I posted about my first experience with CG here. And boy have I fallen in love with this gym since then.
Yesterday Scott and I started officially going to CG, as in we started paying for it. We took four different types of classes during the trial period:
-stregth
-trx fusion
-bodyrock
-boxing
In honor of joining the gym, we decided to try Choas. Go big or go home, right?
"Chaotic fun! This upbeat, total body workout incorporates almost every
piece of equipment in CG Arena. Consists of several 2 – 3 minute
stations including boxing on a bag, punch mits with a trainer, tire
flips, battle ropes, agility drills, plyometrics, TRX, monkey bars, jump
rope, hill climbs and much more! The goal of the class is to keep your
body moving and heart rate up for the entire 60 minutes. All levels."
It was fun, energetic, kept me engaged, and gave me a badass workout. It's also great because at each station you can make modifications, if needed. Truly a full body workout!
I encourage anyone in the North Austin area to check out CG. They are way more affordable than most gyms, and their trainers are out. of. this. world.
WOW! I don't think I've ever felt so out of shape!
Scott and I have been wanting to join a gym for a while now, because we could both use some toning up for the wedding, but mostly to get in shape and get healthy.
Camp Gladiator was originally formed as a boot camp, and still is that, but just recently they opened up a CG arena, which is what we checked out. It's like a gym membership, based more around classes. Since I love doing classes, I thought this gym would be prefect for me.
They have a wide range of classes, not just dance classes and your regular abs classes or spin. I'm talking High Intensity ish!
We're doing a seven day trial before we sign our contracts, so last night was our first go at it and we tried TRX FUSION...
"Take TRX suspension training to a whole new level with TRX Fusion’s
metabolic challenge! Leverage your body weight, gravity, tabata
intervals and kettlebells for a workout that will take you to your edge
and leave you exhilarated! TRX Fusion will test your strength, muscular
endurance, cardiovascular conditioning and power and get you in the zone
for body transformation. Come ready to get your sweat on!"
...Sweat we did
This is TRX suspense training if you're unfamiliar, I know I was...:
If you have a husband/boyfriend/fiance or gamer friend then most likely you're familiar with the XBOX Kinect. If you are unsure what it is, it's like the wii except you don't have to hold any controllers. There is a little sensor that scans your body and catches your movement. Very cool stuff!
Scott and I have had the Kinect for a pretty long time now and have been trying out some games. But to be honest, we don't use it as often as we should. We played with it last night and realized that it REALLY works you out! Scott quoted, "We need to do this more often" in a full blown sweat. We were both sore and out of breath by the time we finished.
Here are a few games that we found to be fun and beneficial for "working out".
Wipeout: The levels on this game are listed as episodes like on the show. It's pretty hilarious trying to play this game. You have to do a lot of jumping, running in place and leaning from side to side. It doesn't catch your movement as well as other games, but it's still fun to try. It's a lot harder than other games too, but very funny! I want to have people over to play this one!
Kinect Adventures: This is a general game that I believe comes with the kinect when you buy it. It's fun for multiplayer use and it's pretty easy. The games are things like water rafting, jumping over and ducking under poles, and using your arms and legs to collect coins.
Your shape: Fitness Evolved 2012: Last night was our first time to try this game and I really liked it! It was like going to a gym class in your own living room. If you're one of these people that like to take a class with an instructor than this is your game. Not only is it a work out video, but you can see all your movement on TV. Super cool! It also keeps track of burnt calories and points earned, etc. I love this kind of stuff so I really enjoyed this game. This game has activities like jumping rope, cardio workouts, and yoga. I can't wait to try more!
Now for some embarrassment...
Scott playing wipeout...Hilarious!!!
This is from the "Your Shape" game. This is me jumping rope. It's kind of like guitar hero for your feet. You have to synchronize your feet with the feet on the screen as they scroll down.
I'm not saying these are great for serious weight loss or muscle building, but they are a quick workout and FUN!... Much better than what most people(me) usually do when they get home, which is nothing. I usually come home, eat dinner, maybe watch TV, take a shower then go to bed. At least you can get a little "workout" in even if it's only 30 minutes and have a good time doing it! Also, I'm sure it would be a great time if you had friends over to do it with you.
After researching online for what seems like forever, I finally found some shoes to go try on. I ventured out after work to this cute family owned sports shop called 1379 sports. I was looking forward to having someone check out my feet, look at how I walked, and pick out a shoe that would fit to a T. I was there for about 30 minutes and tried on three pairs of shoes. I ended up going with these. I love the bright colors and how light they feel. I didn't necessarily like the price, but I don't think you can put a price on comfort and the wellbeing of my aching feet!
I found out that my old shoes were a size and half too small, yikes! No wonder my feet were in so much pain! Turns out running shoes need to be one size bigger than your everyday shoes. I'm so thankful for finding that out and I'm so curious as to why I never went to a real shoe store to begin with. I'm so anxious to try these suckers out and to see what a difference they make.
On another note, the person at the shoe store said I was developing a bunion on my right foot...SAD DAY! Has anyone else suffered from a bunion? I don't think mine is in the danger zone yet, but I'd like to keep it under control. Damn these wide feet of mine!
Yes, you read that right, I WAS a zumba virgin... that is until yesterday. Sadly, I wasn't at Ruthie's class, but I was trying out a class that is held at my office. I have found SO many cool things that come with working for the state. Here is a list of some of the bad ass benefits I get (just to name a few)...
1. Work out classes held at two different times throughout the day... in my building! There are a variety of classes like zumba, zumba toning, yoga, strength training, and kickboxing. They all can be done during my lunch break and they are all FREE!!! I love that four letter word.
2. Local produce is sold to state employees from farmers around Texas. You can buy them on a weekly basis and it's only $20. It's cool because you are helping out local farmers and getting fresh produce weekly. It's a pretty sweet deal and they are right across the street from us.
3. My health insurance is completely free. It doesn't come out of my monthly salary, just flat out paid for.
4. There is a special DMV for state employees that takes about 10 minutes to renew a drivers license just two blocks from my office.
5. Discounts at hotels, restaurants, and other businesses in the downtown area.
6. Parking in multiple parking garages for free...there's that word again.
And so so much more! I'm so pleased with how the zumba class went yesterday. I can't wait to try the other ones.
On another note, my heart is so saddened with the tragedy that happened in Colorado. I'm praying for those people and their families. It's such a sad story :(
I'm just now getting a chance to update life thus far. It was a busy weekend for me. And yesterday was definitely a Monday...Has anyone else tried to get their passport lately? I decided it would be a good time to go get it yesterday finally. I have been putting it off for a couple weeks and now I know exactly why. It is such a hassle, and expensive! But I managed to get it taken care of ($157 later) and I also got my car inspected. It was a day of chores for me but I can't complain because my weekend was so great! It was a fun time spent with family and friends and a little bit of shopping in between.
I got to go to my favorite store to pick up some lovely frames to display some pictures for the engagement party. I just love Hobby Lobby, they always have 50% off frames. I got some good deals. The pictures are a nice addition to the bachelor pad. Slowly but surely the house is becoming more feminine :)
I did a bit of gardening, but sadly this is probably our last harvest for most of the food this year. They just can't take this Texas heat, and watering them is almost pointless. I'm happy with the progress I've made this year though. Check out the HUGE onion that has been growing since last year. The stocks on those bad boys looked like something out of Dr. Seuss. I'll do a full post on gardening to show you what I mean. Also, that was our first tomato! But the critters got to it first :( Bring on more tomatoes!
Some pictures from our engagement party! We had an amazing spread of yummy food. Scott's parents hosted the party and were they prepared or what? We had mini sandwiches, quasadillas, cheese trays, cake and super cool custom m&ms! I saw them the minute I walked in the door. I thought they were so thoughtful and sweet and they added a nice touch to the party. The last picture is our first gift as a couple and a new addition to our entry way... It is kind of blurry but it's a sticks mirror! I am in LOVE with it. You should check out the website. Every piece is unique to how you customize it. The top reads "Go out for adventure, come home for love," written under the mountains, which is perfect since we got engaged in the mountains. :)
These are two pictures that some friends took of us. Scott's mom, Jan thought it'd be fun to practice cutting the cake... practice makes perfect, right?... And the other is a picture of the entry way, yes, we're getting married 4-20-13! I like the date because it only includes numbers from 0-4. Kind of a neat and quirky observation. The real reason behind the date is that it's also my Aunt and Uncles wedding anniversary(it will be there 28th)! I'm so happy to be sharing their special day. It will be such a great celebration.
I hope your weekend was as good as mine! I'm excited to get back to business this week! Lots to do before next week :x!
Today I am trying something new, juicing... not the kind of juice that involves needles or alcohol, but the kind that involves a juicer, some fresh veggies and fruits.
A few months back, Scott decided he was going to start this juicing thing. He went out and got a juicer(I know he did not pay that much for his, right sweetie?!), found a few recipes online and went at it. To me it looked like a lot of money, lot of time, for a nasty, bitter, green-orange drink in the end. But I knew the health benefits, and I knew it would eventually taste better to me. It's kinda like the first time you drink a vodka/water. It was really nasty at first but it grows on you... I'm kind of hoping this is how the juice will be...
While I watched him cut up all his fruits and veggies this morning, I started thinking about trying this juicing thing out myself. I know it's extremely good for you and I would be getting my daily dose of vegetables in a matter of minutes...That's the part that sold me, seeing as I don't ALWAYS get my daily amount of good stuff. I'm actually a pretty terrible eater. I'm working on it. I felt that if I could start this juicing thing, it would be easier for me since Scott is already doing it. It's always easier to motivate yourself to do something if you're doing it with someone else.... So where else do I go to find some recipes that would appeal to me?... The world wide web of course.
I first googled "juicing for the picky eater" and it brought me to this blog. I figured if it's on a picky eater blog, then it might just be a good match for me. The ingredients are apples, spinach, parsley, lemon and fresh ginger.
I also googled "juicing for kids" and came of with some great recipes there too. I'm actually looking forward to trying them, which is saying a lot coming from me. Those recipes are a bit easier to start with and ease my way into juicing. Some that looked good to me were:
2 apples, 2 large handfuls of raspberries
2 peaches, 1 apple, 2 carrots, a few raspberries
2- 1 inch thick pineapple rounds, 2 stalks of celery
I can start out with these then maybe start adding in the less palatable veggies like spinach or kale.
I'm anxious to start! It will be a challenge for me, but I think if I'm juicing 3 times a week, then I'll be happy!
I'm so curious... Does anyone else juice? What are some good recipes you have found??? Please share!
