The Fat Kid in Class

So in my post yesterday, I was talking about all the perks having joined ClassPass and how I was a nervous wreck about taking Barry's Bootcamp for the first time! Well, I took the class, and I survived! But boy was that class such a challenge for me!!

I signed up for the Full Body workout, and I think everyday since I signed up I've been a nervous wreck! I've been on Google looking for all the information I could on the workout, all I wanted to know is if regular people like myself could actually get in a workout and do everything that was asked! But all I found online was how this was the workout to the stars and how hard it was instead! So all week all I could think of was how I'd be the weakest one in the class and that I wouldn't keep up and basically make myself look like a joke! 

The day of the class I was pacing all over my apartment just telling myself that I could get through it, it was only 50 mins and it would be over before I knew it! That really didn't help me, I seriously told myself that I'd rather run the NYC Marathon that day  than take this class! What in the world was I thinking!?!? 

So as I arrived to the studio I was even more intimidated when I saw the model like photos of the instructors plastered to the glass, and the camo militant theme from the outside. I mean could I feel any less fit than I already do?? But I told myself everyone has to start somewhere right!?

When I was all checked in, I was waiting with the rest of the class outside the studio, and ordered a peanut butter smoothie for post class, because in reality I just needed something to look forward to after class was over, in case this crazy idea of mine was a bust! 

Anyway when we were finally let inside, I felt a little better knowing this was coming to an end soon! The room is set up with mirrors all over the room, with treadmills against the wall on one side and then steppers set up on the opposite side. We were instructed that we'd be starting on the treadmills for class and then doing floor work later. As the the instructor told us to start warming up he also asked if anyone was new, and I introduced myself to him, and he told me what to expect, but that if I needed to, to take it at my own pace. 

We started and he started calling out commands to run at a speed of a 5-8, which I was ok at a 5, but then he said to increase the incline to a 6%, and that's where I started to struggle! So I never made it past a 5.7 on the treadmill, but I kept running anyway, and it was so hard because I really hate the treadmill, but I pushed through it. When we were ready to hit the floor the instructor told females to grab 10-15 lb weights, and the guys, 20-25 lbs, and I gladly took the smallest 8 lb weights they had, which was still heavy for me because I usually go for the 5 lbs or less! The lunges, squats, and presses with the weights were easy, but the countless bur-pees, push ups, walking push ups, and triceps push ups, made my arms so dead! I was a sweaty hot mess, front and center in the class, while everyone else was doing just fine with their heavy weights! And just when I thought we were almost done, we had to hit the treadmills one more time. After the floor work my legs were already shaking, and telling me no girl, not now, but I got on it and pushed through the best I could without giving up. I was ready to crawl under a rock because at moments I felt silly for even thinking I could be a part of this class, but I was doing it even if it wasn't as great as anyone else. We were back to the floor, and it was time for ab work. Ab work is the worst for me, we were doing bicycle crunches, and I could barely move my legs, and then we had to keep them straight up and do crunches, and that wasn't cute either. But once the instructor said we only had two moves left, I realized, I just did this, I took a class that scared the daylights outta me, but I pushed through and made it! 

At the end I was in tears, tears of pure pride and joy, I couldn't really feel anything else, I just felt proud of myself for not wimping out. And then as I walked out of class the instructor said to me, " Hey! You didn't die! Great work today!" and that made me want to go back for more, and I will because it felt so awesome after class. 

I was on a high the whole day, I used to give up on myself so easily in the past, but with marathon training in full swing, I feel like I can at least try to better myself, and try new things to keep me motivated. I want to be stronger than I am today on November 1st, and I want to know that I trained, and put in all the hours of hard work to get to the finish line strong and healthy. 

ClassPass Adventures

So earlier this week I started marathon training! Eeep! So many emotions were running wild through my head thinking of all the preparation necessary and how my life is pretty much over for the next 4 months! It's exciting because that it remains as one of the best days of my life, but I'm also nervous and scared because I just hope my mind and body can get through the training again. Last year I used Hal Higdon's Novice 1 plan and since it worked wonders for me then, I've decided to go with it once again this year. Last year my only regret with training was that I didn't incorporate enough cross training or strength training in my plan. Which is so hard when everyday life needs tending to also, training already takes up so much time, so to commit to even more time to train, is hard to process! But this year I'm gonna try and throw in other workouts on  non running days, starting with spin. Spin makes my legs feel refreshed for a long run, but also helps with recovery! And since I've been spinning at least once a week since the winter I want to continue and maybe pick it up to twice a week.

But let's face it, workout classes are expensive, but going to the gym and hopping on the elliptical, and trying to make sense of the weight machines just isn't cutting it for me anymore! Alas a solution in the form of an app called ClassPass is here to save the day! I was introduced to the concept from my running friend, Kathleen, who has nothing but good things to say about the app and how it works! You basically sign up for a monthly fee of $79 or $99 depending on your location, and you get access to all the classes on the ClassPass network all month long! No limit to how many classes per month, but there is a limit of 3 studio visits per month, which still works out because there are so many options to choose from! The average rate of classes in NYC is around $30-$35 a class so just 3-4 classes in a month will pay itself off, but you still can take more than that in a month! So I signed up this week, and I plan on canceling my gym membership, and I hope I can commit to this! I already love taking spin classes at Peloton but now I can take classes there and other studios I don't know about yet!

In the palm of your hand are no more excuses for not working out, there is literally something for everyone! And living in NYC I think it's perfect for variety in addition to my marathon training! So the first class I took was a spin class at Swerve Fitness, and I had been the studio in the past but never went back because it was too expensive for classes. But once I hopped back in the saddle I felt at home, and glad that I can go there 3 times a month now! 

Today I'm freaking out and shaking a bit because I'm currently en route to a Barry's Bootcamp class. The name should be enough to tell you it's no fun and games, this class is about business and and getting down and sweaty! The class consists of 25 minutes on the treadmill with sprints and intervals which I've never done, and that's making me scared because although I can run miles outside, I'm a terrible treadmill runner!! After the run portion of the class is the free weights part, and I heard the lightest weights they have are 8lbs and if that's the case my arms will be dead by the end of the first rep! I'm trying to convince myself that I'll be fine and I know I will be, but knowing how hard this class is, its giving me butterflies. But who knows maybe I'll love it and be hooked to hit!?!

Anyway I hope to write more soon, like right after class,that way I won't forget how I feel and I remember that for the next class!

I'm still here!

I'm here! Haven't disappeared yet! The last few weeks were pretty hectic, I went away on vacation to the fabulous Las Vegas! I had the time of my life, and enjoyed every minute, but now that I'm back home it's back to work!! Monday is the start of marathon training, so I'll be spending this weekend filling out my calendar with my training days! I am nervous for this training to get underway because my plantar fasciitis is really not pretty this year, It gets so sore much easily now, so I will be incorporating cross training if I feel like I need to scale back my mileage. But I am excited to embark on this journey again, I know it won't be the same as my first one, but I'd like to see how it changes me and how I learned from last years training.
I'm also excited to be running tomorrow morning! I'll be participating in the NYRR LGBT Pride Run in the morning in Central Park, and it should be a beautiful day! This morning the Supreme Court ruled  that all marriages be recognized in all states, giving everyone marriage equality! This is so historic and today I'm proud to be American, and tomorrow I can't wait to show my support. Love is love, and Love wins today!

The Food Transformation

Sometimes I feel like my world revolves around food and my next meal. Ever since joining WW it's changed the way I think about and eat food. It has taught me how to pick the good, and skip the bad, even though they stress you can have anything, they do teach how to make better choices.

During my pre WW days, food was my bestie. If I was feeling sad and depressed (which was almost always) I would buy myself a meal and make it the best part of my day. I would justify the stress and emotions I was feeling, make the food my happy place. And it didn't even really make me happy, I just ate the food because it was what I had made myself accustomed to.

Those days I used to work at Shea Stadium, I was part of the concessions management team at the ballpark, and had access to all the food I wanted there. When I worked there I had done WW once and lost 54lbs, and then fell in love and gained it all back and much more. So I knew about portion sizes, and I had the belief that because I had been somewhat successful and my job required me to be on my feet all day, walking back and forth, that I had this in the bag, no more meetings for me! I remember eating countless hot dogs, cheeseburgers, and chicken tenders on a daily basis, and then of course I'd have fries, but I'd top them with cheese from the nacho stand, and maybe add a pretzel in there too! I never drank water either, I'd have a bottle or two a day, but you'd always find me with a Snapple  in hand in some sweet sugary flavor! I knew they were no good but I'd justify the fact that I was walking all over the stadium for more than 8 hours a day as my exercise, and in turn food was my reward!

What was worse, was after my shift was over, I'd head to the bar with my coworkers and we'd get more than enough drinks to make us feel nice for the night, that on my way home I'd need more food. You know, to "absorb the alcohol", so that way I wouldn't be so drunk or hungover! FYI kids, you wake up feeling worse, and always vow you'll never drink or eat like that again, but there was always a next time for me.

I can remember getting off the train at my stop near my apartment, and I already knew what I was going to order to eat at home, cash in hand, ready to stuff my face. There's a Popeye's right outside the train station, and it became my food mecca. I was there almost every night, and I would order the same thing each time. I'd order 4 pieces of chicken, with fries, a biscuit, a large Hi-C fruit punch, and a slice of Mardi Gras cheesecake. But that wasn't all I got, I needed a snack after my meal, so I'd go to the deli right next door with my change, and get myself a 99 cents Arizona iced tea, a bag of nacho cheese Doritios ( the $1 size), and 4 bags of hot cheese popcorn (25 cent bags). Then I would go home to my bedroom in the attic, and devour everything in minutes! Once I was finished I'd hide all the evidence, stuff it deep into the trash at home so no one would notice or I'd keep it in my purse till I could throw it away outside.

And then one day I woke up and realized that I was probably 300lbs. I had always known I was overweight, but I didn't care enough at the time to change my habits, but I had always told myself, even as a teenager, "I will never go over 300lbs, when I do that will be the day I have to change."  Once I realized that I was finally at that limit, it scared me. I actually never thought I'd get that big, I thought I had the control, but I really didn't, I let the food control me. Now I was really scared, because what if I couldn't lose the weight on my own, what if I needed a greater intervention, like surgery, or would I end up so bad that I'd need to try out for a reality weight loss show?, or worse what if I couldn't do it, and I'd end up a victim to my home and my fridge?  300 is a big number, and on the scale, its a number that feels impossible to diminish, one week at a time.

When I finally decided to join WW again, I was more determined than ever to get my weight down and not rely on food as a means of support. I paid attention to the nutrition labels, I stopped fast food all together, and I became aware of the types of foods that were beneficial to my health, and let go of the foods that held me back for so long. I learned to love vegetables and fruit, I drank only water, nothing else, and I let go of my constant need for snacking. I also learned that I didn't need to reward myself with food, I started rewarding myself, with clothes, accessories, and new fitness gear. Eventually I was able to let go of many bad habits, and I no longer felt a need for the food that became my friend for so long.

Today I'm still not perfect, but I am so much more aware of what I eat. I passed by a McDonald's this weekend, and realized I haven't had a McDonald's burger in years! As for Popeye's, I haven't gone in there either in a few years, I love the food, but I know I don't need it anymore. When I go food shopping, I only buy food for my main meals, and no snacks at all, just plain popcorn kernels or sugar free ice cream pops. I don't fry any food anymore, all my food is cooked with spray oil, or baked in the oven. I bring my lunch to work every day, and it consists of a protein, veggies, a small carb, and fruit. I make breakfast every morning, and I make dinner every night. I fell in love with running, and it has increased my appetite greatly, and I still struggle with my hunger after a run, but I'm getting better at making good food choices post run. I don't need food to have a good time anymore, I can pass up just about anything and not feel bad about it anymore.

I don't think my relationship with food will ever be perfect, but I'm glad its not my source of comfort anymore. I used to live to eat, but now I do my best to eat to live. As I grow older I hope I continue to live that way, and spread the knowledge to my future family, because living a healthy life is so much more plentiful then living a life full of junk!

Hello June!

It's a new month and summer is almost upon us!! This is an exciting June for me, with 3 races planned, a Vegas vacation, and the start of marathon training, I'm going to be a busy lady!! I've already been swamped these past few weeks, my boss was away and I felt the pressure of the extra work getting to me, I've missed a bunch of workouts lately, and it's disappointing. Life is just hectic, my in laws are in town also, so being with family also takes up my time, and then prepping for our vacation too has kept me busy as well! 

But my boss is finally back and I'm ready to focus! I plan on taking a few spin classes next week, one with my sister too, and I have the Oakley 10k next Saturday, so it should be a great week to work on some goals! Vacation will be hard but we'll be walking a lot and I hope I can make healthy food choices most of the time! 

I'm also excited to jump back into marathon training, I've actually missed the discipline I had last year and  hoping to achieve the same thing again. I'll be starting on June 29th with the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan, it's the same one I used last year, and I hope to keep spinning this training session, because that helps my running a ton! Let's just hope there are few heat waves this summer! Last summer was wonderful, so I'm frightened to find out what this summer will be like since we've already dealt with a terrible winter!! 

Anyways that's all for now, I'm on the train on my way to work, and my stop is approaching, but hope the next week is awesome!! Xoxo

What's going on?

Life has been so hectic the last couple of weeks!! My boss is currently on vacation, she'll be away for about 3 weeks, so in her absence I have to fill her role at work. So that means I've been pretty much swamped at work all day doing both of our jobs, and by the time I leave I'm so frazzled and stressed I don't have the energy for anything else! I've wanted to write a few other blogs but my brain is so exhausted from staring at my computer all day that I've hardly been on my phone and I've neglected my laptop! After work I'm  busy at my job at home! Ya know, cooking, cleaning, working out, and taking care of my dog and fiancé! I think once my boss is back life will be a little easier and I'll be able to get more posts in! 

In the meantime I'm also getting excited because I will be traveling to Las Vegas in a few weeks for 5 days! My fiancé and I will be scouting possible wedding locations and enjoying some quality time together! My man has been working his butt off with two jobs and no days off in months! I admire him so much for being able to stick it out, but he's been doing it so we have the funds to enjoy ourselves out there and I can't wait! Just leave me at the pool with a drink and I'll be good!!

I did the Stephen Siller WTC stair climb on May 17th, and it was pretty tough for me considering that I ran the Brooklyn Half the day before! The stairwells were so hot, with no ventilation, but hearing the stories from other climbers directly affected by 9/11 was very inspiring that I would love to do it again next year! Just not the day after a half next time!! 

I also participated in the Color Run 5k at Citifield on Saturday! I was chosen as an ambassador a few months back, and had a few of my cousins join me on the run! I didn't think I'd have as much fun as I did, but it was a blast! My favorite part was running the field inside the stadium since I am a huge Mets fan! It was so cool, I was like a kid on Christmas, smiling from ear to ear the whole time! 

Honestly though the spots where we were supposed to get colored along the run hardly did any damage! When we got to the finish I was pretty clean, I was disappointed until we got to the post race festival, that's where we got covered in color and sparkle! The music was great, and it was a pretty sweet way to start the weekend! 

I get a little breather for a couple of weeks from racing! My next race isn't til June 13th for the women's Oakley 10k in Central Park, which I'm excited for because my girls on the running team will be coordinating outfits for the day! I also have two other races later in June which will set me up nicely right before marathon training begins again! 

Till then just running short miles and focusing on some strength training! I love running but a small break is healthy for recovery! Trying my best to keep up with the blogging, hope you guys are enjoying it so far!! Til next time, xoxo! 

Brooklyn Half 2015

It's been a few days since the Brooklyn half, and I still have my runner's high! It was such a fun day to spend with my team!

The fun started Thursday when I went to the Brooklyn Half pre-party to pick up my race bib! I got to see my friends volunteering and ran into a few friends also getting bibs that day! Seeing them always makes the next few days before the race exciting! I went with my fiancé and we enjoyed a couple of beers, some tacos from the food trucks, and of course the beautiful view of the city from the Brooklyn Bridge!

Race day comes so quick for Brooklyn, since it's on a Saturday morning! On Friday I had gone to get my bib for the stair climb, and then had tickets to the Mets game at night, so there was hardly any rest for me leading to race day! I was pretty nervous too actually, because I knew I'd be pacing Amy, and I didn't want to fail her!

Before I knew it, it was 3:45am and I was awake and getting ready to head to Brooklyn! It's a long commute and I did not want to take my chances, so I made sure to head there early enough to give myself time to find Amy, use the porta potty, and take pictures of course! :) 

My stomach was giving me issues since I had woke up but I just told myself it was just pre race jitters! The weather was ok at the start, it was cloudy with a chance of rain but the air felt good with a promising run ahead of us! 

There were 5 of us running together at the start! Amy, Cari, Helena, Melissa, and I all started out strong with the crowd! We had planned on running with Heather but with 26,000 runners we never caught up to her, but she had had a great run with her husband! It was super crowded at the beginning but we had a good pace going and we were all smiles! Along the way Melissa paced ahead of us, and then it was us 4 til the end! We were running ahead of pace I was feeling great about it, and then....it rained! It started off slow, but then the sky opened up and it was a crazy downpour!! I love running in the rain when I am prepared to do so, but on Saturday I was in a tank and capris, with no hat to keep the water out of my face, and at times I felt like I was drowning lol! I mean really trying to run, and breathe, and see in crazy rain is hard to do! It slowed us down a bit, but we were still having a blast, and by the time we exited Prospect Park it was finally over!

I was so ready for Ocean Parkway, because it's flat and downhill to Coney Island!! It was so much fun, we were laughing, taking pictures, and our pace was ok till about 10 miles in, then exhaustion started to hit us but we were still all up beat and having a great run! Along the way we made friends with Team RWB, they were so bad ass, doing push ups, burpees, or mountain climbers at every mile marker! I was feeling super proud of my girl Amy because she just kept pushing along with us, and I never heard a complaint from her, she was so awesome! Cari and I kept ahead of Helena and Amy, so they could chase us down, and keep up the pace and it was working! Cari and I had a ton of girl talk along the way, and it was even fun for a few minutes when one of the fellas from Team RWB got a little flirty with me! I was flattered and he was sweet and harmless and gave all of us a good laugh!

Before we knew it we were at mile 12!! I could smell the beach! I love that smell so much, you have no idea! At that point we knew we missed our goal of under 3 hours, but with the rain, came the heat & humidity, and really we still did a pretty amazing job! Our next goal was to beat Amy's PR, and we were so close! That last mile I just kept pushing and I was annoying with my "let's go!"'s and " we got this!" I also almost made Amy cry when I mentioned her BFF sole sista Michelle! She was waiting for us handing out medals at the finish! The last mile was a breeze I was so happy to see our friends cheering on the sidelines, and next thing you know we were passing the infamous Cyclone roller coaster, and feet from the finish!

The beach was there, and all of us were cheering Amy on! When we crossed the finish I was so proud of her I wanted to cry! And then she saw Michelle and they hugged and cried for all of us! While we missed Amy's PR by a few seconds, she did PR the course! We also hope to beat her goal in October at the RnR Brooklyn Half! After the run we went for some grub, and feasted on beer and sliders!

The best part of this years Brooklyn Half was that I was able to run with my friends! It was so much fun, I love when I run with them, it made those 13 miles feel like we breezed right through them! I don't know if I'll do this race again next year, but I'm definetly looking forward to more runs with my running family!