Monthly Fitness Recap: November 2017 (+ December Workout Planner!)
I feel like the past few months have been really hard to stay on track, but since I didn’t travel at all in November, I actually feel like I’m getting back in the groove of things. Yes, it was still busy (holiday content is no joke!), but my day job is slowing down, and just this week I finally started to feel a lot more centered and in control. I’m really hoping this calmer schedule lasts, because it makes fitting workouts in SO much easier ?
Before I launch into my recap and goals, I wanted to first address a question I got on Instagram from a follower who is new to fitness! She saw that I’ve been posting about Orangetheory for a while now and she asked if “a beginner getting into the fitness life could handle the class?” I realized that I don’t really address “fitness levels” often, so here’s what I told her:
“While it’s definitely a hard class, I think someone ‘new to fitness’ can handle it as long as you listen to your body. If you have to slow down your speed or even walk on the treadmill sometimes, do it! If you need a breather after the rower before you jump back into weights, take it! I’d recommend trying one class (first class is free at most studios!), talking to the teacher and seeing what you think. If you hate it, try out barre or spin or yoga instead. There’s no shame in trying out a bunch of workouts until you find the ones you really enjoy. Hope that’s helpful!”
I wanted to share it here with all of you, because I think it applies to ANY class. You’re never going to know what you think about a workout if you don’t try it… and if you hate it, no big deal! There are plenty of other options out there. Keep trying until you find what you like. You’ll get there. And while you’re figuring it out, you can track your workouts with me and my December Fitness Planner!
november goals:
I didn’t complete my 18 class goal, but I wanted to do at least 5 cardio classes – and I did 7! Yay!
november obstacles:
There was a lot of time sensitive holiday content to complete + a few days at home over Thanksgiving.
# of workouts completed: 15
corepower yoga:
I went 5 times this month and I think I’ve finally found some new teachers to latch on to!! If you go to a studio where Ashley Com is on the schedule… go take her class. She has really cool flows, descriptive cues, and great music – three things I love in a teacher!
orangetheory:
I went 5 times in November and I think I’m getting stronger and stronger each class! I’m even feeling more in control of my body on the treadmill… slowly but surely ? I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually like the running portion of class, but I know it’s so good for me.
flybarre/arms & abs:
I went 4 times this month… and last month… and the month before ? I really think this is my sweet spot with barre. When I first started taking these classes, I became addicted and went 3-4 times a week, which sounds awesome, right?! Well, yes and no. First of all, I was getting so used to the movements that I wasn’t even feeling that sore after classes anymore. But now I feel it again after each one, and I really think it’s because you have to trick your body when you’re working out! Don’t let it get too used to one thing, otherwise you can plateau. This is a huge reason why I took a step back from yoga after training! And second, I was completely ignoring any form of cardio. Plain and simple. Now that I’m incorporating cardio into my routine more, I’m seeing the value in this combo.
flywheel:
I went twice… but both times were by myself, which (if you read these breakdowns regularly) you know is usually unheard of for me! I’ll admit, I think I prefer getting my cardio at Orangetheory right now, but I’m going to keep pushing myself to get there and improve. Who knows? Maybe spin will be my cardio of choice as we head into 2018!
want to track your workouts with me?
Yay! All you need to do is download my December Fitness Planner and print it out! I like to fill in the “Planned” portion one week out, when I really have an idea of what I have time for. Then fill in every workout you complete and feel more and more like a BOSS each time ? Need some challenges to really get you into this though? Keep scrolling down to read mine…
December Challenges
complete 16 workouts
I want to make sure I earn all the wine and festive treats… but I also want to let myself enjoy all the wine and festive treats ?
attend at least 6 cardio classes
Last month, I set this goal at 5… this month we’re raising it to 6. Slow climb, y’all.
get at least 1 workout in between Christmas and NYE
I’ll be home for a few days over Christmas, and then I’m going to Arizona for NYE. I’m making it a priority to get a good sweat sesh in on the 27th or 28th – or both!
What are your December goals?
*This post is NOT sponsored. I have received complimentary classes to each of these studios, but I chose to talk about them here on the blog on my own.