Jen's #12 and Liz's #73- Take Pilates class with the Reformer

Jen Dub here!

SO, just like most things on this list, I have been wanting to try this for quite some time. I have taken Pilates at the gym, just like I did with Yoga and then realized it is very different from the real deal. Just the environment alone I feel is worth it. I found this studio, A Body in Balance , online as I was searching for Pilates studios. This one was the best deal with the 1st class only $15. The other studios I called insisted that we take a private lesson to learn how to use the Reformer which was anywhere from $50 to $100. No thank you! If you passed the 9th grade and can speak English, then I swear using this machine is NOT that difficult!

So, we don't have pictures of US doing the Pilates which I am kinda bummed. I need to get my ballsy about asking if we can take pics....so this will never happen again! 

Anyway, when we walked into the room, there was only 5 Reformer machines that all sat in front of a floor to ceiling mirror. We picked one, she advised us to lay down and put our head where it looked like it belonged with our shoulders below the "shoulder pads"....Right away we started doing squats on the machine with our feet on the bar....we did ALOT of these, with two legs....with one leg...with no legs....ok not with no legs, that would have been some Chris Angel stuff but seriously, we did it in a few positions which led my legs to get pissed! Our sweet-as-pie instructor, Danielle, talked a lot but what I got out of it the most was that Pilates is all about balance in the body. Because of use of the machine, you can't favor one leg to do all the work which leads you to really understand more about your body. If one leg is longer or stronger, you will find out in Pilates, which would explain why you might have problems in a particular spot. I am convinced that my left leg is longer so that I why I remember her saying this. haha

This is exactly what the reformer looks like. Don't let its innocence fool you.

So after what seems like an hour of squats, she takes out some fun bands and we do some arm exercises and leg stretches. Then back to laying down, she tells us to put our legs in the straps. This was the only time that I was like "uhhhh you want me to do whaaaa?" She guided us through how to put one in first, then the other....just like a pair of pants! We did some funky circles and exercises with the pulleys, tons of abs and then took our legs out of the straps, put our arms in them and did some arm exercises the same way we did the legs. 

Legs in the straps! How fun does THAT look?

I loved the way I felt after this class! I felt taller and stronger! Even the next day, I was definitely more aware of my posture and just felt great! I was sore in places I really have never been sore before and I don't think I have ever said that. I have heard OTHER people say it but never really understood it or believed them. I was sore in my inner thighs, top of my upper thigh and a weird place in my mid to lower back. The upper thigh soreness felt like it was from a deep muscle, almost felt like I pulled something because it was that intense of a soreness. I was definitely surprised that I was sore. After all, I am in SUPER fitness mode right now with weight training, kickboxing, stair master, elliptical, and running like everyday! 

Even more than Bikram Yoga, I would love to take more of this class. I really think it will help with my back by strengthening my core and keeping my body balanced. And lets be honest, I just really like the idea of being on this contraption they call the "Reformer".  I wonder if I could make one of my own! haha ...too far? yeah. well when the next deal is on my new favorite website, Yipit, you better believe I will jump on that! I want inner thighs of steel! 

xoxo,

Jen

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Hello! You know who this is!! Say my name! Say my name!! haha.. No? Ok, It's Liz. There, I said it!

Moving along.

So, as with the lovely Jen, I've always had a curiousity about Pilates. Well more so a curiousity about the "machine" they used, which I found out years ago was called the "reformer."

I first looked in to it a couple years ago, when I lived in CO. I had a membership at YMCA at the time and was really into trying new things, which is also where I tried yoga for the first time, but I might have left that out of the other blog. Anyway, the YMCA offered Pilates classes. Naturally, this was not part of your membership. They required you to take 3 private classes before being aloud into the regular class. 3 class was $119, no thank you! Each class was $19, which was duable. So from then on I thought Reformer Pilates was going to be super tough.

Thankfully, Jen found a class that wsa $15 for your first one. SCORE!! The place was super nice, real quiet, zen-ish. It's nice to know that the class sizes would be small, but then again if you're one of those people, like me, that goes straight to the back so not everyone is staring at you, this may cause some anxiety. Not going to lie, my heart started beating a little faster. The instructor, Danielle, was a super sweetheart. You could tell by looking at her that she is a dancer of some kind. She then informed everyone that she is a ballerina. So cute!

The leg exercises were tollerable. My legs were threatening to not hold me up after the class, but during the class it was definitely a good burn feeling. But once she said, "Ok, grab the straps and put your feet through them," I hesitated. Number 1) never thought a chick would be the first to say that to me, Number 2) you want me to do what?! To be honest, I didn't trust my legs to not give out and completely break off. But once you have your feet in the straps, it's really not that bad. If anything it shows yourself that you CAN do it!

We did some arm exercises after that with the straps. These didn't seem to burn as much as legs. Maybe it's because we did way more legs than arms.

The next day my abs, back and legs hurt in some places that haven't really ever hurt, well felt sore, before. So that's exciting! Goes to show there are definitely muscles we have but don't really use or work out. So I can definitely see how this type of work out, done on a regular, would give you an amazing body! If you look at pictures on google about the reformer machine, you definitely see how versitile it really is.

So in closing, I loved it! I would love to do it on a more regular basis. BUT, just as with yoga, it is so expensive! I don't understand. I heard before that it is expensive because of the cost of maintenance on the reformers. So I tried to find out how much it would cost to repair one. I couldn't really find a set price. I did find out it costs between $800-$2,000 to own one. Maintenance/Repairs run anywhere from $60-$100 an hour. So, I'm still not sure why it costs so much. Granted, if I owned a money tree the cost wouldn't be a big deal. I, too, am going to keep an eye open for any deals that come through on yipit.

Peace!

Jen's #100- Random Acts of Kindness Day

I thought it would be fun to do some random acts of kindness and what better day to do it, since I do not have a lovely lover, to do it on Valentines Day! Spread the love anywhere I can! <3

It kinda started the day before Valentine's Day (on Sunday.)  I woke up with a very slight hangover from drinking wine while baking the cookies that I would hand out today. hehe. I am happy the wine was red, because there was a split second I thought to make sure they weren't a hue of pink from accidentally adding some in the batter. 

To aid a hangover....what do you do? Go to Starbucks of course! I grabbed my sweatshirt, hid my hair under a hat and face under big sunglasses and headed off to the corner Starbucks, lookin' like a true bum. I bought a Starbucks coffee for the gentleman behind me (Grande Cafe Mocha with extra shot)....he seemed kinda confused at first when I offered to buy his coffee. He was probably wondering why the girl that looked homeless is buying HIS coffee when it should be the other way around. I assured him I wasn't weird that it was my act of kindness day. He started laughing and said "well, at least there is still some good people in the world!" He thanked me and drove off in his Mercedes. Yes, HE should have bought ME the coffee. haha. Just kidddding!!! .....I couldn't leave Starbucks without also buying my roomie and good friend, Erica, a Granda Soy Chai Latte (with no water)...

Here is the video where I wake her up and give it to her...she doesn't know this is on here...I hope she is ok with it. haha

Next, I packaged my Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies in clear baggies, tied them with a bow and brought them with me to work. Handed them out to all my fellow employees! Here is some evidence of them eating and enjoying them...(.Don't look at our messy break room!)

Marie, looking hot!

Gary. He is obviously having a moment with the cookie.

When I came home from work my slow cooker masterpiece was complete! I decided to make some din din for roommates. It was Beef Dip and I got the recipe from my cooking extraordinaire friend, Nancy. When she makes this, I melt. I am not a big beef eater but THIS is an exception!  I made sandwiches for my roomie and his two friends when I came home from work. It felt good to make food for someone...I feel like I should do this more often. To actually enjoy what you created also feels like quite the accomplishment, even if it IS just plopping a few ingredients in a crock pot!

Today is also when my parents received my Valentines Day flowers! I thought I would send them some love. It doesn't hurt that I got a great coupon for them on Groupon . I am addicted to Groupon! I hope they enjoyed my little unexpected gift!

Later that night I went out to din and drinks with my two lovely cousins, Liz (of course) and Julie. As one of my acts of kindness, I decided to pass on my heart rate monitor to Liz. I know she has been wanting one for a while and I had only used mine a handful of times. So even though it was passed down, I added some pizazz to it by blinging it out in yellow Swarovski crystals. Why not work out at the gym in style! ;)

The next day, on Valentines Day, I continued to pass out my little treat bags of cookies to my trainer at the gym, someone at the gas station, the teller at the bank and the cashier at the grocery store. I hope they didn't think I put something crazy in them because that was my trainer's first question. I assured him that I just slipped a little of Ex Lax....no big deal. ;)

As my last big deed for the Random Act of Kindness Day(s), I went to my Aunt Mary's house (Liz's mom) while they were out shopping and did some cleaning! I swept and washed her floor in the kitchen area, cleaned the bathroom and wiped off all the counters in the kitchen! They came home earlier than expected because I was prepared to do some vacuuming as well. Once you get me cleaning, it is like I can't stop! She seemed pleasantly surprised...it was great to visit for a bit too!

After these couple days of random acts, I have to say it felt good. It was overwhelming to fit it all into a day (or two) but I definitely want to continue to do random acts throughout...well...my life! It doesn't have to be all in one day and I know it doesn't have to be HUGE things either. It could just be opening a door for someone, stopping to ask someone how there day is, tell someone how much you appreciate them or grabbing someone's booty when you walk by.....oh wait, maybe that last one is only for certain people. haha.

 Spreading a little kindness goes a long way. This is something I strive to incorporate into my life! It is easy to get so tangled up in our everyday lives, so busy and just running from task to task. It is nice to stop and smell the flowers....and then give them to someone! :)

You feel the love!?
<3, Jen Dub

Jen's #80- Eat something crazy I have never had before

I am not a picky eater but I usually stick to what I know. So this task was something I felt I needed to do because it gave me a reason to HAVE to eat something weird. Otherwise, I would just stick to the chicken dish. I have always wondered what Octopus or Alligator tasted like. Asking around at work, I found that this place, Buffet Asia , has these peculiar items like clams, frog legs and octopus. Sounds gross enough- I am THERE!

I met Liz there (right after we learned Packers won the Super Bowl- yay!). We definitely wanted to get our "stuff-we-really-don't-want-to-eat-but-need-to-try" plates out of the way. Here is what we ended up with. Notice how Liz's plate on the left is a liiiiiittle scarce compared to mine. haha

Liz went first with eating her delights.

And then I was next, naturally.

Will I now pick these things to eat from now on? No. Was it terrible? No. I will try anything once. I don't like eating the frog because you should have seen all the little veins and stuff...gross. And with how rubbery the octopus was- not pleasant. And seriously, it kinda tasted like a cigarette. haha. It definitely made me think I need to expand my horizons when it comes to food. Now I just have to find that Alligator!

Of course after these plates, we went back to the buffet where I got pizza, pad thai,  an egg roll and sushi. :)

Yumsterlish!,   Jen

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I'm the picky eater. I didn't even start eating brocoli until last year, corn the year before that, sweet potatoes was this year. But I was ready for this one and glad Jen had it on her list. I have something similar on mine but it involves seafood, so I'll save that for another time.

I had recently met my friend, Jamie, and her boyfriend, Tony, at Shucks (http://www.shuckstavern.com/) and had an oyster shot there. So I didn't grab any oysters for my plate. I gagged on them once and that was enough.

The clam was chewy, in a weird way, so I just swallowed it. Jen was brave and chewed on it. Bleh! The frog leg was good actually. But like Jen said, there were weird veiny things in it; not really appeasing to the eye. I kept having the thought of Michigan J. Frog signing "Hello My Baby."

The octopus wasn't too bad either. I didn't get the cigarette sensation like Jen did. haha! But maybe it's because I do smoke. The texture was a little rubbery, but the taste wasn't too bad. Jen had something on her plate that looked like a french fry that she got out of the bin with the octopus. I thought it did taste like a french fry, but I have no idea what it actually was. It definitely wasn't a potato.

Like Jen said, would I order these things or eat them again? No, probably not. Was it as terrible as I thought? No, absolutely not. Did I gag, like I thought I would? No! YAY!!

Next stop, Fear Factor!!!
~liz

Liz's #37 and Jen's #65 - Shoot a gun

Young Dirty Lizzle fo-shizzle here!

I grew up in a gunless household. To be honest, I don't think there was ever a need to have a gun, not like nowadays I suppose. The first and only time I shot a gun was somewhere out at Mt. Charleston with this guy I was "dating" at the time. We pulled over to the side of a pitch black road, he got his gun out from under his seat and handed it to me. I proceded to set it down on the floor politely and step away. ha! He thought it was the cutest thing, and it was. hahaha! Anyway, he picked up the gun showed me what to do and put it back into my hands. I, naturally, closed my eyes, turned my head, and he covered my ears. BANG!! I have no idea where I shot, since it was dark. I'm hoping, to this day, that I didn't shoot anything or anyone. But, this is the extent of my gun shooting experience. I've been out to Lake Mead with some people who were shooting deserted cars and cans and bottles and such, but I just hung out.

Sooooo, my good friend Dayman (http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/daymandashit) BBMed me that he was going to go to shooting (http://www.americanshooters.com/) and wanted to know if I'd like to go. In the middle of homework and needing a break I agreed to go. Not to mention, it is/was #37 on my list.

I didn't know what to expect going in to this place. I just kind of stood next to Day scoping the scene. Someone was shooting something that made my heart jump. Day said it might have been a .45, but whatever it was it was loud as hell! Even with the headphone/ear protection thing on.

Day started getting everything set up.

Springfield Armory XD-9

He went first, shot a couple and then set it down and motioned for me to step up. I was so nervous. I'm pretty sure I may have blushed a little, too, or it just felt like my face got red. My whole body was shaking, all the way from my finger tips to the tips of my toes. I think I fired off 5 rounds and set the gun down and got out of the way.

After that it started getting easier and more comfortable. It was definitely more relaxing than I thought it would be. There are those few times where everything is silent; there's no other guns going off, your aiming your shot, taking a couple deep breaths, the ear protection makes things real quite, then BOOM!

We went through two boxes of bullets and were probably there for an hour and a half or so. I would, and can't wait, to do it again! Like I said before, I've never been a gun person, never thought of owning one. But maybe it was my ignorance that was talking then. I still don't really see myself owning a gun anytime soon. But when I do buy my own place, I will definitely consider purchasing a cute little something-or-other handgun.

Next time I may get my Gangster Badge. You know, turn the gun to the side and shoot it. hahaha!!

Check out the rest of the pics:

That moment of "Zen" I was talking about. Setting up the shot.

Dayman's shots were the ones in the head. Mine were the ones scattered all over the body. This was the first attempt.

Dayman!

One of the next times for me.

When I was finished with this guy he was for sure dead!!

I'm sure these weren't all ours, but there was a lot!

Now I know how to shoot a gun, thanks to Dayman, so try not to make me angry or I'll shoot you with a smile on my face. hahaha!

- Liz

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Jen Here!

So, I have never shot a gun before. I haven't even held a real gun. To tell you the truth, they really freak me out and this experience did not change that. Actually, it might have made it worse. Sometimes I tend to have these crazy visions in my head of the worst case scenario ...for example, sometimes when driving (especially on expressways), I get these crazy thoughts like ...."what if my brakes stopped working right now?" or "what if something fell on my car from the overpass?" or "what if that Justin Bieber song comes on the radio again, I go absolutely insane and start just plowing into other cars like it was bumper cars?!" ....then all these visions come to my head and my heart starts pounding like it is actually going to happen. Wow, maybe I just admitted that I have a serious problem haha. But SERIOUSLY, when I hold a gun, I think of all the crazy things that could accidentally happen. And knowing me, being blond and Polish, it would happen to me. I am the one that can't walk down a two lane dirt road without falling in the ditch (just ask my brother). 

Liz, as you can see from her previous blog, went shooting a couple weeks ago. We went back to the same place and this nice handsome fella helped us out! Bonus! He suggested we get the 9mm and we would start off with 50 bullets between the two of us. He showed us how to load it and when he was done and asked us if we felt confident to do it ourselves. We exchanged clueless looks that he definitely picked up on so he came into the range with us to help us out! Whew! Fyi- if you don't own your own gun, shooting can be expensive! To rent the gun was $10, the ammo was $12, $15 each for shooting range, targets are $1 each along with eye and ear protection. All in all, it was $61.01. It lasted us about 10 minutes. That is about $6 a minute (yes I used a calculator for that) 

Luckily, every time he DID load the gun for us. One time Liz started but he took over. What was he trying to say?! haha. I am really not a baby when it comes to most things but I was seriously scared to take that first shot. I was kinda shaky and sweaty. I am surprised the gun didn't just fly right out of my hands because I wasn't expecting it to have that much power and kick back. You are thinking "DUH...its a GUN Jen!"...Listen, I used to carry around one of those huge super soaker guns with the tank on your back when I was younger and I THOUGHT that had power, ok!?

I couldn't tell you if I was actually hitting the target or not. I know we have a decent amount of bullet holes in our guy but there is a chance that most of those are from Liz. After a few shots, Liz let me in on how to aim, which was a great help! 

Can you see the bullet holes!? They are there! He is hurt bad!

All in all, it was an experience. I was too nervous with the thoughts going through my head of Liz rushing me to the hospital because I accidentally shot myself in the foot and trying not to get blood in her Mustang. Maybe I am too creative for my own good! Also, I just felt out of place in there with all those guns. GUNS EVERYWHERE! Not my kind of place to hang out. Maybe if I went with someone that was really knowledgeable in guns and shooting I would give it another go. One guy advised us that Wednesday was "Ladies Night" ...I am still trying to figure out if he was joking or not. 

Our cute instructor let us know before walking out and after Liz asked if there was any Go-Carts or anything else they offered there, to wash the lead off of our hands before we touch anything. He said it makes you crazy. If anything crazy goes down, now I have two things I can blame it on, when I can't blame it on the alcohol, I will blame it on the lead. :)

Bang, Bang!

Jen's #6 and Liz's #18 -Try Bikram Yoga

Yo! Yo! Yoga! Jen here....

For years I have been hearing about Bikram Yoga and all the crazy good benefits. "Crazy" because you are in intense heat (I believe the website said the room is between 98-104 degrees and 40% humidity) and "good" because well, you are stretching for 90 minutes straight. Everyone needs this. Seriously, who stretches besides when you are bending down to tie your shoe?

After doing this class, I realize that Yoga is like a whole other universe. The people even seem different. "Yogis", as I like to call them, are all calm and serene. Almost freaky. When Liz and I walked into the class, everyone was just laying on their backs, eyes closed ...you could hear a pin drop. My first instinct was to laugh. I don't know if it was the quiet that was making me uncomfortable and that rebel in me that likes to make noise at the most inappropriate times. We found a couple spots in the corner and laid our mats out. Liz and I continued to exchange weird looks to each other as we were scared to talk. Then the teacher came in, Dr. King Rollins, and informed us that the room should be heating up as he turned a couple more space heaters on. I could see the fear in Liz's eyes as he said that....and then she whispered "you mean it's not already hot!?" and I replied "no! I am freezing! bahaha"

Me doing a yoga pose, trying not to let the sweat drip in my eyes. (notice one of the heaters RIGHT behind me..)

The class starts and surprisingly the 90 minutes goes fast. There was no music just the instruction from Dr. King on what pose to do next. I was sweating like a hooker in church, not surprisingly, but only felt like I was going to pass out a couple times. I did take note pretty early on not to get up to fast or I felt super dizzy and a couple times could see some pretty stars. I definitely took notice on how much you use your core to do the poses and keep great posture and balance as you try to hold them. I could feel as the class went on, I got sweatier and the classroom got hotter that my stretches were deeper. We did some crunches and more core strengthening towards the end of class along with some breathing exercises. This also made me want to laugh. Am I child? or is this the way the first time is for everybody? We sat indian style, open mouth and take deep forceful breaths out of our mouth. Then he would instruct us to go faster or slower with our breaths. I couldn't help but think that there HAS to be porn out there about Bikram Yoga the way this room sounded! Then we laid on our back and said "Ommmm" a few times...I don't know why but this also gave me the giggles. 

These are the things I know for sure about Bikram Yoga.

1. Men can wear boxer briefs or tiny speedos and that is acceptable.

...like this guy...

2. If you talk or laugh in class, I feel that is messing with the vibe of the class. Don't do it

3. You should not eat a big meal before class because it might come up, but bring a 5 course meal with you in the car because afterwards, you WILL be starving.

this seems like a great investment.

4. My goal is to be one of those hot Yogis and do weird poses at house parties for great entertainment, like I am sure Madonna does! 

5. This class isn't a fad or a trend. I think it's on to something because I felt amazing after class! I could feel the next day how much back was a little sore and how much I worked muscles I didn't know I had. I felt like I had a clear mind, limber body and even my skin looked glowy! 

Can't wait to do it again next week! 

Namaste!, 

Jen

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Sooooo, I thought I was going to absolutely hate Bikram Yoga. There are three things about nature that I do not like at all: wind, extreme heat, and humidity. Oh, and sweating! Bikram has 2 out of those 3 things along with sweating, naturally.

I've tried yoga before at the YMCA in Colorado a couple years ago and I was bored. It was too slow and I didn't think I had the patience for it yet. I have the patience of a 3 year old. I tried again with my mom last year. She does Dahn Yoga (http://www.dahnyoga.com/) and swears by it. But again, it was too slow. Although, it has done wonders for her!

Anyway, Jen wanted to do the 90-minute class. I was thinking the 60-minute class. I didn't even think I was going to make it to 60 minutes, let alone 90. But I guess the 90-minute class is the real way to do it or something, so fine! We walk in the class, it's hot and humid but I'm thinking it's bearable. There were people already in there laying down, soaking up the hottness I guess.

Dr. King walks in and tells us it's not hot enough. WHAT?! Threw a scared look at Jen and my confidence in getting through the class was shot.

The time does go by really fast though. 90 minutes was gone in no time. We both made it through the class, alive! I sweat so much that there was brown hair dye in some of my sweat droplettes. haha! Can't remember the last time I sweat like THAT! There was one point where we are between poses, I look over to my right a little at one of the guys who was wearing the little shorts, like Jen mentioned above, which leave nothing to the imagination. Well my eye just so happened to catch a bead of sweat that took a beautiful swan dive off of the guys, umm, diving board, if you will. Man, if there is an Olympics for that there would have been 10s all around. hahahaha! Hey! I don't search for these things, I just happen to catch them. Call it 'overly observant'.

Anyway, We didn't get any pictures the first time because we were too afraid of disturbing someone or someone getting mad because it is pretty peaceful.

The second time we were determined to at least get one picture of both of us.

I know now that I need to work on the rotation of my shoulders. This isn't a straight line as it should be.

Jen was sneaky and got a picture of my ass! haha! Thanks, Jen! Not bad though eh!?

The second time taking the bikram class I thought I was going to throw-up at least 3 times. I kept getting dizzy. According to my mom this is the negativity leaving the body and I should have "grabbed" the ground with my toes and it would have made that feeling go away. Where was she when I was in the class!?

I would totally do Bikram on a regular basis. When I can afford it, I'll definitely be signing up for a monthly membership.

Namaste!
~liz