Monthly Fitness Recap: May 2018 (and a June Workout Planner!)

So before we get to all the fitness stuff, I want to talk to you guys for a quick second. If you saw this morning’s instagram, you know where this going. If not, bear with me  ?

So, last night I went to a wellness event with the incredible ladies of the Almost 30 Podcast and I realized that this week has been trying to tell me something…

As I’m sure you’ve seen by now, I turned 31 over the weekend. To celebrate, I went to brunch with 2 of my closest friends, and we had an in depth conversation about body image and how our bodies are definitely changing as we get older. Even though I’ve written about it on the blog a few times (here and here), the whole topic of body image can be a really tough one. But TALKING about our struggles candidly was so incredibly helpful for all of us. We literally texted each other thank you after brunch because we were still thinking about it. Clearly we were craving the conversation, whether we consciously knew it or not.

Fast forward to Wednesday, when I shared an honest post all about everything that went through my head on my actual birthday. I also re-shared my 30 Things I Learned Before 30 post, and let me tell you – the comments and messages I’ve gotten have made my heart SING. I remember when I kept all of my insecurities about falling behind to myself – and if I did talk about them it was in a negative way. So the fact that I can find those positive perspectives, share them with all of you, and then get messages saying “me too!” and “what a great reminder” is out-of-control awesome. As one of my followers so eloquently put:

“It’s nice to know I’m not alone and to remind ourselves that there isn’t one way. Everyone has their own path to happiness.”

AMEN.

So then last night, I went to the Almost 30 event. I sat by myself because Ali was busy taking photos for them, but that didn’t matter at all. Hearing Lindsey and Krista open up about their paths to wellness was so incredibly relatable. And their real talk allowed the entire room to open up, too! As the conversation started to flow and more people started raising their hands and sharing, you could feel the warmth and support and vulnerability – and it just became clear to me that THIS is what I really want to do.

I want to connect with you guys about the real stuff.  I’ll always love talking about fun trends, cute outfits, and delicious recipes – but connecting with you guys about REAL topics is 10000% my favorite thing. After the event ended, 2 of my readers (Hi Reggie and Joanna!) introduced themselves and I seriously could have talked to them all night. I think so many people focus on the awful parts of the internet and social media, and those do exist – but it also allows people like me and Reggie and Joanna AND the girls from Almost 30 to connect when we maybe would never have met otherwise!

All together – that whole evening, plus the brunch convo with my girlfriends, plus the messages from you guys this week has made it so clear to me that so many of us WANT to talk about this kind of stuff, we just don’t know how, or don’t want to be the first to speak up. So, I’m going to try to be the first to speak up ❤️ That means more wellness – the physical and mental, the pressures we put on ourselves, making big changes, fear/self doubt, surrounding yourself with positivity, how we can respect and listen to our bodies more, ALL THE THINGS!

I know I’ve already touched on topics like these, but I’m super inspired to do MORE of it! If you have any suggestions, please let me know. And definitely join my Lake Shore Lady Community Group on Facebook – that’s a good place to start and/or continue chatting with tons of amazing women, instead of just reading what I write ?

Ok phew, got that out! Now time for my May Fitness Recap!

May Goals

I wanted to complete 14 workouts and I completed 16! I also set the goal to go to solidcore and Orangetheory more than twice this month and I went to 4 solidcore classes and 2 Orangtheory classes. I’m pretty pleased with that!

May Obstacles

There were definitely times when I thought I was on track to top 16 workouts, but then I’d get a curveball at work and that + sleep + my sanity were just more important. I knew that was going to happen this month, and June is going to be even crazier. I just have to know that’s coming, breathe, and roll with the punches!

# of workouts completed:

16! That’s an average of 4 a week, which is a really do-able sweet spot for me. Obviously, I wish I was Superwoman and could make it happen every single day, but I get busy or just plaid WIPED. That’s life!

Flywheel

I only went to 3 Flywheel classes which is a drop from my 7 in April. For some reason, I was really vibing with the pilates style classes this month (more on that below), which means I had to cut back here. Honestly, I think I’ll always ebb and flow with a class like this. Sometimes I can’t wait to go and sometimes I’d rather do something else. It’s all about listening to what your body wants!

Flybarre

I went to Flybarre 3 times and while I’m definitely getting more excited about other workouts in my routine right now, I miss my favorite teachers when I don’t go! Luckily, they’ve launched a new class called FlyFIT that I tried this morning and I am OBSESSED! I’ll chat about it on my Instagram stories today, and here on the blog next month – but I’m really pumped that it’s a new way for me to take class with Elena and Sarah, just in a more challenging way. Such a win!
PS. Get your first Flywheel or Flybarre class FREE with code FLYLAKESHORELA!

[solidcore]

I went to solidcore 4 times this month! Their 8am class during the week is the perfect time for me. It’s early enough in the day that I won’t convince myself not to do it, but late enough that I’ve been awake for a bit and I’m not half asleep! ? I’m not sure this will ever change, but I’m just always so amazed at how hard their classes are. It never gets easier! But I did take a class with a teacher in town from DC and after class she told me I was strong.  Say whaaaa?! I seriously wanted to hug her.

I usually focus on the fact that I needed to modify because I was shaking, instead of focusing on everything I pushed through! It was a great reminder to be proud of what you can do, and come back to do even better next time!
PS. Get $5 off their $29 Two Pack with code LAKESHORELADY.

Orangetheory

Even though I only went to Orangetheory twice this month, I felt pretty great in both of them! Athough, I’m learning that I like some of their classes more than others. Strength day? I freaking LOVE it. Lots of hills on the treadmill and heavy weights on the floor? It’s so fun and I leave feeling like a boss! But endurance day? If I have to run as fast as I can for as long as I can, I want to die the whole time ? But it’s good for us to do things out of our comfort zone, right? Right.
PS. Your first class is FREE! Get more info here.

Club Pilates

I actually discovered Club Pilates in Adam’s neighborhood the same week that they reached out to me to tell me about their studios throughout the Chicagoland area! It felt so serendipitous that I decided to try it out, and I ended up going 4 times this month! Since we’re moving up to that area at the end of July (more on that soon!) I’ve been wanting to check out studios in the area, and this one is a GEM.

Now, if you’re wondering why I would ever want to go to both solidcore and Club Pilates, they are TOTALLY different. Sure, Club Pilates uses a traditional reformer and solidcore uses Svetlana (which is modeled after the reformer), but the vibes are totally opposite. Solidcore is loud and upbeat, with quick transitions and a goal of burning out your muscle groups. But Club Pilates is calm and controlled – it almost reminds of a yoga in that way.

If you get bored easily or need someone to yell at you in a workout, maybe this isn’t for you. But I really love and need this centering type of class sometimes. So much of my life is go-go-going, that the reminder to slow down and breathe is so beneficial for me. Plus, when you aren’t struggling to keep up, you can really focus on your form in every movement. And let me tell ya, if you do it right with enough resistance on the machine, those reformers can get deep into your muscles!

want to track your workouts with me?

Yay! All you need to do is download my June 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…

June Challenges

Complete 16 workouts.

Even though this month is going to crazy busy, I’m setting this goal anyway! Who knows? Maybe I’ll be able to fit it all in!

Let my body and mind rest.

I know that might be contradictory to this first goal! But when I get really busy, stress can manifest in my body in really bad ways. So, as important is excericse is, so is rest.

FlyFIT and Solidcore it up!

I’m going to be moving out of Old Town this summer (again, more on that soon – I promise!), which means that I won’t be walking distance from these studios anymore. ? I’ve been so spoiled to have all of my favorite workouts close by! Luckily, I’ll still be able to take the brown line to Flywheel and solidcore, and there’s another Orangetheory location close to my new place, but it definitely won’t be the same. Lots of ch-ch-changes!

What are your fitness goals for June?

*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.