jelly legs

I pulled myself together today and, in the spare five minutes I had just before dance, I did Cassey's new I Really Like You Squat Challenge. This was a mistake; I should have waited until afterwards! Ohmygosh, my legs haven't died like that in the longest time! That may be because I've not done any of Cassey's videos in a while, or maybe just because it was such a good workout! Either way, I really enjoyed it!

Dance itself was such a great source of cardio tonight; our current routine is so fast and crazily fun, that I was dripping with sweat before the hour was up! Afterwards, I saw the two really cute guys who go to a running class at the same time as mine, so I'll bet I looked just perfectly gross to them! ;)

breathing room

And I'm back! These past couple of weeks have been immensely busy for a number of reasons, thus meaning I couldn't really work out or even attempt to write anything for you. I'd like to take a minute to talk about these things, since they're pretty much the most important things that have happened to me for quite a while.

On April 11 my dance group had the opportunity to dance at the Indigo at the O2 in London. We performed two six-minute street dances, as the host group was Street Dance International. We got to meet so many other amazing dancers, and watch some of the most incredible performances I've ever seen!

It's watching these crews dancing together, with their coordination and teamwork, that you begin to appeciate their incredible talent that little bit more. It's amazing what you can do with that level of trust and respect you have with each other; it's what really makes everything start to get into sync and look just that teeny bit more professional. I walked out of there that night with the biggest smile on my face; partially from pride - I mean, I'd just danced at the O2, in London! - and partially from the level of inspiration I was feeling. It was all just so surreal.

Professionalism is also something that is taken very seriously in the dance world, as it is anywhere I suppose. Without going into too much detail, one of our dancers, who just so happens to choreograph quite a chunk of our routines, obviously with help from his peers, and who also does the coolest flips and flicks, had become injured just a few days before the show, and so couldn't even stand up, let alone dance. We Facetimed him the whole while we danced and were backstage, showing him the routines from the wings and he also got to speak to the compare, a triple world champion called Tega. I'm proud to say that I think we did him proud!

The next event took place last weekend, on Sunday April 19. We took ourselves to the local college and performed for the Segway Polo Finals (I think!). It was crazy, we were being filmed, and even Amy Williams - yes, the Olympic Gold medalist! - was there taking part. In the polo of course, not our dancing ;) That, again, was an amazing experience in itself, and I'm proud to have been part of it!


The final big thing for me was last night. I had my year 11 prom, which meant that (almost) my whole school year dressed up all formally and had a big dance. Yet again, I'm not going to go into too much detail, but I loved every minute of it! There were limos, motorbikes, tractors, mobility scooters, Ferrari's, tanks, Hummer limos and a whole variety of beautiful old cars! And the dresses! Wow, oh wow! The girls all looked stunning! Also, let's not forget the guys; they all scrub up pretty well! A couple in particular ;) And now for some of the pictures!

kind of a cheat day

I'm not going to say that I was lazy today; instead I'll say that I was productive in terms of work, instead of workouts. True, I had three hours of dance rehearsals (four hours of them left until the big day!), but I also had McDonald's. Let's just call that my yolo meal this week! I also did the push up challenge and the arm challenge, so I don't feel too bad about today.

But the rest of my day was spent doing homework and visiting the prom dress shop, where I bought a necklace, earrings and a tiara. It's only 15 days away!

shaking all over

One of these days, I'm going to run out of new post names xD

Sadly, I only had time to do one of Cassey's videos today. Revision is in full swing, after realising this morning that my first exam is in 33 days. So I chose the Ultimate Hot Body Workout, which I haven't done for such a long time, but love! You know the move where you take your legs out and in, crossing the ankles each time? Well, that was an absolute killer! I felt my core working, and my legs themselves were actually shaking so hard. Just as much as my arms shook in the half-cobra push ups.

But on top of this, I also did the arm challenge and a push up challenge! I managed 5, which is a personal record xD I can't do them to save my life, so I'm proud! Here's the push up challenge I did:

Then I had two hours of dance rehearsals. Seven hours of them left before the big day!

burn that butt

Guess what? Three consecutive sunny days! I think this may be the first time this has happened this year.

Today was butt day. Oh, the joys. I don't mind it, but I just really wish it was arm day, in all fairness. I only ended up having time to do the Fat Loss Cardio and the Beach Ready Butt videos. I loved the Plié Hops and the Knee Crazies since I do them all the time in street dance class.

This evening's two hour rehearsals went pretty well. Because it was so warm today, I got unbearably sweaty - my back is the worst. But that's a good thing, right? Shows I've been working hard. There's only 9 more hours of rehearsals before Sunday! We've had to change some parts of the dance because the guy who does so many cool tricks and flips in our routines has sadly broken his leg, which must feel so awful for him! We all feel pretty bad about it, now we have to do him proud!

Bring on Sunday!

slightly squishy stomach

Hello there my lovelies! Hasn't today seen some more lovely weather? And also guess who hasn't been able to get out in it yet again. Clue: they're typing this and feeling rather sorry for themselves. On the bright side (pun not intended), I will get to enjoy it tomorrow, if England is lucky enough to have three consecutive days of good weather.

But today, I was able to get the ab videos done. Oh man, they hurt so bad, but also so good. For example, the HIIT video got me sweating and out of breath so fast - the first move killed me! The Criss Cross Abs in the 5 Min video killed me too.

I loved the Muffintop Shredder and 6 Min video, but Extreme Abs was so difficult. I kind of did the hollow rock (had to bend my knees today, I was shattered); in the Double Legs Lifts my quads burned and my whole legs shook like crazy! But I love the Earthquake so much. Spending so much time in it has made me realise that I might actually have to shave my legs, since it's been so warm recently. Tmi, I know ;)

Then, of course, was three sets of the arm challenge, which had added Half-Cobra Push Ups today. It was a nice addition. Anyway, here's your quote :)

burn baby burn

Oh, how I wish I could run, or jog, or cycle. The weather here today was so good, and we had almost completely blue skies. Alas, stomach cramps and an excess of school work meant that I couldn't really leave the house. I'm just hoping that it holds up again for tomorrow, so I can go on a walk then.

Anyway, today's videos included the 'On Fire' series, which are ever so tortuously fun. Abs, Arms, Butt and Legs. Surprisingly, the only one of these videos I've actually done before is the abs one. I can definiely see some improvements, becuase this time I can actually do the hollow rock! The other three videos, however, I've never even played, but they pushed me just right! My favourite moves were definitely the Hammy Curls from the butt video, and the Plow & Squat from the legs video.

The other video of the workout was the Spring Leaning Slimdown. I haven't worked my abs in quite a while before today (big oops!) so this felt so good! I loved doing The Wiggle, ohmygosh!

Oh and of course, I also did three sets of the arm challenge. I really like how Cassey comes up with these monthly challenges for us to complete. We can personalise them to do as many sets as we like/can, and three is fine for me at the moment.

Since I didn't post a 'body shot' yesterday, I thought it'd be a good thing to show you where I'm at now. I really want to tone up, like all over, and lose that last little bit of belly fat that's still lingering around. Anyway, here goes :)

I took this after my workout today, proud that I'd finished, especially as I'm feeling rather ill with a cold. Note that I'm flexing, but I'm still happy with the progress that I'm making! Bring on abs day tomorrow.

not exactly day one

Hello, welcome! If anyone's actually reading this, anyway ;) If you haven't already, why not check out a little bit about me, and why I'm writing this blog? It'd save a whole load of your time for me not to have to explain it all over, I promise.

So today is Easter. The day of, in most households, I can imagine, chocolate and treats. It is in ours, at least. I'm not going to lie, I've eaten my fair share today, but that's also been balanced out with a fair amount of fruit, so all is not lost.

I actually managed to complete all of Cassey's videos today, without having to substitute any! This is the first time that's happened in a long while. I did Fun Indoor Cardio, which has got to be one of my favourite cardio videos of hers. It never fails to get me smiling. I then completed Killer Legs, Long Lean Legs (which absolutely killed me, but I love it!), Perfect Legs and 3 Minute Thighs, followed by the arm challenge (3 sets).

I love working legs. Whether it's because I'm a dancer, and use my legs all the time anyway, or just because it's fun, I don't know. They're stronger than they are flexible, let me tell you.

I was also going to give yoga a go today, but in the end, I didn't. You know why? Time. I always seem to leave my workouts until after I've eaten dinner, which may not be the best for me, but is usually the only time I have left in the day. Hm, there's always tomorrow! In the meantime, here's a motivational quote!