No Excuses, Boston!

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So, we know that HERCULES HERCULES has taken over the midwest and northeast, leaving us in blankets of snow and bitterly cold temperatures. I know it's easy to sit back and get really lazy on days like today, but, it's important to still keep up with an exercise routine. First and foremost, your health, duh. Keep your lungs and your most important muscle (your heart) strong. Next, studies prove that exercise helps significantly reduce the effects of seasonal depression. And finally, be fit all year long... there's no need to panic in April when bikini season is a month away. Be prepared now!

So, I have some REALLY GOOD NEWS for my friends in Boston, especially runners. For the 5th consecutive year, New Balance has renewed its partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and pledged to remove the snow from a 17+ mile path along the Charles River, spanning from the Museum of Science area in Cambridge to the Galen Street Bridge in Watertown. Following DCR’s normal priorities, the snow removal will be performed by the DCR within 24 hours of the completion of each storm. Be careful though, since the path runs along the river, their use of salt and sand will be limited.

 In addition to that, they will have 6 Saturday morning events where they will showcase new products, put up inspirational banners, and have giveaways! 

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Next, so I know... it might be too cold to run right now and your gym might be closed during snow emergency. What to do? Living room workouts. You don't even need weights or a mat. Try something like this:

- 20 Jumping Jacks

- 20 Squat Thrusts

- 20 Squats

- 20 Sit Ups

- 20 Lunges

- 20 Mountain Climbers

- 20 Squats again

- 1 minute plank hold

REPEAT

Or, if you have some free weights... check out this Living Room Workout I posted over a year ago:

Living Room Lift 

Last but not least, go outside and play in the snow. Help your neighbors shovel (bend at the knees, people).  Put your boots on and walk to the store. Just get moving and be careful! Below is me during Nemo last year. Janet and I borrowed snow shoes from some of her friends.

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Have a great weekend! Stay warm, my friends! xo

Peter Welch's Gym

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I talk a lot about Peter Welch's Gym on here, but, I haven't given you all an update on these workouts in over a year. Shame on me. Where do I begin? 

Almost two years ago, I tore my hamstring. At that point in my life, I considered myself a 'runner'.  I had run two half marathons and a number of shorter races. I ran 4-5 days a week and alternated in regular gym workouts and weights. On my 28th birthday in November, I tore my hamstring. Surprise! (caution: don't get in a split contest with your friends at 1am.................)

Earlier that day, I had ran 9 miles and was considering my next race, maybe even a marathon. Well, if you've never torn a hamstring, let me just tell you... the healing process is not pretty. For the next 4-5 months, I iced, stretched a lot and had to deal with the elliptical (god I hate the elliptical), weights, and core work for my workouts. BO-RING.

As the Spring rolled around, I tried running but could honestly only get up to about 3 miles until the striking pain would set in. I was so frustrated and knew I needed to start doing something new. My current gym didn't offer any classes and I hadn't taught in years due to a busier work schedule. My hair dresser had been telling me for YEARSSSS to go to Peter Welch's... I always wanted to try it, but, not sure what the hesitation was.

Finally, Kim and I went.  She likes to say that I immediately turned into a super-member.  She's right, I was hooked after the first class. I nursed the hamstring and took it easy on sprints and eventually got stronger and healed completely.

I didn't know this picture was being taken! That's me on the right with the purple pants getting down into a squat.

So how do these classes go? Something like this.... 

Start with 4 minutes of jumping rope. 

Next 4 minutes shadow boxing, calisthenics, plyo jumping, etc.  

Heavy bag work

Weights

Heavy bag work

Body weight moves

Heavy bag work

Suicides sprints until you can't breathe

Body weight work

That's Peter!

How has the workout changed me? 

For me, my greatest achievement has been how fast I've become. I was a "sprinter" in high school track. I am so much faster than I was when I was 16, it's not even funny. Not. Even. Funny.

I can eat so much more... and you know I love to eat. 

I rarely ever complain about how I look. This isn't just because I do feel and look better, but, because I work so freaking hard... there's nothing to complain about. I always give 100%.

I've found that my reaction time has become crazy quick. I know that sounds odd, but I kind of move with reckless abandon, especially when I cook,... now I catch things when I go to knock them off my counter. It's kind of funny. 

I ran a half marathon this year and took FOUR MINUTES off my PR. Yeah. Really. 

What you'll see when you first walk in?

  A gym made for kicking ass.  A professional boxing ring smack dab in the middle of the gym, an old-school weight room upstairs, rubber floors, close to 40 heavy bags, free weights, medicine balls, jump ropes & resistance bands. 

Scary? No. You'll also see and meet the most friendly people in Southie. I know a place like this can sound intimidating, but, it really isn't. Everyone is there to work hard and will help someone who is new. Promise. 

What you won't see? 

Meatheads.

What you will see? 

Skilled super-athletes

Beginners

Former college athletes

Men

Women

All shapes and sizes 

So, what is my point with all of this? 

I found a workout that I love. For me, it is fun. My point is that when you find a workout that you love doing, whether it be running, dance, lifting, playing soccer, or taking classes..it makes that whole 'working out' thing a whole lot easier. Remember, your body is the only thing in the whole wide world that you have all of the control over. Find what you love and you'll never go back. And if you're in the area - check out Peter Welch's... first class is free! :) 

Have a great week! xo

Janet and I doing mitt work in the bottom right corner (pink shirt/blue shirt) in Chris' class.

FenwaYoga presented by New Balance

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When I was asked if I wanted to participate in the FenwaYoga event, I pretty much leaped at the opportunity. It's been a while since I've been a regular at Yoga class, but, I still really appreciate the practice and try to incorporate one short session at home, once a week. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... it's important to mix up your workout routine, AND, incorporating yoga or Pilates into the mix can alleviate muscle strain, increase flexibility, and improve posture (among other things). Plus, for me, it provides for just the right 'balance' (no pun intended) to running and my vigorous boxing classes.

This event, presented by Equinox and Anue by New Balance  benefited two of the Red Sox Foundation's cornerstone charities: the Red Sox Scholars Program and the RBI Youth Baseball and Softball Programs. The Red Sox Scholars Program provides college scholarships, tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment programs to academically talented, financially disadvantaged Boston public middle school students. The RBI Youth Baseball and Softball Program serves more than 2,000 inner city teens each summer using the sport to promote healthy choices and valuable life-skills

Here's what I saw when I first walked in: 

Whaatt? So cool. Don't worry... I felt pretty confident in my anue by New Balance yoga ensemble. I ended up going with the one on the far right, majority vote. It fit perfectly and didn't budge during all of the movements!

Scenes from my mat: 

The Yoga Instructor, Rebecca Pacheco, aka @omgal did an awesome job! Not only is she a master level Yoga teacher, she's also a marathoner and sports lover. (Which was totally obvious because she made us say Om for the Red Sox and send them good vibes). I liked her. Cool that they had the instructors on the big screen, right? It really helped!

Side plank - nailed it!

I think I was in shoulder bridge when I thought to myself, 'how many people can say they laid down in the middle of Fenway park and looked up in the sky?' 

Look - New Balance!

And a couple scenes from dusk...

I'm sold. I need to start incorporating a more solid Yoga practice into my fitness routine more often. Plus, I can still nail a head stand so I feel like that is something I need to do on a weekly basis.

What are your favorite Yoga studios in the Boston area?

Have an awesome week... namaste! xo