A sunny Easter weekend and my weekly workouts

The weather in the Bay Area is absolutely beautiful right now! While I’d like to say that I spent much of the weekend outdoors, that’s not really the case. Nonetheless, it was a great weekend with a mixture of work and play. How was yours?

On Friday evening, I took off from work just a couple minutes after five so I could make it to CorePower Blackhawk for a sweaty yoga-sculpt class. It was one hot mess of a class. From there, I went to the grocery store and went through the check-out line with a full cart and no wallet. Classic. (I was able to run to my car and run back, thankfully.) That evening was spent at home catching up on TV, doing chores and hanging out with Rudy. Dave’s parents visited us this weekend, and they went to the Warriors game on Friday night while Dave worked, so it was just me, the puppy and my faithful friends on the Bravo network. (And to be truthful, I was looking forward to that quiet time all week!)

Woodhouse Spa Walnut Creek by A Lady Goes West

On Saturday morning, I finally got to see Dave’s parents. In the mid-morning, Dave’s Mom and I headed off to the Woodhouse Spa in downtown Walnut Creek for some pampering. She had a facial, and I had a one-hour Swedish massage, which was just fabulous. This was my second time visiting this spa, and it is just a treat through and through. The facilities are excellent, services great — and the staff make you feel so incredibly taken care of. I would like to get every single thing they offer done at some point. Good times. I nearly fell asleep during my massage and didn’t want to leave. The smells in that place? Divine. We sampled the lotions in the lobby, and they were other-worldly. Scents like avocado, pumpkin and honey stayed with me all day.

Lunch at Tender Greens by A Lady Goes West

After the spa, we walked over to Tender Greens in downtown Walnut Creek (our standard favorite lunch on the weekends) to meet Dave and his Dad for a tasty and healthy meal. I ordered the local cod with mixed veggies shown above, and I cleaned that plate right up. In the afternoon, I had to run some errands (part of the work portion of the weekend), and then, the four of us went out to a delicious dinner at Vic Stewart’s steakhouse in Walnut Creek. But before we left, a little photo shoot at home …

Ashley and Dave on Easter Eve by A Lady Goes West

Dave and Dave's Dad by A Lady Goes West

We had never been to Vic Stewart’s before, and it was an old and traditional steakhouse with all those “steakhousey” touches. I really like the white tablecloth, piano music type of vibe sometimes, and this place delivered. We all enjoyed it very much. Even though I was at a steakhouse, I actually ended up eating salmon instead of steak, but I did get to try a bite of both the roast beef and New York strip, and they were mouth-watering. We also got two desserts to share for the table, which Dave’s Dad and I devoured. His sweet tooth is not as big as mine, but pretty strong. 

Vic Stewarts dinner in Walnut Creek by A Lady Goes West

Salmon dinner at Vic Stewarts by A Lady Goes West

Vic Stewart's pecan pie and mousse by A Lady Goes West

After dinner, we went home and played a few minutes of a quiz card game called Smart Ass, and that was the night. 

On Sunday, the four of us went to an Easter church service in Walnut Creek, which was just under an hour long. I haven’t been to church in quite a while, and it’s hilarious to go with Dave because he likes to laugh at my singing voice. We followed up church with brunch at Wence’s in Pleasant Hill, which was loud, but the food was superb. Somehow we let the day get away from us without taking a nice photo in our Easter clothes. So food is all I have to show …

Brunch at Wences in Pleasant Hill

After brunch, I had to retreat home to practice BODYATTACK choreography (more of the work portion of the weekend). I have to teach an old release tonight and a new one on Wednesday, so my head is very full of music, moves and coaching cues. Unfortunately, Dave also had to head off to work at at Warriors game, so his parents entertained themselves with a long outdoor walk on the trail. Once I was done practicing ATTACK, I hit up one of my last yoga sessions at CorePower before my month-long Groupon ends, and it was an excellent class.

In the evening, we were able to all relax together for a casual and cheery Easter dinner at home consisting of steak, salmon, asparagus, sweet potatoes and of course, carrot cake. And that was the weekend. It was really nice to have Dave’s parents visiting us for the weekend! We love visitors and have more coming this upcoming weekend!

My weekly fitness and workout recap

And now, here’s a look at all of my workouts from last week …

Weekly workouts via A Lady Goes West(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)

Weekly Workouts 

  • Monday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
  • Tuesday: Rest day
  • Wednesday: Took a one-hour BODYPUMP class
  • Thursday: Took a one-hour Vinyasa flow yoga class
  • Friday: Did 30-minutes of weights, took a one-hour yoga sculpt class, foam rolling
  • Saturday: Rest day
  • Sunday: Took a one-hour Vinyasa flow yoga class

How did this past week of workouts go?

This past week was similar to the past few. I fit in three sessions of yoga (one with very light weights), two resistance sessions and a cardio session. I had five total days of activity with two full rest days, which always feels good to have that recovery between workouts. I’m definitely slacking in the weights department and really need to figure out how to fit in a third good resistance session each week with the time I have available for workouts. Hopefully soon!

Have an awesome start to your week, my friends!

Pictures from a lovely Easter weekend and some #fitness...  Click To Tweet

P.S. Thanks to Meghan for today’s “Week in Review” link-up.

Questions of the day

What was the best part about your weekend?

What’s the best workout you’ve done lately? 

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48 Comments

  1. YUM your meals this weekend looked delicious! I have been so slack this past week and have barely worked out (just walks). This pregnancy is definitely taking it out of me and I am having to push to find the energy! Still trying to commit to a 7 minute HIIT workout (because I always double it), but if you have any tips for pregnant mumma’s then I would love to hear them!!! xxx

  2. Leaving my wallet in the car/at home while grocery shopping is one of my biggest fears, haha. Glad it wasn’t too big of a deal for you! We have a Woodhouse Spa in Naples and I love it! I’ve only been once but I’d never complain about going again 😉 Good luck with your new release! We’re launching BP97 on Saturday so I need to get to practicing.

    1. Hi Becky! I’m so glad they let me run out and get the wallet and return and keep my spot in line. And good luck with BP 97. I’m not teaching BP right now, so am not going to learn it quite yet. 🙂

  3. LOVE that blue shirt you had on! I need to ramp up my wardrobe for the spring! Best part of my weekend was having my husband home to share in baby duties (and because we missed him!), and best workout was my run yesterday! It was hilly but after a few weeks of no running, it was much enjoyed!

    1. Hi Heather! Good work getting out there for a run! And yes, I bet it’s MUCH better to have an extra set of hands around to help. 🙂 Happy Monday!

  4. What a fabulous weekend. Start to finish. I always find that I like steakhouses when I go to them, but we rarely do! Maybe that is why I like them–because they are a really special treat. And usually someone else is paying, lol. Have a great week, Ashley!

  5. Your meals as always look delicious! I would probably do the same and order fish instead of steak at a steakhouse, but sneak a bite or two. I had my mom and little sister visiting this weekend, we went into DC and had some fun exploring the city and seeing the cherry blossoms. It’s fun how having visitors makes you do things you wouldn’t normally do on the weekends. Have a great week!

  6. I am always leaving my phone in random places. Not my wallet, but honestly I’d say my phone is much more valuable haha! Best part of my weekend was going out with an old friend and taking a much need day off from everything yesterday!

  7. Your turquoise top is so cute!! My workouts aren’t that exciting lately…haha but I’m still happy I can walk and take modified pure barre classes 🙂

  8. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at the check out without my wallet… omg the worst. I’m very impressed that you were able to so seamlessly fit in your yoga classes while your in laws were in town. So often when we have guests I don’t stick to my routine and then I end up regretting it because my body just misses it! Such a good reminder that you can do some things on your own even when you have house guests. Hope you have a great week, Ashley!

    1. I normally wouldn’t fit in workout with guests, but they were occupied and so was the husband, so it worked out ehhehe! Hope you had a nice weekend, Anna!

  9. I love food pictures. There’s something about brunch especially though that does a body good. Yoga doesn’t hurt either, and I can’t wait to try a class again soon or maybe just fall asleep for an hour in the class.

    The massages are the only thing (or one of the only things) keeping me sane these days so here’s to some self pampering.

    I’m glad you had a great visit with Dave’s parents.

    1. I always wonder what’s the difference with a regular massage and prenatal, but I’m sure it’s fabulous! Have a great week, Meghan!

  10. The best part of my weekend was without question the sick amount of mouth-watering food I had for Easter breakfast, lunch, and dinner followed by a nice family stroll in the park around a little pond with fish and turtles. The best workout I have done lately was teaching two Spin classes back to back last week. WOO! It was a wild time. And I think I’m taking my first BodyPump class TONIGHT. I have no idea what to expect but I’m sure you have a post on that somewhere. I gotta read up. Thanks for another quality read!

    http://www.afloatonafullsea.com

  11. WAIT – I CANNOT believe I forgot to tweet at you like a cool kid… Ray and I had a good 10 hours on planes the past few days getting back from the Inca trail. Obviously, we took the time to catch up on the two final episodes of Vanderpump Rules and the two reunions. #qualitytime #somuchdrama Tell me you caught those…

  12. It looks like you had such a nice time with Dave’s parents! Your massage sounded heavenly. I haven’t had one in forever but man does that sound nice.

    And I really wish they would open a CorePower closer to Livermore. BlackHawk is just a teensy bit too far. They have one in Walnut Creek, right?

    1. Yes, I like the one in downtown Walnut Creek a lot. You should check out the free week in Blackhawk when you’re not super busy. Hope all is well, Sarah. 🙂

  13. Wow your weekend sounds wonderful, that food looks delicious!! My weekend was spent with my grandma which was awesome it made me so happy to see her especially since my house is under construction! Xo C

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