‘gym’ Category

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31 August 2010

End of the day distractions

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Random, gym

Working in a cubicle, staring at a computer for hours, I need some kind of a release at the end of the day. Something that breaks me from the work mindframe and get back to the “non-work me” mode.

Depending on the type of day I have, I find release in the following things:

  • Coffee cake in the dark with the TV on
  • Getting on the elliptical machine for 30 minutes (and working it like it’s my b*tch)
  • Long walk (ANTM strut optional)
  • Blasting music and having a dance party in my apartment (screw the neighbors)
  • Laying like a beached whale on my couch, zoning out to reality TV (brain goes on vacation and no coffee cake)
  • Watching a movie and having a good laugh or cry

Yes, some days, I do many of them in the course of one evening.

Lately, in my effort to not be plumpy anymore, I have been finding release in the walks, dance party and, of course, the elliptical machine. Getting the blood pumping, heart racing and just work out everything that’s bothering you.

That’s one of my favorite things about working out in general, is that endorphine/adrenaline kick that makes you want to scream, “F*CK YES, LET’S GO KICK SOME A**!!!!!” And that’s not steroid-inspired either.

And as much as I complain about going to the gym after work and really want to indulge in laying on my couch like a sea lion, I always feel better when I’m done. Maybe not great, or completely free of the days down turns, but better.

Tonight was one of those nights where I was BBM’ing with my high school best friend about stuff on my mind when I decided to skip the gym because it was too late and I was too tired. But, seeing my gym bag sitting on my chair, challenging me to 30 minutes of cardio, I succumbed to it (mostly because I won’t be at the gym the next two nights) and had, well, an awesome mini-workout.

With sweat dripping down my face and my heart racing, I walked out of there with a small smile on my face and came home and indulged myself in a little couch lounge time. It’s all about balance!

What about you? How do you unwind after a good/bad/long/exhausting day?

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23 Comments

09 March 2010

Spring reality check

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Fashion, gym, shopping

Within the last three days, I got two big reality checks. It started when the weather became gorgeous this weekend.

Chicago had its first taste of spring weather, which meant I was out getting fresh air and checking out the stores for cute new spring clothes.

Enter reality check number one. Old Navy was having a big sale on skirts and dresses, both of which are my spring wardrobe staples so I was ready to stock up.

But after a long winter, trying on spring clothes shopping can be a…harsh wake up call.

And the reality check I was written said: get back in shape.

Sure, you can say Old Navy’s clothes are cheap and that styles fit differently, but seeing my fat a** in a piece of jersey was a self-esteem deflator.

So I only bought one of the dresses that fit but was slightly snug and am now using it as my inspiration to get back in a routine at the gym.

This brought me to reality check number two.

I used to go to a bootcamp class regularly at the gym but lately haven’t been able to because of a busy work schedule. But hey, I still go to the gym regularly, it’s a piece of cake!

WRONG. FAIL.

I was down on the ground and I couldn’t get up.

The level of pain I felt was insane. As I laid on the ground, legs and arms aching, I thought, “please God take me now.”

And to add to the misery, there was a “woo” girl in the class, screaming “WOOO I LOVE IT!” Seriously, I wanted to punch her in the face.

But hey, I made it and (hopefully) it’ll get easier again with time. And that dress is going to be good motivation.

Has it started to be spring by you? What are you looking forward to this spring?

Review blog update: It’s not a “formal” review but I took part in an Oscar pool, check out how I did :)

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14 February 2010

Weekend recap: Happy Valentine’s Day

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Chicago, Movies, gym, shopping

Happy Sunday and Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Yeah it’s Valentine’s Day.

I should hate it because I’m single, but really, I don’t. I know, I talk a good game about hating Valentine’s Day but really, I don’t loathe it.

What I do hate is the connotation that Valentine’s Day only applies to you if you’re in a relationship. I think it should be more about love overall. Love for friends, family AND significant other. Why can’t it just be like that?

But since relationships are the most important thing on this sweet/depressing day, I decided to take my #1 person in my life out for a day. That’s right, I’m single, so I celebrate my awesomeness independently and treated myself to a day downtown.

Actually, it’s been more of a “treat weekend.”

Friday was striptease at the gym, where I got a reminder I always need to see (along with a few hefty glasses of wine).

Trust me, after two glasses of wine, I am LOVING my body :)

We also got to make up stripper names. Yes, that sticker is on my boob too.

Saturday was haircut, movie and dinner at Noodles & Company (YUM).

Sassy! Seriously, I need to just commit to full bangs at this point.

And for the big day today, I went to yoga, brunch at Eleaven (they had a donut buffet for free!), shopping at Banana, another movie, Berry Chill and then home to close the day with more movies and a group date with Russell Stover and Whitman Sampler. Oh yeahhhh.

So that’s what I did this weekend, relax, go see movies and treat myself whenever I wanted. After a rough few weeks and a busy one coming up, I decided to take it easy and make sure one of the most important people in my life, me, didn’t feel left out on Valentine’s Day.

And I highly recommend everyone else does the same, single or married. Do something fun for yourself and if you have one, your significant other. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, but take that time out to recognize all the people you love in your life and don’t forget about yourself. Ever :)

What about everyone else, did you do anything fun for Valentine’s Day or during this weekend? Do you love or hate this love-infected holiday?

Heart-themed movie review: That’s right, I went and saw Valentine’s Day, original, I know.

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14 January 2010

Sweat it out

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: gym

I’ll be honest, I can be a little prissy sometimes. I like my hair to lay properly, my mascara to be perfectly applied and I hate sweating in my work clothes in summer.

But when I go to the gym, I LOVE to sweat. I love the endorphin kick and burst of energy that makes you want to solider through your torturous workout and work twice as hard at it.

And when I started taking classes at the gym, I felt that way too, but lately I haven’t. It was time to challenge myself and mix it up again. I love yoga and Pilates but sometimes, I need to just be active and physical in my workout.

So tonight, I balled up and took my first spinning class instead of striptease.

Why? I wasn’t in the mood to dry hump a fake pole or run my hands in a caressing way over my boobs, I wanted DO something.

And that bike beat me like a stepchild.

OMG the pain. The pain in my a** and lady bits. THE PAIN.

But I survived. I pedaled on that bike for 50 minutes (allowing 10 minutes here/there to rest) and I was sweating like crazy. Sweat was running down and dripping off my face, back, arms, legs, nose and chest. I could have wrung out my gym clothes after.

And when the lightheadedness faded away and I regained the ability to stand on my own, I felt…awesome.

Sure, I couldn’t do all the stands and jumps, but I finished.

I’m still a little intimidated to go back but I might. I love a challenge and this might be it for now. Plus, that sweat felt great while it was happening.

So what about you? Do you like a really aggressive workout or something more relaxed. Or have you done spinning? Please tell me this gets easier!

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30 Comments

04 January 2010

Back in the routine

By: Jessica B.
Tagged: Food, gym, work

No lie, today was tough. My body is ridiculously pissed off at me tonight for two reasons:

  1. It had to get up to an alarm and shower
  2. It didn’t get to eat junk food all day

Since I work up today, I rotated between feeling like a bear waking from hibernation and a baby getting fussy that it wasn’t being fed on its regular schedule.

Normally, I’m pretty quick and have a good memory but today, everything seemed to take longer to process, including simple math (yes, addition and subtraction, it’s tough).

Someone asked me a question and I stared at them blankly for about a minute before actually answering the question.

I also had trouble training my body to like a regimented diet of daily healthy brown-bagged lunches. I had candy-craving pains ALL DAY and then when I wouldn’t feed my stomach candy, she just wanted salty food. WTF stomach?

And lying to myself that carrots were just as good as candy or chips was a total crock. I anticipate a few more days of fussy b*tchy food cravings and then I’ll be back on track.

Even the gym was tough, which I’ll blame partially on this cold because it’s sucking away my will to live. I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and nearly fell off of it gasping for air. An elderly woman next to me made her machine her b*tch, which was ridiculously embarrassing.

But, I only had two small pieces of candy today (my stomach would NOT take no for an answer) and still made it to the gym after leaving work late. So that’s a plus for me!

Now I’m having mixed greens, walnuts, cranberries, raisins, balsamic, chicken and goat cheese salad for dinner. Let’s just hope tomorrow is better.

How about you? How was your first day back at work or the gym? Did you find it tough to get back in your daily routine?

Vote for me! That’s right, this little blog was nominated for an 20sb award! So help me bring home the bacon and share it with all of you. Vote for me here!

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