New things, new results

Today was one of those miraculous days that started out as a crappy descent into hell and ended pretty fabulously.

Years later if someone asks me "what did you do on Monday November 29th 2011" I will have nothing to say. I did not leave the house. I don't even remember if I showered. I sat in one place, meticulously plotting my path to a "C" on my wills & estates exam tomorrow. Well, I take that back - I did do one thing. I made J this jello salad he's obsessed with for our dinner tonight. And I cut the living S#%! out of my thumb in the process. Looks like the Manson Family used my kitchen (and bathroom). It also rained for 24 straight hours, I didn't get to work out, and J was unable to give me every answer to every question I would randomly call up and ask him at a moment's notice.

So needless to say, when I woke up this morning I was hoping for today to have a much different character. The morning wasn't very promising, as I headed to weight watchers prepared to pay for the meeting (which I didn't have to, but more on this in a minute). While there, my thumb started oozing all over the place and I didn't realize when I later handed a cashier at Walmart a wad of $1 bills spotted with blood with a smile on my face. The South is a forgiving place, but not that forgiving.

I got home and I felt ultimately defeated - weight gain, bloody hands, this impossible exam and to top it off, my "grape-fruit knee" (personal medical diagnosis) forbade me to run.

And then I decided I was done being a pissy-whiney-angry-mopey-mess. I popped in Shaun-T's Hip Hop Abs. It's just as ridiculous as it sounds, but I love to dance and I love to sweat, so what the hell? It was a decent workout - not earth shattering like Insanity®, but not bad for 30 minutes in my living room.

What he doesn't tell you is that Abs like that don't come with a smile

While I was hip-hopping w/ Shaun T, I had a voicemail from my friend Sarah. Sarah, who had turned me on to Insanity®, had bought a Groupon to some new fitness class and had three extra. Would I want them? Well...why not? The Groupon was for a new Pure Barre location in Louisville. I looked up the schedule and made an appointment -- for 2 hours later. Crazy? Yes.

Before the groupon, I'd only heard of Pure Barre from a friend who'd become addicted to it prior to her wedding. Essentially, it's a one hour mix of pilates, yoga, and dance-related stretching and resistance that provide a well-rounded strength training workout without much cardio or stress. According to the website:

"Pure Barre is a total body workout that lifts your seat, tones your thighs and burns fat in record-breaking time. Utilizing the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements set to fantastic music, Pure Barre is the fastest, most effective, yet safest way to change your body. Students see results in just 10 classes."

 My reaction? It was a good workout, but not the "blast-you-into-fitness" type thing I was prepared for. It's also relatively expensive (as you can imagine, law school doesn't leave much for the discretionary sports budget). My tune may change depending on how good/bad I feel tomorrow. Stay tuned.

After Barre I soaked in a hot bath (with epsom salts - gift from God!) and whipped up a pretty awesome pre-exam meal for myself and J. I would've taken a picture, but I ATE IT ALL before i even thought about it. All i can say is that if you live near a Trader Joe's (which I do now), you must add these to your freezer:

These things are TheBomb.com 

They go in the a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes. Then they go in your belly far faster than you anticipate because THEY ARE GOOD. They're also not bad for you as far as fish stuffed w/ bread, cheese & crab goes (8 weight watchers points plus). Add that and a side of steamed veggies and my awesome newly tried 7-Up Biscuits and I felt like a gourmet chef. Happy Fiance? Check. Brain fueled for exam? Check +.

All in all, the day took a major detour from its original destination. Thanks to my willingness to suck it up and change my own attitude, I'm proud of where it has ended. Well, except for the whole impending-exam-doom part. ugh.

Happy Running!

Have you ever tried Barre - tell me more! What's your favorite quick, but pleasing dinner meal?

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge

Total Daily Points - 7 (!!! 2 for Hip Hop Abs, 4 for Barre & 1 for fruits/veggies - new high!)

Total Weekly Points - 11

Total Cumulative Points - 34.47