Well Hello! 
It has been an interesting 3 months to say the least.  It's incredible to way life ebbs and flows-one minute everything is great and the next it feels like life is against you.  Since April I haven't felt like myself at all!  But I can feel the tides turning-something in the Universe has made a shift and my energy and motivation are slowly coming back to me.  I just looked up my horoscope and it's strangely spot on! 

Your personal energy level may slide a little in periods here and there in the summer, but you've got enough going so that friends can carry you during those low points. 

The good news is that you actually gain a burst of energy with the advent of fall. Jupiter will also be in Leo from July 16 onward, giving your stamina a boost. 

So, what's new with me!?  A LOT! 
I'm riding in the Waves to Wine bike race in September.  It's a 2 day bike ride totaling 120 miles that benefits the MS Society.  I've been slacking on my training(aka I haven't been, lol) but I started today! I struggled on my short 20 mile ride-my heart rate was through the roof! But I just kept reminding myself that I have to start somewhere and that my conditioning will come back.  Consistency is key to any workout or training regiment.  I will slowly add mileage each week until September.  I'm starting to plan my fundraising events and I'm super excited.  I love throwing parties, especially when it's for a good cause.  I'll be holding a cocktail party and silent auction in August and you all better come! Raising money for MS (or any worthy cause) makes me feel good. Giving back to others is one of the best things you can do to feed your soul:) 

I recently became a Certified Personal Trainer, booyah! Helping others reach their fitness goals is another thing that makes me feel happy and fulfilled.  I recently teamed up with a new Fitness App called FYTNS.  If you live in San Francisco and want to train with me or a bunch of other awesome athletes check it out! 

I can feel the energy shifting and I'm so excited for the second half of the year.  If you have been in a similar funk, just remember to stay true to yourself and do things that make you happy.  Life is too short to do anything that doesn't bring you joy. Remember, the valleys of life help make the mountain peaks feel even higher than they already are!

If you'd like to contribute to my fundraising efforts I would REALLY appreciate it!  Just CLICK HERE.  

I'm taking my training to the next level! I've always wanted to know how many calories I'm actually burning and the only way to do that is with a heart rate monitor.  I started researching which brand would be right for me and it was overwhelming! The price range and features offered are all over the place.  I didn't want to spend a fortune but wanted something quality and reliable. After way too many hours on the internet reading reviews I settled on the Polar FT60.  I really hate online shopping because I like instant-in my hand-gratification when I spend money.  So I paid a little extra for the overnight shipping and BOOM it's here in time for the weekend! I'm really excited to get an actual reading of what's going on when I'm busting my ass! Perceived exertion can be deceiving, so this monitor will help me understand how hard I'm really working.



Actual Calorie Counter-
The only way to really know how many calories you've burned is with a heart rate monitor.  Your heart rate combine with your age/weight and gender gives you an accurate figure.  It takes a deficit of $3,500 calories in one week to lose a pound(or 500 calories a day).  With this heat rate monitor I can make sure I'm on track to reach my weight loss goals!

Training Zones-
Based on all my personal info I plug into the monitor it tells me which heart rate zone I'm in.  This is helpful because each zone creates different results.  Some days I want to work on my endurance and aerobic fitness(Zone 2). Other days I want to work on my max threshold which will translate into being able to spring harder or charge up steep grades on my bike(Zone 3).

Here's a breakdown of the zones-
Zone 1 (65-75% of HR Max): Cool Down, Warm Up

Zone 2 (76%-85% of HR Max): Most training will take place here.  You can run/spin with broken sentences if you try to have a conversation.

Zone 3 (86-95% of HR Max): Hard-Max effort when you are sprinting or performing intervals.

Photo By Dan Goodman

My little gadget should be a great addition to my gym bag.  Anything to help me take my fitness to the next level and keep me pushing is an asset.  Whatever it takes to get you out there and working out is worth the money! Maybe for you it's a new pair of shoes, new lifting gloves or new headphones. Summer is here and I'm working my ass off to get bikini ready just like you! Let's do this:)

XO,
Kristin