Class-en-masse

Day 24.

Another day with Coco-san sweating my butt off and losing my balance! It doesn't get any better than that, well it can. That is if you're there with all your friends! So it's Coco and Tess, Kristin, Janna, our lovely Kate and potential hires! Now that is class-en-masse!! And that's how we doe it honolululemon style! Work hard, play hard...and Sweat Once A Day, together!!

Day 24. Done!

You know the routine. Thursday 6am crossfit at hardass!!

Dripping Sweat!

Day 23.

I started my day off today with some pilates, a private class with Jill. It was a very hard class, a lot of micro movements targeting specific muscle groups that you don't use very often. Jill calls these dead zones, which can easily be awaken, especially by her awesome moves.  She really targets those dead zones and oh, don't you worry, you feel them with every move you do.  As soon as the practice started I felt them and I my body was warming up.  Sweat started to roll down the side of my face, damn! I haven't sweat in her studio like that in months.  My body usually gets heated, but nothing like today.  It felt like I was doing a crossfit workout I was sweating so much...I was literally DRIPPING SWEAT!

But it's all worth it! It's great to be back practicing with Jill.  I missed her and all her equipment!! Today we used the tower, the chair, the ball, along with all her props that she incorporates too. We did it all, except the reformer.  I was like a kid in a toy store, so many toys to play with!!!

All I know is that Jill's fusion of yoga and pilates is unreal and it's a MUST!!! If you haven't been to her yoga class or studio.....GO! Humu Yoga and Pilates, her private studio or she teaches at Aloha Yoga Kula.  She is AWESOME!

Day 23. Done!

Running and Yoga tomorrow....Coco's 6:15pm Vinyasa Flow class @ Diamond Head Yoga.

Be there!

C-O-C-O

Day 22.

Vinyasa flow with C-O-C-O!! My first time taking her vinyasa class, oh man she makes you sweat. I absolutely loved her class, I couldn't help but laugh and smile as Coco took us through her core series at the end of the class.  She just sits in the front of the class with her legs up, arms straight, and talking with a huge grin on her face.  I don't know how she does it. She makes the core series look so easy, and I struggle throughout the entire series trying to keep my legs and arm straight.  It's just a fun class with great energy. I love it!

Coco has a true passion for yoga and it shines through into her teaching.  She gives amazing adjustments throughout the practice, getting you deeper into your practice.  Don't be fooled by her size, she is ridiculously strong! Check her out at Diamond Head Yoga or show up to one of her classes.  Next class is Wednesday at 6:15pm.  Be prepared to sweat and get worked... a lot of balance and strength! You'll love it!

Day 22. Done!

Back to pilates with Jill.... can't wait!!

Power House Fitness Insanity!

Day 21.
3 weeks baby!!

I have survived 3 weeks, although it feels like forever.  Working out or engaging in some type of physical activity every day has become a habit for me now.  I put it in my schedule, look for new classes, and workout with friends! And the most exiting part is that it's ALL soo much FUN!

Today, I went to class at Power House Fitness Pearl Kai with Susan and Millie, hardcore athletes and lululemon addicts!  Power House has a really nice set up, nice equipment and very functional fitness rooms.  This mornings class was an insanity style class, and yes, it was insane. Our instructor Yuko had us pushing it, working our butts off and sweat-ING!  I was breathing hard after warm-up, and we still had 11 stations with cardio in between each, I was a mess from the get go.  Mind you, it didn't help that I could feel yesterday's WOD as I did Yuko's exercises.  But hey, I'm starting to like the feeling!  Yuko's energy and music definitely carried the class, she had it bumpin' up in there.  As for me, there was no room for smiling, talking, or laughing, I was concentrating way too hard just trying to make it through each station and cardio set...oh, and did mention there were burpees today too!  Man there is no escaping them for me!! It's okay I am learning to embrace them...haha!

Well, I had fun, got a great workout in, and enjoyed my day off!! It's so nice getting the workout done in the morning because you have the rest of the day to enjoy...aaaawwww, love it!

Now, it's time for bed and a new week of classes! Tomorrow is Coco's vinyasa flow. Never done it before, I'm sure it'll be amazing!

Day 21. Done!

Burpees and Box Jumps

Day 20.

Today started with some smooth moves taught by Egan Inoue and Corrie from eStudio. They held an in-store Women's Self Defense class at lululemon Ala Moana. There are no words to describe all the FUN we had in that class.  The pictures will say it all, like they say "a picture is worth a thousands words" and we're serious about that.  Jack captured some good photos of all of us (Danyelle, Coco, Jackie, and I) taking each other down with the moves Egan and Corrie taught us.  Whoever would have thought that self defense class could be sooo much fun?! I didn't, until today!

After work I went to Jack and Danyelle's for another training session, and Maile joined us! It was fun as usual...chatting, laughing, laughing some more, and then doing the workout! Oops, forgot about the warm-up and workout part. Danyelle and I end up laughing and talking story that we forget to talk while we do our warm-up.  We like the filipino squat! It looks like we're doing something. Haha, just kidding! But seriously, it's always a great time.  It's family style when you work out with them.  I love it!

Here was the WOD:
10 Burpees
10 Box Jumps
*5 rounds for time!

First rounds we were smiling and laughing all of that stopped after that. From round 2 on we were silent, all you could hear was our breathing...breathing hard! It was a tough workout, and it kicked my butt.  I felt my legs the first set of 10 box jumps, I knew from there it was going to be an ass kicker...literally! I'll let you know how my body feels about it tomorrow. But, no matter how tough the workout I'm always glad I did it after! And to top it all off Maile had us cracking up after, which was a workout all in itself.  If you haven't seen her cheerleading moves, it's a must!! (Jack will catch on film one of these days and we'll share it!).

I'll have pictures from today's training that will show how beat I was during and after the workout!

Day 20. Done!

Tomorrow is an insanity style workout at Power House! I don't know what I'm getting myself into. It should be fun, if not there is always Coco's yoga class...another butt kicker!

It's Never Too Late!

Day 19.

So I got carried away this morning with everything that I completely forgot to get my workout in.  I woke up and spent quality time with my parents over coffee, just sipping coffee and talking story outside (doesn't happen often, so I gotta enjoy it when I have the chance).  After that I got caught up cleaning my room, finishing up my laundry, and rearranging my room.  Before I knew it I had to get ready for work and I hadn't worked out...holy crap! My only option was doing it at 11pm at night, sounds like fun!  Working closing shift and then going home to do a workout isn't that appealing, at least to me its not.  I've gotten this far into the challenge I was going to make sure that I did something physically active.

As soon as I got home from work I changed clothes, grabbed my dog and went for a bike ride around Lanikai.  And guess what, it was a full moon.  It wasn't too late for me to do something active, to get me out and moving...It's never too late!  It was so relaxing and peaceful riding the bike.  What a major stress reliever.  I felt so calm and relaxed after the bike ride.  I wanted more and the moon was shinning so brightly that I grabbed my yoga mat and did a home practice.  Oh it was so beautiful! I put some India Arie and Lauryn Hill on and started with sun salutations working on lengthening my hamstrings.  They're so tight from crossfit. It was the perfect setting for a personal practice, and I enjoyed it so much.  I'm glad I didn't give, and actually got out and did something even if its a home practice and a short bike ride...I got up, got out, and got moving (at 11 in the evening...no problem).

Now it's time for bed. It's late!

Day 19, Done!

8am Women's Self Defense Class with Egan Inoue...and then fun with Jack and Danyelle, and Jack's adorable family! Can't wait!

Rise and Shine!

Day 18.

Today was our weekly dose of Hardass Fitness with Coach John.  We had some new faces join us for the workout. Millie, one of lululemon's regulars and who is in amazing shape, and Maria, one of our newest educators who was a champ today.  It was a fun filled workout...with a whole-lotta legs!

WOD 9/23

23 toes to the wall

23 good mornings

23 squats

23 lunges

x4 for time... 15:22!

Just made it through the workout. My lower abdominal and back were killing me on the toes to the wall. Talk about serious engagement and control.  At work I could feel my hamstrings, they were hurtin'! We'll see how I feel tomorrow.  In pain and in desperate need of some yoga, i'm guessing. Yoga could be fun tomorrow, or it could be like the last time where I could barely place my fingertips on the ground.  All I want is to be able to touch the ground this time!!

It was nice to get the workout done early in the morning.  Waking up is the hardest part, but once you rise and shine everything is easy.  You have the WHOLE day to do things, get things done, and actually take time for yourself without being rushed.

Thinking about it, I got a lot done today.  It was a very productive day... Workout, clean my car, laundry, cook lunch & dinner (quinoa with tomatoes, onions, and garlic. De-lish!), clean my room.  WOW, that's impressive.

6am classes and getting shit done. Hmmmmmm...what a concept!!!

Day 18, Done!

Looks like a yoga day tomorrow, or maybe a run, or maybe both. Endless possibilities!

Ai, Ho`opuka E Ka La Ma Ka Hikina

Day 17. Back to my roots.

Going back to my roots, my culture.  It was hula today! Yup. I finally got my butt back to hula.  It's been a while since I've been back to class, and I've been wanting to go ever since I got home from college. It's just hard to fit it into my schedule, especially with work and working the night shift.  Hula is every Monday and Wednesday evening, so I try to make it when I can.  And today just happened to work out perfectly! No closing shift.  Uncle Richard, my uncle and Kumu, is home and was teaching so I thought I'd pay him a little visit!

An art form so unique to our Hawaiian culture.

I forgot how much I enjoy dancing hula, the story telling part... no so much the training.  It was back to basics though, the first half of class was all kaholo's, `uwehe's, and all that good stuff.  Just talk about burning thighs....seriously! Well, once we got through basics and started going through songs (and actually started to remember them) I was back to doing what I love, which is dancing! 

Now i'm going to kaholo on out of here and go moe moe (sleep)!

a hui hou (until we meet again).

Day 17. Done!

tomorrow is 6am crossfit with my lulu girls!

Drink Fresh Water.

Day 16.

Wake up this morning my head pounding and my throat sore, my body just felt like crap.  I've been noticing my body fatigue very quickly during classes and workouts. My throat sore, headaches come and go, and my body physically exhausted. I've been on the go lately; work, meetings, class, e-mails, blogging, etc. There are just not enough hours in a day.  I haven't been getting much sleep, and I haven't been drinking enough water. I'm starting to get sick...I feel it.  What I really need to sleep and drink A LOT of fresh water!

So trying to fight this cold I found myself sleeping practically ALL day. Luckily it was my day off (well, Jury duty), but I had time to listen to my body and SLEEP!  Woke up at 1 this afternoon, and went down for another 3 hour nap later that evening.  It was a much needed rest to break my fever...just sweating it off.  But when I woke up, around 7pm, I knew that I had to get some kind of exercise in. So I thought why not a late night run/walk with my dog. Perfect!

A beautiful night's sky.

A gorgeous night, moon shinning brightly and cool onshore breeze.  

Nahla, our fat-so girl, pooped out!

Day 16. Done!

Hip. Low Back. Shoulders.

Day 15.

BUSY BUSY DAY...had just enough time to get an awesome yoga class in by Jessica Reuter at Open Space.  It was called Hip, Low Back, and Shoulders, the name says it all! My hips were so opened it was awesome!

Not much time to blog...but I got it in.  Hey, you do what you can.  Just make sure to get it in, it is always worth the time!

Day 15. Done!

But It's Football Sunday...

Today was such a hard day for me to get motivated and get moving.  Of course I was being a lazy butt and didn't want to do anything. I wanted to sit on the couch and watch football, something I rarely have time to do and today seemed like the perfect day.

I rolled out of bed feeling every muscle aching in my body, I was officially grandma status.  My body felt like that, all the aches and pains, but good aches and pains of course.  Because I knew I got a good workout in yesterday.  But none of that mattered today, I just wanted to be a couch potato and watch football!

There was something inside of me telling me to just hurry up and get it done, I'll feel so much better about it.  It's only going to be 45 minutes at the most.  So I put my shoes on, got my music going, and just did it! The hardest part for me is always getting myself to actually get moving, once I'm moving I'm golden...having a blast!

And so my journey began... 

Just making my way through Kailua Beach Park

Partly cloudy with a light breeze. It made it that much more enjoyable!

I stop every time to embrace this gorgeous view. It never gets old.
And I know I'm almost done. Picture then I'm headed home.

Nothing beats running outside, or just being outside. The smell of salt air. The sun shinning through the clouds. The ocean breeze.

Football can wait...that's why there's DVR! Enjoy the sun while it's out.

Day 14. Done!

It's been two weeks!

Zumba. Yoga. Fitness Gone Bad!

Day 13.

Today started with a Zumba class at Kailua Movement Studio with Coco.  I personally have a hard time doing zumba because I end up watching everyone and forget to do the moves too.  Ooops, sorry! I can't help it I get distracted easily.  After, Coco and I went to the Contemporary Museum for some yoga on their absolutely gorgeous outdoor terrace. It's awesome!

Before we set up the mats.

I was pooped after my yoga session with Coco, man she makes you hold your postures.  But you can't beat the setting.  It was a beautiful day to practice yoga outside, perfect weather with a few misty rainfalls here and there, which added to the overall experience of practicing yoga outdoors. I was ready for a nap after this practice...I didn't want to get out of savasana (corpse pose).

So, I headed home for a quick nap before i got my butt kicked at Jack and Danyelle's house.  They train out of their home, check it out fitness gone bad.  We had all the girls working out today, even his nieces...I love it! Its the best way to work out, with family and whole lot of laughing! Not to mention that his niece, Halie, does amazing burpees and she's only in 5th grade.  Training 'em young! 

Danyelle and Aunty Flora lululemon'd out.

It was a great workout. Danyelle and I did the workout together, and of course couldn't help but have a few laughs in between sets.  Aunty Flora breezed through her workout in no time, what a champ! I was breathing heavily and my arms were fatigued by the first exercise (75 burpees) and it was only the beginning.  This was our WOD:

75 Burpees

60 AB Mat sit-ups

50 Kettle Bell Swings

40 Ring Pulls

30 Push-ups 

That's it.... no big deal!  Yah right... I was dying!!

Not so sure I made it off the ground after number 5 with 70 more to go!

Aunty Flora showing us how its done!

Kettle Bell Swings.

"its a workout just holding your arms up" -Lauren

Oh the joys of working out!

It was so much fun, and can't wait for round 3. It really is fun when you're surrounded by great company, and a glass of Danyelle's sweet and refreshing iced tea to cool off!

It doesn't get any better then this -- Coco's yoga class & fitness gone bad 'ohana style!!

Thank you Danyelle and Jack!

Day 13. Done!

A Beautiful Class. A Beautiful Day.

Day 12.

Sometimes its hard to fit in a workout.  Thatʻs exactly what today was like for me.  As soon as I woke up I had a to-do list going on in my head: work, e-mails, groceries, and the list goes on.  I felt like I had so much to do that I didnʻt even know when Iʻd be able to get my workout in.  I could get up and go for a run, or I could take advantage of the unlimited classes we have offered to us at work this week. Workout for free? Why not?!

So, I pulled up the schedule for Aloha Yoga Kula in Kailua.  Itʻs so convenient, at least it is for me, and because I absolutely heart the kula! If youʻve never been there, itʻs a must. You need to check it out. A beautiful garden setting, amazing teachers, great classes and awesome energy!

Looking at the schedule I see that I missed Martinʻs class, which left me with Brigitteʻs Gentle Yoga class or Jillʻs Lunch Flow.  Both Brigitte and Jill are amazing teachers, who both share a great love for yoga! I wanted to take both classes, although I knew that Jillʻs class was cutting it way too close for work. So Brigitteʻs class it was.  And to my surprise she packs it in! The 10:15am class was packed with people, and I got the pleasure of practicing with friends who just so happened to be there for the class as well.  What a pleasant surprise! Donʻt let the name of the class fool you.  It was Gentle Yoga, but gently yoga does get your whole body warmed from the inside out.  Lengthening and strengthening all the muscles in the body.  I really got deep into my hips and hamstrings, which was much needed after all the cycling, hiking, and cross-fit Iʻve done over the past few days.  Plus, Brigitteʻs class is always so beautiful, setting the tone for the rest of the day.  

A beautiful yoga practice and an amazing closing crew at work makes for a great day!! 

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do" - Rumi 

Day 12. Done!

Tomorrow is Zumba, Yoga, and Cross-fit...Get excited!!

Sleep. Gyro. Shave Ice!

Day 11.

What a day! Sleep till 12:30pm, gyrotonics at 3:30pm, and then Shave Ice.  Could it get any better than that?!

If you don't know what Gyrotonics is don't worry neither did I till today. Gyro is based off of the principles of Gyrokinesis that integrates yoga, tai chi, dance, and sports while maintaining it own original system.  The body is stimulated and worked gradually through fluid repetitious movements, each exercise series individually progressing in range of movement, intensity, and speed.

Gyrotonic equipment.

OMG...soo much fun! Fluid motions, it's like a dancing pilates class. Bringing out the inner dancer!! Fabe and I started with warming up our spine, lengthening and creating space.  Then we went to our legs doing quivers to awaken all the muscles in our legs before we started the leg series.  After we opened our shoulders with dance like movements using the straps, really opening our chest and shoulders.  We ended with some standing exercises.  It was definitely a great workout, awakening every muscle in the body.  All the movements that we did really created heat inside the body, I was working up a sweat in the studio.  My body was warming up for sure!!  I felt awkward and uncoordinated while first going through the motions because it is very dancer-like, but that was the fun part about it. Can't wait for the next class. 

Definitely a new addiction!

And then after class Fabe took me to get the BEST shave ice ever at Samira's Country Market.  Homemade mango and haupia syrup, which was absolutely AMAZING!!! A nice little cool down to end the day!

Samira's Country Market - Haupia and Mango

Now, I'm ready for bed. I need more rest to get me through week 2...almost there!

Day 11. DONE!

Wake Up. It's Worth It!

Day 10.

Pheeww, it's been a long day.  I'm running off of four hours of sleep and am exhausted.  This morning I woke up 4:45 a.m. to go to Rima's Spin class at 24hr Waikiki with Coco, Jackie, and Tess.  As exhausted as I am right now, I'm glad I woke up because it was totally worth it.  That class kicked my butt...seriously!

But then again, who wouldn't want to wake up at 4:45 in the morning if...

...this was their view?

 ...and they worked out with amazing people?

Not me! I'm soooooo there.

Great people. Great music. Breathtaking view.

and 

an AMAZING instructor.  

Great class Rim-sters. I definitely got my sweat on. Thighs and butt on fire! 

Next class Monday morning at 6am. Who will be there?!

No one said it would be easy, they just said it'd be worth it! 

Day 10. Done!

Totally exhausted...ready for bed!

Release and Let Go.

Day 9.

It's Tuesday and you know what that means...it's class with Jill!! And today I had a partner.  Leslie came with me for the first time EVER, and we got on the reformers.  They are the best invention ever, you can do practically anything on them.  Today we worked a lot of back bends, focusing on inner thighs and releasing the tension out of the shoulders and engaging more of the back muscles. And I walked away from class feeling my back muscles and inner thighs...burn baby burn!

First, to really get deep into the practice you need to release and let go, then squeeze and engage! By doing so you can get deep and feel the difference in every pose, the whole dynamic of the pose changes.  This translates off the mat too, sometimes in life we need to release and let go before we engage.  Creating a light from within that allows us to grow from the inside out, exactly what we do in our practice. So, take with you the light you've created within and let it shine through. Release and Let go!


Namaste.

Day 9. Done!

6am spin class here we come! It's another class-en-masse and Rima will be teaching! It's going to be a KICK butt class...I'm pumped! (so, it's bed time. I gotta get up soon)

Plan Ahead. Pencil It In!

Day 8.

I made it to week 2...yay!! 

Now that wasn't my immediate reaction, a feeling of excitement and enthusiasm, as I thought about working out this morning.  Instead I felt completely exhausted, physically exhausted.  My quads were SORE. I felt them as soon as I rolled out of bed and walked to the bathroom. And that only made me want to get back into bed and SLEEP!  I didn't know what I was going to do, I had no plan for today's workout.  

In my head I was thinking... I could go to an 11:00 a.m. yoga class, but that would be cutting it to close to work. I could run and get my workout over with, but the sun is out already.  Or maybe if I hurried up I could make the 8:00 a.m. yoga class, but I had to get ready now.  I even thought, maybe I'll workout when I finish work at 10 p.m.  (Was that really going to happen? Probably not.)  All these thoughts were going through my mind as I tried to decide what I was going to do for the day.  I had nothing set in stone as to what my workout would be.  Last week I had something scheduled everyday.  I knew what class I was taking, what time the class was, who I was meeting, where we were meeting, EVERYTHING. Even if it wasn't a scheduled class, I knew what I was going to do for the day.  Everything was planned... no time for contemplation, just execution!

So finally I made up my mind and went for a run, sun factor and all.  It was 11 a.m. and the sun was out, but I couldn't make any excuses about it being too hot or being dehydrated because I knew I could do it and I HAD TO! 

Heading back home!

I put my lululemon seek-the-peek shorts on, got my iPod jams going, shoes on, and went for a run.  A 4.5 mile run.  I started with my usual Lanikai loop then ventured out to Kailua Beach Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.  It was a gorgeous day, sunshine and light trades!  Making for a perfect run! 

A beautiful beginning to week #2.  Besides the rough start of actually getting out of bed and doing something.  Better planning next time!  

Lesson learned: Plan Ahead and make it a part of your daily routine. Pencil it in!

Day 8. Done!

Tomorrow is Jill's with Leslie. Soooo excited, can't wait!

The Beauty of Nature

Day 7.

Na Kama Kai. Stand Up Paddling. Kahana Valley.

What turned out as just a paddle up river turned out to be a little friendly competition.  It was bumper SUP boards and gladiators all-in-one.  And of course, I was the one that ended up in the water!

Kahana Bay this morning.

Is it really a workout when you're surrounded by such beauty? Doesn't seem like it.  Your mind is blown away by the beauty that exist in nature.  I've been to Kahana Bay so many times, but today was my first time ever paddling up the river.  And it is absolutely breathtaking back in the valley.

I am truly blessed! This is what I get to do for a workout...wish you were there! 

Day 7. Done! 

(OMG one week down)

Don't Stop, Keep Going.

Day 6. Stairs. Stairs. More stairs. and a WOD (workout of the day)


A beautiful day to sweat with friends! And what better place than Koko Head and all its stairs. At the bottom we stared at what laid ahead of us... a whole-lotta stairs and a bunch of people!  Jackie, Jack, Danyelle, and I started our venture up to the top, taking it one step at a time.  Once you start don't stop, just keep going.

Sun blazing. Legs burning. Not to mention all the sweat. 

25.26 minutes up Koko Head.

After Koko Head we decided to do a WOD.. 

I was pumped and ready for more, why stop? keep going!

Thrusters, sit-ups, push-ups, and the hydrabike. Jackie and I were all smiles as we laughed and sweat through the entire workout.  Jack and Danyelle were there for moral support, jokes, and some good 'ole homemade iced tea (compliments of Danyelle)!

Sun. Beauty. Friends. Laughs. Stairs. Sweat. and Iced Tea! oh, and really cute pit bulls (Jack and Danyelle have beautiful pits)

Day 6. Done!

Taking it to the ocean...Stand-up Paddling tomorrow!

Let Go.

Day 5 and it's back to the mat.

A Friday lunch flow with Jill. Yup! I had the privilege of getting in two wonderful workouts with her this week. And yes, today's practice was no different.  I felt every muscle in my body quivering.  It was no time for my mind to check out, thinking of what needs to be done today, what am I getting from Coffee Bean after class, I can't get my fingertips to the ground, or my hamstrings SCREAMING at me.  Instead of holding on and gripping to those thoughts, I let go. Using every inhale and every exhale to slowly surrender and turn my focus inward.  No chatter, no wandering mind, just my breath.


With each breath I was able to release and get deeper into the postures.  As I moved through the practice, my mind would often wonder as I felt the tension in my muscles.  Feeling my hamstrings as I reached towards the floor, forward fold.  My shoulders slowly opening as I twisted my upper body over the front knee in a high lunge, revolved side angle stretch.

One thing about Jill's class is that no matter where we are in the practice, at some point we all start cracking up. Today, it was someone's lululemon tag sticking out that Jill politely ripped out, and Jill telling me she'd give me my arms back after class, after she gave me an amazing yet excruciating adjustment...total shoulder and hamstring opener!

As my body warmed up I was doing handstands, backbends, and seated forward folds.  It was a nice balance to my kettlebell swings and burpees workout yesterday.  I took the time to breath, lengthen, and let go.  Letting go of all the unknown and being present to this moment.  Going back to that place of vibration, that oneness. One breath, one movement. OM.

Day 5. Done!

Integrity. Accountability. Run:Response Short.

It's a lot easier to wake up in the morning knowing that you have a commitment to others to show up.  That is exactly what got my butt to crossfit at 6am this morning.  I knew that I had people counting on me to be there, and if I didn't show up I'd be letting them down.  It's all about integrity and accountability.

And that is exactly what got me doing kettlebell swings and burpees at the crack of dawn with a smile on my face...I was showing up for my lovely lululemonheads! and Kimo, of course, our ambassador from Hardassfitness! Whose awesome and amazing, and was a champ for showing up on his day off to do the workout with us.  Thanks Kimo!

Well, besides all the FUN we had, we got our butts kicked...literally! The entire workout was kettle bell swings and burpees. Oh, and guys without their shirts on (just a little added detail), in lululemon's uh-mazing Run: Response Shorts. And they looked good too!

Great people. Great workout. Great day!

I was on a high the rest of the day. Not exactly sure why because I was beat after that class.  My shoulders, my butt, I couldn't walk at work. Who am I kidding? I still can't!  I'm trying to move but every muscle in my body hurts, from my head all the way down to my feet.  I feel like an old lady, and it's only the first week!

Physically I'm exhausted, but nothing is going to stop me. I'm on a high!

Integrity. Accountability. Run:Response Short!

Day 4. Done!

yoga tomorrow, whose coming?

Don't Think About It

Day 3: Get Outside!

As soon as I woke up this morning, I got ready for my run! Put on my favorite running crops, lululemon empower crops, and psyched myself out.  I knew I had to just get it over with.  No thinking about it.  I haven't ran in weeks, my body was aching from my past three workouts, and the sun was out.  When the sun is out, it's my excuse to not go for a run thinking it's going to be too hot.  That's been my story for awhile.  Not anymore!

So, I put my shoes on, got Pandora going and went for my run.  What turned out to be just a run, ended up being a beautiful journey - and a lot of heavy breathing!!

I couldn't resist a run on the beach! Could you?

I should do this more often. 

Take in the beauty that surrounds me.

...a breathtaking view.

And I want to do it all over again!

Day 3. Done!

Here I come Day 4... 6am Crossfit!

Get Up!

The alarm clock went off and immediately I pressed snooze, thinking I have a few more minutes to sleep in.  As I look at the time on my phone, I jump out of bed.  Class was starting in 10 minutes.

aaahhhhhhh, I was going to be late.

I really don't like showing up for appointments late, especially this one.  The one class I schedule my life around! I can't just not show up.

So, on top of being 10 minutes late for class, my body was KILLING me.  My shoulders, triceps, and hamstrings were on fire.  Yesterday I appreciated the openness of my hamstrings as I went through my yoga practice, but today it wasn't serving me the same way.  I could barely touch my toes without feeling the burn.

But you know what? I got up, got out of bed, and went to class (late)! And I'm glad I did.  It was a beautiful, yet HARD practice.  As I went through the movements I felt every muscle in my body, especially those that were screaming as I frantically rolled out of bed.  That is the one thing I can always count on and absolutely love about Jill's class.  I literally feel every muscle in my body. By the end of the practice my arms were fatigued and I was pooped!

It was a great start to my day.

But, first things first...I gotta GET UP! (no more snooze button)

      

Sweat Once A Day, I Mean, Twice A Day!

Day 2. Workout #2.

Kettlebell Workout...holy smokes.

First time ever doing a kettlebell workout, and it KICKED.MY.BUTT! Talk about sweat-ting. Chris, owner of Fitness Ranes was so generous to have Jackie and I come in an check his studio out.  It was awesome.  Great equipment, music, and a kick-ass workout!  I was resistant at first, but embraced the whole experience!

Personal Fitness Instructor, Chris Ranes

While catching my breath in between exercises (yes, I was breathing really hard in between sets as my heart was pounding. Talk about out of shape.), I thought to myself -- "What am I doing? I did 4 years of this in college."  But then I thought of how much I loved my college years, and it brought back such great memories.

After college, I was done with weight training or any high intensity training because I was burnt out.  All I wanted to do was run and practice yoga.  But today's workout made me realize how much I love trying new things and enjoying the moment.  That's all it is --  being present and HAVING FUN!

Well, it's midnight and I'm beat!

Day 2. Done!

DO IT NOW. DO IT NOW. DO IT NOW.

Is there ever a good time to start working out? It's always, "oh, i'll start tomorrow" and tomorrow comes and goes. Before you know it two weeks have gone by and those jeans just don't fit the same, the pounds are slowly adding up on the scale, and you just don't feel good about yourself.


So, I decided why not do a 30 day challenge and blog about it? For the next 30 days my challenge is to get up, get moving, and have fun!! And what better way to start my 30 day challenge then with 108 sun salutations at Ala Moana Beach Park?

A beautiful Hawaiian sunset.

This all started as just an idea that occupied my mind as I drove to work this morning, but sometimes in life we have to DO IT NOW. DO IT NOW. DO IT NOW. And that is exactly what I'm doing, embarking on a new journey destination unknown.

2 hours of sun salutes, I'm sure my body will be hurting tomorrow.

DAY 1, DONE!