Hey Everyone! Just got back from my 1st group meditation, and I’m about to snuggle up with some popcorn and the Saints game! WHO DAT! Ha! That’s so funny because I’m definitely not a football fan, but tonight I clicked it on for a sec and couldn’t peel myself away. Good stuff so far!

My meditation experience tonight was pretty amazing. There were only 2 other people in the group tonight, Linda and Bridget, but we enjoyed each others company so much that we wound  staying to about 8pm (it started at 6:30pm and was only suppose to last 45mins). Both Bridget and Linda were really sweet and open to me being a beginner, as I’ve only done it a handful of times. They explained everything really well, and as we started the 20 minute meditation I felt very comfortable and relaxed in their presence. 

The room was cozy with dim lights, a nice smell, and had calming music playing along with a small water fountain flowing. Linda walked us through a 2 minute body scan as we each sat on our meditation pillows, which she provided for us. After that we had 20 minutes to just be in our own mind and focus on our breathe and concentrate on a mantra, or a 2-3 syllable repetitious saying. The idea is to clear your mind of all the scattered self talk of the day and focus on relaxing our body and tuning into the self. It was a great experience. When it was over, I felt so relaxed. Good stuff! I signed up for the rest of the 6 week program.

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So, let me get into the PHYSICAL training for the day. I went to the gym around 3pm so I could squeeze in the work out and the meditation today. I had a short day of work today

Here’s my Journal Entry for the day.

So today, Lauren started me with the 10 min treadmill warm up.

The focus for the day was upper-body. She had me working on this really neat machine called the TRX(?), which reminded me of an adult jungle gym.

I started out with the TRX Squat. This is where you grab the front hanging handles and plant your feet on the ground, hip with apart, leeeeeeeean way back, and then start the squats… nice and slow, pushing your booty out really far and pulling your abs in tight. On the way up you HOP! Yup, HOP! And do this again and again following the 40 second work, 20 second rest routine, all the way through, repeating 8 times.

Next move she had me do is called the Hamstring Curl, where she lowers the handles to 5 inches above the floor, you lie on the ground and place your ankles in the handles. You lift your pelvis way up in the air and hold it there, next you pull your heels in towards your butt, and then slowly back away again. The entire time your feet are lifted off the ground. This one was tough, but fun. Had the heart pumping big time.

Then, was the foot ball runs. You stand, hip with apart, and then squat down half way. When the guys on the speaker says “go” you hall ass, running as fast as you can in place, while squatting down. You don’t stop until he says stop! Talk about cardio!

The TRX Row was next, where you grab the handles, facing the machine, plant your feet on the ground and lean all the way back. from there you start rowing. You slowly pull your body toward the machine, keeping your elbows squeezed in against you sides. Abs Tight! Then back down, fully extended. Repeat! This one I enjoyed!

(see the girl in the mirror doing the plank behind me?! You’re supposed to hold that position for as long as you can. Bet she was sweating!)

Next was the Chess Press, where I flipped over, facing away from the machine and leaning all the way forward, keeping my body straight as a board. Basically the exact opposite position. This time I did a push up sort of move, but in the air, using my body weight. Tough Tough Tough, but of so good when I finished those sets.

After that, The Heisman Hop! Like the football players do! Stand with feet wide apart, knees bent, in a semi squat, and jump from side to side, getting some cardio in and some muscle work on the side abs (what are they called again, I forget?).

Second to last I had the TRX Rear Delt Fly. I flip over facing the machine again, same position leaning back, but this time I pull both arms out to the side in opposite directions and squeeze my shoulder blades in (think of the positioning as your arms starting out straight in front and then slowly spreading them out to make a cross, all against your body weight). Youch!

Lastly, she had me flip over one more time, to the opposite position, leaning forward, but this time slowly try and raise my hands high above my head and back forward and down again. Hard move to do, but I kept telling myself “Make it count! Almost done! Last set of moves! You can do it!” And I made it! All the way through!

Sorry for the blur on the above photo! Didn’t realize the photo came out like that, but I wanted to show you the routine and also that Lauren named it Sexy Saint Workout. I see why she chose some of those workouts for the day! I’ve seen those foot ball players doing those runs and hops before!

I wasn’t done just yet! Still had cardio! The intervals for the day was keep a speed of 3.5-3.8 and start at incline 5. As each minute passed, up the incline by one (6, 7, 8… etc.) until you reach 10. After 10, start back over again at 5 and work your way up again. Then do the cool down by walking it out for 10 minutes on 0 incline and 2.8 speed. I liked the workout. I felt like I was climbing/speed-walking up a mountain without being able to stop. It had my heart pumping. I checked my heart rate and it was at 158! Yowza!

Overall, I had an excellent 2nd experience with physical training! The motivation is up and I know I’m going to get good results. Can’t wait for tomorrows training!

Hope the work out explanations aren’t too boring for you, but I like to have a nice description just incase I ever want to go back and do these routines on my own!

Have a great evening everyone!! Back to focusing on the game! Whoop Whoop!