Busy, busy, busy!

Sticking to our New Year's resolutions are tough, but surprisingly, I've had an easier time with mine this year. I admit, it helps to be bound to a twice-weekly course that I've already paid for and friends to tease me when I miss one. Monday's class was the fifth so far this semester and I know I may sound a little ahead of myself, but I already feel like I'm getting stronger! With this enthusiasm I decided to dip into the gym to do some free weights.

I knew that evenings at the gym were busy, but I had no idea how busy! Doing a scan of the main floor I noticed that only one treadmill was free, two Stairmasters were free and a handful of bikes (mostly the recumbent ones). Everything else was in use. I turned around to chance the weight machines, but it seemed like each one was occupied. "Okay, well, let's try the weights upstairs since that's what I came for anyways," I thought to myself. Not even at the top of the stairs I could tell I was out of luck. As my last hope, I went to find the mats on the other mezzanine for some stretching post-spin. Holy smokes. So. Many. People. I have never seen a gym so full! Feeling rather stunned I decided to just give in to my tired muscles and I headed home.

From my experience, the best time to go to the gym would be midday. You're almost guaranteed a machine and/or workout space and you don't feel the same pressure to keep to the time limit. Seven-thirty at night is certainly the opposite. Sure, it's conveniently after your long school day, but if you can squeeze in a workout during your lunch break, I highly suggest it! That way you not only skip the gym wait times, but also the cafeteria wait times.

Good luck!

- Martlet Girl

Carnival

Colourful Carnival fans!

Last Wednesday was a special night as the McGill Redmen faced off against UQTR (Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières). When I walked into McConnell Arena that evening, I found myself in a swarm of multicoloured jumpsuits, red t-shirts and beer. Not only was this a Red Thunder game, but Carnival participants were there to double the hype. Now, what's Carnival you ask? Well, imagine frosh in the winter. Except this one is team-based, everyone wears jumpsuits (aka "puke suits") and compete in drinking-related games to win the week-long event. Needless to say, these enthusiastic, inebriated folk made the game all the more fun.

It was hard to tell what side the fans were on just by the sight of them: when McGill scored, everyone was on their feet cheering, arms around each other and ordering another round in celebration; when UQTR scored, everyone was on their feet booing, arms around each other and ordering another round to ease their woes. Thankfully, there was more to celebrate than to cry about. The Redmen won 4-2!

If you're looking for another chance to cheer on our teams, come join the fans for some more hockey as our boys take on the Concordia Stingers on Friday at McConnell Arena. Also on this weekend: the McGill Team Challenge for our track and field stars at the fieldhouse and Martlet volleyball versus Sherbrooke on Sunday at the Love Competition Hall (in the Sports Complex).

Check out the McGill Athletics homepage for all the lastest info on our varsity teams, tickets, how to get there and more.

- Martlet Girl

Spin and Trim

Last night I tried my first ever spin class. I was expecting it to be challenging, by WOW was it tough! The class is called Spin and Trim so we cycle for about 50-55 minutes, have short stretch and then 15-20 minutes of exercises to strengthen other parts of the body before a longer stretch at the end. Once the class was over and my heart rate was back to normal, I realized how much I enjoyed it! But before I got to that blissful point... well, it wasn't easy.

I have never cycled on a spin bike before, so I wasn't entirely sure what I was getting myself into. From the looks on the faces of others in the class, I could tell I wasn't alone. Once everyone was perched on their bikes, the teacher put one some music and we were off! She was shouting out motivations left and right and as the music tempo increased, so did our speed. We went over hills, rode flats, did sprints and I thought I was going to hurl. This was way more intense then I was expecting! Sometimes she had us standing up while we worked our way up a hill (which is a lot harder than she makes it look). The toughest part for me was when we had to stand for 5 seconds, then sit back down, then stand, then sit, and so on. After that, I was sure my legs had turned to jelly. That was confirmed to me once I stepped off my bike: my legs were shaking and with each step, I swerved a bit on my way to the mats. The core exercises the teacher led us in were tough, especially for a girl who’s trying to get all those muscles back. I struggled most with the plank: I could barely hold it for 20 seconds! However, our teacher assured us all that by the end of the class we’ll be able to hold plank for 2 minutes… wish me luck!

All these difficulties aside, the challenge was exciting. Once I got over the unwelcome feeling in my stomach, it was really fun! It was cool to try something different and I’m looking forward to feeling myself get stronger. In the meantime, my bottom is sore, my legs are tired and my spirits are high. Next class is tomorrow!
 See ya then!

- Martlet Girl

My New Year's Resolutions

Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break and brought in 2013 with a fresh set of New Year's resolutions. I sure did!

This year, I've created a set of goals that will get me back in shape now that I'm feeling a bit stronger after my injury over the summer. I divided my goals up into short-, mid-, and long-term:

• My short-term goal is to go swimming today and hit the gym on Thursday. (It may seem a little too short, but I have to start somewhere!) I'm hoping that by starting the first week of the semester on the right foot it will guide me to greater success over the course of the year.
• As for my mid-term goal, I've joined a spin class that runs twice a week throughout the term. For some extra motivation, I've registered with a few friends. I'm signed up and payed for so there's no backing out now!
• The long-term goal I have in mind is to get back to running. I'm hoping to lace up my running shoes sometime in late spring or over the summer break. This goal is the most daunting for me as I have been in and out of running over the last few years while I try to recover from various injuries and illnesses. What used to be part of my daily routine now scares me a bit... It's tough to get back into it every time and my lack of consistency doesn't help. But this time is a different story! I'm determined to find my way back.

Throughout the semester I'm also going to try a few of the drop-in classes. These Pay-As-You-Go fitness classes have something for everyone: spin, zumba, tae box and more! There's tons to choose from, so don't make any excuses!

See ya at the gym!

- Martlet Girl