Hey, friends! And just like that the first week of our real summer break is coming to a close. It was a HOT one here in south Charlotte, and we saw temperatures above 100 a few times, which was stifling combined with the humidity. I know I’ve lived through many summers in Florida and a summer in Charlotte, but wow, it really hits you when it gets like this. We spent a lot of time inside because of it.

This week, I taught my regular five classes, worked on the blog, had a walking date with a friend, tried out a new-to-me treadmill class at Life Time with some visiting trainers (it was so good, and a big shout out to UltraFit), and met my neighborhood lady friends for a casual outdoor dinner by the pool too.

It was a nice week, and we don’t have much on the agenda this weekend except for celebrating Dave for Father’s Day on Sunday, and I’m going to a tennis clinic (the next level up), which I’m a little nervous about. Wish me luck on that.

Let’s get to the current faves of the week …

Current faves of the week

Fun

Brady’s first time bowling

We can now add bowling to the list of activities we’ve done with Brady in the last month, after going to mini golf a couple of weeks ago. Brady really liked bowling, and I liked that it was indoors in air conditioning on a very hot summery day. 

We went to Sports Connection, which is a big bowling and entertainment spot not too far from us that we actually didn’t even know existed until a quick Google search revealed it.

During this visit, we only bowled one game, before stopping to play the arcade games. I actually do enjoy bowling, but I hadn’t been in so many years (I really don’t think I had bowled for maybe nine years, having bowled only once in California), so I was very rusty. I could’ve done a couple more games, but one was plenty for Brady’s attention. Dave won, by the way, but at least I broke 100.

Brady didn’t love that he had to let us take our turns every time, but he did love rolling his ball down the lane. One time he threw it so hard he fell down on his side, and it was hilarious (he was okay, obviously). But I did spend a lot of time laughing when he was up there. It was adorable.

Three cheers for fun activities! (Although, I have to admit, he had a total tantrum when it was time to leave, because he didn’t want the fun to be over — oh parenthood.)

Fashion

The shorts of the summer

I ordered so many pairs of jeans shorts before landing on two pairs that I actually like, and this high-waisted light-wash denim is my favorite. I’ve been wearing them nonstop, paired with a solid color top. And I’m wearing the darker wash in the pictures above from bowling.

(Find the shorts here, my tank is here, and here’s my bag.)

I usually wear a size six in pants/shorts, but in this brand, I wear a size four, so they run a bit big. The fabric is light and soft, they’re high waisted, they have pockets, and they cover enough leg so that they don’t feel too short. And it’s very much shorts season over here, so I’ll be in these a lot. If you’re in need of some well-priced jean shorts, give ’em a go.

Little delights

A few little things worth mentioning …

Pool time. Last weekend, we went to our neighborhood pool on a Sunday afternoon, and I had just woken up from a nap so was a bit groggy (as were Brady and Dave, because we all took naps that day after not sleeping well the night before). I hadn’t planned to swim or get my hair wet, but Brady wanted me to take him down the slide (while Dave was talking to someone, because usually Dave goes down with him), so we went down three times in a row. Not only did I get my hair wet (and I had to wash it again, dang), but it was so fun and we went so fast — which made me wonder why I never go down the slide when we’re there — it’s a good time.

Point of the story: We didn’t have a pool or go in a pool for the eight years we lived in California, and it’s such an easy and laid-back activity in the summer, and I love the addition of it to our lives. Brady is clearly a fan, and Dave and I always have fun too, even when we’re not planning to, if that makes any sense. Also, my hat from Bass Pro Shops below is one that I bought almost a year ago on my trip to the Keys with my family to celebrate my dad, and so it’s my special hat. 🙂 

A body wrap. I know I mentioned that last Friday afternoon I went to the Ballantyne Hotel Spa to use up a gift card Dave gave me for Mother’s Day. Instead of getting a regular massage, I decided to try a Stress Relief Body Wrap, which is a 50-minute service. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and I actually liked that I didn’t know what I was getting into.

After using the sauna and steam room, I went back for my service into a special room with shower heads and a tile floor (unlike the regular massage rooms). I laid on my stomach on the table, while my therapist rubbed an exfoliating scrub all over my body, part by part, wiping it off after each pass. Then, she did the same when I flipped over. From there, she put on a CBD cream (that’s the stress relief part), on each body part. And here’s the weird part: Apparently I was laying on top of a big plastic sheet, because after the CBD cream was on, she pulled the plastic up from under me and wrapped it around me and fastened it with warm towels. I wasn’t exactly claustrophobic, but I did need to scratch my nose at one point and couldn’t get my arms free, so that was fun. But while I was wrapped, she gave me a short scalp and foot massage — loved that.

I didn’t fall asleep during the service, but I was definitely relaxed, and at the end, I felt refreshed. Once again, it was strange. I wouldn’t get it again, but I’m glad I tried it. I’ll get a regular massage next time for sure.

However, not part of the “little delights” section, but I was wearing my AirPods in the sauna, and put them in my spa robe pocket. And I guess I left them in the pocket. I came home without them, and the spa can’t find them either. That’s my second pair I’ve lost, so … darn. Anywho, I love a good spa service, and this one was an event.

Workouts

My workouts from last week

Here’s where I share a recap of my previous week of workouts. I share this to show you how I try to get diversity in my week, and how I always take a rest day (almost always). But remember, I do a little bit more than the average person, because I’m a group fitness instructor. 

Workouts from the week of 6/5

• Monday: Taught 1-hour barbell class, 9:45 a.m., took 1-hour hot yoga flow, 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 1-hour barre class with light weights, 9:30 a.m., took 45-minute barre class with light weights, 10:45 a.m.
• Wednesday: Taught 45-minute barre class with light weights, 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute combo class with weights, 9:45 a.m.
• Friday: Taught 45-minute barbell class, 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday: 10 minutes incline walking on treadmill and took 1-hour hot yoga flow, 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday: Took 90-minute tennis clinic, 11:30 a.m.

This past week was a good one, because I fit in two different types of hot yoga flow classes, which both felt great on the body. I tried a new-to-me yoga format at Life Time, called SOL, which I really liked. I also taught my regular five classes and returned to tennis after taking the last week off. I didn’t take a full rest day or do a solo workout, but I can’t seem to fit everything in each week, so I’ll try to do one or the other this upcoming week. I really need to spend more time on just me, but I’m already doing so much movement, it’s hard to make it happen. Oh well!

Best read of the week …

Here’s an article I read this week that I felt like sharing with you:

Social media positivity. While I think it’s smart for everyone to have social media boundaries, I also think you have to be in the right headspace whenever you scroll, any time you scroll. This article takes that idea further by recommending how you should aim to actually interact on social media, so that you don’t feel so alone from it. There are some worthy points in this one, and if you’re struggling with social media use, this could be a good read for you. Reminder: If you’re feeling down, don’t scroll. 

Quote of the week …

Here’s a thought from one of my morning mediations on the Headspace app:

Blog archives of the week …

There are so many posts on the blog worth revisiting, so let’s look back at two good ones (one recent, one older) …

Fitness corner. I hope you liked this one all about what you should know about eating before your workout … “Fitness corner: Should you eat before your workout?”

Workout planning. Do you put any thought into which workouts you do each week? Here’s some insight on how to do that … “How to schedule your week of workouts.”

That’s all I’ve got for you today!

Have a wonderful day and weekend, my friends. See you back here soon! 🙂 

Questions of the day for YOU …

How was your week?

What are you up to this weekend?

What’s a fun activity you haven’t done in far too long?