Variety isn't always the spice of life

I'm constantly reading that you need to switch things up at the gym in order to "trick" your body and get maximum results, so the other day I went to a step class at the gym for the first time since college. It was an advanced class, but I'm pretty fit, so I figured I'd be alright. Plus, if you've ever seen me on the dance floor, you know I've got coordination. (Ellen fun fact: I can do the worm!) 

As soon as the instructor announced he wasn't going to repeat or demonstrate the steps, my confidence level dropped. He said, "I don't need to show you the steps anyway because you're the ones here for the workout!" Umm, based on that Santa Claus belly you're rocking, buddy, yes you DO need to do the workout!

I did fine with the basic steps, knee raises and hamstring curls, but everything after that was a blur. Quickly other steps were incorporated into the routine that totally screwed up my rhythm: the revolving door, back door, C-step—what the heck?! I was so lost and frustrated, and it didn't make me feel good that even the granny with purple hair next to me was keeping up. I didn't want a step class to defeat me, so I kept at it, hoping I'd magically catch on. I never did, so I left after 30 minutes and hopped on a spinning bike to finish my cardio workout. Fail. 

I suppose I'll need to find another way to shake up my usual yoga/running/spinning gym routine. Anyone have suggestions? On that note, I'm heading to yoga class now and then hitting the treadmill after! ha. 

Can working out really make you fat?

When I emailed my friends asking them about what motivated them to exercise for an assignment I was working on, Federica responded: "I don't work out--I have a theory it makes me fat!" Say what? When we got together last Thursday, I asked her what she meant and she said, "When I used to work out like crazy, I was 20 pounds heavier because I ate so much more." Hmm, interesting.
Since I started my new office job, I've traded my usual 6am workouts with blogging sessions. (It's hard to do at night because I'm usually either at an event, hanging out with midgets dressed as pirates or finishing up work that I'm actually getting paid to do.) The result? I've only worked out once in the past eight days. Yikes, that's a record. I did my Physique57 video the other day, and a couple other days I did random sets of push-ups, dips, lunges and crunches. I'm counting it all as one workout because not much cardio was involved. That's quite a difference from my usual routine of running, spinning and yoga classes.

I used to freak out if I exercised less than six times a week, but I've really been too busy to care too much. I actually noticed that my tummy is looking a little flatter--could I be losing weight? I have been eating a little healthier though: more veggies, less Diet Coke, more green tea and less ICE CREAM. So I'm feeling OK.

Acording to this article in TIME magazine, exercise plays a very small factor in weight loss, if any at all. The two main points were that exercise: 1.) Stimulates hunger. 2.) Gives you the "compensation problem." (ie. "I deserve this pizza because I just worked out!") This theory makes sense to me, but I'm not going to stop working out just to test its effectiveness (knowing me, I'd find a way to eat more and then some). I do think I might start trying to be smarter about my workouts though. Going forward, I want to push myself harder, but exercise a little less. I don't think six workouts a week is realistic anymore!

This being said, I can't WAIT for my spinning class tomorrow morning. Nothing is stopping me from going. I also cancelled plans with Jenn tomorrow night so I could go to yoga, too (sorry, Jenn!). I need to get back on track--my body is craving it!

Tell me: Do you agree with this theory? What changes do you see in yourself when you're working out more/less?