Back in the [spin] saddle

Hi friends! How’s the morning going?

It’s like P knew it was my first day back teaching, because Sunday night, she slept through the night. It’s the third time it’s happened, and it’s always a fluke so I’m not even worried about writing about it and jinxing it haha. But, I’m grateful to her for throwing us a solid so I could get back into the teaching game after a solid chunk of sleep!

Going back to teaching spin, I was nervous about two things:

1) How am I going to ride a bike for an hour again? Going into it, I’d only taken HALF a spin class during my maternity leave. I figured I may have to get off the bike and walk around a bit, since my cardio endurance is no where near where it used to be. 

2) I needed to have a KILLER playlist. I had a feeling class would be packed after New Years, and I always work as hard as I can to get the resolutioners to stick around. The goal: make class equally fun and challenging, with awesome music.

Spin bikesHere’s what ended up happening:

I lasted the whole class, and it felt AWESOME. I just scaled it back a little towards the end and didn’t need to get off the bike. I missed teaching and it was good to be back!FullSizeRender 15

Surprisingly, I didn’t have ANY resolution-ers in the class. It was full, but with the diehard A-team that is always there. I missed them a lot. 

It’s been so long since I’ve made a playlist, I was so excited to put a new one together with some of my current faves and classic workout power songs.

Here’s what was on the list:

 

2 Spin classes down this week, 2 barre classes to go. *fist bump emoji*

Some pics from lately:

Thai takeout from Suppannee House (THE BEST), which was perfect for the cold and rainy weather we’ve had this week.

Thai food

Lunch date with Betsy at Fig Tree.

Fig tree

(Portobello sandwich on gf bread, which had arugula, goat cheese and hummus + vegan tomato soup. We also had their ginger kombucha, but it was kind of meh.)

The gym’s famous pugs. They said they wanted to come home with me.

The pugs

This funny goose.

Miss p

I still can’t believe Liv will be 4 tomorrow! Someone hold me.

Making cookies

Have a great day <3

xoxo

Gina

We are still putting together the landing page and info for Post Baby Bod! I should have it up and ready to go on Monday! Preorders will last one week and include. Keep your eyes open. 🙂

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34 Comments

  1. April on January 7, 2016 at 6:32 am

    Sending a ‘fist pump’ emoji your way Gina, you rock and so glad it felt good:) And OMG, my son knew when i went back to work too and blessed me with STTN at that exact time…it is the best huh?!?!

  2. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine on January 7, 2016 at 6:40 am

    Spin never fails to leave you feeling great and empowered afterwards!!!
    Pugs <3
    And happy early birthday to Liv!! That's crazy!!

  3. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby on January 7, 2016 at 6:44 am

    Happy it went well for you! I’m thinking of doing my spin certification soon!

  4. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on January 7, 2016 at 6:58 am

    Way to rock it on the first day back! After my car accident last year, I had assumed my endurance would be bad from just swimming and light biking. Surprisingly I was able to jump right into a spin class with zero problems. One of my triathlete friends told me swimming is really great for keeping up endurance. Who would have thought and there’s no sweating?

  5. Britt@MyOwnBalance on January 7, 2016 at 7:10 am

    Nice! So glad you had such a great post-baby spin class!

    The first time my son slept through the night, we both woke up and freaked out because we weren’t sure he was still alive (obviously he was!). It’s always such a blessing when you get a full night’s sleep!

    • Julie on January 7, 2016 at 10:13 am

      Ha ha I remember having the same reaction! 😀

  6. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona on January 7, 2016 at 7:32 am

    Congrats on a great first class back. Happy Birthday Liv!

  7. Gina on January 7, 2016 at 7:46 am

    Livi! Pups! Baby P! Congrats at kicking some major A$$ back at spin and Happy Birthday to Livi! Gina (from Mass)

  8. Aleah on January 7, 2016 at 8:05 am

    That spring roll is so pretty with the flower. Almost too pretty to eat 🙂 Well, if there was peanut dipping sauce involved I wouldn’t even think twice about it. Hooray for a smooth transition back to teaching, congrats!

  9. Dietitian Jess on January 7, 2016 at 8:07 am

    Just took my first ever barre class this morning and really liked it! I just signed up for classpass so hopefully trying out some new spinning studios as well! good luck getting back into it!

  10. Anna @ THE POSH BODY on January 7, 2016 at 8:57 am

    That spring roll is gorgeous! Such a fun idea to use edible flowers 🙂

  11. confused on January 7, 2016 at 8:59 am

    huh? what will preorders include?

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2016 at 10:01 am

      a free meal plan

  12. Julie on January 7, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Way to go at Spin class! That’s impressive! I’m also surprised there were no resolutioners. Those pugs are too cute! And I can’t believe Liv is 4 either! Time FLIES!

  13. Jessie R on January 7, 2016 at 10:23 am

    Way to hop back in the saddle! Loving the playlist :), Till It Hurts by Yellow Claw has been one of my favorites lately. A killer playlist is an absolute must! Happy Birthday Liv!!

  14. Amy S on January 7, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Sounds like you killed it for your first class back! Awesome job!!!!!

  15. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me on January 7, 2016 at 11:37 am

    YAY! Look at you rocking it PP! You are so incredible Gina, and I am thrilled this went so well for you! Sending lots of love, and I cannot wait for the day when I get to take one of your classes (which I’m looking into right after I publish this comment)!

    Happy early birthday to your beautiful Liv!

  16. Maria on January 7, 2016 at 11:48 am

    Hi Gina! Happy birthday to Liv! Time passing is both a blessing and curse. I’m really interested in your post baby bod program. I just had a few questions: How long is the program? And what’s the difficulty level like? Right now I’m following the Tone it Up challenge, but I’m finding the workouts to be kind of meh…more geared toward someone just getting back into fitness. Even though I just had a baby two months ago, I’m still looking for a challenge.

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2016 at 11:52 am

      it’s 12 weeks. it may not be the one for you, because it starts off very easy and progresses into more hiit and circuit style intervals, but not until the 3rd 4-week module. i set it up very strategically to avoid worsening diastasis and going too fast too soon, and also setting up a solid routine which is hard to do after baby. i’ll have an advanced version next that may be more up your alley, but it’s meant to be completed after the base 12-week plan is done

  17. Kristina on January 7, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Have you thought about getting Spotify for your playlists?! It’s amazing!

  18. alissa on January 7, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Since we’re (you’re) talking about play lists – I’m curious about how you do your barre play lists? Do you use 32 count music? I find that 32 count music helps me keep count of reps, but it’s not my preference of music to listen to. Just curious how you do it – – and if you try to stay with a beat at all.
    Congrats on getting back to teaching. For me, going back after baby was so intimidating! And I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to talk/do at the same time. Luckily, I think adrenaline helps a lot. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2016 at 12:55 pm

      at our barre studio, they do all of the playlists for us. it’s nice because they go into the next song seamlessly and pretty much keep the same beat for the whole class. i do stay on beat during barre. and yes, totally afraid about teaching that one again tonight! i agree that adrenaline kicks in and makes it happen, but still nervous

  19. Jade Peterson on January 7, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    Great job, Gina! I love that you’re always so open about sharing your experiences and serving as a positive role model for women! It may just be my computer, but I’m not seeing the playlist you used. I’d love to see…always looking for new songs to use in my own spin classes. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on January 7, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      thank you so much, jade! that is weird- it’s showing up here. let me know if you want me to email you the list!

      • Jade Peterson on January 7, 2016 at 3:01 pm

        I just pulled it up on Safari ( I usually use Chrome), and it is totally fine. So, must be something with my security features on Chrome. All good…some great songs. Thanks so much!

  20. Erika S. on January 7, 2016 at 1:16 pm

    Yay for making it through the entire hour…! I always find I am much stronger than I think…mind/matter!

    I love Dillon Francis & Yellow Claw! You may like +1 by Martin Solveig or Sing (PSY mix) w/Ed Sheeran.

  21. Samantha on January 7, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    good job on your first day back at instructing! 🙂 way to go

  22. Heather @ fit mama real food on January 7, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    Glad the first class back went well! It always feels so good and energizing to get back into teaching again after having a baby. A packed class makes it even better too 🙂

  23. Sam @ Startup Housewife on January 7, 2016 at 4:16 pm

    Wow, little Lady P’s eyelashes are so long! LOL.

    I can’t believe Liv will be 4 tomorrow. I’m an everyday reader but only occasional commenter. I have been reading your blog for YEARS – longer than I realized as I was here well before you announced you were pregnant with Liv. Wow! Time flies!

    Happy birthday to her and good job on your spin class!!

  24. Mary on January 7, 2016 at 6:20 pm

    I miss spin class! I want to go… I just joined a new gym and apparently the spin classes are SO coveted that you have to call the day before at like 5 am to reserve a bike. Dang.

  25. Julia@yogawinehappiness.com on January 8, 2016 at 3:40 am

    It must feel so great to be back in the swing of things!!

  26. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen on January 8, 2016 at 4:14 am

    That is so awesome that you made it through the entire class!!! 🙂

  27. Paolo U on January 8, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    I remember when I used to go to the gym. I never failed to do the spin , which could last for an hour. I really felt great those times and it really improve my physique.

  28. Jessica on January 10, 2016 at 9:23 am

    Thanks for sharing your spin list! I’ve been back in the saddle teaching for the last two months (no baby, just a move to South Orange County) and music is everything! I’ve never heard of Yellow Claw before, but checked them out after reading this post and really like their jams. Thanks for the inspiration! My classes will be happy, too!

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