Friday Favorites

What are your go-to apps? 

My favorite apps are...

Orange Theory...
I love being able to easily schedule classes and rock my workouts with amazing people.

Activity...
The Apple watch Activity tracker keeps me on pace with my fitness goals.

Calm...
I love this app and listen to bedtime stories almost every night. I actually get upset when I fall asleep before the story ends and don't know the outcome! 

Netflix...
Ok, this one's pretty obvious.


Other entertainment honorable mentions are...
Facebook
Yahoo
Best Fiends 

Flexible

I am taking a moment today to appreciate the flexibility I have. I'm not talking about my body because that's a work in progress but rather, the flexibility I have in my life. I am most grateful for the flexibility I have in my work schedule and, as of late, my doctor's office who allows me to "last minute" cancel and reschedule without negative ramifications. I would still survive without these concessions in life, but they sure help it go more smoothly! What are you thankful for today? 

Wordless Wednesday

~ Hope ~

Half Time

I may be one of a very few, but I really didn't like the Superbowl half-time show this past Sunday. I do like both Shakira and J-Lo individually and think they have great talent, amazing confidence and phenomenal athleticism but the show? Let's break it down. 

First off, knowing everyone lip syncs doesn't bring any value to the table for me and I was completely unimpressed by Shakira's tongue wagging mid song. The tongue wag and shrieking (turkey gobble sound) I understand can be used as an Arabic sign of happiness, kind of a war-cry if you will, but it came off ridiculous looking (and sounding) in the middle of one of her songs. To the average person, the half naked lady bouncing around the stage sticking her tongue out does not look like a professional that you'd want your daughter to emulate.  

Then there is the dancing. I thought the dancing took over the show and maybe that was the point? But I didn't like the fact that each singer seemed to have 15-20 other dancers on stage with them and felt like I was watching a high school dance competition versus a concert-like performance. Now, don't get me wrong, both women are great dancers with ridiculous endurance, I am not knocking their ability. I just didn't care for the dancing and would have preferred more "singing". It just missed the mark for me.

And finally, the outfit. Good heavens J-Lo. Yes, you have an amazing body that you work hard for, no doubt about it! But when bending over during her first song the outfit that was underneath (the second layer) was showing. I had to stop to question what was going on in her nether-regions and could only assume it was a potential wardrobe malfunction or shoddy design. When bent over with full butt in view it looked like a feminine product was hanging out of her underwear! It was not sexy. At least not to me. Gross!

If the NFL was working to attract and entertain guys by showing scantily clad, beautiful women shaking their money makers all over the stage then their goal was achieved successfully and more power to them (I guess). If the NFL wanted to showcase two power-house women at the ages of 43 and 50 owning what it is they do, then they nailed it. But, if the NFL's goal was to show pure talent that stands on it's own merit, doesn't need 20 other dancers to blouse-it-up then they fell short and should have brought back a stand alone performer such as the likes of Prince or Jon BonJovi, just sayin'.

So there you have it. The opinion that doesn't matter or change the world, but gave me something to blog about today! What are your thoughts on the half time show? Who would you like to see on stage next year? 

Un-Crab

I woke up this morning CRABBY! I didn't sleep well, couldn't relax, couldn't get comfortable, blah blah blah. I woke up earlier than normal and was just irritated. I tried to fall back asleep until it was time to actually get up (at 4am) but that didn't really work either. The alarm finally went off to put me out of my toss-and-turn misery, but I hit snooze anyway. As if that extra 8 minutes of unrest was going to change my life? Yeah, it didn't. 

Begrudgingly, I got up and dressed for the gym and left the house by 4:35, late by my standards. Oh well, I thought. At this point just showing up is a "win". Despite my cranky demeanor, I was happy to be met by my fellow 5am class takers (we are a special breed!) and chat pre-workout.  

With a goal in mind I put my body to work and went all out the best I could. I cheered on others, I talked smack and got to listen to some of my favorite tunes (Crazy Train by Ozzy is the all time best to work out to, I swear by it!). Before I knew it, my 55 minutes of insanity was over, my calorie goal was met and I was stretching in my cool down. I fist bumped my Coach and a few others on my way out wishing them all a good day. Yes, it will be a good day I thought. Crabby-crisis averted.

What helps you un-crab yourself when you're in a bad mood? For me a good workout is paramount, but when the gym isn't available I believe in the aromatherapy power of  Aveda's Chakra 2 Balancing Mist, check it out! Well, despite how you may have woken up here's to a happy Monday!  

Ramen

I loved the Pilates class I took yesterday so much so that I signed up for a basic membership and am going again today for a stretching session! So what does the picture above have to do with Pilates? Well nothing, technically. But since it (the ramen above) was something new to me as well as the Pilates class I thought I'd post about both. After class the hubs and I went out to lunch to try Japanese Ramen and I ordered the Chicken Red ramen, extra spicy! I loved the over all spice and flavor, skipped the spinach since I don't like the wilted texture of it and loved the seasoned egg most of all. It was very filling and I have plenty of leftovers for dinner. What is something new that you've tried as of late?  

  

Pilates

A while back I listened to Shonda Rhime's book, "A Year of Yes". In it, she discusses getting healthy and that the only exercise which sounded appealing to her was Pilates, because you could lay down during it. Well, here goes nothing! I'm taking a free, 30 minute trial class today at a local facility to see if I like it. I have a few friends who swear by it but I fear I won't survive! I would be looking to supplement my current workout routine with this activity versus replacing it, so we'll see how it goes! Fingers crossed and happy February!