I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve realized that there’s some sort of activity that I latch onto, to help me get through a deployment. For our first deployment, hiking was my thing and it truly helped ease things. Not only was it a great workout, but it definitely took my mind off of missing A so much. This time around, barre has definitely been my thing.
Early on way before A left, it was decided that I would spend the entire deployment back home with my family. Since getting here, my plans have changed a bit and would only be staying here for part of the deployment. I discovered barre back when I was on the islands and it was something that I truly enjoyed. It easily became one of my favorite workouts!
Barre works on elongating and leaning out your muscles; it’s a combination of dance, pilates and yoga using the ballet barre. Before I arrived to Washington, I was already hunting down a barre studio and was excited when I came across the only one in my hometown. About a week after I arrived, I bought a package and have been going about 3 times a week.
I love the studio that I take my classes at and the owner is super nice, but she sure knows how to make us work during our barre sesh. Since I’ve been consistent with my barre classes and soon to be traveling again, I’ve been wanting to get into yoga and running.
But what about volleyball? As much as I love volleyball and try to play it as often as I can, it’s not as consistent as it was during my competitive playing days. However, I’ve managed to play in three tournaments on the weekends during my time here. And by the time I leave, I will have played in 5 tournaments! This was something I definitely wasn’t expecting because a lot of the people that I did play with before I left Washington have either moved or don’t play anymore. It has been a much welcomed treat to actually get some volleyball in.
Back to the yoga and running. Yesterday, I’ve started my running journey (if you saw my post on Instagram, you know all about it) and was rather surprised about how eager I was to get into running. I’ve never been one to love running and have tried it out for a solid month, but ended up calling it quits on that. On my off days from barre, I sat around wanting to do more. And that’s when running came to be. I had a rather successful day with running, I managed to run a little over a mile without stopping, which is a huge accomplishment for me. Running is definitely baby steps, but I can’t wait to see all the changes as it becomes a regular part of my routine.
Once I head back to visit my brother on the Big Island, there’s no barre studio near where he lives, so it’ll be running and yoga. There is a pilates studio that I wanted to check out, but I think those two will suit me just fine until I head back to Oahu.
Ah yes, if you didn’t know, now you do. I’ll be heading back to the islands come Spring! The hope is to continue with my barre + yoga + running routine and, OF COURSE, more hiking adventures. Everyone, I can’t tell you how excited I am to get back to my mountains. I’ve missed them so much and am impatiently waiting to hike again. And that means more adventures to share with everyone!
What has been your “thing” during deployments?
What barre place did you go to on island? I really want to try it! Staying active and friends helped SO much during Nic’s deployment. I think I would have gone crazy otherwise. Also, all of your hikes during A’s first deployment was actually one of my arguments on why I thought i could handle Hawaii on my own while he was gone. You kept so busy and looked like you were having fun. 🙂
@disqus_7tp4KVU4Rz:disqus I went to a couple of places and they’re both in Kailua. There’s Barre Kailua with Jennifer, she’s who I started with and probably who I’ll go back to when I’m back in Oahu. She has daily barre classes. And there’s Nufitness Kailua, they have barre and a bunch of other great group fitness classes. Yeah you just gotta stay busy during the deployments, it’s the only way to make it out with your sanity intact 😉 Let me know if you have any questions about barre!
I’ve done pilates at a place in Kailua and that stuff is intense! For me during last deployment it was definitely going to the gym (CrossFit and Olympic Lifting, both). Now we’re enjoying heading to the gym together since he returned three months ago. =)
@natashahoover:disqus I think I know the place you’re talking about, it’s where I first started my barre classes out at. She held her classes in there as well. Props to you and Crossfit, I commend all crossfitters. My brother tried to train me while he was still learning about crossfit and I think that’s why I’ve sworn it off! Lots of yelling going on. My hubs use to run long distance, so I’m trying to get on his level and we can start running together!
You’re so active, it’s inspiring! I need to get off my lazy butt. Whenever Cass is gone I read like a maniac.
@echandwill:disqus trust meeee, it wasn’t always this way! I think because I’m getting older, my recovery time is not how it use to be haha. I hate it, so it encouraged me to be a little bit more active. Baby steps!
I just went to my first barre class last week, it was fun! Working out definitely helped me get through B’s deployment but I was mainly doing olympic lifting and HIIT once I had recovered from surgery… I love to run but only when its cooler, too hot and humid here..!
@jewelswandering:disqus I really want to get into heavy lifting again, we did for volleyball and I loved my gains hahaha. I’ll be running in the hot and humidity when I head back to Hawai’i, although I’m sure Singa is way worse when it comes to the heat!
It’s so good to have an activity when you’re deployed – I’ve always wanted to try barre! I was really into running at the beginning of the hockey season, but since it’s gotten cold I’ve been so lazy! I just joined a gym so I plan on starting to work out again soon. I would love to do classes but they’re really difficult since they’re in German. Everything I do is delayed like 3 seconds since I have to watch people!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
@annessasmith:disqus man I can’t imagine overcoming a language barrier. But I bet you have some funny stories to share from the gym like that coed sauna! That’s crazy! It’s been mid 40s in Washington and surprisingly I like running in that, I’m actually nervous to go back to Hawai’i and run in the humidity and heat …