Body Pump damn near killed me.

Yes, and this is not an exaggeration.

So yesterday I took my first Body Pump class after hearing about it from all these wonderful middle-aged personal trainer bloggers with kids and houses who 100% look like they have their lives together.

I wanna be like that, I thought.

I'll try Body Pump, I thought.

My friend and ex-coworker teaches this class up in Enfield so my boyfriend drove me 40 minutes north to have my ass handed to me on a silver platter.

The class began with a full body barbell warm-up that had me thinking "what the hell did I get myself into"

Followed by six minutes of squats. 

Followed by doubting whether or not I'm actually in any kind of shape at all.

With a sprinkle of muscles burning in a way they never have before.

And a dash of a shoulder track that I LITERALLY COULD NOT FINISH. There were grandmothers in there absolutely slaying and I couldn't even lift 5 lb. hand weights above my head. I wish I was kidding.

This was all accompanied by me scrambling with my barbell in between tracks trying to add weight and then take it off because LOLZ I have no muscle strength apparently.

Lunges for a whole, entire song. 5 seconds of rest in between sets. That's sufficient. (no it's not).

It was a full body barbell workout that lasted an HOUR with a killer set of abs thrown in at the end. Just for fun. Or actually to make you cry. You choose.

All jokes aside though, this was honestly one of the best group classes I've ever done. It was super high intensity, high reps, and low weight (even though they ended up feeling like a billion pounds after a four minute song with no rest time).

Each major muscle group gets a full song (or more) of work with minimal rest and short active recovery.

Maybe it's because I mostly just do cardio endurance focused exercise now with my Spinning class obsession and being a Spin instructor, but omfg, did this class make me realize how depleted my muscles are.

I will 100% be taking this class again.

It was hard core and awesome. 

Basic Makeup for Basic Betches In a Hurry

So I know I mentioned I work in a gym but I don't think I mentioned that I work the morning shift, which starts at 5am. YUPP.

Here's what one of my mornings typically looks like:

Alarm goes off at 3:58am. LOL, SNOOZE. Back to sleep. 

Alarm goes off again at 4:08am. FUCK. Jump out of bed. 

Everything is dark. Eyes not adjusting. 

Accidentally hit boyfriend in the head jumping out of bed. 

Hair looks like I got electrocuted. 

No time to shower... haha! Good jokes. 

Can't find work outfit. Trips over sneakers. 

Forgets lunch box on the way out the door. 

Somehow make it to work on time (most days) but look a frazzled mess. 

Does that resonate with anyone? As much as I try my best to prepare the night before work, there is always SOMETHING that usually goes wrong in the morning, to the point where I literally need the most basic makeup routine possible in order to look slightly presentable at work despite my disheveled state of mind.

Thus, I bring to you....

Basic Makeup for Basic Betches In a Hurry.

1. Do ya damn face. L'oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation is a GOD SEND and yes, is really all it's cracked up to be. Ideally apply this with a beauty blender but if all else fails, smear it on with that additional sponge. *thumbs up emoji*

2. Eyebrows are an important thing that I guess I never really had before I started using eyebrow products. Thanks Youtube gurus and Instagram stars for helping my brow game get more fleeky. I ain't got no time for pencils or powders in the morning, so I let this L'oreal brow gel doo-dad go to werk werk werk.

3. If I don't have time to do eye makeup (which lols, is never) I want my face to be a sparkly disco ball. Idk why that is. But the new Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Highlighting Palette is of sparkling disco goddess dreams. 

4. Pair the highlighting palette with some Milani baked blush in ANY shade (but I prefer Berry Amore) and you will literally look like a flower petal coated in shimmering morning dew drops. And who doesn't want that?! 

5. Slap on some mascara. Don't even bother curling your lashes. You aren't going for high maintenance here, you're going for "hey I'm awake and I made it to work on time, I deserve a cookie". Mascara opens up your eyeballs to look more awake and this one just happens to not clump and also be waterproof so you don't smear it all over when you yawn and rub your eyes at 5am. 

6. This is the BEST MAKEUP SETTING POWDER EVER. It's a tried and true favorite. Powder dat t-zone for oily free mornings. 

7. This $24 tinted lip balm is worth every penny. Lips of an angel. No flakes, no dryness, gorgeous color. 

Hello flawless, and welcome to your quickest, most basic morning ever. 

One year since Costa Rica.

A year ago, one of my best friend's Shawn and I decided basically last minute to go to Costa Rica.

I initiated this whole craziness. I was really going through some happiness issues at the time and had never been out of the country before. I decided, you know what? Why not? The time is now? I was only working part time so it wasn't hard to get the time off.

And off we went.

It's been almost exactly a year since Costa Rica, and my oh my, my life has changed since. You only have one life to live, so I took a chance where I saw it and I leaped, hoping the net would catch me. And dragged Shawn along with me. And we had a crazy, out of this world, once (well, hopefully not just once) in a lifetime experience.

One year since Costa Rica...

One year since hula hooping lessons on the beach,

one year since afternoon naps in rainforest hammocks,

 one year since white water rafting...

one year since greeting every sunset and sunrise with open arms...

one year since staying in Costa Rica hostel with my best friend, no TV, no privacy, and a mattress on the floor constantly covered in sand...

one year since befriending adorable stray dogs on the beaches...

one year since rainforest hikes in mudslides, loosing shoes and breaking sandals, with new friends...

one year since the best damn food I've ever eaten, every day, for breakfast lunch and dinner...

one year since Yoga on the beach was a casual good-morning...

one year since drinking out of coconuts...

one year since Costa Rica karaoke...
one year since random geckos on the walls...
one year since rappelling down a waterfall...

one year since winning Trivia Night and a beer tower...

one year since experiencing insane and terrifying Costa Rica driving customs...
one year since ziplining hundreds of feet above the rainforest floor, clenching my eyes shut, screaming at the top of my lungs, and feeling more alive than ever before...

one year since riding rented bikes through beach-side streets...

one year since we decided to live a full life, got on a plane, and flew to Central America to explore, laugh, learn, and grow. 

Travel isn't about the destination, but about the journey. I could not have asked for a more sweet or satisfying experience that all began one year ago, this week. These memories are full of light and love to me, something I will never forget and (despite the credit card balance I am still paying off) will never regret. 

Take a chance. Take the days off work. Save your money. Book your tickets. Your future self will thank you. I sure am. 

Spinning Playlist #3

*Disclaimer: While these playlists are labeled as Spinning playlists, they also make awesome workout playlists! 

1. Puppet by Karmin - warm up song. Go over bike positions, safety, and overview of class.

2. Get Up by Ciara - turn resistance to 6/10, jumps from 1 to 2. Increase resistance twice.

3. Cyclone by Baby Bash - Seated climb. 8/10 resistance. Turn resistance twice. 

4. Revolver by Madonna - Standing climb. 9/10. 

5. Excuse My Rude by Jessie J - Rolling hills. Flat road during verses, increase resistance to 8/10 during choruses, jump to 3rd and add a pedal stroke. 

6. Show Me Love EDX Remix by Sam Feldt - Recovery song. Seated flat to standing flat. Add resistance in twice to 7/10.

7. Beggin' by Madcon - Jumps from 1 to 3 with 7/10 resistance.

8. Bonbon by Era Istrefi - Flat road with 10/10 resistance and acceleration during choruses (seated sprints)

9. Lose My Breath by Destiny's Child - Jumps from 1 to 3 with 8/10 resistance. 

10. Pure Grinding by Avicii - Sprints on a hill. Low resistance in 3, then add heavy resistance and add a pedal stroke in 3.

11. Jungle by X Ambassadors - HEAVY HEAVY HEAVY seated climb for half, standing climb for half.

12. In My Room by Yellow Claw - Rolling hills, resistance at 10/10 during hills and maintain pedal stroke. 

13.  All My Friends by Snakeships - Cool down song.

14. Needed Me by Rihanna - Stretching song.

You did it! 

20 Ways To Make Your Monday Less Garbage

Hey you, happy Monday! In lou of a weekend wraparound, I'mma chat about Mondays and why they don't have to be garbage. 

This week is full of positivity and new beginnings because this Monday marks the starts of a #30DayCleanEatingChallenge!

I'm so into fresh starts, it's somewhat disturbing. 

In honor of my pastel-colored, sunshiney and hopefully not too annoying attitude, here are 20 ways to make your Monday a little more enjoyable, healthier, happier, or just plain less sucky.

1. Drink a lemony cup of tea in the morning, in your favorite mug of course.

2. Drink water first thing when you wake up.

3. Save time by spending less of it on your makeup. The trifecta (for me personally) is glowing skin, clean eyebrows, and fluttery eyelashes. DONE. 

4. Tell yourself you're going to have a good day. Believe it. 

5. Don't check your phone as soon as you wake up.

6. INSTEAD, open up a book or listen to an interesting podcast. 

7. Do some stretches, any kind of stretches. People don't stretch enough!

8. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Slowly. Even slower.

9. Wear your go-to everything. Favorite socks, underwear, bra, outfit, accessories. Who cares if you've worn it a million times before? 

10. Make yourself laugh in any way. Thinking about a funny memory. Look at cat memes. Listen to a hilarious podcast like this one. Anything you can possibly think of to start your beautiful Monday off with laughter.

11. Make someone smile in any way. Compliment them. Get way too excited about their new haircut. Hold the door open for them and give them the most genuine smile they'll receive all day.

12. Don't forget to grab chapstick on the way out. 

13. Plan out your entire week of workouts and meals (if you're feelin' super ambitious). Easiest way to fail is not being prepared! Even if it's just on a crumpled Post-It note that you stick to your desktop at work. Still great, still prepared. 

14. Put a piece of fruit in your lunch bag.

15. Leave for work 10 minutes earlier than usual. Use the extra time to sit in your car and listen to your favorite song. 

16. Repeat a mantra. I am radiant. I am positive. I am light as air and full of sunshine. or something more like I am a boss ass bitch. Nothing can stop me. Today, I am a badass capable of anything. Whatever works for you :)

17. Go to bed 30 minutes earlier. 

18. Cap off your day with a few pages of a book and another hot cup of tea.

19. Stretch before bed. Your muscles will be so happy and relaxed.

20. If you have a bulletin board, write down one inspirational quote. If you don't, write a quote in your notebook, planner, iPhone notes, text it to yourself, whatever. Just surround yourself with inspiration in any form. 

Hope everyone is having a killer Monday. Find your mantra and live a better day. We don't have to have a case of the Mondays... we CHOOSE to. Choose to wake up on the right side of the bed, because every day is one unique gift after the next ya'll. And we don't get a second chance.