Peloton Habits

When you own a Peloton you tend to tell everyone, it's like the new veganism.  Haha.

Owning a Peloton is a luxury and I acknowledge that but if working out is a priority for you, and you can squirrel away some money, I think it is well worth the investment.  We only got ours in March 2021 and even though the pandemic is nearing a close (right?! It will be over soon?), working out at home is still going to be popular for some time even with the gyms opening and gradually increasing their capacity.  I actually just recently downgraded from my monthly membership at my fitness studio to just buying packs of class passes (and honestly I haven't even done one of their classes since July).  Since we have the Peloton I thought I would see what it had to offer for classes other than cycling and if I could get my workouts done without leaving my house (with the exception of a run of course).  I will go back to the studio at some point, since I do enjoy the social aspect, but it won't be as often as I used to do way back pre-March 2020. 

In addition to the cost of the bike itself, the shoes, and the other accessories, you have to pay a monthly subscription fee to access the content, but there are unlimited accounts associated with that, so Dave and I each have our own account. 

Dave has been using the Peloton app without the bike for a few years now.  He had his normal road bike set up in on a trainer (that means the back wheel is hooked up on a spinner of sorts, and the front wheel is kept stationary, you can shift through the gears for resistance) and that worked out well. I didn't ever use the bike trainer because it was hard to keep readjusting it each time and I didn't have cycling shoes so I would have had to change the pedals.  When we were in Hawaii at the Four Seasons in January 2020, they had Peloton bikes in the gym so I used one there a couple of times and loved it.  I also used to do spinning classes at Good Life years ago, and I did always enjoy that type of workout.  It took a bit of hemming and hawing on our part to take the plunge and order our own Peloton bike but as I said, I'm so glad we did.  

I had heard names of different instructors from Dave but didn't realize just how many options there could be.  It's a bit overwhelming and because of that I have kept my instructors limited - Cody Rigsby, Alex Toussaint, Tunde Oyeneyin, Denis Morton, and then the occasional Ben Aldis and Emma Lovewell. People like who they like, and these are mine.  

I like to take live rides when I can and for awhile I was doing Alex's live ride on Mondays at 7:30 pm and Cody's live ride on Tuesdays at 7:30 pm.  The live schedules were a little off during the summer but I'm looking forward to getting back into it now. (Cody is on Dancing with the Stars this season so I was worried that would mean no new Cody classes, but apparently he will still be doing his regular Peloton schedule, phew!).  

For recorded classes, I typically bookmark the ones I am interested in (based on playlist and time) and then when I get on the bike I have already narrowed it down.  

I like the regular 20-30 minute rides, with the occasional arms and intervals option.  I will occasionally do a 45 minute ride if I have the time.  I do not stack my ride with warm ups, cool downs, or stretching. 

I love all of the themed/special event rides that Peloton offers - how fun was Cody's Disney ride!?!

Cycling/spinning is obviously the main draw of the bike itself, but there are classes of all sorts to keep you healthy and fit. We have a set of the Peloton weights that Dave ordered separately from the bike (10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 lbs and we already have 5 lb weights). So far I have only tried the strength training (with Adrian Williams which I love since he does heavy weights stuff), Pilates (with Ally Love, and it was a little too simple for me), and yoga (with Denis Morton, and I loved that!).  I plan to start branching out to the other offerings as I get back into some healthier post-summer habits. 

It doesn't take up a lot of space and it's easy to connect with your Apple Watch and headphones. We bought some small towels and a bottle of cleaning spray to use on the handles and seat when we were done.  Dave already had cycling shoes but I needed to get a pair so I got the Peloton ones.  

My rough workout schedule is this:

Monday PM - 30 minute ride
Tuesday PM - 30 minute ride (or a break!)
Wednesday PM - 30-45 minute weights workout
Thursday AM - 6K run (outside with friends)
Friday - 30 minute mat workout (pilates or yoga)
Saturday - break from a formal workout, but getting activity with the kids or cleaning
Sunday AM - 45 minute ride

If you have a Peloton, follow me at @SarahAMacD.  I love working out with friends, even virtually.  If you don't have a Peloton and you're on the fence, I can talk you into it if you want, haha!

(If you think this post is sponsored, you are greatly overestimating my readership.)

Election Day!

It wouldn't be an election day without me remining all you Canadians to get out to vote today (if you haven't already voted in the advance polls).  I know it seems annoying that we even have to go to the polls at this time but here we are so it's still up to all of us to do our duty and vote! I am a bit of a political science nerd and I still couldn't tell you who will win tomorrow.  If you're fed up with Justin Trudeau for any variety of reasons then vote for someone else, if you still can't stomach a Conservative government (even a somewhat palatable Erin O'Toole) then vote for someone else, if you don't think a vote for the NDP or Greens will count for anything, then vote for someone else - just vote!  

I had to stand in line for about 30-40 minutes when I went to the advance polling station and although I was a little put out (I'm used to being first in line), the lady behind me and I were commenting that we really didn't have to put in that much time (less than an hour) and we were safe standing there in line.  Remember that, so many people around the world do not enjoy these same conditions.  Just plan to be there for awhile, and bring a podcast or book to keep yourself company.

Media Wednesday - Currently

A few media related things I've been into lately:

Streaming TV

Ted Lasso, White Lotus, Dr. Death, Homeland, Turning Point 9/11 and the War on Terror, Athlete A

Regular TV

Great British Baking Show, Dancing with the Stars (when it starts next week), Blue Jays baseball

YouTube

Norm MacDonald (RIP) on Celebrity Jeopardy, Clips from This Morning (ITV in England) featuring Gino the chef, Moneyball Trade Scene, Storybots, Royal York Road United Church Sunday services

Library Books on Hold

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam, The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (last two on my 2021 reading list!)

Podcasts

The Bestie Breakdown (Tim Management), The Bridge (Election Coverage), Armchair Expert (Dark Tourism)

News Stories

Canada's federal election, 4th wave of Covid, Met Gala outfits

Spotify Playlists

2011-2014 Hits, Drake's Certified Lover Boy, Pop Goes Classical, Doja Cat Radio

Instagram Accounts

@f1troll_

Weekend Recap

This cool kid was ready for the second day of school on Friday morning.  With Dave away and an 8:00 am meeting for me, we were out the door shortly after 7:30 to get to the YMCA. E walked to school with the neighbours and left around 8:15.  

Around 11:00 I biked over the advance polling station to cast my vote.  I am usually first in line to vote but I was there mid-day so I had to wait a little while.  No problem though and glad to get it done.

I made a lasagna for supper and realized we had lots to share so I invited some neighbour friends over to join us.  Dave was away and it turned out the dad/husband from their family was also away so it was just the moms and kids. 

We were tired after the first few days at school so I put the kids to bed at a decent time and I read for awhile before going to bed at a good time too.

The next morning was the 20th anniversary of 9/11.  I had coffee out of my New York mug and thought a lot about that day in 2001. I also made some oatmeal and sent some emails before it was time to get to E's baseball game.

E played catcher for two innings.  Q played with his toys.

I left baseball early to take Q to his first gymnastics class.  E went home with one of his teammates after the, so then I picked him up after dropping Q off.  We scurried home, got changed, and then ran to the subway to we could get back to Q for pick up time.  Then we took the (replacement) bus (instead of the normal streetcar) down Roncesvalles to find something for lunch.  Q insisted on a burger so we went to the Gold Standard take out window.

Waiting for our order.

Success!

Then we walked down the street and found a flea market at a church so we picked up a few books. Then we found the ice cream store.

Waiting for the bus back up to the subway station.  Q is holding a bag of ice, he fell on his face outside of a restaurant and the server kindly brought him some ice for his face.  He was fine but we appreciated the gesture.

When we got home, the kids watched some TV and I put on the recorded F1 qualifying race but then fell promptly asleep!  I had just woken up when our neighbours came by to see if we wanted to go to the park, so we did.  

Q wanted to go fishing and I wanted to go for a walk to the river, so I got the kids' fishing rods out and we went down to put them in the water. 

I started watching the 9/11 documentary on Netflix after the kids went to bed.  To this day I still grasp at my chest with my hands and look with disbelief when I watch the planes hit the buildings and then the buildings collapse.  I feel the same way I felt that day.

On Sunday morning we were up fairly early.  I did a 45 minute Peloton ride and then watched the F1 race on my iPhone with my airpods while the kids watched TV.  What a crazy race!  It was over by 10:30 so then I put the church service on the TV and we all watched together (amongst the couch cushion mess).

After church we went to Costco so I could get some mums for the front porch.  Then I suggested we drive downtown to get lunch at the Amsterdam Brewhouse. I love going out for lunch and I know our patio days are numbered so I take whatever opportunity I can get. 

We went for a bike ride by the river before our simple supper of soup and melted cheese on toast.  E and I watched Come From Away on Apple TV.  I have seen it twice in theatre, once in New York and once in Toronto. The TV production is so good and I was reminded how great of a musical it is.  If you get a chance, watch it!

Not Just A Mom - Morning Routine

 

Thanks for checking in with us today as we talk about our Morning Routines on this month's edition of "Not Just a Mom" link up.  If you have a blog, be sure to add your post below.  And everyone, please click on the links below to see how others get their day started. 

There are two different versions of my morning routine - one where I go to the office and one where I work from home.  

Office Mornings

Alarm set for 6:00.  Up to shower, put in my contacts, brush my teeth, flat iron my hair (and dry it if I've had to wash it in the shower), and put on my makeup.  I am usually trying to be quiet as I'd prefer not to wake the kids before 7:00.  

Then I head downstairs to put away any clean dishes (from the counter or dishwasher), make coffee, make the kids' lunches, make my lunch, and then make breakfasts.  Also included in this is putting clean masks in the kids' backpacks and filling out health checks. Somewhere during this time, the kids are getting up and coming downstairs.  If they aren't dressed yet, I send them back upstairs to get dressed before they eat breakfast (usually cereal, yoghurt and fruit).  Before anyone else gets up, I've gotten into the habit of listening to a podcast.  When the kids come down, we like to put on music.  We have a no screens before school rule. 

I need to be out the door around 7:15.  I bring a coffee in a travel mug to drink at my office, and sometimes eat my breakfast on my way to the subway.  My day starts at 8:00.  

Dave is up at this time too and he gets the kids finished up with their breakfasts and gets them off to school. 

Work From Home Mornings

If I have a workout, then I'll be up before 6:00 but on non-workout mornings my alarm is set for 6:45.  I may shower or may not, depending on what my workout plans for the day are.  Then I go downstairs to do most of what I set out above, although I don't need to make a lunch for myself, and I can wait to eat breakfast until after I've taken the kids to school. 

We can drop Q at the YMCA program anytime after 7:30 but school doesn't actually start until 8:55 so anytime between then is fine for drop off.  E walks to school.

Then I just sit down at my desk in the living room, with my cup of coffee and get to work for the day.

My usual breakfasts:

Almond butter on toast and a half grapefruit or melon

Scrambled eggs with sriracha and a half grapefruit or melon

Hot oatmeal or hot oat bran 

Egg sandwich

Smoothie bowl (if Dave's making them)

If you like a good Day in the Life post where you can see these routines in action, click over here.

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Friday Favourites

Today's Friday Favourites post is all about the first day of school.  We were up bright and early to walk to school with the neighbourhood kids and it was a beautiful day.  Dave was also up early but he was flying to PEI for a weekend golf trip so that explains his absence in the photos!

I packed the kids' lunches, with a tucked in cake pop as a treat. 

Then it was time for photos.  Some proper ones for Instagram, but also some fun ones.

Cuddly Pal also posed for some photos.

The boys set up some stuffies for their own first day of school.

I asked the boys to take pictures of me with each of them since I hadn't bothered to take get the tripod out. All of E's photos were blurry but Q did a good job as photog.

Some of our group while we waited for others.

Dropped off with his buddies.

Our traditional first day of school meal, Crunchy Beefy Mac and Cheese.

It was a successful day and I look forward to a healthy year for all.