lights out

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I get a little cranky when I have to work a bunch of days in a row. Last week, I worked 4 out of 5 days, and to say that I was irritated when our power went out halfway through the day and I was left without the ability to do the things I needed (wanted) to do on my day off was an understatement.

What's been on my mind for the last few days as I have reflected on our day without power was how lost Sam and I were when the lights went out. My immediate panic was "how am I supposed to get ready for work at 5:30 in the morning," which is legit..but I was more concerned about how my hair would look than anything. It takes the power of a blow dryer to tame the beast.

My not so immediate panic was that Sam and I had NO idea what to do with ourselves. I was hungry, with a headache, and without knowing how long the lights and power would be out, I was afraid to open the refrigerator too much for fear of the food going bad. We just stared at each other as if to say, "well..what now?" It was almost as if we were incapable of even speaking to each other without the use of our electronic gadgets.

After a quick break for a shower and a little bit of caffeine, we decided to go out to dinner and froyo. We hung out for a bit at dinner so I could charge my phone (thanks Noodles & Company), then decided to take a long drive. Luckily, about 10 minutes after we got home, the power came back on. And while the beginning of the night began in frustration, it ended up being a great surprise date night. And it was also a great realization that we don't need electronic gadgets to have a good time :).

personal trainer: day two.

I have been in the trenches of night shifts so I haven't been great about updating the world about my personal trainer (I know you are all shocked).

Here was my day two work out [what I can remember]*.

Warm-up: 5 minutes on the row machine (I love it and am so glad she's been having me use it!)

Next, into the circuits:

1. 10 push-ups
2. 20 "step-ups" while holding a 15 pound medicine ball, then 20 more using the other leg first.
3. 15 ball slams using the same medicine ball (hold the ball above your head, throw it down as hard as you can into a squat, repeat).
4. Arm lifts (I know you love my technical language...). Get into the squat position with one hand at your side, or on your hip if you need help with balance, which I do. Dangle the other arm while holding a weight of your choice between your legs, then swing that arm up above your head. Repeat 15 times, then switch arms.
5. Dead lifts. Hold weight in your hand, or kettle bell, lower weight to the ground in front of you while kicking your other leg out behind you...sort of an arabesque type move, if you're familiar with ballet.

Next cardio bursts.

First, we did toe touches on the box I used for my step-ups...I jogged for 20 seconds, rested for 10, jogged for 20...so on and so forth for 6 rotations.

Then, repeat the first cycle.

Next, another cardio burst. Side to side toe touches for the same amount of time.

Finally, we finish with abs.

In the plank position (no knees!) balance on both of your hands and slowly reach with one hand up to touch the bicep of your opposite arm. Lower the arm back to the ground, then repeat with opposite arm. The trick here is not to swing your hips (harder than it sounds). Repeat thirty times. Finally, we finished up holding a 10 pound weight and doing side to side crunches 40 times.


I think I'm forgetting something from the strength cycle, but it was two weeks ago and for the life of me I can't remember what it was! What I love about my trainer is most of the moves she is showing me can be done at home with minimal equipment.

What I don't like about my trainer is that she is ALWAYS HAPPY and sometimes I just want to punch her in her face.

*Again I am not a certified personal trainer, you should always take advice from a CPT or your physician. These are just what my trainer is doing for me, which works personally best for me!