Some of you that are Facebook readers know that I took a spin class on Monday. I used to spin once in a while maybe a year ago or so and I loved it. But this spin class was special for two reasons. First, my sister teaches the class. This picture of us after class might get me in trouble with her. She’s the hot one on the right and although it’s not exactly the most flattering pic of any of us (we *did* just bust our asses spinning for 50 minutes), if I had her body I’d be spinning in a bikini. No lie. It was my first time in one of her classes since she became an instructor. What can I say? She rocks. After class one of her students said to me, “Did she warn you before you took the class that she was insane?” Yeah, I’ve known her for 34 years. I’m familiar. 😉 Seriously though, you haven’t taken spin til you’ve taken it with Ashley. I’m pleased to say that I kept up through the entire class and didn’t pass out or vomit. Go me! One day later my quads are still on fire and I prefer to stand versus sit on my sore butt. But hey, it’s the price you pay to burn calories and prove a little somthin’ somthin’.
The second reason this class was special was that it was on July 9. That’s the day we lost my Dad to a heart attack 5 years ago. I wanted to write this post and tell you about this spin class not to ask for your condolences, but to tell you that we spent the day honoring his memory and his heart by making our own hearts stronger. See that man in between me and my sister in the picture? His name is Dominic and he’s 81 years old. EIGHTY-ONE. And he takes spin class 5-6 times a week. If 81-year-old Dominic can get up and shake a leg, and I can get up and show my sister who’s who on a bike, anyone can do it. Anyone can do SOMETHING to take care of themselves and their hearts.
Besides my family for inspiration, the one thing that gets me rockin’ at the gym is good music. Ashley always has the best cardio playlists. Here are the songs we worked out to in her class:
You’ve Got the Love by Florence and the Machine
Born to Be My Baby by Bon Jovi
50 Ways to Say Goodbye by Train
All Around the World by Justin Bieber
In memory of my Dad, in honor of my inspirational sister, and as a kick in the pants to any of you who need it to get started doing something good for your hearts, I want to give you some rockin’ music to get you moving! I’m giving away a $15 iTunes e-gift card so you can buy the songs on our spinning playlist, or whatever songs you like to get your heart pumping!
This giveaway will end on Friday night at midnight, July 13, 2012. No Rafflecopter this time. To enter to win, leave me a comment below telling me one thing you’re doing or that you’re going to start doing to take care of your heart. Want an extra entry? Leave me a comment telling me your favorite song that gets your blood pumping!
Now get out there and bust a move! 😉
Denise Weatherly says
I take water aerobics (3) times a week and water zumba one day a week.
I commend you on the spinning … Your father’s love kept ya going. I did it ONE time for
45 min and said, NO WAY lol.
I don’t have a favorite song. I just like music playing when I am exercising.
Denise Weatherly says
Oh should have made the music comment separate. I don’t have a favorite song right now.
angela p says
I just got a carrier to hook up behind my bike so I can go on long bike rides with my kids
angela p says
I am not usually a fan of any song remix but the beat of Rihanna’s We Found Love (Cahill Club Remix) gets me moving!
Suzanne says
I run up and down our stairs endless times a day to keep my heart pumping. Also we go for a walk every day, pushing the stroller up and down these country hills, it must be doing some good. I don’t have a favorite song, we mostly dance to kid music, but my 3 year old son really likes “you think my tractors sexy!” It’s too funny.
Nyeasia Pippin says
I’m going to exercise more and eat healthier food! My aunt has congestive heart failure and she doesn’t smoke nor drink. She’s only 38 and has to have a pacemaker/defibrillator. That right there inspired me to do better for myself.
Nyeasia Pippin says
I don’t have a particular favorite song because songs are just great! But I would have to say Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO!!!
Carey Dorizzi Wright says
I gained 100 lbs after having my daughter..and I just lost all 100lbs! My heart will thank me for it now and in the future! Also I quit smoking 5 years ago and haven’t gone back! I feel more energetic than I ever have!
Carey Dorizzi Wright says
Anything with a good beat! I like C+C Music Factory
karen says
I love to un…gets me away from the kids for a bit and just feel so free when i do it 🙂 i also like to bike ride with my 7 yr old…I put the little one in the attached baby seat and it’s quality mommy son time 🙂
karen says
I love running with my ipod…so many great songs!!! If i had to choose one…Save a horse ride a cowboy. It at least makes me smile while i run…
amber demeo says
I love to walk (at a good pace of course) to my inlaws. They live about a mile and a half away. I get to visit, and then walk back home. But we have a huge hill I have to walk up so that makes it more challenging!
amber demeo says
I love I’m Sexy and I Know It! Lol
Tooth Fairy says
* Note: Good oral hygiene is linked to heart health too. Mouth is gateway to body.
I am trying to get into routine of walking more, especially for short trips to nearby store. This is good exercise!
Tooth Fairy says
Moves like Jagger ♪♫♪
Lindsay says
Oh, love that one!
Heather R says
I go to the gym 3-4 days a week and love to work on the elliptical & weight machines
Heather R says
I love to listen to hard rock music to get me in the mood to move and work up a sweat!
Virginia Rowell says
I have been walking everyday.
Christine says
I’m making sure I walk at least 4 days a week.
Christine says
I’ve been listening to a lot of Latin music to get the blood pumping…my fav at the moment is any of Pitbull’s mixes.
Jessie says
My mom and I decided to be gym buddies so we can work toward living healthier (I’m 21 and she is 50). We joined a gym today for the first time and will start training next week! Can’t wait to start Zumba class!
My favorite song to workout to is All These Things That I’ve Done by The Killers. It’s got a really catchy, fun beat and I just love it!
Lindsay says
Awesome! Love that you teamed up with your mom. You go, girls!
sharon winne says
I try and get my daily exercise in, and i eat a high fiber diet!
Suzannah Clark says
I joined weight watchers and am walking on a treadmill 6 days a week. I have lost 8 pounds so far. Slow and steady
Jared Roberts says
I’ve started taking a baby aspirin once daily. My doctor recommended it because I was also just diagnosed with diabetes about 2 months ago. Thanks for doing this giveaway!
Arin Barbaro says
Well since I just started losing weight I like to walk the block with the kids and then do the MJ Experience on the Wii if you have not done that one trust me you sweat your tail off. Heart problems run in my family my dad passed at 29 from a heart attack and I am starting to feel the not so good feeling lately. On my way I go to a better me.
Arin Barbaro says
My favorite music to listen to that gets me pumped is anything from godsmack.
sharon winne says
motley crues kickstart my heart always gets me ready to workout! love the pace!
Mary Ryan says
I do step aerobics-30 minutes a day and try to eat healthy. My favorite song for exercise is anything by Train
Lynn Ross says
Instead of driving to my mom’s to give her her meds and insulin shots, I have been walking up. I like all
music to get my heart pumping.
Jeanine Kim Yaklin Reese says
Well since February I lost 39 pounds. I like to walk 5 miles a day but the heat is not cooperating so then I do my elliptical. I just bought a kettlebell and DVD to try and do some strength training and looking for other ways to strength train.
Heather Walter says
I started walking in late February. I could barely do a quarter mile. Now I can do 2 and a quarter miles! Last month, I also started taking classes. I’ve been doing yoga 2x a week, water aerobics 2x a week, circuit training 1x and strength training x1 on top of that. When I started in February, I was over 300lbs, and I feel like I’m slowly coming down. As for songs, there are several that keep me going, but one that comes to mind first is “Don’t stop me now” by Queen.
Oh, also wanted to mention that my friends and I signed up to walk the color run in August. A year ago if you would have told me I would do ANY of these things, I’d think you were crazy.
Meghan Minihan says
I walk, everyday 🙂
Meghan Minihan says
Sam Cooke, Change is gonna come
Clarissa Valentine Gant says
I’m going to try to get off the couch and get moving more.
Mary says
I eat a vegan diet. That’s no animal products (meat, eggs, dairy, etc). Vegans have a much lower rate of heart disease than any other group.
Clarissa Valentine Gant says
I like Pink’s song “Raise your Glass”…makes me wanna dance ♥
Diane Swan says
I have lost 50# and kept it off for 5 years – I walk 6 out of 7 days – bad knees – so this is the exercising I can do……but I do totally rock out (BTW I am 55) while I walk. My husband has to shut the door cuz I sing so loud….my dream in my next life is to have a VOICE that is good. My favorite song….so many….”Addicted to Love” – Robert Palmer…..”Love Shack” – B-52’s….currently…”Payphone” – Maroon 5….Thanks for HONORING your father….and more power to Dominic…he’s got another 20 years in him!
Crystle Monahan says
When college comes back around I’ll be walking for 30 minutes each day to get to and from the bus stop, which will hopefully be very good for my heart.
Crystle Monahan says
Oh yeah, forgot to say which song gets my blood pumping! Most songs by Weird Al Yankovic will do it (yes I’m a dork) and if I have to pick one, then one of his newer ones, White ‘N Nerdy, (parody of Ridin’ Dirty) would be it.
Bobbi Kilbarger says
I’m eating oatmeal cooked with flax seed in it to keep my cholesterol healthy.
Melanie says
I’m going to get up a little earlier and get my act together in a timely fashion so I can walk to work more often. It’s 25 minutes each way, which is a nice way to begin and end the work day.
What gets my blood pumping? Any of the Pandora stations in the “Workout” genre. The music is designed to get you moving, you can change it up whenever you want AND it’s free!
Shara Toennies says
I’ve started doing Yoga at home four times a week. Lucky for me, there’s an app for that. =)
Jennifer P says
I just started walking which definitely gets my heart pimping since I haven’t done much of it since knee surgery 18 months ago. After I get the walking down I plan to start doing some exercise. Thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer P says
“Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes gets my blood pumping.
Katie S says
I am trying to start my ab exercises….just had a baby 8 weeks ago and it’s time to get going!
Katie S says
I really like Put a Ring On It by Beyonce for getting moving.