Monthly Fitness Recap: October 2018 (and a November Workout Planner!)
And just like that, October is over. I’m not quite sure how that happened so quickly, but here we are! Luckily, this was a month full of great changes when it comes to my health. The past few months, these recaps have been mostly about how I was struggling to find a new groove after moving to a new apartment in July. I wasn’t sure what my new routine should be, how much time I felt comfortable dedicating to myself each day, or how to motivate myself to try something different than what I was used to.
As I usually say, half the battle with most things is simply making a choice and following through with it. So it makes sense that all I really needed to do was sign up for a gym for things to change. Sounds simple, but it’s true! And now I’m really excited to track an even better month with my November Workout Planner! But first, let’s chat about October…
October Goals
I wanted to complete 16 workouts and I have completed 18 as of today! I had also thought about hiring a trainer, but even though that hasn’t panned out quite yet, I feel really great about what I’ve been able to do myself so far!
October Obstacles
To be honest, most of my previous obstacles have had to do with the fact that my normal workout studios were far away from my new place. It’s hard enough to take the time to exercise every day, let alone add 45 minutes+ to commute! And if you miss a train, you might miss the class, and there’s not another one for 2 more hours… you get the idea!
But clearly I just needed a new routine, which is what I did. Now I can work out whenever it fits into my schedule, or even just whenever I need a mental break/time away from my computer.
# of Workouts Completed
18 as of today!
Lincoln Square Athletic Club
I think I fought this move because I haven’t had a gym membership in a long time. I love classes so much, and I was a little worried I wouldn’t be able to motivate myself through self-led workouts. But I was totally wrong! Thanks to my Fitbit Versa and the Froyo to Fitness Workout Guide, I’ve been super motivated – even on my own!
I haven’t been following the FTF guide religiously, mostly because I still like the ability to go to classes when they work for my schedule. That being said, it’s been a GREAT resource for me. Normally, I’d get off of the elliptical or stairmaster, and maybe do a few ab exercises and call it a day. But with Mary Kate’s guide, I have a purpose after cardio. It’s also kind of fun to grab heavy weights and get to work. I feel like my old Orangetheory teachers would be very proud!
To start, I’ve been doing 25-30 minutes on the elliptical’s variety setting a lot. I know I should run on the treadmill more, I just hate it! To make up for that, I’ve also been incorporating some time on the stairmaster (so hard!)! After that, I’ve been tackling FTF’s arm, shoulder, and leg circuits. This combination has been burning anywhere from 275-375 calories per gym session – and tracking it all on my Versa has me motivated to stay within this range. Maybe I’ll even start to push past it ?
I also like this gym because they have a ton of classes. So far, I’ve loved their Vinyasa Yoga and Ballet Burn, but I know I’ve barely scratched the surface.
Club Pilates
Club Pilates has been the constant for me ever since I moved in July. It’s close to my apartment, everyone is SO friendly, and the classes are awesome. If you read these recaps each month, you know that my only complaint was that I didn’t think it was pushing me enough on it’s own. But now that I can combine it with gym workouts, I see all the benefits again. It’s calming and grounding, it’s lengthening and the stretches feel great on sore muscles, and it targets really specific parts of the body. They also added Level 2 classes this month, and Linda’s Level 2 is my FAVORITE. I seriously block it in my calendar each week, that’s how much I love it. She’s an incredible teacher, her cues are clear and helpful, and her sequences are really interesting and fun. I seriously can’t recommend that class enough. It’s so great if you want a non intimidating workout that goes at a slower pace than a lot of popular classes right now… but will still leave you sore ?
Get 10% off a no strings attached 1 month or 3 month membership if you mention LAKE SHORE LADY at Club Pilates‘ North Center or Lincoln Park location!
Yoga
After my bad experience last month, I am beyond thrilled that I got to take yoga classes that made me feel good this month. The first one was during my trip to Wisconsin with a teacher who works with 2 of my favorite instructors from CPY a few years ago! (You can read more about it in this post.) And the other yoga class I took was at my gym! I was so intent on finding yoga studios that I forgot that gyms have great teachers, too. Such a bonus!
want to track your workouts with me?
Yay! All you need to do is download my November Workout 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…
November Challenges
Try more Froyo to Fitness circuits.
Even though I’m slightly afraid of all of the machines that are required in some of them, I can totally conquer those fears!
Try more classes at the gym.
Being a class lover, this is a no brainer.
Keep tracking heart rate and calories burned on my Fitbit Versa.
Hopefully I can keep increasing the amount of calories I burn – especially in self led workouts!
Make nutrition a priority during the holidays.
It is so easy to use “it’s the holidays!” as an excuse to eat poorly these next few months. And while I fully support eating all of the delicious foods the season has to offer, I don’t need to eat them every day ? Plus, if I stay really focused on nutrition most of the time, then I won’t feel as guilty when I do indulge.
What are your fitness goals for November?
Also, do you like this general recap – or would you like to see my actual calendar of exactly what I’ve done? Maybe a screen shot of my November Workout Planner with notes about my exact workout and calories burned? Let me know in the comments below!
PS. You might also like Hot Pink Vibes + Positive Affirmations, You Are More Than Your Physical Appearance, and my September Fitness Recap.
