Long Time No See

Hi everyone! I know, it's been a long time since my last post. What have I been doing you ask? Well,

I've been watching my boys play sports:

Playing with our new puppy Bandit:

Decorating for Christmas:

And of course, working out:

I do 90% of my workouts at the gym now. I go in the morning while my son is in half-day kindergarten. It is great because it forces me to workout for 2-3 hours a day and I was noticing my body change, yeah!

Just when I thought I had conquered the beast, my body revolted and started holding on to weight. I talked to one of the trainers and she agreed that I was over-training(ya think?). My hubby was on vacation so I spent a week working out with less intensity at home and it felt so good! It reminded me that changing things up is always a good idea, just like taking a rest week. The funny thing is that when I worked out at home I took regular rest weeks every 5 weeks. I don't know why it slipped my mind but I won't be doing that again!

Because I have become so used to lifting weights at home, I forgot how to lift free weights at the gym :( It confines me to classes for now but I am working on a routine to lift free weights before January. I have a feeling my beloved classes are going to be packed come January 1st! My new home:

Here is my routine each week:

Monday:

Elliptical- 30 minutes
Zumba- 30 minutes
Body Pump (total body weights)- 60 minutes
Yoga- 70 minutes

Tuesday:

Elliptical- 20 minutes
Spin Class- 60 minutes
Total Core Training (core work)- 60 minutes

Wednesday:

Hiking or Walking- 70-90 minutes
Abs- 20 minutes
Yoga- 70 minutes

Thursday:

Elliptical- 20 minutes
Spin Class- 60 minutes
Total Core Training- 60 minutes

Friday:

Elliptical- 30 minutes
Bootcamp- 30 minutes
Body Pump- 60 minutes
Yoga- 70 minutes

Saturday:

Yoga- 60 minutes

Some Tuesdays and Thursdays I only do Spin Class and that's my day for appointments or errands. Yes, it's a lot and it was tough at first but my body adjusted. I try and mix it up and workout at home here and there just so my body doesn't adapt. Most of the Core classes are actually a lot of cardio so I don't think it's too repetitious. Believe it or not, I have not lost any weight. I even had a dream about talking to the Starbuck's barista about my workouts and the fact that I didn't lose any weight : ) How do you know you're over-training? You workout excessively and you don't lose weight! I know, I know, I'm working on it : )

I miss posting everyday but at the same time it's nice to know I can pop in and visit any time and chat. I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season. Thanksgiving and Christmas time is my favorite time of year and I'm happily soaking it all in.

If you have any questions just e-mail me: thefitnessfreak@cox.net.

Take care,

Nicole

The Times, They Are a Changin'

Okay, I know I have been MIA lately but let me explain, kind of. It's hard to put my thoughts into words lately and I had some really good ones as I was driving around today and now they are gone, darn it! Anyways, I find I am so crazy busy at this point in my life. I take the kids to school, go to the gym, run errands, pick the kids up, clean the house somewhere in the middle of it all and make dinner, lunches, etc. I am spread so thin! I feel I am coming into a new chapter in my life, a chapter of balance, a chapter of renewal.

Between my blogging, facebook, e-mail, twitter, I am just beyond distracted from my real job, being the best wife and mom I can be. I have loved every minute of blogging up to this point but find that now it is time for me to focus on my immediate family and the life that is passing me by instead.

I appreciate all of my readers and hope that I have inspired you and made you look at fitness differently, not as a chore but something that can be fun, exciting and wonderful! I will continue to workout and share a post here and there if something really inspires me or if there is something that I think will encourage all of you. I will also post two more DVD reviews as I promised so keep an eye out for those.

So yes, the times are changing and this chapter in my life is closing but I will still be around if you need me. E-mail me anytime and I will be happy to reply. You have all inspired me over the years as well so I hope I hear from you!! thefitnessfreak@cox.net

Nicole

Yeah!!!

Well all I got my new Mac and am so excited to start posting again:) I have to work a few bugs out, mine not he computer, so I'll be back on Monday!

Technical Difficulties

I managed to short out my computer so I will be offline until the 22nd. Merry Christmas to me, I get a new computer:) See you on the 22nd.