I Quit the Gym

Yes, you heard that right.  I, Stephanie-{previous}-gym-a-holic, quit the gym.

{And no, this is not an April Fool’s joke.}

I marched my less-than-fit booty into the gym and requested to cancel my membership.  A humbling experience, I may add, as the representative looked up my last use…November.

Gulp…

Why, might you ask, would someone who is trying to get back in to shape quit the gym?

To be completely honest, the gym was just not fitting into my schedule.  And I’m okay with that.

I know, I know. We’ve all seen the pinterest fitspo…

It’s true. I haven’t been the most dedicated or consistent, and I’m dealing with the consequences. Tighter jeans, softer belly, rounder face.  And while some may not even notice, I’m definitely struggling.

And I’m not saying I’m quitting working out.  Oh no.  There is a bunch of that in my future.  Just not at the gym.

Many months ago, my gym-going consisted of lots of yoga classes, BodyPump, and very infrequently a cardio session.  Never once did I lift using the free weights or the nautilus machines, never used the pool, never utilized the other services the gym offered.  Seems like a waste, huh?

I’m no longer going to allow myself to feel that pang of guilt every month when $50 is extracted from my account.

What I am going to do is make fitness work for my new schedule, which includes making some sacrifices and changing priorities.  No more sleeping in late or coming home and being a slug on the couch after work.  No more spending my hard earned money on services I don’t need or use.  I’m focusing my efforts and ratcheting up my budget-friendly home workout repertoire {Aren’t you proud, Dad?}.

Check out some of my current and past favorites:

• Yoga Centre – Online yoga videotaped from actual classes at a local studio – $9.95 for unlimited classes. This is legit and way more difficult than my gym yoga classes.  I’m growing my practice from home, and even if I only take one class per month, it’s cheaper than a walk-in.
• YogaDownload – When I’m crunched for time, these perfect 20 minute yoga sessions get my by.
• Daily HIIT – Formerly known as BodyRock.  You know I love this.  And hello, FREE!
• BodyBuilding.com – I completed Jaime Eason’s 12-week trainer last year, and still pull from her workouts as well as the other featured trainers.
• Hal Higdon – My go-to when racing, I’m semi-starting an intermediate half training schedule just to give my running a little direction.
• Cool Runnings – Another great training program I’ve used when preparing for races.

And of course, I love to try workouts other bloggers post too: Nutrition Nut on the Run, The Fitnessista,  Your Trainer Paige, and then of course those randos you find on pinterest.

So there you have it!  I quit the gym to make fitness work around my schedule, feel less guilt, and focus my energy (and spending dollars) on what works and creates changes in my body best.

And it’s not like the gym is going anywhere.  If I hate this, I can always go back.

Sounds like a win, win to me!

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Questions for you:

• Do you have a gym membership and couldn’t live without it?
• What are your favorite online workout sources, free or otherwise?

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Now go move it, move it!

Game Plan {3.31 – 4.6}

I don’t know about you, but I function much better when I have a routine and a schedule.

Recently, I have fallen out of my ‘up and at ’em’ morning routine of getting a solid workout in before my day starts, so tomorrow kicks off a new chapter! Well, kind of new chapter… I’m just getting back into the groove of not being a total slug.

Remember how much I love HIIT workouts?  Well guess what?  Girlfriend’s back on the wagon!

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Here’s the plan:

Monday [no work] :: HIIT it {full body} + hike up + post-run yoga

Tuesday :: 6am – HIIT {legs} // 5pm – 60 min cycle

Wednesday :: 6am – HIIT {upper body} // 5pm – 3 mi run

Thursday :: 6am – HIIT {abs} // 5pm – 4 mi run

Friday :: 6am – HIIT {full body} // rest [let’s be honest – I’ll be enjoying happy hour]

Saturday :: 7am – HIIT {legs} // 4pm – hike

Sunday [no work] :: active rest day – kayaking, hiking, golfing, or nothing!

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Not too shabby, huh?

Since I’m not actively training for a race, I think creating my own training schedule will help keep me focused.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

Until then…

Work it girl!

I’m Totally Loving This… 8.30

Annnnd we’re back!

There is nothing worse than that wave of panic when you realize your site is down.  I am definitely not the most tech-savy, so attempting to decode a behind the scenes problem is not one of my strong suits.  Fortunately, a refresh of my domain mapping did the trick. #phew

It’s funny how this totally ties into my theme today…

I have a truly delightful character flaw in which I am able to work myself into a tizzy over potential future mishaps way before these imagined outcomes occur.  Sometimes this can be a good thing, as the compulsion to avoid disaster drives me to work harder.  But most of the time, I end up in a weepy puddle, calling my momma for advice.  Not hot.  Now, I know things seem to always work out in the end, and hard work does pay off.   So my current aspiration {no pun intended} is to breathe.  I need to remember this in the heat of an anxious moment, as well as ensuring I making time for some preventative breathing, eg) yoga and running.  Slow down.  Breathe.  And every little thing will be alright.

Have a lovely holiday weekend!

Weekly Wrap-Up

What up Friday!

What a productive week for me!

Monday: I had my first job interview {!!}, which I think went pretty bomb. I was there for about two and half hours! {That’s a good sign right?!} – filled out an application, interviewed with the RD and Director of Nursing, got a tour from the RD of the absolutely beautiful {new} facility, met the nurses, was shown the electronic charting system… It was a fun way to start the week, for sure. Now I need to pass the exam..

Tuesday: Studying goes into high gear {with a side of Orange is the New Black}.

Wednesday: More studying. Begin half training.

Thursday: MORE studying. Can’t walk because calves are so ridiculously tight from sprints on Wednesday.

Friday: The plan for the day includes, you guessed it, even MORE studying.  Plus, I have a meeting with Spencer’s Fresh Markets to discuss ways to get me working in the grocery store!! How exciting!  I sent them a list of proposed services I could provide, and now we are going to review and get the ball rolling.

All good things.

Hope your week went well too!

Later!

City to Sea Half Marathon + Orange is the New Black

What up gangstaaaas!

Hope your week is kickin’ ass and takin’ names.

Pardon my french.

I’m attributing my bad language to my new obsession with Orange is the New Black.

Holy smokes is this show good. And not for the faint of heart.

I’ve been binge watching during study sessions.

Detain me whenever you like.

Hott. With 2 ts.

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Annnnnd, in other news…

I signed up for a race!

Woohoo!

It has been far to long since I’ve trained.

Plus, the whole no job thing has been making me feel kinda bummy. I. need. to. work.

So hopefully my training program will give me some sense purpose.

I’m, of course, doing Hal Higdon’s Half Marathon Intermediate Program. Bringing back a little speedwork and distance in my life.

Yes. I’m a child. {And that meme has a typo…}

Anyways, it looks like a pretty fast and flat course.

I’m not in as good long-distance-shape as I was last year at this time– but if I work hard, I may be able to place in the top 10 women, judging from previous years’ times.  We’ll see, we’ll see…

That’s all for now folks. Take it easy.

Catch you on the flip side!