Goings On

I’m still sore today from all the working out this week…surely it can’t be from just that one class on Tuesday? Granted we did take Masala Bhangra last night and it was so much fun and it went by rather quickly. My girl Challis and I really enjoy these dance classes, however we are considering going back to that Cardio Sculpt class next Tuesday since it thoroughly kicked our butts and really made us "feel it"! As she said to me yesterday, “it’s not like we didn’t make it through the whole class, even if we are sore.” So you may hear more of my whining later next week when I’ve suckered myself into taking the class that doth cause me pain. ;)

On the opera front: I’ve really gotten into the world of producing. My current projects are the Summer Concert Series starting mid-August where we’ll be presenting Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, Mozart’s Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute) and Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin. On October 30th I will also be producing a fantastic Gala Event at Merkin Hall in the Kaufman Center which I’ve titled Wagner, Verdi, & Vodka, all with Opera Manhattan in which I have been given the title and position of co-Executive Director. I’m currently trying to arrange a vodka sponsor for the gala, we’ll see who the lucky vendor will be that gets to present their premium vodka to our cultural patrons. In November I’ll be singing Musetta in a new, modern version of La Boheme, in December I’m producing Humperdink’s Hansel & Gretel and in February the One-Act Opera Festival may change to the New Composers Festival where we will present new works by new composers. After that, we’ll have a few months off and then in June of 2011 we produce Carlisle Floyd’s Susannah.

I’m hoping when the madness calms down, I’ll get to take a week off in December or January and go to some Tropical locale. The Maestro and I are talking about a romantic getaway to some all-inclusive resort where we can relax and recoup from the drains of opera season…but my schedule is still pretty heavy during that time, so we’ll see how it works out…I may have to wait until late February to get away.

Today I meet with Challis and the Maestro for a lunchtime work-out and then after work I’ve got a date with the Maestro to go to the movies. I’ve come to a sort of peace when it comes to the movies these day, I can actually go and watch a movie without getting popcorn, soda, and/or other high calories snacks…but just in case, maybe I’ll sneak in a low calorie treat.

I have to say with the current work-out regiment, the great support from my dear friends, the mindful healthy eating, and the goal of a tropical vacation in the winter that includes me in a bikini, I may find myself in great shape before I know it!

Have you set your goal today?

Just checking...have a great day.

-Bex

Feel the Burn

I've just started the glorious habit of taking work-out classes with my friend.  I have to say, that even though I generally work-out 3 to 5 days a week, I'm not as in shape as I thought!  Infact, the Cardio Sculpt class we took on Tuesday kicked our butts...it was like Jillian Michaels on crack...she would have been proud.  We're both still whiny and sore from Tuesday, but we have continued to forge through and continue to work-out everyday, even through the "pain"...you know, the good pain...so I'm proud of us too.

Tonight we take Masala Bhangra, a class I haven't taken in months...but now my schedule is open and I'm free to take the class.  I have to say I prefer taking dance classes, they always seem like you're playing instead of working.  Next Monday I believe we have Zumba on the schedule, but in the meantime, Friday & Saturday will be good old fashioned cardio and Jillian's 30 Day Shred.

Did I mention that I was whiny and in serious soreness?  For example, my quads and glutes are so sore that it hurts to sit, take the stairs, and generally just walk...no really, my legs have almost given out on me as I walk around the office.  It's the worst when I've been sitting at my desk for hours and I've gotten all stiff from the inactivity...oye!

On top of all that, the Maestro is finally back from being in Europe for the past 5 weeks, so we've been going on dates, catching up, and working-out together too.  Since yesterday, he's been meeting me and we've been doing cardio on my lunch hour.  So yeah, I'm feelin' it!  We'll see how long I can keep this up.  I know the lunchtime work-outs won't last too long because his schedule is about to get really busy, but it's nice for now.

So now to get some food in this body and then off to the gym...again.

Have a great day!
-Bex

Life's What Happens

I know it's been awhile, and we are now in my birthday month...boy how time flies.

So, I've been pretty off and on with the work-outs. One week, I'm perfect and busy busting my butt at the gym and the next week I'm partying and creating more damage to undo.

As the great John Lennon once said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." How true that is, and how true is the fact that we must find balance people. The kind of balance that allows for life to "get in the way." That's my current goal...learning to work-out, eat right and maintain a healthy lifestyle while allowing myself a few indulgences. But why do those indulgences always seem to pour in when I'm just trying to make it through the rain...seriously? Why are there so many parties in one week and none in the next? My job is to figure out how to navigate through times like these without doing serious damage to all the good things I've done for myself.

So go on to meeting friends after work every now and then...but instead of happy hour, how about a nice gym date...Zumba anyone? Or if you know you're going to go home and watch TV for a couple of hours, how about doing crunches, jumping jacks and squats while you watch...or in my case hop on the elliptical for a bit (best investment ever!). There's always someway to fit in fitness.

Have a great day, and enjoy what life brings to you.

Best,

Bex