Zumba with Coco

This morning I headed back over to MC Dance Fitness for Zumba with Coco. I love Coco, I love her classes, and I love her style. I was experiencing some serious envy over her DC Shoes today. I wasn't able to find the exact pair on the DC Shoes website, but I am a fan of most of their high top shoes.

I wore a pair of Under Armour black pants, my neon yellow C9 for Champion sports bra, and a hot pink tank top I found in the closet in the guest bedroom. My green K-Swiss tubes and a hunting camouflage pullover completed my own Zumba look. I prefer Coco's.

quick pic in the only full-length mirror left in my parents' house

I haven't gotten any better at Zumba but I still like it and it's a great workout. You burn an average of 750 calories per class and now Zumba is running the Great Calorie Drive to help combat world hunger. When you check in at a Zumba class, $0.14 is donated. I know this seems like a low amount, but with all the crazed Zumba fans out there, I don't doubt they will reach the $1 million mark.

Learn more about this Great Calorie Drive and get the app.

check in using the Zumba app

Just an awkward group shot of my fellow Zumba classmates and me before we got our dance on.

New Year's Day 2013

Since I stayed in last night, I was up at 6:44 AM. I can't begin to tell you how great it was to watch a sunrise on New Year's Day when I hadn't been up from the night before. Boycotting New Year's Eve two years in a row have been two of the best decisions I ever made.

I was booked for bike 3 at the Woodbury Equinox to take 8:30 AM spin with Tripp. The first class was solid. There was no place I would rather have been that sweating it out in the front row, listening to Tripp share stories about my fellow spinners and learning more about Cycle for Survival. I am now fully on board for the 50 mile Rock the Ridge Endurance Challenge.

One of the things I love the most about Tripp is how he remembers the songs each person likes and plays them for that person. My song is "Starships" by Nicki Minaj, which is kind of weird because I normally do not like her music. This song just gets me so psyched to spin and I push myself past any wall my legs think they're going to slam against. I love that the breakaways build up, i.e. "Let's do this one last time, can't stop" and then bust out with, "We're higher than a motherfucker," and that throughout the song, the breakaways get closer together. I also love that I can scream motherfucker with little judgement (it's in the song!) because I swear all the time while working out.

With 30 minutes left to class, Tripp advised us to hop off our bikes to sign up for the next class if we were interested in a double. I showed off my running skills on my way to the front desk and was back on my bike in the same song.

What I look like after the 1st class. I forgot to take a post 2nd class photo.

After the first class, I switched to bike 10 and wiped it down with disinfectant wipes. If you're going to double and you have to switch bikes, chances are the cleaning crew isn't coming in so you should clean your own bike. For that matter, if classes are close together, chances are the cleaning crew didn't come in so you should clean your own bike. I also switched into a dry tank top.

The second class didn't have the same "We're all obsessed with Tripp" energy as the first, but I think it was a better class. The music was more to my liking and I warmed up and ready to rock. When Tripp played "Starships" for me during the second class, I felt like I actually brought my A game. I was a little self-conscious the first time because I wasn't attacking the song as strongly as I often do. Part of the reason is that I tend to go into my own world when the song is on - I think I look awesome and can do anything - so having Tripp call attention to me is neat but also a little daunting. I also wear these ridiculously short spandex shorts that ride up my ass and it occurred to me that people's attention had just been drawn to my massive wedgie. So that was kind of a blow to the whole "I look awesome" mindset.

I'm rocking out to "Starships" right now and all I want to do is get back on the bike. A lady in the locker room asked me about Tripp's classes this morning and said she heard he's a talker. After I told her that Tripp's talking inspired me to run 50Ks and now a 50 miler, she was all about taking his Friday class. Tripp is living proof that what you put out to the world impacts others. I don't want to equate his classes to religious experiences, but the things he says reminds me of some of the more poignant sermons I've listened to over the years. I genuinely want to be a better person when I'm in there. This Christmas, I let go off some major resentment and mended relationships with the family members I disowned. The main reason I chose to do this was because of the messages I've heard in Tripp's classes.

Sometimes I look like a crazy bag lady when I leave the gym.

I took a shower and got changed into clean workout clothes. I drove back to my parents' house to eat a quick lunch. I had leftover almond-encrusted tilapia and some dried apricots with a glass of milk. I try not to drink milk anymore but I wanted some quick calories.

I love that bumper sticker.

My sister was back from her NYE party in Westchester, so I invited her to join me at Yves and Coco's #$%@# Loco x2 class. Ninety minutes of Zumba, kickboxing, lifting, and dance. These classes are my absolute favorite.

We left a little early so I could spend some Christmas money at lululemon. I bought two Run: Back on Track tanks and wore one to class. How I lived without this top is beyond me. It is so incredibly flattering.

My sister. She told me I had to write about how cold it was in the studio when we arrived.

The workout was great. Unlike the Thanksgiving class, I hit my hinge kicks and felt like the athlete I used to be. And by some miracle, apparently I can now dance. Kind of. I think it was the top to be honest.

We had to show up early to stake out our spots.

My friend Christine called me right after I took that photo to say that she was on her way. I was so happy to see her! Christine, you better call me to play more often! I just bought 10 classes at MC Dance & Fitness, so let's plan some days when I can use them.

(If you're special, maybe I'll write you direct messages within blog posts too.)

The new top.

Even though the top is soaking wet, I think I still look pretty cute. I also went with my girly ponytail today. You can watch the video on how to create this high-intensity hairstyle here. It's basically a high pony with long bangs pulled to the side. In order to get it to stay, you'll need two bobby pins and two contour clips.

I was starving when we got home and quickly volunteered to go to the grocery store with my dad. I hadn't showered but at least I had changed into a sweatshirt and out of that sweaty top. This is me being freezing cold in the supermarket and looking nuts.

I look like a giant stuffed animal. I am okay with this.

ZUMBA!

Lashawn Jones teached ZUMBA! at thr 50th & Broadway Equinox on Wednesday nights at 7:15 PM. As much as I wanted to go to DM's to watch the Giants game, I knew that I needed to go straight to the gym instead. I didn't want to lift or do anything with kettlebells, and I didn't want to spin, so I figured that Zumba was the best choice. Great workout, lots of cardio, and abdominal work. I haven't found anything better for my abs than cardio dance classes.

I wasn't familiar with the first two songs and struggled with the moves. I'm not very coordinated and it takes me a while to get into my dance groove. Lashawn uses the legit Zumba tracks, and you can tell because Zumba is shouted out at least once a minute like a marketing team's orgasm. She had me hooked though when she played Daddy Yankee's Gasolina remix. Yes, I'm secretly into reggaeton and I know all the moves to that one.

Every time I go to a Zumba class, I decide I want Zumba clothes. I've spent the past 20 minutes perusing the Zumba website, and these are some of the items that caught my eye.

I am addicted to sneakers so of course I noticed the Z Kickz II and the Z Kickz Original. I have absolutely no reason to buy them, but I appreciate a brand that creates its own shoes. Other colors than the ones shown here are available.

Z Kickz II

Z Kickz Original

I have an obsession with Zumba cargo pants. They're like UFOs - does anyone remember these delightful pants from the late 90s?

Lashawn was wearing the Feelin It Cargo last night in black, but I prefer this teal color. I really want the Electro Cargo Pant in grey. How freaking cute are they? Again, not exactly sure why I'd need them since I don't really go to many Zumba classes.

Feelin It Cargo Pant 

Electro Cargo Pant

The Bliss V Bra Top is cute and functional. It doesn't seem particularly Zumba-y to me and I might order a few. I love this blue color.

Bliss V Bra Top

I like the color of these Escape Running Shorts, which are on sale by the way. I can't figure out if they have a built in panty (God, I hate that word) or not. I only run in shorts that I don't need to wear underwear with, however, I'd use these for the beach and hiking if they aren't lined.

Escape Running Shorts

Last but not least, no wardrobe is complete without Zumba thongs. I would love to know how many of these sell each month.

Daydream Thong

Ribbon Dancing

Today I threw back the covers and went to Zumba. It was exactly what I needed - a chance to shake and jump and punch and pretend to be a badass motherfucker who will fuck you up in between some sweet merengue moves. And to top it all off we got scarves to run around with like ribbon dancers. The Ribbon Dancer was one of my all time favorite toys up there with the Skip-It.

I got dumped on Friday. Kind of out of the blue. Now that I've dissected every conversation we ever had, I think there were some very tell-tale signs. But I was blindsided on Friday when I was getting ready to meet him for drinks. Such is life.

I figure that since I tell you about spitting up on myself in spinning class and suddenly being overwhelmed by the need to use the bathroom mid-run, that y'all should get the privilege of knowing that my love life is a cross between a Judy Blume young adult novel and an episode of Jerry Springer.

So I'm on my second failed relationship for the month of May. What have I learned from this experience? (The answer is probably nothing but let's at least pretend I learn from my mistakes and that I'm not doomed to repeat history like the Germans.)

It's time for me to be single. I've got to let go of the hurt I've been carrying around since I was 15. In many ways, I am still 15. This isn't going to happen if I just keep moving from one relationship to a pseudo relationship to a hook up buddy to another relationship over and over.

When someone tells you he doesn't believe in the Second Amendment and has an Obama campaign poster in his bedroom, you should quietly remove yourself and not come back.

Rushing into things may seem romantic, but it creates an artificial attachment. How can you really know someone and have feelings for them in a matter of weeks?

Never build a common bond on your favorite things. Now Arrested Development, a shot of Dewars with a side of Bud Heavy, One Direction, Frankie Valli, Sheep's Meadow, and hazelnut coffee all carry feelings of sadness. These are things that usually make me feel happy.

The last guy (before this one) has temporarily ruined the Museum of Natural History, Guinness and a shot of Jameson, Teddy Roosevelt, Shake Shack, and the sociologist Erving Goffman. Never share a favorite president and a favorite sociologist. You're asking for heartache.

So I took 3 days off from this running challenge. Whatever. I'll figure out a way to redeem myself. On Friday I was hungover and then spent the rest of the evening crying. Had I known that I would be dumped in a few hours, I would've ran earlier and saved Young and the Restless for the night I spent in bed.

Ciao Bella Key Lime gelato

Yesterday my mom came and picked me up. I sat on the couch in a swoutfit and felt sorry for myself/watched an Awkward marathon and cracked up a lot. Season 2 starts June 28. Can't wait.

Sweat shorts are the best invention ever.

Today I had one of my best effed up ideas of all time. In order to better understand why I am the way I am, I invite anyone I've hooked up with in the past 10 years to go for a run with me and share some feedback. You can tell me how I fucked up, acted nuts, and/or blatantly disregarded your feelings. You can also tell me I am incredibly awesome and highlight my finer qualities. All I ask is that you let me summarize your feedback on this blog. I promise to protect your anonymity and you can even choose your own nickname. In exchange for your time, I'll buy you a post-run beer. Email me if you're interested.

After going to the beach with my dad, we hit up Fairway.
I found the Magic Pop station. The fresh ground honey roasted peanut butter is delicious.

I will leave you with a parting question- Can I steal this last guy's favorite guacamole and margarita restaurant? He doesn't live in that neighborhood anymore and he was probably breaking all sorts of relationship codes by bringing me somewhere he used to go with his ex (anyone else watch The Secret Life of the American Teenager?). I think that a strong margarita is a great consolation prize.

Whatever Happened to Clearly Canadian?

Today I went to the Great Neck Equinox for Coco's Cardio Kickbox and Zumba classes. Awesome workouts as always. Highlights included a woman telling me I am in amazing shape (booyah!) and dancing the Macarena. Who doesn't love a 90s flashback?

Crazy Hat Day 1996

I was pretty impressed with my outfit today: neon yellow C9 by Champion shorts and sports bra (the bra was free!), a grey Mossimo tank, and my bright green K-Swiss Micro Tubes.

I seriously struggle with self-timer pictures.

Now finally to the purpose of this post: what the hell happened to Clearly Canadian? That drink was the sh*t. I remember coming home after school and drinking an entire bottle of bubbly, berry goodness while doing my homework. It came in a glass bottle and the top made a horrible screeching sound every time you tried to close it.

While Clearly Canadian has been MIA, I have found Clear American at Wal-Mart. It's not only delicious, it's less than a dollar for a liter! Like, WTF? This proves that Americans produce products of equal value for better prices. (It's probably made in Taiwan.)

Key Lime is my favorite flavor.

This used to be a treat for me when I visited the Wal-Mart in Iowa, until I realized yesterday that we too have Wal-Mart in New York. I bought myself a bottle of Raspberry Apple and could barely contain my excitement while I waited for it to get cold in the back of the best friend's Jeep.

To learn all of the flavors go to Clear American's website.

Love Yves Maco. Will Travel.

I woke up on Sunday morning with all intention of going for a run, but then Coco Loco kept appearing on my newsfeed. I needed to get my Yves fix and knew I'd be kicking myself if I didn't get my ass kicked at this 90 minute master class.

The class was held at Life Fitness down in Lawrence. Now I once dated a guy whose parents have a membership at the Lawrence Beach Club. LBC is beautiful and I don't remember driving through any unsavory neighborhoods to get there. Any illusions I had were dashed by my GPS's direct and dirty route - I recognized the area and realized I was uncomfortably close to my place of work!

Life's facility is quite lovely despite the nearby bodegas. The staff is friendly, the floor is equipped with new Cybex machines, and the locker room is clean. The juice bar appeared to be well-stocked and attended. If I lived anywhere near there, I would consider joining.

Our class was held on the racquet courts. It was weird to kickbox without mirrors! I was just so happy to be back, I didn't care where we were. I wish more of my Great Neck Equinox friends had shown up, but the crowd from Fusion, Life, and Lifetime were pretty cool. I felt extra special because Yves gave me a big sweaty hug. I felt like the prodigal son coming home, even though Yves was the one who left this time.

90 minute master classes are a mash-up of Yves' kickboxing, Dance Fusion, and boot camp classes with Coco's Zumba expertise. These classes are fun, intense, and burn tons of calories. Check out www.yvesmaco.com regularly to find upcoming events.

Vibrams at Kickboxing

In an attempt to keep my posts about kickboxing fresh for you, I decided to wear my Vibrams to class last night. This is actually the second time I have worn them to kickboxing, but the last time was several months ago. As you know, my tight hamstrings have been messing with my knees. I have been nervous all week about hurting myself before tomorrow's 50K, and have even worn sneakers to work. (This is entirely acceptable at my place of employment. I just think I look like a tool wearing sneakers with a skirt.) Last week my knee was killing me after Coco's kickboxing class. I wore my favorite pair of Nike crosstrainers instead of my Frees, but still no dice. Maybe the extra cushioning was the problem? Was I willing to risk a knee problem to get my kickboxing fix this week?

My knees felt awesome throughout the entire kickboxing class and into Zumba. This morning I woke up pain free. Maybe I should wear my Vibrams to the gym more often.

The Girl Talk of Fitness

ADD'ers rejoice! Have you ever been in a group fitness class, only to get a little bored after twenty minutes? You find yourself losing focus in favor of thinking about which cute boy (or girl) you could be texting to arrange a post-workout rendezvous. Or your distracted by someone's flashy new sneakers. Or maybe you suddenly wish you had gone to a different class entirely? Problem solved. Coco and Yves are offering mash-ups of Zumba, Dance Fusion, kickboxing, and boot camp that keep you pumped and working for the entire 90 minute class.

These special event classes go by the name @#$&* Loco with Yves and Coco. To stay in the know, check www.yvesmaco.com regularly, because today's class came out of left field.

You can't not have fun and there's something for everyone. Coco's Zumba was challenging for me (hello two left feet), but I think I owned it during Dance Fusion. The music keeps changing, the moves keep changing, even the instructors keep changing. It's the Girl Talk of fitness if you will.