Hello, my friends! How are you? How was your week? What’s new in your world? Here we are into the last weekend of May.

This past week was a good one and a busy one. I taught my first in-person group fitness class at Life Time on Monday, and I was definitely a little nervous to get back up there, but it went great. Other than that, Brady completed his last week of preschool, I worked, taught my virtual classes, got my car serviced, had a Beautycounter Zoom social, we celebrated our anniversary, and we got ready for our next set of visitors. My brother, Matthew, his wife, Stephanie, and their two dogs are driving up from Atlanta to spend the weekend with us, which calls for a major yay! (This East Coast living thing is really working out well for us, because so many of our special people are making trips to see us.)

Current faves

Fun

A visit from my college bestie

Last weekend was so great, because my college roommate and long-time dear friend, Yolanda, came to visit us. She stayed with us Friday to Monday, and we had an amazing time doing all the things. We hadn’t spent a weekend together in so many years, and it was long overdue. Especially because for many years, we were attached at the hip.

Yolanda and I met when we were both 18 (actually, she has a late birthday, so she may have been 17), in our sorority, during our freshman year at University of Miami. We lived together for three years in college and even transferred together to University of Florida to finish out our undergrad careers in Gainesville (which was a great choice through and through). We also had the same major, (public relations), but Yolanda went into law, and I went into communications and then fitness/blogging.

(My dress is old, but here are my slides.)

While Yolanda (or Landers, as I like to call her) was here, we went to the pool, we got our nails done, we went out to a nice sushi dinner, we went shopping, we went on long walks, we hung out at home, we watched TV, we laughed, we talked, and we enjoyed it all. As Yolanda said, we pretty much hit all of our favorite activities in just one day.

Perhaps my favorite part was sitting on the porch, drinking wine and catching up until way past my bed-time. I ended the weekend rather tired (so did Yolanda), but we both agreed it was well worth it. 

Literally, this visit was good for the soul, especially when we talked about all of our crazy and fun stories from college, because boy there are a lot of them, none of which are blog appropriate. Needless to say, we’ve grown up a lot over the years.

Brady was just as sad as I was to take Auntie Yolanda to the airport, but I have a feeling we’ll be doing more of these types of visits in the future.

Family

Brady’s last week of preschool

Brady completed his last week of school this week, ending with a pizza party. I don’t really know if this counts as a favorite, because I would rather that Brady’s school-year continue through the summer. However, I’m really glad we were able to find a preschool to take him in, quite late into the spring semester, after we moved to Charlotte. It’s good for him, and it’s very good for me.

He’s had a great time hanging with his friends and teachers three mornings a week over the last three months. And every single morning, we’ve taken his picture in front of the house, as part of our little routine. He rarely stays still, but I can usually get one non-blurry shot per session.

I don’t have him booked into any summer camps yet, but I’m hoping to do that ASAP. Brady’s a very happy camper when it comes to activities, and he has gone off to school with a smile every morning. He’ll start back in September for four mornings a week. Until then, he’ll be hanging with me or hanging in gym kid-care. And no, he doesn’t always have a smile … the three-year-old tantrums are real, folks. But we don’t dare take pictures of those.

Celebrating nine years of marriage

Speaking of special people … this week, on May 26th, Dave and I celebrated nine years of being married. I don’t think we had any idea on that day where we would be now, nine years later. To be totally honest, I think we would be so proud to know how far we’ve come, even if there’s been a lot of tough situations throughout it all.

Two big moves across the country, countless job changes for me, the creation of a blog that shares so much of our lives with the world, some successes, some failures, some highs, some lows, and of course — being parents to Brady and Rudy — our biggest joys. Cheers to Dave for being my literal rock. I can’t imagine going through all the things with anyone else, even if he still doesn’t let me talk to him in the morning until he’s had his coffee. (But yes, I still try this every day, much to his dismay.) 

(Wearing this lipstick in Brunch.)

Fitness

My first in-person class back in the studio

This week, I taught my first live one-hour in-person Barbell Strength workout at Life Time, and it was so fun. I definitely spent a lot of time preparing to teach this class, and I think it went off really well. But dang, were my legs sore for several days after class. Even though I had practiced using weights a few times, this time it hit differently.

It’s always interesting to teach to a new group of people, because you don’t know what you’ll see out there in front of you. I was super impressed with how well they moved, and I look forward to getting to know them better as we see each other each week. These types of connections through movement are so amazing, and that’s why I’ve been so pumped to get back to it. If you want to know more about the class I’m teaching, find that info in last week’s current faves post.

(Here are my sneakers.)

Beauty

Beautycounter gift with purchase this weekend

To all my clean-beauty-loving friends: This weekend, for Memorial Day, there’s a gift with purchase when you spend more than $125 with Beautycounter. You can choose a travel Countertime Supreme Cream or a travel Overnight Resurfacing Peel at check-out, while supplies last. Shop here. And thank you!

Workouts

Weekly workouts 

This is where I share all the workouts I did the previous week. And please remember that my workout schedule works for me and it may not work for you. I’m a fitness instructor, and not only do I teach classes, but I’m used to having a very heavy workout schedule. Right now, my schedule is much lighter than it used to be, but it’s still a lot for the average person. I don’t share this to brag, but I share it because I like to share. Moral of the story: Your workout week should be one that challenges you, but also keeps you feeling energized and strong. You’ll know if you are doing too much or too little, because your body will start to tell you. And you need to listen to it. This post is a good one to use to help you schedule your week.

• Monday: 45-minute full-body weights class at Life Time, 10 a.m.
• Tuesday: Taught 45-minute bodyweight Barre Burn on Motus, 3 p.m., 10-minute yoga, 6 p.m.
• Wednesday: 45 minutes of weights at home (practicing to teach), 11 a.m.
• Thursday: Taught 45-minute bodyweight Barre Burn on Motus, 3 p.m.
• Friday: 1-hour barre class with light weights at Life Time, 10 a.m.
• Saturday: Rest day
• Sunday: Rest day

This past week was very similar to the last two weeks, except I took the weekend off from official workouts while Yolanda was visiting. I did get a question last week about why I haven’t been doing cardio. And here’s the answer: There is cardio in the barre classes I take and teach, so I’m doing some of it. I will be getting back on the Peloton bike once a week moving forward (hopefully), I just haven’t fit it in lately. Yes, cardio is important, but to me, resistance training is more important, and I try to do more resistance work than I do cardio. I miss doing Peloton rides with my favorite instructor, Cody Rigsby, and am totally due for incorporating those back into my week.

Discounts 

A Lady Goes West recommended favorite products

I only share what I use and love in my own life, and here are some of the brands I swear by. And when you use my discount codes and links, you support me, so thanks for that …

• Carbon38. I’m always wearing stuff from here, and it’s the coolest activewear around. Get 15 percent off your first two orders of $100 or more using the code ASHLEYPITT. 
• G2G protein bars. I love these tasty and minimal-ingredient protein bars. You can get 15 percent off your order on the G2G Bar site with the code ALADYGOESWEST.
• Organifi superfood supplements. I’m all about the Organifi Complete Plant-Based protein powder. You can get 15 percent off your order on the Organifi site with the code ALADYGOESWEST.
• Four Sigmatic. These superfood coffees and teas are so good — I especially love the Cacao Chill and Lion’s Mane Latte. Get 15 percent off your order with the code ALADYGOESWEST.
• Beautycounter. The best safe skincare and makeup. Send me a message, and I’ll share a 20 percent off code for your very first order.
• Les Mills On Demand streaming workouts. My favorite fitness brand. You can do a whole month of workouts during a free 30-day trial by using my special referral link here.

Best reads

A few things from around the web 

• Skin checks. When was the last time you went to the dermatologist for a skin check on your entire body to screen for skin cancer? If it’s been a long time, I would highly recommend it. Although I’m always slathered in sunscreen these days, I didn’t used to be, and I wish I had, because I definitely have sun damage. I’m due for a check, actually. Here’s a great article on why you should go and what to ask for.
• How to lose belly fat. This article is NOT what you are thinking, because you know I would not share a “how to slim down” type of post with you. But this one, written by the folks at Precision Nutrition (which is a program I went through to become a certified Precision Nutrition Coach), is all about WHY you may want to lose belly fat, what you need to know about it and practical things to consider about your life. Such great content worth reading.

Here’s the quote of the week from the Calm app …

A Lady Goes West favorite archives 

• Fashion and shopping. Is your closet in need of a refresh after a long year at home? Mine was, and that’s why I wrote this one … “The 10 things I’ve bought to wear during summer 2021.”

• Lifting weights. This is an older post, but it’s still a valid one, answering your questions about lifting light or heavy weights … “What the latest news about lifting heavy vs. light weights means for you.”

I know I close every single blog post with “thank you.” And that may seem silly, but I mean it. Even if you never hit like on a post I put up on social media or if you never leave a comment, I still appreciate your presence on this little site. If you ever have questions, comments, feedback or want to reach out, feel free to do that. I’m best with email and Instagram DMs. And with that, have a great weekend.

Questions of the day

How was your week?

What are you up to this weekend?

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