12 | September | 2012 | nutcaseinpoint

So, this fitness retreat I have been mentioning. It’s this weekend. I’m kind of excited because it means I get to get out of the house. And workout. And be with other people who love to workout. But I am nervous because I won’t know anyone. And I’ll be away from Tyler and the pup. And what if I hate it?

I’m turning into such a worry wart and a homebody. Gross.

Here’s the deal: The retreat is Friday-Sunday. We meet at one of the Calgary YMCA’s, take one of two 90 minute (optional) classes, then take the bus out to the mountains to the retreat lodge. When we registered for the retreat, we had to rank which classes we would like to take for each time slot. I still don’t know which ones I have gotten into, but I thought I would give you some of the info regarding my top choices (as described in the retreat information packet).

Pre-Conference (Friday night at the local YMCA)

Turn & Burn: Athletic Cycling meets resistance training head on! Kickstart your retreat with this energetic, 60-minute workout that alternates cycling drills with training intervals on a variety of equipment.

Session 1 (Saturday, 10:30am)

Booty Camp: You’ve heard of Boot Camp… but have you heard of Booty Camp? Take your below-the-belt classes to camp with this whole new, circuit-style approach to training glutes and legs. Whether in pairs, on a team, or just surviving solo, come ready to experience a lower body challenge that is just plain booty crazy.

Session 2 (Saturday, 1:00pm)

All Systems Go: Experience the ultimate cardio and strength interval rush! All Systems Go fires up all energy systems for a crazy fitness adventure. It all begins with a fab warm-up that teases you into thinking ‘hey, this workout is gonna be fun and fancy-free’. But when the warm-up is over, there’s no looking back. You will alternate between cardio and strength intervals that challenge your muscles, heart, and soul to go where they’ve never gone before. Using the Body Bar, your body weight, and sheer determination, this is a workout to be conquered!

Session 3 (Saturday, 3:00pm)

TRX Training Zone Circuit: The TRX Training Zone is a new anchoring solution that provides a revolutionary environment for functional circuit training. Learn how to skillfully use all the elements of the TRX Training Zone to bring the best of Suspension Training, Rip Training, and Functional Conditioning together in one effective, high-energy workout.

Session 4 (Saturday, 5:00pm)

Flirty Girl!: Get ready to get flirty. You’ve thought about teaching cardio dance but didn’t know where to begin; well look no further- you are about to experience Flirty Girl Fitness. No dance experience is necessary with the easy-to-learn dance routines that perfectly combine cardio and strength training. You’re gonna think you’re part of a music video rather than in a cardio crazy, core-chiseling, booty-toning, arm-sculpting workout. Boys welcome!

Early Riser (Sunday, 7:30am)

Rise-and-Shine Yoga

Key Note Lecture (Sunday, 9:30am)

w/Mindy Mylrea. Every Movement Matters: Training the Whole and Not Just the Part.: Teachers teach and students follow. That’s how it goes..or is it? Is our roles as fitness professionals just to lead a great class- or is it to encourage and direct our students to take action outside of the class room. We are here to empower and assist in creating lasting change. Learn strategies, tips, and tricks to assist your students to change their lives for the better. Through encouraging healthy eating, movement through the day, and mindful acts you truly can be the catalyst for more than just a great workout.

We’ll see if those are the classes I get into!

So, my dog is spoiled.

I went to the store yesterday specifically to get canned pumpkin for her. Over the last few months, she has been having issues where she screams in pain whenever she sits or lays down. We have brought her to the vet and found it’s because her anal glands have been filling with fluid. Gross, right? Since then, she has had to go to the vet a couple of times to get her glands ’emptied.’ But dude, vet appointments are nasty expensive. We Googled the problem and spoke with the people at our local pet store, and it seems that upping her fiber intake may solve the problem. Insert:

Pumpkin!

About 1 tbsp mixed in with her food, and she should be good to go. With her being a picky eater, I was nervous she would eat around the orange stuff, but dang she gobbled it all up!

And now she’s even more drooly! Gross.

As if the pumpkin wasn’t enough, she also got some of our dinner.

Correction: some of my dinner.

Guys- it was a good dinner.

Pork Tenderloin with Apples and Onions

Here’s what you’ll need

pork tenderloin (duh)
2 granny smith apples, peeled and diced
1 medium onion (I used 2 small ones from our garden!), diced
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup water
S&P

This is what you do

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, prepare a baking pan with olive oil (or Pam)
In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat. Place the S&P’d tenderloin in the skillet to brown on all sides (about 5-6 minutes).
Transfer the tenderloin onto the prepared pan and place in the oven until the internal temperature of the pork reaches 165 degrees (about 25 minutes).
While the tenderloin in cooking, add the onions to the same skillet in which the tenderloin was browned. Allow them to get tender. (approx. 3 min)
Add the apples, balsamic vinegar, cinnamon, and sugar. Stir frequently to fully incorporate. Once incorporated, add the water to the skillet.
After a few minutes, once the apples start to tenderize, cover the skillet and turn off the burner.
When tenderloin is done baking, remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
Cut the tenderloin and top with onion/apples mixture. Serve.

Sounds good huh? It is. Even Tyler liked it, and he hates pork (crazy since he LOVESSSSS bacon). And he hates the idea of pairing meat with fruit. Double win for me!

As if these yummy eats weren’t enough for the four-footed princess, Tyler came home with even more goodies for her.

One of the ingredients is pumpkin! She is going to turn orange soon. I promise to post pictures when it happens.

She loved these treats from Wet Noses. She actually played with her first brownie bite last night before inhaling it.

While my dog enjoyed being spoiled yesterday, I unfortunately did not treat myself to such luxuries. I didn’t even work out. And I was SO mad about it. Granted, I do have an exercise-filled weekend coming up, so my body could use the break. But I took out my frustration on Tyler with lots of frowns and moans and groans. Poor guy.

Exercise makes me happy. Even if my body needs the break, I like to indulge in workouts to stay HAPPY. I promised myself that since I was not doing a single thing yesterday, I would have an awesome workout today. And I’m excited for it! I’m going to run at the Y then get in some strength circuits from Best Body Bootcamp. And then I’m going to be HAPPY!

Oh wait, I did do one thing..