There’s a chance that I may not be able to lift my arms above my head tomorrow. No, really. I got my booty handed to me this morning. One minute I was shadowing another personal trainer at the gym and the next thing I knew I was doing the workout with the client. When he asked if I wanted to follow along with the workout I didn’t hesitate to jump in. And then halfway through (after countless pushups, pullups, mountain climbers and more), I remembered that I had to teach BodyPump tonight. Ouch.
We did a lot of exercises today that targeted the lats and they are one of my weakest/tightest muscles (seriously, the bane of my existence in my yoga practice). And then I taught BodyPump and we did pushups for chest, triceps and shoulders tonight. I totaled my pushups for the day and I’m at a grand total of 109. Oh god. Soreness is already settling in. I hope I can move tomorrow. This would be case in point on why you should not strength train on consecutive days and take at least one rest day between total body strength workouts.
Tuesdays are my busiest teaching days. I taught four classes today – three yoga and one BodyPump.
I made a quick trip home for a late lunch and assembeled one of my most favorite sandwich combos – avocado, spinach, egg and cheese served open-faced on whole wheat. In fact, I even dedicated an entire post to the deliciousness of this lunch a few months ago titled, “Make This Lunch.” Apple slices and barbecue kettle chips on the side.
I arrived home from teaching BodyPump (last class of the day) at 7:30 p.m. I was thrilled to discover that Brandon had not only picked up the whole house but prepped dinner AND bought a bottle of wine. What did I do to deserve that!?
Dinner was amazing. Brandon grilled steaks and I made roasted brussels sprouts, sauteed mushrooms and goat cheese and herb mashed potatoes. Honestly, I can’t even remember the last time that I had steak but it totally hit the spot. I mentioned this a few months ago but I was encouraged to eat a little more red meat to see if it would help with my recovery from workouts/injuries. I haven’t really adhered to that (at all) but it felt like the right dinner for tonight.
I definitely have vegetarian tendencies. I very rarely include meat in my breakfasts or lunches and try to limit my consumption to a few days a week for dinner. It’s not big deal for me to go days or weeks without eating meat. That said, I don’t think I could go 100% vegetarian. There are many reasons for this (dinners out, eating with friends, health concerns and more) that are better suited to go into detail on another day. All that matters tonight is that dinner was delicious and huge thanks to Brandon for taking control of it.
Leaving you with some newsy items…
First, remember how I participated in the forum on obesity and childhood obesity a couple of weeks ago? The show is up! Here is the link. I’m a part of the entire panel discussion and you can also fast forward to my fitness segment around minute 15! Leave a comment on the CLT Blog and show them some PBR love! 🙂
Second, I finally posted a new recipe on Bakin’ and Eggs.
I didn’t blog about this dinner last night because I posted the circuit workout but we made Pasta with Shrimp, Arugula and Prosciutto and it was great.
Finally, thank you so much for your positive feedback on the circuit workout. I was SO excited to hear that some of you have already tried in and found it challenging. Awesome, awesome guys!!! I will definitely try to make this a regular feature.
That work day sounds exhausting! I don’t know how you do it..do you find that you get extra dehydrated from teaching that much? Just wondering! That lunch looks amazing!
Nothin’ wrong with getting strong right?
Thank you for the great post! That pasta/arugula dish looks AMAZING! I have a random question I have been pondering…you are the first person I thought to ask! How do you feel about artificial sweeteners? I have heard splenda isn’t as great as once thought, but lots of people rave about stevia. Do you use it in your baking? If so, why not? I am at a dilemma because it can drastically reduce the calories/sugar/carb content in deserts and my favorite coffee drinks (especially), but the fact that it is artificial scares me!
Thank you!!
I eat the same way you do! Last Fall, I realized one day that it had been 6+ weeks since I’d eaten any meat. I could never go veggie though because I just feel like it wouldn’t be best for me. And since getting pregnant, I’ve noticed I need a lot more protein, so I’ve been eating meat about every other day. Which is fine with me- clearly my body needs it!
It sounds like your philosophy on meat is very similar to mine actually! However, I am allergic to fish so I don’t eat any seafood except for tuna.
Wine on a Tuesday night sounds pretty nice!
Can you go more in depth/link me to the post about eating red meat to help you with workout recovery/injuries? I hope maybe you write about a post why you wouldn’t be a vegetarian. I really enjoy reading what you would have to write about that subject 😀
Um, 109 pushups?! You are amazing! I think i did 15 yesterday and wanted to die!
that’s how i turned into an official vegetarian…kind of just did so unconsciously at first!
sounds like an exhausting day! 109 pushups?? i could barely make it through the handful of chaturanga pushups we did tonight…:)
I have vegetarian tendencies as well, but don’t think I could ever go 100% vegetarian; and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it 🙂
Jen, we are so much alike, it’s crazy. I posted a comment last year about us both running MCM 10/31/10 and finishing at the exact same time. I actually saw you on the course and remembered your shirt and thought during the marathon that I had to check out your site. I love it! You are an inspiration! We eat similar things and work out in similar ways. I currently run, spin, bikram yoga and bodypump as a work out routine. I try to move everyday. I have 3 little boys and my husband and I live in Charleston, SC. I read that you lived here at one time too. I rarely post, but am a religious reader. I will try to be better about posting. I’ve started a couple of blogs but can’t seem to follow through. I tried the vegan thing last year for Lent and it was so difficult and blogged about it. I don’t have to eat meat, but do like to from time to time. I’m a pretty big fish eater. Anyway, just wanted to spread the love…xoxo!