Day 22

I haven't been gymming often for a good reason! I went to Singapore on Friday evening and only came back on Tuesday evening ... yup, for the GREAT SINGAPORE SALE. You can read about it on my main blog over here. Anyway, I walked a whole lot there, stayed at Rochor Rd and it was near Bugis Street / Suntec City Mall so we walked walked walked everywhere. And of course in Singapore, it was a whole lot more of walking and sightseeing. But don't let me fool you into thinking that I actually LOST weight on this trip. No sirree, we ATE a whole lot as well, and you know what? I think I'm getting quite a hearty appetite, even on days when there wasn't much activity, I was hungry as a horse! My colleagues said, "Hey, doesn't it seem like Leech is eating once every hour ??" SCARY!! And the cycling bit at Bedok Pier got cancelled. -___-"

Also, I carried a slingbag everywhere, aside from my essentials (read: wallet, ipod, handphone, camera, etc), I had a 1 liter bottle there... omg! I had a very bad sore back (right side), so I was silently weeping that I couldn't go to gym til it was healed properly.

So when I came back, I took two days rest, and the back still didn't feel good, especially when I had lots to carry (groceries) and I had to walk a bit of a distance... just a SHORT distance, like from the outdoors parking lot to my office. My back would start throbbing. Even worse is driving for long distances. After about 30 minutes of driving, my back would start throbbing again. You think I worried or not leh?

However, I couldn't just sit still, and on Friday, I ended up in the gym for Roland's Body Step class. I could've gone earlier, but it was @#$@# month-end + mid-year closing at the office, so I was tied up with some stuff. Felt so emo, because my work could've been done quickly, but due to misunderstandings and what not, ended up leaving 3 hours late. -__-" Anyway, Body Step was good, reverted back to previous releases already. Hey, my favourite warm up track is the If you want to do it, do it right song. It's so catchy and upbeat. Should be everyone's mantra from now on. No point doing things if you aren't doing it right, right?

But I was sooooo out of shape, it's scary! I think I BARELY made it to the end of the class. Must be something to do with the place I'm standing, because a LOT of people quit the class halfway / three quarters of the way through. Must be too stuffy or something. I also really had to push myself, and kept taking water breaks every song or so! O_o Anyway, I'm proud that I made it to the end... :)

Too bad I just didn't stay longer. :P

Day 21

Didn't go to the gym yesterday because I forgot to bring my socks! I'm gonna go to Singapore, and it's going to be 4 - 5 days without gym! XD However, we will be cycling at Bedok Pier, so maybe I won't end up feeling *too* fat. I forgot my socks again today, so I actually bought new ones during lunch @ Mines, otherwise I would feel really *itchy* to gym. ;)

I was too late for Body Pump (Seriously! I really intended to go! Honest!), so I ran for 25 minutes on the threadmill. This time ran up to 9.8kph! Woooh! And I didn't feel like fainting / dying, so I really think my stamina has gone up. I can go for marathons and what not! (shyeah right!)

Since I missed Pump, I decided to work out with weights on my own. To the ladies workout area it is! I did:
a. 25 x 4 adductor (both types) with 15lb.
b. 25 x 4 leg press with 30lb
c. 25 x 4 low row with 10lb (or was it 15?)... I realise I need to work the back & tricep too, but no machine at the ladies workout area...)

Then it was time for Capoeira. Although I missed last week's class, I found that I could follow his steps easier. His = instructor (dunno his name, class schedule outside says 'Manobrow', and I don't think he looks like a Manobrow, I apologise if that is indeed his name). There's less students compared to when they first launched it, but still quite a popular class (instructor leng chai mah!). I really need to work on the whole evasive-switch-step thingy. And of course, how the instructor manages to make those wonderfully sweeping kicks while ours are all rather ungracefully executed.

Otherwise, he's damn encouraging, as always. Even though we must look like a bunch of fools to him, he still goes, "That's right! That's great! Excellent!". Wahhh... so bangga. =)

As always, ended the class with the whole cartwheeling practice. I think I'm getting the hang of it. Must squat lower as the starting position.

Day 20

Yesterday I had to go to the tailor in Carrefour, so it was much easier to drop by Consplant instead of going all the way back to Taipan. Strange, how I used to think it was difficult to find parking in Taipan, but now I feel that its difficult to find (free) parking in Consplant. By the time I was done, I could only go for one class - Body Step with Jacky. So happy! I think I've written here before that his class is great because of his cues, and anyway, I kinda like the new Body Step release! For some reason, Jacky says its not so nice, but I think its quite good. Maybe people just feel weird about the vertical starting position (I know I felt that way too), but I think there's much more good stuff than bad. I've mentioned before which ones I like... the members of the class REALLY need to go and let go and dance during the happening recovery track la. It's so fun!!

Anyway, the funny part was that I went into the class with a light grey shirt, and left with a DARK grey shirt. Amazing! I never sweat so much in a Body Step class before. I think that the instructors in FF motivate me more to "push" further because I usually stand in front, but in TF, I can stand at the back and "tou kai" more. Must be more disciplined... ^^ Either that, or the studios are stuffier in FF so I sweat more. Hahaa. But the great feeling is that after the class, I didn't feel tired, felt like I could go for more classes, but there were no more. T_T

So I had some time to do the Body Fat Analysis test that is FREE in FF for members. I'm not sure, but based on the advertisement in TF, it sounds like you can only get an analysis if you are undergoing Personal Training. :( Why can't normal members get free analysis? How will I know if I'm getting more muscles or not? Like recently I feel like my weight has stagnated... if not for the BFA, I wouldn't know that these past 3 weeks, there *has* been *some small small* improvements, which is losing 0.2kg of fat and gaining 0.2kg of muscle. This kinda analysis, you can't tell from the weighing machine, because to you, you'll think that although you exercise more, there are no changes. -___-

So anyway, now I have 2kg of fat to lose before I attain 20% body fat... which is apparently quite fit ady because "most ladies age 24 have 25% body fat..." <--- instructor's words not mine. Of course, I intend to go lower than 20%... =) Uncle Sat Sau used to boast about his 10+% body fat. Athletic betul!

Day 19

Did THREE classes on Monday, but it wasn't that tough, not what you think. ;) The plan was to do Body Jam + Body Combat + Jazzercise, but ended up doing Body Step instead of Body Combat as Jam took a bit more time than anticipated and I was already paiseh walking in to Jam late (missed the warm up session). I think I'm getting more and more into the Body Jam new release. Previously didn't really like the pop & lock sequence for Fergalicious, especially all the head movements. I think I can get the sequence for that now. I *think*.

The performance sequence for Ring the Alarm and What Goes Around Comes Around is also really catchy. I still remember how cool it was during the Miracle launch when Azie would be singing, "And I'll be damned 'fore I catch another chick on your arm!". Haha, that's a really catchy line. ;) Anyway, Tina's class was pretty enjoyable, she really tried to hype us up, but I guess it was after work on a Monday so peeps were pretty quiet. :P

Body Step with Janet - back to the old tracks & releases! She only reverted to the new launch tracks when the board is horizontal, e.g: Goleo + Lumidee + Fatman Scoop's Dance and Nina Sky's Move Your Body... love it!). BTW, she mentioned that she was late because she can't find parking space... they should have special parking spaces for instructors! Pity them ya, they also have to rush back from their work place...

Lastly, went for Jazzercise with Natasha Y. I'm so happy to see that there's more and more people who are going for her class! Overheard some auntie telling her friend not to join because it was soooooo simple. So? It's still damn enjoyable and if you *really* do the steps and like what I wrote on my journal --- if you top it up a notch, you can REALLLLLLLLLY sweat a lot. I sweated like mad during the class, but I donno whether it's because it was after Body Step and I was feeling a bit tired already. Anyway, she did the same tracks as last week - I hope that it changes a little bit next time. I do like doing Deja Vu, Here It Goes Again, and most of the tracks, but still... want more variety mar... there's one song that's really nice and VERY taxing on our thighs & legs. It's got a damn nice soundtrack too --- it's called Hawaiian Rollercoaster, hehe.

Oh dear, need to visit the tailor. Don't know which day I'm willing to "sacrifice" my gym night to go to Carrefour instead. -__-"

Day 18

Went for Miracle 07 at Cineleisure Damansara @ The Curve. Already blogged about it here, so go there if you're interested to read what its all about! :D Body Combat & Body Jam releases, babeh!

Day 17

Was emo-ing a bit because I had some stuff to do at work, and caused me to miss my Pilates and Line Dancing. However, that would mean I was just in time for Body Step, which I was planning on skipping. :)

It was a good workout... this time Barney had someone to shadow him - Annie. I've noticed her in the class before, and she's really good. She didn't teach any of the tracks today, so can't comment on how good she is, but I think she'll be good la, she memang Step enthusiast. ^^

No other comments, except I LOVE THE recovery track!! Dance everybody!! Move everybody!

Day 16

My advice for you today : never ever go for conditioning exercises before a class. -__-" As usual, being my kiasu self, I couldn't just sit and relax before the Body Combat class with Terence today. I just *had* to go and do :
a. 25 x 4 calve extensions (with about 30lb weights)
b. 25 x 4 leg curl (about 15lb)... didn't have time to do leg extension. HAHA. Anyway, I need to work more on my quads anyway. :p
c. 25 x 4 leg press (about 30lb, one set with 40lb... insane!)

Why all the leg exercises? Cos I did the arms on Saturday mar. =p Anyway, it was a BAD idea... my goodness, I could hardly concentrate for most of BC, and its a shame. My first time doing the new release (#32, I think), so I should pay more attention. I was super lost, and you know me, when I'm lost, I don't really like the tracks, that I start to write off the entire release. Some more the calve extensions before the class was a REALLY BAD IDEA ok... sometimes really cannot lift my leg anymore, but still have to jump and bounce and kick and what not.

But this new release isn't that bad. There's lots of nice stuff about it, the only thing I didn't like was the cool down (which seems to me like a warm-up... -___-), the conditioning track (I honestly don't know what the chocolate fudge I'm doing...) and the new stances for the breathing. Damn confusing. But I like:
i. the circle track, it really *is* enjoyable. Terence refers to it as the "High School Musical track of BC". :D
ii. the final track ... My Chemical Romance's Welcome to the Black Parade. Gosh, I LOVE RUNNING TO THIS SONG on the threadmill, and the choreo for this track is simple but effective. Damn nice! Love it!~ =D
iii. how they're incorporating capoeira moves into BC. Ok, it's just the ginga, and that track was confusing as hell (I think the music was louder than the instructor who did today's class with Terence, anyway, couldn't hear her properly), but I'm sure that with practice it will look beautiful. :D
iv. the recovery track... soundtrack was nice, simple choreo.

... that's about it. But that's a lot right? I'm usually not enthusiastic about BC, and I really have been losing interest in it. Which means that the movement also not as hyped up and enthusiastic as it was last time. Which means less effective class. Which results in a vicious cycle of having more things to dislike about BC. I hope you get what I mean. Anyway, I'm gonna try breaking this cycle and doing more BC. Thing is, I'm so confused. I love EVERYTHING. I love Body Combat, Body Step, Body Attack (and I'm not boasting, but I think I'm alright in all 3.. :P).... so its very difficult for me to choose which class I want to go to. Currently it's Body Attack because I've never done it before this, so I want to do as much as I can all at once. But Body Attack really tires you out, after Body Attack, I cannot even DREAM of going for any other classes. So yeah, my point is that I really have to plan my gym classes carefully. :) *what a long story*

After BC, I went for a short (12 minute) walk on the threadmill. 6% gradient, 4.8kph only. Not to lose them calories, but just to do something before the Jazzercise class, that didn't involve straining more muscles. Anyway, I just want to say here that I FREAKING LOVE JAZZERCISE!!!!!!! It's right up there with Body Attack for nice new classes that I've tried in True Fitness. It's fun, and its something that I enjoy doing, which is the kinda mojo that I hope to regain for BC. I'm surprised that the class wasn't packed. Maybe because its at an inconvenient time slot (9:05pm - 10:05pm.. people wanna tidur la...)...

But anyway. In case you wanna know what is jazzercise, it's basically just simple dance / aerobic moves to the latest tracks. It's not really pure dance, but there are dance techniques involved. And it's not purely aerobic, because its not as high impact. Basically, it's just hella fun. And its easy to follow too. Today was my first class, but people think I'm a jazzercise enthusiast. :P And what I like about jazzercise is how the instructor (Natasha Y) also has conditioning and toning meshed in together with the choreography. At one point, we're actually lifting dumbbells! Aiyo, damn fun la.

Jazzercise every Monday from 9:05pm - 10:05pm from now onwards!! :D :D :D ((goodbye to Body Attack... :P))