Channelling my inner "Bruce Lee"

Well I made it official, before I left on my business trip, I signed up and paid for Jiu-jitsu and Kickboxing classes at Therien Martial Arts in Ottawa. This will form the cardio portion of my training. I got the okay from my trainer so it's a go. I am very excited to see my progress and to learn all those Jiu-jitsu and kickboxing moves. I have already learned some fabulous self-defense moves!! Who knows, if I get good enough, I may even compete one day (that's dreaming big, I tell you - but why not?)

The great thing about it, is that I will have company. I won't be doing this alone. YEAH!!! Three of my work colleauges signed up as well and we will all attend the classes together during our lunch hour, so it should be fun. We've made a pact to stay with it....there will be no quitting!! I'm really looking forward to it. I will be away all next week on another business trip, but will start full swing upon my return.

I attend a couple of kickboxing classes this past week and my goodness, what an awesome workout! My arms are a little sore from all the punching. I really think I'm going to enjoy it! I will definitely keep you posted on the progress and will take a few pix of me in my Gi (Komono)...

On another note, I've also signed up my 3 year old for the "Little Dragons" martial arts program at the same gym (dojo, as it's properly called in martial arts talk). He is so cute in that little outfit (Gi). I will hopefully post some pix soon. More important than how cute he is, I think this program will be great for him and it will introduce fitness in his life at an early age, where it's fun and enjoyable and can hopefully be a permanent part of his life. This is also something that we can hopefully do together!! I'm excited.

Anyway, that's it for now. Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Just call me "SPIN-derella"!!!!

I just completed my very first ever SPINNING class and HOLY MOTHER OF EVERYBODY!!! I was sweating like you wouldn't believe, my crotch area, (maybe too much info here - but I'm keeping it real), inner thighs, thighs in general, my butt cheeks - entire lower body as a whole is burning and sore!!! Holy crap what a workout!! My legs are pumping and burning....I KNOW I will be sore tomorrow.

So I get to the class, and let me tell you, these bikes are no joke!!! They don't look like the typical stationary bikes ( you know, grey and boring), these ones look mean! I did feel a little intimidated - but again I reminded myself of my goals and reason for doing this and for the time being that was enough to keep me from running out of there. The spinners started filing in and setting up their bikes. In walks this cute little girl/woman named Tiffany. She was a fricking POWERHOUSE!!! So sweet - until she started TEACHING THE CLASS!!!! I spoke to her briefly prior to starting, just to advise her that I was new and I had my health card with me!!! I was so nervous. Anyway, she was so helpful...she showed me how the bike worked and how to properly set up the height of seat and how to stop the wheels etc... I hopped on and it was on!!!

It was just awesome. I know it's only Day 1, but I swear I'm hooked. The workout was extremely challenging and I was just so friggin proud of myself for finishing the class. I will be doing it twice a week and I just know I will see results. Between eating right, the awesome strength training plan that Rob created for me (and his regular guidance) and this new form of cardio, my body will have no choice but to say "Buh-bye" to my fat!!!! My next class will be on Thursday morning and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll keep you guys posted...again, if any one of you living in the Ottawa area is interested in joining me....check out the website . I will be going every Tuesday (6:45pm to 7:45 pm) and Thursday (6:30 am to 7:30 am).

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

A New Level of HURT ...and More!!

Hi guys,

Well my trainer tried to warn me. He sent me a message last week telling me that he was working on my new program and that I would be in for a "new level of hurt"!! Boy was he right!! I must admit that when he first told me that, my first thought was, "BRING IT ON, Lagana!!" Well, he brought it and he brought it hard.

I am already SORE and I just worked out this morning. My body was screaming, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, IT'S 7:30 on a SATURDAY MORNING??" I met him at 7:30 am and got started right away...he had a special grin on his face and at the time, I did not know why. At the end of my workout I knew why that grin was there! This program is the ultimate "Plateau Buster"and that's the perfect name because I really can't see how I could plateau on this program. Every time I've felt that I've got a hang of the program and that it's "almost" easy (not easy-easy, just almost easy), it's usually time for a new program. Rob (trainer) knows exactly what he's doing.

For example, in my last routine, one of the exercises he gave me was to do 10 push ups on an exercise ball...I thought, "there is no f'ing way I'm going to be able to do that!!" Well just last week I was doing all 10 on that ball and feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Well today, he made one of his "slight adjustments" to my push-up exercise - literally as small as lifting one leg while I did the exercise - and I was done for!! I could barely get through doing 3 in a row!! But it's all good!! As Rob likes to remind me, this program is progressive and I can totally see the improvements in strength thusfar!! So I have a new goal and I WILL DO IT!! I can't wait.

I've increased the amount of weight I'm lifting and will also be increasing the number of times per week that I do cardio training as well. I will be doing cardio 5 days now instead of 3!! I CANNOT believe how strong I am getting. It's incredible. My body was in shock after this morning....my legs were shaking like you could not believe..IT WAS AWESOME!!!

With each new routine and new exercise, I felt myself challenging my body like never before!! I was hurting but no pain no gain, right?

So thanks Rob for today and this is my official "you were right, you kicked my ass today, I felt more than a new level of hurt" statement!!:) I hope I made you proud today with my progress. I know I left your studio feeling like I WAS THE SHIT TODAY!!! Totally a great way to start one's day!!:)

So that's it for now. I'm looking forward to this week starting my new routine, spinning and more cardio!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)