I’m having one of those cozy winter days here.
You know how they can either be depressing and gray or warm and cozy? Maybe it’s the fact that it’s Friday, but even though I have to spend my afternoon working, I’m enjoying it
Hot tea is helping!
[GO DUKE!]
BodyPump with Faith was fun. She’s joining my gym for the month of January – I can’t wait to play together everyday. Exercise is so much more fun with a partner.
I biked over to Faith’s, and then we walked (0.8 miles) to the gym for the class. I piled on the weights today! I do think I haven’t been using enough. Usually I use one medium and one small weight on each end of the bar (2.5 kg + 1 kg?) but today I used two mediums and took one off for a few of the upper body parts. I think I could probably use even more weight (esp. for legs) but I’m working up slowly.
Both Faith and I agree that Body Pump is a bit blah. We feel like we could do it more effectively on our own. But we all know that I have a horrible time motivating myself to lift to fatigue on my own, so for now, for me, it’s working. My muscles are definitely more tired right now than if I had lifted on my own (but not as tired as one of Tanner’s SuperFlow yoga classes!)
When I got home, I showered, and then put together lunch
The LAST of the white meat turkey – I promise! With mustard, spinach and a thin layer of mayo on one of Matt’s buns from last night.
Big ole grapes that Karen bought
And a giant pile of kale chips. I made these sprinkled in Old Bay and drizzled in ketchup.
Blogger confession: I bought this suppppper chocolaty, peanut butter chip, chocolate chunk trail mix at Whole Foods and have been eating out the chocolate for dessert! Highly recommended!
Holly jolly good!
I love the Monster Trail Mix from Target. TOO MUCH if you know what I mean. I have had many stomachaches after one too many handfuls…
If your buddy is joining your gym, why not make workouts for each other?
My friend Lisa and I meet each week, and every week we take turns creating a workout that we do together. Its so much fun!
I love trail mixes like that! We recently bought some grapes that were the size of small plums!
Ha ha ha. I eat the chocolate out of trail mix too. My family came to visit for Thanksgiving, and my brother brought homemade trail mix with these amazing pieces of white chocolate and glazed almonds in it. I picked those items out exclusively all week long!!
I love trail mix but my husband can’t stand it and can’t be around it, a weird phobia (and he has a phobia about ceral as well ), so I never get to eat it. I used to make my own a lot when we didnt’ live together!
If Body Pump is “blah”, you and your workout partner could design a cardio + strength routine and do it together at the gym. Likely, there is a trainer on staff that cold help you as well!
Yum. Your lunch looks awesome 🙂 I love love love kale chips.
mmmmm those grapes look AWESOME. So plump and juicy!
I can’t get over how those placemats make all of your pictures just pop! And now I want some grapes…and chocolate…
Hi Kath!
i used to feel like you about weights – boring, blah! But, that’s changed. Here’s what worked for me:
– do weights with a partner and alternate sets/equipment: makes the time go by faster
– get a personal trainer: she’ll set up a program for you, you have a worksheet for each time you lift, you’ll see progress, and the exercises will become more challenging the stronger you get
i’m also a Y member and found their personal training prices incredibly reasonable. check and see if your y has a holiday pricing package (mine did last year, which pushed me to purchase a block of sessions, which led to amazing results!).
I’m working on finding a partner!
Sounds delicious! I agree with you that BP can get a little monotonous sometimes. I think it’s good for people that have trouble motivating themselves to do strength training on their own, but I do still enjoy it from time to time. I wouldn’t normally stand in front of the mirror on my own and pound out 80ish squats the way BP makes you!! 🙂
If you guys want some holiday cheer, this is a must see!
I’ve seen that!
Oh, trail mix is my kryptonite, and I always pick out my favorite nuts and the chocolate pieces first. It’s so darn addicting!!
Your Kale chips always look so good! I have a hard time keeping them crispy over here with the humidity. Guess I’ll just always have to eat them right away 🙂
My gym has a class called total body conditioning- it is body pump meets boot camp. In between sets of things we do jumping jacks, high knees, burpees, etc and my heart races the whole time! Maybe your gym has a similar class? My body is sore the next day, but I also get a good cardio workout in!
It’s hard for me to do boot camps because of all the jumping – my foot didn’t like it 🙁
I think if you upped your weight you’d feel like Body Pump was more of a challenge 😉 You should be shaking by the end of each set!!
I recently discovered your site, and I already loved it. Finding out you’re a Duke fan makes it that much better 😉 Go Blue Devils!
I’m always starving when I read your blog!!!
Jen
Gosh, I have never thought about putting Old Bay on kale chips. Genius! 🙂 And Go Heels!!! :)~
Chocolate should be eaten before and after every meal. I think of it as a palate cleanser 🙂
You can definitely do more weight!!!!!
Christmas candles always get me in the holiday spirit! Those grape are ginormous!!
Love your placemats!! Where did you get them??
PIer 1, I think
I bet someone has already suggested this, but have you tried other instructors for Body Pump? I remember you saying a few posts ago that you end up standing around for 2-3 minutes between songs, which sounds really weird to me. The instructor I take Body Pump from is yelling for us to change weights faster, and she leaves no pause at all between songs. Change your weights in 20 seconds or you’re behind! She’s actually kinda drill sergeant mean, to be honest. But effective! 😛
Yeah, I’m on instructor #3 🙂 I liked today’s a lot better. I thought the class was pretty good overall. Faith and I are just picky, we decided.
Your lunch looks great and so healthy! 🙂
Kath,
I read your blog all the time- first time posting. I used to feel the same way about lifting, but I just started P90X, which has a ton of strength training involved. It is very fun, the “instructor” is super motivating, and you can do it at home…maybe with Matt! This is the only workout I have ever gotten my fiance to do with me!
but…but…but… it is still only Fall, not yet Winter!!!
Nice buns! 🙂
I love that all of your meals always look so elegant. Even a sandwich and some soup looks 5-star when you’re making it. Yum!
Oh, and I heart kale chips; super yum!
oh i haven’t had kale chips in a while now, i think i need to bring them back into my life asap!
Just curious…aren’t you a little nervous about eating turkey that’s 8 days old? I always use the sniff rule but don’t keep poultry in the fridge for more then 3-4 days.
Ehhh…just a little.
If you’re fine now though I’m sure it’s all good!
I’d almost be happy enough to trade in my summer here for that lunch… but not quite 😉
our turkey is long gone…… but I think it’s time to get another one brining….
those buns look wonderful!
( I hesitated to say that matt’s buns looked wonderful)
*giggle*
I am obsessed with that chocolate trail mix!! So yummy! And the chocolate is by far the best part. 😉
I have such a hard time motivating myself to do weights too. In fact, I haven’t done them at all this week. Oops!
It’s actually sort of sad that you won’t have any more turkey sandwiches…
they are so yummy!
I just stocked up on some vegan chocolate chips from WF – it might have to be broken into tonight!!!
Yum- Kale chips! I recently tried making vegan cheesy kale chips and the rocked my world! So good! I bet you’d like ’em 😉 Here’s the recipe http://hungryforbalance.wordpress.com/2010/11/20/soles-4-souls/
I do like workout classes because I feel like I work harder, but I have a hard time being motivated to go to them!
what awesome buns matt made, they are perfectly thin & look tasty
chocolaty trail mix, oh my. scandalous! : )
your lunch made me realize i miss kale chips! it’s been far too long!
love,
cathy b. @ brightbakes
Body Pump can be great– stick with it!
You mentioned that you normally do one small and one medium plate on each side. You should NOT be doing the same weights for each song. Your instructor can give you weight recommendations based on the muscle group you are working for that song, and you should be getting an amazing workout if you vary your weights. You are definitely stronger than you think you are–try changing your weights around with each song. Before you know it, you’ll be an expert and snapping your weights on and off between each song. Stick with it and good luck! Love your blog!
I love chocolaty trail mixes.
Holy massive grapes, Batman!!!
Mmm… Yummy meal! I love the placemat, very festive 🙂
I just read about Matt being admitted to Fuqua on Laura’s blog, and then I came here to find a photo of your Duke mug. How fortuitous! 😉
ALL PLANNED on my part!!! 🙂 🙂 GO MATT!
Body Pump can be a fantastic class if you challenge yourself. I do agree though, that the instructor does play a major role in liking or disliking the class. I definitely think you can increase your weights. You should be struggling to complete the last few reps of the track. I took my first class 4 years ago, and I can’t imagine life without it. It has definitely changed my body. Stick with it!
Hey,
If it’s from Wisconsin it’s called a Kringle. As far as I know they are all made in Racine, WI. FYI 🙂 I’d know one anywhere being from WI.
Yes, that’s it!
I am sorry to hear you are not enjoying pump- it can be great. The teacher makes a HUGE difference though (I have had some rubbish ones) so maybe see if there is another class? My best one makes the whole class fun and keeps us motivated and active between tracks- she does the change overs really fast. And definitely up the weights, it should be HARD. If you are exhausted you can’t be bored!