Here is my workout recap from the week:
MONDAY - Pure Barre class
TUESDAY - Planned: Yoga class. Actual: Rest (was trying to meet a deadline at work).
WEDNESDAY - Zumba class
THURSDAY - Pure Barre class
FRIDAY - Yoga class
SATURDAY - Pure Barre class
SUNDAY - Pure Barre class
- I am starting to burn out on all these barre classes (which have gotten noticeably more crowded after January 1). The moves are so challenging and the classes really never get easier. Contributing to the burnout, I think I've plateaued on strength improvements. I think the physical changes have been marginal this time around, too. Admittedly I will be happy to switch things up after my membership ends in two weeks.
- Would you believe that I've still logged a grand total of ZERO running miles in 2016? This clearly needs to change soon.
- Interestingly, every single workout I did this week was a fitness class. It wasn't so long ago that I used to much prefer working out on my own over taking classes. Funny how things change over time. I definitely appreciate how working out with others can help you really push yourself.
- After giving in to the craze and buying a tub of protein powder, it wasn't working for me to make hand-mixed shakes. I could never get all the clumps out. So I finally bought one of those plastic shaker bottles with the metal agitator. I'll be testing it out this week. Would it be bad to add whipped cream on top?
On a non-workout note...
After my old favorite Chicago Blackhawks player, Brandon Saad, departed the team last summer, I needed to find a new favorite this year.
I have officially found him: #72, Artemi Panarin.
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Off the ice, I love that Artemi seems so humble and down to earth while also being really personable and funny. I think he is as cute as a button, too!
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Sad side story: When I buy player jerseys, they tend to not stick around for very long afterwards. (Exhibit 1: Antti Niemi. Exhibit 2: Brandon Saad.) Therefore, I really hope Artemi Panarin will end that pattern for me!
[End fangirl blurt]
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I am not surprised you are getting burned out after all those classes! Props for going so much, though. Does the routine change from class to class? If not, that could be why you're stalling in improvement.
ReplyDeleteI use a shaker or the blender when using protein powder. Both work really well!
Thanks Kim! The barre classes are all based on a general structure, i.e. warm-up, arms, thighwork, seatwork, abwork, glutework, stretching. But the actual exercises do change every single class. And they're like yoga poses in that you can make them endlessly harder as you get more experienced. I think I'm developing a little bit of a mental block, too, since I KNOW how hard each class will be. I wouldn't call it dread, but definitely a minor feeling of apprehension, you know?
DeleteYay for a shaker! I thought about using a blender but I'm too lazy to do all the clean-up afterwards, LOL.
I use a Ninja blender for my shakes (they are more smoothies with protein powder). Love the zero mile race cartoon! I bet lots of people would do that one! :)
ReplyDeleteI have a Ninja blender, too! Love it but don't particularly enjoy cleaning it. =D LOL on the zero-mile race! That would be a sell-out for sure, I agree!
DeleteI like hitting up a class now and then, but largely prefer working out on my own.
ReplyDeleteNever tried a shaker blender but I can see why it would work well...
Working out on your own is really great time to think, yes? Sometimes our days are so busy that's working out can be the ONLY time of the day we can hear ourselves think. =)
DeleteWhen I finally got a player jersey for my hockey team, he was in a loooong contract dispute. I finally got the jersey I wanted, and he almost left :-/ I still would've worn it.
ReplyDeleteWhich hockey jersey did you get? I agree on still wearing the jerseys of players departed!!! The jerseys are too expensive to take lightly! Plus I think it shows you are a long-time loyal fan when you're wearing an "old" jersey. =)
DeleteIt was Fedorov. Since it was before his contract holdout, it has the A.
DeleteAhhhh, Fedorov is a CLASSIC!!! GOOD CHOICE!!!
DeleteGreat Blackhawks game last night! I still haven't tried a Barre class & I need more running in my life. It's hard with a baby.
ReplyDeleteYou had some AMAZING seats last night!!! What a fantastic game to see in person!!! You've got so many things to balance that I can imagine how hard it must be to find the time to do all the things you want! Here is hoping you are able to get more running in!!!
DeleteGreat job hitting the fitness classes last week! Shaker bottles will definitely help take the clumps out, but sometimes I still notice little clumps if I did not shake it enough. ;) Hubby loves the Blackhawks since he grew up in suburb not too far from Chicago. We even went to our first hockey game with them vs. the Anaheim Ducks last November. It was a great game and the Blackhawks won! Hope you get your jersey in time and have fun at the game!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sharon! You are absolutely right about the residual little clumps - I tried mine out for the first time last night and had that problem! What a small world that your hubby grew up in the Chicago suburbs! Glad he is staying loyal to his hometown team. =) How cool that you got to see a local game in Anaheim - I know the Hawks always draw well at away stadiums. Go Blackhawks!!!!!
DeleteYou're not the only one with zero miles for 2016. Ahem. I even got a reminder from Daily Mile about how my friends miss me. A couple more days, and I"m going to try the foot again. I'm not super optimistic tho.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Wendy! If Daily Mile could only remember the bad-ass mileage you just posted from 2015! I hope your foot heals quickly so your first run of the year feels good!!!
DeleteThe mere fact that his name is Artemi makes him my favorite. How cool is that name? Interesting about the Barre. I don't blame you one bit for not running. A break is good!
ReplyDeleteI love the name Artemi, too. =) I giggle when I hear the broadcasters talk about Artem (Anisomov) and Artemi (Panarin). What are the odds? Yay for running breaks (as long as they are truly just that - breaks - as opposed to permanent ends, haha)!
DeleteI've been considering taking the plunge into the protein powder world. Up to this point I've always been a bit skeptical about it (and I suppose I am still a bit skeptical as to my need for one), but since I've started working out in the morning, I'm finding it's quite difficult to eat while getting ready after my workout, and I'm thinking protein shakes may solve that problem. We have more blender-like devices than you can shake a stick at in my apartment (though no actual blender, believe it or not. We've got a Magic Bullet, a Ninja, and two food processors, but no real blender), but like others have said, cleaning those things is a PAIN, and that's usually enough to keep me from actually wanting to do something that requires a blender haha.
ReplyDeleteBethany @ Accidental Intentions
It took me a LONG time to get on board with the protein powder craze. I'd seen countless bloggers posting every recipe imaginable with protein powder embedded inside, you too? I'll be honest that part of the reason I like the protein powder so far is because it's chocolate so it feels like a quasi-dessert. =) I'm with you on the frustration of cleaning all those blenders/processors, too - and I'll be honest that the shaker cup requires some elbow grease too. What we all really need is someone to clean up after us with no judgement. =D
DeleteLadies! I have your answer: Legion protein powder. It's super fine and I don't even need to use a shaker bottle with it. I save empty peanut butter/almond butter jars and use those. And I have several so I can put them in the dishwasher afterward :-) I find that half a scoop of powder plus one cup of milk works best. If you use a whole scoop it tends to stay clumpy. Also, trust me, protein power will help keep you from being as sore after a hard workout! But the only thing I've ever made with it besides a smoothie or mixing it with milk is adding it to pancakes. I'm not adding it to everything under the sun.
DeleteThanks for the recommendation! I love the idea of using old peanut butter jars as shakers, then putting them in the dishwasher. The easier we can make the process, the better!!!!!
DeleteI'm loving the blackhawks extra recently :) And I do miss Saad, but this team is looking good!
ReplyDeleteWhen you say Blackhawks Extra, you're talking about the TV show on Comcast, yes? Assuming so, I have it set to tape on my DVR but I'm behind on watching all the episodes! Time to catch up. And YES, it's such a pleasant surprise to see the team looking so good after all of the turnover from last year!!!
DeleteNot a mile!!! Good for you for getting the urge to run because I sure haven't had that urge in quite some time!!! I think it's healthy to feel the urge. =) I am with you on hating cleaning the blender, I'm already annoyed just having to clean the shaker cup! LOL
ReplyDeleteSince I'm considering getting my personal training certification I'd be happy to join you in the gym or help you come up with some workouts if you want to mix things up with the strength training!
ReplyDeleteThat would be awesome, Erin! Thanks so much! On a side note, I'm going to have a new challenge thrown into the mix in a few months. My business unit's sale is closing pretty soon and afterwards I'll no longer have free gym access. =( Time to start considering new gym options...
DeleteBoo! Are you guys moving buildings are just losing access because you'll no longer be working for the company that owns the gym?
DeleteBoth. All of us are moving to the new company's building across the river, and the new company does not offer a free gym. =(
DeleteSad. I'd say you could join my gym but I don't think the Merch Mart would be that convenient for you.
DeleteThanks for thinking of it but yeah, Merch Mart isn't the best location. I'm starting to think about the FFC on Clinton, but I've heard such mixed reviews about it!
DeleteThe FFC on Clinton is beautiful but, yes, there are a lot of people who go there just to hang out and not really work out. I honestly only ever used the pool there on Friday afternoons when I used to get off work early (and this was almost 4 years ago). But, really, I don't care what other people are doing as long as I can get to what I need.
DeleteI think that is the beauty of being in control of your workouts. If something is not working for you anymore, then change and do something else. I felt like I was getting burnt out during the last few weeks of my marathon training. I want to start back with some classes, maybe spin again, maybe outside biking, just not running all the time. I still do my strength training and I think there is enough variation there to always be able to do that. I hope you find what works for you. :)
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree on the beauty of being our own bosses when it comes to working out! Marathon training is a GRIND. I've long believed that you really have to WANT it in order to go through the months of hard training. It takes a lot, both mentally and physically, to focus on one goal for that long! Hurray for spinning and biking and strength training to keep the mix interesting. I hope you are recovering well from Disney!
DeleteThat is a lot of Pure Barre! Let me know how you like the protein powder. I haven't jumped on that bandwagon yet. But if it works, I'd be all in. Do you plan to start running soon?
ReplyDeleteNow you've given Panarin every reason to leave. LOL. How old is he? He looks like a kid. Thanks for linking with us Emily!
I'm liking the protein powder more so because it tastes like dessert than the health benefits. =D In all seriousness, though, I do like how the protein shakes keep me from feeling hungry when the mid- or late-afternoon doldrums hit. It helps prevent me from pigging out as soon as I get home from work! I plan on easing back into running starting this week. =)
DeleteWould you believe that Artemi Panarin is 24??? He's got the most adorable baby face, doesn't he? He's amazing both on and off the ice!!!
How are you liking your plastic bottle with the metal agitator? I have a Blendtec and yes they're a pain to clean but love it when I make s shake/smoothie with fruit.
ReplyDeleteNo miles yet for you this year? Girl!!! Get MOVING!!!
I'm liking the shaker bottle! I've learned that I really have to shake it to no end, to the point where my arms hurt, to fully agitate all the powder. It's a nice little tool! I need to experiment with fruit smoothies in the shaker, too.
DeleteYou'll be happy to know that I finally logged my first 3.1 miles of the year this past Monday, LOL. Way to tear it up, right?