Hi guys!! I decided to stick breakfast in with lunch because I wanted to get the oatmeal contest post up and had a strangely scheduled morning!
I’ve been getting a little bored of my ET + Stairmaster rotation (I think because the weather has been so nice and I don’t want to be inside a dark gym) so I decided to try a Step class today!! I was bold and went to the Intermediate/Advanced class – wow, it was H.A.R.D!! I was a dancer for 11 years and so I’m pretty good with choreography but I still found myself flopping around on the step with two left feet! BUT by the end of the class I pretty much has mastered the routine. I went up afterwards to thank the instructor for the fun and she could not believe it was my first class and yelled to all the other women “IT WAS HER FIRST CLASS!!!” I turned red 😳 While my legs were really tired after the class, I noted my heart rate wasn’t much above 110 the whole time. But the benefits of a mental challenge were worth missing some sweat.
I also biked there and back again on the husband’s bike, so that made the trip even more fulfilling. I decided I need my own bike again because biking to the gym is so convenient (maybe no so in the winter at 5am but for now at least) so I am actually on my way to visit a women’s bike I found on Craigslist for $40. Hopefully I’ll come home with it!
Since the class was at 8:30, I needed something small before I went because my stomach was growling and I needed something to get me through the next 2 hours. I had half a banana and PB –
Once home, I got the contest post up (which took some time), showered and it was 11:15 before I had breakfast! I didn’t want to spoil my lunch appetite with a huge bowl of oats, so I had Kashi H2H with blueberries, flax and a little walnut and almond pieces. Plus 1% milk.
And hot tea. And a vitamin.
I dealt with annoying car stuff through lunchtime. I’m due for a 90,000 mile service check-up and it’s not pretty. Expensive and too much confusing stuff! But after consulting the owner’s manual, my dad, my husband, Honda, a Mom&Pop shop, my dad, and the manual some more, I’ve got an appt. for Friday. Uggg. I hate cars.
For lunch I decided on salmon salad.
The combo:
- 1/2 can wild Alaskan salmon (from Costco)
- 2 dollops plain yogurt
- 2 tsp honey dijon mustard
- 1 tsp red curry powder
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 2 bell pepper quarters, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
Plus watermelon and Kashi crackers with a few Sun chip wannabes –
It was a really filling and satisfying lunch.
Hopefully I come home with a new (old!) bike. Tonight I’m making Mom’s Homemade Tomato Sauce with basil from the garden!!
Kathryn says
Hey! I was just wondering how bad the winters are down there…does it snow? Or is it just chilly in the morning? (I live in Central New York and it would literally be IMPOSSIBLE to bike anywhere in the mornings here during the winter).
Kate says
Really? Not even above 110? 🙁 I took a weight/step class last night and my HR was in the 150/160 area the whole time!
ModelBehavior says
Kath does the salmon you buy in a can have the skin on it? I’ve gotten canned salmon a few times but I just can’t get over eating the skin on it and I can’t find one that is skinless!
Jenn says
has anyone tried rice milk? and what do you think of it?
Lauren says
Kathryn, where in Central NY are you from? I’m from Syracuse originally 🙂 Just the visual of trying to bike anywhere in Syracuse on a winter morning is scary!
Allison K. says
ahh! the instructors are my gym do that! they ask at the beginning of the class if anyone is new….
And then they cheer for you at the end…and sometimes in the middle.
Justy2003 says
I’m always soooo uncoordinated with step classes…it takes me about 50 times to get it right. Sounds like you were doing pretty well though considering the instructor was surprised it was your first time!
So when you said it was hard do you mean it was hard physically (breathing hard, etc.) or just the movements/coordination part of it?
Good luck with the bike! I want to get one, too…just haven’t made the financial commitment yet!
lauren says
i posted yesterday about lower back pain on my left side and wanted to thank you for your response. after taking yesterday off i am deciding to train for a half marathon and today was run an easy 3 miles which is usually an easy day for me. I tried and could barely do 1 mile without pain from my back and now it hurts really bad! I wanted to take gym classes because i have more free time without summer school but know i dont need to make it worse i am just afriad i will fall behind on my fitness.
I am used to eating around 3000 cals due to my workout each day so it’s hard to cut back!
what have yall done when yall have had to take time off of working out due to injuries or whatever other reason?? Was it hard…did you cut back on food intake…did you notice weight gain or what?? any insight is appreciated!
Kate says
I’m SO happy you’re thinking of getting a bike! Buying my first adult bike changed my life, and it’s a pretty good feeling to know you’re not using gas for those short trips. Yay!
Jenn–I switch between rice and soy milk. I like them both, but they’re very different. The soy milk tends to be creamier–a little more like cow’s milk, while the rice milk is very watery, maybe more like skim. Rice milk doesn’t have much going for it nutrition-wise (it’s pretty much sugar water with vitamins added), but I use it because I don’t drink cows’ milk but don’t always like to have processed soy.
magpie says
Good luck with the bike! I’m looking to get one as well, and probably one for Bobby too.
Jenn – I like almond milk better than rice milk. I love the unsweetened plain, vanilla, and chocolate flavors. They’re delicious. I think the brand is Almond Breeze.
tarav2007 says
Jenn- I have an allergy to soy and nuts and have used rice milk as a sub from time to time. Definitely not as tasty as soy in my opinion but since I am a bit limited on milk substitutes, I settle for it. I keep meaning to try hemp milk but haven’t gotten around to it. Honestly, much like everything else “new” it just takes some getting used to.
Ozlem says
Hey Kath,
What is granola plank? How is it different from regular granola and where do you get it?
Thanks,
karla says
Kath, you were a dancer? what kind? how come you stopped?
sounds very cool
good job with the step class, i went with my mom once and she kicked my ass,….felt dizzy after from trying to follow the routine
sirenjess says
I agree with Kate were you not moving your arms? How high was your step? I use four risers and I get my heart rate up pretty high like 140-160 range. Sorry it just sounds odd that your heart rate didn’t go up that high.
Rachel says
Jenn, I don’t like rice milk, tastes weird and really watery. I love blue diamond Almond Breeze in unsweetened vanilla, its really creamy and tastes really good plain, in oatmeal, w/ cereal, coffee or tea, I use it in everything.. I haven’t tried hemp milk. I think pacific makes an oat milk..haven’t tried that either. I think it all depends on the brand.. I tried the brand Rice Dreams version of both rice milk and almond milk and both were entirely horrible…had to dump out the whole carton.
Also…I can’t do step classes..I have a hard enough time with regular stairs… I have depth perception issues so I can’t really keep track of the step and watch the instructor at the same time.
Aimee H. says
In my experience with Step, the harder I’m thinking about it, the less calories are being burned and the less high my heart rate will be. Once I get everything down, I’m usually dripping with sweat because I can push myself more with arm movements and step height. Just a thought.
Ashley says
I think Step class is super fun and addictive. It can be intimidating at first, but once you learn the lingo it’s fun and a good workout. I have 2 left feet, but love step so I think anyone can do it with the right teacher and enough practice. Congrats on a good first class and trying something new, Kath.
Grounded Fitness says
yes- i want to hear the dancing background as well.
burlesque?
I hope so.
www.everygymsnightmare.com
Kath says
Kathryn ,
We get snow maybe…twice a winter? Ice a few times. But it’s definitely always walkable. I visited Syracuse during a blizzard once for work and was planning an “afternoon walk” – I could only make it from the building to a car and that’s all I saw of the outside the whole trip! It’s cold here (30* in Jan/Feb) but tolerable to be outside.
Kate + sirenjess ,
I did only use 1 level this time – everyone else only had one (including the fit instructor) and being my first class I didn’t want to be the only one falling off from the choreography! I think if I get into it I’ll do the taller one, but I also think that the type of choreography she does would be really hard mechanically (not physically) to do in the speed she does it. But if I keep this up (which I’m not sure I will on a really regular basis when school starts up in 3 weeks) I will definitely move to the 2 level when I get better at mastering the moves.
ModelBehavior,
No skin or bones in Costco’s kind!
Justy2003 ,
I mean hard to follow – all the steps were FAST and all over the place.
lauren
I had to take almost 3 years off of high intensity exercise because of my foot (partially what led to weight gain). Although I exercised everyday, I didn’t push myself and did the Stat bike, ET, and swam. Mostly moderately for 30-45 minutes. I know now that it takes a lot more work to keep my weight in check if I want to eat a lot, so if I got injured again I’d work harder to find workouts that were non-weight bearing and challenging (probably more rigorous pool workouts, spinning classes, etc.). Sounds like you need to see a doctor ASAP – best wishes.
Ozlem ,
Go to http://www.honest-foods.com to see more. They are like giant chewy granola bars but are better tasting than any granola bar I’ve had. They are pretty calorie dense, so use them sparingly.
karla ,
I started with tap, jazz + ballet combo when I was in first grade, which I continued through high school. I did a few years of lyrical, modern, gymnastics (I was horrible at that), and pointe. In college I was in the dance ensemble performance for 2 years until my foot got too bad. I’d love to dance again, but I mostly like group dancing and don’t know if I have the time to go to classes at least once a week. Maybe when I have kids if I can do one while they’re in class or something? I don’t know! Step was a nice refresher though 🙂
Kath
HangryPants says
Step class always makes me feel like I should be wearing Get In Shape Girl sweat bands. It is hard though. Recently I went to a class and she incorporated jump roping. I thought I was going to die!
Heather
goalie30 says
i always have had a hard time getting up my heart rate in exercise/ step classes as well; just use it as a cross training day for all that running and elliptical work you do 🙂 definitely helps break up the workouts for variety at least!
ha ha hangrypants, GET IN SHAPE GIRL was my FAVORITE growing up! lol
Alison says
Hi Kath! I hope you get the bike- sounds fun! I have a HRM question for you. I think I am about the same as you in that I get up to about 150 on the ET and 160 on the treadmill – I’m wondering what to make of my “time in the zone” function on my HRM. Usually it is only about half the time I work out (I leave it on while I lift weights, stretch, do abs, etc.) but it seems like it should be higher than that. Are you usually “in the zone” for most of the length of your work out and is that the most important thing to aim for? Thanks in advance!
Kathryn says
Lauren and Kath,
I’m from right outside of Syracuse! (Fayetteville) And yeah, the winters are harshh!
haya says
alison – it depends what you have your “zone” set at!
Katie says
Haahah! I did the SAME thing with the step class a couple weeks ago, thinking my dance training would get me through. LOL! Horrible idea. I’ll stick to boxing. 🙂
Petra says
Hey Kath,
Sorry if my grammar or word structure is not so great! I’m german, but i am vacationing in the united states with my husband who is in the military (stationed at ramstein base in germany). I have been reading your blog since last year when you first began on another site and i just want to say that i am happy that you are continuing your blog now and beyond. I know others say this already, but you have been such a great inspiration. I was trying to lose my baby weight and it was hard. I gained so much and it didn’t seem like i could do it. My diet used to be take out, frozen food, and anything fast. I never would sit down to enjoy my food and it was hard for me to lose weight. Since last year, i have lost almost 40 pounds by walking daily (uphill with stroller is hard!) and sitting down to enjoy my food and ofcourse, reading your blog daily! =) You have shown me the importance of exercise, ENJOYING every bite of food, and listening to your body. Even when you were very busy with school and other things, you still were able to make sure you had your meal and you always make it so interesting. I have tried a lot of your recipes and after eating such healthy and good food, i do not even want to go back to my old diet. My favorite is baked banana oatmeal which is delicious! Sorry Kath if this is long, but today, i went to the beach with my family and felt so great… You are always so helpful on the blog and you inspire me and my husband in so many ways…to live healthy and happy…You have the BEST food blog and you inspire others to start a blog and I think I will start one when i am back home in germany to help me keep on track. ‘
So, THANK YOU Kath AND “the husband” (Aka Matt) =) for the easy to follow AND helpful recipes, the ENTERTAINMENT of reading your blog daily, and inspiring me to live a healthy life!!!
Sincerely,
Petra
Kath says
Alison,
“The zone” is kind of an arbitrary number that the HRM set for you to say when you’re in the optimal cardio zone. I’d say anything over 100 bpm is good – with 150 being my target for a workout’s cardio.
Petra,
Thanks so much for your comment – it means so much to know that I’ve impacted the lives of people in such a personal way.
Kath
sirenjess says
the only move that I have the hardest time with is around the world and the ice skating move. I am always on the wrong foot. But props for trying something new. Two weeks ago I tried soul grooves at lifetime. I basically have no rhythm for latin woman. It makes me sad.
Alison says
Thanks Kath– good to know! I appreciate you answering!
Chelsea says
What an awesome comment from Petra. You should frame that!
Haley says
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Haley
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Lauren says
Kathryn,
I’m from Fayetteville too–how funny! I just always say “Syracuse” because hardly anyone has heard of Fayetteville.