Getting Personal...

As you might have gathered from my last post, we just got home from a great Las Vegas vacation on Wednesday.  About 2 weeks ago, I had interviewed to teach Bodypump at a studio located just north of the town that I live in.  The facility seems wonderful, as do the owners, but unfortunately, the time slots that were available I could not fill due to my super busy schedule.

A few days before leaving for vacation, another gym (again, north of my town) offered me a position to teach Bodypump.  I told them I would think about it and get back to them when I got back from our trip.  I could fit it into my schedule, but it would leave my week even busier than before.

For perspective, here is what my usual week looks like:

Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm(ish) office job
Monday - 5:30pm spin
Tuesday - 6pm spin, 7:15pm spin
Wednesday - 5:30pm spin
Saturday - 10:00 am spin

Usually on Thursdays I will either do boxing or yoga to get some "me" time in the week.  I will also try to lift weights either Monday or Wednesday with my husband before class.  Plus, it isn't just one hour of my day used for teaching, there is research, preparation, set up, break down, meet/greet, travel time, etc. that works into that as well.

After much consideration, I decided not to take the Bodypump position offered to me (Thursday nights) because even though physically it wouldn't be a problem, mentally it didn't seem like the best idea.  I am not complaining at all and I LOVE teaching and would not give up any of my classes for anything in the world, but sometimes you need to take a step back and look at things from another perspective.  I feel incredibly lucky to work in two beautiful facilities now and have such great members/friends that I get to see everyday, but this trip really made me realize that taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of others. 

I also love working in the office for/with my husband.  Although, he has mentioned to me a few times that I could hire someone to do my job here so that I could teach on a more full-time basis, it just never seemed like the right thing to do in my mind.  I could also just be a "stay at home wife" if I wanted to, but that is NOT an option for me either considering my high energy level ; )

Basically, where I am going with this blah, blah, blah post is that you have to appreciate the life you have and you also should celebrate your successes often.  I am going to cherish my Thursday nights off and I am hoping that I have made the right choice.  I know that the window of opportunity was left open for me, so I guess if I did change my mind, I would have a couple of options out there.  Again, I am very fortunate to be appreciated and "wanted" on some degree, but I also need to appreciate myself a little more.

Okay, mega vent over!  Back to your regularly scheduled blogging ; )

Spin 7/19/11 Vegas Baby!!!

My husband and I just got back from a fabulous trip to Las Vegas.  We stayed at the Encore and had a really great time.  My husband actually won some money, so that makes it fun!  We lounged by the pool all day, ate really extravagant meals and managed to drink some champagne and dance at night.  We even got invited to David Hasslehoff's birthday party!  Random - yes!  We went to the Playboy comedy club on Friday and that was also pretty fun.

Here is the ride I put together for the day before my trip.

Warm Up
A Little Less Conversation - F 50's

Running Hills
Pretty Vegas - INXS (they were actually in Vegas for a show on Saturday!!)

Hills
Two Step - Dave Matthew's Band

Climb
Hot Tottie - Usher

Running/Standing Flats
Waking Up in Vegas (Calvin Harris Extended Version - Katy Perry

Jumps/Jumps on a Hill
Bottoms Up - Trey Songz

Sprints
Party all the Time - Black Eyed Peas

Climb
Love-Hate-Sex-Pain - Godsmack

Running/Standing Flats
Shake Senora - Pitbull

Running Hills
Call Me - Blondie

Hills - I had them on a moderate hill seated, then up to position "2" while adding a 1/2 turn more resistance to "stair climb"
Fight for your Right to Party - Beastie Boys (everyone was singing along - so fun!)

Hills
Living in America - Dom

Cool Down
How Deep is your Love - The Bird & the Bee

Cool Down
Hold Me Now - Wayne Wonder

Spin 7/12/11

Good Morning psycho's!!  As you can tell, my summer is full speed ahead which means a few vacations here and there, so my schedule hasn't been totally consistent.

I was away last Saturday and will be away from this Thursday through next Tuesday.  Vegas baby!!!

Here is a ride from last week that I failed to post.

Warm Up
Celebration - Felix DH

Hills
Shake Senora - Pitbull (fantastic summer song!!)

Running Flats
Hold It Against Me - Britney Spears

Climb
Written in the Stars - Tinie Tempah

Running Hills
Someone that your With - Nickelback

Running/Standing Flats
Americano - Lady Gaga.  I asked my class about this song last night and I got mixed reviews.  About 50/50 love to hate ratio, lol.

Hills
Billie Jean on the Storm - Amoraboy

Running Hills - all out for 2 minutes!  I let them choose their amount of resistance from 6-10.
Amazing Grace - Dropkick Murphys

Climb
Love Hate Sex Pain - Godsmack

Hills
Living in America - Doms

Cool Down
Someone Like You - Adele

Cool Down
Eyes Without a Face - Billy Idol

Spin 7/10/11

I subbed a class for an instructor at the Revolution (myrevnow.com) on Sunday morning and it was a blast!!!  I had the best time and the crowd was just full of energy!  I even got to catch up with a few folks that I haven't seen in a few weeks or months.

I had some requests for "metal" and "80's hair bands".  That style of music really isn't my "thing", but I dug deep into the music archives and found some songs that I thought fit the bill.   When the members are happy, I am happy!!

So, I asked the participants to picture a pyramid for this ride.  The first half of class we would be going up, up, up.  The last half of class we would be descending our "mountain". 

Warm Up
Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - Coldplay

Running Hills
Say You'll Haunt Me - Stone Sour

Hills
Last Friday Night - Katy Perry

Hills
Nothin' But a Good Time - Poison

Climb
Bright Lights Bigger City - Cee Lo Green

Climb/Recovery at the end
Call it What You Want - Foster the People

Running Hills
Land of Confusion - Disturbed

Running/Standing Flats - Flo Rida

Jumps/Jumps on a Hill
Party on the Floor Mashup - DJ Earworm

Running/Standing Flats
Sweat - Snoop Dogg

Running Hills
Miss the Misery - Foo Fighters

Sprints
Dr. Feelgood - Motley Crue

Running Hills
Whatever - Godsmack

Cool Down
Mykonos - Fleet Foxes

Cool Down
Mad World - Michael Andrews & Gary Jules

My Review: Estudio Part II

A few weeks ago, I did my first review of Estudio's new location in Clifton Park(http://acyclepsycho.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-review-estudio-in-clifton-park-hot.html).

I was fortunate enough to attend another hot power yoga class last night at the Estudio with Melissa.  Let me tell you psycho's, if you are looking for a serious calorie burning, core shredding, detoxifying workout, this is the one for you! 

Melissa took us through a powerful and fast paced flow class that constantly challenged me and kept me smiling at the same time.  I really enjoy this class because we are constantly moving and you can really feel the strengthening and lengthening benefits right away.  I am not sure if I would recommend this to a first timer unless you are able to do planks, push ups and tricep pushups on your toes over and over again without too much trouble.

Melissa is there to assist you and coach you through the class offering up options if you need them.  She also always includes motivating and almost spiritual guidance throughout the hour.  While she looks like she can conquer the world, Melissa is humble and I find it very easy to relate to her.  In other studio's, I have found myself feeling inadequate or even in competition with the instructor, which is never a comfortable situation.  This will never be the case at the Estudio.

I hope you all get a chance to check out their fun schedule which includes everything from beginner hot yoga, beginner barre strength, hot vinyasa and much more.

TGIF!!

7/5/11, 7:15pm & 7/6/11, 5:30pm

My ride on 7/6 is only 50 minutes long, so I did delete the first climb to fit the time slot.

Warm Up
Start a Fire - Ryan Star

Running Hills
Cosmic Love - Florence and the Machine

Running Flats
Gettin' Over You - David Guetta

Climb
The Big Bang - Rock Mafia

Running Flats and Hills - more resistance and speed out at "3"
Beautiful Monster - Mick Lion

Hills
Sunday Bloody Sunday - U2

Jumps/Jumps on a Hill
Great DJ - The Ting Tings (I used this song years ago in my very first ride!!)

Hills - mostly at position "2" for some stairclimbing
West End Girls - Pet Shop Boys

Climb
Awake and Alive - Skillet

Hills
My Body - Young the Giant - love the words to this song!!

Running/Standing Flats
Turn Around - Flo Rida

Climb - last one of the day/night!!!  Lots of power!
All of the Lights - Kanye West (clean version)

Intervals
Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down

Cool Down
How to Love - Lil Wayne

Cool Down
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me - Elton John

Spin 7/5/11, 6pm

Warm Up
Miles Away - Madonna

Running/Standing Flats
Escape Me - Tiesto

Running/Standing Flats
Turn Around - Flo Rida

Hills
Last Friday Night - Katy Perry

Climb
Bright Lights Bigger City - Cee Lo Green

Intervals - slight hill seated, increase resistance and speed and stand to "3" for short intervals
Sweet Sweet Dreams - DJ Schmolli

Jumps
The Only Time is Tonight - DJ Earworm

Climb
Miss the Misery - Foo Fighters

Hills
The Power of Rolling Along - Marc Johnce

Running Flats
Where Them Girls At - David Guetta

Cool Down
How to Love - Lil Wayne

7/2/11 - Independence Day Ride

You all know that I love taking advantage of any holiday that I can make into a theme ride.  Below are some songs that reminded me of the 4th of July.

Warm up
Freedom - George Michael

Intervals
Lift Me Up - Moby

Jumps/Jumps on a Hill
We Will Rock You - Queen

Running/Standing Flats
Shut it Down - Pitbull

Climb
Wheels - Foo Fighters

Intervals - Picking up the pace and out to "3" when you hear the countdown
Major Tom - Shiny Toy Guns

Running/Standing Flats
Sexy Chick - David Guetta

Hills
American Boy - Estelle

Climb
Born in the USA - Bruce Springsteen

Hills
Young American - David Bowie

Running Hills
Firework - Galaxy Surfers

Cool Down
Give a Little Bit - Supertramp

Cool Down
Hawaii - Blackbird Blackbird

Spin 6/28/11

Happy (day late) Independence Day psycho's!!!  We had a wonderful weekend spent with family and friends and the weather couldn't have been anymore perfect.

The gym didn't offer classes yesterday, so I can't update yesterday's class obviously.  But, here are some that I missed over last week.

Warm Up
More - Usher

Running/Standing Flats
Turn Around - Flo Rida

Intervals
Sweet Sweet Dreams- DJ Schmolli

Climb
Lost in You - Three Days Grace

Climb
F*ckin Perfect - P!nk

Hills
Marry the Night - Lady Gaga

Hills
Last Friday Night - Katy Perry

Running/Standing Flats
ET Sucks Hell - Marc Johnce

Running/Standing Flats & some jumps
Party on the Floor - DJ Earworm

Sprints - 2 at 15 seconds each
Sandstorm - Darude

Hills
Helena Beat - Foster the People

Cool Down
How to Love - Lil Wayne

Cool Down
Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me - Elton John