Current faves: BODYATTACK, food, fashion and weekly workouts

My friends! How are you? There has been a lot of stuff going on over here in the A Lady Goes West world, so let’s get right to it!

This week was quite full with teaching classes, work, following Brady around the house at a mile a minute, chores and packing for a trip. (I also got a mani, pedi and my hair done, so yesss!)

I’m super pumped, because early tomorrow morning, I’m heading out on a 32-hour overnight trip to Vegas with seven of my East Bay momma friends for a birthday celebration, and I can’t WAIT! I have a sparkly dress, fake eyelashes and we’re ready to party. I will not be exercising, drinking green juice or changing diapers — and I’m okay with all of that. So without further ado, it’s time for our regular edition of Friday Favorites!

Ladies

Happy International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, so I’d like to take a minute to send a big THANK YOU to all the wonderful women out there, like YOU. Thank you for being you! Keep working hard at whatever it is that you do, and know that you are W-O-R-T-H-Y of equality and everything that you want out of life. Make sure you find another wonderful woman to acknowledge today!

Fun

My return to teaching BODYATTACK

This was the biggest thing of the week FOR SURE. Ladies and gents, I taught BODYATTACK again.

After being my favorite Les Mills group fitness program for a few years, I had to give up BODYATTACK as I cut back on intense exercise in order to get pregnant (BODYATTACK is very intense cardio, read more about it here). In fact, I taught my last full BODYATTACK class during the end of July 2016 on a Wednesday night in front of a huge group of my regulars and wasn’t sure if I would ever return to the program.

(Wearing some of my favorite cardio sneakers.)

Wow. After that last class, I took about two years off from doing the program entirely. Then, the last few months, I’ve been taking the class maybe two or three times a month only as a participant. That’s it! But when I found out I had the chance to get on the schedule with a regular BODYATTACK class now, I couldn’t say no. I only had two weeks notice to get ready, so I’ve been working hard to get back into the right condition to do it. It’s a work in progress and always will be, but I’m up for the challenge.

My first class went great. It’s a totally new time-slot, so I wasn’t sure what the turn-out would be, but I had 20 people, including a lot members who used to take my regular BODYATTACK classes back in the day. I knew my choreography and felt pretty comfortable teaching, but BOY, was I HURTING toward the end of class, trying to coach, get my words out and do all of the moves to the fullest — struggle bus during the last peak track, but I made it through.

Fun fact: When you first start out as a BODYATTACK instructor, they say it takes about 90 days to get past that “I’m going to puke” feeling while teaching. And perhaps those same 90 days are going to apply to me again now that I’m back. Darn. 🙂 But I’ll keep training and working, because I love it, and it’s worth it to me!

Food

The crunchiest of crackers

I’ve been eating these Mary’s Gone Crackers for a few months and it’s about time they end up as a favorite. I like most of the flavors — with original, black pepper and sesame as my top choices.

While I don’t specifically look for gluten-free, these crackers are that, as well as non-GMO, vegan, made from 100% whole grains and full of valuable nutrients and organic — yess. I like to use them to dip into my lunch bowls, so they are usually eaten as part of a meal. They have such a good crunch. Highly recommend! I buy mine at Whole Foods or Sprouts, but they are actually on sale with a coupon on Amazon right now too.

Fashion

Another Fabletics winner

I shared last week that I’ve been ordering from Fabletics again, and here’s another good set I received and have worn a few times. The top says “Kick butt. Look cute. Repeat” and the pants have such a good, tight, yet breathable fit, in a fun maroon color. Such a good workout outfit. I don’t often go for “conversation” tees, but I like this one.

Here’s my referral link, if you want to check Fabletics out.

Beauty

The opportunity is knocking! 🙂

Because it’s been so popular, the promo for new consultants to join Beautycounter with half-off the enrollment fee (with the purchase of a discounted starter set) has been extended until March 10 (that’s Sunday). Now’s such a great time to get involved with this company, and I’d LOVE to have you on my team — and no, you do NOT have to be a blogger to be successful — many of the most successful people in the company are just regular gals who work hard. Send me a message if you have any questions at all.

I promise, it’s not scary, anyone can do it, and it’s really fun to share great products with your friends and family and make money from it too.

Fitness

Weekly workout recap

And now we’re into the fitness.

Let’s look at my workouts from last week …

• Monday: Rest day
• Tuesday: Rest day
• Wednesday: Taught 1-hour barre class, 5 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 1-hour barre class, 12 p.m.
• Friday: Practiced BODYATTACK for 40 minutes, 15-minute weights workout, 11 a.m.
• Saturday: 1-hour BODYATTACK class, 9:30 a.m.
• Sunday: Practiced BODYATTACK for 40 minutes, 11 a.m.

This past week was not very balanced and not one that I plan to repeat, but I was working hard to get ready for my debut back into teaching BODYATTACK. The good news is that I had some rest days and I at least tried to fit in a short weights session, which I’m sharing below.

You can find my other weights workouts on my Instagram story highlights under Fitness.

Links

Best reads from around the web

• Processed food and the food industry. Much like how the make-up and skincare world is full of products that aren’t good for our health, yet are still being sold, the food industry in America is not a pretty picture. I loved this episode of The Model Health Show talking to the Food Babe about what food companies don’t want us to know.
• Advice. I love to see quotes from successful people on what advice they’d give their younger selves.
• Funny Instagram account. Dave introduced me to MiddleClassFancy on Instagram, and it’s hilarious. I love to follow humor accounts, because they totally break up the wellness content I see from everyone else I follow.
• Positive thoughts. Have you ever read a reverse poem? They are pretty cool. Here’s a round-up of motivational and positive reverse poems to brighten your day.

Throwing in a quick Brady picture, because I’m going to miss this little man while I’m away this weekend …

A Lady Goes West favorite archives

• Beauty and skincare. I’m glad I finally have a routine … “My top six Beautycounter products and how I take care of my skin.”
• Information overload. In case you need a little help figuring it out … “How to know what health and fitness information to follow.”

See you soon!! Be good!! And if you’re so inclined, you can follow my Vegas adventures over on Instagram. xoxo

Questions of the day

What are you up to this weekend?

Have you ever been to Vegas?

What’s one good thing that happened in your week?

Who are you going to praise on this International Women’s Day?

P.S. I’m planning a big Q&A post soon, so if you have any random questions for me about food, fitness, motherhood, life, etc., please place a comment below, send me an email or send me a DM to be included. Thank you!