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.
Here’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!
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.
Lunch date with Betsy at 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.
This funny goose.
I still can’t believe Liv will be 4 tomorrow! Someone hold me.
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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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?!?!
Spin never fails to leave you feeling great and empowered afterwards!!!
Pugs <3
And happy early birthday to Liv!! That's crazy!!
Happy it went well for you! I’m thinking of doing my spin certification soon!
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?
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!
Ha ha I remember having the same reaction! 😀
Congrats on a great first class back. Happy Birthday Liv!
Livi! Pups! Baby P! Congrats at kicking some major A$$ back at spin and Happy Birthday to Livi! Gina (from Mass)
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!
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!
That spring roll is gorgeous! Such a fun idea to use edible flowers 🙂
huh? what will preorders include?
a free meal plan
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!
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!!
Sounds like you killed it for your first class back! Awesome job!!!!!
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!
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.
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
Have you thought about getting Spotify for your playlists?! It’s amazing!
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. 🙂
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
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. 🙂
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!
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!
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.
good job on your first day back at instructing! 🙂 way to go
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 🙂
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!!
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.
It must feel so great to be back in the swing of things!!
That is so awesome that you made it through the entire class!!! 🙂
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.
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!