I got my butt to the gym this morning and took a βconditioningβΒ group exercise class at BSC (aka my new gym for the next month). While we waited for the instructor to arrive, a guy standing near me started to complain about how last week’s class was really tough. The woman who he was talking to agreed and joined in on the complaining.
As I listened to their conversation, I thought: YESSS!! This class is going to be awesome! I’d much rather have a difficult class than an easy one. I mean, isn’t it the worst when you try a new group exercise class and it’s not challenging. I always feel like I wasted my time. I definitely didn’t waste my time this morning!
The class was designed to mimic a one-on-one personal training session, but in a group setting. There was a good mix of high-intensity cardio + strength training with lots of multi-joint exercises (ex: dumbbell squat to press). It was tough, but in a good way! I was huffing and puffing and dripping sweat the entire time.
Here’s how the class was structured:
- 15 minutes: Warm-up/high-intensity aerobics and plyometrics
- 15 minutes: Strength training using dumbbells and body bars
- 10 minutes: High-intensity aerobics and plyometrics
- 10 minutes: Strength training using dumbbells and body bars
- 5 minutes: Step aerobics
- 5 minutes: Abs
The class concluded with a 60-second cool down. I’m all about cool downs, but I love that the instructor maximized our time and didn’t spent too much time on it. I’d much rather do a cool down on my own time, ya know?
Dinner
I ate a βgarbage saladβΒ for dinner last night. In the mix: romaine lettuce, roasted broccoli, carrots, beets, chickpeas, marinated artichoke hearts, crumbled feta, and the bottom of a bag of BBQ kale chips. I also drank a Pumpkin UFO. I guess you could call it dessert!
Breakfast
This morning’s breakfast was a twist on an old favorite. I switched up the recipe for an Oatmeal Pancake by adding canned pumpkin, ground flaxseed meal, and more egg whites to the mix:
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup liquid egg whites
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed meal
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- Cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice
I topped my pumpkin protein pancake with peanut butter and chia seeds.
And, of course, I enjoyed a glass of iced coffee with eggnog.
Our friends at Mohegan Sun invited Mal and me to spend tonight at their hotel and enjoy dinner at the new BALLO restaurant. Mohegan’s PR Manager is a huge fan of CNC and extended the invitation as a way to celebrate me running the New York City Marathon. Mal and I always have such a blast a Mohegan, so, of course, we accepted. I can’t wait for tonight! I even bought a new outfit!
Enjoy the weekend, friends! See you tomorrow with a recap of our Mohegan adventures!
P.S. Ebates members: Just a reminder to use your account for your holiday shopping! I’ve already saved/earned a ton of money with my online shopping. There are some really awesome cash back deals right now!
42 Comments
Have fun! I love Mohegan Sun, wish it was just a little bit closer to us and we’d definitely go more often. It’s a fun place for a weekend away without having to get on a plane.
how fun!! enjoy your night… i love reading your recaps of mohegan sun, it looks like such a blast.
Garbage salads are the best kind! I’ve especially been loving veggie burger + TJ’s roasted corn + mushrooms + romaine lettuce + roasted broccoli + salsa… Mmm π
I love Mohegan.
Also, now I’ll be taking that Total Body Conditioning class offered at my NYSC gym. I love classes that are so dynamic and different that time just FLIES! Today was definitely a sleep in and eat bagels sort of day.
I’m not sure if its offered at BSC, but NYSC offers a cardio box class that was kind of similarly structured with stations, but more boxing incorporated.
HAVE FUN AT MOHEGAN!
Agreed about difficult classes! If im giving up sleep to work out, it better be worth it!!!
I feel the exact same way about classes, it’s a disappointment when they turn out to be too easy. Sounds like it was a good one though, intervals like that are tough!
I have always wanted to go to Mohegan!!!! When I went to Wesleyan that’s where all my friends went senior year but I was still only 20
Sounds like a great class! I agree, I’d much rather get a challenge out of a group fitness class rather than it being easy.
Have so much fun tonight! Looking forward to hearing a recap!
I’d love to go to Moehgan sun π Can’t wait to see your recap!
Hope you enjoyed the trip with your hubby!
I am all about difficult classes too! Otherwise, I feel like I need to do my own workout afterwards!!!
In the picture with your iced coffee in the corner it looks like a happy face – likely a sign of a good day to come!
@Verlin:
I noticed that, too! π
I LOVE a hard group ex class π I try and structure my classes the same–so that the people leave sweaty, tired, and glad they came!! So good to hear fitness all around the globe is taking our bodies by storm. Hah.
have FUN tonight!!
I hope you have a great weekend @ Mohegan Sun. Sounds like a blast!
How fun! Have a great Saturday!
Have fun tonight! You’ll have to show us your outfit. I need some inspiration for purchasing a new holiday ensemble.
I’ve been using ebates so much too for holiday shopping! Isn’t it the best to get some cash back on purchases?
I hate wasting my time on easy fitness classes. I like ’em tough too! π
Have fun! π
Great looking pancake…and with pumpkin!
How cool, have fun at the hotel Tina!~~and very very often, my lunches are throw-togethers too π
That’s a really adorable photo of you two π Hope you have fun tonight!
It’s funny that they were complaining but still came back to the class! Have a blast tonight.
I like hard fitness classes, too. If I go to one, I want to sweat!
Yay!! Have so much fun!!
that’s a really nice picture of you guys π can’t wait for the recap from your night out
That looks like one happy couple! Hope you have fun…
Agree – new classes HAVE to be challenging to be worth going back! Love working up a good sweat.. feels so much better afterwards π
I love trying out new workout classes because you never know what to expect, which keeps things interesting!
What a great workout! I spent my day cleaning, which I worked out! I need to burn off all the holiday cookies! π
Have fun! That’s so awesome that you get treated to a nice evening away!
Your oatmeal pancake looks beyond awesome! I’m definitely gonna try it. Have fun tonight. Don’t you just love to buy a new outfit to wear somewhere special. Can’t wait to hear about it. π
I love that you do a “Workout Makeover” when you feel like you’re in a rut. I think I’m due for one. π
Oooh! Have fun! When I visited friends in Boston a few years ago, we took a side trip to Monhegan Sun for a night – a lot of fun! (However, I think our side trip to Mystic Pizza was even more fun π )
I like to make giant individual pancakes like that and a little cottage cheese ups the protein.
Enjoy your date night!
That sounds like a great wokrkout. I definetly rather be challenged, than have the workout too easy!
Just a though about Ebates…
Things I’ve become addicted to since I started reading your blog:
1. Ebates
2. OpenSky
3. Iced coffee (I already liked this one but always seeing your pictures makes me want it more often! LoL!)
~Ang