Soul DC

If you follow my Instagram (@MacKenzieAGreen), you may have noticed I have a bit of an obsession...Soul Cycle!

I took my first class over 2 years ago.  My parents and I had just gotten our apartment in NYC, and on a walk around the neighborhood I discovered a Soulcycle near by at E83rd.  I figured anything good enough for Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was a must try.

I would like to say I enjoyed my first class, but I didn't enjoy it...I became obsessed.  I was sweating like someone was pouring water over my head, and crying like a baby.  There were disco balls, black lights, and lots of positive affirmations.  I took as many classes as I could that week.  And when I went to LA 2 weeks later for my UCLA Riordan Fellows interview (I even roped my lovely Miss AZ Brittney Bell in to going with me), I took a Soulcycle class to get my confidence up and nerves out.

Well you can imagine my elation when I heard Soul was coming to DC a year ago.  Ever since my beloved studio came to town I've been the happiest girl in the world.

My doctor's office was near the studio, so I used to stalk the construction site whenever I went to the endocrinologist

 

I have been in heaven since my first Soul DC.  It's as exhausting, wonderful, emotional, and cathartic for me as I remember.  If you know someone who's done Soul, they probably sound like a cult member.  For someone as Type A as me, it's refreshing to know that I have a place where I can go, and let myself be free.  I don't get caught up in how I'm doing compared to anyone, I dedicate my ride to myself, and just LET IT GO!

The finished product...my sanctuary

Garrett is my Soul spirit animal, and anyone that plays a Britney/Iggy mashup deserves a shoutout

What's not to love about Kathleen, she's killer and aspirational!

I've had a particularly hard past few months professionally, and at times I felt like I was just getting kicked in the teeth.  But there was a moment on the bike in Kathleen's class, where I just let it all out.  I cried like I hadn't in a while.  And because the room was dark no one had to know I was sweaty and weepy.

I could go on for hours about how wonderful Soulcycle is, but you should try it yourself.  And don't say I didn't warn you when class is over and you want to sign up right away, and buy every bit of merchandise they have.

https://www.soul-cycle.com/

Classes are expensive, but believe me when I say, I'm a cheapskate, and I think it's worth every penny.

Maybe if you tap it back in a Rooster class, or Soul Survivor on Saturday, we'll be on a bike next to each other.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

Inspiration or Procrastination...you take your pick

What do you do when you don't know what to blog...

You send out a little Friday motivational quote!

I saw this on one of my favorite blogs, The Skinny Confidential, and I just loved it.

It's definitely going to motivate me this weekend considering my 6am Solidcore class tomorrow.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend, and that you sweat it out a little to help with your winter blahs (especially if you're on the East Coast).

How are you going to get moving this weekend, I'd love to hear.

XOXO, 

MacKenzie

Solidcore...or how to feel like you've done 1,000 situps in under an hour

I am a sucker for a boutique fitness club.

If you follow my Instagram you know I am hopelessly devoted to SoulCycle.  When I was an MBA Fellow at UCLA I would revel in weeks were I rode coast-to-coast, in NYC at one part of the week and LA during the weekend.  I had an affair with Barre3 in Georgetown for quite some time, and I still longingly try to fit it in my schedule.  I dabble in ZenGo.  I even became a spin instructor at a boutique spin studio in Shaw (OffRoad Indoor Cycling) so I could get someone else hooked to my habit.

Because of my obsession, I love DC Fit Crasher.  I think she has an awesome blog that tells you about all of the different workouts in DC.  But she tells you honestly, like a good girlfriend, what the places are all about.  She doesn't lie if they're awful, and you know she's being honest when she says they're good.  So a little while back when I saw her post about Solidcore, I was curious to check it out.  But I drug my heels about signing up for a class.  However, I would constantly see friends post about classes, and sweat soaked instagram pictures of friends who looked partially in shock.

I come from a super athletic background, so hard workouts are my middle name.  I'm always wishing for something difficult and challenging, because keep in mind I can still deadliest 200 lbs on a bad day...be careful what you wish for...

Holy Mother! Solidcore is no joke.

I have never had a workout challenge me so quickly.  There's no easing in to the pain, you are immersed in it immediately.  And Anne Mahlum, the owner, taught my class, and she did not let a single person in that class go easy on themselves.

I was naive when I first walked in, because Solidcore uses mega-reformers.  I have over a decade of Pilates reformer experience, so I just knew this would be cake.  If you're like me, and you want to try Solidcore, leave your preconceived notions at the door, and be ready to work your buns off.  You will feel muscles burning, and twitching you had forgotten about.  And I'm not exaggerating when I say its a challenge.

Here's a description on the website of Solidcore:
"We're thrilled to introduce DC to Lagree Fitness. started in LA in 2001, there are over 130 studios globally. "The Lagree Fitness Method" uses slow and conrolled full-body movements wtih constant tension to work your muscle fibers to failure, forcing them to rebuild a more sculpted, stronger and solid you. The experience is a high-energy, small-group training class done on the patented MegaFormer, which is described as a cross between a Pilates reformer and Total Body Gym. You will be amazed by this workout and its results - guaranteed."

Solidcore is definitely the best low impact, high intensity workout I've ever done.  And feel free to check out this link to see a video of how they get down.

Solidcore is:
[solidcore] is a 50-minute, intense total-body workout done on the patented MegaFormer that uses slow and controlled movements with constant tension to work your slow-twitch muscle fibers to failure...yes, failure. This workout is unlike anything you've ever done and we speak from first-hand experience when we tell you that the results are amazing. Not only do you burn an average of 600 calories per class, but for the next 20-24 hours after class, your metabolism is increased so your body can repair the muscles.
[solidcore] can accommodate all fitness levels and your certified coach is extremely skilled at managing different fitness levels in class. This is the only workout we have found that gives you all the intesnity you could ask for (and more), without risk for damage to your joints or muscles.
With hundreds of moves and resistance options that varies from 8 to 150 pounds, every class is different so you will never get bored. Additionally, because of the versatility of the exercises and the tension, your body won't plateau, which happens often with other workouts. After class, you will want to slap us, but then you'll want to hug us....with your toned arms and tight abs.

I hope if you are ever in DC, or leave here now, you'll give a class a try, and leave a comment if you do...I'd love to hear what you thought of it.  And for all my b school hopefuls, and potential pageant girls remember...endorphins keep you happy, and happy people win crowns and don't through their GMAT/GRE books across the room.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

P.s. I'm going to a 6am Solidcore class tomorrow...wish me luck!

Keep On Spinning

If you follow my twitter (@MacKenzieAGreen) or my facebook page you know that I'm a spin instructor.

Eventually I will explain how, among the exhaustive amount of plates I'm already juggling, WHY I decided to add spin instructing to the mix.

But for now I will keep this post simple...mainly because I'm slipping on my New Year's intention of posting bi-weekly to my blog.  So I thought I would share a playlist.  I approach my classes the way I would want them taught if I were taking a class, as a (sweaty) party on a bike.

I want to share a short little 30 minute playlist that's fun for spinning on your own, a HIIT workout, or maybe just to keep you moving when the gym or your workout starts to feel old...

Warm-up: No Church in the Wild - Kanye West & Jay-Z
Scream - Usher
Cockiness (Love It) - Rihanna
Let's Go - Travis Barker
Paris (Ooh La La) - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Hold It Against Me - Britney Spears
Gangnam Style - PSY
Runaway Baby - Bruno Mars

...you can go with whatever you want to cool down, I like a little Hal and Oates to bring my heart rate down :-)

If you're in the DC area or visiting on vacation come down to Off Road Indoor Cycling and drop in to one of my classes, cause I'd love to party with you.

XOXO,
MacKenzie

2013...it's just so Zenon Girl of the 21st Century

It's January 1st at the start of the most futuristic sounding year...2013! You can't tell me that it doesn't make you feel like you're in some kind of sci-fi movie.

I don't like to do New Year's Resolutions, instead I do New Year's Intentions.

I know nothing is a better way of keeping accountability than saying your goals and intentions out loud.  So for the first time EVER, I'm going to share my intentions.

2013 Intentions

• Take the GMAT in June '13
• Apply to the City Fellows
• Exercise for at least 15 minutes everyday
• Try at least 1 new workout a week (I'm relying on dcfitcrasher for help with this one)
• Dedicate at least 7 hours a week to GMAT studying
• Practice the 10 Naturally Thin Rules daily (check this book out if you haven't, it's pretty awesome...and yes I know I'm late to the Bethenny Frankel bandwagon)
• Eat more nutritionally dense food
• Practice yoga at least twice a week
• Learn to play The Firebird Suite and Fantasia on bassoon (I'm going to video tape and post these when it happens, because I'll be that damn proud)
• Read at least one new book a month
• Organize my personal space (I blame Nate Berkus and Dr. Oz for this one...damn the influence that show has on me)
• Develop the leadership academy lesson plan for the NCNW '14 Convention (I'll probably blog about this constantly as it gets closer)
• Complete my Riordan Fellows homework ahead of deadline
• Complete my Business and Finance Certificate from Georgetown University
• Write on my blog at least bi-weekly (see I'm already on my game with this post)
• Develop a daily skin care routine and practice it daily
• Stop biting my nails and cuticles (I'm awful about this)
• Swim at least once a week (I owe it to myself and my sanity to get back in to what I loved doing)
• Qualify for the Boston Marathon by 2018 (This is going to take training and preparation now)
• Quality for the Kona Ironman by 2020

...I know the list is long, but I expect a lot from myself this year.

So I showed you my intentions, now I want to see some of what yours are :-)

Happy New Year everyone!

XOXO,

MacKenzie

The Gym Is My Sanctuary

I live at the gym regardless of whether I'm doing a pageant or not.  I swam at a national level for years, and horseback rode in competitions around the country.  Every fiber of my being is that of an athlete.  Nothing settles my mind or makes me feel more empowered than a good workout.  And when I saw workout I mean full on, Gatorade ad, pouring sweat, feeling like you'll pass out kind of workout.

So today is dedicated to my sanctuary...

I loved these Nike ads, and they are forever my mantra and dedication to my own body...I'm proud of every inch of muscle...there's nothing to hide

 I urge you today to take pride in your own body, to be proud enough to stand tall with your strong powerful shoulders, or to take pride in the gift of the one body you have and take care of it.  Push yourself and don't be afraid to go past your limits.

XOXO,

MacKenzie