Disconnect to Reconnect

Oh Facebook, what would we do without you?  We can check in on people and always know what they're up too...who has kids, who has dog-kids, who loves their life, and who is airing their dirty laundry (generally rather passive aggressively).  We get caught up in it, I get caught up in it.  Sometimes we need to remember to keep in mind that FB is really only what others want for us to see (in some cases, in other cases people put it ALL out there!).

That being said, be sure to check out Prettypalooza on Facebook...I'm up to about 20 likes, cause I'm kind of a big deal.

In the past couple of weeks though, I've been contacted by a couple of people who I had lost touch with (in real life).  One was a person that I'd been in school with pretty much the entire of K-12.  The other was a former co-worker who I used to hang out with a lot...but then you know, life got in the way.  I guess it's what some would call an "A-ha!" moment, where I realized that there was more going on in our lives than FB would have me believe.  Sometimes we do just need to carve out some time to sit with each other and connect person to person...like when something isn't working and you turn it off then turn it back on.  

While catching up you may learn that not only does she
not exercise, but also that she's never
had any official dance training.  

I dare you to meet up with someone sometime soon in real life and spend some time really catching up.  Phones only for showing a couple of pics here and there and maybe setting a timer if you only found 2 hour parking.  (Bonus points if you are having such a nice visit that you have to go move your car, because that's what I had to do!).  

Cheers to you, and have some fun!

Five stretches for a good night's sleep

Now that I've been working out more, I seem to have found some additional muscles that I didn't know I had.  So right before bed and first thing in the morning I've been adding some stretches to help with any stiffness or soreness.  These are some of my favorites (bonus being that you don't even need to get out of bed to do them).

Keep in mind that I'm not a doctor or a yoga instructor...I've just found that these combos have been working for me.

In any order:

1. Legs against a wall: helps to lower heart rate 

2. Pigeon: hip opener

3. Bridge pose: calms brain, improves circulation

4. Cat and Cow: good for posture, relieves stress

5. Child's pose and or Happy Baby: both good for calming body and mind

Again, I'm not a professional or anything, I just know these feel good and I've been getting to sleep easier and it's a nice way to wake up in the morning. Go ahead and check with a Doc, do what you need to do...it's the only body you've got!

If you need info on how to do these poses, or want more info on the benefits I found this website helpful: cnyhealingarts   

BOSU, for me...and maybe for you??

I've seen those BOSU balls laying around the gym before.  I've even seen some women with rather enviable bodies gracefully planking using the BOSU.  I had never dared picked one up at the gym though...I'm not what one would call graceful or coordinated. 

I did opt to try a class over at Equilibrium Fitness in La Verne.  The class sizes are small, so far between 4 to 6 and our teacher.  What I like about this class is that we do a bit of everything (legs, abs, arms) and work at a variety of paces.  I'm still at a place where I go a little slower so that I get the movements right (for the most part). It's kind of like a step class, meets a little kickboxing with some light yoga stretches included.  

Maura the instructor is super nice and welcoming and takes time throughout the class to check on everyone.  On my second visit we were balancing on the flat side of the BOSU and she actually came over an held my hands until I was up and balanced...twice. She came over and held my sweaty little hands, that's how nice she is.

It's a good workout, a get you sweaty and heart racing, leaving with wobbly legs kind of workout.  With a few more classes under my belt I may even feel coordinated enough to try it myself at the gym...during the off hours when not too many people can see me.