A sunny low-key weekend and my workouts

Happy Monday! It’s St. Patty’s Day Eve! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Mine was actually pretty low-key, as you may have guessed from the title of this post. In fact, I don’t think I’ve had a weekend so uneventful in months. After moving, various fun activities and travel, I’d say it was about time that I did very little. Here’s how it went down, followed by my weekly workout recap …

On Friday night, Dave and I joined some friends at a restaurant to watch the Warriors play, and then we walked next door to our current favorite neighborhood sushi spot, Miraku, for dinner and drinks. 

Sushi nightDo you ever order seaweed salad? It’s one of my sushi-restaurant must-haves. That, along with a large carafe of house hot sake, of course.

After eating, we went home and enjoyed some ice cream while watching an episode of Parks and Recreation. Pretty thrilling stuff.

Starting the day with a sweat session

On Saturday morning, I went to the gym for a little weight-lifting session, in which I did four rounds of the following exercises:

  • Single-leg deadlifts – two 20 lb. dumbbells (8 reps, each leg)
  • Single-arm chest presses – 22.5 lb. dumbbell (8 reps, each arm)
  • Goblet sumo squats – 25 lb. dumbbell (10 reps)
  • Leg lifts in the Roman chair (10 reps)
  • Kneeling cable face-pulls – 60 lbs. (10 reps)
  • Back extensions – 15 lb. dumbbell (10 reps)

I was in the gym for only an hour this time, so it went much faster than usual, yet I still got in a good variety of functional movements. After the gym, I went home, had lunch, showered up, and then Dave and I headed out to shop.

Saturday shoppingJust some scenes from Saturday including a matcha green tea latte, some shopping bags and a shot of how I hoard all the weights at the gym.

We are still looking for some home stuff and visited a couple of furniture stores, unsuccessfully. We also hit up the Banana Republic “Friends and Family” sale and each got a few pieces. Dave and I have a good friend who works for Banana and she hooks us up with the deals when this sale comes around a few times a year. Everything we bought was 50 percent off the regular price. I love a bargain, and Banana has some gorgeous stuff right now, so that was a great shopping experience. And that pretty much concluded our afternoon activities.

On Saturday night, Dave had to work at a basketball game, so I laid low, watched TV, did some online shopping and ate some more ice cream. I mean, what else does a gal do by herself on a Saturday night?

Soaking up the sun on Sunday

On Sunday, it was a beautiful and sunny day, so Dave and I went on a little walk. We set out on foot from our house and took the Iron Horse trail all the way to downtown for lunch. Sundays are almost always my rest days from actual workouts, but I don’t mind logging a few leisure steps when it’s nice out, like this.

Sunday on the Iron Horse TrailSometimes I like to walk around town with my Golden State Warriors bag on a warm day. 

It was about a four-mile walk round-trip, so it gave us plenty of time to soak up some vitamin D and fresh air. We walked to downtown and ended up at a busy restaurant, Katy’s Kreek, for a late lunch. After seeing how crowded the place was we figured it was a winner. However, it took forever to get our food once we were actually seated and then neither of us were pleased with our meals. Oh well. No big deal, because we still were able to do some good people watching and sit back and relax. After lunch, we took a slow stroll home, laid on the couch and watched TV for the remainder of the evening. 

And that was it. Perhaps the most chill weekend I’ve had in forever. Yet one that left me rested and refreshed. 

My weekly workout recap

Now, it’s time to take a look at all of the workouts I completed over the past week …

Weekly Workouts from A Lady Goes West

Weekly Workouts

  • Monday – Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
  • Tuesday –Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, foam rolling
  • Wednesday – Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
  • Thursday – Did a 30-minute CXWORX core workout at home
  • Friday – Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, attended a one-hour yoga class
  • Saturday –  Completed one hour of weight-training, foam rolling
  • Sunday – Rest day

What was good about my week of workouts?

It was good to be back to a normal week of workouts after taking several rest days the week before while traveling to Key West. I think this was a strong week for me, because I had a lot of variety, three sessions of cardio (BODYATTACK), two sessions of resistance training (BODYPUMP and a weight-room workout), a core session (CXWORX) and a yoga class. Overall, I hit all the major high points that a week of exercise should have and even had a full rest day.

What could have been better about my week of workouts?

I must sound like a broken record, because for the past month or so I’ve been skipping out on a third weighted-resistance session each week. This past week had two weights sessions, and I really prefer to have three. So I’ll try again to improve again this upcoming week. I don’t feel like I’m losing strength, but I don’t think I’ll make any gains without that third session either. Other than that, this past week was a-okay.

Alright friends. Have a strong start to your week! I’ve got some work and of course, my regular evening BODYATTACK class on the agenda this evening. Until tomorrow!

Questions of the day

What did you do this weekend? Do you have a goal for the week? What’s your favorite kind of food to order at a restaurant?

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47 Comments

  1. Looks like a great weekend! I also did some furniture shopping as well, which is not how I would have liked to spend my weekend but its one of those things that has to get done! I definitely prefer to shop online but furniture (especially couches) you really need to see in person.
    Your week of workouts looks good, as usual! It looks like it would be challenging for you to fit in another weight training session, especially when you are teaching classes several days a week. You still have a really well-balanced week of workouts there!
    Have a great week:)

    1. Thanks, Lisa! I agree that you HAVE to sit on a couch … but for the first time ever, I actually ordered a side chair online from Macy’s, after searching in far too many stories for one. So crossing my fingers it is nice in person! Hope you had a lovely weekend too!

  2. It ws SO beautiful this weekend, and today is meant to be even nicer, which sounds amazing. I am so jealous you had sushi….Steve hates it….so means it is a very rare thing for me. BOOOO!!! Love that you got outside and explored! Don’t feel bad about your workouts, you did the best you could at that moment, and its okay 🙂

    1. Thanks, Tina! So right! We just do the best we can with the time we’re given! And I try to have sushi once a week, so I’m glad my husband enjoys. I guess Steve could always get Thai or entree food if the place has that too? hehehe! Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂

    1. Hi Megan! You sure do! They got a new designer several months ago, and everything seems more fashionable now! Now just the solid colors of the past. Hope you had a nice weekend! 🙂

  3. I’m very jealous of your weather, but spring is slowly making its way to the Boston area. It was 40 degrees this weekend. Woot, woot! My goal for this week is to workout twice while I’m on my business trip to Atlanta. it’s only a quick three day trip. I used to be so good about hitting the hotel gyms when I travel and lately I’ve fallen off the bandwagon. Time to get back on!

    1. Hi Chrissy! It can be hard to squeeze in a workout during a work trip, but sometimes super early in the morning just for 20 minutes is the best you can hope for. Best of luck with that! And have a safe trip! 🙂

  4. I’ve also been struggling to get in a third strength workout weekly. I need to up my game. I keep trying and then something comes up and I tackle that instead. Love the low key weekend. Those are the best sometimes! Wish we had nice weather to take a hike in! Just sounds so refreshing right now.

    1. Hi Heather! I hope nice weather is headed your way! And yes, that third resistance workout — ahh!! I’m going for it this week for sure! 🙂 Happy Monday!

    1. Hi Stacie! Yes, I love it! Even in the sunshine, we had a cool breeze on our walk yesterday. It was GREAT running weather, I just chose to stroll instead! 🙂 Happy Monday!

  5. Seaweed salad is so good! No matter what, if it’s on a menu I always order it. I love the texture and taste of it 🙂 My half marathon training starts this week, so my goal is to hit all my workouts! It might be tough because I’m in a musical and we have our performances this week, so I don’t have much time after work!

    Hope you have a great week, and GET THAT THIRD SESSION IN GIRL! Lol! you can do it 😀

    1. Hi Gretchen! Thanks for the motivation, I’ll get that extra session in this week for sure. And that’s awesome you are in a musical! And running a half? You do it all!! 🙂

  6. Looks like a fun weekend! Another trail I haven’t heard of in the bay area that I will add to my list 🙂 Also, how annoying re: the restaurant. I have honestly had some of the worst service of my life in this city!! I guess I compare it to NYC where you don’t survive long when your service isn’t amazing 😛

    Happy Monday!

    1. Hi Jill! I saw you went to the Les Mechantes brunch yesterday, sadly, I decided to hang out with the hubs instead of attend since it was his only day off from the week, but I bet it was fabulous!! Hope you have a great week!! And yes, tons of good trails around to check out! 🙂

  7. What a great weekend! Those low-key, chill ones are so necessary every once in awhile. I always love a good bargain – so glad you were able to find some good deals at Banana Republic! I haven’t been there in awhile…I need to check it out again!

    1. Hi Ash! Banana Republic has totally changed the look of their stuff over the past few months with a new designer, so it’s worth heading back. And yes, a low-key weekend was welcome! 🙂 Happy Monday!

  8. Aahhh, I caught the Friends & Fam sale too (aunt works for corporate there in SF)!!! I have a BR Factory store near me in the Sacramento area, so I always use my discount there… Factory prices, PLUS their own sale, PLUS the F&F sale–I felt like I was robbing the place with the prices I scored!!! Always a good shopping experience!

    1. Hi Amber! You know, I thought about trying to take a trip to the Livermore Outlets to visit the Factory Store, but didn’t make it happen this time! You definitely nearly STOLE the stuff heehhe! Hope you enjoy wearing your new duds! Nice work getting deals. 🙂

  9. Wasn’t the weather gorgeous this weekend? It almost felt like summertime! Perfect for a nice long walk on Iron Horse Trail. We’ve walked on it from Danville a few times but never all the way to Walnut Creek.

    And I read great things about Katy’s Kreek but never got a chance to try it. That’s a shame it wasn’t good. Oh well!

    I hope your week is off to a great start, girly!

    1. Hi Sarah! Well, Katy’s Kreek was busy, so I’m thinking we should have ordered the specials and maybe got stuck with a bad waiter. I wouldn’t completely avoid it because of our bad experience heeheh. But YES — such good weather! And we want to get bikes to ride down the trail all the way! Do you guys have bikes?? 🙂

    1. Hi Nicole! I do short sessions of foam rolling, so that’s why I do it so often. Usually no more than 4-5 minutes at a time. Makes it easy. And I also use a RumbleRoller, which is pretty intense. Hope you have a lovely week!! 🙂

  10. Sounds like you had a really fun weekend! Absolutely love Japanese food.
    I had a little question … I’ve noticed that recently my back is dipping when I do push-ups which never used to happen. I have added some lower back extensions into my routine, but wondering if there is anything else you would recommend as well? Thank you 🙂

    1. Hi Alice! Usually if your back is dipping, it’s the core that is the problem. I’d work on some planks and make sure your midsection is fully engaged during push-ups! Keep up the good work!! 🙂

  11. Looks like you had a fantastic weekend. Sushi on Friday night, a workout to kick off Saturday morning, and a hike with the husband? That’s pretty much a rundown of my perfect weekend (and one that happens regularly around here)! Cheers to a great week 🙂

  12. Sounds like a great weekend, I would love a low key weekend someday 🙂 And there isn’t much better than a little retail therapy. 50% off at Banana is awesome, I love that store! I hit up the Athleta F/F sale this weekend and snagged a few good deals too!

    1. Hi Sue! Awesome! I just bought my first ever top from Athleta a couple of weeks ago and haven’t worn it yet. But I liked their selection — but was surprised it was just as expensive as Lulu and the rest!

    1. No judgment at all, Krissy! A goblet sumo squat is a very wide-stanced squat (toes pointing out on the diagonal, legs way wider than hip width). Then you hold a dumbbell or kettlebell, right in front of your chest, like you’re holding a goblet of wine, palms under the weight. Then you squat down and up like that. Make sense? One weight, held with both hands, and a very wide squat. The weight stays still as you lower down and come back up. 🙂

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