I’m back with the fitness week round up. I hadn’t post it the previous 2 (?) weeks because I was away and then sick, I still got some exercise in, but didn’t bother to write it down.Sunday: *Shape Bikini Body Camp Transforming Sculpt (30 mins), Caribbean Workout Aerobics 25 mins (I just picked up this DVD set of the tv show. I loved this show and did it every day it high school).
Monday: Soul Sweat (30 min Quick Sweat), 40 minutes hatha yoga. Soul Sweat is also a new DVD based on the NIA technique I think. I’ll write a review after I’ve tried it a few more times-so far I love it.
Tuesday: 10 minutes upper body free weights, 10 minutes core on ball, 1 hr 30 min belly dance class
Wednesday: Belly Dance Too Hip and Bonus workout (40 minutes)
Thrusday: Shape Bikini Body Camp Transforming Sculpt (30 mins), Caribbean Workout Aerobics 25 mins (with a little ab work at the end)
Friday: Shape Bikini Body Camp Transforming Cardio Intervals
Saturday: off
* I might use this for my weight routine for a while instead my own heavy/low rep routine for a change. Although I skip the last few minutes where you do this weird combo move of chest press, triceps and then ab crunch-you just can use the same weight for triceps and chest! It’s a waste of time IMO.
I have an online account with the organization Just Give which makes donating to various charities (in all areas–from health to animal welfare) super easy. It’s also a great place to purchase charity gift certificates. You can choose the charity yourself or choose the option that allows the reciever to pick a charity of their choice.
This mother’s day, for the mother who already has everything, why not do something that can make a difference.
“Cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma (Myanmar) last weekend, killed more than 10,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless and in need for assistance. Many relief organizations are working to provide aid to those affected by the cyclone.
In honor of Mother’s Day, make a dedicated donation in honor of your mother or a special women in your life and JustGive.org will send her a personalized email.”
After watching this video of Valeria Putitskaya’s drum solo, I really feel like I should practice my dance routine today–not that I would ever hope to be able to move like this girl. I would have fell flat on my face, tripping over my feet not even 30 seconds into this dance! This girl has amazing coordination and flexibility–and she has a huge smile the whole time. I also imagine that it would take a lot of body confidence to dance with abandon like this. Beautiful.
The latest inspiration from DailyOm really reflected me. I have so many interests, but no time to pursue all of them–even a little. There are even too many choices in my number one hobby, fitness. Should I focus most of my energy on yoga (although this is more than fitness to me), belly dance, cardio, weights? It’s hard to balance them all –and there are always new things to try (kettlebells anyone?)
And then there’s cooking. I always want to try new things, but often don’t have the time to even plan for it, let alone cook it.
I’ve posted before about things I’ve wanted to try, like crafts and sewing–an idea I have pretty much given up–and my goals of meditating more etc. But my reading comes first–and I will never be able to read all the books I want to read in my life.
If I try to do any more than those main 3 hobbies (fitness, reading, cooking), it becomes a chore.
But I am also one of those people who always wants to learn new things and improve myself, even if it is nothing more than doing more/better housework.
1. The music (especially drum solos and slow, sensual songs)
2. The costumes and jewelry
3. The femininity and beauty
4. The moves feel natural (that’s not to say I’m any good, but in comparison to that time I took a hip hop dance lesson, well, let’s not go there.)
5. Makes good use of your curves
6. Shoulder/hip shimmies (who doesn’t like shaking their boobs and bum?)
7. Size acceptance (more than just fitness)
8. Engages the core in a fun way
9. Comfortable environment
10. Dancing barefoot (although there are styles that dance in shoes)
Here is one of my favorite belly dance videos with Anasuya. It’s a very passionate performace in my opinion:
(Actually, I’m not sure spring got the memo yet that it’s time to come out.)
Just when I thought I was going to make it through the winter without a single cold, I all of a sudden had a sore throat Tuesday night. Now I’m congested and full of that wonder stuff called Phlegm. I feel achy all over too. I just got back from a business trip and I’m pretty sure I picked it up then–probably at the germ-infested airport. I’ll have more interesting posts at a later date.
Sunday: yoga for abs, 30 minutes cardioMonday: 30 minutes Cardio
Tuesday: OFF-not a normal “off” day, but my knees felt a tad sore this morning, so I figured it was best to take it easy. BUT, I did have my first belly dance class tonight, not exactly a workout though.
Wednesday: Knee still sore. Walk and some strength. My knee is sore because I got overzealous during my cardio on Monday (Shape Bikini Body Bootcamp Transformation Cardio Intervals) and did the jump lunges (atomic lunges), normally I substitute most lunge move for squats because forward lunges tend to bother my knees (lunges stepping backwards and walking lunges do not.) I swear I have finally learned my lesson.
Thursday: Still taking it easy due to the knee. Outside workout did abs and gentle yoga stretches. I tried to meditate while outside, but got distracted by some frogs (they were talking) and had to go check it out (the pond) and find them-I didn’t.
Friday: Knee all better. 20 minutes cardio. 20 minutes yoga
Saturday: Self Slim and Sleek DVD: cardio(skipped the ballet section, but did the “toning” segment: rear lunges with bicep curls, squats with lateral raises)
Well, looks like I didn’t do much for strength training this week, oops. I’ll try to get some weight lifting sessions in this week.
Since the word bliss is a part of my blog title, I thought I’d share with you what the word means to me.
To me, bliss, are those moments where:
1. Your happiness isn’t contingent on anything, it just is.
2. Sometimes bliss is so powerful you almost just can’t stand it.
3. That feeling of freedom from all outside influencing factors and you are just your authentic self.
For more on cultivating happiness, read this article.
I got the link for this article in Fitness magazine from their e-newsletter (Fit List) that I recieve. It’s a great look at how women are using the Internet to promote positive body image by showing the world what real women look like. Surprise, surprise, people come in various shapes and sizes, not the homogenized look of the media. The article talks about body image on the web as a grassroots movement.
The article may be tucked away between articles on your 4-Week Body Makeover Plan and sexy hair tips from a Victoria’s Secret stylist (I guess the magazine has to make money some way–the conventional way), but it’s great to see this get picked up by a mainstream magazine.
(The magazine’s body image page comes with photos of models in bikini’s, lol, who’s idea was that? You’d think for at least this one page, they could be different.)
Sunday: stacked wood for most of the afternoon–definitely counts as a full body workout in my mind.Monday: 10 minutes Core (stability ball)-working up to doing pikes–they are hard. 30 minutes intense cardio (includes warm-up and stretch)
Tuesday:“Weakling Workout” (had the desire, but not the strength–must still be tired from stacking wood)
3 assisted chip-ups
Superset: 3 x 8 Squats (30lbs), with DB rows (10lbs DBs)
Wide Leg Dead lifts (30lbs) 3 x 5
Various light weight rotator cuff exercises
Stretch
20 minute walk
Wednesday: about 2 hours yard work (some heavy lifting)
