Return of Body Pump

TGIF! I’m writing from Pittsburgh..my real home :). People always ask me “where do you actually live?” because I did my undergrad in Raleigh at NCSU, then went straight to grad school in Rochester Hills at Oakland, all while traveling to and from Pittsburgh. Can you see the disconnect?

After teaching Abs, Glutes, and Thighs (which was an amazing class BTW! Participants are always full of energy and up for ANYTHING, even when the classes continue to get more challenging), I hit the rush-hour traffic road and arrived in Pitt a little after 9:30. Salmon, grilled veggies, and a humongous piece of cake my family were awaiting me on the table (not my family); it makes the looooong drive so much more worth it when a home-cooked meal greets you! Right to sleep afterwards; sleeping in a queen-sized bed beats an extra-long twin sized bed’s bootay.

There’s really no point to this trip since I leave tomorrow (Saturday) morning at 5am to head straight to lululemon, but a girl needs some winter clothes! Why I didn’t bring any jackets, pants, UGGs, or winter scarves with me is over my head but it gave me an excuse to see my family :-D.

A relaxing morning

 (hi Kathy!)

and a long-but-not-forgotten body pump class

was what I had planned since my family has this silly thing called work. You guys remember how I was taking a break from heavier-lifting? I haven’t participated in a full hour-long lifting session until today and it felt great to get back to it! Sure some of my strength has dwindled but my endurance has improved and I was able to finish the entire workout- not missing one rep :).

What I used to lift in a Body Pump class:

• squats= 40-50lbs
• chest press= 15lbs
• back track= 20lbs
• triceps & biceps= 10-12lbs
• lunges= 15-20lbs
• shoulder track= 10-12lbs

What I lifted today:

• squats= 17.5lbs
• chest press= 10lbs
• back track= 12lbs
• triceps & biceps= 7.5lbs
• lunges= 7.5lbs (added plyometrics to this track)
• shoulder track= 7.5lbs and 8lb handweights

I felt I could have lifted heavier than I did but the above weight was perfect for my goals. I’m still not looking to get “bigger”, but rather continue toning, sculpting, lifting, and improving muscular endurance.

The rest of the day I plan on spending time with my family, drinking wine, eating a steak-ish dinner, and enjoying a real piece of cake!

What else made this trip worth it?

Greetings From My Current Home!

I moved back to Pittsburgh last Friday and am thrilled to be able to take a couple of weeks off before heading to Michigan! My dad, mom, brother, and Jagr drove 8 hours to Raleigh, packed my stuff up, and headed back up north for a longer-ish (11 hour) trip. It was 3 hours longer because we stopped for dinner at a quaint sandwich shop in Fayetteville, WV. It was well worth it; the sandwiches were hand-crafted using local ingredients and unique combo’s that we never would have thought to put together! I had a turkey, peach jam, carmelized onion, and blue cheese spread sammy on a freshly-baked French baguette..mouth-watering good.

Saturday and Sunday were spent relaxing with my family; we’re reunited and it feels SO good! I haven’t been home in such a long time and I’m always missing family gatherings, dinners, and random activities that are done on weekends. For instance, my dad and I are HUGE car fanatics (I like to shop, he likes what the actual car does) and it just so happens that the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix was happening in Schenley Park! It’s a car show that showcases both vintage and current car styles and raises funds

“to help provide residential care, treatment, and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh area” (source)

Although hot, it was a great way to spend the day and even got me thinking about Lola #2 ;).

Unfortunately, my parents do this thing called work and the 24/7 bonding time was over Monday morning. But that’s okay- I’m one of those Type-A individuals that can keep myself busy all by my lonesome.

Here’s what I’ve been up to: in pictures!

• added onto my family’s gym membership. first membership ever! 
• went to Bartram House bakery for coffee. every morning. *if you’re in the Wexford or McMurray area-you must stop in!
• attracted construction workers attentions with my attractive get-up while walking Jagr 
• eating delicious food. daily. that I don’t buy! *when I’m home, my job is to prepare dinner for my parents. I absolutely love my job 🙂
• enjoying the amazing weather! cool enough to sit outside in the mornings and evenings. I went for a run in 58degree weather and my hands were actually numb-y post-run.
• am baking again  when I lived in Raleigh, I didn’t bake as much since I’d be the only one eating it. now, since I’m with 3 other sweet-mouthedteethed, dessert every night people, I can bake again and not feel guilty about it going to waste..or me eating it all (whichever comes first 🙂 )

I received an email from Oakland U about moving in and the teaching schedule for the fall! It looks like I’ll be heading (more) north on the weekend of August 10! I’m teaching 4 new-to-me classes in the fall;

Core and More, Cycle, BLAST, and Abs, Glutes, and Thighs. The wheels in my exercisebrary-brain are churning already; I’m hoping Oakland U. participants will like what I bring!

I have lots more to babble about but I’ll save that for the next post; I don’t want to spoil all of the fun!

(Finally) Day 44!

 

9 hour days, 5 days a week, 40 hour weeks,  10 weeks, totaling 400 hours worth of corporate fitness is complete! I finished up all my hours yesterday afternoon but had to come in today to organize some things for when I turn in my internship portfolio later this morning.

It’s bitter-sweet; no more 40 traffic when the threat of a mistingrain arises (sweet), staff and training meetings are a thing of the past (bitter), seeing the people I formed relationships with (very bitter), long days of shadowing office hours and fitness classes (sweet),  being on a schedule (bitter), impacting participants lives in a positive way through instructing and training (extremely bitter), and most importantly, leaving Raleigh (need I say how bitter?).

I’ve called Raleigh my second home for the last 4 years and it’s hard to grasp leaving and not returning in a couple of days or weeks. BUT. When one door closes, another one will open and I’m ecstatic to go home and be able to relax with my family for a little before I head up to Oakland Michigan to start another chapter in my life book!

I met some lovely ladies for sushi last night  and to say good-byesee you later. (It was BOGO so when in Rome right?) We went to town and were shocked when the waitress brought a sushi boat to our table for 3 women (4 when our 4th showed up). A SUSHI BOAT. Granted, it was the size of a pontoon boat and not the Titanic, but still.. *A side note-we ate ALL of the above, and more..4 more rolls. 😉

My parents left Pittsburgh at 4am this morning so their ETA is ~11:30am and they brought a guest with them. This little guy is making his first appearance in Raleigh! The plan is to pack up all my junk, head to Jasmin’s for lunch, then make the 1-way trip back to Pittsburgh.

 

Day 39

 Where did the morning go? All I can remember is sitting in a chairlaying on my floor (more on this later) eating some oats, watching Good Morning America, blog/Twighlight reading, and waiting till it was time to leave for Body Pump. Next thing I knew, I’m at work running around like a mad woman! I’ll admit, I like it!

I’m in the process of packing up all my things and moving back to Pittsburgh 1 week from today; exciting and sad at the same time! I don’t need any furniture when I move to Oakland next month, so I’m selling as much as I can (read-everything), with the exception of my shoe chair of course. Yes, this beaut (mine’s red where the black is, reminiscent of a Louboutin 😉 ) will be making the 500+ mile trip home to Pitt; Chase said he’d like it 😉 totes kidding.  All this to say, if you’re in the Raleigh area and looking for furniture-I’m your girl!

After a quick stop at Starbucks for , I’ve been on the move since. We have the Yoga Garden program this afternoon which should be fun. I brought out my inner-child yesterday and cut up lots of shapes to use as markers. Basically, the kids decorate a pot and use it as their marker during the game; when they land on a flower, they perform that yoga pose. It’s actually a lot of fun to both watch and participate in! There are 2 sessions, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.

The rest of the afternoon was spent in the office and organizing CD’s. Have a happy weekend!

IFTA Events for January 21 & 22

Attentions fitness enthusiasts!

The first IFTA blogging event will happen..

 Saturday January 21 at Camden Overlook Complex, 4703 Summit Overlook Dr. Raleigh NC.

• 11am-5pm. Learn to Teach Group Fitness Certification- study guide/notes are included. IFTA Safety Requirement or CPR is required!
• this certification includes a lecture of study materials to prepare you for the exam, an aerobic workout/practical and a written test.
• cost is $99 plus the $65 text fee- Great price! Register here.

Saturday January 21 at Fitness Flow 7946 Market St. Wilmington, NC. This is a LADIES ONLY gym!

• 9am-2pm. Mat Pilates certification- study guide/notes are included.
• this certification includes a lecture of study materials to prepare you for the exam, hands-on training and Pilates movements and a written test.
• cost is $99 plus the $20 text fee. Register here.

Sunday January  22 at Camden Overlook Complex, 4703 Summit Overlook Dr. Raleigh NC.

• 11am-5pm. Personal Trainer Certification- study guide/notes are included. IFTA Safety Requirement or CPR is required!
• this certification includes a lecture of study materials to prepare you for the exam
• cost is $99 plus the $30 text fee- Register here.

*IF YOU REGISTER FOR BOTH THE GROUP EXERCISE AND PERSONAL TRAINER CERTIFICATIONS, YOU’LL PAY $175 PLUS TEXTS!!

If you’re in the Raleigh and Wilmington area, HURRY and register for these upcoming opportunities! This is a great time of year for fitness!!

 

 

Your New IFTA Blogger!

Remember Raleigh Fitness Weekend? I’ve been in contact and asked if I could blog about upcoming events, certifications, presenters and more….they agreed! THIS IS SO EXCITING!

As I get the information, I’ll blog about where the event(s) will take place, what certifications are available and the cost, which presenters will be there and anything else I can get my hands on! Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to attend local events and take pictures, write reviews of the classes and interact with the participants to better serve them. Fingers crossed!

A little IFTA background..

Interactive Fitness Trainers of America is both a certification and continuing education company that educates fitness enthusiasts with the basic instruction and understanding necessary to become instructors and trainers. Their mission:

To educate participants on safe, effective exercise.  In dedication to lifetime health and fitness, it is IFTA’s desire to service the instructor by giving them the tools needed to develop all components of fitness.  Our focus is to promote positive interaction between the fitness professional and IFTA so that we can service our clients while providing the most advanced choreography and educational programs available.

This is a great opportunity and I can’t wait to start this week! Stay tuned!

 Greg Sims and I!

I Hate It When I Do That..

I came back to Raleigh last night and had absolutely NO food in my kitchen! Not even scraps to make breakfast, so this morning I headed to Starbucks for oatmeal and my skinny caramel, extra-extra-extra hot, no foam latte (all in one breath; the last extra really assures them you mean bidness!). They really love me there :). I worked on some things for school and got organized for the semester to start Monday-crazy to think this is my last semester as an undergrad at NC State!

Next stop-the grocery store. I picked up my essentials and realized they had a ton of produce on sale! If you live in Raleigh/Cary/Gardner, go to Kroger! I love Kroger because you earn fuel perks; we have this in Pittsburgh and it saves my family tons of money- great for students who need a little help at the pump. One of my favorite sandwiches is from Jimmy Johns so I made sure to buy ingredients to semi-copy it:

• 9-grain bread
• avocado spread
• alfalfa sprouts*
• turkey breast
• sliced cucumbers
• provolone cheese
• lettuce
• tomato
• mayo

*Alfalfa sprouts are a member of the pea family and pack a big nutritional-punch when added to sandwiches or salads. Sprouts are the ONLY plant that contain all vitamins (A, B & B-12, C, E, K) and minerals.

The weather has been B-E-A-utiful the past two days so I took advantage of it and went for a long-ish run; except I forgot to change into my running shoes..I HATE IT WHEN I DO THAT! When I noticed I wasn’t wearing the right shoes, it was too late to go back and change – on with my run. The result? A tender, teeny-tiny blister that irritated me enough to actually stop (usually I would run through the pain) and fix my sock.

Lesson learned!

When do you say “I hate it when I do that?”