I'm happy to report that I've been really good about staying on track with my fitness goals for the year (disclaimer- there was a 10 day stretch where I didn't visit the gym, OR walk the dog- but I did manage to at least eat healthy and stay physically active with client work).  I do owe some of that to the MyFitnessPal.com app on my iPhone.  I'm able to track what I eat and drink as well as record exercises (even cooking and cleaning are listed as cardio activities!), follow my habits and patterns and see where I can improve or incorporate healthy choices.  Because I'm fairly competitive, I love this app; it lets me connect with friends, see into their lives, check out what they've been eating and doing for workouts, and know that I have them to hold me accountable. 
Last week, when the EFlirtExpert (www.EflirtExpert.com) was in town, and I was just coming out of my 10 day refuge from the gym, we decided to hit the mats- literally.  Of all the activities we've done together, we've NEVER worked out as a team- sure, we've danced over cocktails, walked through the mall, and even texted across the country while on treadmills, but we've never together face to face worked out.  In honor of taking true advantage of having her in town, I wanted to show her off to all of my fabulous local friends... so I brought her to Alicia, of A Healthy Balance (www.AHealthyBalanceInc.com) for bootcamp.  My friend, the Expert is a total yoga and walking fanatic- she's always in and out of classes in NYC and hustling along the busy streets walking up a storm. 
At this point I do need to say that I had taken a break from AHB for no reason other than time constraints; and for the last six months have been relying on my own workouts and patterns at the gym to keep me in physical shape.  When you get comfortable in a workout, as I had, it's hard to try and introduce new workouts to your agenda.  I became stuck in a rut- feeling great about having worked out, but not feeling any burn, and I had lost the creativity to try new things.
Alicia's boot camp consists of 45 minutes of strength and conditioning work outs.  There are no machines (other than the one you bring with you).  The only things used during your time there could include a yoga mat, resistance band,a step or bench (chair level) and more than likely some free weights.  Bootcamp workouts include 60 second intervals at each "station," where you're working towards time, not towards quantity, and you're alerted when it's halfway through- just for your personal knowledge, or to switch sides (depending on what you're working on).  Everyone in the group does each station twice, and then another set of workouts are introduced.  Workouts include everything from planks, to wall sits, (gasp) burpees, duckwalks, rowing exercises and so much more.
We took the class a week ago, Tuesday, and by Friday, I had just started to feel normal again (sitting, standing, walking up stairs had proven to be a challenge post workout), I can assure you that my city gal pal was suffering the same side effects... however, here we are the following week, and guess who was at bootcamp under Sgt. Alicia's orders this past Tuesday night?  I sure was, and though I'm not as sore as I was last week, I know it's because I was more prepared and remembered to afterwards!
One of the most important things to me is my health and wellness (I'll pretend I didn't eat 4 cinnamon buns last Saturday morning for breakfast), and because of that, working out and eating right are top priorities for me.  When I'm not making time for those things, I can feel myself getting anxious and unnerved.  I love AHB because it doesn't matter how much time I'm away, I don't feel self conscious about working out, I'm always welcomed back with a smile and a great playlist to accompany my sweat session. 
How do you unwind when feeling stressed out?  Do you make time to workout- how often?

-Stacy
703 304 4067
www.ErrandsEtcetera.biz