I remember when my 30lb kettlebell arrived in the mail right before this challenge started and I struggled to lift it and get it into my house using two hands. “I’ve made a huge mistake,” I thought to myself (insert GIF of Gob from Arrested Developmet here.) If you would have told me that less than a month later I’d be lifting that 30lb kettlebell in a single arm row I would have called you crazy. But I did just that today! Now my 12lb handweights (which used to be my “heavy weights”) feel so light and easy to lift. Did I still cuss Ruth out during the plank parts of today’s class? Yes. But I also accidentally did those squat jumps holding my 30lb kettlebell in one hand because I didn’t hear her say to put the weight down, but I still managed it! I really liked doing the RDLs with one leg on the wall (I used my 12lb handweights for those.) And I also liked doing the single leg squats with the chair because they really help me keep my form. I’m dripping sweat and badly need to get into the shower now, but first I want to scream for all the world to hear, “I’M A BAD B MUSCLE MAMI!!” Proud of myself for finishing this challenge when usually I was lucky if I did two weights classes a month. Definitely planning to incorporate more weights classes into my regular RPS routine now. Ok the sweat is sweating so it’s shower time. Shoutout to all my fellow bad b muscle mamis! We did it! 💪🏻

Suns out, guns out! Happy last walk day of the Muscle Mami Challenge!

Feeling so much stronger this time around! I was able to do one more rep of each move this time and stick to my 30lb kettlebell for all sets of the last two movements. I did 5 sets of each move using two 12 lb handweights for the first two moves and my 30lb kettlebell for the second two moves. Like I did the first time we did this class, I opted to do the hip thrusts on the floor instead of using the chair because I did not find my metal chair comfortable on my shoulders. I think that’s part of why I was able to get one more rep of each move in this time around since the first time I did this class, I struggled to figure out how to configure my body on the chair for the hip thrusts. I was worried my knees might give me trouble on the step ups, but I was able to get my toes down to the floor every time. I felt like my endorphins/ adreline were really pushing me through this time, and I got into a nice zen like flow state. The moves were a lot smoother and easier to do this time around, and yet by the end of my 5th set, I was fully at my fatigue state and knew I couldn’t do any more. Currently feeling a nice endorphin high and ready to take on the world! 💪🏻💦

Today, I participated in the nationwide walkout/ general strike in solidarity with Minneapolis and to demand ICE out our cities. After meeting up at LA City Hall at 1pm for a rally with speeches and lots of chants, I had no idea we’d then be marching approximately 5 miles from DTLA through the streets of Boyle Heights ending at Mariachi Plaza. But like Ruth said, we are training for the resistance! So I kept on walking despite the 80 degree heat here (sorry everyone dealing with sub zero temps right now.) Anyway, suffice it to say, by 4:30pm I was already covered in sweat and had walked 15,000 steps. So I wasn’t exactly amped to do today’s class, but I figured since I was already sweaty, I might as well. I used a 30lb kettlebell that really challenged me on those step up rows (I not only approached fatigued, I passed it. 😅) When Ruth said “Just 3 more” I truly didn’t think it was possible, but I pushed through. I said, “Thank you, body!” louder than I ever had before, and I meant it. I really am a bad b muscle mami! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Today’s walk views. I did some stair climbs as part of my walk at The Bloc in DTLA, and I enjoyed the sounds of a man playing his electric violin on the street as it echoed through the corridor. There was sunshine and beautiful skies and it felt lovely soaking it all in. Also, I passed a random woman with a hawk on her shoulder but I wasn’t able to get a photo of that. 🙃

Agree with you about the band around arms for the pushups! It really helps! I do that plus gripping weights and it’s really changed my pushup game.

Anyone else’s quads and booty still sore from yesterday or just me? I used two 12 lb handweights for my medium weights, my 30lb kettlebell for the sumo squats, and 12lb plus 5lb for the snatches. When Ruth started doing those sumo squat jumps, I said out loud, “Ruth, are you on drugs?” But I figured I should just try to jump anyway, and it honestly wasn’t so bad. Those ab moves on the floor were also killer for me (I once again asked Ruth if she was on drugs when we switched without a break from the first move to the weight toss back and forth move because my abs were shaking so hard.) After those final pushups on the floor (I challenged myself to do a few full pushups) I am feeling so ready for tomorrow’s walk/rest day haha.

Hi Crystal! Glad you’re here. 😊 I’d recommend starting in the Beginner Friendly Options collection. Or alternatively you could use the search filters and start with searching for Relax level classes with no props that are under 15 or 20 minutes. I’m linking below to one of my favorite gentle classes. Once you’ve eased yourself back in to movement with one or two intro classes, I recommend checking out the Beat Based classes, especially the ones that don’t require props and/or are relax level classes. Sometimes I’ll just do the first couple songs in a beat based class just to get my body moving and warmed up, so don’t feel like you have to do the whole thing.

I can definitely relate to the movements feeling more fluid and getting into a nice zen flow state this time around!

Biggest change from fist round doing this class to this time doing it is how light and airy I felt this time around whereas last time I collapsed to a heap on the floor and lay there sweating and panting for about 5 minutes until I could move. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still sweating, but I don’t feel as completely wiped out as I did the first time. I felt like I could have done a few more sets of each move actually! This time around I was able to do:

- 7 sets of chest press with two 12lb weights (1 more set than the first time I did it)

- 7 sets of of bent over rows with 12lb weights (also 1 more than last time)

- 6 and a half sets of sumo squats with 12lb weights (half a set more than first time I did it)

- 6 sets of RDLs with my 30lb kettlebell (last time I did it with two 12 lbs.)

The endorphins are running high and I’m feeling strong AF! 💪🏻💃🏼