The Two Betties

Yesterday I had a day off so in keeping with my “try something new once a month” vow I decided to take BarWorks at my yoga studio.

Today it hurts to sit, stand, sleep, eat and think.  I love it!

I went for a run just to make it hurt less (which sounds counter-intuitive but I had been sidelined from running for more than a week by the doctor so I HAD to run today)

I have to say I was a little misled  by the class description. It said it was a take on dance classes so here I am thinking this is like ballet class minus the across the floor work.  I was expecting  lot of isolations, plies, balancing and butt work.

Well this was like no dance class I had ever been to.

It actually had ZERO to do with dance.  The leg positions were all wrong, the form was all wrong and most of the time our feet were flexed, which is so NOT like a ballerina.

I actually started to feel really confused on why they even called it BarWorks. Of all my years of dance experience, I don’t think I have ever done even one of the moves in this class.

There were a lot of  “never dones” in this class.

I have never held a push up position without a break for so long in my life. I have also never done so many yoga push ups (elbows in and tight at your sides)  without a break in my life.

I have also never had to squeeze a ball in between my thighs for so long. Everything we did we had this small plastic ball between our legs. It was awkward but it definitely engaged the core and leg muscles.

Once I got over the fact that this wasn’t going to be like a dance class, I started to enjoy it.

This class was NUT-SO!

My muscles were literally giving up halfway through the class, which is a good thing I guess.

At one point I just sat on my mat and started laughing out of pure exhaustion because I physically could not complete one of the sequences.  I actually yelled out loud:  “I thought this was a level one class! Level one!”.  I realize this is embarrassing.

I highly recommend it and am guessing this is what the cardio barre craze is all about.  Although, from what I’ve heard about those classes they actually do sound dance-inspired.

This is a nice mix-in for my days at the studio and I’m glad they offer it. And even though it wasn’t what I thought it would be, who the heck cares I got a GREAT workout!

I am going to try to write this post and not sound like a complete snob because I’m really not.

I think it’s fantastic that when the new year starts people all over the county/state/nation/world commit themselves to living a healthier lifestyle. I honestly believe it makes the world a better place. It’s a fact that people who exercise are just happier. It’s science.

And I am not so cocky to be judgmental about newbies in classes. At one time or another, all of us have been new at SOMETHING. We didn’t come out of the womb running or in an up dog. I get it. It’s always a little apprehensive when you are new to a class or a sport. It can be awkward and you can feel out of place. That is completely normal. Remember, nobody is a master at anything. There is always room to learn and grow even if you are really great at what you do.

I welcome trying new things myself and I welcome new people to the classes that I love.

Unless … you’re that new person who is just an ass. 

My yoga classes for the last two weeks have been utterly packed, which is great.  It was to the point where literally during my Warrior 3 I had my face in another dude’s armpit. No joke. I could smell his cologne and I kept praying he didn’t fall out of his pose because that would most definitely mean an elbow right into my nose. But, honestly, I was fine with it.

I am fine with it until people do stupid things.

If you’re going to start something new this year, like yoga, here are some tips so you don’t piss off all the people who’ve been regularly taking the class for months or years. (These apply specifically to yoga just because of my recent experience but can actually apply to any class).

Even as I write this I know that this isn’t very yoga-like of me but… well… I just can’t help it. I’m working on my “inner peace” thing and though I’ve made progress, I’ve got a long way to go.

1. Shut up. Don’t talk during class, just don’t. It is the time for meditation not chatting about your day.

2. Turn off your cell phone. Better yet, leave it in the car. There is NO excuse for your phone going off during Shavasana. It’s just rude and disruptive. People go to yoga to escape from the world for a couple of hours not to be reminded of it in the middle of meditation. And while you’re at it, apply this rule to when you’re at the movies, in church, or at a play, thanks.

3. Be punctual. Being late is disruptive and disrespectful. Learn to not be late.

4. Don’t smell.  It’s sweaty and smelly enough without BO added to the mix.  And let me be clear that smelling does not just apply to BO, which is gross but let’s be real, it happens. It also applies to perfume and cologne. Don’t wear it to go work out, just don’t. When you sweat, that mixes with your Cool Water cologne and creates a gag-worthy stench. And while I’m on this tangent… who still wears Cool Water and why can I identify that scent? I’m embarrassed.

5. Know your limits. Don’t attempt a pose you’ve never done if you are inexperienced and unsure of the correct way to do it. Not only will you hurt yourself but in tight quarters, you will likely crash into the person next to you. I am not saying don’t try new things just know what your body can do and go from there.

I’m sure all types of activities have their own “rules” or code of ethics. Before starting something new it might be a good idea to simply find out what they are. And it may even make you feel more confident in your first class!

Happy sweating!

Ugh, I knew this would happen!

I over did it, as usual. I push too hard and then hurt myself and derail everything I’ve been working for.

A 9-mile run on Saturday has left me on my butt for the last two days.

Suckfest.

And instead of going to the doctor, I decide I’m fine and should wait.

Then, I like to plug my symptoms into WebMD and self-diagnose.

That website is the worst idea ever. It has completely turned me into a hypochondriac.

All of a sudden a migraine becomes a possible aneurism.

A pain in my side becomes a potential tumor.

And this pain in my foot that kept me from walking was most certainly a fracture.

Good news: my foot isn’t broken.

(Full disclaimer: I’m not entirely sure since I haven’t been to the doctor. If it is broken, my body has magical healing powers apparently, because I can walk now.)

Anyway this made me think about injury prevention.

I’ve done everything they said I was supposed to do: increase my mileage slowly and steadily, wear good shoes, warm up properly, stretch afterward, hydrate blah blah blah.

And let’s be honest here… I don’t run with the grace and speed of a cheetah. I’m slooooooow and clumsy,  but the miles get done.

Here are some tips from Livestrong.com on how you can prevent injury if you’re taking up a new physical activity for the New Year.

1. Warm-up. Give yourself 5-10 minutes to get your muscles warm. Make sure if you do stretches you do dynamic stretching and not static stretching. Static stretching is best for after a workout.

2. Lift weights: Building muscle mass will help protect your bones. Period.

3. Stretch more:  Being more flexible is good for your joints and can protect you from injury. Toss in some yoga a few times a week, if you can.

4. Learn the right way. According to Livestrong, even running sometimes needs a little guidance to ensure you aren’t hurting yourself when you pound the pavement.

And here’s a final tip added by yours truly:

5. Sometimes, you just need to sit one out.  Now that I look back, I think my injury was simply overuse. I was doing things right but pushed it too hard.  In my opinion, It’s OK to take a break once in a while and can actually be beneficial for your training.

I hate New Year’s resolutions.

It’s probably because I always break them.

I always break them because they’re always unrealistic.  I’m going to stop cursing, I’m going to stop eating sugar, or I’m going to lose X amount of pounds. It NEVER happens.

These types of resolutions just set you up for failure, in my opinion.

So this year I propose something new for you to try.

A New Year’s goal list.

They can be simple. Specific or general. Fun or serious.

Maybe some of you already do this.  I have never tried it. I’ve just skipped resolutions in recent years.

Set goals, not a rule that you are inevitably going to break. Rules that limit happiness in life are just negative energy. Who wants to live to never have another cookie again? Um, not me.

If some weight or health related goal is on your list, that’s great but set time-specific goals that are easier to stick to.  To start, maybe you’ll work out two days a week and then every three weeks, add a day. Slow and steady wins the race to a hot bod.

Your goals also don’t have to be self-help related. They could be things you want to do this year. Maybe you want to go to a local museum because you’ve never been, maybe you want to learn a new sport, maybe you want to rescue a dog.

Write it down then do it. This will be FUN.

I thought of this earlier this week when several people asked me what my New Year’s resolution was going to be and I didn’t feel excited. I felt grossed out by this question.

Then this morning I saw on this on  news: a goal tree. I LOVE it and it completely coincides with my New Year’s plan!

I don’t want to keep it in my apartment but I love it. It’s more of a party idea. You may recognize these because a lot of people use these as a “Wedding Wish” tree on the guest book table or at a shower. BUT if you are hosting a NYE party tomorrow, this could be fun for your guests. They look something like this:

Off the top of my head I can think of a few things that will be on my list but I feel like I need to really sit down and think, think, think. Here are some of my New Year’s goals.

1.  Master a semi-complicated Yoga inversion  (or at least make significant progress toward one).

2.  Finish that half-marathon (I know this was already sort of on my list)

3.  Have a picnic, with a basket and all

4.  Run on a trail, not the road

5.  Go to the San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park (I haven’t been since I was a kid)

6.  Take a surfing lesson

7.  Find a one piece that doesn’t look hideous on me (this is SO hard with my short little legs)

8.  See more movies in the theater.

9. Write more.

10. Golf on an 18-hole course (I’ve only done a 9-hole)

Holy bad blogger, Batman. I just had to re-log in to my Two Betties account which shows I have NOT been holding up my end of the deal.

I have been holding up part of it: I’ve been making enough baked goods to feed our apartment complex. But I have been failing miserably on the whole documentation part of this whole thing. So…to my readers, all three of you, I apologize.

These last couple weeks were so crazy hectic I couldn’t even find a moment to sit down and vent, share, or reflect in the world of my blog.

Here’s a quick breakdown of what I’ve been up to these last two weeks:

I was a baking machine! My dessert platter for a family party consisted of some of my favorite recipes I’ve tried so far plus one new one.

NYT cookies, Salted Caramel Brownies, Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing, Giada’s fudge with walnuts, and Peppermint Chocolate Cheesecake. This was how I spent nearly two days of my super short Christmas break.

I also went with my family to take the girls to see Santa. If this isn’t BY FAR the best Santa picture you’ve ever seen I challenge you to show me yours.  Seriously so cute and perfect it almost looks staged.

I felt borderline evil because I was laughing so hard I was crying but a lady standing outside the gate reassured me I was completely normal to be getting such joy out of my sweet nieces’ torment.

On the workout front… I slacked off a little as so many of us do but have been keeping with the running regimen three days a week.

Up this week: 9 miles!  Once I hit 10 I will be feeling ever more confident about that February half marathon.

This week it’s back to regular Yoga practices, which was compromised for parties, with a sprinkle of resistance training, which went out the window to make room for shopping time.

Anyway, I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah or a fantastic Kwanzaa.

Now we have the new year to look forward to. I have a feeling 2012 is going to be a great year. Maybe I should resolve to be more consistent with my blog.

Until next time! (Which won’t be two weeks from now)

As I get old(er) my tastes change.

I was always told this would happen.

But I assumed this would only apply to things such as vegetables, clothing styles and shoes.

Trading butter-soaked veggies for steamed ones, swapping out my midriff-bearing tops for loose tunics (yes, I actually wore shirts that exposed my belly. Not OK.) and finding myself looking for comfortable flats to wear versus finding the  sexiest shoes I could find and not caring whether or not I’d be able to walk the next day. For the record, I hope I always find Tevas unappealing no matter how old I get.

I didn’t, however, realize this maturing taste also applied Christmas music.

At a young age, Amy Grant was the “it” for me in the Christmas music genre.  I used to choreograph very dramatic routines in my room to her toe-tapping version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” simply entitled, “Emmanuel”. If you are my age and a woman,  you know you LOVED that song.  It was very 80s and pure awesomeness.

I just figured I’d always enjoy and hate the same Christmas songs year after year. It wasn’t until I was bouncing in my seat and dancing to a Christmas song I used to vehemently DESPISE that I realized I needed to update my list of favorite songs for the season.

I’m not going to lie, Amy Grant is still on my list. There are some songs that simply qualify as classic for me and her over-synthesized version of that Christian hymn will forever remain untouched on my list. It’s the “We Built this City” of Christmas music – you have to be born in the 80s to appreciate it.

Anyway, that said, here is my new more mature, albeit potentially more cheesy, updated list of favorite holiday songs in no particular order.

What are some of your favorite songs? Share in the comments section!

1. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”

How cute is this? Who wouldn't want one for Christmas?

2. “Linus and Lucy”

3. Bare Naked Ladies’ version of  “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.

4. The Babs version of “Jingle Bells” (Despite how you feel about Streisand musically, politically, or otherwise, her Jingle Bells blows the others out of the water. Even my husband agrees.)

5. Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time” (This is the one that I always hated up until this year.)

6.  “O Holy Night” (Pretty much anyone’s  version as long as they can sing and don’t puss out on that big note. Honestly, the chick from Glee’s version is pretty insane.)

7.  “Winter Song” by Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson (Not totally Christmas, per se, but still works)

8. Amy Grant’s “Emmanuel” (She built that hymn on Rock and Roll)

9. Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” (For the record, my husband can imitate Bing Crosby to a T! It’s completely entertaining and really funny but most of you will never get to hear it because he “doesn’t do it on demand”.)

10. James Taylor’s  “Some Children See Him”.

So this running thing is pretty darn addicting.

Last weekend’s five-miler had me gasping for air and sweating like a pig – it was awesome.

Well awesome except for the fact my knees were also acting like they were 87-years-old. It was pretty sad but I powered through. I’m working on finding a remedy for this problem on my own.  So far, so good.  (Ice, ice, ice… stretch, stretch, stretch – not in that order!)

I know, I know, five miles really isn’t THAT crazy for those of you who run regularly but I blame the hills in Back Bay. It was hard!

Anyway, before weekend runs I’ve been downing a multi-grain waffle with peanut butter topped with bananas but it’s starting to get boring.

I found this recipe for Sweet Potato Muffins by food writer Mark Bittman on Runner’s World.com. Yum! Apparently it’s good pre-run (or pre- any activity, really) food. I should’ve baked the sweet potato more but they’re still good. I also made a pumpkin variation and added chopped walnuts.

It’s the perfect thing to pop before a run.  At about 240 calories, you can’t go wrong! Plus they’re super easy to make.

Try it out!

Bittman also shares a recipe for a banana nut variation and a pumpkin coconut kind. Mmmmmm

Sweet Potato Muffins
2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour (preferably pastry flour)
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup melted unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup pureed or mashed cooked sweet potato
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 375° F. Grease 12 muffin cups or add paper liners.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, and salt.

In a bowl, whisk butter, oil, sweet potato, egg, and buttermilk. Fold wet mixture into the dry; stir until just combined.

Fill muffin cups three-quarters full. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.