Baked Stuffed Life: November 2013

I woke before the alarm this morning. I use the term "woke" loosely as in order to wake one must have been asleep and sleep is elusive. Why? Who knows, it's just not part of the plan these days. I hurt and I mean everywhere. Its not a complaint but rather, a fact. I just hurt everywhere and I wonder how I'll get out of bed this morning. Yesterday was day one in the weight room. My daily workouts have consisted of classes--TRX, Tabata, Muscle Conditioning, Butts and Guts and on the off days cardio--Intervals, StairMaster, Rowing, Bike. I hate cardio. The only people who don't hate cardio are runners and I'm NOT a runner. I think I've squeezed about as much muscle definition as I can out of the classes so it's time to change it up again. I discussed this with my trainer, Chris Engel, and, of course, she's got a plan for me. Back into the weight room we go.

I worked my back and my abs yesterday-- with a few legs in the mix because the machine was there and I couldn't resist--and I can feel it, really feel it. Its pain but honestly it hurts so good. If you work out you understand that pain and you like it just as much as I do. That pain means you did something and that something gets you one step closer to your goal. That pain means accomplishment. I want more of that if you please. Chris will be designing a variety of weight training workouts for me and then she'll set me loose in the gym. I'll be on my own for a few weeks and then she and I will reconvene, probably take more measurements and then I'll get a new set of workouts and the process begins again.

While my workouts will be intensely weight training driven, I won't abandon the classes completely, I'll weave them in along with the cardio. When I train with weights, stretching becomes so much more important so I'll need to make use of classes that support lengthening and strengthening. Yoga and Pilates are perfect for that. Better yet, Chris's Barre class is perfect for that. It combines dance, Pilates and yoga techniques. I've taken it on occasion and loved it. She's also incorporated some Barre into the other classes she offers and it really makes a difference. You feel longer, you feel stronger.

Barre is a total body workout. Position, posture and core strength are important. Control is important. Focus and mind/body connection are important. Barre incorporates all of these elements while stretching and lengthening your body.

I need it today. I need that stretch and there's a Wednesday class at noon at Streamline Strength. Change up and Meet Me at the Barre............

XO
Michelle

+My Baked Stuffed Life
+Michelle Morrissette Cucchiaro

Baked Stuffed Life

Monday, November 11, 2013

Wolf

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Meet Me at the Barre