In the spirit of Easter, I’m not Catholic

I mean this in the most respectful way. Yeah, I’m not Catholic but I like the whole concept of giving something unhealthy up and Lent gives me an excuse. In the past I’ve given up soda, chocolate, and swearing. This year I decided I’d do something to change the thing I dislike most about myself: I’m late. Every week I’m late to about 3.5 out of 5 classes, I cut it super close with work, and I make my friends wait for me way too often. So I gave up being late. Obviously I would end up failing this, which is why I set a consequence: every time I arrived late, I would add a half-mile run to my next workout. I ended up running a lot more often than usual and I've actually enjoyed holding myself accountable in this way. Now that Lent has passed, I plan to continue this and hopefully I’ll be able to run for a longer duration by the time summer hits :)

Workout of the Week 

I don't know about you, but watching TV makes me feel a bit guilty, and I kind of watch quite a lot of it. Thats why I love this week's workout so much!

Something I learned this week

Before I tried this week's workout, I read over the "Do" list and saw an unfamiliar exercise: The Russian Twist. I ended up searching it on Youtube and I've had a lot of fun watching movie trailers since then. 

Embarrassing moment

This is possibly my first embarrassing moment that ended up being a good thing: Last week, I sat down on one of the weight room’s stationary bikes for a ten minute cool down after running a mile. When I plugged my earphones into the TV jack I heard a familiar voice saying “ALLLLrighty then!” Awesome! Ace Ventura with Jim Carrey, one of my favorite movies, was playing in the rec center. By the time I was cracking up over a James Bond reenactment, I realized I had gathered an audience. Two girls stretching on the mats were giggling in my direction as they had been watching me literally “lol” while riding the bike. Bad news: my ego is dead, Good news: my “cool down” turned into forty-five minutes of biking.

Until next week! Keep calm and stay motivated!

Kyser Blakely on Blasting Biceps, Bellies, and Butts

Okay I think I’m all done with the self-loathing, I don’t suck that much. Today’s blog spotlights one of Sonoma State’s finest. He has guided fourteen young men through the initiation process of one of SSU's philanthropic Fraternities, he teaches five fitness classes weekly, he has received the True Gentleman award from Sigma Alpha Epsilon (CA-AA) for two consecutive semesters, he has donated over ten inches of hair to locks-of-love®, he even holds the title of “Xi Man” (zee man), and with a name like “Kyser Blakely” this is one unstoppable Seawolf.

Kyser, who now sports a shorter “do,” teaches two different classes that could make an Olympian cry: Body Blast and Core Blast. I’ve attended both and found myself woozy at some point in every session; this guy knows his fitness. I caught up with him a few weeks back and learned a lot in the short interview that follows:

Me: How did you get involved/interested in fitness?

Kyser: As a child instead of playing video games with friends, I would hang out with my mom and sister while we did Jane Fonda workout videos together. Since then I have always had a passion for health and fitness.

Me: What things do you enjoy about teaching Body Blast and Core Blast?

Kyser: At the age of twenty, I have already achieved my life goal, getting paid to workout!! I have the best job in the world. I love teaching Body and Core Blast. If I’m having a bad day, I just show up to work and a smile magically appears on my face. Maybe it's because of all the ladies that like to take my class ;)

I'm gonna do this one a little differently. Answer first, question follows:

Kyser: I’m usually in my bedroom blasting music, I move from the floor to my chair trying out different things. I’ve learned a lot from research and also by creeping on people at the gym. The best way is to watch what other people are doing.

Me: Where do you come up with the exercises done in class?
:) Gotcha

Me: Many people have trouble finding motivation to stick to a fitness plan. How do you stay motivated to exercise?

Kyser: This might sound a bit conceited, but I get motivated by looking at myself in the mirror. It’s quite popular nowadays for individuals to take supplements in order to get "pumped" or get the physique they want. I simply take my shirt off and analyze myself for about two minutes. "Yeah I look good, but I can always look better!"

Something I learned this week~Diet Tips from Kyser:

Don't drink calories. Juices, smoothies, soda, and alcohol should all be replaced by water. I'm not saying to stop drinking them altogether, but if you’re eating healthy and still not seeing results, look at what you’re drinking. Also never go on a diet, instead, CHANGE your diet. The main reason why diets fail is because people never change their habits. Change habits, change lifestyle.

Embarrassing Moment of the Week Kyser’s way:

Once you become an experienced athlete you will start to see certain people in the gym doing the most ridiculous exercises and you just sit there and laugh. Don't be one of those people I laugh at. I will make fun of you during my class.

That's all for now, for this week's workout I really encourage you to go check out Kyser's classes, you won't regret it!: Motivate me!

Body Blast –Tu Thu from 6:15-7:00 p.m. and Sat from 11-11:45 p.m.

Core Blast – Tu Thu from 7:15-7:45 p.m.