Do You Know What You're Wearing on Friday?

My National Wear Red Day outfitDo you know what you're wearing on Friday?  I do!

This Friday, February 4th, is National Wear Red Day.  This annual event organized by the American Heart Association and Go Red For Women raises awareness about heart disease in women.  Heart disease is the number one killer of women, claiming the lives of over 433,000 American women each year.  It is also largely preventable. 

There's a lot that goes into staying healthy, but one thing that's key is being active.  So, on Friday, not only will I be wearing red to work as part of my office's annual National Wear Red Day fundraiser, I'll also be wearing red to work out.  I've recruited a few friends to join me, and I hope you will, too. 

I'll be wearing my Go Red For Women tank (pictured above and available here) and doing a workout at CrossFit Metropolis. 

Stay tuned for more information on National Wear Red Day and more outfit and workout inspiration throughout the week.  If you've got your outfit all picked out, I'd love to see it!

-Gym Belle-

The Total: The Movie

Untitled from Gym Belle on Vimeo.

Yesterday, I did the Total, which I hadn't done since October.  Here's how it broke down:

Backsquat

• First attempt: 95 lbs
• Second attempt: 105 lbs
• Third attempt: 115 lbs - fail

Press

• First attempt: 55 lbs
• Second attempt: 60 lbs - fail
• Third attempt: 60 lbs - fail

Deadlift

• First attempt: 145 lbs
• Second attempt: 155 lbs
• Third attempt: 165 lbs

Total = 325

I'm pretty sure I could've gone heavier on the deadlift, but that's where I fell apart last time, so I didn't want to take chances.  Next time I'll go heavier.  I'll be doing this workout again in about six weeks, so I'll keep you posted.

-Gym Belle-

Hot Power Yoga on a Cold Winter's Day

This week, I stepped in countless deeper-than-I-realized melted snow/ice puddles.  I got sprayed by cars racing through them.  I slipped on brown snow banks.  Gloves, hats, scarves and boots can only do so much.  I showed up to the office wet, and arrived home shivering.  By the time I went to Hot Power Yoga yesterday afternoon, I was sick of the snow and cold from the inside out.

The class was part of a special event hosted by Self Magazine at Pure Yoga.  I signed up earlier this month because Pure Yoga instructors tend to be pretty awesome, and I hadn't yet visited the west side location.  I'm so glad that I went.  The class was fabulous, and I can't tell you how good it felt to be warm and sweaty. 

As an added bonus, attendees received a copy of this month's Self Magazine, Aveeno shampoo and a three-day pass to Pure Yoga.  And, Jess from Fit Chick in the City had randomly signed up for the very same class that I had.  Hot yoga is even toastier with a friend.

Stay warm out there!

-Gym Belle-