Class FitSugar, delicious food and a big win
Hello, hello, my friends! I hope your week is off to a great start by now. This is a busy one for me, seeing as I’m teaching nearly 20 group fitness classes over the next six days (three complete on Monday)!
Today, I’m here to tell you about a few fun things I did over the weekend, which all deserve their own screen-time outside of yesterday’s post about balance and my weekly workouts.
A beautiful day for a rooftop workout with POPSUGAR
On Saturday morning, I drove to the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco to participate in the first POPSUGAR Class FitSugar, held on the gorgeous rooftop of the San Francisco Art Institute.
Scenes from the breezy rooftop, where the Class FitSugar took place.
This event was sponsored by C9 by Champion for Target, and all of the attendees received an adorable hot pink sports bra. I wore mine yesterday to teach classes and loved it!
POPSUGAR’s FitSugar site is launching a newer and convenient way to search, source and find workouts, and to kick off that initiative, the team is hosting a few free Class FitSugar events throughout the year in different cities. Because POPSUGAR is headquartered here in San Francisco, of course, we were lucky enough to be the first. (Oh living in the Bay Area sure has its perks!)
The class was taught by Lisa Corsello, who is the owner of a group of studios around the Bay Area called Burn. While I’ve never been to a Burn studio before, I know that the one-hour workout is a mix of Pilates, cardio and strength-training, using various equipment.
Lisa took us attendees at Class FitSugar through an abbreviated 30-minute bodyweight workout, featuring Pilates-inspired core work, burpees, push-ups, lunges, jumping jacks and more. While it wasn’t terribly difficult, I enjoyed those moments of “burn” in bottom-half pulsing movements, which reminded me a bit of a barre class. I also enjoyed the stretching and breathing that Lisa emphasized. There was some upbeat music on the speaker and incredible views, which totally elevated the experience. Lisa moved up and down the aisles, motivating people and keeping us in motion without a break for the entire session. Good stuff!
Just look at that setting and all the POPSUGAR-branded swag? A good time indeed!
After class, I not only talked to Lisa, but I also chatted with a few of the POPSUGAR gals. I grabbed some fresh juice, then collected my swag and drove home. I really appreciated the invitation to take part in a fun and totally free event by POPSUGAR, and I look forward to more.
As I was leaving on Saturday, the North Beach festival was in full swing, (a fun event that Dave and I have attended before), so the traffic was pretty rough getting out of the City. Yet, I was still home in time to join Dave for some afternoon relaxing …
Sunshine, relaxation and delicious food at Eleve
On Saturday afternoon, Dave and I laid out by the pool for a bit, which is a completely bizarre thing for us. While living in Nob Hill in the heart of San Francisco for the past few years, we not only did we not have access to a pool, but it was also far too cold for that kind of thing. However, just over the Bay Bridge in the East Bay where we live now, the weather is completely different. We enjoyed soaking up some Vitamin D and even met a new neighbor while lounging. I was pretty tired after all that sunshine, and once we came inside, I fell asleep on the couch for a bit with Rudy (our new little maltipoo) in my arms. I woke up to find that Dave had taken a funny picture of the two of us snoozing.
On Saturday evening, Dave and I put little Rudy away in his crate, then the two of us went out to dinner at Eleve in downtown Walnut Creek, a Vietnamese place, which looks really cool from the outside. We had an 8 p.m. reservation and were seated at a cozy table in the middle of the restaurant.
Because the menu was designed for sharing, we ordered four “small plate” items at Eleve, including a mango and arugula salad, sautéed prawns, half of a roasted hen with rice and salad and some incredibly delicious peanut garlic egg noodles. I didn’t want to get the noodles, but Dave insisted, and let’s just say I was the one who finished them off!
Eleve was a little brightly lit for our taste, but the service and food were both excellent. Another great dining experience in the East Bay, which makes us foodies very happy.
Getting a “W” at home in Oakland
On Sunday, we both did some chores and work for the first part of the day, then headed to the Golden State Warriors Finals game in the afternoon. Dave left much earlier than I did, because he had to work at the game. However, I hitched a ride with friends and took the BART to Oracle Arena in Oakland, enjoying every minute of the scene.
The usual crew, I sat with a bunch of other wives of Warriors employees, and we had a great time together cheering on our team.
The fans were crazy, the game was fun, Metallica played the national anthem, and the Warriors won! Even though I had fun at the Finals game last Sunday as well, it’s much better to be on the winning side. We sure are grateful to be a part of the Warriors world right now. Tonight is Game Six, and if the team wins, they become the champs! Go Warriors!
And there you have it. Some special weekend activities worth sharing. I’m off for now, my friends. This morning, I’m teaching two early Orangetheory Fitness classes, doing some work and then teaching BODYPUMP tonight. Enjoy your day!
Questions of the day
What’s the coolest setting you’ve enjoyed for a workout?
What’s the weather like where you live?
I did a rooftoop barre class in Lincoln Park that was pretty cool. It was a gorgeous morning for it. Otherwise, my runs in cool places are about as swank as I get! But I have run through the National Mall, so there’s that. What a great opportunity, and that looks like a delicious meal. We got a pretty big W over here last night in Chicago with the Stanley Cup!
Hi Susie! I know!! Congrats on the Stanley Cup to your ‘hood! The scene must be crazy! And by the way, running through the National Mall sounds awesome. Happy Tuesday!
Your a lady on the go! What an awesome opportunity you got to do the Popsugar class on the rooftop. I’m loving the pink water bottle. PS those pants are killer cute!
Thanks, Megan! The pants are PUMA from a FitFluential campaign. And YES to fun POPSUGAR events. Happy Tuesday to you! 🙂
I need to put working out on a rooftop on my list of cool things to do in life. You can’t beat working out with a view!
Hi Stacie, It sure does beat the walls of the gym hehehe Hope you get to do one one day. Until then, just turn up the music and imagine! Happy Tuesday!
The weather in Austin changes a lot. It honestly rains one minute and then is hot the next. Unpredictable is the best way to describe it. I did a similar style workout when I went to the Prevent Conference. We did a Barre3 workout led by Saide Lincoln on a roof top of one of the buildings downtown. It was really cool!
Hi Lauren! Wild weather can be hard to plan for, but I guess it keeps you from getting sick of the same old! That barre class sounds fun, and I’ve actually never tried Barre3. I need to! Happy Tuesday! 🙂
Whoa 20 classes! You go girlfriend. That would be such a fun class to take! Maybe they’ll come to Pittsburgh 😉 I’ve never gone for a cool setting for a workout before. We do have yoga in the streets downtown on Sundays, and I’m hoping to get down there for one at least!
Yoga in the street is cool! I’ve also done yoga in a beautiful church in San Francisco. You should go check out the street scene for sure. Maybe after baby? 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
Can’t say I’ve done a rooftop workout class yet, looked awesome! We got in some good pool time this weekend too…so happy we have our own! Hooray for summer 🙂
Yay for the pool! It’s so nice to take a dip and sit by the sun. Hope your week is going well so far, lady!
Wow – what a great opportunity to do an event like that! Living in a small town, we just don’t have anything like that. Our weather is currently very hot and a little humid. I remember taking a BODYATTACK class in FL, a few years ago. It was spring, and right outside the window in front of me were two ducks, ummmm, mating…that was an interesting view! I thought the mallard was going to kill that poor little girl! We will be watching the game tonight – go Warriors! However, being on the East Coast it sometimes gets to be too late for me. I don’t usually make it past 10pm. So, I’ll be excited to wake up tomorrow and check your blog to see the good news 🙂
hahahah birds mating while you did BODYATTACK? Now that’s an interesting scene for sure! heheh! And I wouldn’t be able to make it up for the game if I was on the East Coast either, so good luck with that. You’ll get the update once you wake up – and it better be a good one! Hope your Tuesday is just great, Melissa. I’m thinking of wearing a Warriors jersey to teach BODYPUMP tonight. What do you think?? hahh!
You HAVE to do it! I always wear my Broncos jersey on the Saturday before the Super Bowl. 😉
I’m doing to do it!
Wow, you are really trying to convince me to move to SF! You get to try all the coolest stuff. I’ve done yoga in some pretty cool places in pittsburgh (mostly for free as well) including at the top of Mount Washington (beautiful overlook where you can see the three rivers and downtown) and in Market Square (the buildings around it look like a glass castle..so pretty!) Your view is so great though, and I love the C9 line!
Hi Gretchen! I was impressed with the C9 line, because I hadn’t seen or tried any of the stuff yet. And believe me, there are a LOT of reasons to move to SF. 🙂 Have you ever visited at least??
I took a day trip when my sister was living in Sacramento, but definitely didn’t have enough time. Dan and I are visiting all the MLB stadiums, so I’ll definitely be back in the next few years!
Sweet! Hope you get to spend more time in the Bay Area soon! 🙂 That’s cool you’re visiting stadiums too. The Giants place is awesome. Not so much with the Oakland A’s though …
I don’t know if this counts, but my very favorite workout place that I ‘worked out’ at was a night marathon in Spain. It was AWESOME.
That Popsugar class looks REALLY fun. And the roof setting = SO FUN! 🙂 The workout clothes are so pretty and feminine.
Workout clothes have come a long way! Those outfits look really cute.
Hi Emily! A night marathon certainly counts. That sounds awesome — yet scary! I’ve never run a full before. And I totally agree that workout clothes have come so far. Black capri pants used to be all you could find in stores. Not anymore! 🙂
This Popsugar workout looks so awesome Ashley!! I read an article about Lisa a while back, and have been meaning to try her class and meet her. I feel like she is the ultimate fitness entrepreneur I aspire to be! Also – this little puppy? I am out of the loop but he is to die for!!!
Oh Jill, The new puppy arrived to our home two Saturdays ago, and boy, he has changed our world!! SOO cute!
We totally felt the same way about Eleve– too much light and they didn’t have any music, so it was a bit awkward, haha! BIG GAME TONIGHT!!
BIG game, Carrie!! Go DUBS!!!
Coolest place I’ve done a workout had to be yoga outside on a dock. Just an overall relaxing place to be, and it really helped me focus and enjoy the yoga practice more than usual. We are having some serious hot and humid days… while I don’t mind the heat, the humidity is absolutely killing me… and my hair.
Oh Jamie, my poor hair does not do well in the humidity either. Good thing it’s dry here in the Bay Area, but I wasn’t so lucky when living in Florida. And yoga on a dock? Totally cool!!
I just want you to know that you are SUPER Ashley! 😉
Hi Ed! Well thanks for that, I appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful day! 🙂
Fun! Looks like an incredible location for a fitness class! Love those POPSUGAR ladies.
Hi Trevor! Yes, me too! POPSUGAR is such a fun company and everyone I’ve met there is really nice! Happy Tuesday!
What a fun place to do yoga! Would love to do that sometime!
Hi Dani! It wasn’t yoga, but it was totally fun!! 🙂 Happy Tuesday, Dani!
What an awesome weekend! Love that you were able to go to a game – and that Metallica played the national anthem – that’s pretty fantastic! Sounds like you are going to have such a crazy week ahead!
Hi Sam! Yes, for sure! Metallica did the national anthem on their guitars, which was pretty cool. Happy Tuesday to you!
That workout atmosphere sounds so cool! I am afraid that most of my workouts take place at the gym.
The weather here (East Tennessee) is so hot and humid! It has been in the upper 90’s for days 🙁
Hi Heather! Oh the humidity! Not fun, but I lived through it my whole life while I was in Florida. It’s much drier out here! And hey, it’s okay if your workouts are in the gym, at least you’re doing them! 🙂 Happy Tuesday!
What a fun event with POPSUGAR!! Sounds like a blast. Looks like you walked away with some fun swag too.
Good luck with your 20 classes this week! Dang girl. I did 12 last week and I was WIPED! I know you’ll rock ’em though!
It’s a lot, Ash! But at least I don’t have to “do” the workout at Orangetheory. I bet you were tired, carrying an extra person around for all those classes last week!! 🙂
That is a really cool workout! Hopefully they’ll come to San Diego next… it’s not that far! Love that bra too. I always wear dark clothes, but I love a loud accent like sports bras and shoes.
Hi Laura, It seems like San Diego is always on the list, so hopefully they’ll swing by your way! 🙂 And you can wear your loudest sports bra!
a rooftop workout?! this looks like so much fun!
Hi Annie! It sure was!! Especially with a beautiful San Francisco breeze blowing. Hope all is well with you!! 🙂
Your leggings are amazing… you have got some serious style woman! That workout seemed like a lot of fun, literally makes you feel like you’re on top of the world ;). I would have totally finished those noodles with you, all of your food looked so good.
I live more on the South bay side, and right now it is that ‘kind of really hot with the occasional breeze’ type of weather!
Hi Niki! Hoping for extra breeze for you today! And the leggings are PUMA — so fun, right?? Have a great day, lady!
The weather was around 100 degrees today. Way too hot for this girl 🙂
Hi Sam! WOW! That’s really hot. Seek the A/C and stay hydrated, lady! 🙂 heheh
That class looked like so much fun! I love that bra too- score!
I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the East Bay weather. I love it but my pool is always flooded with kids. Not exactly a relaxing environment. 😉
I bet you guys are so excited about the Warriors winning the championship! I’m sure there will be lots to celebrate. Congrats!
Hi Sarah! Ahahha, actually there were a few kids at our pool too, but they weren’t too loud! 🙂
That is awesome!!! Good luck with all the classes. I’m studying for my ACE GFI certification right now woo 😀
Also, obsessed with your leggings! Where are they from? Lulu?