Checking in

How are you doing with spicing up your exercise routine? What are you going to change by the end of August?

A brief recap: I challenged all of you to do something different exercise-wise by the end of the summer. I shared with you my challenge (to go swimming). I also shared with you that I didn't own a bathing suit (now I own 2). I asked you to let me know what you decided on.

Still waiting..........
:(

I posted some ideas on mixing up your cardio as one possibility of changing up your exercise routine. Using a new cardio machine, taking a new class, hiring a personal trainer (hint, hint) are all great options.

In the hopes of motivating you, I will share with you a few more ideas I have for myself.

I want to restart my yoga practice, my karate and kickboxing classes. Besides swimming, those are my goals for the rest of 2008.

For those of you who don't know me well, a little backstory: like swimming, I use to take yoga regularly in Boston. When I moved to California, I sporadically tried some classes. Eventually I found a teacher/class/style I loved in Marin, but I moved. I'm taking a class this morning at a local gym. We'll see how that goes. I am a yoga snob and very particular about the style and teacher. I've got to LOVE the situation or else it's a no-go for me. Hey, at least I know that about myself. Life's too short to invest my energy when I'm not completely passionate and positive about whatever I'm doing.

Once upon a time, I was a martial artist (still am technically, once a martial artist, always a martial artist. Even if I'm not currently training). I LOVED my classes, lost a ton of weight and had a whole new world open to me. I was well on my way to black belt. Then I got injured and stopped training. Both in Boston and again in California, I looked and looked for a martial arts home without any success. (yes, I'm a martial arts snob too-are you surprised?) I found a program close to my new place in the same gym where the yoga is offered. Although the type of karate is not my previous style, the classes fit in my schedule. The sensei (head instructor) is a woman! I'm checking it out tomorrow night.

Lastly, after stopping my martial arts in Boston due to injury, kickboxing classes became my "stand-in" for the real thing. I even got certified in kickboxing though never taught classes. I think my martial arts training spoiled me. Do you even have to ask the question? Yes, kickboxing snob. I can't stand when people punch and kick incorrectly. Ask my bootcampers! I understand that kickboxing is a cardio work-out and therefore you're not learning how to defend yourself. However, if you aren't taught proper form for punching and kicking, you can easily injure yourself. Fortunately I found classes in Marin where proper form was taught. I had several excellent teachers. Alas, I moved and am back looking.

The gym where I'm taking the yoga class this morning and martial arts tomorrow night also offers kickboxing classes so next week I'll try the kickboxing. Am I lucking out with this place or what?

I don't know yet how all of this will play out. Whether I'll love or hate the yoga, the karate, the kickboxing or the swimming. I don't know if I will incorporate everything in addition to the work-outs I do now or whether I'll rotate through the different classes. It's mostly unknown right now and that's ok. I have an intention and am in my exploration/experimentation stage.
Everything will become clear in time.

And speaking of time, time for yoga class.
Downward Dog anyone?

In health and ready to om,

Laura