Tight Schedule

I'm running far behind today.  I was famished after Core Commotion and thought I'd stop at the grocery store for a banana.  But once there, I started wondering... what am I going to eat for lunch when I get home?  I only have unhealthy food at home, so my pit stop turned into a full fledge grocery shopping spree.  When I got home and my phone was already ringing with a business call, and before you know it, I'm knee deep in work... without even putting away the groceries.  Now, I'm thinking I need to clean out the refrigerator before I put anything new in it.  But, that will have to wait because I still have work to do.  It's going to a long day for me.  Thank goodness I did all that prepping yesterday.  See, you guys thought I was crazy... but now I don't have to worry about my laundry, depilitating, or other chores and grooming habits.  I just hope I get a little time with my son before I have to rush him to bed tonight, because it really will be a long day for me.  I haven't even showered yet!  (Too much information?)   

Here is the description of Core Commotion straight off the my gym's website: 
CARDIOVASCULAR

XSport® Core Commotion

This class utilizes hand held weights to simulate real life movement patterns known as functional fitness. Executing multi-movement patterns in a low impact manner, focusing on building core strength and increasing range of motion is surely a safe and effective way to workout.

Ha!  Let me tell you, simulating real life movements has never been harder!  I used 7.5 lbs as my heavy weight, 5 lbs. for my medium weight.  I also stayed for 20 minutes of Muffin Top Melt Away... isnt' that such a funny/cute name?  I had to stay, this class is a must for me right now as that is my current complaint.  And, according to my heart rate monitor, in one hour and 22 minutes, I burned 554 calories.  My shoulders and arms are really feeling the burn today, and I already know I'm going to be sore for tomorrow's workout. 

My sister inspired me yesterday.  She admitted that a few months back she made a goal for herself to go the gym every day, Monday through Friday.  She allows herself to eat whatever she wants, and doesn't feel guilty about it as long as she's done her workout for the day.  Her goal was to get back to her pre-pregnancy weight, and she successfully accomplished that after five workouts a week, for three months.  IF she can do it... I can do it!!  Thanks for the inspiration and motiviation, Adri! 

Here is the thing though, my advice for the day:  with so many different classes and sports and activities,  I really think that each person should find the workout that is the most enjoyable and fun for herself or himself.  There is not point in hating your workout day in and day out, when there are sooo many choices.  I mention this because I have friends who don't like to workout.  I know!  I've done things I hated, and guess what - I don't stick with it.  I think what I hated most was struggling through the classes, or failing at them.  I wasn't coordinated enough for step aerobics and I wasn't fit enough for it either.  I can't keep my balance or am flexible enough for yoga.  I might enjoy it every once in a while, but I'll definetely enjoy it more, once I'm better at it.  So either, stick with it until you like it, or try something else!  You may come back to it in three months and decide that now that you've built up your stamina or endurance or flexibility... you do love that class that gave you so much trouble before.  I told you guys yesterday that I hated my reflection in the mirror when I was working out yesterday and it really threw me off - completely!  I usually love that class!  But it killed my enjoyment and fun.  I don't want to see myself like that, and right now, that's what I'm going use and  hold onto.   

Know what I mean, jelly bean??

Viva La Woman!

Today was all about prepping!  I know I'm not the only one who does this.  I did all the laundry in the hamper so I don't have to worry too much about it during the week.  I cleaned the bathrooms so I'm free to work and workout during the week.  I depilated my legs, because who wants to do Pilates with hairy legs?  I conditioned my hair, because during the week it's just wash and go, and for my workouts it's always pulled back in a pony tail.  I polished my nails so I can look cute while I'm doing my barefoot Piloxing class!  I chose a fun red glittery color!  I'm so excited!

I did go to a Zumba class, but it was more for the fun of it than for the workout.  I hated the reflection in the mirror today and it kept getting in the way of the fun.  Boo!!  Some days are like that.  Some days, I love what I see, I love the improvement, I'm grateful for my body and health... and other days... I hate myself for eating all that apple pie! 

Celebrity Status

I may not even take the day off.  I am sore, but it feels so good!  I mentioned yesterday that I hadn't done Pilates in a while, and my body is feeling it!  It made me think of all the celebrities that love and praise this workout.  I've heard that there is nothing better to strengthen your core.  And the one celebrity that always pops into my mind who loves and swears by it is one of my favorites:

Jennifer Aniston!

I also read at one point or another that Pilates was developed for dancers and athletes to continue their workouts while they were injured.  "Pilates is a body conditioning routine that helps to not only build flexibility, but also strength, endurance, and coordination in the legs, abdominals, arms and back." - wikipedia.  It's very popular in the gyms and it seems like everyone is either doing Pilates, or interested, or at least tried it at one point or another.   

Michelle Obama, Kate Winslet, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Lopez, Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Weisz, Brooke Burke, and Liv Tyler are among a few who've been spotted or been known to include Pilates in their workout regimen.  I'm sure if you asked some of your friends who workout regularly, they will also agree that they've at least tried it or are doing Pilates.

Here is a website with testimonials from other famous people: http://www.pilatescentral.co.uk/famous-pilate-devotees.html

Well, this was fun!  Maybe I should do this for all of my workouts!  Well, now you know what to expect for next week!

Pilates!  And the stars that love it.

Feeling Sore, Sore, Sore!

I woke up and didn't want to go workout today.

I thought I might ride my bike to the gym after taking Alexander to school.  After all, Turbokick doesn't start until 10:30am today anyway.  But I was feeling lazy, sleepy (coffee hadn't kicked in yet), tired, and sore. 

I called my girlfriend/neighbor - who has been wonderful in giving me rides to the gym this week- to ask if she was going to workout and she motivated me and convinced me to go.  She was heading there herself, so I didn't feel bad about asking her to wait for me.  It's so lucky we workout at the same gym!  AND it's been really cool driving in with her.  I don't usually have friend time or chit-chat time until after noon.  It's been a change of pace and it's been great to share the morning with her.  If you're reading this - thank you so much, Elisa! 

So, we did a Pilates class and... yikes!  I haven't done Pilates in a while and my butt and legs were cramping up, falling asleep, and then crying in pain.  Yes, I did take a pain killer this morning.  It was suppose to be for my arthritis pain, but it might as well be for my soreness too! 

After Pilates we stayed for half of Turbokick.  I couldn't get my heart rate monitor to work at the beginning of Pilates.  I don't know if you guys have this problem, but I think my strap isn't working right anymore.  I checked the battery on the watch and it's functioning, so it has to be the strap.  I actually have one built into my sports bra, which I love!  I usually have to soak it really well before it picks up my heart rate, but even then sometimes it doesn't work right.  Anyway, between the two classes I was able to log 54 minutes of my workout and registered that I burned 313 calories, 26% calories from fat.  My average heart rate was at 127 and my maximum at 171.  My watch is telling me that my Maximal Performance is Improving.  It's so funny.  I wonder what it would have said when I came home... had a sandwich, made a hot cocoa, and served myself two slices of Cinnabon toast.  I should feel guilty, right?  I do.  But, one thing at a time.  At least I'm hitting the gym again.  I'll deal with my diet in a couple months. 

We all struggle with something.  For me, it's definitely my diet.  I don't mind getting into the gym.  Although, I do always compare myself to that front row.  I've talked to you guys about the front row haven't I?  These girls are committed!  They're insane!  They're there, every day.  They know all the routines and moves.  They lift 15 pounds weights when I'm struggling with the 7.5 pound weights - okay, even the 5 pound weights sometimes!  And they eat right... it shows!!  They all have amazing bodies.  They all wear the best outfits - and the cutest ones too.  UGH!!  I want to BE them.  Well, kind of.  I want to be me.. but with their money, time, dedication, and jiggle-free bodies.  If they don't know... now they know... they inspire me!  They're my workout buddies, whether they know it, or like it, or not.  I mean, I know I can count on them to be there, and they're just as good as the instructors.  If I get lost and don't know what I'm doing, and I can't see the instructor, I just follow one of them.  I wonder if they think I'm crazy for always staring at them.  I hope they don't think I'm a lesbian.  Nothing wrong with it, if you are.  But I'm not.  Just saying... I spend a lot of time looking at women and comparing techniques, bodies, strength, flexibility.  I mostly spend a lot of time judging myself though.  Wow, I hope I don't sound crazy.  I swear, I'm only a little self-conscious.  I'm sure my husband would disagree.  Hmmmm... maybe I should stop talking for today.  :-)

See ya!

Peace, Love, and Harmony!

~Dora

It's Been a While

I feel bad that I haven't blogged in a while.  I can come up with some excuses... but excuses are just that.  They're not worthy of your time or mine.  Still, a lot has been going on, which maybe would have been great for the blog, but I just didn't have the energy for it. 

Kassandra has moved away to college.  We had a really great going away party for her, I was not the best host, I couldn't for the life of me generate myself to be welcoming or even hold a conversation.  My friends and family will have to forgive me and understand.  I don't even understand all the emotions I'm feeling.  On August 14th my husband turned 37 years old and we dropped off Kassandra at the University of Missouri.  Happy Birthday, Al!  One down and one more to go!  :-)  For the record, I am really happy and proud that my daughter accomplished this goal and that this is the direction she wanted to take with her life.  For some reason, I also am mad, sad, and upset.  It doesn't make any sense. 

(This picture was taken the night of Kassandra's going away party, the night before she left to school.)

(Here, Kassandra is waiting to be allowed into her dorm to start moving in and decorating.)

She rarely calls, and if she does, it's because she needs something.  That makes me mad. 
She doesn't share details with me, stories, her days or her adventures.  That makes me sad.  I must have failed to establish a friendship bond and failed at keeping the communication lines open.  I love talking, and it's a compliment to me when someone likes sharing their life with me.

(Left to right:  Me, Kassandra, and Alexander in her dorm room.)

At home, we are still going through a transition.  Last night was the first night since she left that I slept in my own bed.  I've been sleeping on her bed... which sounds psycho, so let me explain.  First of all, Alexander and Kassandra shared a room with a bunk bed.  Alexander might be nine years old, and never really played with Kassandra because of their age difference, but every night, he waited for her before falling asleep on his top bunk bed.  When Kassandra left, his "security blanket" left too.  And for me, it was a relief to feel wanted and needed and a relief too because I couldn't just go to my room and sleep in my bed like it was any other night.  My daughter was gone.  Missing.  That is the best way to describe how the house has felt since she left, like something is missing.  Her, obviously.  But not just her physical presence, her spark, her energy, her contribution - her spirit. 

(Saying good bye outside of her dorm building at the University of Missouri)

Well, I don't know how to describe all that exactly, but after 10 days of it, I thought, I NEED to get back to some normalcy.  This past Monday both my kids started school.  I am not excited to have the "brats" back to school as so many of my Facebook friends posted.  I love my kids and their company and presence.  However, I am always thrilled for each new school year - for the possiblities, and excited to be back on a schedule.  I started working again, part-time from home.  I work for a high school relations department for a local college, so I work closely with the high schools.  Obviously, since they are off for the summers, so am I.  Now, my days are back to a routine though.  I wake up, get myself dressed in a workout outfit, get my son ready for school, make sure he has breakfast, ensure that he's groomed, that his homework is in his backpack, and off we go!  After dropping him off at school, I like to workout.  Then I rush home for lunch and start my work.  Then it's time to pick him up, make dinner, do homework, rest/relax, check my work emails one last time again, and then really relax at home - because my husband is usually home by then. 

This week, I did a Core Commotion class on Monday.  I took it easy, I did not use heavy weights.  I mostly stayed around 5 lbs. because I hadn't worked out in a while.  On Tuesday, I did a Muscle Max class and Zumba.  I am STILL sore from those workouts.  Wednesday, I didn't workout out.  This morning I did a Piloxing class.  I hope to make it to the gym again tomorrow.  I have been getting a ride to the gym though because... when it rains it pours, my brakes on my car need fixing.  I am currently car-less.  I don't know when I'll be able to get them fixed either because my paychecks are accounted for until October 13th!!  Well, it is what it is.  Wish me luck! 

I'll start wearing my heart rate monitor to track the number of calories I burn.  But I have to be fair and tell you I've been eating like crap.  Yesterday, I had a large popcorn with large slushy at the movies all to myself.  The week Kassandra left to college I ate apple pie every night because there was one left over from her party.  There was also a crumb cake left over, so I've been having that too, and chocolate.  Oh boy... well... let me just say this list can be long, and it's all bad bad bad. 

Below are a few pictures from Kassandra's going away party.  There are a ton more on Facebook if you want to see the full album. 

Family Time

I haven't been doing my exercise classes, so I feel a little bummed about that.  I had to start taking my medicine again since my doctor yelled at me, so I've been feeling very drugged up and oversleeping.  It throws my whole day off.  I do feel like working out now, I'm feeling flabby and sluggish.  I'm planning on doing my Turbokick class tomorrow, thank goodness it starts at 10:30am and not 9:30am since that gives me a better chance of making it there. 

I'm just a few pages shy of finishing the book I'm reading so I'm rushing to get back to my book.  I do want to share though the amazing time I had today with my in-laws.  Alex had family in from Mexico, his uncle Javier and wife Gloria.  We learned so much about his genealogy and family history.  We even settled the mystery of Alex's parent's wedding date.  Pepe, Alex's dad, has always said it was August, but didn't know the exact date, and his wife couldn't remember either.  Well, it turns out this was a huge day because it was a double wedding with another of Pepe's brothers and they had even baptised Leti, Alex's sister, on the same day.  We finally figured out by finding the marriage certificate, that they were married on August 29th, and will be celebrating their 45th anniversary later this month!  WOW!!  It feels amazing to know and be able to celebrate that.  There were a lot of other discoveries, and I feel much closer to them now than ever before.  The Gallegos men all married in their 30's, except for Pepe who was in his 20's.  Pepe is one of seven children, they were five men and two women.  Lupe's mother was from Morelia, Michoacan!  Hello!!  My parents are from Michoacan, not even an hour from Morelia.  How cool is that?  I love family.  We're planning a family reunion in Mexico because of this conversation, and we're hoping to make it at Playa de Carmen in about a year from now.  This should be exciting!

From Left to Right/ Back Row/ Picture Above:  Joseph, Doraluz, Gloria, Javier, Jose (Pepe), Guadalupe (Lupita), Monica, Maria, Leticia.
Front Row:  Alex and Jesika

From left to right:  Joseph Gallegos, Alexander Gallegos, Javier Gallegos, Jose (Pepe) Gallegos, Gustavo Gallegos.

New week

It's a new week!  I hope everyone had a weekend that either relaxed and rejuvenated or INVIGORATED.  I have a very busy weekend.  Here's a quick rundown:

Friday:  My morning included a Turbokick class.  Whoo-we!  Talk about intense intervals, strength and endurance training, along with dance moves set to funky up-beat party music that create the ultimate cardiovascular FUN challenge.  The night was spent with good family and friends at a club, dancing and drinking the night away till 2:00 in the morning. 

 

 

Saturday:  We celebrated my little monkey's 9th birthday by going to breakfast at IHOP (because he wanted to go somewhere where they'd sing happy birthday to him).  Then he got to choose new shoes, we had to go to three different stores, and in the end he bought his THIRD pair in a row of black hightops.  He keeps outgrowing them, and I think he'll choose something NEW, but noooo, he goes for the same thing each time.  Afterwards we went to Toys R Us to pick a toy of his choice.  And finally we ended up at our niece's going away to college party. 

 

  

Sunday:  We went to Turtle Splash at spent the entire day splashing in the pool, swimming, going down the slides, laying out, and talking.  Then we went to my parent's house for pizza and cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to Alexander.

Monday:  Well... I slacked off.  I had every intention of going to workout... and do laundry for that matter.  But I ended up doing very little.  I went to a doctor appointment where I was yelled at for not taking my medicine and I recommitted to taking them.  UGH!!  I have to take 2 to 3 pills daily and that is the minimum!  We went on a nice family walk and I read over 100 pages and will be finished with my book by tonight.

Today I did go to my Muscle Max class, however I could only do 5 lbs.  My hands are very swollen, my shoulders are achy, my arthritis is a 7 out of 10, and my hands are breaking out in fluid-filled bumps.  I'm frustrated!!  I hate this!!  Anyway, I couldn't do my Zumba class today because I had an interview today at an insurance company and the people were really cool.  We had  a great "possibility conversation"!  Alex and I snuck off to a little date afterwards to Dairy Queen... sssshhhhh... don't tell the kids.  We'll take them next time.  Now that Pretty Little Liars has been watched and enjoyed, I'm going to go finish my book. 

I didn't weigh myself today, but I will tomorrow.  I don't expect to have lost any weight, but I'm hoping to not have gained any either.  My cousin, Rene, did remind me on Facebook today that "Doing just cardio will make you skinny fat. That is all."  My current philosophy... doing exercise of any kind, for any amount of time is a success in and of itself.  There are many people who don't exercise on a regular basis... I for one, don't do it on a daily basis.  But our body's cells either grow or decay and it's all in our choices for the day.  We were built to move, exercise is just a signal that tells our cells to grow instead of die or fade.  So every day, we just CHOOSE.  It can be fun, it can be easy.  There are a million different ways to MOVE your body.  I'm going to keep sharing my favorite and my routine, and I hope to hear from some of you out there too.