random thoughts.

-Xtend Barre. It's amazing. Burned the entire time. Loved it. The first week was free classes (regularly classes are $20 - which means I sadly won't be back, I can't afford that). Your first class is free! If you want a good mix of dance and pilates I highly recommend.

-Gavin DeGraw and Colbie Caillat. I saw them in concert twice this summer. Dallas and Vegas. LOVE them. They wrote a song together.

-J.Crew. Pretty picture.

-BYU basketball. Triple Date Night. Mom and Dad, Seth and Jenn, Taylor and me. (Sadly we forgot our camera so phone photos will have to do). and I had an amazing sandwich at JCW's - turkey avocado swiss. HIGHLY recommend.

-aBree Fashion. In case you haven't stopped by here are some recent outfit pictures. Be sure to follow!

 -Cutting Fashion. Only a couple weeks away. February 9th! All looks completed this weekend!!! Yay. Then I can concentrate on wedding plans. I love my models. I love my designs. I love this opportunity. I am super excited. and I just designed my business cards!

(sneak peak)

-Wedding. 103 days. 

Pilates Workout

Here are a few of my favorite Pilates moves (that I remembered to write down after class). I love my teacher, Shar, come take her class at The Academy. I take her class at Riverside County Club but you have to go with a member or be a member to take class. I've only been a couple times to The Academy and it is AWESOME!

CARDIO

30 sec jumping jacks

30 sec burpees (in step 4 you actually jump off the floor)

30 sec mountain climbers

alternate legs back and forth

30 sec high knees

Repeat 3 times for a total of 6 minutes of death

HAMSTRINGS

Place foot on medicine ball (I didn't have one at home)

16x right leg up, lift up and down with hips

16x keep hips us and with right leg lift up and down, point and flex

switch legs and repeat both sets with left leg up

Go back to right leg lifted up in the air and hold (left foot still on medicine ball)

1 set: 45 sec

2 set: 45 sec

3 set: 45 sec

4 set: 1 minute and 30 sec

(rest between each set for 10-15 sec, can rest longer before set 4)

Then switch to your left leg and repeat

ABS/BACK

Crunches 16x each position

Right leg crossed over left, both legs straight

Right leg bent and crossed over left leg, left leg straight, bring up right knee in crunch

Keep right knee up and grab behind the knee with hands, keep same position in crunch

Sit on bum with both knees up and elbows supporting your weight on the floor, connect elbows in front and release back to the floor

Repeat all for exercises with left leg

16x butterfly crunches, only lifting chest

16x butterfly crunches, only lifting legs

16x butterfly, lifting both chest and legs

16 x lay on stomach - lift chest and legs off and scissor legs

16x lay on stomach - arch back to reach feet and back down

 
GLUTES

16x fire hydrant (with weight 2-3 lbs) - 3 sets

16x keep knee parallel and lift up - 2 sets

Clothing from Jo&Jax

The past two days...

Have been wonderful! 

I treated myself and my body to...

On Tuesday:

45 minute workout

(weights and workout 2)

+

An hour massage

+

A free contemporary dance class at UVU 

(It has been FOREVER since I have really danced, teaching doesn't count)

+

Some designing/sketching 

(while getting hooked on Pretty Little Liars (thank you Netflix and Bain)

On Wednesday:

45 minute workout

(workout 3)

+

40 minute stretch in my 231 class I teach

+

More designing and sketching (and PLL)

+ 

1.5 hour Pilates class (for free)

(first timers at The Academy get a free class! and after it is only $5/class)

((My first time using the reformer as opposed to just mat training - LOVED IT))

+

1 hour (advanced) Yoga class

(at The Academy)

I am going to be SO sore tomorrow!!! 

But it was so refreshing and I mentally and emotionally needed it so very badly.

Fitness Journal - workout 3

 Jenn, my personal trainer, made this workout for me and I LOVE IT! Try it and see if you like it, if you want a workout that is made specifically for you and your body type - contact Jenn! jawoolstenhulme@gmail.com

Abs:

Frogs- Variation of Boat. Sit on glutes. Bring heels together into first position. Tuck your knees and bring in while bringing your chest to your knees.  20x

1,2 Bicycle-  Lift shoulder blades off mat. Tuck in right leg and extend left leg straight out and off mat. With hands tuck in right leg and gently push on knees 1 the 2 then switch legs. This is a quick motion work out.  25/25x each side 

Rows- sit up on glutes. Tuck knees and bring soles of feet to the mat. Grab 2 to 5 pound weight. With both hands hold weight on ends. Sit back and bring weight down (leaning slightly back) and around, then bring over top and back up while sitting forward. You are creating a big O. Alternate sides with each row. 10/10x each side 

clockwise

Scissors: Lay on back with hands by sides. Bring legs up as if you were in staff pose but on your back. Make sure legs are not over hips. Cross right leg over left then left leg over right. At the same time lower your legs down to the mat till just above it then come back up still scissoring legs.  15x

clockwise

Abs, Arms, Glutes, Legs , Shoulders

Downward dog to upward dog- Start in Plank push back into heels and round back this is downward dog. Then very quickly move to plank then drop hips down but keep arms straight. Then quickly move back to down dog and repeat. 20x 

Wagon Wheel- Start in down dog. Then very slowly lower shoulders and bend arms and then before you make it into upward dog slowly arch back and move back to down dog. Repeat. When you are moving your body down the weight will go into your toes then when you move your body back up push weight into heels. 15x

clockwise

Off Set Push Up- Start in plank. Move right arm out but keep left arm at shoulder width. Then bend elbows down to 90 degrees then come back up. Alternate sides with sets. 10/10x each side

Push  Up Steps- Variation of Mt. Climber. Start in Plank then bend right leg and bring right foot outside of right hand. Hold then switch sides. That is one. Make sure you are not arching your back! Keep your abs tucked at neutral spine.  15/15x each side

and here is a nice lunch/snack for after your workout!

2 celery, 1 carrot, 1 apple, 1 radish + jalapeno yogurt dip, natural peanut butter

Fitness Journal - Workout 2

My second personalized workout from Jenn, my personal trainer. I also mix in my usual biceps/triceps weights, bum exercises, and ab workout on the side.

Repeat entire workout 3 times

Half Clock Work Abs- Laying on back bring right arm under head and left arm straight out to the side. Bring legs straight up (not over hips) inhale and bring legs down to the left side. Try to keep shoulder blades on mat while bringing legs as close to the ground. Bend legs while bringing glutes back to the mat and bring legs straight up. Inhale coming down and exhale when you bend legs and bring them up.  10x on each side

First Position Abs- Laying on back bring heels to gather and toes are pointed and out as if you were in “first position”. Inhale and bring legs up (not over hips) flex toes and exhale down. 20x

Roll Up- Lay on back flex feet and place heels on mat with arms over top. Tuck your tummy in slightly so there is no longer and arch in your back but do not have your back flat on the mat this is Neutral Spine. Slowly roll up vertebrae by vertebrae. Make sure you do not jolt when you come up! You are making your back work then letting those weaker ab muscles become stronger. Roll all the way forward and touch toes or calves. Slowly roll back vertebrae by vertebrae. You are still using those tummy muscles even when you come down. Come all the way down and exhale nice and slow. Feel your stomach contract and release creating that small arch in your back and stretching your muscles. Come back to neutral spine and repeat. Inhale up and down. Exhale when touching toes and on your back.  15x

Extended Bridge- On your back bend knees and place soles of feet on mat then place arms by your side with your palms down.  Push up with your hips and push weight into heels. Bring right leg straight up and point toes and hold. Then bring right ankle to left knee and hold.  Hold each leg position 30 seconds

Bird Dog series- Start on hands and knees (cow). Make sure you are not arching back or you will be putting too much pressure on your back and not be strengthening your core.  Bring right arm straight out and left leg with toes pointed. Hold. Bend left leg and grab left toe with right hand again do not arch back. Hold. Release right hand back to mat. Bend left leg and touch into chest and arch your back. Hold each position for 10 and repeat each side 2x

clockwise

Ballet Arms- Sit in heroes pose (on knees)  or stand. Bring arms straight out at the same time bounce arms very little up and down. Then bring palms facing up. Then Palms facing back. Then palms facing forward.  Do 100 each way (only palms facing down pictured).

Fitness Journal - Workout 1

I am finally on a very good routine! I teach from 8-8:50 then again from 10-10:50/11:15 depending on the day, so I have a nice hour in-between where I can work-out. I teamed up with my sister-in-law Jenn (who works as a personal trainer/yoga instructor) who is creating workouts for me (since I can no longer go to pilates and yoga class). I will post those workouts on my blog with pictures of the moves. If you want a more personal workout plan, contact Jenn directly through email (jawoolstenhulme@gmail.com) and she'll be more than happy to meet with you and set you up on a plan that works best for you and your body!

Workout 1- repeat entire routine 3 times

• Boat Modified: balance on bum, legs out, arms out, keep torso same then bend and straighten legs (heels together for more intensity) - 15x

• Bounded Angle Abs: lay on back, bring legs up, soles of feet together, bring hands between legs; pulse arms - 30x 

• Laying Crunches: lay all the way on floor, bring hands behind head, crunch up then twist to the right, then back to center, then down and switch sides - 30x (15 each side) 

clockwise

• Side Bridge Bicycle: With the leg up straighten front with pointed foot, bend through to flex foot, bring all the way around to point, GO SLOW, tuck to natural spine - 30x (15 each side) 

clockwise (excuse the one blurry picture)

• Trainers Plank Modified: on elbows straight right arm, left arm, then right elbow down, left elbow down. Tuck tummy, support back - 15x

clockwise

• Trainer Plank with Legs: on elbow lift right leg (point) then down (flex), lift left leg then down - 20x (10 each side)

• Bridge: lay on back and bend legs, push up, squeeze glutes and inflate (push out) stomach, slowly come up then down ((modified: brings arms over your head - it gets your heart rate up)) - 20x