Good evening everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. Mine was jam-packed with fun activities along with some less-fun things like errands and cleaning. Overall though, I feel much more sane and relaxed on this end of the weekend than I did going into it.
I kicked off Saturday with a 3.5 mile run with Sullie. It was a beautiful, cool morning and the run was so peaceful. Since it was early, I think we passed maybe two cars the entire time. I quickly changed and headed to the Y to launch BodyPump 77.
We had four instructors for the launch and each of us taught a few tracks from the new release. I taught back/hamstrings and triceps. The back track has a new innovation in this release (something that hasn’t happened in far too long!) and it is awesome and so intense. I’m thinking about posting a short video later this week of me teaching part of it. Stay tuned!
Overall, I love BodyPump 77. I think it is challenging and I like the music! My favorites are squats, back, biceps, shoulders and abs. I love the lyrics of the biceps song, “Diamond Eyes” by Shinedown. It talks about saying goodbye to weakness and so long to regret. Perfect motivating words for a tough biceps track! The abs feature an “around the world” plank that is really hard but very effective. I’m excited to teach this release for the next couple of weeks.
With my fabulous co-instructor, Cynthia, after class. She has been teaching BodyPump since the very beginning…BodyPump 1!!!
After class I headed over to Lululemon for the last day of the showroom being open. I mentioned this a while ago but they are closing the Charlotte showroom and moving into a retail location. The new store opens on May 20!
Lululemon offers free showroom yoga every Saturday morning. They did “yogis” choice for who would lead the final class in the showroom and the overwhelming majority chose Johnna Smith (who was one of the teachers who led my teacher training!).
Adam Whiting (who was one of my fellow teacher trainees) played guitar and sang during the class. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to practice since I was late getting in from BodyPump but I did jump and assist a little. The vibe in the showroom was beautiful.
With a group of my yogis from teacher training. I love that I have a “yoga family” now. Seeing my them all over town makes me so happy! 😛
I had to leave the showroom for a long overdo haircut. I haven’t had a haircut since before Christmas. I never go that long but I was looking to switch stylists and didn’t have time to deal with finding one. I finally decided to make an appointment with Jason, the owner of Salon 42, after hearing how much Diana loves him.
I love my new haircut! It feels so much more styled and I’m glad that I was able to keep the length. And yes, I am posing with a giant cookie that Brandon and I split at lunch. Hey, it’s a peanut butter cup cookie…I couldn’t resist including it in the picture!
We had lunch at Owen’s Bagel & Deli because they have great bagel sandwiches and were donating their proceeds to storm relief yesterday. I had a sesame bagel with hummus, avocado, sprouts, tomato and provolone.
And that’s where the Saturday photos stop. We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for our vacation (11 more days!) and visiting Brandon’s grandmother. That night we had an engagement party to attend but I took a night off from snapping photos of everything. It was a wonderful party though!
I’m going to post Sunday happenings in a separate post later because I need to get some things done for work before bed. We are also watching 127 hours and it’s causing me major anxiety. I seriously feel like I’m going to throw up over here! It was so bad that 15 minutes into the movie I had to read the story online so I knew what was going to happen. I haven’t had to do that since last year’s season finale of Grey’s Anatomy (with the crazy gun man).
How do you do with scary/edge-of-your seat drama? Am I the only wuss who can’t stand the suspense? 😉
I’m so glad to see that someone else does that!! I am SO empathetic that I also can’t stand to watch movies / shows where someone is humiliated… I miss a lot of good movies this way. 🙂 I’m also really picky about getting my hair cut—I drive 8 hours to see Ross, without whom I might have to pull a Crystal Gayle instead. 🙂 And finally, I’m stoked for your Body Pump vid, because they don’t do that in my little town and I think I’d love it!
I’m so glad you liked Jason! Your hair looks fabulous…and looked even better in person! 😉
We were supposed to watch 127 Hours tonight, too, but the DVD we rented was busted! I must admit, I was a little afraid to watch it, too, so I’m kind of happy. Yet…I do want to see it eventually, so I guess I’m just delaying the inevitable. lol Hope you liked the rest of the movie.
Yes! I will definitely be back. Thank you SO much for recommending him. I have struggled for two years to find someone I like here!
Good luck with 127 Hours. Definitely worth watching but so intense. I had to look away quite a bit and couldn’t stop thinking about it all day today. The story stays with you!
Body Pump sounds so fun! My gym has “muscle” classes, but I can’t really participate because they do so many squats and my knees just can’t handle it. Instead, I’m stuck on my own and that is not nearly as energizing, so I don’t strength train enough.
PS – your new cut looks fabulous!
you’re hair looks super cute! i wish my Y had Body Pump! lame
Your hair looks great!! I need to find a good stylist so badly and now seeing your new do, it makes me want a haircut even more. Oh, and that bagel sandwich- YUM.
Ok, after seeing your and Cynthia’s guns, I really want to find a gym that has Body Pump! 🙂
Free yoga sounds amazing! The hotel I used to work at had sunshine yoga on their terrace, with a light breakfast at the restaurant.
Cynthia is my instructor mentor. She’s fabulous and SO strong! It’s incredible!
Sunshine yoga + breakfast on the terrace sounds divine.
Oops, sunRISE yoga. 😛
I also can’t handle suspense. When we were in the middle of 24, I had to read ahead so I knew what was going to happen because it made me so anxious. I also can’t do haunted houses, not because they’re “scary” but because it drives me crazy trying to anticipate when someone is going to jump out at me.
Your hair looks amazing!!! I need a haircut at the end of the month before the big move… maybe I need to go to this place!?
Yes! Jen, Diana and Caitlin see him too!
Suspense doesn’t do that to me, but comedies of error do. When the viewer knows that a character is about to embarrass themselves (think Sarah Jessica Parker in the dinner scene in the Family Stone), I shut my eyes – I can’t handle it!
Your hair looks gorgeous! My hair is dark, too, and I love getting highlites but you make me want to leave it be. 😉 That’s too funny about not dealing well with suspense. I am the same way and don’t watch a lot of movies. That Gray’s Anatomy one was super anxiety-filled!
I got highlights once in college but decided it was easier (and much cheaper) just to keep it dark!
I love having a yoga community too! Yoga has a way of bringing out people’s most kind – and often, authentic – selves. Yoga teacher training is such a great way to get involved in a yoga community. Going to Lululemon events is as well!
Your hair is gorgeous!!!
Sounds like you had a pretty decent weekend, lady! 😉 Body Pump looks so intimidating…
I can deal with suspense, especially in books – those are my favorite. In real life – NO. I need to know everything NOW.
BodyPump is not intimidating! I promise! It’s so fun – great music and totally customizable to every participants because you choose your weights! It’s awesome!!! 🙂
Mmmmm Owen’s looks delightful! Love their Grubby Bubby….and your hair looks fab!
Have not tried this Grubby Bubby…must check out!
Your hair looks so awesome, I love it and it looks perfect on you! I just have to tell you, you are my hero! You are always so active and in perfect shape, you rock!!!
Jen – thank you so much for your sweet comment. 😛
great post! I love Johnna!! She came out to help teach a yoga class on base one time. (air national guard base in charlotte) She was helping Christina, she was teaching a class on base after work, I miss it so! She’s great!
Johnna is seriously the best…so beautiful and full of light!
Your hair looks great! But now I’m trying to remember the last time I had a hair cut. Uh oh. 🙂
Loving your longer hair Kelly!
I’m over from healthystrides blog and just had to say I.LOVE.BODYPUMP!!!!!!!! I used to attend the class all.the.time when I lived in VA. Regretfully, the closest bodypump class to me at the moment is over 2 hours away – BOOO!
Lisa – welcome and YAY BodyPump! It truly changes your body! I am so sad to hear that you are so far away from it now. 🙁
I love Body Pump 77! The plank is seriously hard but I’m getting better at it 🙂
Love the new haircut!
I love the plank! It’s fun having a new challenge to master. So hard to keep the hips squared to the floor!
Just did Body Pump 77 on my lunch break and LOVED the changes! Thanks for the motivation!
I LOVE your haircut—you have the best hair, you belong in a magazine ad 🙂 And that cookie looks amazing!