Firsts, the weekend and my weekly workouts report
Hello! As many of you know from reading this post about changes in my life, this week I’m starting a brand-new full-time job. I haven’t held a full-time office job in two years, since I’ve been doing a combination of freelance writing, blogging and working in fitness, so it’s certainly going to be an adjustment. But one that I really want and am excited about. Now, let’s chat about the weekend and some fitness.
By the way, I do expect my “Weekly Workout” recaps to change as I get used to a new schedule. I’ve significantly cut down on my group fitness teaching with the new job, so I’ll be focusing on getting in short and efficient workouts by myself before work most days. You never know, it could be a whole new line of inspiration that I can share with you as I transition back into “normal” work hours.
Fun fact, which I was reminded of this weekend: The matcha green tea latte from Peet’s Coffee is superior to the one you get at Starbucks. Especially when enjoyed while shopping in my favorite shoe store, DSW.
The weekend
Want to know the real truth about my Friday night? I had plans that didn’t happen and unexpectedly found myself at home on a rainy night. I changed into my pajamas and had a glass of wine while playing with Rudy, watching my favorite guilty pleasure “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” and organizing some important papers. Yes, that’s life, folks. Dave was working at the Warriors game, and I was majorly lame. Thus, there are no pictures from that night.
On Saturday, Dave and I ventured out for a hearty and fabulous lunch at Mixed Grain in downtown Walnut Creek …
This was our first time experiencing a Korean “Bibimbop” bowl, and boy was it good. Our meals included 11 different kind of veggies over top rice, mixed with an egg and a protein (salmon for me and chicken for Dave), served with miso soup all sorts of extra nibblies, which turned out to be a huge lunch.
After lunch, we did some shopping around Broadway Plaza. I was very happy to buy this dress, which I plan to wear on my first day. (As you can imagine, I’ve needed a bit of a wardrobe refresh because workout pants won’t be the only thing I put on anymore.) The rain was on and off on Saturday, and it seemed like nearly every store was busy, so we didn’t stay out long. After leaving downtown, we hit up Best Buy for a new toy I’ll tell you about in this week’s “Favorite Things.”
And because our days seems to revolve around food, the next thing worth reporting is dinner. In the late evening, we went out to dinner at Il Fornaio, a nice Italian restaurant also in downtown Walnut Creek, to continue on with our streak of dining at chain restaurants. Il Fornaio had a strong showing and reminded me of a place called Brio, where we used to enjoy going when we lived in Orlando.
As usual, we sat at the bar. We shared this mixed antipasto, some delicious herbed-bread with dipping oil, ravioli and a tasty bread pudding for dessert.
On Sunday, I spent much of the day doing blog work and packing for my trip to L.A. this week for work and went on a nice evening stroll with Dave and Rudy on the trail near our house. We had all of our meals at home and did some random chores, and that was the weekend.
Speaking of L.A., I’m going to be gone all week and not coming back until late Friday night. And this will be the longest I’ve ever been away from my sweet Rudy puppy, and that makes me quite sad. But I’ll be busy, so I’m sure it will go by quickly. Now onto the fitness …
My weekly fitness and workout recap
Every Monday, I share my recent workouts, so here they are …
(Photo credit to Leah Bentley Photography, 2015.)
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Taught a one-hour BODYATTACK class, foam rolling
- Tuesday: Took a one-hour hot yoga class at CorePower
- Wednesday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, foam rolling
- Thursday: Taught a 45-minute BODYPUMP and a 30-minute core class, foam rolling
- Friday: Did a 25-minute Jillian Michael’s SHRED workout at home
- Saturday: Rest day
- Sunday: Rest day
What was good about my week of workouts?
This past week had five days of work, featuring cardio, weights and yoga and two full rest days, which were much needed. While I didn’t get in three full weight-lifting sessions, I’d say I basically did two-and-a-half with the minimal resistance work in the SHRED workout I did at home via the computer. Overall, it was a pretty balanced week. And the highlight was most definitely hot yoga. So good! So sweaty!
What could have been better about my workouts?
This past week could have probably used a little bit more time with heavier weights, so I’ll try and make that happen soon.
That’s everything, my friends. I hope you have a great week! Wish me luck! (P.S. Thanks to Meghan for hosting today’s “Week in Review” link-up.)
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Questions of the day
How was your weekend?
What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?
I just left my pup for a week this past week and it was so hard! But I am excited to get back to work and my daily routine this week! Have a great first day of work!
Thanks, Hilary! Absence makes the heart grow fonder, I know heehh! Happy Monday, lady! Love the new name!
We had Brio in ATL and I loved that place. The decor was a bit over the top Tuscan, but the food was fantastic! I would have loooved that Bimibap bowl. I’m not a big rice person, so that version would have hit the spot!
I actually thought the purple rice on the bottom was the best part to me! 🙂 heheheh! Hope you had a nice weekend, Susie. And yes, strangely enough there was also some over-the-top decor in this place too. It felt right! Happy Monday!
I’m jealous of all of your fun dinners out….don’t get to do that as often as I used to 😉 good luck at your new job, that sounds like a perfect fit for you!
Hi Marielle! Thanks so much!! Hope your weekend was great. 🙂
PJ’s and wine is all I wanted this weekend, you go girl. Also – I think Il Fornaio is where we went last time we were out there – the one that lets you order 3 mini glasses of wine and has an awesome patio? It seems like they’ve got some great healthy restaurants out there too!
Question – are you going to be able to bring Rudy to work?!
The pet policy has not been made clear to me yet, Jill …. hehehe stay tuned! 🙂 hahah Happy Monday, friend!
And yes, I got the tasting glasses at IF! That’s the one — can’t picture the patio for some reason though.
hahaha I have my fingers crossed that little Rudy is going to be keeping you company! Hope you are having fun in LA!! xx
I don’t think it’s going to happen. 🙁
Noooooo!!!! I guess Google is a little “over the top” progressive…my company is the same. Poor little Rudes! Doggy day care?
Dog walker! She started this week.
I feel like you and I have swapped lives Ashley. This week I start holistic nutrition school and my health coaching programs. I’m also interviewing at the Y. Leaving corporate america feels scary, but I’m so excited to learn news things. Good luck on your first week back dear!
Hi Megan! Well take it from me, CHANGE is good! I will explain why in a future post I made this decision … but I’d say GOOD LUCK in your new adventures. SO funny we’ve switched places heheh! Happy Monday, my friend!
That Mixed Grain restaurant looked so good! I love tons of veggies and rice. Also are you signed up for liketoknowit.com? I follow a few girls on instagram to get some inspiration for clothes to wear out or to work, they email you all the outfit details if you like a photo. It’s so great I love it! And as for this week my sister and I are going to try a Flywheel class. I read about it on one of your previous posts and they have one in DC =) Have a great week in LA!
Yay! Enjoy FlyWheel! And I have some great fashion bloggers in my queue for sure but don’t use LTKI though. Thanks!
il fornaio in Palo Alto was our go-to family restaurant growing up 🙂 I’d recognize that antipasti platter anywhere!
Good luck this week, Ashley. I hope you’ll share with us more about the transition (having to pack a lunch, what to wear, sitting more, thoughts on new hours etc.).
Hahah nice! And yes— plenty of updates to come. Happy Monday! ?
So much good food! I’m excited to hear about how your schedule changes and how your new job goes!
I’ll keep you posted! Happy Monday! ?
You are so good at getting in the good workouts and resting your body! I’ll be looking forward to seeing your workouts change. 🙂
They will definitely change, Emily! Happy Monday!
I’m looking forward to following your workout changes in the near future. It’s incredibly different working a 9-5, but I have no doubt that you’ll be able to fit in a full fitness routine on the reg!
Another guilty pleasure show I need to watch. Oooooh nooo… sorry in advance, fiancé Raymond. Perhaps my documentary watching days are over? (For those curious, “Meru” was amazing and was robbed of being nominated for the Oscars… “Amy” was great, but a bit long… ha!)
XO, Jessica
Hi Jessica! You know, I have seen VERY few documentaries, but I always want to watch them. Sadly, I’m mostly a reality TV gal. And yes, lots of adjustments with my new schedule, and I’ll be sure to share more. Have a great week! 🙂
Your Friday night sounds perfect to me! I find I’m so tired after a full week of work, all I want to do on a Friday is veg.
Vegging on a Friday is pretty much okay with me too, Ange. Hope you have a GREAT start to the week! 🙂
I hope your schedule with the new job settles down soon for you!! Change can be really awesome, but that doesnt mean it isnt also a bit stressful! It’s just the adjustment period that can make it a bit tough, but once that’s out of the way it’s all good times!
I look forward to see what new workouts you’ve got coming our way! I’m a sucker for HIIT workouts, so any new ones I can try excites me!
Hi Kat! Yes, I will absolutely share more soon. 🙂 And YES to HIIT workouts. Thanks for the good thoughts!
You always go out to the best dinners! I had a lazy rainy day/evening too. Minus the wine 🙁 Peets coffee overall is better than Starbucks in my opinion! I know you don’t really drink coffee but if you’re ever in the mood for a cup of joe try their almond milk latte with hone. So good!
Thanks for the tip, Giselle! Maybe I’ll get back into coffee now that I’m working in an office? hahah! So sorry to hear your news about your condition. Stay positive, lady!
Safe travels and best of luck during your first week! It’s going to be awesome.
Thanks so much, Mecca! 🙂 I appreciate it. Hope you had a great Monday!
I love the green tea matcha latte from Wegmans (our local grocer). It’s velvety smooth and doesn’t leave me feeling dehydrated like espresso drinks. It’s also green so obviously healthy 😉 My weekend was one where I really tried to catch up on sleep. I tried to go to bed an hour early every night because I just felt like I needed it. It featured a lot of reading and cuddling with my cat.
Oh, I also worked, ran and ate a lot hahaha
This week I am looking forward to continual work on my blog changes and just having fun with social media. Have a great week!
Hi Ellie! I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a latte from the grocery store, but yours sounds good. And I hope you caught up on sleep during the weekend. If you know you need it, then you need it! Have an awesome week! 🙂
Those pictures are making me hungry… I have only had Korean food once (when I was in London), but I remember it being really tasty…
I love Friday night’s like that. In fact most Fridays for me are like that, I like to wind down after the week’s work…
Yes, I agree that low-key Friday nights are just fine! Hope your week is off to a good start, James! 🙂
I had a great weekend! Friday was drinks & games night with a few other couples and Saturday we went to a Mexican themed dinner party at a friend’s house.
Have a fun in LA! I hope that you get some time to explore on top of your work commitments. I’m looking forward to seeing how you balance a healthy, active lifestyle on top of a full-time job and how your workouts change with teaching less classes. For me it’s always a struggle but much easier with proper planning and early morning workouts.
Oh hey! Another Mexican-themed party, like I had last week. Good times! And yes, I will keep you all updated on all the changes going on for me, Cat. Have a FABULOUS day, my friend. 🙂
Good to know about the matcha green tea… you know I’m a fan! I’m looking forward to hearing how you like and are adjusting to working full-time again. I’m toying with the idea of going for something more structured in the near future, too. Have a great weekend!
Hi Heather! I will definitely keep you updated on the change and write about it. A BIG adjustment to my time, but I needed it for many reasons. 🙂 AND YAY for matcha!