2018 is here! We are 8 days in and today I decided to really kick off my New Year (a little late). What does that mean for me? Step number one: NO food delivery. No caviar, no GrubHub, no NOTHING. Everything that enters my mouth will be made by me at home or I will WALK to get takeout. I know, very 2008 but the delivery chaos of 2017 in my life HAS TO STOP.

Next up is my workout routine. Did I work out in 2017?

Yep.

Did I work out consistently in 2017? Hell no! 

In 2017 I started attending SoulCycle classes around the Bay Area (insert an eye roll). I know every white girl in the marina swears by SoulCycle San Francisco and honestly at first I HATED IT. I felt so silly dancing on a bicycle to the beat and was honestly VERY intimidated by the front row ladies with their rock hard abs and coordinating workout sets.

Flash forward to today – after almost six months of classes, I have to say that I found my Soul at Soul Cycle San Francisco. It is my favorite way to start my day and I honestly feel 100% better both physically and mentally after class. SoulCycle has also become very personal for me. While I normally enjoy group fitness classes with my friends, this is the one point in my day where I enjoy being alone and zoning out. I leave all of my stress (and electronic devices) in my locker and spend 45 mins focusing on me…not a bad way to kick off 2018, right?

6 Month Update: We are six months into 2018 and boy have things changed over here. At the beginning of April, I tore my MCL skiing in Lake Tahoe and pretty much all physical activity for me came to a hard stop. Knee injuries are no joke and my failure to follow doctor’s orders led me to two weeks of bedrest and flat shoes for spring. Apparently prancing around San Francisco in heels with a torn MCL is a no-no! Now we are halfway through June and I am finally back on the bike and ready to get my mind and booty back into shape!

Now that I’m back on the bike and ready to scream cry to Madonna SoulCycle has launched SoulActivate. SoulActivate is a 45-minute high-intensity interval and strength training class on the bike. Think heart rate variation, timed interval pushes and an extra weight series with heavier weights. I’ve done it once – and it literally destroyed me…in a good way!

Where exactly did I find my soul?

Favorite SoulCycle Studios and Instructors:

Northern California

Union St. – Luigi – Take his 60-minute SoulSurvivor class and I guarantee that you will leave with a smile on your face (mixed with sweat) and NO idea how 60-minutes of hardcore spin flew by. Luigi is by far my favorite SoulCycle San Francisco instructor and I’m not the only one! If you are interested in booking his class make sure you book it in advance as his classes tend to sell out.

San Mateo – Devin S – I met Devin at the new Outdoor Voices store in San Francisco. She was a gem at the store and the most passionate and motivating instructor in the studio. She is a true badass and worth the drive from San Francisco to San Mateo. Not into the drive down south? You can catch her a couple of times a week at SoulCycle San Francisco too!

Southern California

Santa Monica – Lindsey S – Did I cry during her 90-minute Turkey Burn class on Thanksgiving? Hard YES. Why? Because she is a fu*king rock star. I have never had an instructor in any fitness class push me spiritually and physically the way Lindsey does. If you are down in LA a visit to Lindsey at the Santa Monica studio is a MUST. Can’t make it down to LA? Check out her podcast here.

And if you are in San Francisco this weekend the ladies of the top health podcast on iTunes are bringing their show to San Francisco for a special two-day event June 23-24. Sign up for Lindsey’s Saturday 2pm ride on Union here and  a conversation with the girls and Millana Snow  takes place on Sunday. The event will begin with a grounding meditation and a healing session from Snow. Tickets for the event are $30.

Are you ready to sweat it out this year with me at SoulCycle San Francisco?

Yes, perfect!

Here are some of my favorite pieces to ride in: