It's About Time!

Hiatus = Over.

Totally settled in the new place. Pics to come. It's such a gorgeous day out, I'm going to actually take some pictures to update on the blog. Since I haven't been dancing, but going to the gym, there's been a real question of what content should go onto the blog since I don't really want to air my personal business here.

The only thing I can consistently post about it food and general fitness. We'll definitely have to see which direction that goes.

In the market for... a digital SLR...

Until next time, I'm off to get some content!

Ciao!
cole

Strange and Weird Things Done by Miss Jolie-Laide

Since I married, would it be Mrs. Jolie-Laide? Probably not, I still haven't even gotten around to changing my name to my married name in real life. Anyway, I’ve been keeping track of everything I eat in Google Docs. It’s been very helpful, and I’m definitely aware of my decisions since it will be recorded. However, I notice that I still am not totally on track. I indulge in dessert a little too often, and since I don’t get dinner until pretty late, I grab snacks that probably aren’t the best.

So I now realize the importance of having a meal plan, or a weekly menu if you will. I have to plan ahead, because on days I don’t, I either spend a lot to do the right thing or I eat things I shouldn’t because I don’t want to spend as much. I’m not sure if it’s realistic for me to forgo sugar. But I do need to figure out how to allow for it in a way that makes sense for me. Although, sometimes I think about going cold-turkey.

After using a calorie calculator, I also realize I was being too ambitious with my caloric restriction expectations. That and very unrealistic. I’m trying to do better, that’s for sure. Now that I’ve made the adjustments in Google Docs, I don’t feel like such a cow. I’m pretty impressed at how such small changes make a difference. However, I’m not glossing over the fact that I do need to make improvements.

With that said, I was killing time at the Barnes & Noble and saw this book (Ballet Beautiful by Mary Helen Bowers). I’d like to check it out. It has some dietary tips, mental preparation, and ballet inspired exercises. I've seen previews of her very expensive dance classes online. Not sure if the book will help me in dance class, but I’d still like to see what it is all about. If anything, it’s very neatly presented. Speaking of dance class, sheesh, can I BUY some free time! Between work, the gym, making friends, keeping the old friends, and being married, that leaves little time to buy groceries, do laundry, or even move the flippin’ car! Ballet, language lessons and swimming are time luxuries! I felt I had so much free time in SF (like HOURS of the stuff). Now I’m lucky if I can get dinner before 10pm and 6.5 hours of sleep.

At best, I can fit it in on Sunday – ballet. Modern? Horton? Bah! In my dreams. I can probably finagle another class in on Thursday after the gym (or in lieu of the gym since Thursday classday isn’t so fun) to go twice a week, but honestly, the gym isn’t that cheap (like not even remotely) and neither is ballet.

Ugh, economic realities much?

Pure Barre

So I joined this gym. Because, it's important to my adulthood or something ridiculous like that or maybe I don't want to turn thirty and wonder what happened to my behind. Diabetic prevention? I dunno, make something up for me, I'm still not always sure why I'm there apart from enjoying having something strenuous to do.

Which Pure Barre isn't exactly - strenuous that is. It has it's difficulties, but it's not necessarily impossible. It's a series of exercises LOOSELY based on ballet. I did it a couple of times. It's fun, but dude, I seriously can't imagine Leisl, Kathy, or Sally (Lines Forever!) approving of it. For one, we're asked to turn out, but not told where to turn out from. I figure, seeing how we don't have a real ballet bar, maybe I should keep turn out to a minimum so I don't take out my knees.

Image From PureWow (not related to my gym or this entry)

Not that I worry about that... too much about my knees. Anyway, I have to take off. I have some breakfast meeting today and I have to be in at 8am. I hope they have fruit.

Ciao!

You Get What You Pay For

I joined Lucille Roberts. I was taken in by their low prices and their low prices. Did you know that they have low prices?

Yay! Low Prices and group fitness motivation - ammayeright!?!?!?

Well, it's cheap for a reason. I think I was a member for the grand total of one day before I had to cry "foul." It's small, it's disorganized, the people that work there aren't bright. The instructors are MEGA-RUDE, and it's the kind of place you just want to cover yourself in latex before doing anything. That, and their payment system is so jacked.

I went to Equinox and haven't looked back. It's immaculate, I can use the machines as long as I want. The classes aren't for beginners, and it's the complete opposite of Lucille Roberts in every way. There's even a barre burn class on Monday and Wednesday nights, which is sweet since I'll only get to dance on Sundays (for now).

Now at primo supremo Equinox where the instructors are like mad fit. They've got eucalyptus infused towels and stuff. Take that cheap-o Roberts.

Still trying to get settled into NY. I think it'll be easier when we get a close date on the house and no longer have to live in temporary places. I'm being optimisitic, and hopefully we'll be in our real home by the end of the month.

For extra measure, any juju would be appreciated. Prayers, chants, karma, coins, candles, whatever you do. Please, by all means. I'd love to get into our pretty apartment ASAP.

Operation Leotard

So, I start the new gig on Monday, which means I can go back to dance class. Naturally I'm excited, just as I'm excited to get back into a gym. Home fitness is okay, but I do better doing that sort of thing somewhere else -- away from complaining neighbors.

So yeah, regular fitness and dance, sweet right? Well, sure before stumbling upon the Beyonce channel on YouTube. That bitch is FINE! And of course, now I want to run around in leotards (in dance class) sans tights like she does. Sure leo with tights, I'm all gravy, but without. Well, I think I'll have to glue myself to the treadmill like she claims to do.

Here's a video for fun.

Project!!!

So, at last, I got a job offer, which means... WE'RE BACK IN BUSINESS! Who's got two thumbs and is stoked beyond imagination? Oh yeah, this chick right here.

So I'll start up with dance either this week or the following. I joined a gym to up the stamina and keep that fun-exibility in tact between classes. There's only so much 2 hours of ballet can give you a week, you know?

I found this splits prep on Fit Sugar this morning, which is so appropriate as I've been fantasizing about executing a Grand Jeté. You know, this thing here:

So much to try for. So little time! 

Anyway, I ordered gym shoes, I'm eyeballing moisture wicking clothes (as much as I love cotton, crotch sweat in group fitness is not what's hot in the streets, you heard?), and I'm trying to figure out food shopping days and other practical info. 

So much to be stoked about.

From Pointe Mag: The Wrong Warm Up

So, apparently, going straight into stretches before getting the party started in a dance class is just begging for an injury. I can't really say I'm against that logic. Maybe it's because I'm an adult beginner, but I just am not flexible straight into the studio. I have to run or do something vigorous beforehand before I can even think about stretching. 


I guess I don't feel so bad now knowing that you probably should do something mildly aerobic before stretching. I do declare that seeing the chicks touching their toes 5 seconds after putting their toe shoes on shouldn't make me feel envious anymore.  Adult beginners apparently need to give the joints a little love. So no more insta-stretches ladies (and gents). Do some jumping jacks or something first. :-)


For the whole article, visit Point Mag's site.

"When you lean over and touch your toes, and hold that pose, the brain thinks you are about to damage yourself and it then sends out nerve impulses that actually tighten the muscles," [Gretchen Reynolds, author of The First Twenty Minutes] told interviewer [NPR Fresh Air's] Terry Gross. "The result is, you're less ready for activity."

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net