Where's the Beach?

Comfort Zones Left Behind Yesterday was beyond exhausting. Right now it actually seems like it all happened days ago. After the last class of Cathe's Road Trip, we had a farewell brunch at a diner. It was really hard to believe the Road Trip was already over. I had so much fun and am still trying to soak it all in to be honest. This was such a great trip for me on so many levels. It got me WAY out of comfort zones. It was spontaneous from the start. I stayed with people I had not met in person so that honestly could have been a disaster if you think about it. I am so shy and reserved until I really know someone. But in my heart, I really felt that I knew Jessica and Jolene and from the moment I walked through the hotel door, it was like just re-connecting with old friends. Fantastic feeling to be honest. So any reservations I might have had disappeared immediately. It was also fun meeting new Catheletes and a forum member as well (we do a check in called Crazy Strong and Loving It...

To say that Saturday was a jam-packed, exercise-filled day would be a major understatement to say the very least. I am not sure I have ever been quite so exhausted but in a good way. The energy and enthusiasm from everyone - especially Cathe - just keeps you going. I cannot begin to describe what it's like to be working out WITH Cathe not just "to" Cathe. Even more amazing - all the other women (and 2 men) who were there for the same exact reason: love of and respect for Cathe. It is an awesome thing to be surrounded by so many people who are enthusiastic about fitness and health. Not many people around me seem to know who Cathe is, so it's also soooo much fun to be around so many who know who she is and work out to the same DVDs. I will totally admit being a bit star struck when I got to talk to her and have my pictures taken with her. But she is so incredibly down to earth and friendly. She's not just that way on the DVDs, she IS that way period. She is a ti...

This is me on the way to the airport Friday morning. Obviously the ativan had not yet kicked in. Finally got to meet Jessica and Jolene! Sweaty messes after the first step class. Should 3 people be so happy to be so sweaty and tired? The I heart Cathe girls. It's been an absolute whirlwind. Friday night's step class was awesome - the energy through the roof. Saturday's schedule ended up being more packed with an added spin class. So today went a bit like this: Breakfast Step aerobics 50 mins/abs 10 Break Bootcamp 40 mins no break Spin 40 mins no break Yoga 45-ish mins Lunch Cardio Core Circuit 30 mins/upper body 30 mins Awwww well-deserved break before dinner Dinner Zumba Bed More pics and actual content to come....

Jersey Bound Well as you know, I'm on my way to the Cathe Road Trip . I am not sure if I'll be able to blog tomorrow or not. It all depends on how if Jessica, Jolene, and myself can stop chatting long enough to log onto our laptops ;-) If I can't get a post out, I will definitely return on Sunday with at least a quick/condensed recap, maybe a post in pictures. Not sure how you guys feel about those. Speaking of pictures, I'll be sure to take plenty (though I'll only have my point and shoot unfortunately). The full recap will probably be done in a series - I am thinking it'll be lengthy. As promised - here is the schedule for the Road Trip and a link where the webcam will be posted (I think): Webcam: Cathe.com or maybe on the Road Trip home page . I don't know all the details on the webcam, but if you get a chance, check it out. You may get to see me in action (aka getting my booty kicked). Friday 3:45 PM - "The Cathe Buses" depart from h...

Thinking Positively Well, today is my official rest day - properly preparing myself for the Cathe Road Trip . However, I am such a bundle of nerves (both good and bad) that I feel like I need to do something just to shake out some of the energy. While some of the nerves are from my anxiety over flying, a huge part of the nerve is really pure excitement. I am almost at a loss for words to be honest. I'm not sure there is really any way that I can totally express how excited I am to not only meet Cathe, but to also finally meet Jessica and Jolene. As I commented to Jessica, there may actually be squealing when we meet! Seriously that giddy, not going to lie. Never in a million years would I have thought that I could honestly call 2 people true friends when I have never even met them face-to-face. But, I do indeed consider them to be friends. I know that this will not be the last time we meet up. I fully expect that they will come visit me and I'll gladly brave another flight...

Two on Tuesday This morning my eyes opened wide at 4:55 am. I tried to go back to sleep, but quickly realized I was only fooling myself. So I got up and got my workouts done. Today was leg day with quad focus. Wide-stance squats - 3x8 Rear leg elevated lunges - 3x10 Firewalkers - 8 total Narrow-stance squats - 3x10 Static lunges - 3x10 Squats with low-end pulse - 3x8 Wall squats with ball - 6 reps of squat with 10 sec hold Outer thigh raises with ankle weights on ball - 2x24 We had storms roll through last night, so the temperatures dropped finally. It was 74 this morning, so I decided to take advantage of that and get in a short 20-minute run. When I first started out, I seriously didn't think I was going to get very far. My legs were already yelling at me. But, about half a mile into the run, they loosened up and it felt good. What's the Deal With the Road Trip? I am really glad I got the workouts done early. I feel like I still have so much to do to get ready ...

Working it Out I must say that I feel so incredibly wiped out today after such a busy weekend. I didn't even feel like attempting weights at lunch, so we hit Target instead to get some more last-minute travel items for my Cathe Road Trip extravaganza this weekend. I did manage to pull it together for biceps, triceps, and MMA boxing after work. I knew deep down that it'd give me the energy boost I desperately needed. Plus, I needed to get it done. I did supersets again for weights of 3 sets of 8 reps: SS#1 Biceps dumbbell curls Triceps overhead extensions SS# 2 Hammer curls Double-arm kickbacks SS#3 Incline biceps curls Lying triceps extension (on stability ball) Biceps curls - 21's Weighted triceps dips - to failure I followed the weights with Cathe Friedrich's MMA Boxing and abs from Muscle Max (which I haven't done in ages). Where's the Food? We are fairly low on groceries, but with the upcoming travels, we don't want to go to the...