Five people you meet in a group fitness class

OK, I want to preface this by saying that I love me a good fitness class. It's really the only thing I go to, unless I'm running on the treadmill or outside. I'm not really the type to go work a bunch of weight machines and I've spent so many hours on the elliptical that I literally can't even any more.

However, just like Sesame Street told you about the people in your neighborhood, these are the people in your group fitness class and they are special.

1. THAT ANNOYING GUY 

I've mentioned the constantly talking, thinks he's hella funny, but he's really just annoying gym guy. Please respect the rest of the people in the class, you want to have social hour, do it outside. Go to a juice bar or have some coffee or a bagel and chat, I don't care, just let the people who want to have a good work out do it in peace,

2. The "I look prefect after class" chick/dude. 

When I got to class, I go there to sweat. I want to get my heart rate up, break a sweat and leave smelly. I turn into a red faced sweaty mess who needs a 1985 Richard Simmons sweat band to keep it from dripping in my eyes. It's delightful. But there are those people who never break a sweat! I just don't understand, how, how does this happen, I see you moving, you seem to be working out, but you don't leave class with your mascara running down your face like a horrible Alice Cooper impersonator.  (this might have been me)

Then I like to go to Whole Foods, where everyone smells earthy and is in gym clothes

3. The guy who takes the class really, really seriously. 

We've all met this guy. I remember 2 of them in particular, there was a Pump class where someone wore a giant, leather Hulk Hogan-esque weight belt. Look, I've got no problem with a Hulk Hogan weight belt, I totally need one for my Hogan Halloween costume this year. Body Pump is suppsed to be lower weight and high repetition. he had a decent. not over the top, amount of weight on his bar, but at the end of every song or every break, he dropped his weights and grunted loudly. Brah, come on....

Last week in Combat, one of the tracks was "King Foo Fighting" and the guy behind me really tought he was kung foo fighting. He was super serious and there were a few times I felt the wind from his foot at the back of my head, he was that close to me. Taking class seriously is great, but maybe dial it back a notch. :)

4. The person who I'm convinced is going to really hurt themselves.

Most instructors do a great job correcting people's form and giving solid directions, but there are some folks who are just so far out of the realm, that I;m genuinely concerned that they're going to hurt themselves.  Lordy, please be careful I'm not great in medical emergencies. I panic and if you hurt yourself I can't help you.

5. The I'm going to give you stink eye for being in my "spot" chick. 

Who am I kidding, this is me.

Who do you meet at the gym?

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND

Five Thing Friday - Running Edition?

WHAT?? Did I say the running edition??? Oh yes, yes I did. When I ran the 5k last weekend, it had literally been months since I'd last ran. I almost had to relinquish my "runner's card".

I should have made time for it. Instead I sat on my ass for the first few months of the year, went back to JC, and knew I had to get back into the fitness grove. I didn't run though, I went to spin class, a lot. However, I'm slowly coming to the realization that I can't love spin like I want. Because I keep throwing my lower back. hips out of place when I do. Hence my more frequent trips to the chiropractor.

Me - Soooo, what exercise can I do tomorrow?
Dr. B - Well, I'd say you could go to spin class, because it's lower impact, but you'll hurt yourself. Go run instead.
Me - On a treadmill?!?! It's 90 degrees outside. It's like you don't even know me.
Dr. B - Whenever they say that  90% of patients who are successful should follow one path, and 10% defy standard medical practice? You're the 10%.
Me - I'll take that as a compliment.

Really though, my chiropractor is awesome. If you live in the Raleigh area, Osborne Chiropractic is fantastic. I've been regularly for maintenance and they've helped me for normal aches and pains and the few times I've been injured.

OK, on to my 5 Running things. The 5 things I think about most while running.

1. Does that hurt? Am I in pain? Is that a normal running twinge or am I hurting myself? Oh Lord, please don't let me be hurting myself, I don't have time to be injured. Oh, my shoulder is getting sore, I must be tense, I should relax more when I run. How's my form? Is it OK? let me check my stride, it doesn't hurt OK, good.

2. That dude is walking by himself on the trail. I hope he's not looking for people to kidnap. If I scream, will anyone hear me? What if they don't hear me, can I get away? I'm kinda sweaty, I might slip out of his grasp. I could kick him in the crotch if I had to. Remember that Facts of Life episode when they taught self defense, because Natalie was attacked?

Kinda, I have to use my keys as a weapon. Fuck where are my keys? Oh, he's gone, and there's an old man and his dog, he'll help me.

3. Damn it's hot. Well, it's not that hot, I'm out of shape. Damn am I out of shape. I can't breathe. How far have I gone?  O Lord, I though I'd gone further. Why is this road so long? When I can I walk? If I go another half mile I can walk. Fine, 5 more minutes, can I make it 5 more minutes? Maybe I need a better song. I need like a 5 minute song. 

4. Hamilton.

I've been listening to a lot of Hamilton. A LOT. I've gotten some odd looks while running on the treadmill and singing / rapping along. I could go on and on about how awesome it is, but you should listen yourself. Our 10 year anniversary is in August and for shits an giggles Kev looked to see how much Hamilton tickets were. Yea, sold out, Stub Hub for $700 apiece. Several years ago, we were in NYC a year and a half after Wicked opened and they were sold out for the next year and a half. Randomly Kev called to see if they had any tickets that night and at first the ticket lady laughed at him, then she saw 2 seats left, that night! He thinks lightening might strike twice, but I doubt it.

5. Tots

Obvs this was pre-Jenny, but morning runs always end with the Whole Foods Breakfast bar and tots. I think about tots constantly when I'm running.

What about you? What do you think about while exercising?

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND

Five Thing Friday!

 OMG, I'm so ready for the weekend. Don't get me wrong, it's going to be insane for the next 3 days. Well, wait, the next 7 days. We have events Saturday and Sunday, then next week at work is going to be insane. Let's just say, there will be rainbow sweatbands involved. Draw your own conclusions.

How about I stay true to a 5 thing Friday and talk about 5 thing's I've been digging. 

1. Favorite phrase.

I'm impatient, and I'm annoyed and I think that after 3 weeks of work that all my clothes should fit again. But I know that won't happen, I need to be patient and trust the process. It works. I know it works. But there's a tiny voice inside me that says "what if it doesn't work" what will you do then? But it does work and will work. It worked before and will work again.

2. Fav new find

Sweet heaven, HAVE YOU TRIED THIS??? The entire pint is only 240 calories and IT TASTES LIKE ICE CREAM. Not like that Arctic Zero BS, but real, delicious ice cream. They have it at the Kroger and Whole Foods near me and it's sooooo good. Kev is super happy with the Chocolate and it fits in his low carb diet. Personally, I despise chocolate ice cream. It's gross. give me vanilla any day.

3. Favorite Brunch I make.

That's right, this weekend is the annual choir brunch and I'll be making bunch for 30ish people Sunday. I'm going to try my luck again and make cinnamon rolls. After my success on Christmas morning, I'm going to press my luck and try it again. Wish me luck with the yeast.

4. Favorite part of training.

TOYS! I've said it before, but training is like the mob. Even if you get out, you never really get out. OMG, you were a trainer for 4 years, can you train something? Sure. I can train some sales something. I'm a firm believer that you need something to play with when you're in a class. It helps you think better and the participants figdet less. My interns bought Chinese finger traps, squishy balls and Silly Putty. People fricking love the Silly Putty. 

5. Favorite Running Music?

HAMILTON! I am 120% on the Hamilton bandwagon. It's sooooo good. I've been listening to it at work in the background, but I out it on for my run Saturday and it was perfect! Everything I wanted it to be. Just download it and listen to it. ALL THE TIME.

That's all for me! Wish me luck at my weigh in tomorrow!

Linking up with Amanda - Meet @ the Barre! AND