Last year, I posted my 2010 DSB Year in  Review. I just started working on the 2011 DSB Year in review yesterday so I’ll be able to post it next week. At first, I was a little concerned because 2010 was such a big year for me and my blog, and I thought I wouldn’t have anything worthwhile for 2011. But as I went through each month, I realized that is not true at all. Isn’t it weird how all our memories of the year merge together?  One of the reasons I’ve come to love blogging is because it lets me really dissect my year month by month, and I’m reminded of how many really great things have happened this year. But I’ll get to all that next week.

I may have spent another unproductive weekend on the couch. Although in my defense I did get up to take Core Fusion Cardio on Saturday and Refine Method on Monday, and to continue my Jewish family tradition of going to the movies and eating Chinese food on Christmas Day this past Sunday.

Something that bothered me during and after marathon training was that my jeans stopped fitting. I cut back on my strength workouts and ate less healthy meals, and once the race was over I of course wanted to get back to my normal. I got pretty close, even being able to wear the jeans once (though they were admittedly not as comfortable as last year). But then I got a cold and spent more time lazing, less time working out, and now I am back to not being able to get them on. It really is quite the vicious cycle, and even though I have a relatively small frame, I am not immune.

So now I get serious again. Right now, that means a mix of Refine Method, Core Fusion Cardio and Core Fusion Yoga. Also, Core Fusion Boot Camp (which I like to call Core Fusion Fusion), although it’s not on the schedule often. I also have a month of Figure 4 at Pure Yoga to use at some point. Because of my hip injury, I still can’t take regular Core Fusion. And honestly, I don’t know that I will ever be able to again. And I’m OK with that.

But I love the workouts I can do. And the thing about Refine is that Brynn Jinnett, the founder, constantly makes changes and tweaks the class based on what she sees working and what she learns and researches about exercise (sometimes she writes about it on the Refine blog). Because of that, the class has gone through a number of changes since I started taking it last year, and they all make the workout that much better. I took a couple months off during training and when I came back things were more different than usual. And if it is possible, I love the workout even more. The most remarkable thing about my absence was coming back and seeing all the same people I normally see at Refine — but the change in the way they look is astounding. It is amazing how well this class works and it’s also amazing how out of cardio shape I am in. I can run a marathon and feel great the entire time, but make me do an intense cardio burst at Refine and I feel like I’m going to pass out.

[Me at Refine, all smiles. That girl is next to me in almost every single class. Photo by Erica Sara]

This goes to show how much I have to improve at Refine, and I think it will help with my running too because I’ll get used to pushing myself harder. One of my goals for 2012 is to PR the half marathon distance, but I have a specific time in mind that I’m not ready to share yet. But I’m in no way ready because I never really worked very hard or did speed work.

The workout highlight of my week, however, will be Phish Yoga. I’m excited to have the day off from work and to take the class with Missy and Cameo. When I stopped writing for NBC New York, it was a huge relief not to have to take classes that I didn’t want to or that I might not love when I could be at a class that I know I love, and that I know would be a great workout. But I still like to try the classes I actually want to try, and that includes most music-themed yoga and spinning classes. I love my Beatles Yoga and I have a feeling this class will really be something special. I haven’t been so excited about a new class in a very long time. And the fact that it’s a special workshop and not a regular class makes it that much more exciting.

The long-winded point I am trying to make:  I want to devote 2012 to workouts I truly love and want to do. No more wasting efforts on workouts I don’t care about — even if I might be missing something great.

I hope everyone had a really great holiday weekend and has a wonderful New Years!

On January 2, 2010 my life changed. Sounds dramatic, I know, but it’s true. That is the day I began the Core Fusion Challenge. That is  the day I became a person who actually enjoys exercising. That is the day

Over these last two years, I’ve learned a few things about myself that I’m not sure I would have known otherwise.

I am stubborn
I think I sorta knew this before, but the extent did not show until I got into exercise. When I started doing half marathons, I slacked on my training because I didn’t want to give up any classes. I loved the workouts and I loved the results and I loved being so comfortable there and knowing exactly what I was doing. And then when I injured my hip last year (read about it here and here), I kept taking Core Fusion even though a few exercises in that class made my hip hurt more. I had worked so hard to get where I was that I just couldn’t imagine stopping and losing all that. It was incredibly stupid.

I am lazy
OK I already knew this. But what I didn’t know is that I could simultaneously be both an exercise addict — and by this I mean I spend an inordinate amount of time on the Refine, Core Fusion and now FlyWheel schedulers planning and figuring out which classes I can take and at what time, I take class almost every day, I push myself hard in these classes, I train for a marathon — yet I am also so lazy that when I am in bed and want to read, I don’t. Because my Kindle is in my bag. On the floor.

That is the same reason I never wear my glasses.

I am an underachiever
Contradictory to what I said above, but it’s true. I mean, look at my marathon. I had it in me to run a 4:33 marathon but I didn’t ever train very fast. I didn’t think I could. I thought I was a relatively slow runner, and I nurtured that. I do the same thing in my classes too. I think something will be too hard for me so I half-ass it or take some easy way out. Then after, I realize I could have done it or I should have tried.

[Finish line at Richmond Marathon]

I like pushing myself
Despite being an underachiever, it turns out I do also like pushing myself. Contradictory but true. I never thought I was someone who wanted to test her limits. Until I started Core Fusion (and eventually Refine) I truly believed I was happiest in comfort. The comfort of the couch, the comfort of the bed, the comfort of coming home after work and doing nothing. Turns out I was wrong. There is absolutely nothing like the adrenaline rush of pushing myself in a class, and the rewarding feeling that comes when I see progress and improvement. The day I could hold a plank for the entire time in Core Fusion was nothing short of amazing. Same goes for the day I officially switched from modified knee pushups to real, straight-leg pushups.  Or the day I stopped using two-pound weights for good in Core Fusion. (And now I no longer pick up threes). And I wasn’t even happy to call it a day there –these achievements made me want to push harder. The more I improved, the more I wanted to improve even more.

[At Core Fusion]

I am tough on myself
Ridiculously so. Let’s say I am in a class doing a set of exercises. If when we finish I realize I could have pushed myself harder, I  get mad at myself. I mentally beat myself up. I go home and continue to lament on dailymile. Then I forget about it and the next day the cycle resumes.

[Photo - At Refine Method]

I like routine
I actually never realized this until working out became part of it. Part of the reason I thrived so much (seriously, I became like a different person) once these classes became part of my life is because of the routine and structure they gave me. Exercise was a constant, something I automatically included in my day. I loved it.

Have you learned anything about yourself through exercise?

Thank you for your amazing response to my Bing: Friends Matter video! It was so exciting to film this!  I want to write a post at some point about the filming process. I am still finding an excuse in every conversation I have with people to work the video in, and this counts in online conversations too, but I can’t say I’m sorry because this is almost as exciting as Hurricane Irene giving me a reason to stay inside for two full days eating homemade tacos.

OK back to regularly scheduled blogging.

It is no secret that I love the Core Fusion Cardio class at exhale spa. It is not only one of my favorite classes, but one of three classes in the world I don’t think I could ever give up.

So when I was asked to attend a rehearsal section of the making of the Core Fusion Cardio – Pure Intensity DVD, I was so excited. I wanted to go to the actual filming but I had to work. The rehearsal was so much fun though! You never really think about the coordination and revision that goes into creating the actual DVD that you work out to. I saw lots of changes and compromises. My favorite part was when Core Fusion co-founders Fred and Elisabeth, and three of my Core Fusion teachers had to stay in the curl position for a VERY long time because they didn’t realize how long that section originally was. As their student who they torture with this position, it was nice to see them get a nice little taste of their own medicine. <evil laugh>

[See the struggle?]

Knowing what exactly went into creating this DVD, I was more excited than usual to receive my copy for free to review earlier this summer. And once my roommate moved out and I took over her former bedroom as my new office/living room/exercise room I was finally able to work out in the comfort (but not air conditioning) of my home.

[A behind the scenes look of how Core Fusion Cardio - Pure Intensity was made. See Fred & Lis in the mirror.]

The DVD is divided into six 10-minute segments. While you technically can do each segment on its own, I wouldn’t advise it unless you were really strapped for time. Core Fusion Cardio is meant to be done as one full-length class, and you will get the most benefits and best workout (and most sweat) if you opt to play it continuously without intros.

Section 1: Energy Moves

This is a dynamic stretching warm-up. Don’t skip this part — the stretches are specifically designed to help loosen up the muscles you will be using during the exercises.

Section 2: Cardio Flow

Your workout starts to heat up here as you learn the mountain climbers (plank runs), Cardio Sun Salutation, do some twisty planks and mix side planks with push-ups. You also pick up your weights and combine pulsing yoga poses in Warrior I and Warrior II with upper-body strength exercises like bicep curls, lat pulldowns and more. This section sets the stage for the rest of the workout. This is where it all begins!

[Core Fusion teacher Barbara guiding Lis, Micaela, Tammy and Catherine on their bicep curls in Warrior II]

Section 3: Power Flow

This is the meat of the class, and the exact reason I LOVE Core Fusion Cardio so very much. The step-back lunges combined with upper body weight work is killer! You’ll also do a punching sequence and lunges — all with the weights — in addition to Warrior III glute work and tricep kickbacks. Did I mention that mountain climbers are interspersed between these all?

[Rehearsing the punching segment - One of my favorites!]

[Barbara instructing Fred and Lis on their step-back lunges]

Section 4: Power Sweat

It is funny to me to hear the names of each section, because in class it is just one long sequence. In this section the pulsing is in a wide second position while doing bicep curls and arm raises before doing kind of a “running man” move by lunging and moving your arms with the weights. More mountain climbers, of course, and the “speed skater” exercise — signifying the end of the madness — which looks exactly like it sounds. This combines tricep and glute work. You’ll end with 64 mountain climbers in a row, a plank, and a much needed child’s pose.

[This looks like the Running Man. 1991 anyone?]

Speed Skater:

[There are weight in their hands. Good stuff.]

Section 5: Cardio Curl

After the nonstop intensity of Core Fusion Cardio, getting on the floor for the curl is actually a relief! If you’ve done Core Fusion DVDs before, you are familiar with the curl — but this time you use weights. And it is a great sequence. Just push through it, the worst is already behind you!

[If you don't get your leg as straight as Lis's, you fail. Just kidding.]

Section 6: Bonus Stretch

This section feels SO good. Again, these stretches are specifically chosen because of the muscles you work in this DVD. Do this section. You will enjoy winding down to the stretches that your body needs.

The Core Fusion Cardio Pure Intensity DVD is like a crunched up version of the live class. But the important part is,the DVD IS just like the live class that I love so much. The class I find one of the best workouts I have ever done in my life. One of the only classes I refuse to miss. So while no DVD can compare to a live class, this is pretty close and an incredible option for at home or travel. I highly recommend you try it yourself. You will sweat, and you will get stronger. The DVD costs just $13.49 on Amazon and yes, that is my affiliate link. A great price considering a single live class can cost up to $35.

Or, you can win a copy right here.

First, a preview:

Want a free copy of what I think is the best workout DVD I’ve ever done? 

Core Fusion Cardio – Pure Intensity Giveaway

1. For one entry, leave a comment telling me the best workout DVD YOU have ever tried. I want to know what’s good now that I have a small exercise room for myself!

2. For a bonus entry, tweet: Win a free #CoreFusion Cardio – Pure Intensity DVD from @dysterious http://bit.ly/pdJpJE

I will announce the random winner next week. Good luck!