Hands up–who has an idea what this is?

No cheating– you can’t google it or search everydayhealth.com either! Here’s a hint– it’s a blend of two popular exercise methods combined with a useful workout tool… any guesses?

Anyway, you know how they say it takes three weeks to break a habit? I’m starting to think taking four weeks off blogging wasn’t such a brilliant idea.

I sit here with my laptop in front of me several times every day, fingers poised over the keyboard, waiting for a light bulb to pop on. Or something. Or anything? Words? What are words?

I think I’ve forgotten how to do this.

They also say it’s good to exercise when you feel weak… or just lethargic. So I decided I should just start typing and see what happens. Get outta my comfort zone. Or back into it would be more likely in this case. Strengthen those bloggity muscles that used to know how to dish out bucket loads of nothingness.

So I’m typing. And it’s still not making sense.

Oh, lucky you.

ANYway. Moving right along.

Speaking of exercise. Today I did something that’s so very not me.

Anyone who knows me could tell you that I’m not one to embrace change all that well. I like routine. A LOT. So for the last nine months or so, I’ve had the same basic schedule for my gym-going and exercise and all that fun stuff.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday… run. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday… weight training class. Week in. Week out.

(MOMENT OF HONESTY–I very rarely do all six days. Super-fit-super-woman I am NOT. I typically have missed at least one of those days each week–and while John was gone, it was a good week if I made it three or four days. I’ve been doing better lately and get six days in more often, but still… Just had to say that for reality’s sake.)

I really like my routine. I don’t like to change it. If something gets mixed up, my heart gets jumpy and I breathe real fast. Yikes, YIKES! I can’t make it to the gym today. Warning! Warning! Freak out moment coming on!!

Yes. I know I’m a mental case.

So the deal here is that Merritt’s nap time has been interfering with my 9:15am Thursday weight training class–or wait, maybe I should say the class is interfering with Merritt’s nap time. Priorities and all that. He’s sleeping through the night well now (finally! FINALLY!! Thank you SleepEasy!), but this means he wakes up a little earlier, and thus naps earlier. Last week I tried just pushing naptime back and waiting till after the class. But the crocodile tears I saw upon my entrance to the child watch after class that day told me we should try something different.

Different? Did you just say different? Breathe. Breathe. Okay, it’ll work out. Really. Just breathe.

So today, when Merritt went down for his nap at 8:45am, I looked at the class schedule and saw there was another class I could try an hour later.

Boga.

What on earth is BOGA?! I mean, “Muscle Max” is pretty self-explanatory (can anybody say, um, OUCH?) and we all know what Pilates is. But Boga?

The description said it was a yoga routine that incorporated the exercise ball. Ohhhh. Boga. That makes sense. Using a ball to hold poses… and me, the newbie, falling all over the floor and my mat in the process. Lovely. Embarrassing. Great.

So I took a deep breath and left an hour later than normal.

The class was actually really fun. Easier than Muscle Max, but a great abs, glutes and thigh workout. Still plenty of burn and different enough that I should really feel it tomorrow.

At the end of the class, I was starting to think this might be a better plan for Thursdays when the instructor came over and asked why I wasn’t at the 9:15 class and what I thought of this one instead. I told her I liked it and I might even change up my routine from here on out.

Then she said, “Great idea. It’s always good to change your exercises every so often and keep those muscles confused. You should a spinning class. Or kickboxing. Or–I know what you’d like–try Yogalates. It’s yoga and Pilates.”

Um. Ahem. Mix things up THAT much? Breathe. Breathe. But I, ya know, kinda like my comfort zone. And… Yogalates?

You’d think I’d realize staying in one’s comfort zone isn’t going to be the theme at a gym. That wouldn’t exactly get us anywhere. And, in case it wasn’t enough to just switch classes now and again, we’re now mixing up and combining actual types of workouts? Too much for my wee, allergic-to-change brain to handle.

Blogging. Writing. Time and routine. Workouts. I’m starting to think my whole LIFE needs a bit of stretching.

So, hey, let’s just incorporate the whole thing and do some Writa-time-a-boga-lates.

Wanna join me?