Simone's Nationals Leo supporting the Survivors (yes, I bought it!)

I bought another new leotard!

I even paid pretty good money for it.  But it's worth it!

You can read about it here.

One of my athletes received it as a birthday present, and wore it to practice on Wednesday night.  I coveted it immediately.  It is incredibly sparkly, iridescent, and beautiful.

I couldn't find it on the GK site, but I did find here here: https://www.discountleotards.com

I can't wait to try it on!  I also can't believe I'm buying something with a horizontal stripe right across the middle, but...SPARKLE AND SHINE!!!

Barre at the Landing YMCA

Wednesday was the day before Thanksgiving, and it was a teachers compensation day from conferences (we work 1.5 days for two days to accommodate conferences, then have the day before Thanksgiving off).

I attended at Barre class.  I've always wanted to try, so I was happy when I saw a class scheduled for that day.

It was a decent workout.   Here are things that are different from a regular ballet class.

OK, it isn't really like a ballet class at all, except that you do hold a barre and do some tendu/leg points and battements/kicks.

But it was fun, and the music is modern and fun.

We used these big, squishy balls as resistance between our legs that I was certain I would pop with my thighs,  but somehow I didn't. 

I'll be looking to do this class again.  I just need to find a night I can go.

Oh...and the BEST thing?  Because I coach gymnastics at the Y, I get a free membership.  And classes are included in the membership.  So the class was free!

Mainely Mat Yoga Class

(Isn't this the coolest logo?)

We had ANOTHER snow day today.  I can't believe it.  I don't want to go to school in July!!!

I took this opportunity to try another yoga class at Ebb and Flow Yoga.

It was much more suited to my style than the class I tried on Sunday.

Also, I didn't have to stand up at all for the whole class.

I learned, again, that I'm out of shape. 

But, there are some things I'm ok at.  Anything with leg swings and hold seem to be my thing.

It's a heated class, and I've never been a fan of heat.  But, I shall persevere!

Best part?  Cold lavender towels at the end!

Pics or it didn't happen

I took a few pictures last night after the kids left.

I am well aware that I wouldn't even be able to do this without easy access to a gym.  Luckily, I have always worked part time as a gymnastics coach.

I took a video and then screenshotted splits, a bridge, and a handstand.

I already warned you I was heavy, so don't be surprised.

This is my first status check.

Yin Yoga

I tried Yin Yoga today.

I understood that it would be a deep-stretching restorative practice.

It was 90 minutes, and unheated.

The most appealing thing to me, honestly, was that it was unheated.  I hate being hot.

I mean, I live in Maine!

It was deeply relaxing.  Today's practice was focused on the lower back.  

The one that KILLED me was "saddle pose"

The insides of my knees felt like they had been split open.  There was no warning.  I did not know that my body couldn't do that, nor did I anticipate that it would be a no go.  

This "Setu Bandha Sarvangasana" was not a friend either.

That's ok.  I'll just try a different style next time.

But I DID reach my goal of organized exercise again today.  That's two days!

World's Replica Leotard

I purchased my first leotard...for myself...this century.  Literally, this century.

My competitive gymnastics career ended on the cusp of the crushed velvet and scrunchie era.

I never had a leotard with "bling", sequins, or rhinestones.

In poking around on GK yesterday, I came across the World's Replica Leos.

I chose the most beautiful and sparkly of them all.

Isn't it stunning!

Don't worry.  I'm a "dealer".  I paid the wholesale price.


I hope I can fit in an Adult XL!

Goal Setting

It snowed Friday, and school was cancelled.  It's the earliest that I remember having and snow day for actual snow.

Not, like, no school because the power was knocked out.  Snow.

I have set these goals for myself:

*One organized exercise class for any day I do not work
*Conditioning each and every day

On Friday, the yoga class I had planned to attend was cancelled at the last minute, not due to snow.  BUT!  I was given a free class for the next time I go!

Today, I attended a ballet class!  The first one in years!
"4-5:30pm Intermediate Ballet A Ballet class with full barre, center, and across the floor combinations. Focus on Balanchine Technique, grace, and strength."

I also choreographed the last floor routine for my athletes this season.  I did a little low beam before my gymnast came in, and then a teensy bit of bars and other things.  40 minutes total.

I kept telling myself...this is the worst it will be.  It will get easier.

Tina's going!

I shared on Facebook and Twitter that I'm going to Adult Gymnastics Camp.

My friend Tina is going to join me!  Yay!  I'm so excited!

The hotel room is booked.

Impulse Buy: Adult gymnastics Camp

I have been feeling terrible about myself, for lots and lots and lot of reasons.

I'll talk about the ones that don't have to do with other people.

1.  I'm fat.
2.  I'm out of shape.
3.  I've never been this fat before.
4.  I've never been this out of shape before.
5.  I have high blood pressure.
6.  My high blood pressure medication has had to be changed because my potassium levels, according to blood work for my annual physical is too low.
7.  I'm stressed.
8.  My doctor said she doesn't want me to have a stroke.



So, I listened to the most recent Gymcastic episode on Wednesday, on my way home from a meeting, and I heard Adult Gymnastics Camp.

On Thursday, I looked at the website.  I paid the deposit.  $50.

I hope I don't get hurt.

To have a chance in hell of not getting hurt, I need to get in some sort of shape.