You did it. You finally booked that vacation. You go. You have an amazing time. You eat every food you can get your hands on and go out every night because YOU ARE ON VACATION. Now you are back. And its time to start working out again.

And it sucks.

Seriously.



All is not lost because I am here to help. Mainly because I just did all of that. I missed 11 days of working out because the whole point of a healthy lifestyle is relaxation. Brazil was amazing but I mainly sat on a beach and drank coconut water and beer. I came home to face reality and realized 20 minutes into my Total Cardio Body class that this may not have been the best way to face it.

Here is how to slowly get back into your routine:

1. Yoga. It's slow and there are many ways to hold a position for the less flexible.
   
2. Jog. Don't run. I nearly blacked out trying to get back to where I was just 2 weeks before.
3. Recognize you may have put on some holiday weight. Everyone does. Don't sweat it, just focus on your eating and you'll feel more like yourself eventually.
4. Lift. But knock it down a few plates to what you were lifting pre-holiday. Work your way back into it.
5. Sleep. I realized when I sleep, my body is able to see whats up aka fix itself.
6. DRINK WATER. If you feel that lightheadedness before the big knockout, drink water.
   
7. Slow down. I thought I was able to get back into my two a day workouts but I realized for my body to get back into it, we had to go slowly.
8. Breathe. Not enough people do this. In your nose, out your mouth. Learn to control your breathing and you can get through anything.
9. Ask for modified moves, every and all workouts have modified moves. Google them.
10. Remember vacation is meant to be a time to have fun and relax so don't be so hard on yourself that you did just that.
    
    
    
    I hope these tips were helpful. Stay strong and go drink some water.
    
    
    XOXO!

I love Zumba. Legit. I have been doing Zumba since the day it came out. Ok well it came out in 2001 but I started really going to classes in 2007, my freshman year of high school aka the time I could join the gym.

Throughout all my life, Zumba has been a constant. I went to high school, Zumba; graduated high school, Zumba; started college, Zumba; graduated college, Zumba; and even now, post college life, Zumba.


Zumba gets a bad wrap, it seriously does and its annoying. Just because the main audience is older ladies does not mean it isn't a killer workout. Let's talk about the class as a workout, okay?

1) It's super fun. Like you yell and scream and laugh. I do Zumba just to stay sane from all my boxing classes.
2) Ultimate core workout. Have you ever actually held your abs in while dancing? It hurts. Now do this for an hour and you have a strong core.
3) Over 7,000 steps. You kill that goal of 10,000 steps in one hour.
4) You can go at your own speed and difficulty. Yes, there are older women in my classes but everyone does their own thing. Sure you can follow the teacher but you wanna throw in a kick or salsa step? Do it.
5) It is genuinely one of the funniest classes you can take. Laughter and fun is something that aren't usually associated with working out so why would you not what to incorporate that?
6) There are plenty of YouTube videos with Zumba routines so if the gym isn't your thing, you can Zumba from the comfort of your own home!

If you are nervous going into a class, drag a friend. But if you can't talk a friend in to it, introduce yourself to the instructor, they are just as excited that you took this fitness leap as you are!


WHAT TO EXPECT: Laughing, Yelling, Cardio, Dance Moves aka Salsa
AVERAGE CALORIES BURNED IN HOUR: 450-600 calories
WHAT TO WEAR: Anything. If you can dance in it, you can wear it.
THINGS TO DO AFTER CLASS: Drink water and stretch!

See you on Wednesday!

XOXO

I've decided to try and do one of these class reviews from an average athletic woman's view point. Lets see how this goes.

~~CARDIO KICKBOXING~~

Now, I take this class 4 times a week but with three different teachers so I can give you all the pluses and minuses of how very different that can be!


First class, it is a morning class so that brings a whole different group of people compared to night classes. When looking for a class, think about you as a person, are you better at AM workouts or PM workouts. AM brings out more moms and PM brings out younger and older people. Blah blah blah but this class is A LOT more cardio based. Not as much technique but lots of jumping.

While that class is a lot jumping and moving, the second class is more about high reps and intensity which is perfect because its a good hump day night class. Sweat it all out.

The third and final class is all about technique and building a routine. To be truthful, its always key to know what you are actually supposed to be doing and how not to hurt yourself.

All three are different but all different in good ways. So if you are thinking about joining a cardio kickboxing class, think about how they can all differ but offer positives to your workout.  Not everyone LOVES kickboxing but it is a full body workout and it doesn't require actual fighting. You don't have to hit anymore and if your class does require that, use gloves.


If you ever feel uncomfortable in any class, 1) ask how to do a move easier or 2) leave. Cardio kickboxing is great for getting high cardio and weights in an hour all at once.

Be prepared for a lot of sweating and nonstop leg movements but it has by far become my favorite class (no matter what version of the class I have).

WHAT TO EXPECT: Sweating, Cardio, Loud Music, Sweating
AVERAGE CALORIES BURNED IN HOUR: 400 to 800 (I burn 800 in an hour and a half class)
WHAT TO WEAR: Tighter bottoms, loose top so you can breathe
THINGS TO DO AFTER CLASS: Drink LOTS of water and eat something high in protein

Until Monday!

XOXO