Fitness Friday: Full Body Strength AMRAP Workout

November and December are definitely the busy seasons; with all of the holidays, parties, and then some, it can be hard to find time for yourself. Your minutes to workout can be few and far between so it’s important to make ’em count. Anytime I see AMRAP, I know it’s going to be a workout that will really make me push myself. The workout that I have for you today hits the full body and only takes 30 minutes! That said, if you have less time, complete as many rounds as possible in the amount of time you have. It’ll still make you sweat!

Workout Demos

• Squat to Shoulder Press
• Rotating Elbow Plank
• Alternating Triple Lunge – Forward lunge + side lunge + reverse lunge
• L Shoulder Raise
• W Biceps Curls
• Overhead Triceps Extensions

Alrighty, you’ve got your moves. Now go get your sweat on! Happy Friday 🙂

Food for Thought

Any fun plans this weekend?

Link Love #49

Yesterday started out with a bang.. or really a little snap, crackle, pop. I was doing high knees in only the second set of my workout and my ankle rolled. The side of my foot was practically perpendicular to my leg and I was definitely seeing stars. I took it easy and ended up being able to finish my workout. Very carefully.

Looks good, right? Ugh. You bet I got my feet up and ankle iced when I got home from work though.

A little peanut butter mug cake action didn’t hurt either. Heather’s recipe is legit my favorite. You should definitely give it a try! <– A nice little segue into some more favorites from the week..

Health

25 Things I Do To Love My Body (And How You Can Too) – Corinne Dobbas

25 Things I Do to Love My Body (And How You Can Too) – Corinne Dobbas
10 reasons your weight is not shifting – Diet Duchess via Food & Nonsense
What We Eat to Maximize Recovery and Fight Oxidative Stress – Cotter Crunch
Your Body: Are You Accepting Or Settling For Your Reflection? – Lifting Revolution
5 Simple Diet Changes – The Lean Green Bean

Fitness

Basic Strength Training Workout – Fit2Flex

Basic Strength Training Workout – Fit2Flex
5 Calorie Torching Crossfit Workouts to Try – Carrots ‘N’ Cake via Health
Fitness Pilates Circuit Burner Workout – Housewife Glamour
6 Ways People Make Running Harder Than It Has To Be – Shut Up + Run
The Simplest & Most Challenging Arm/Ab Workout – The Almond Eater

Food

Triple Layer Fat Bomb Nut Butter Cups – Peachy Palate

Triple layer fat bomb nut butter cups! – Peachy Palate
Honey Pecan Sweet Potato Muffins – Nicole Culver
Poached Egg + Crispy Proscuitto Avocado Toast – According to Elle
Roasted Garlic Eggplant Lasagna Boats with Spicy Italian Chicken Sausage – Half Baked Harvest
Grilled Romaine with Caramelized Onion Noodles, Blue Cheese and Greek Yogurt Balsamic Dressing – Inspiralized

Food For Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from the past week?

Link Love #37

Yesterday was a first for me—Athleta got a ton of new product in so we had a “flip” where the entire store is rearranged and new product is incorporated into the displays. It’s not really anything I thought about before, but when I got into work at 5 a.m. yesterday, you bet I was thinking about it! It was kind of nuts but I also kind of enjoyed it. I was also finished with work by 10 a.m. so that’s a plus. Oh, and there’s some pretty cute new stuff that you should definitely check out [come see me!] The 4 a.m. wake-up call had me walking around like a zombie for pretty much the rest of the day, but I have to admit, it’s nice to really feel tired again.

Nathan also found out about a Target deal good through 5/24 for $10 off your $50 grocery purchase. We also had a $10 gift card so I was pretty excited to get $50 worth of groceries for $30. It’s the little things 😉 I also made him come with me to keep me on track ha! Anywho, it’s catch up time and as usual, there are some goodies.. enjoy!

Health

How to Improve Your Self Esteem – Smart Fit Chicks via Barefoot Colorado

How to Improve Your Self Esteem – Smart Fit Chicks via Barefoot Colorado
9 Habits Of People With A Healthy Relationship To Exercise – HuffPost Healthy Living
8 Habits To Stop When I’m A Mother To Daughter – Lifting Revolution
Balanced Living or Healthy Living? – Cowgirl Runs
Why Hydrating After Exercise is Not Enough – The Lyons Share

Fitness

20 Minute AMRAP Crossfit Workout – Blonde Ponytail

20 Minute AMRAP Crossfit Workout – Blonde Ponytail
A Fun, Full-Body Resistance Band Workout – Workout Nirvana
10 Minute Workouts You Can Do At Your Desk – Peanut Butter Fingers
At Home & Travel-Friendly Total Body Resistance Band Workout – Trainer Paige
Making Workouts Purposeful – Cotter Crunch

Food

Beet Chips with Avocado “Mayo” – Peachy Palate

Beet Chips with Avocado “Mayo” – Peachy Palate
Easy Apple Noodle & Rhubarb Crisps – Inspiralized
Banana Bread Truffles – The Lean Green Bean
Grilled Caprese Toast with Burrata Cheese + Grilled Avocados – Half Baked Harvest
Fresh Pineapple Avocado Pea Shoot Salad – Pineapple & Coconut

Food for Thought

What’s one of your favorite posts from last week?

I Crossfitted

There’s a crossfit gym right around the corner from my place that offers a free first class. For a good month or so I’ve been checking out the next day’s workout that they’ve posted online and just kept putting off going but Thursday night I saw the workout and actually told Nathan that I was thinking about going. You know, because as soon as I say it out loud, I’m committed.

A1. 5 x 1 [Hang Power Clean + Front Squat]
A2. Pull-Up Negatives
B. 5 Rounds for Time:
12 DB Weighted Lunges
12 Calories on Rower

I had an idea of what to expect going in from all of the other bloggers that talk about it, but it’s definitely still a bit intimidating. I got there early to have a chance to talk to the trainer and check the place out.

When we started out, I mentioned to the trainer that I’d never done crossfit before. Unfortunately, she assumed that meant I never workout at all. She was very nice and accommodating but started out talking to me like I knew nothing. It was a frustrating way to start and I was feeling like I had something to prove at that point. As we went over the hang power clean + front squat and the pull-up negatives, I was determined to get the moves down solid which I really feel like I accomplished the more I tried. Success!

Onto part B, the cardio portion. I still felt like I wanted to prove myself and at the very least, not finish last. And I’d say that was a success too!

Overall, I really enjoyed myself and definitely want to go back for more! Even though I was frustrated by my initial interaction with the trainer, she was really helpful and encouraging throughout the class. Hopefully in the coming months I’ll be able to take the on ramp to get started. Not to mention all of the crossfitting bloggers I see posting pictures are serious motivation!

The rest of Friday was a ton of running around and a delicious Greek dinner date.

Hers: Lamb skewer with grilled zucchini, tomato, & eggplant, pita, & tzatziki

His: Shawarma plate with salad, grilled zucchini, tomato, & eggplant, pita, & tzatziki

Complete with garlic fries!

Saturday was  for early errands, farmers’ market, pizza, and rest. We went to Arizmendi to try out their daily pizza: eggplant, feta, and garlic olive oil; we ordered a half pizza to take home and also stumbled upon a ridiculous cheesy foccacia bread with asparagus, spinach, and red cabbage. I gladly made a nice, big salad with my leftover lamb, huge farmers’ market sugar snap peas, and some foccacia. And a little pizza on the side. What can I say, Passover really made me want bread 😉

Yesterday was another quiet day. I had originally planned a 6.5 mile hike but when we woke up to rain, Nathan and I made our way over to the gym instead. We grabbed a quick Thai lunch, got just a few things from the store, and had a relaxing day. His mom is going to be visiting this week so we wanted to make sure we were fully rested up to prepare.. we don’t mess around! Plus, Saturday is Nathan’s birthday so we will definitely be having a good time!

Weekly Meal Plan

Like I said, Nathan’s mom is going to be visiting this week so we’re going to be going out quite a bit. The goal of Sunday-Tuesday is to finish up what we already have in the house!

Sunday – Leftovers
Monday – Play by ear.. cajun chicken?
Tuesday – Saturday – Out!

Holy moly, I think come next Sunday, I’ll be quite happy to cook again 🙂

Food for Thought

Have you ever tried crossfit?
What did you do over the weekend?

FitBloggin’.. It’s What’s Trending

I’m completely exhausted. I can’t walk or sit down. And I cannot stop smiling.

I had been looking forward to FitBloggin’ for months and was so psyched when the weekend was finally arriving. I knew it was going to be super informative and a good time, but I don’t know that I realized exactly how much fun I was going to have.

Over the course of 2 1/2 days, I spent my time working out, collecting swag, munching on some rather amazing food, collecting swag, listening to presentations, and, oh yea.. did I mention collecting swag?! I think I smell a few giveaways… 😉

Friday morning started bright and early with 6am yoga. And while everyone kept telling me I was crazy to be waking up so early when I was taking a day off of work, I knew I didn’t want to miss any of the workouts, and I’m so glad I didn’t! We also got a little taste of crossfit with 2 sets of AMRAP squats, sit ups, and burpees, and finished off with an awesome workout with Cathe Friedrich. If I had to choose a favorite, I’d go with Cathe’s workout; definitely left there sweating!

That last picture on the bottom left cracks me up! That was some sort of squatting shoulder push up and yes, it felt just as silly as it looks!

Saturday’s workouts were extra sweaty which I was totally ready for. Bootcamp with Erin from Power Fitness was by far my favorite workout of the weekend. When she said “don’t stop moving,” she meant it, 6am or not! She’s a pistol and I absolutely loved her!

Trampoline BOUNCEcamp with JumpSport followed and Jami was the only one brave enough to make a fool of herself with me. It was a good workout that got a little crazy at the end and I would absolutely do it again! The last workout on Saturday was ZUMBA. Holy moly was that fun! It was my first ZUMBA class and I let myself go!

The food on all weekend was great and we were quite ravenous after our workouts. Buffet style = going back for seconds!

I’ve already started planning some new recipes inspired by these meals and can’t wait to share them! (Mmmmmmm muesli!) And I definitely had my fair share of popchips. No complaints here.. they were such a great sponsor!

As for the biggest part of FitBloggin’, the presentations, I walked away with an incredible about of information that I can’t wait to break out. One of my favorite presentations was Harnessing the Power of YouTube by Sarah. I took the most away from her talk and can’t wait to put some of her ideas to use! Look out for some video posts soon 😉

In the midst of all of the workouts and chats, I got the opportunity to meet some of my favorite bloggers; Brittany from Eating Bird Food and Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers. I’ve been following their blogs for quite some time now and it was so great to finally get to chat with them in person.

And with that, I leave you with some of my absolute favorite moments of the weekend. I can’t thank Roni Noone enough for putting this amazing conference together and for doing such an incredible job with everything. I had the time of my life and hope to see everyone next year in PORTLAND!!

*Thanks to Kate, Mary, and more for the pics!

Copycat This or That

Starting at about 6:15 this evening, my weekend (including Friday) will be consumed by FitBloggin’, a conference “for bloggers interested in fitness, wellness, good food and a healthy lifestyle. Two days of education, networking, friendship and fun.” I am SO. STINKIN. EXCITED! Nathan and my parents got me my ticket for my birthday and I couldn’t have asked for a better gift.

I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to learn about how to improve my blogging and get in some fantastic workouts with everyone, including yoga, crossfit, trampoline BOUNCEcamp, and more! I’m also excited to finally meet so many bloggers that I’ve been chatting with over the interwebs and others whose blogs I’ve been following, like Brittany @ Eating Bird Food, Julie @ PBFingers, Gina @ Skinnytaste, and so many more!

Courtesy of Robert McClintock

And in the spirit of FitBloggin’ and a healthy living blog, Brittany shared a “This or That” survey that peaked my interest and seems oh so appropriate for the upcoming weekend!

1. Run/workout in the heat & humidity or freezing temps and snow?
I’d have to say heat, maybe not humidity. I mean, I do hot yoga because the stretches are so much deeper and it just feels good get a good sweat!

2. Have washboard or flat abs?
Flat abs. In reality though, I’d take either. No arguments here!

3. Dr. Oz or the Doctors?
It’s been a while since I’ve seen Dr. Oz and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Doctors. Soooo Dr. Oz by default?

4. Cardio or strength?
Both!

5. Cravings: Protein or carbs?
Carbs. Carbs. Carbs! Growing up, I practically ate pasta everyday. These days, I crave oatmeal for breakfast like no one’s business!

Check out my delicious oatmeal recipes!
Chocolate Protein Oats
Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Protein Oats & Quinoa
Pumpkin Spice Latte Proatmeal

6. Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper?
Tone It Up! 😉

Honestly though, I haven’t done either of their workouts but I think I’d have to say Team Bob.

7. Frozen Yogurt or Ice cream?
Froyo all the way!

8. To train: upper body or lower body?
Lower body. There’s just nothing like waddling around like a penguin the day after an awesome workout!

9. Protein powder or food with protein?
Food with protein. While I like using protein powder in shakes and pancakes, I definitely prefer a more natural option on a regular basis.

10. Lunges or squats?
Squats. Lunges are quite possibly up there with burpees.

11. Sweet or salty?
Sweet! My sweet tooth shows no mercy!

12. Workout attire: cute or comfy?
At this point, comfy. Though, I find myself looking online recently for some cuter options.

13. Body Pump or heavy lifting?
Heavy lifting with some Body Pump thrown in every now and then for good measure.

14. Yoga or pilates?
Yoga. Hot, hot yoga!

15. Nike or Adidas?
Asics?

16. Running on treadmill or outdoors?
Outdoors as long as it’s not too humid or too cold!

17. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s?
Both! I have a Whole Foods so close to me that I usually opt for that, but I do love Trader Joe’s when I can make it out of the city. (Especially when I can get to Virginia!)

18. Summer or Winter Olympics?
Summer. I love the swimming!

19. Exercise classes or videos?
These days it’s videos since I don’t belong to a gym, but when I did, I’d go for the classes!

20. Steamed or roasted veggies?
Roasted, for sure! There’s just nothing like a perfectly roasted squash or brussel sprouts! Or maybe a roasted squash soup? 😉

Speak Up!

Do you have an opinion about any of the survey questions? I’d love to hear your thoughts!