Hey yall!
Ahhh spin was amazing tonight! The music MADE IT and I definitely reached my max multiple times. The instructor was this tiny girl with a huge mouth that just kept cheering and motivating us on throughout the whole thing. When she yelled “ouch!!!” herself, I knew I was working! I’m so happy I have found a cardio exercise that I love so much other than running, which I love VERY much but apparently it does not love me. I feel like I burn the same amount of calories spinning and get just as good of a cardiovascular workout so its all good! I think I am going to look for some spinning shoes though since everyone in class swears by them and one girl had cute pink ones 
. Any thoughts??
When I got home I was STARVING so please excuse my horrible food photography. My meal just was not photogenic and I was too tired and hungry to rearrange!! All throughout class I was racing towards that morningstar farms veggie burger….I could taste that burger! Seriously, food is what motivates me through gym classes—I envision my dinner in front of me!
I had this picture in my head of a hot pita stuffed with a burger, hummus, laughing cow and spinach but when I got home and attempted it, it just didn’t work. The burger didn’t fit in the pita and the pita tore. SO, I did an open faced kinda deal with some olive sundried tomato hummus and spinach on my pita half with a morningstar farms burger topped with light laughing cow on the side. As well as a random carrot.
You can’t see the hummus on the pita but its there, I promise!
I also had a vitamuffin with almond butter to satisfy my sweet tooth =)
As well as a non-pictured mug of sugar cookie tea with agave, of course.
I’m off to shower and read….my legs are veryyyy tired after body pump yesterday and spin today. I actually am not generally as sore as I thought I might be though! The sorest part of my body from body pump is my back and shoulder area from when we did squats with the dumbbell resting on our upper back….. it KILLS me. Seriously–painful. I am sort of boney and I think that is why it hurts so much, but I wish I could solve this problem because it makes squats very uncomfortable (or more uncomfortable than they SHOULD be!).
YAY FOR TOMORROW BEING FRIDAY AND RYAN COMING TO VISIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you tell I’m excited?! Love you babe! 
edited to add: feelin’ snacky again……had a big scoop of almond butter right out of the jar! oops!
{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
yes i feel you on the “boney” part my tush, although VERY robust and round, is pretty boney and it makes it hard to A. sit on the BFs lap.. and when I’m doing sitting abs moves.. forget it! hurts!!!!!
yay for Ryan visiting!!! girl i dont know how you do the long distance thing, i barely survived 3 months!
They all say the shoes REALLY make a difference..especially on the Hammies. Another fun cardio workout is Step class…you feel like your learning a dance with kick A music. Just another thought! I also like to throw in kickboxing when the mood strikes…
Glad you found a cardio you really enjoy.
Cheers girl!
Babs
I love that veggie burger! Hits the spot every time!!
Hooray for spin class and for seeing Ryan tomorrow!!! Enjoy!!!
Hope the soreness eases up soon!!
definetly go to a bike shop to get your spin shoes. most of them are in european sizes so you really need to try them on. also, you have to order the cleats seperately, but if you get them at a bike shop they will usually put them in for free.
hi Jenna! Yaaaaay for Ryan coming in town!! Also Yaaaaay for spinning! I love spinning, although I haven’t been to a class in forever. It was a great alternative for me too, from running. Amazing for legs and cardio kick in the BUNS.
Oh, and I love that you eat almond buttah straight from the jar. yummomummo.
I used to pour off the oil on almond butter, but realized I NEED it and its really yummy runny! Nite!
You’re enthusiasm for spinning is making me want to pick it up again. I haven’t been to a class in a long time!
I never got into spinning… I don’t enjoy having my rear end hurt that much! But I can definitely understand the need for a good sweat, thats for sure.
I must get almond butter. I haven’t had it since I was a little girl!
You seem like such an energentic, happy young woman(obviously). I love reading your blog, you make my day. Plus, you give me good ideas on things to cook and I love that you love life and all that it entails. Thank you,
Rebecca
Tucson, AZ
Your food looks fabulous to me!
I don’t think that bike shoes are necessary for spinning. I’ve been doing it 10 years and you get a great workout with out them. Just make sure you push and pull with your legs.
Do they have body attack at your gym? It is the best class ever! I burn 600 calories in an hour in that class. You have to be in shape for it and it is so much fun!
I also read your blog from Tucson… small world.
I just got spin shoes a month or two back and it is so much better. They were about $100 and then the clips were about $20. If you are back in Orlando go to Orange Cycle they are so nice and helpful.
Spin class sounds fun! It always looked so grueling, but I realized I maybesortakinda want the challenge? Am TOTALLY going to try it!
Sounds like a great workout! So exciting that Ryan is coming! I bet you can’t wait!
yay for spin! one of my fav activities!!!
and YAYYYYYYYYYYYYY for ryan. have an excellent time!!
Great post, I am so inspired to take some gym classes only I do not belong to a gym! Hmm…
Do you find your quads bulk when you spin? I started riding my bike to work about a month and a half ago and now my quads are bigger…any tips to lean em out…I lowered my bike gears….
Have a great night!
yay for spin class! I took a 6:30pm class myself today. I have been trying to spin 2-3 days a week, and then another day or two of cardio. Now I need to get a strength class in there. I do not have spin shoes…I have been spinning for a few years now, just recently got back into it I don’t feel the need. It’s a personal choice really.
Hey doll- My sister bought a pair of spin shoes and LOVES them! She was so glad she got them…said it was worth every penny!
Awesome spin class! Your dinner still looks good to me!!
I love anything Morningstar!
Would you be able to wrap a towel around the dumbell when squatting? That could help …
Have a good one!
I was just going to second the Body Attack recommendation. It sounds like your gym has Les classes. You HAVE to try Body Attack!!!
You needed that AB after that intense work out!
Have fun with the boy!!!!!
Hey Jenna! So glad you are loving spin class (it IS the best cardio)…I bought my cycling shoes about a year ago, and they the Specialized brand, which I like because I can actually walk in them when I am not on the bike. But I know that Sidi makes a good shoe too, I would probably just shop around and find what feels best to you. But if you get serious about spin class (which you obvi are), then I would definitely get shoes, it makes a lot of difference!!
Jenna I am glad spinning went well! Hooray for Ryan coming in tomorrow!
spinning is a fantastic workout. i am sad to hear that you can’t run, though. any chance you would be able to pick it up if you only did it 1-2 days a week and spent the rest of the week doing other activities (like spinning, of course!)? i know that caitlin (seebriderun) struggled with injuries until she started really mixing it up with her workouts.
When did you start spinning? Was it really hard in the beginning? i’m interested in taking spinning at school… I’m starting up my own food blog now and I hope you check it out! I added you to my blogroll. I check your site all the time! What kind of camera do you have?
http://eliseseats.blogspot.com
have a great weekend.
love,
an avowed nonspinner *because* of the weirdsoreplaces
Sarah,
Honestly, I just think different people acquire muscle differently…some people really “bulk” up while others dont. You have my exact problem because, for YEARS I have done leg exercises with the hopes of becoming more defined but my legs just will not show any sign of muscle gain no matter what I do! To each his own, I suppose!
Elise,
I honestly just started last week. It is challenging but you can make it as hard as you want or as easy as you want because you control your own resistance! I recommend trying it!
****I have to check to see if my gym has body attack! If I does, I will try it…what is it like??!
I love spinning too! Morning star veggie burgers would definitely motivate me through the class too
Yay for your upcoming weekend! Have fun, lady!
Hey Everyone!
I have wanted to try spinning FOREVER but am so nervous cause Ive never taken one. I used the cardio bike at the gym once and my legs were dieing after ten minutes. So I was just wondering everyones opinion on the spinning class and if its necessary to go to a beginners class at first (were they explain bikes, set up, etc) or if I can just go to a regular class and be okay?
I would really love to go to the class tomorow so please let me know!
That class sounds fantastic! Glad to hear you had a good time
Happy Friday and woohoo for Ryan coming today!
I love your enthusiasm all the time! Hope you have a great Friday and a blast with Ryan – I’m so excited for you.
I would recommend going to a bike store to see what size spinning shoes you need and then checking Ebay for some. I got some cute pink Nike ones on Ebay for about $50; they were brand-new but were cheap because they were last year’s style! I especially love them because i have really high arches and my feet will kill if i just wear regular kicks for Spinning.
Wow…what is sugar cookie tea and where do I find it? Thanks!
You can hold the weights to your side instead of on your back…its similar gravity working against you ..
Good job on the spinning!!! It is great to see you so motivated about it.
You are making me miss taking spin classes! I just may have to sign up after I move.
jenna-
long time roadie here and i’d go with Sidi’s all the way…if u go to a bike store you can get sized and maybe even then go on craigs list and find a used pair or something or ebay…good luck!! also, they last forever!!!
I did spin last winter when I couldn’t run because of a knee injury. I loved it, but had to stop because it was delaying the healing in my knee. It was definitely the one activity that compared to running for me. I didn’t love it nearly as much but the endorphin kick was still great and I liked the people in the class. I’m told that spin shoes are quite expensive. Maybe ask the girl in your class if she thinks they make a big difference?
As long as it tasted good, who cares if it looked good
Hey Jenna,
Never commented before but always read your blog, love it! Anyway, I am a spin teacher and am absolutely in LOVE with it! It is one of the best workouts you can get, that is easy on the joints, b/c I also suffer from shin splints when running!
I do have spin shoes and they deff. make a difference, you don’t want your foot moving around and they keep you planted so it’s really ALL in the legs, they are deff. something to get used to though!
One more thing, with the body pump, here we call it powerflex, and my workout partner teaches it, you don’t have to put the bar/weights on your shoulder, if you guys are using bars I usually just hold it in front of me to keep balance and do my lunges/squates. It is easier on the shoulders!
Hi Jenna,
I LOVE Spinning! It’s the best workout! I have been doing it for years and I have not bought spin shoes. I personally don’t think you need them and you can definitely get a good workout without them. But everyone told me that since I do it so often I really should invest and it would make it more efficient. So, now you have forced me to revisit the idea!
I agree that the music really makes the class, as well as the instructor. I had one that sang the ENTIRE class!! She thought she was on American Idol or something. I looked around to see if anyone was laughing and no one reacted to her at all! I could barely keep a straight face and could not take her class seriously. ;p
lol i do the same thing with fresh ground peanut butter.. it’s just so good on its own… YUM
Teddy
My back is lacking muscle and a little bony too. Yesterday I did sit ups at the new gym and I still have bright red marks from where the bones tend to stick out when I do a crunch. I will use my towel next time. Is there a bar pad at your gym? It really helps.
About the comment on Body Attack.. that class is INTENSE. It is non-stop cardio for one hour (or however long your gym offers the class), with a short session of abs and arms in the middle. You’ll definitely SWEAT if you go to a Body Attack class. I love it!