I did it!! Okay, maybe the title is a little biased, but that's how I feel. GO GATORS!! Our graduation was in The Swamp (football field) for the first time in 44 years, so that was pretty awesome. The weather could not have been more perfect. I was a little worried because Florida in May can be very bipolar - it rained the entire week leading up to graduation! The Gainesville Graduation Gods were watching over.

All of my immediate family drove up for the occasion, including my sister who will be starting at UF this summer!

It was a wonderful graduation and the best way to close out my college career. It still hasn't hit me. I honestly feel like I am moving up to Philadelphia for the summer and coming back to school for fall....I just don't know any other way! It was very sad to say goodbye, but I'm so excited for what's to come.

On to the next one! But I'll always be a Gator.

- Rach

#ItsGreatUF!!!

Good morning everyone! I taught my last group fitness class ever at UF bright and early this morning (6:15 a.m.) and it would be an understatement to say that I am going to miss it. Teaching here has been such a valuable experience that I will take with me when I leave, but I just feel like it's going to be hard to find a similar atmosphere that we have here. Nothing beats it! This morning's workout was an awesome 45 minute interval training workout. All intervals were 30 seconds with only 15 seconds of rest. It was the perfect combo of strength and cardio and everyone walked out really sweaty at 7 a.m.! Such a great feeling.

The equipment I used for this class was a bench, a light set of dumbbells and one heavier dumbbell for single side exercises.

I got the idea for the side lunge hop from pumpsandiron.com and she demonstrates them in this workout. A half burpee looks like this. Essentially, you start in a plank position and jump your feet to meet your hands to come up in a squat and hold for a second. Plank rows on the bench (:45) are also a great exercise! Really tests your core stability.

After teaching, I worked for a couple hours, came home and enjoyed some oats...

And now I am getting ready for my FINAL public relations presentation for my major. After today I'm freeeee!!!! Until I start my job in less than two weeks. It's so weird being done, I kind of never thought this day would come and I wish it didn't come so fast, but that's life! After my group's presentation we plan to celebrate a little and then I will be spending the rest of the week packing up my apartment.

Have a great Tuesday!

-Rach

Happy Friday everyone! Today should be nice and productive. I did a cycle class this morning, going to get a haircut, working on my group project, going to work and then finally going home later to chill.

How was everyone's week? Yesterday was my last day at my semester-long internship, and we had an intern appreciation breakfast. I had two full plates. I had taught an early morning interval training class and worked out so I was pretty starving!

After that, I finished out my work there, headed to work at the gym before calling it a day. Last night I met a friend and we went to a Gainesville staple - Satchel's Pizza. If you've never been, it is this quirky, off the wall little place with knick knacks every where. There is even an old VW bus that you can eat inside. The pizza is great!

These past couple weeks I've been super relaxed about eating whatever I want just because I have been eating out a lot. I usually don't at all, but I have been trying to fit in my favorite things in Gainesville before I leave - including all the great restaurants. For a smallish town, Gainesville has a lot of really good food! The semester is coming to an end and I feel like I just need to enjoy myself before the real adult life begins. Once I graduate, I will be getting back on the healthy train. Sometimes you just need a little break, ya know?

Anyway, here is a workout based off of the interval training class I taught yesterday! It's really quick and sweaty. As always, rest as needed and take time to cool down!

And with that, have a wonderful Friday!

- Rach