Feeling Classy: Pilates

Good afternoon! I am just sitting down after a very busy morning.

Last night, I was a good girl and in bed at 10:30; I tried to stay up working on an article, but I was too tired and out of it. But today I woke up so refreshed at 7 AM. I also looked a million times better; at first I wondered if it was my new moisturizer, but then I realized that’s what happens when you get enough sleep!

I was out the door at 8:00 so I could start off on the right foot with my new goals. Today’s plan was doing some type of cross-training cardio before the mat pilates class at 9 AM. I am glad I decided to add a fifth day of cross-training to my workout schedule. It means I get to wear my old Nikes once in a while! Plus, it just keeps things interesting. For today’s cross training, I decided to have a make-up session with my old flame the elliptical. I turned on La Roux (my obsession for this album is just full-blown) and worked it for 25 minutes. Although running is high energy, it can be kind of too spiritual at times, if that makes sense. It’s nice to zone out, but sometimes I miss cranking along to high-energy pop music! The elliptical got the job done.

Then I cleaned up and hit my first pilates class at Genesys. There were about nine people in the class, and everyone was getting mats, a ring, weighted balls, and dumbells. The class was dark, which was nice. The instructor turned on “Seasons of Love” from “Rent,” and I just had a great feeling about things!

The class was great — just what my routine needs. We did mostly traditional pilates moves, but I forgot how tough/amazing pilates is! I wasn’t dying, but it was a good reminder of how much work I have to do on my flexibility and core strength. And I know Pilates and yoga are often grouped together, but I like Pilates so much better. Yes, it’s slow, but it’s also energizing. The moves are tough, but there aren’t many reps, and they seriously work. And for me, they are more enjoyable than doing traditional squats and lunges. It’s amazing the kind of results you can get from such little movements. We did abs, lower body, and upper body, lots of stretching throughout, and then a little cool down. What a great 60 minutes! I am excited to go back on Friday.

It was so exciting to have cardio and an hour of strength training done by 10 AM. That feeling alone is enough to make me a morning person again!

After that, I hit the bank and then the mall to stick with my next goal and put a hefty sum toward a credit card bill. I have to do it without thinking about it. If I thought about, I’d get depressed, so now I just try to pay before I even realize I have money. But I did treat myself to two new bottles of OPI nail polish. They finally have the new matte line here, so I am really pumped to use it. I love good nail polish. As I was walking out and loving how cool and blustery it was, I realized it was the perfect time to get the treat I’ve been wanting for the past month: a pumpkin latte! I have been wanting one, but I am never near a Starbucks when it’s a good time for caffeine/a snack. Today I was hungry and it was early…the stars obviously just aligned.

I got a tall soy latte with one pump of pumpkin! One pump isn’t enough to do major damage, but its enough to give you that yummy fall flavor. It was so good. This might be a weekly Pilates reward!

Then I got my eyebrows waxed, which is always awesome. They were kind of ridiculous, but it’s more fun when you have major growth, because then it’s even more exciting when they are cleaned up! Plus the woman who does them is amazing, so I left feeling even more upbeat after our chat.

My day was going so well, I almost wanted to go to Target to just be the Happiest Person Ever, but I knew it was a bad idea. Instead I stopped at the grocery store for some apples, and drove through Wendy’s to get chili — something a little different! I didn’t realize their small chili is only $1.05. And you say you can’t afford to eat healthy…

I came home and had the chili with a wrap with peppers, hummus, onions, salsa, and lettuce and veggies on the side.

And I finished up with a new Macintosh apple! I usually stick with green, but I figured I should live dangerously.

This afternoon I have to finish an article, work on some fun blog-related projects, and make dinner. Hopefully there will be time to break into my new “Glamour,” as tonight I’ll be busy watching “Modern Family” and “Eastwick.”

Have a great afternoon!

Tagged as: pilates