To say that the past two weeks have been trying would be a vast understatement. Getting up every morning at 6:15 to be in the saddle ready to ride at 7 AM is not for the faint of heart, making my fellow Challengers a very special group of people. As a unit, we braved and surpassed our physical limits daily, which (perhaps unexpectedly) led to some mental and emotional revelations, as well. Here’s what some of the other CYCos had to say about the road trip:
What was your favorite Challenge moment?
“When Jared said ‘morning sex’ was his challenge motivation.” -Caroline
“The final hill in Keoni’s class on Thursday. I went in with some serious emotions to sweat out. I felt really challenged physically and emotionally all through class and really wanted to stop at some points, but the beat of the music and his encouraging words didn’t make that an option. By the end of the hill I just started crying – it was the most awesome, healing, much-needed moment of release I could have asked for.” -Jessica
“I have really enjoyed the community aspect of CYC and getting stronger together as a team.” -Rachel
What’s something you learned during the Challenge?
“I learned that keeping up the fight through fatigue actually makes things easier. Monday felt like a breeze compared to last week, so I added on bigger turns and bumped up to the 2lb weights today” -Jessica
“Since the start of the Challenge, I’ve learned that my body doesn’t really have the boundaries I’ve always set for it – I can push harder than I thought, wake up at 7am and be okay, and train my body to know that pain is only temporary.” -Danielle
“It’s easier to get through the early morning work-outs if you try to smile through it.” -Caroline
What changes did you make during the Challenge?
“I went into the challenge wanting to get back into my regular cardio routine post-holidays and maybe shave off a couple champagne-soaked pounds. Not only was I 7lbs lighter this morning than I was the day the challenge started, but I unexpectedly changed my eating and social habits as well. I wanted to feel my very best in class every morning so I could soak up every bit of work and fun possible, so I found myself going to bed by 930p every night, saving my wine for the weekend and paying more attention to what I ate and how I felt in class afterwards, tweaking throughout the week to find my best fuel source. It was awesome! I’m super disappointed that it’s coming to an end this week – can’t wait for another challenge to kick off ASAP!” -Jessica
“Getting up to sweat so early in the morning gave me a firsthand understanding of how important a big, balanced breakfast is. I don’t go to class on an empty stomach anymore, and I feel like that’s been setting the tone for the rest of my days to be healthier overall.” -Caroline
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Does reading those responses get you CYC’d? Register RIGHT now at CYC Fitness and sign up for your first class (it’s free)! Experience Austin’s healthiest addiction for yourself and I bet I’ll be seeing you in the next Challenge.
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This morning marked the beginning of the CYC Fitness 10,000 Calorie Challenge. Depending on your attitude toward exercise, you may view two weeks of 7 AM spin classes as a great way to nab that spring break bod, or, alternatively, as a complete submission to insanity. If you’re a CYC Challenge member or grade A slender student, then I’m going to assume you’re part of the former group and this post is for you.
Fueling up before a morning workout is a tricky beast, but after doing some research, I’ve set these guidelines for myself that will get me through the 10K Calorie Challenge. If you attended the Slender Student + Kitchenability event, then you might already be familiar with these general rules. Here’s my morning timeline:
6:15 AM: alarm goes off; I think about snoozing it; I remember I’m going on a cruise over spring break; I shed one single tear; I get out of bed to do the things humans do upon waking up
6:30 AM: eat a small banana (I’ll explain why in a sec) and sip on water until I’m hydrated but not bloated
7:00 – 7:50 AM: do work at CYC; burn like a zillion calories; sweat through my tank top; leave CYC looking like I’ve just been tortured, but feeling like this
8:10 AM: get back home and straight chow on some overnight oats that I prepped the night before (recipe & explanation why below)
So what makes it worthwhile to break up your breakfast like this if you’re working out early in the morning? Think about it, while you sleep, you’re not eating (unless Ambien is making you do some strange things). This means that when you wake up, your blood glucose is at fasting level. Work out while your body is in that state, and you’re basically running on empty. No bueno. Add a banana (or any fruit, all natural fruit juice, or other fast carbohydrates) to your morning (about 30-60 minutes before your workout) in order to restore your glucose levels and give you something to charge your body. Drink up, too. You’re probably dehydrated after 6-8 hours of shut eye.
My overnight oats recipe is the perfect post-workout breakfast for a number of reasons. First of all, the protein (from the oats and protein powder) will help re-build the muscles that you just tore up during your workout. Secondly, the fat, fiber, and whole grains (from the almond milk and oats, respectively) will fill you up until lunch. My oats of choice these days consist of: 1/2 C instant oats, 1/2 C unsweetened almond milk, 1/2 scoop or 2 T whey protein powder, and 1/2 C blueberries mixed up and refrigerated the night before in a small, portable container.
If you’re feeling a bit more creative, check out my recipe for PB Banana Overnight Oats.
Now, who’s CYCd for tomorrow’s spin + yoga class?
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Have a cooking, nutrition, fitness, or totally random question for The Slender Student? Ask away!
How many of you told yourselves that you’re going to cook more this coming semester? Whether you want to save money or calories, getting in the kitchen guarantees both, but it can be easier said than done. For that reason, today marks the opening of a giveaway for 3 copies of Kitchenability 101, a cookbook designed for college students and other busy people with limited time, space, or money. The coolest part of this book is that author and chef, Nisa Burns, is only 21-years-old, so she knows exactly how to teach you the skills you need to utilize what you’ve got.
And, if you’re lucky enough to be in Austin, join Nisa and I on Wednesday, January 16 at 7:30 at CYC Fitness for a demo of easy, portable breakfasts to fuel you throughout your day. We’ll be giving away samples, tips, and other Kitchenability and CYC goodies! You really don’t want to miss this, so mark your calendars!
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post, telling me why you want to up your “kitchenability” this semester. Want a second entry to increase your chances of winning? Instagram a picture of a slender meal you’ve prepared, tag me (@theslenderstudent) and include #kitchenability in the caption!
Rules:
1. All entries must use a valid e-mail address.
2. Open to U.S. residents with a valid mailing address.
3. Comments must be entered before Tuesday, January 15 at 3:00 PM central time.
4. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Tuesday, January 15 at 8:00 PM central time.
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Everyone’s got one. That relative, or friend, or vague acquaintance that you have to get a gift for, but nothing seems appropriate. You don’t know their style, their size, or what they already have. And gift cards can be so impersonal… Unless you get them a gift card with meaning. A gift card to promote their journey to slenderhood! Here are some of my ideas:
1. Offer a chance to try a new fitness class from a studio like CYC or The Bar Method, my fitness classes of choice this year. Don’t have either one in your city? Browse online for other spin, yoga, pilates, barre, or dance studios. You’re bound to find something.
2. Give them the opportunity to treat themselves with some sweet gear from Lululemon, Sports Authority, REI, or Whole Earth. I’m sure your friend will appreciate working up a sweat in something other than their high school swim team shirt from 2008.
3. Suggest that they try a cooking class at Whole Foods, Central Market, or Sur la Table. This is the kind of activity that people always talk about doing, but never actually do. Give ‘em a nudge.
4. With a gift card from My Fit Foods, your friend can finally see what all the fuss is about. Maybe he or she will even get a jump start on that New Year’s resolution to finally lose those 7 pounds.
Are none of these doing the trick? Do a little digging and find a rock climbing studio or bike rentals in your city and buy a gift card from there. There’s no reason why gifts you give others (or the gifts you put on your wish list) should be counterproductive to anyone’s journey to slenderhood. Send any more ideas you have this way!
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