Ballet Blast

My morning started a few hours then normal today…

I coached this morning and I now have a new respect for Liz and all the 5 am crew that gets up and gets it done that early! NO EXCUSES right?!!

That 4’oclock hour alarm is brutal! I was so worried I’d sleep through my alarm that I woke up like 6 times throughout the night!

We went through chin ups and for some reason these are HARD form me! I can’t do 5 in a row yet. Heck. I barely get 2… but I’m working on them!

I did hit a new PR on my double under string! 87! I was pretty excited! DUBs are something I have been working on forever and its finally starting to stick!

Ballet Blast

Tonight I did something out of my comfort zone…

After teaching Body Pump I went to a Ballet Blast class!!!

I have been wanting to go for a long time, but I teach Tuesday nights and kind of never really committed to going or Brent would be gone so I couldn’t go but today I decided I’m just going to go, because my friend Jacquelyn has been going for awhile and I promised her I’d be there!

Let me first say, back to back pump and barre is no joke! I  heard about Ballet Blast through another friend and the studio is pretty close to my house so why not!!

The instructor of this class is Brianne Johnson, she actually host a local Television show in SLC called the Daily Dish! Funny thing, my sister in-law actually produced it for awhile!

Anyway, I was expecting an actual ballet type class and it was nothing what I expected!

The music was loud and the class was fast paced and a serious burner. It is completely different from anything I’m use too! We actually use weights for part of class and they weigh 1 lb. some people even had 2 lb. ONE POUND! I can power clean 145.. I kind of laughed a little when I heard to bring 1 lb weights! All I can say is that is the HEAVIEST 1 lb weight EVER by the end of class! HA!

Brianne is so sweet, and right on cue- not to mention cute to boot! For it being my first time, I found it easy to follow and doable. I had to stop a few times to take a breathe and then I just got back on with the class. Her favorite word is HOLD!… it kind of makes you want to cry at that point…

I was so happy to have Jac there too! There were a couple other familiar faces at the class as well! Some of my pumpers were there and my friend Amy that I danced with in high school!

Jac was kind enough to share her weights with me and show me the ropes! {Thanks Jac!!}

Here is what a typical class is like: Its kind of long, but you get the gist!

You burn the booty, arms, shoulders, core and legs! I can tell my hips and inner and outer thighs are going to be feelin’ it tmrw!

I was really dripping sweat by the first 10 minutes of class!

Ballet blast has a website! If your local, you should really check it out!

They also have a facebook page!

Take a yoga mat, and 1-2lb weights with you! I just wore my socks and it was fine!

I had a quick protein shake after that I drank while bloggin!

YUM!

It is SOO late, I have an early wake up call again.. Not 4 am early but early! I’m off to bed!

What time do you wake up to work out?

Have you ever taken Ballet Blast or Barre?

Improve Your Running

Happy Monday!!

I kicked off the morning coaching and doing this KB workout at GPP.

I’m still not running and rowed instead… Let me tell you, that was a lot of rowing!

Post workout: I had some oatmeal out of a fancy tupperware and called it good.

After the workout I headed to another gym and taught a killer Bootcamp class. All together they killed 210 burpees… lucky them.

Then it was finally time to head home for lunch!

LUNCH:

Lunch was quick today, nothing fancy just sweet potato, green beans and grilled chicken!

Now, lets get to the good stuff! I find that not being able to run, I can’t stop talking about it! I love running, and I miss it terribly when I can’t.

So here are some tips I came up with today to help you improve YOUR running!

Improve your Running!

1. Switch up your Route!

Taking the same route everyday can get boring! Even a quick 10 minute drive somewhere will add a little variety! You can also add length, increase your speed by adding fartleks and challenging yourself to beat your time from the last time you ran!

2. Try trail running!

Get off the pavement and head to the hills! For me trail running is more of a release because it gets me out of the busy city and there is something about just being in nature that makes you feel at peace with yourself.

3. Take off the pressure

Not every run has to be about how fast you can go or how far. Negative thoughts on yourself about running isn’t going to make you a better runner or make you love running more. You have to realize not all runs aren’t going to be as good as others. Compliment yourself! EVERY RUN is a accomplishment!

5. Take time to love it.

Running is hard! I get that. I understand when someone says I HATE running. I used to be that person. When I was on drill team in HS, my friend and I would literally HIDE to get out of laps when our coach made us run. It takes time to love running and once you do, you will never look back! It has become my outlet and makes me a better mom, wife and trainer. Get outside, make a killer playlist and just run!

6. Run with friends!

Running with friends makes every mile tick by faster. I love running with friends, it usually turns into a free therapy session sometimes, and to be honest some of my running friends are my BEST friends!

7. Learn about it!

Read about it, talk to others, or watch youtube videos. There are so many books, magazines and video clips about running and the more you research about it the more you grow and learn. I love to talk to different people and hear their thoughts on running. From their favorite shoe to how they train for marathons.

What do you love in a BOOTCAMP class?

Any running tips to add?

Shamrock Shake

I hope you had a great day celebrating today! I probably had one of the most laziest days of my life and it was wonderful. I did not get out of my pajamas until 4 pm and that was just because I had to get ready to go to a family party for corned beef and cabbage. I took 2 naps! I must of needed rest I guess!

I actually have a love/hate with rest days. I know they are very important, but I am more likely to be a presentable, kind, and patient human being when I get a workout in.

Anyone else?

I made a high protein shamrock shake this morning that was a huge hit with the kids too!

In the blender:

• 8 oz. Almond Milk
• 7-10 Ice Cubes
• 1/8 tsp. Mint Extract
• 5 drops of liquid stevia
• 1-2 tsp Sugar-free pistachio pudding mix
• 1/2 C. Cottage Cheese (lactaid-if your belly doesn’t love dairy.)
• 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
• 2 C. Spinach

BLEND!

This turned out amazing and definitely puts McDonalds Shake to shame in the nutritional department.

Give it a try!

Do you have any St. Patrick Day traditions?

Green water in the toilet? Eat lucky charms? Leprechaun messes?

My Leprechan Name

In case your wondering, tomorrow I  will be going by the name.

Warty McTavern

So funny!!

Yesterday was a busy day and I ended up going to bed as soon as my kids went down. I was just exhausted and had a early morning GPP date with my sister.

The workout today was a long one and we ended up getting a little side tracked towards the end.

I headed home and had a quick breakfast of some pro-oats before heading to teach a pump class.

In the bowl:

• 3/4 C. Rolled Oats
• 1 Scoop vanilla protein powder
• 1 egg white
• Cinnamon
• Strawberries
• Liquid Stevia

When I make these oats I just cook the oats and eggs with some water in the microwave then add all the mix-ins! Easy!

Afterwards, I invited my sister and sister-in-laws to join us at the ZOO! We got a zoo pass last summer and I couldn’t wait to take the kids again. They absolutely LOVE it!

The seals was their favorite part and it really is mine too!

It really is a cool exhibit! You can see the seals swimming under water and they come right up to the glass! The trainer came out and was feeding the sea lion a snack and the kids couldn’t keep their eyes off him.

We tried to get a picture with all the cousins together…

Didn’t quite work out according to plan..

Oh well!

Overall, the zoo day was great with a few minor melt downs (naptime….) and next time I won’t leave my keys in the ignition of my car and let the battery die.  

YEP… I guess I was a little excited to get the kids out and in their strollers to grab my keys and lock my doors.

YOLO.

Luckily, the zoo security saved us.

Lesson learned.

When we got home from the zoo, the kids passed out in the car and I sat down and practically inhaled this salad!

I packed in green beans, peppers, butternut squash, avocado, a little ground turkey (leftovers), chicken (left overs), and some tuna on a bed of spinach.

I have a feeling this summer I will be consuming a lot of mountainous salads.

SOOO GOOD!

What is your favorite animal at the zoo?

Anyone run/race today? I’m still recovering from shin splints and need someone to say they ran for me.

MANDATORY: What is your leprechaun name?

 

PS. I want to shout out to my friend Melissa for running the DC marathon today with only a 6 week prep and she PR’d  by over 30 minutes!! AWESOME!

nice job chica.

Ballin’ & Dancin.

 

Happy Thursday!!

It is days like today, all I want to do is run and play outside.

Because of my shins I can’t run but we sure did play!

I took the kids to the park with some brunch and they had fun running around for TWO whole hours in the sun! It was perfect weather today and something we have all been craving for MONTHS! 70 degrees is my idea of PERFECT weather.

The workout at GPP was definitely the most different and fun workout I have ever done!

Source

This workout challenges your nervous system like no other and it is COOL! The stabilization required to kneel or sit on the ball without support is insane! It strengthens the core in so many ways. In fact, I didn’t even think it was possible to be able to do it. After a few days of practicing, I proved myself wrong..

We did single arm presses and bicep curls today and I’m already feeling it in my core! The stability ball situps remind me of using a GHD! It was also a great reminder to stretch my back out every so often! --->eek. Not so flexible there anymore! The cool thing about this workout was the not one press or curl was the same! You are constantly moving and adjusting with your ball that you use different muscle fibers to get the weight up and keep it in motion Cool stuff!

There are links that go over each movement on the GPP site.

After the workout, I wanted to get a little cardio in and since I can’t run, I did the stair climb case to no where….I had a friend to talk to, so that helped the time go by quick! I threw in a few intervals to get my heart rate up and I was dripping by the end! 

I had a protein shake from the gym to get me through the park escapade, so by the time we got home I was more then ready for lunch!

I haven’t had tilapia for a week and finally got stocked back up on it!

I made this huge salad with spinach, peppers, broccoli and avocado!

It was delicious and totally hit the spot!

I even got a good nap in while the babies before heading back to GPP to coach the night crew.

As I was wrapping up the night, a few of my friends were walking in and I guessed it was ZUMBA time! As I tried to secretly grab my stuff and peace on out of there. My friend Alison asked me to stay…

Uh…..

My friend Teresa teaches a killer Zumba class at GPP twice a week and I am NOT a zumba person.. I know its weird, I was a dancer and I have never been a fan of Zumba, I have tried, really! But I have never made it through a whole class!

They talked me into staying and told me I had to do the whole thing at least 3 times. I texted Brent and made sure it was okay if I stayed, and check on the kiddos and then got to shakin!

Guess what? I actually had fun!! Teresa is an amazing instructor and even though I’m not a frequent visitor I was able to follow along for the most part!

She did a ton of stuff where I had to be light on my feet and on my toes which really hurts my shins so I tried to implement other movements and kept my feet grounded… Needless to say, I probably looked like a fool. 

 

Her music was fun and it wasn’t a bunch of meringue and salsa stuff. It was more…

It really was fun!

Do you Zumba?

What is your idea of perfect weather?

Challenge of the week!

Get a ball and practice kneeling on it!

Berry Coconut Pro-oats, When? Why? & Oh, a GOAT!

I love to have some oatmeal in the morning after a tough run or workout, I feel like it gives me an extra boost and starts the day off on the right foot.

I have a bunch of different combinations I love and live by, but this one seems to be my go-to lately!

I actually eat it before workouts too, depending on what my workout is for the day.

Cardio- After, mainly because I don’t want to puke… and I tend to cramp if I eat to soon before a hard cardio sesh. If it’s a long run, where I’m going for distance but not really time and more of an easy run, I’ll have it about an hour before.

Lifting- Before. Having the carbs in me before lifting gives me the fuel to get through some muscle building madness.

But, whatever works for you!

Berry Coconut Chia Pro-oats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C. Whole Grain Oats (I use Bobs Red Mill GF)
• water (to cook oats with)
• 1 Tbsp. Coconut flakes (unsweetened)
• 1/3 C. Frozen berries
• 1/2 Tbs. Chia seeds
• 1 scoop of Protein Powder (Vanilla)
• Dash of Cinnamon

Directions:

Combine the oats, water and berries-

Cook in microwave for 2 minutes

Throw in everything else and stir together until well combined.

Bam, Ma’am

EASY!

Ill even make it before heading to the gym, in a tupperware and bring it to me to the gym so I have it ASAP.

I am obsessing over chia seeds lately! They are a nutritional power house and I’m really starting to feel the benefits of them!

 

What is your go to breakfast lately?

What is your favorite oatmeal mix in?

Quick? Steel cut? rolled?

OH Shin. & Big Run announcement.

Hey y’all!

The sun is out and it was time to swing!

Is it sad that 50 degrees is total park weather here?

They loved it! I’m sure I pushed them on these swings and sang 50 songs in that hour.

PURE JOY!

Why yes, my son is still in his pajamas, he is a cars fanatic..(note: the two Lightning Mcqueens in his hand.) and really thought his pajamas would be a good look for the rest of the day.

I did the GPP workout today before heading to the park and had some fun trying to balance on some balls. That was fun!!

When I woke up this morning and was just walking around my house I could tell I was in a “Shin” load of trouble…

They are worse today… I can feel it in both legs now and on both sides of my shins on my right leg.

No running for me…

I iced several times today and searched my house for my compression sleeves in which have completely disappeared…*sigh*

I whipped up a shake before heading to the park to let the kids play.

LUNCH

Lunch came quick, I whipped up some ground turkey in a skillet with some peppers and onions and added some steamed broccoli

Forgot my avocado.. Dang it. So I ate it after I finished.

I blame the fact that I was trying to hurry and get back to finish “The Bachelor.” I missed it last night and couldn’t wait to get all caught up in that drama during the twins nap time!

Can we chat about it for a minute?

TWO things:

1. Yay! For Catherine!! She is who I guessed to win, but my heart broke for Lindsey for 2.2.

2. Des, is the new Bachelorette? Not sure how I feel about that one…

Okay, one more:

Bonus thought: Catherines and Lindsays dresses?? Gold and Silver?? Really? Did. not. love.

Source

Tonight I tried a Les Mills CXworks class that my friend has been trying me to come take for awhile now and since I didn’t have to teach pump I could make it to her class.

CX is a 30 minute class with an abdominal/glute focus

I went into it expecting a lot of crutches and sit ups but there wasn’t many crutches besides the warm up and zero sit ups. There was some band work standing that even got the shoulders burning a little and quite a bit of plank work.

It was a fun class, the instructor was fabulous and right on cue. Honestly, I am use to high energy, heart pumpin’ workouts and this was pretty slow and controlled. Almost felt like a Pilates class… almost. Not sure if I loved it, it was fun and new but not quite my cup of tea. Ill have to go again sometime soon to test it out again.

SOOOOO. My big run coming up is…

RIM TO RIM!!

We will start at the South end of the Grand Canyon and Run to the North!

Ill do a blog post with all the details later!!

But I can’t wait! I mean really?!! It is beautiful!

source

Red Rock, Twenty Girls, Running. I CAN”T wait!

Now, lets start thinking up magic spells to cure my shins…