form of jump squats and just faster moves to get your heart rate up.

Cycling
The Cycling class is a typical gym cycling class, but I love the instructor so that’s why I try to go once a week.  She mixes in a little bit of arm work too, which I love.  It’s no Soul Cycle, but it’s a good workout.

Other than that, I still do Barre3 Online at home, especially on the weekends.  I’ve done BBG on days where I couldn’t make it to the gym.  And I still very much love my treadmill walks and run/walks. 

So with that being said, here’s what a typical week of workouts looks like for me.

Sunday – usually a rest day, but if I’m engaging in anything truly active, it’s usually a treadmill walk
Monday – TAP (conditioning)
Tuesday – If I’m working from home, I’ll head down to our apartment gym for a treadmill run/walk.  If I’m in the office, then my walk to and from work counts as my workout!
Wednesday – TAP (conditioning)
Thursday – TAP (strength).  If I’m in the office, then my walk to and from work counts as my workout!
Friday – Barre Cardio
Saturday – Cycling

Like I said, this is a typical week but it’s not an exact science.  A lot depends on when I’m in the office vs. at home and how I’m physically feeling.  The TAP classes are really challenging and I don’t push myself to do two in a row unless I really feel like I can handle it. 

I’m also a huge believer in everyday activity serving as exercise, so on those days where I don’t make it to the gym, I just try to stay off my butt as much as possible.  Having a very active toddler definitely helps!

And that’s where I’m currently at.  Trying to challenge myself a bit more with the classes, but also listening to my body and getting rest when I need it.  Not rocket science, but thought I would share since I’m in a different season of life.