Urban Oasis

Tucked away below one of the busiest streets in Chicago lies a hidden gem.   A place where you go to escape from the world above full of noise, chaos, stress, and to-do’s.    When you are down in this oasis, life seems to pause and your body immediately begins to relax.   

On President's Day,  I spent an hour away from the hustle and bustle from my everyday life and did something for me, which I rarely get to do these days.   As a gift from Mama Niehaus for planning her baby shower, she wanted to treat me to something special.    Mama Niehaus signed me up for a full body deep tissue massage at Urban Oasis Spa-  It was spectacular and I had a lovely masseuse named Rose.    She could tell my body is not only tense and tight but stressed.    She worked out the knots, warmed my muscles with heating pads so they would relax and she taught me how to breathe.    Take in real deep breaths and allow myself to really give my mind a rest, by control my breathing.  

Massages are wonderful.    They can stimulate or calm the nervous system and help reduce fatigue.    Sometimes I forget that I need to do something for myself; take time to unwind and relax after the end of each day.    Even if it is for only ten minutes- I need to do it.   Following the deep tissue massage I took a spa shower, aka a steam shower.    I am not one to go into a sauna room and spa showers aren't really my thing.  

Spa Shower

Needless to say while I was in there it reminded me of last winter when I was taking bikram yoga classes.     The heat, the big breaths, the stretching and elongating your body, spending an hour thinking of only your next pose and nothing more.   In there I made a promise to myself that I need to start going to the classes and MAKE time for myself to go.    I have been getting so caught up in the busyness of my life that I need to re-center and start doing things to help me stay balanced and energized again.    I want to try to come back to my new paradise and get my ten

What do you do to relax?    How do you "treat" yourself?    Do you have any recommendations on things I should try?     What is your favorite thing to do for yourself?   I would love to hear from you....

The time to relax is when you don't have time for it.  ~Attributed to both Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

 

It's All About the Ride

For a couple years now I have been really into spinning.     My interest was triggered when I took my 1st spinning class thanks to the influence of my friend Carly, at a gym in my hometown.    The dark room, the fast paced music and the humming sound of wheels spinning on the front of the stationary bikes.    My instructor was intense!   She was the tiniest woman and was a real spitfire.    She would yell at people who were resting when we were "out of our horse" and I was terrified but at the same time motivated.    The real kicker was when I looked over after forty minutes into my first class and saw a pregnant woman (who was easily six months pregnant) absolutely kicking my butt.    She didn't even take a single break the entire class!    Right then and there I was hooked.     I wanted to be able to make it through an entire class without having to rest just like her.

So here I am four years later and still hooked.    For those of you who are not familiar with spinning,  spinning is one of the BEST workouts you can do.    Spinning can be a great way to get in a vigorous workout -- burning calories and keeping your muscles in shape.     Going into my 1st spinning class I was convinced it would be a breeze, because what is so exhausting and hard about riding a bike right?    A spinning bike is designed to work your body all over.   Calves, thighs, hamstrings, abs, arms, butt.    It is a total body workout.

Living in a city without a car makes it extremely hard for me to get to and from places, especially a gym.    Between walking, to and from public transportation, waiting for the train, on average it can take me up to two hours for me to get to and from a gym and do a workout.

My work schedule is always unpredictable and I am finding it to be more difficult for me to find time to workout.     Working out is my "me" time and one of my favorite past times.    My whole life I grew up being active and I just love the way I feel after a workout.    Powerful, energized, and good.    I sometimes stress myself out because I want to make sure I can get a workout in a few days a week, and would worry how I can fit it into my day during the weekdays.    

So I purchased myself a ProForm 290 SPX bike last weekend and I could not be happier.    Knowing I have a way to workout in case I get held up at work, want to get a quick workout in, or know I don't have enough time to go to the gym, I can just go downstairs and spin away.    Just knowing I have the bike as a back-up option is already going to help me not be so worried and stressed out.    

It is an investment for my health and for myself.    Sometimes we need to treat ourselves and find ways to make life better.    Spinning is something I truly enjoy and now I can do it whenever I want.     It is a great workout for anyone and everyone.    I really recommend you try a class.     To see how to spin, check out these videos.     The second video is a video done by Self Magazine, which is my favorite health magazine. :)

   

Have you ever taken a spinning class?     Have you rewarded yourself recently?  If so what did you do?

“Riding for me it was always a simple passion.” ~ Lance Armstrong

Challenge- Learn How to Ice Skate

When I think of winter, ice skating is one of the first things that pops into my mind.   Not only because it is a fun activity but also it can be a romantic activity.  In one of my most favorite movies, Serendipity starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale, John and Sara reunite in the cafe Serendipity after saying goodbye because they each had left a belonging in the restaurant.  As their activity they decide to go ice skating in downtown New York.  (Here is a highlight of the scene.)   This truly is one of the best love stories and inspired me to be spontaneous.   So as my act of spontaneity, I have decided that now is the time for me to learn how to ice skate.

 
Ice skating has always sort of scared me, since I have only done it five times in my lifetime, and more importantly I have never been good at rollerblading because going down hills and making turns was difficult.  Also, I hated being the dork on the block wearing a helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads as I roller bladed.   I might as well have been playing street hockey wearing all of that equipment.

Being an adult now I figured what do I have to lose?  Also my boyfriend is a hockey stud and has been begging me to venture onto the ice rink for the past two years, so I said yes and decided he could be my teacher.  Plus the other perk is that me and my boyfriend will have another hobby we can do together which makes it all the more special. 

Before I skate into my first ice skating experience, I thought I would share some ice skating facts.  The history of Ice Skating can be traced back to the frozen canals and waterways of Scandinavia and the Netherlands, about 1000 years ago.  People laced animal bones to their footwear and glided across frozen lakes and rivers.  The credit for creating a pair of all-iron skates goes to a Scotsman who invented them in 1592. 
 

So how does ice skating work?   Ice skating works because the metal blade at the bottom of the skate shoe can glide with very little friction over the surface of the ice.   Ice skating is a combination of controlling your lean, the dig of the blade into the ice, in addition to flexing your knees.   These are just the basics I am learning so far and am hoping to learn how to do the cross-over, skate backwards and spin.   For now I am going to master the basics first and not get too ahead of myself.

So last night I bundled up for the 21 degree weather (froze my butt off) and ventured onto the Daley Bicentennial Park Ice Rink.

Daley Bicentennial Park Ice Rink

With my elbow and knees pads on over my layers of clothes I took off onto the ice.   I had an absolute blast, despite being INCREDIBLY cold.  I skated for about 40 minutes without a single fall.   I was so proud of myself and it came more naturally than I even expected.   Of course I skated in a circle going clockwise the entire time, but it was a great start.   I think I have found a fun activity and a new workout for me this winter and I cannot wait to go again.   My boyfriend was very impressed at how easy ice skating comes to me and is confident I will be a great skater in no time.  

Looking back I don't know why I was so hesitant to really try skating again?  Sometimes we need a little push and be more willing to be spontaneous.  Life is all about taking risks and being spontaneous because you never know what could be the end result.   

My questions for you:  What have you done recently that was spontaneous?  Do you have any winter challenges?  What is your favorite part about ice skating?   I would love to hear about them.

Even now I can't describe why I love skating so much. ~ Nancy Kerrigan

Tighten Up- Why Women Should Lift Weights

Today, more and more women are beginning to exercise with weights.  Typically when I think of  weight lifting, I tend to picture steroid-raged men who drink muscle milk in between sets.  These men tend to "dominate" the weight machines at my gym which makes me incredibly intimidated and discouraged from stepping in line to use the machines.  Who cares if I can only lift 30 to 50 ibs. and may only want to do 2 or 3 sets. 

I am tired of sweating (great article on how to help minimize sweating) all over every piece of cardio equipment at the gym and still getting zero love from the scale!  I need to tone and firm up!  When I played sports in High School, my volleyball coach and diving coach made us lift weights three times a week in addition to cardio at practices.  I knew it helped make my muscles stronger but I did not realize how much it helped reduce your overall body fat.   Instead of going to the gym to do my usual elliptical machine, treadmill, and bike, I try to incorporate lifting into my workout regimen (when I have time to go of course).   Sometimes I will do a few machines but nothing major.   I want to prevent and stop cellulite, I want to keep everything toned but I am going to have to work for it.

I found this awesome article on everything you need to know about weight lifting and I am going to start weight lifting the RIGHT way starting this weekend.   Everything You Need to Know About Weight Training article by Shape Magazine.   Now for the inspiration and motivation.  The holiday season is here and that means carbs and sweets.  My two WORST enemies but it is a love hate relationship.  They are always plentiful during the holiday season so I need to be mindful of portions and be willing to kick my butt extra hard (or lift it off).   Tomorrow I am going to make my "Lift" playlist that will help me stay motivated while working out.

 Lift Playlist:
1. Hilary Duff -- Come Clean
2. Eminem- Lose Yourself

3. Black Eyed Peas- Pump It
4. Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
5. What Goes Around Comes Around – Justin Timberlake
6. Like a Boy- Ciara 
7.  Maneater – Nelly Furtado
8. Give It To Me – Timbaland 
9.  Fighter- Christina Aguilera
10. Yeah- by Usher ft. Ludacris & Lil' Jon
11. Toxic- Britney Spears
12.  Call on Me- Eric Pyrdz 



I am already excited to work on my "troubled" areas- ex. legs, butt, abs, back and I can't wait to see results.  I know that I am going to have to start off light and slow but eventually I will build stamina.

So here I come muscle men, step aside because this chick is about to get TONED!   Do you lift?  What is your lifting routine?   How to keep yourself motivated to not do just cardio?

Love Your Body

We all strive to be healthy.  Whether it is trying a new diet or workout, changing our bad habits, or altering our routines, the main goal is to do something good for you.  I am always looking for ways I can improve my health and do my body some good.  But what does it really mean to love your body?

Being a woman is tough especially in this day and age.  We are constantly being hit with images of how the “ideal” woman is suppose to look, dress and act, and believe these “icons” when they say it is easy to look like them, when in reality it is not.  Even though they are not the "norm" it is really hard to ignore and not compare yourself to the women we see in the multimedia and learning how to turn your comparisons into motivators really helps. Instead of focusing on looking like these images, focus on what positive things people are doing for themselves and let that inspire you.  We need to love the body God gave us and embrace it every single day.

Dove: Campaign for Real Beauty

When you truly love your body and accept it the way it is, it is amazing how much more confident and happy you are.  It is never too late for you to make changes and if there are things you want to start or stop doing then why not go for it?  The healthy habits we form now will only benefit us that much more when we are older, and that in itself motivates me every day.  Right now where I am in my life, I am working on ways to show my body more love.  Aside from me growing more confidence in myself, I have some bad habits that I am hoping to break.  I do not know how well or how long these lifestyle changes will do but I am determined to give them a chance.  Of course I know that sometimes circumstances can get in the way of plans, but my main goal is to focus and work on each thing one day at a time.

Jessica’s- Love My Body Plan:
• Drink more water every day- soda, lattes, ice tea and wine are not substitutes.

• Take a daily vitamin (even if it is princess Gummie vitamins those still count.)

• Add more fiber into my diet.

• Grocery Shop at least once a week (fresh produce must be purchased, not just non-perishable foods).

• Listen to my body when I know I am in need of relaxation and/or sleep (Goal- learn how to take naps)

• Bring lunch to work at least 1 day a week (leftover food from meetings does not count).

• Go for a walk outside once a week with no music or cell phone (no cheating).

• Designate more time for me to spend with my faith.

• Go to bed early- Midnight is not considered early.

Some of you may think my list is silly or odd, but for me these are currently my bad habits that I am trying to break.  As I try my plan, I may find some things are just too hard to break or that I need to add or alter some items on my list and that is okay.  All I want is for me to grow more confidence in myself and truly love the person I am inside and out.

What do you love about yourself?  Do you have things that you want to start doing for you?  What new habits have you started doing lately?

Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart. ~Kahlil Gibran

Work-it Out

Appointments! Laundry! E-mails! Text messages! Hold on a second, my cell phone's ringing! No wonder we stumble around all day, dazed and confused and have the look of exhaustion at the end of each day. All of this “noise” can make life stressful and trying to find time everyday to tune it out is key, even if it is for only 30 minutes.

When I am stressed and overwhelmed, I turn to my activities that help me get that feeling good and satisfaction feeling inside. In this crazy busy life we live, it is extremely important to find ways to reduce stress and do things that make us feel good. You know the feeling, where you are upbeat, smiling inside, and have that extra kick in your step- that feeling good feeling. I absolutely love that feeling and try to get it every day. For me, my favorite outlets are working out, reading, blogging and listening to my favorite songs while cleaning. Whatever your stress reducers may be, it is so important for you to really enjoy them and find time daily if possible for one at least one of them. You deserve it and owe it to yourself.

Working out is my number one stress reducer. For those who know me, they know how much I am a cardio junky. There is nothing more satisfying after I finish a workout than hear my heart beating hard against my chest and sweat pouring out of me. I am not ashamed or embarrassed to be a sweaty mess at a gym or outdoors, I actually take pride in it.  When I really am stressed and need to unwind, I try to give myself a workout challenge. It is so easy to get into a rut and a routine so I try to spice up my workouts so I don’t hit a plateau. When my endorphins are high and my mind is focused on my workout, all the built up stress seems to disappear or pour out of me.

Before the start of this month, I set myself a new goal: attend a workout class. I knew that if I didn’t push myself to make this goal then I would never step up to the plate and actually go through with it. But I did my goal and tried two classes.

My first workout class that I decided to take was completely spontaneous. Over a dozen women were standing outside of the main workout studio to enter into a class; some were my age and some even older, I didn’t have anywhere to be so I thought why not? The class was a cardio sculpt class and the class description didn’t sound too intense. Within five minutes I was taking back my words. My instructor literally kicked my butt, thighs, arms, and hearts butt all the while rocking out to music. She made us do jumping jacks, lunges, lift weights, burpies and so much more. I even contemplated walking out of the class halfway through. Trying a new class does not count if you leave before it is over and I was proud of myself that I stayed. Seeing other people in my class lifting more weight than me and taking less breaks instantly motivated me to want to be at their level and start coming regularly. After the class finished, I was exhausted but feeling that internal “high.” I had forgotten how amazing I felt after doing a workout class and I was PUMPED!

The next class I tried was Zumba. As a former jazz, tap and ballet dancer (from age 4 to 10), I thought this class would be a great opportunity for me to get back into my dance groove. The class was absolutely packed. The first song played was an African infused tribal song. I had never danced to this sort of music before and I was immediately hooked into the class. For an entire hour we danced to African, Latin, Rap, and Techno music. During the hour long class, I was unfortunately in the back of the room trying to mimic the moves of the attendees in front of me since I couldn’t see my instructor. Needless-to-say I looked like I had never danced a day in my life for the majority of the class. I was turning, twisting, jumping and stepping opposite or “off-beat” compared to everyone else and basically making a fool of myself. Instead of getting all embarrassed and uncomfortable, I owned it and danced with confidence. This was MY challenge after all and I was proud of myself for trying something new. These classes are my new way of what I call “working-it-out.” I workout my stress, feelings, and thoughts and boy does it make me feel good every time.

But isn’t it sad sometimes how easily we are distracted and preoccupied, even when we are doing activities we enjoy and love? No matter what time of the day, our minds are busy digesting and analyzing the day’s events with no set timer on when to slow down. That is why having stress reducing outlets are so necessary- it forces us to make time to slow down. We need outlets in our daily lives so that we can be balanced and not explode. Taming my stress helps me stay stable and without my outlets I don’t know how I would survive. Sometimes we need to decompress and sort through our thoughts and emotions so that we don’t feel overwhelmed and finding ways that help you “work-it-out” will help you be strong and ready for tomorrow.

How do you reduce your stress? What gives you that internal “high?” Is it curling up on the couch with a good book? Is it listening to your new playlist while running outside? Whatever your outlet may be, make it yours and be in the moment.

"Being in control of your life and having realistic expectations about your day-to-day challenges are the keys to stress management, which is perhaps the most important ingredient to living a happy, healthy and rewarding life." -Marilu Henner

New Goals, New Me

In one week I will be in my new place. I will be in a new neighborhood, a new apartment and living with my dear friend Katlin. This brings the perfect opportunity for me to set new goals for myself. Goals that have been hovering over my head like black clouds following me everywhere.

Sometimes you need to undergo a big change or transition to motivate yourself to do the things you have been wanting (or thinking) about doing. As I pack up my belongings and arrange my move, I find myself thinking of my new goals.

Goal #1: Start doing workout classes again. Yes, believe it or not I was once a workout class junky. The kickboxing classes, zumba (a dance inspired workout class), spinning, and the different yoga classes- I loved them all. Thinking about these classes right now makes me smile. Of course rocking out to my favorite songs on my zune (and soon itouch) is great, but it still isn't enough. I need change and variety back in my life. I am stuck in a workout rut and need to spice it up. Doing the elliptical and spinning gives me the workout high I love so much, but I miss the variety. I miss punching the air to Black Eyed Peas or doing hip-hop dance moves to Britney Spears latest hit. Those are more of a Jessica style workout than just going on the elliptical. So starting the first week in September, I am going to attend at least 1 workout class a week. Stay tuned.

Now onto Goal #2: Become a cook. For those of you who know me, I am a pretty bland eater. I love simple and easy foods, especially those meals you can make in 20 minutes that consist of throwing something into an oven or onto a George Foreman (easy I know). Moving into my new apartment with a HUGE kitchen and now with a new set of Calpalon pots and pans (thanks mom!), it is time for the Martha Stewart side of me to flourish. Starting September 1st I am going to open up my cookbooks, buy the correct groceries and attempt to cook. I am fully prepared for burnt/dry meals, meals that go immediately into the trash, and back-up meals just in case. If I want to be able to entertain for my friends and family I need to start practicing and learning. No more putting this off, I have the PERFECT kitchen and quite frankly I am running out of excuses why I shouldn't start.

My New Kitchen

I need to start my new goals right away once I move. If I give myself too much time to "settle" into my new apartment and wait to form a routine, I know I won't start my goals. These are two things I love, working out and eating so why should I stop putting off my goals? So here I go. It is time to make moves and get started.

"The Great Escape"

Recently my good friend Katie introduced me to Bikram Yoga.  Yoga has never really been a workout I typically do, but I thought I would give it a try after she showed me some of the poses; little did I know what I was about to get myself into.

I have never liked steam rooms.   Sitting wearing nothing but a towel in a small-claustrophobic-type room with air so thick that it is hard to catch your breath has always scared me, and usually I only last for a few minutes, so I knew this was going to be interesting....

Dandayamana-Dhanurasana-  Standing Bow Pulling Pose

As I walked up the stairs to the second floor of this studio building, I signed in, grabbed a yoga mat and two towels, quickly changed and filled my “SIGG eco-friendly” water bottle (since that is the “yoga” thing to do) with ice cold filtered tap-water and walked towards the foggy double-glass doors.   The second I opened the door and stepped inside, I was instantly engulfed by a heat bubble- the exact same kind of heat wave a steam room has.

As I laid down on my mat waiting for class to start, I could feel the heat already sinking in- I was starting to perspire and felt my heart starting to beat faster.   Lights came on and class began.   For the next 90 minutes, I was sweating profusely, twisting and turning my body in all different directions like a pretzel you get at a sporting event.   The 105 degree heat felt like 115 at times, and the instructor insisted on not stepping out of the room until the very end.   In a room filled of 30+ people, I do the 26 different yoga posses two times through.

Rest

After my last pose of breathing out the stale air in my lungs and the instructor turns the lights down again for dead body pose, I realized I never had a single thought flow through my mind the entire time.   Instead, all I did was listen to my instructor talk as I went through the motions.   I had finally found an escape- a way I can relax, unwind, and do something for me, without any distractions.

Ustrasana-  Camel Pose

Like yoga- you need to have your body and mind in sync, your life will be off balance if you don’t.   If you’re off thinking elsewhere, you miss out on the true benefits of yoga.   Nowadays it is hard to find a way to escape from our noisy streets and the noise that clouds our minds.   Yet in Bikram class I have found silence. With this new workout, I believe I have found my equilibrium.   With it I find balance and the motivation that makes me want to get better every time I do it.   This new workout may be the equilibrium of my scale, and something that motivates me to want to get better at every time.

“For me, yoga is not just a workout - it's about working on yourself. ~Mary Glover”