700 Strong

Last week I hit a milestone of 700 strength classes on the Peloton app!  With having to take several extended breaks over the last year, I'm really proud of myself for sticking with this routine of waking up before work and getting in a 20 or 30 minute workout of lifting weights - I love feeling strong and healthy {I even invested in some heavier weights this year to up my game} and it helps not only my strength but also my mental health by pushing myself every day and moving my body.  I don't take for granted that I have a body that can move and lift heavy things, especially as I get older, and as long as I can I'll keep showing up and working out.  I have my eye on that 1,000 mark and I'll keep pushing until I get there!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{finally getting back to classes after way too many months away}

{friday night pizza}

{a giant rhody + a view}

{a quick walk to the park}

{watching the derby while getting ready to go out}

{a rainy walk around capitol hill}

{had the brewery to ourselves}

{afternoon sandwiches}

{some of my fave tacos for cinco de mayo}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

500 Strong

Humble brag over here - a few weeks back I hit 500 {!} workouts on the Peloton app.  Sometime during quarantine when I was forced to give up my daily/weekly in person exercise classes and was realizing my free instagram workouts weren't really doing it for me, I downloaded the Peloton app {thanks for the rec, David} to keep myself moving at home.  Peloton isn't just for the bike {though if we had the space and funds, I'd love to have one} - they have hundreds {thousands?} of workouts ranging from HIIT cardio, strength training, yoga, barre - you name it, they have it.  While I started out with HIIT classes, I quickly moved on to strength training, gradually upgrading my at home weights as I found myself getting stronger and more excited about it.  5 days a week I force myself out of bed before the sun and head downstairs to get my 30-40 minutes of sweat in on the tiny space between the tv and couch, usually from a strength class but if my body is feeling a good sweaty and stretchy yoga session I go with that.  Sometimes I can get Christian to do a class with me on the weekends to keep my streak going, and even though those weekdays when my alarm goes off I dream of nothing more than staying cozy and happy in bed, I never regret getting up to sweat and lift with Adrian, Jess, Callie, Rad, and the rest of the crew that keep me motivated to become my best and strongest self.  While I'm excited to find some nearby classes I can join to get back in the groove of group fitness, I'm so grateful for this online community that keeps me accountable, strong, and proud of myself day in and day out.  Cheers to the first 500 - hopefully the next 500 is right around the corner!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{gettin' in the groove with at home workouts}

{my favorite place for morning coffee and reading}

{homegrown from the bro}

{breakfast burrito kind of weekend}

{checking out some new shops at uvillage}

{i just couldn't say no to shake shack}

{loving the outdoor dining}

{harvesting}

{still eating this salad all summer long}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

The Weekend {In Pictures}

{friday night dinner}

{morning walks}

{avocado toast}

{a new workout streak}

{stuffing peppers}

{spring!}

{happy hour}

{almost nice enough for rooftop dining!}

{sleepy face}

{sunday morning yoga}

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Namaste

One of the ways I decided to get back into working out for 2021 was the Bulldog x The Motherchic New Year's Jumpstart Yoga Challenge.  I admit I'm pretty terrible at self motivation when it comes to working out {especially at home when it's all too easy to skip it after a long day at the computer}, but when I commit myself to a challenge like this, even if it's just me and my yoga mat at home, I suddenly am full of motivation to make movement a priority every single day and to tackle the challenge head on.  I completed the challenge on Sunday, recruiting C to take classes with me online on the weekends and setting up a makeshift yoga studio in my living room on weekday mornings and evenings after work.  It was a great way to shift from work mode to life mode after spending all day working from home and I love that the schedule was all set for me so I didn't have to decide which classes to take or talk myself out of a long, sweaty session - I just hit 'play' and started.  I feel stronger, healthier, and in a better headspace when I'm working out regularly and moving my body everyday and now that the challenge is over I'm looking to build on that momentum and further my progress.  I absolutely love yoga but am hoping to supplement those long flows with some more cardio based workouts, training my body to move in different ways than it's used to and, as the weather gets nicer, getting myself moving outside more.  It's not about losing weight or hitting a goal number on the scale - it's about feeling healthy and strong and challenging myself to be the best "me" I can be.

xoxo,

stephanie marie 

Mental Health Day

 

Friday I woke up not feelin' it so I took a much needed mental health day.  I spent the morning relaxing by the Christmas tree with a big cup of coffee and yummy breakfast, reading, meditating, doing a sweaty online yoga class, and working in the yard, soaking up the sunshine on the crisp December day.  It's hard to take a step back and focus on ourselves {especially when things are crazy busy at work}, but it's oh so important to take care of our minds and our bodies, especially as we're approaching a full year of this pandemic and a long winter ahead.  I'm so glad I took the day {though it didn't seem nearly long enough} and am encouraging you to take time to prioritize your mental health and well-being as we head into the holidays and beyond.  It's important to hit that reset button every now and then.

xoxo,

stephanie marie

Bye Bye Bar

Yesterday we got the news that my beloved Bar Method studio is shutting it's doors for good {damn you COVID!!}.  I’ve been getting by doing at home workouts through Zoom & Instagram with these awesome instructors, but as of next month, there will be no more.  I started classes back in May 2012 and was instantly hooked by the strength I gained, sweat I gave, and most importantly the incredible community of women {and a few special men} that I was instantly welcomed in to.  Throughout the years I spent birthdays there, made some amazing lifelong friendships, felt inspired and encouraged, celebrated milestones, and went through some of life's biggest moments with those friends by my side.  I will forever be indebted to these women {especially Bev, Maika, and Quyen} who have pushed me harder than I ever thought possible and taught me more about myself than I ever would've known.  Through many pairs of grippy socks and leggings they not only lifted my booty but lifted my spirits, and even though I took a quick year off in there, I came back craving that feeling of support and community - going back felt like going home.  This was the first real group of adult friends that I made on my own and I don't take for granted how unique and special it is to find a crew of women like this that build you up and share in all of life’s experiences.  I am forever thankful to have been blessed with this community for the past 8+ years and will always smile at the memories made, not just of the shaking and sweating but helping to shape me into the person I am today.  My heart is aching but also filled with such gratitude to these amazing people for that gift that I will never forget.  Thank you Bar Method - it’s been one helluva ride :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Biking to Golden Gardens

Saturday morning we knew we wanted to do something outside on the gorgeous sunny day so after throwing out a few options we decided on a bike ride out to Golden Gardens.  I hadn't been on my bike since last summer but, as they say, it's like 'riding a bike' so we headed out from my house on a loop that took us to Fremont, over the Fremont bridge, down by the canals to Ballard then through Shilshole Marina out to Golden Gardens.  I tried as best I could to keep up with the pro in front of me and appreciated his attempts at slowing down to stick with this slow poke :)  We didn't head all the way into the beach as it was way too packed for Covid times, so instead we sat on a bench with our masks on judging everyone else walking by without masks :)  After soaking up the sun and the fresh saltwater air we jumped back on the bikes and headed back the way we came, making for an almost 15 mile roundtrip ride - not bad for my first time back in a year!  It was a great way to get out and explore the city and to check another thing off our Summer To Do list :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie