Exercising in Groups
I had an absolutely amazing workout last night!
But, one problem – look what my heart rate monitor said throughout the entire 45 minute class!
It died?!?
This is the first time I’ve had this happen since I got it at Christmas so I was not impressed. But, c’est la vie – I still had a kick butt workout and sweat like nobody’s business!! It was so much fun! Before the class I did a bit of a strength workout for my arms, and some ab work in the gym.
I have to say, I love group exercise classes!!
I don’t have a huge number of people who I know in this country. Sure, I have the people I work with – and I hang out with a few coworkers outside of work once a term or something. I also have my soon-to-be in laws, and then of course the friends who I have acquired through Steve. But, other than coworkers – I haven’t really made any of my own sort of friends. I find it hard to meet people sometimes. Anyway, I love group exercise classes for the social aspect of them. I love that we are all there, with the same goal in mind and having a great time. I do love running, outside- on my own, but I find it can be isolating at times! Once in a while it’s great to get to the gym, where I am around people working out in a wicked exercise class with the music blaring (which by the way, the instructor let me choose the music last night! How fun!!).
Do you ever find it hard to meet people?
What is your opinion on group exercise classes?
I can’t wait until my Body Attack class tomorrow night!!
Once home, I mixed up a smoothie, hopped in the shower – and then enjoyed the greatness.
I used this smoothie mix that I picked up last week.
I love it because they are pre-portioned sachets!
I used half in mine.
I also used: 1 cup water, 1/2 cup soy milk, 3 fresh mint leaves, 2 handfuls spinach, 1 scoop hemp protein powder.
I spent some time reading and relaxing with Steve for the rest of the night!! A great end to a Monday.
This morning I started off with some yoga. Day 2 – check!! I did a lot of stretching and can tell that my muscles are way less flexible than they used to be. When I was ‘practicing’ yoga a few months ago I really noticed that it was becoming much easier to do different poses. The last couple of days i’ve been like a stiff board. Downward facing dog has not been easy!! Nor has anything else for that matter 
I shall keep up with this challenge this week and likely will carry it over to next week as well.
Breakfast was a toasted egg sandwich….with strawberries!
Trust me, it tastes a lot better than it sounds!! I’ve been known to put jam on my egg sandwiches and it is so good! Unfortunately, I don’t have any jam in the house –so I used the next best thing: strawberries! I was craving an egg this morning. Not sure why? I hardly ever do, but I think it was the protein? Who knows?
I used a bit of margarine on the bread toast as well.
This sandwich had everything: sweet & savory flavours. Fat, carbs and protein!
On the side I had half of a banana.
Today we have first aid training in our class. I think the children are really looking forward to it but they are going to get a bit squirmy when they have to give cpr to the dummy. I can see it now!
Check out Jo’s blog for an awesome UK bar give away!!!
Enjoy your Tuesday everyone!
PS- I have an experiment happening in my fridge!! Any guesses?
Hint:
At the risk of sounding desperate and/or stalkerish, I’d be up for a blogger/blog-reader meet up at some point! Since I left uni and started full time work a year ago, I’ve found it really hard to meet new people too. I’m lucky that I still have a lot of friends from school and uni nearby, but it’d be great to have someone to natter about food, health and fitness with!
I’ll have to check out those asda smoothie mixes, they look great.
I also have struggled making new friends living over here. Luckily I found a women’s soccer team to play for and have really enjoyed making my ‘own’ friends over the past few seasons. I do, however, desperately miss my spinning clases from my old gym in Canada. They were incredible and took place in the dark (so no one could see you sweat!). I can’t find a class any near as good over here…
I wish we had an Asda closer to us, that smoothie mix looks amazing!
I’ve always had a hard time making friends. It takes awhile for me to trust others. And group exercises intimidate me b/c I feel everyone watching or doing better than me.
For me, group workouts are the only way to go. I have a really hard time working out on my own and have noticed that I get a lot more bang when I go to group classes. I always get there a little early and hop on the elliptical or something before though.
That egg sandwich is so bizarre, but I may have to try it!
I always have a hard time making new friends! I like group exercise for yoga and spin only. I don’t really like doing combo classes (bootcamp, etc), cause I feel like I get behind and confuse everyone. I’d rather just run. Doesn’t take much co-ordination!
I completely understand about not having many friends. I’m kinda struggling to find friends of my own. A few years ago, most of my friends were mutual friends of my ex’s, and so when we split, I lost a lot of them. Now, I pretty much have friends from work, a few friends of Nate’s, and then 2 friends that are genuinely my friends. I guess it’s hard when I spend so much time at work to make friends from other things, and knowing how committed you are to your kids, I wouldn’t be surprised if you have exactly the same problem. Group classes are definitely a lot more fun, though, and they are a great way to make some friends.
That sandwich looks so good. I have to head to the store in a bit to get some bread. I think I’m going to have to get some eggs now too!
That breakfast sandwich is so intriguing to me! I think it sounds delicious!! As for group exercises, I have to be in the mood for it. There’s days where I just don’t want to make small talk with other people so I’d rather be by myself. However, group energy can make you work harder
Have a great Tuesday!
Ohhh I think I am going to have to try the egg sandwich with strawberries – sounds different, but looks sooo good!
Meeting people can be tough – I do like going to classes where you see the same people every week. Even though I may not know their name, I still feel like they are my friends
are you making your own oat or almond milk? or yogurt?
It’s hard for us to meet people here, too. We’re college age (grad school age, I guess), but most grad students that ARE here aren’t married or in the same “place” we are in our lives. It’s tough.
Eggs + strawberries !?! So interesting!
It’s definitely difficult to make friends, especially once you’re out of school and away from the usual “friend” atmosphere. However, I certainly agree that exercising in a group is a GREAT way to socialize and meet new people. Don’t be afraid to ask someone to go out and grab some coffee or whatever after a workout! You never know when you’ll meet a new, amazing friend!
Sorry to hear about the watch. That seems pretty pathetic that it stops working when you’ve only had it since Christmas. I’d check and see if it’s still under warrenty or anything. The company might let you send it in for free for repairs or a replacement.
That smoothie looks so good! What a great idea with the pre-portioned packages. YUM!
xxoo
Heather
I’ve always found it had to make friends. I went to a school where we were all ballet dancers, then after high school all I did was ballet. I made friends with the girls and boys around me but I have no “normal” friends. Haha.
I can’t see myself going the “group exercise” thing. I do like yoga classes but could never do like a step/aerobics/spin class. I’m not into the peppy,motivational, rah-rah you can do, blasting pop music kind of dealio! No offense to anyone who likes it…. I’m just more of a run by myself then zen out with yoga type of gal!
Exercising in groups is a lot of fun. I love classes and wish I had more time during the day to slip down to the gym to go to them.
Even now most of my friends are work friends. Gym classes are a great way to meet people!
It can be hard to meet people for sure! I LOVE meeting people via blogs but most of my bloggie friends like you live all over the place! I will have to meet new friends when I go to school and I am guessing they will all be classmates.
Great looking breakfast!!
I have NO idea what the experiment is haha
Have a great tuesday!
My Polar has done that before and I find it crazy annoying. You may already do this, but I found that washing the chest strap seemed to help the problem. I read on another blog awhile ago that if the strap gets dirty it can give errors.
Some days, I feel like I have no friends! My best friend lives 3 hrs away (Windsor) and all the others seem to be in a complete different place in their life than me. All my co workers are older so that’s out. I’d love a workout buddie now and again!
I love group exercise classes! They are much more motivating!
I know what your experiment is, but I’ll never tell
The strawberry and egg sandwich idea is pretty different but definitely intriguing!
Is that soy yogurt that you are experimenting with?
I am quiet so I have a hard time making new friends sometimes. Group exercise class sounds fun though! Hmm, are you making yogurt?
Ohhh I’m very excited to see what your experiment turns out like
Maybe try using like meetup.com and see if theres other people in your area who would want to get together and do fun things 
okay, so the first photo made me think the egg slice and the strawberry slice were to be consumed separate. but then i saw them sandwiched together! i will not judge this though, although it looks a little odd i bet anything it tastes awesome. most weird looking things do (i put peanut butter on toast and dip it in vegetable soup, i get criticized profusely!).. i will have to one day try this combo of yours! my exbf put jam on his grilled cheese sandwiches! so random.
i like group classes and it is fun when friends go with me, but that is the only time i like to work out with friends.. i don’t like doing cardio or lifting weights with friends because i feel like they want to socialize too much and i just want to get the workout in and be on my way!
hop the CPR dummy thing goes over well!
thats sad about your HRM!
I hate that!
check out my Libre Tea giveaway – if you are interested in loose leaf tea on the go –
http://lovejackson.blogspot.com/2009/06/libre-tea-giveaway.html
I like exercise classes at the gym, but the ones at my gym just don’t work with my schedule – they all are right after I would get home from work or in the mornings, and I would rather not workout at those times. Or all the speciality classes cost extra money, which I’m not willing to pay. I’m hoping when I go back to school I’ll have a better schedule so I can check out some of the classes that are in the middle of the day.
Leah, I love your blog! I’ve been a long time lurker of yours, finally coming out of hiding! I found your blog through Angela, and have been diligently following both and using them as inspiration and the courage to create my own. Rock on girl!
I am curious to see what that experiment is!!