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How The Peloton App Sparked A Love Of The Treadmill

26 Oct

Disclaimer: The opinions below are mine and mine alone. Peloton has not sponsored this post. However, should they wish to provide me with one of their amazing new treadmills I’d be more than happy to do a whole series on it!

Back in the day when I was running regularly I constantly said I hated the treadmill. It was even one of the 36 (More) Fun Facts About Me (Number 6)! As a road runner, I found the treadmill boring and tedious. The time would fly by out on the road but every step was torture when I had to step on the tread.

Then I stopped running one day. I got dressed and when I went to lace up my shoes I had a full-blown anxiety attack, so I ripped my shoes off and never ran again.

Fast forward a few years

Without running and having a full time desk job, the pounds started sneaking on. I had to do something.

We bought a spin bike that would work with the Peloton iPad app, I tired it a few times but had a hard time getting into it. The bike wasn’t really my thing since I was convinced it was trying to kill me every time I used it.

Then while Bill and I were away for the weekend I tired a Peloton tread workout in the hotel gym. It was love at first step. The instructor was fun and engaging and before I knew it I had finished the class and I felt amazing. We bought a new treadmill on our way home from that very trip.

The instructors

I have yet to find an instructor that I don’t like. They all make you feel like you’re right there in the studio with them. I often find myself talking to them and answering their questions…out loud.

“How you feelin’ Peloton?”

AMAZING!!!!

I feel like I know them, they talk about their lives, their families, their pets. In fact, during the height of COVID, I was invited into a few of their homes to take classes (virtually of course).

The instructors inspire me and push me to do better and be better both on and off the tread. I feel like I get more encouragement from the instructors through my iPad than I ever did when I went to actual fitness classes at the gym.

Seriously, these people are the best of the best at what they do!

The classes

There is quite literally something for everyone in the Peloton app. No matter where you are on your fitness journey, there are MANY classes for you to enjoy…BOTH live and on demand.

Oh my God, the live classes! I cannot express how exciting it was when my favorite instructor called my screen name (Mommyland05) out during my 100th class. He even made a comment about what Mommyland might be like, he imagined a Spa being involved. We all know that’s not the case.

Anyway, back to the classes.

The app has a great filtering tool so you can find the workout that fits with not only your ability but your available time.

The app has eleven workout genres so you can be sure to have a well rounded routine. Strength, Yoga, Cardio, Meditation, Running, Outdoor, Cycling, Stretching, Tread Bootcamp, Bike Bootcamp and Walking. Like I said, something for everyone. There are many classes that don’t require any equipment, so even if you don’t have a home gym there is something for you.

The equipment

While I wish I had a Peloton tread, I do not. My bike isn’t a Peloton either. I just can’t find it in me to stomach the price tag of Peloton equipment right now…Maybe someday.

I have a Bowflex tread and weights, and a Schwinn bike and the app works great with all of it. All the same classes and instructors that come with the Peloton equipment come right inside the app. No need to break the bank right away.

The bottom line

The Peloton app gives you world class fitness instructors and thousands of classes right on your tablet, phone or even some streaming devices, all for the more than reasonable price of $12.99 a month.

You also get a great community! You’re able to see the leaderboard and give out high fives to anyone and everyone on it. You can join a group who share your interests as well, just by searching the hashtags. All of the instructors encourage you to follow them on social media and they actually interact with you there.

Right now you can get your first 30 days with the Peloton app for free. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

Are you already using the app? Tell me who your favorite instructors are!

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The Scale Can Be A Real Jerk

25 Mar

Mommyland

MommylandWhen you’re trying to lose weight and be a healthier version of yourself, the scale can be a real jerk. For so many people the scale fools them into thinking that it’s the be all end all of your weight loss journey.

Recently a friend reached out to me because she was dealing with her scale being a jerk and I remembered a time when I let those numbers dictate my success (or failure) in losing weight. I’ve been trying to lose those last fifteen “baby weight” pounds for more than a decade now and I’ve decided that my love of food and hatered of exercise are a big factor. More on that another time though.

Don’t get me wrong, the scale has a place in the big picture, it’s an important tool, but it’s NOT the big picture…It’s just a little tree.

I weigh myself almost everyday but I’ve learned not to let the numbers get me down.

The numbers the scale shows me everyday are a guide to what’s going on and I use them to help keep me accountable. The morning after I eat like crap, the scale shows me. It helps me to say, “Ok, you had one day of eating like you’re about to be executed, it’s not a good idea to do that again today.”

Another thing to consider when looking at those sometimes depressing numbers, have you started a new workout routine? Muscle weighs more than fat, so as you replace your fat with muscule you might see an uptick on the scale. Also when working out, your muscles hold on to fluid to help repair and grow.

Have a salty meal? Maybe that number on the scale is reflecting some extra water weight that needs to be flushed out.

So if the scale can be a real jerk, how do you know if your weight loss efforts are paying off?

Simple, how do you feel?

Do you have more energy? Do your pants fit a little better? Is your shirt not hugging you where it used to? Look at your face, has it thinned out a little?

Those are the true measure of your efforts, not some number your scale spits out at you. Use if for what it is, one of many ways to keep you accountable to yourself. Look at your numbers over the course of weeks and months, not days.

Just because the scale can be a real jerk doesn’t mean you should let it derail your efforts. You got this!

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