So many things going on I don't even know where to start. Typically, I don't like doing "catch-all" blog entries because I like to categorize my topics... but the cryptonite to that is I generally lose steam and/or I am too long winded and I never get to list item No2, No3, etc. Oh well. I'll throw a dart at the board here and start with what popped up when I logged on today. 

Now that I have transitioned to my new job, my significant other is transitioning to his, we are settled into the house, and both actually have the literal Time Of Day to do extra curricular activities - I've been inflicted with a super bad desire to start back up with Pilates.

I originally had to cancel my membership because all extra expenses needed to stop when we were going through the Credit Approval phase for the house. It was bittersweet, but I also knew they were building a Club Pilates 5 minutes from where our house would be and I had every intention on switching to that one instead of making the 30 minute trek to the previous location.

Now, I am currently going through a self-induced detox...

Well, I actually used up all my class credits for Pilates a week & a half early. I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. On Saturday, I made sure to swing by Elements to cancel the massage membership. It  ended up being timed perfectly. My last payment is scheduled for the 15th and my last massage appointment is on the 20th.

Pilates bills me on the 18th, so I officially won't be paying double. I wanted to make a point to say that my services at Elements were always really wonderful. I just didn't get the kind of relief that the Pilates provides me. Even their cancellation process was incredibly painless. I was almost braced for a war, given my experiences with fighting gyms  - now there's a complete nightmare for you.

At the beginning of every Pilates Class, the instructor asks if anyone has any injuries or issues that she should be aware of. I finally made a point to mention that I was having issues with my Bicep on my right arm. My dominant arm. I am dedicated to working through this in the smartest way possible. If it means making modifications to my Pilates workouts, I'm okay with that.

I mean, the entire purpose I'm in this class is to get myself in better working order. I want to be strong in all the right places so that I'm not hurting & aching like I am so frequently.

Remember that sweat I said I broke into during my last Pilates class? Well, I got down and dirty with some muscles that haven't been disturbed in centuries. I have taken a few days to stretch it out at home (legitimately having "stretch" sessions) and I'm still feeling the effects.

This hasn't deterred me from wanting to go back - actually - it's made me want to go back even more. This is exactly what I wanted. I'm literally feeling obvious signs of progress, and I have been since the first session.

I am so glad I decided to do this.

Bonnie and I met up for our first Saturday Pilates Class today. I actually broke a sweat! I'll admit, I was seriously in the zone and really trying to tune everyone else out - focusing a LOT on breathing technique. There's also a lot of habits to break:

•  Keep both feet pointing forward.
•  Don't extend all the way to where your knees lock.
•  Keep wrists straight, your hands should not bend back.
•  Know the difference between the Arches & Balls of your feet.
•  Squats are not the same as Deadlifts.
•  Breath OUT when you extend up and out
•  Breath IN when you come back home

For some reason the breathing technique comes across backwards to me, and I catch my feet wanting to relax into this neutral position and slightly angled.

Totally sitting here shoveling homemade Keto Salisbury Steaks & Squash Casserole in my mouth as I write this. I actually had to refrain from sneaking in another Pilates Class this week... I say "sneak" because Bonnie and I enrolled for some Saturday classes, but I got out of work early on Tuesday and checked out the Center & Balance class, so that's still 2 in 1 week. I signed up for the 4 Pack and told myself I wanted to see how often I legitimately used the membership before I upgraded to anything more. I'll probably be bumping up to the 8 Pack here soon.

I have a Fancy-Schmancy Wifi/Smart Scale and it tracks a crap ton of things in addition to weight. Generally, people have a tendency to be fixated on one set of numbers: WEIGHT (lbs), so I'm choosing to instead go by BMI.

Essentially the same, but not.

It's a way for me to share my ups and …

I finally managed to get myself in for a massage.

I kept trying to get in to one that is right around the corner from me, but they were always booked. So, I got online and started looking at reviews. Eventually, I decided to try my luck with Elements Massage. It's not nearly as close as the oth…