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Reflections on 2016

 

Over the course of 2016, I shared 179 blog posts with you all and 309 Instagram posts.  Similar to last year, as I review the pictures and posts, I see gaps. Of course I expected to see the smiles and joy of Baby Girl Diamond in the top posts but there was so much else that transpired this year.

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What a year it has been. While many people are ready to forget 2016 existed, I will look back on this year as one of growth. In fact, if I had chosen a word or mantra for this year, that would be it.  Sometimes purposefully and other times subconsciously, much of this year was spent preparing ourselves for the next journey – parenthood. Much of this preparation wasn’t shared on social media or the blog as it isn’t the type of content that drives traffic, clicks or likes.

But for today, let’s focus on the things that are at the forefront of my mind when I look back on the year.

Based on the numbers, it is clear that travel and training took a place on the back burner.

Travel:

Races:

  • United Airlines NYC Half
  • Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten Miler
  • Flying Pig Half Marathon
  • Oakley New York Mini 10k
  • Rock’n’Roll Brooklyn Half Marathon
  • Prospect Park Track Club 5 Miler

Instead, during 2016 Bo and I spent a great deal of this year growing as a couple and focusing on creating a home for ourselves in Brooklyn. We spent countless hours painting and decorating our apartment as well as renovating and landscaping our backyard.  We explored our new borough, spending weekends tasting, sipping and shopping through Williamsburg, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope and the other surrounding neighborhoods.

We spent time in Savannah celebrating the marriage of Meg and Russell and spending time with loved ones. We traveled to Canada together, enjoying time in nature and disconnecting from the stress of our jobs and daily life. We did our best to further develop those friendships that are most important to us, though there are a few friends who we haven’t spent nearly enough time with this year.

But, as the year comes to a close, I am most thankful for the growth we’ve seen in our relationship. Even though we’ve grown up together over the years, even the best relationships need some TLC every now and then. Thanks to improved communication, our marriage is stronger than ever. Over the past five months, Bo and I have had the opportunity to focus on our relationship during weekly couples therapy sessions. We didn’t start seeing a therapist because our marriage was in crisis or going through a rough patch. Instead, we knew that as we both worked through the change we faced this year, we weren’t communicating very well.  Though I haven’t discussed it on the blog previously, I wish we had started these sessions years ago. I have learned so much about myself, our relationship and marriage during these hour long sessions. Instead of dreading the sessions, we look forward to our weekly 15 minute walk, pre-therapy coffee date and then therapy session before work.

As we look forward to welcoming a daughter into our life in less than six months, this focus on GROWTH could not have come at a better time.

What do you think about when you reflect on your 2016? 

 

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Getting Back into Body Pump

Happy Thursday! After seven days down in Savannah, our Christmas vacation has come to a close. Cold, dreary rain kept us inside today and provided us with the perfect opportunity to unpack our suitcases and put away the Christmas decorations. Even though it’s only 2pm, I am ready for a break after working non-stop on cleaning and putting away the Christmas decorations all morning.  Is it just me or does it seem like it takes 2x as long to take the decorations down and wrap them with care as it does to decorate.

Now that our Christmas vacation in Savannah has come to a close, I will be blogging daily. I have a lot of content lined up for the next few days including two workout reviews, first trimester reflections and suggestions, as well as thoughts on 2016. Today’s post is the first of two workout reviews coming over the next week.

If you’re a new reader, you may not recall that I’ve been a BodyPump fan for years. When I lived in Wayne, Pennsylvania the neighborhood gym featured BodyPump on the workout schedule three mornings per week. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday you could find me in the group fitness studio lifting and laughing with the same group of women each morning from 6:30-7:30. I remember the first time I walked in the studio, unsure what to expect. But an hour later I walked out energized and exhilarated by the very balanced workout. Unfortunately, after two years of BodyPump classes, I had to say goodbye to my favorite workout when I moved to New York City other than a few opportunities to enjoy Les Mills classes like Body Attack when we lived in Switzerland.

Until last month, when we joined the Brooklyn Dodge YMCA, it was virtually impossible to include BodyPump in my workout routine. In New York City there are very few gyms that have BodyPump or the other Les Mills workouts. Luckily, once again, I have access to this workout since the YMCA offers it seven times each week.  Since some of you may not know what this workout is, even though you’ve probably heard friends talk about it or even seen it on your gym’s schedule, let me give you some background.

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BodyPump is a weight-training group fitness class which was created by Les Mills International, a New Zealand based company whose popular group fitness classes are taught at gyms around the world.  A typical class is 55 minutes long and features 10 different songs. During each song, the workout focuses on a different part of the body.

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As you can see, you are able to push yourself during each track since you are done with that body part after that song is over. The music ranges depending on which release or version your teacher uses that day.  On January 14th, 2017 gyms around the world will celebrate the release of Body Pump 100, the latest release.

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During each class, students use a step, risers, mat and a Les Mills branded barbell and plates. Students are able to add weight, as desired, using weight plates which range from 1 pound to 20 pounds.  If you’re a beginner, it is advised to experiment with the weights during your first few classes, starting light and adding on as needed in order to reduce the risk of injury.

Another aspect that I like about the class format is that the moves are simple enough for a beginner or pregnant woman to master without injury. In so many of the high intensity interval classes I’ve taken in NYC, the compound moves often result in me falling a step or two behind and sometimes not being able to keep up. Since BodyPump includes moves such as squats, chest presses, dead rows, and lunges it is easier to ensure I use the correct form. In addition, since I am able to personalize my weights and the moves include a reduced range of motion compared to many other types of resistance workouts, it is a great way for me to increase muscle tone and strength throughout my pregnancy.  Both the instructors who teach at the YMCA are very familiar with prenatal adjustments and suggest that once it is no longer comfortable to lie on my back, they will help me turn the bench into an incline as well as provide alternative ab exercises during that track. My goal is to include at least one, if not two, BodyPump classes in my prenatal workout routine during the next six months. I know that once Baby Girl Diamond arrives I’ll need lots of strength to lift, feed and keep up with her!

Your turn: Have you tried BodyPump before? What’s your favorite track? 

The above is a sponsored post in partnership with Les Mills but, as always, all opinions are my own.

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Happy Holidays from Savannah

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Greetings from Savannah!

While I had great plans for daily posts filled with content ranging from an Orange Theory review to First Trimester Favorites, I realized that this year, in keeping with my goals, I want to be present.

Similar to many other bloggers, in years past I would spent at least an hour each day blogging and always have my camera with me ensuring I capture photos from the day. More recently, I’ve focused on creating that perfect Instagram picture to describe what we’ve been doing in Savannah or how I’ve stayed active during the holidays.

As I read Anne’s post the other day, I decided that I want to put all of those things aside and focus first and foremost on spending time with family who I so rarely get to see. So far, our time in Savannah has been wonderful. The weather has been near perfect, filled with sunshine and temperatures ranging from the 40s to the 60s. I have enjoyed family dinners, time cooking in the kitchen, baking family cookie recipes, watched Hallmark holiday movies, finished last-minute shopping, wrapped presents and relaxed.

I hope that as you celebrate the holiday season, you can take time to put aside social media and the distractions of everyday life to enjoy time with loved ones. As I have supported friends dealing with family illnesses and loss this year, I’ve been reminded that life is short and inspired to spend as much time possible with those who make me the happiest.

Happy Holidays!

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