Almost there! Tomorrow I roll over the zeroes in Uncle Dicky's class!
But tonight I did another round of the Hourglass Workout. I'm getting better on my bicycle, going for longer and raising my heart rate even higher. I had excess energy after the workout and would hop on the bike for another round if I didn't have a class tomorrow. I'm not measuring myself until 2012, so I'm just going to keep my fingers crossed that I'm starting to whittle down bit by bit.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Dance Class Challenge: 97/100 - Ballet Conditioning
About ten days ago when I saw the end of the year at my doorstep, I ordered a couple ballet videos from Amazon to help me beat back Father Time in order to reach my goal. When I purchase fitness or technique videos, I look for things that I'm likely to use more than once. (Netflix instant is great for just dipping your toe in the water.) I lucked out when I got a discount for buying this video and the one I did last week.
For slow reps and basic barre work, this was the better video. If you haven't engaged in much or any ballet training, this will give you some basics of form and benefits of ballet stretches and endurance. Well-structured, calming, educational, this was a fantastic workout. It includes some Pilates technique for the abs.
Two days left after today, three classes left after this one. In a few short hours, I'm tackling another hourglass workout to get closer to my goal. Here's hoping I can walk tomorrow. :)
For slow reps and basic barre work, this was the better video. If you haven't engaged in much or any ballet training, this will give you some basics of form and benefits of ballet stretches and endurance. Well-structured, calming, educational, this was a fantastic workout. It includes some Pilates technique for the abs.
Two days left after today, three classes left after this one. In a few short hours, I'm tackling another hourglass workout to get closer to my goal. Here's hoping I can walk tomorrow. :)
Dance Class Challenge: 96/100 - Hourglass Workout
In one year and 95 movement classes, I haven't lost a pound. Not a damn one. One of my reasons behind doing this was to lose some weight. It's time to change things up before the new year.
The first book I bought for my Kindle was this one. I liked the sample chapters and I liked that there were actual workouts in the book for different body types.
I read the entire book in a matter of days. I was amazed at how practical everything was and how doable the weight loss seemed. I also understand why parts of my body have bulked up from dance classes when I've expected them to shrink.
I went out and bought (meaning Andrew went out and bought while I was at the day job) a jump rope and an exercise bicycle yesterday so I could start the program. With my Kindle handy to refer to the workout program and diagrams for my hourglass body, I worked through everything in a little over an hour. I have two more things to purchase before I have everything that's ideal for the program: new tennis shoes and a workout bar (my two 2 lb. hand weights are doing that job for now). After my workout I felt like I really earned the orange chicken I had at lunch and the three chocolate treats I had during the day.
This is going to be my 2012 workout. I'm still going to take dance classes, but I'm going to focus more on studying specific technique when I leave the house. Of course, I'm still going to work out with Uncle Dicky as I can.
The first book I bought for my Kindle was this one. I liked the sample chapters and I liked that there were actual workouts in the book for different body types.
I read the entire book in a matter of days. I was amazed at how practical everything was and how doable the weight loss seemed. I also understand why parts of my body have bulked up from dance classes when I've expected them to shrink.
I went out and bought (meaning Andrew went out and bought while I was at the day job) a jump rope and an exercise bicycle yesterday so I could start the program. With my Kindle handy to refer to the workout program and diagrams for my hourglass body, I worked through everything in a little over an hour. I have two more things to purchase before I have everything that's ideal for the program: new tennis shoes and a workout bar (my two 2 lb. hand weights are doing that job for now). After my workout I felt like I really earned the orange chicken I had at lunch and the three chocolate treats I had during the day.
This is going to be my 2012 workout. I'm still going to take dance classes, but I'm going to focus more on studying specific technique when I leave the house. Of course, I'm still going to work out with Uncle Dicky as I can.
Dance Class Challenge: 95/100 - Stretch Zone
I took last week off from Bill's Stretch Zone because of my carpal tunnel hand; there are a lot of stretches that require the support and function of the hands and wrists. Even though I did a couple workouts in the time I've dedicated to Bill's class, I was tight and sore all week. After Tuesday's class I feel so much better. My body has gotten used to the hour of focused stretching each week.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Dance Class Challenge: 94/100 - Sweat! with Richard Simmons
I just got my annual physical on Thursday and haven't had a chance to refill my inhaler, so I knew I had to pay close attention to my body during class. I had to take two breaks in the first twenty minutes of class to get some water and slow my heart down for a moment, and I had one break due to wheezing. The great thing is that I made it through class without my inhaler, even if I did have to take a breather.
This class ended with Richard giving away two hard-to-find Barbies. I guess this is what he does every year at Christmas. And I won the first one. Holy cow! I was absolutely tickled. I had him sign the box after class. Now I have to figure out where to put her.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Dance Class Challenge: 93/100 - Ballet Class for Beginners
When I first challenged myself to do 100 classes in 2012, I knew there would be holidays to interrupt my flow. I hoped to be done by the first week of December, but that wouldn't be very exciting. I looked at my tally last week and looked at the calendar. I knew I'd have to do some DVDs and Netflix instant in addition to in-person classes to reach my goal with those pesky holidays looming. I went on Amazon last week and ordered two ballet DVDs to help me through the holidays.
I have mixed feelings about this DVD. I loved the demonstration of basic ballet positions and moves. While the DVD is about 40 minutes, you have to give yourself extra time to do the barre exercises on both sides of your body. It is pretty awesome to get a ballet barre class at your fingertips for less than $15. When they got to the center work, it moved too fast. At that point it wasn't as instructive for beginners as I had hoped. I've had some years of beginner/intermediate beginner ballet and I had trouble keeping up with the moves and remembering the names for the things they were doing as they were doing them. It's definitely not a video to just do once and expect to know ballet. The pirouttes were impossible on my carpeted living room floor, especially with two wrestling dogs working their way past me. (We know how much they like to participate. I managed to kick Buster when I was doing my grand battements to the rear, not seeing him wandering through.)
It's a great deal for some ballet instruction. If you're brand new to ballet, I recommend you watch each chapter a couple times before trying the moves so you have a better idea of the body mechanics involved. Try for the ideal and you'll eventually get to your body's ideal with the technique.
I have mixed feelings about this DVD. I loved the demonstration of basic ballet positions and moves. While the DVD is about 40 minutes, you have to give yourself extra time to do the barre exercises on both sides of your body. It is pretty awesome to get a ballet barre class at your fingertips for less than $15. When they got to the center work, it moved too fast. At that point it wasn't as instructive for beginners as I had hoped. I've had some years of beginner/intermediate beginner ballet and I had trouble keeping up with the moves and remembering the names for the things they were doing as they were doing them. It's definitely not a video to just do once and expect to know ballet. The pirouttes were impossible on my carpeted living room floor, especially with two wrestling dogs working their way past me. (We know how much they like to participate. I managed to kick Buster when I was doing my grand battements to the rear, not seeing him wandering through.)
It's a great deal for some ballet instruction. If you're brand new to ballet, I recommend you watch each chapter a couple times before trying the moves so you have a better idea of the body mechanics involved. Try for the ideal and you'll eventually get to your body's ideal with the technique.
Dance Class Challenge: 92/100 - Total Resculpt
Netflix instant to the rescue! I slapped on my wrist brace and grabbed my two pound toning weights for this Crunch video. (I don't like to do weights in classes when my trusty beading/crocheting/writing/typing/jewelry-making hand is pained. Teachers often try to push you to the limits of your physicality, and I don't like having to explain to them that I'm not participating in part of the workout because my right hand is being a pus.)
This video is broken into two parts: upper body and lower body. I got a nice sweat going and I could feel my muscles working. I could still feel the impact on my legs when I did ballet last night (next blog on my platter). Great for toning and strengthening.
This video is broken into two parts: upper body and lower body. I got a nice sweat going and I could feel my muscles working. I could still feel the impact on my legs when I did ballet last night (next blog on my platter). Great for toning and strengthening.
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