Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bean

HERE I AM! oops.


Thanks to GROUPON and LA Boxing, I got 30 days of boxing classes (a $114.99 value) for $49! I convinced a couple of my cousins to join me in this month-long journey through the world of "boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and hand-to-hand kangaroo combat".

Post kickboxing class #1.

Going into the first class, I didn't think it'd be easy, but I didn't know that I would struggle to walk, or even move, for 3 days afterwards. I had taken kickboxing classes before and I have my own 25-pound punching bag that I got back in high school when I couldn't afford anger management classes, but this kickboxing class was no joke. Sometime during the middle of class I found myself fighting a 150-pound bag with my eyes closed because the sweat was dripping into and stinging my eyeballs. I must say this is one of the best workouts I've ever done. You are pretty much working every muscle in your whole body, and it's also a great cardio workout.

However, there are some cons: (1) Until boxing, I never knew that hands could smell like feet. Maybe one day I'll get my own pair of gloves, but the ones at the gym are shared so I'll have to suck it up and wear the same sweaty gloves as others have before me. (2) The hand-wrapping process takes a while to master. (3) No matter how many classes you go to, sore muscles just do not go away! (4) Refer to injury tally. 

Injury Tally = 3: after class #1-bloody knuckle, after class #2-strained shoulder muscles (but nothing a couple of Salonpas patches couldn't miraculously fix overnight), after class #4-possibly sprained left wrist (let's hope this one heals before the snowboarding trip next week!). Mom, if you're reading this... don't worry, I'm fine!

The best part of it all and what makes it worth the hour of suffering is the average calorie burn--around 1000 calories per class! Another good thing is the music. They play music that makes you want to dance, so at times you'll forget that you really hate the instructor that is yelling at you to do 200 jumping jacks with 20 pushups in between followed by a series of jabs/hooks/crosses/uppercuts. Also, this was listed as a con, but it's a good thing too...sore muscles just do not go away! This is typically a good measure of how hard you're working. When you're sore, you feel like what you're doing is effective, right?

If you want to give it a try to see if you like it, you can sign up here for a free class! 

Maybe if we worked out as hard as these boxers, getting through an LA Boxing class wouldn't be so RUFF!

Forging ahead

If there is one thing I need to admit first it is this: I have been a bad blogger.

I've heard the call for more and simply replied, "No, we aren't ready."

There have been formatting fixations, content quandaries, and picture placement productions. At the end of the day, I am sorry for not blogging more frequently.

With that being said, I am now ready for more: more posting, more links, more pictures and more thoughts to share. Though, I will must forewarn you- this is just bologna here. Beans went AWOL. (Not really- she's figuring out the best way to make this a better, cooler, more hip blog.) Until she comes back, it will just be me sharing my ideas and thoughts with you. When she comes back you will have her funny videos and silly facial expressions to look forward to once again.

Moving on, I have a second confession to make: I have spent the greater part of my day surfing the web trying to find Christmas gifts for my friends and family. I have had the most anxiety this year than any of those past over venturing into the mall or my favorite discount stores. (Yes, I will now admit that many of your gifts have come from TJMaxx or Marshall's. There-I said it!- I'm out!)

Meanwhile, I've been to four Thanksgiving celebrations, planned a clothing swap and brunch for this Saturday and attending my first boxing class. (In fact, as I sit here typing this I'm feeling a unique pain wiring my body from the shoulders to the hips. Normal, right?) Long story short: my head is spinning. How will it ever get done? I don't know.

What I do know is there are a few simple tricks I use for organize the daily tasks that should never get swept under the rug with the guitar lesson notes from last month. (oops?)

1. Budget- your money doesn't deserve to be spent because you didn't plan to save.

2. Write down the weekly schedule. I usually buy a cheap weekly planner from the drugstore that I can write when my bills are due, birthdays happen and part time job has me scheduled to arrive. This would work too after you've stuck to #1 for a while:

Source

3. Make your lunch the night before, prepare your coffee the night before. ( you know pizza for the 3rd time this week is grosser than it sounds.)

4.Set aside time to relax and workout. Go to a new class (e.g. Boxing), watch an old favorite (see below), or bake some muffins (Trader Joe's Triple Berry Bran are the best for breakfast. +They make breakfast quick and easy, too!)

Forgetting Sarah Marshall

What do you do to keep organized and calm during stressful times?

I am the STAIR MASTER

Here I am! Sorry for the lack of Beans. After a full week of busyness, I have finally found some alone time with my computer. Let's rewind 24 hours and pretend today is Wednesday, because I want to tell you about a new workout I've incorporated into my weekly routine.

Early last week, a coworker of mine presented me with a task: "I need to lose weight for my wedding and I want your help!" A few problems I saw with this were: (1) we don't belong to the same gym, (2) we only see each other at work, and (3) we have different fitness levels. Because I was determined to not only help out a friend, but to also integrate more exercise into my day, I wanted to come up with a solution!

The answer: At the beginning of our lunch break on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we are going to run/walk the STAIRS in "the tower". The tower is the highest section of our building that has 7 floors. This workout plan overcomes all the problems I found because: (1) we are doing this at work, (2) we are doing this at work, and (3) I can run (ehhh..jog)/she can walk and I can go up & down 4 times/she can go up & down 3 times. We will both still be getting a GREAT cardio/leg/butt exercise! My main rules for her were, "Don't STOP. Keep going. If you get tired, just walk slower" and "KEEP BREATHING" (<- very important).

Since our first stairwell expedition, we have had two more people join us and a few more who are interested in starting next week :) yay! May I also add that after the first session, I could not walk like a normal person for 3 days, so stretching is also très important- especially the quads, calves & gluteus maximus. I suppose you're wondering how sweaty we get and whether we have showers at the office. To that, I say: pretty sweaty (but we change our clothes) and not real showers (but Mexican showers--deodorant and perfume).

It is also fun to go DOWN stairs in a sleeping bag!

If you have any free time at work, I encourage you to keep moving--take a walk, do push-ups. If you sit in a chair behind a desk all day, stand up and do your work from time to time so all that flubber doesn't get so comfortable settling in your booty. I love to eat, so to balance that out, I cannot stress health and fitness enough. OBESITY is reaching EPIDEMIC proportions, people! Together we can fight obesity, one STEP at a time!

Is this the beach body you want?

...I didn't think so.

Matside Manners?

Have you ever gone to a yoga class and the smell of sour feet is all up in your grill?! About a year ago, there was a weekly hot yoga class that I went to, and the toe cheese stench originated from the same tootsies every time. I named the guy who owned these stinkers, Pete--"Smelly Feet Pete". And I'll never forget the man whose butt sounded like a frog every time he did a 'downward dog'. This was the guy I liked to call Carter--"Carter the Farter". 

So yogis & yoginis, BEWARE of the "Pete"s and the "Carter"s! There will most likely be that person in your yoga class who forgot to wear socks with their sneakers that day. And there will always, ALWAYS be that one person, who in the middle of class, cannot contain their gas. 

Also, here is a sneak peek of next week's rollerblading episode. I call it: THE CAMEL TOW. I also just decided that these are only going to be posted every other week. Tough cookies.

Look out, late 80's and early 90's!!

What inspired me to start rollerblading again for the first time since 1993, you ask? (Well actually, once in 2006 I rollerbladed at a 90's party, and in 2007 I rollerbladed to class because I was late for an exam or something important. My parking lot was a mile away from class and I had the rollerblades in the trunk of my car from when I wore them to the 90's party.) Anyway, the answer is THIS! (<- click)

I stumbled across this article a few weeks ago and decided to strap on my old pair of foot wheels. Upon witnessing how cool I looked gliding along the streets of suburbia, Ellen decided to snatch up a new pair of rollerblades for herself! [BY THE WAY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ELLEN!!! :)] Toni and Taylor are still on the prowl for the perfect pair. Together, the birds of The Nest will give rise to the Rollerblading Movement of the 2000's. JOIN US!!

While this cardio activity is super awesome for your heart and your butt, it's also great for FUN. So in the name of FUN, I present to you the very first ROLLERBLADING MOVE OF THE WEEK. I call it... THE PILLOWFACE.  

I had to recruit my cousin, Gaby, to videotape this move for me. Toni couldn't watch me try it. Ellen doesn't like blood. Taylor wasn't home. Chloe doesn't have opposable thumbs. The video was put together by Angela, Gaby's little sis. [Thanks, Lala! I'm only allowing you to leave the scary face in there this time because Halloween is coming up.]

Comments, questions, concerns? Suggestions or moves you would like to see? Let us know!

RUNRUNRUNforFUNFUNFUN

For many, the idea of "going for a run" is comparable to going for a whirl in an electric chair (SCARY STUFF!) But for others, those who see past the illusion of its sheer torture, you may relate to Bologna & Beans when we say;

"It's not that bad!"

In fact, we love running for funning! Reasons why you should join us:

1. Just as we decide to order pizza and watch a Modern Family marathon we'll decide to hit the asphalt with you instead. Having a running buddy will keep you running more often and motivated!

2. If we run together we can eat (Ahem: drink) together. Just think of all the calories we'll burn! That's a piece of pizza and a beer to celebrate! This fact is proven by the great Gwen Stefani of No Doubt/Gwen Stefani/L.A.M.B/Harajuku Lovers when asked how she keeps her (impossible) figure after having two children: "It's just a calories game. If you're going to eat what you want, burn enough calories to keep yourself looking good. It may be vain but it's what has worked for me." *sigh* LOVE her.

3. It will give us a chance to bond and relieve stress together.

4. Because quitters never win and winners never quit:

Do any of you have a running buddy? What are your favorite reasons for running with that person?

We leave you with this thought:

"You aspire to great things? Begin with the little ones." -St. Augustine.

Whether its incorporating running into an exercise regimen or shaving off that last minute of your marathon time you've got to start somewhere. Always put your best foot forward and remember to have fun!

Hold on tight, spider monkey!

Adding onto Bologna's post, I'd like to express my sentiment:

Carrying on... despite all the cons of rock climbing-- e.g., blistered hands; having to wear shoes made for elf children; rope burn; harness wedgies; puffy forearms; bruised shins, arms, elbows, face, head, shoulders, knees & toes, knees & toes...--I still LOVE the sport. As a novice climber, I'm still learning the ropes. *ba-dum, ching!* I was introduced to this crag-grabbing activity back in April and fell in love with its physical and mental demands. While your body is getting an awesome workout, the pink & grey matter inside your skull is always trying to think of the next move.


Last night I went to Earth Treks with my BFF, Dana. We're prepping for a weekend of food, fun, friends, and rock climbing adventures at Seneca Rocks, WV! Not to mention, we're going during the weekend of the annual chili cook-off held at the climbing school there...mmm, yum. Anyway, let me tell you a few reasons why ET is awesome:


1) Harness bulge. Although at first it makes you somewhat uncomfortable, the crotch-y bulge of male rock climbers-caused by the shape and design of climbing harnesses-provides for a great source of entertainment.

2) Hot, manly men. I've never seen more muscular, rugged men in one place. They have big broad shoulders, scruffy faces, legs thicker than chickens', and the smell of their bare feet in sweaty climbing shoes is to die for.

3) During what other sport could you say, "Hey, you've got a little pink nub between your legs!"? (FUN FACT: This actually happened. I was watching my friend climb indoors at ET and he couldn't find foot placement, so I thought I would be a good friend and give helpful advice. I guess I should've found words better than "little pink nub" to describe the foothold.)

IN CONCLUSION, everyone should climb rocks--inside and/or outside. It's a great, easy, fun way to increase your level of fitness. A person will burn an average of 700 calories in just ONE hour of climbing. Give it a try! You could be the next Spiderman, Edward Cullen or Chris Sharma.

P.S. - Please forgive the absence of the rollerblading video. I will have one next week, I promise! My roommates refused to videotape the indoor move I was working on and yelled at me when I was practicing, because it was "too dangerous". :)