Because tree...

Under normal circumstances, there are two exercise bikes in my living room, my dear spin bike and Brent’s recumbent bike.  (I realize that not everyone would make this decorating decision, but I have priorities.  Also, Brent’s bike is too big to go through any other doorway in the house, so I don’t have much choice about his.)  However, in December, my spin bike moves to my studio because it needs to make way for the Christmas tree (which actually lives in the living room year round, just in the steamer trunk next to the couch for the other eleven months).  As I mentioned, I have priorities.

What this means is that I get a different view from the saddle.  It’s not like I’m unfamiliar with the studio since I work there and all, but I’m used to staring at the same part of my house while pedaling away.  It’s a small shift, but it does actually make me think slightly differently.

What else might we shift slightly to get a new perspective?  It doesn’t take wheeling a spin bike through the house, getting your kid to help you lug it down the back stairs safely, and steering it into the studio to change things up, but maybe throwing down the yoga mat in a different room or taking it outside can open new possibilities.  Trying a new route for a run or walk or bike ride outside can do the same, as can testing out a different instructor or sport or activity.  Let’s make it a little new, just for fun. 

Monday Workout: Back!

Now that we’re all rested up from our holiday weekend, it’s time to get back to work.  This week we have kettle bells, which are always good for both building muscle and getting the heart rate up, plus some work with the Bosu to keep us working on our stability and balance.  Just for fun, we are also doing the barbell twist because it’s a fun way to work our oblique abdominals.  Three rounds!

kb swings	30
kb 1 leg pass or twist	20
kb 8s	10
plyo/reg/mod jacks	30
rows	20
kickbacks	10
Bosu or reg step ups	30
Bosu or reg curls	20
barbell twist	10

Thanks!

It is, of course, time to give thanks!  Here are ten things I am thankful for in a fitness context:

1.     My clients.  They honor me by letting me work with their bodies and brains.  They push me and teach me and inspire me.

2.     My colleagues.  I work alone in my studio, but I’m part of a community of fitness professionals who generously share their friendship, expertise, and humor with me.

3.     My body.  It is easy to complain about my body, which, not surprisingly, is not perfect.  I have injuries and limitations.  I am not getting younger.  And yet, my body persists and learns and grows.  It does what I ask it to do and responds when I treat it with love.

4.     My bikes.  (Yes, I have two outside bikes and a spin bike because I am lucky like that.)  Nothing makes me feel better than pedaling.  I particularly love riding outside, but when that is not possible, I am grateful for my trusty spin bike’s ability to lift my mood and help my body.

5.     Joe Pilates, wherever he is.  Weird old Uncle Joe has taught me so much about how to make bodies work more effectively and hurt less.

6.     Foam rollers, yoga tune-up balls, lacrosse balls, and massage.  When I overdo or I get stuck in a car for a long time or just wake up stiff, there is nothing like the tools and techniques of myofascial release to make me feel better.

7.     Swimming.  I love it like I love my bikes, but wetter.  Also:  hot tubs.

8.     The prettiest weights ever.  I like the feeling of power I get from lifting weights and when I use my colorful plates on my Olympic bar, it’s even better.

9.     The internet.  I love that I have access to so many experts and so much good information.  (I don’t love the bogus stuff, of course.)  At a click, I can get high-quality information on all kinds of conditions, fresh ideas for workouts, details on form, and so much more!

10.  Food.  Bodies run on fuel.  I am thankful that our fuel is so often tasty and wonderful!

Wishing everyone the best of everything on this very thankful Thanksgiving!