Monthly Fitness Recap: August 2018 (and a September Workout Planner!)

Well… another month bites the dust! August was full of challenges, both personally and fitness-wise, but it also had a lot of highs, too! I mean, going on a trip to Finland is a pretty big win for the month of August, right?! ?

I’ll dive more into this in the Obstacles section, but between my trip abroad and a battle with bronchitis, this was a less than stellar month for fitness. I still haven’t quite figured out my routine in my new neighborhood, too… and while I tend to get down on myself when I don’t exercise as much as I’d like to, self care is more than working out and eating healthy all the time! It’s also about resting when your immune system is clearly fighting something. Or even eating a pastry in Finland because everyone should experience how good they are there! That’s real, guys!

This month, I’ve needed to remind myself that everything ebbs and flows. And while this month wasn’t my best, September is a new opportunity to treat my body as well as I can! I’m officially done with my job today (more on that next week!), so that will give me more time to prioritize my health. And honestly, I felt great about my body in this post… do we really think it’s changed that much since we shot the photos a few weeks ago? (Probably not ?). Just have to track everything on my September Workout Planner, right?! Right!

August Goals

I wanted to figure out a new workout routine and to be honest, I haven’t really achieved that. I’ve been loving Club Pilates and I’m trying out a new yoga studio this weekend, but I really need to find some cardio up here. Do any of you belong to the Lincoln Square Athletic Club, or any of the CACs? I’d love to know what you think!

August Obstacles

Between moving at the end of July, visitors coming the first weekend in August, some personal stuff we had to deal with, a battle with bronchitis, and a trip to Finland – this month had a LOT of obstacles!

# of workouts completed: 10

Club Pilates

My new go-to neighborhood studio! Not only is it convenient, but I’ve loved the classes so much, I went here 7 times this month! I’ll admit, when I first started I was worried I wasn’t going to be challenged enough, but I’ve discovered ways to push myself in the 1.5 level Flow and Cardio Sculpt classes. I especially love these because they are sneakily hard… you think it’s easy until your legs are in the straps and your booty starts burning! The only downside is that it really doesn’t get my heart rate up very much, so I need to figure out a way to incorporate more cardio somewhere else – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I love that I can roll out of bed and go without any need to pysch myself up ? And I always leave feeling great!
Get 10% off a no strings attached 1 month or 3 month membership if you mention LAKE SHORE LADY at the North Center or Lincoln Park location!

[solidcore]

I only got to [solidcore] once this month and that makes me SO SAD because it really is my favorite workout in the city ? I’ve made a deal with myself to go every time I have a meeting in the Loop/West Loop/River North areas moving forward, so that should help. And then the Boystown location opens in November – WAHOO!! PS. You can read about [solidcore], what it is, and why I love it in this blog post!
PS. Get $5 off their $39 Two Pack with code LAKESHORELADY.

Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival

Remember when I met Ludacris? Haha yeah, that was a great day for a FEW reasons! I actually went to the event to do an insta-story takeover for Propel, and I completely fell in love with the entire concept of the day. They had photo ops with empowering messages everywhere, multiple fitness classes going on in multiple rooms throughout the day, meditation led through noise cancelling headphones… I mean, it was amazing even without their special guest. And yet, doing a cardio dance class to a live Ludacris concert was pretty freaking awesome. I did a bootcamp style class in the morning, a meditation class in the middle, and the cardio dance class/Luda performance at the end. I already can’t wait for them to come back next year!

Flywheel

I didn’t go to Flywheel, Flybarre, or FlyFIT at all this month because things kept getting in the way ? Just like [solidcore], this makes me SO SAD because I loooove their classes – I just wish the studio was closer to my new place! I think things will calm down a bit over the next few weeks and I’ll be able to take the train down to Old Town more often. Especially if I double up Arms & Abs and Flywheel classes! Totally worth the trip then!
PS. Get your first Flywheel, Flybarre or FlyFIT class FREE with code FLYLAKESHORELA.

Walking

I’m including walking this month, just because well over 20,000 steps a day for 4 days in a row is pretty good exercise! Thanks for keeping me active, Helsinki and Tallinn!

want to track your workouts with me?

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

September Challenges

Get back into the 16 workouts a month zone (at least).

16 is usually my sweet spot – and without my day job, this should be EASY. Here’s hoping I can blow this goal out of the water.

Test out yoga studios.

There are a TON of yoga studios in my new neighborhood, and a lot of them offer deals for first timers. I want to try them all and figure out which one is my favorite!

Join a gym for cardio.

I love getting my cardio at Flywheel, but I don’t want to have to take a train every time I want to get my heart rate up. Joining a gym within walking distance with ellipticals, treadmills, and cardio classes would be pretty life changing.

Try more Froyo To Fitness.

I know I’ve mentioned Froyo To Fitness’ workout guide in my previous Fitness Recap posts, but I want to try more! Her girls get such INSANE results, so I think I need to try some more of the workouts she has to offer.

What are your fitness goals for September?

*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.

PS. You might also like Hot Pink Vibes + Positive Affirmations, You Are More Than Your Physical Appearance, and my July Fitness Recap.