Group fitness, healthy food, cheesecake and my weekly workout report
Hello, friends! I hope you had a great weekend. I got a lot accomplished during mine, so I’m starting this new week feeling good. Let’s catch up on things and then look at my recent workouts.
Shooting my Bootybarre video
Even though I already started teaching Bootybarre after going to training, I’m not officially a certified instructor quite yet. I had to shoot a video of myself teaching to a small class, so I finally took care of that on Friday night. I had five lovely participants, and it was the first time taking the class for all but one of them. We had a good time, and I think I did well enough. Teaching barre is totally new to me, but I think I’ve picked it up quickly.
I’ll send the video in this week and cross my fingers for some good news soon. I am so thankful for my participants, who gave up their Friday evening for me, and I’m thankful for Dave, who manned the two cameras. (I rewarded them all with cupcakes and other treats, so I guess it was a fair trade!)
Lunch at True Food Kitchen
On Saturday morning, of course, I taught a BODYPUMP class, then went home to regroup for a bit before Dave and I went to downtown Walnut Creek to have lunch at True Food Kitchen. True Food opened up in Broadway Plaza about three weeks ago, and we’ve been deterred from the spot due to the long line a couple of times. But this day, I made a reservation ahead of time, and we had no problem getting a table for two outside. (We went back and forth on whether to bring Rudy with us and ultimately decided to leave him at home. And it’s a good thing we did that because we sat next to a group with two huge dogs and poor Rudy would have been super nervous.)
Back to the restaurant: True Food serves anti-inflammatory, healthy food, and it’s super good. I pretty much wanted everything on the menu (from avo toast to chia seed pudding), but I went with the Ancient Grains bowl and was very happy with my plant-based vegetarian choice. I thought about ordering salmon as an add-on, but it was totally filling with no meat at all. Dave ordered the fish and steak tacos and wasn’t really in love with his small meal. We decided he probably should have chosen something different, because fish tacos didn’t really seem like a True Food specialty. No big deal!
True Food is a sit-down restaurant, where you order from waiter at a table, and the prices are a little steep. In fact, our lunch for two was just under $50 for each of us getting an entree and sharing one lemonade. Because of the crowds and price, I don’t expect us to make it our regular spot (Lemonade gets that award), but I definitely want to go back to try more items from the menu. Have I mentioned how much I love the fact that there are so many incredibly healthy restaurants less than a mile from where I live?
Here’s a look at my bowl, featuring sweet potatoes covered in hemp seeds, portobellos, avocado, quinoa, onions and more …
Following that stellar meal, in the afternoon, I went to get my hair done. After a little appointment mix-up last week, I was happy to finally be in the hair chair. Rather than getting my usual keratin treatment, which I usually do every few months, instead, I got a Brazilian Blowout to tame my frizz. I came out with smooth straight hair, and I’m hoping it stays that way at least through the holidays. So far so good! (But really, if I could pay someone to help me blow dry out my huge mane of hair on a weekly basis, that would my dream. Any takers??)
From anti-inflammatory locally sourced fresh food to …. none of the above, Dave finally caved and let us go back to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner on Saturday night. I had a gift card (from Rudy, who is the sweetest) burning a hole in my pocket and was very happy to use it on appetizers, drinks and one massive slice of Chris’ Outrageous Cheesecake for the both of us (well, the cheesecake was just for me). Divine! Clearly, no pictures were taken from the dark inside of CF, but you know what all of that food looks like anyhow.
Get-things-done Sunday
Sunday is the only day that I don’t have to wake up early with an alarm, so I like to take advantage of laying around and snuggling with Rudy in the bed as long as I can. I still wake up early, but didn’t get up and out of my bed until 8 a.m., which was so nice! (I bet some people think 8 a.m. is early, right? Not me!)
After the delicious Greek yogurt parfait breakfast shown above, I ran a few errands. I dropped off a bunch of clothing to a local church to donate, I ran into Target for batteries and jewelry cleaner (my rings were in NEED of some serious cleaning), then I took Rudy to the pet store to get a new harness, which he totally enjoyed. I also made a loop through DSW unsuccessfully and went to the Apple store.
The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, but I did list some more items for sale on Poshmark, which is so much fun for me. (Haven’t checked out the site, go now — referral link!) Dave was gone for much of the day playing in his own soccer game, then working at a Warriors game, so I used the time to cross a bunch of stuff off of my to-do list before beginning this busy week. I’ve got work, group fitness classes, a blog event and a few other things on the calendar over the next few days, so before we know it, it’ll be the weekend again.
My weekly workout recap
Let’s switch gears and talk fitness. Here are all the ways I’ve been moving lately …
Weekly Workouts
- Monday: Rest day
- Tuesday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class, took a 30-minute Les Mills barre class and a 45-minute Les Mills Vinyasa yoga class
- Wednesday: Did 45 minutes of Bootybarre at home
- Thursday: Taught a one-hour Bootybarre class
- Friday: Did 20 minutes of full-body weights and taught a one-hour Bootybarre class
- Saturday: Taught a one-hour BODYPUMP class
- Sunday: Rest day
Overview of the week
What a week of workouts! I had two full days off from activity and then fit in a bunch of variety throughout the five working days. I taught my two regular BODYPUMP classes, taught two Bootybarre classes and had the opportunity to try out two brand new Les Mills programs delivered by two visiting Les Mills presenters at my gym in the middle of the day. Talk about fun! Needless to say, I don’t think I’ve ever done four barre workouts in one week, so it was heavy on the legs and butt over the course of five days with lots of flexibility and strength training (as well as some yoga), so I’m very pleased. I also haven’t done more than one workout in a day since January either, so that was a big change. I’ll be back to a lighter load this week for sure.
Delicious #BayArea food and weekend chatter by @apstyle #Fitness #Workouts ... Click To TweetP.S. Thanks to Meghan for today’s “Week in Review” link-up.
Questions of the day
How was your weekend?
What type of workout do you do most frequently?
I’ve been to True Food Kitchen and it was delicious, but definitely pricy. I’m so glad I don’t live near one haha! Lately I’ve been doing more boot camps, where before I had more barre and spin in the mix. It’s funny how your preferences change!
Hi Sara! It’s really good to go through phases and try new types of workouts to keep your body guessing and doing new movements, so work that diversity! 🙂 And yes, True Food is pricey, so probably best not to live close and get obsessed. Hoping I don’t hehehe. Happy Monday!
That is a little steep for a restaurant and one I wouldn’t frequent too often either. I’m glad you got to enjoy it though! I do circuits the most for my workouts. I love feeling accomplished at the end of them! My weekend was alright. Nothing too crazy but ended with a dead battery Sunday and all the fun that comes with that!
Oh sorry to hear that, Heather! 🙁 Car troubles are fun! And I’m a big fan of circuit workouts as well. They keep you entertained. Here’s to a great week for you!
They are opening a True Food Kitchen downtown and I am so excited! Wish they had opened it last year, though, when it was a quick walk for me. Have a great week, Ashley!
Oh well, get ready to empty your wallet hahah! SO good though! Happy Monday, friend!! Hope your weekend was great with your guys!
Crossing my fingers you pass your Bootybarre video, I’m sure you did great! This weekend I took advantage of a good price on some Flywheel classes and did spin and barre. But I usually enjoy doing plyometric and strength training workouts. Have a great week!
I haven’t been to FlyWheel or FlyBarre in a long time, but I like how nice those studios are — glad you got a good combo of them this weekend! Happy Monday, gal! 🙂
Sounds like a good weekend! Woah–50 dollar lunch for small plates is kind of a downer! At least you got some yummy cheesecake in there haha!
I love strength training/HIIT combo workouts best.
Hi Heather! Why is healthy food always so much more expensive, you know? hehhe! And yet the cheesecake super cheap! Hope your weekend was lovely, lady!
I’m sure you did great in your bootybarre video. You seem like you have such a natural talent for fitness instructing.
Thank you so much, Jen! I practice a lot and have been in front of the group fitness room for a while, so it’s not too scary for me anymore. I wish you could come take my classes one day! 🙂
Oh man your dinner out looks amazing! I was totally craving a warrior bowl/healthy food option Saturday night but instead I ended up with spaghetti and turkey/spinach meatballs..balanced enough??? lol.
We had a low key weekend of Sully chasing balloons at a birthday party and then brunch with my parents on Sunday!!
I’m sure you nailed your video, helps to probably be used teaching to at least not be camera shy 😉
Hi Fiona! Oh yes, I’m definitely not nervous like I was when I was first starting out with BODYPUMP as my first program so long ago. And hey, balloon chasing sounds like fun heheheh! I think turkey/spinach meatballs sound PERFECT! Have a fab start to your week, friend! 🙂
Keeping my fingers crossed your video get’s the thumbs up quickly! Being a LM instructor you should be used to it! Tell me more about the LM Barre class!!! I’m in NH, I started following you when I was researching getting my BP cert (which I’ve had for a year and half and teach 5 classes per week!!).
Hi Christine! The Les Mills barre class is SUPER new and is only being piloted around the U.S. right now. It’s 30 minutes long, requires nothing but two small plates and can be done bare feet or with socks. It’s a GREAT program, and pretty hard. There was a lot of balance work and it was very dance inspired. I LOVED it. They are starting to train instructors now — keep your eyes out. And thank you SOO much for reading my blog. Any more Les Mills questions?? And WOW five BODYPUMPs a week? You go girl! Hope you use your foam roller and go lighter some days hehehe!
sounds like a really great weekend! i finally tried true food kitchen on friday night. i had the mediterranean quinoa salad and loved it! the ancient grains bowl looked really appealing on the menu, but i was definitely craving a big salad that night 🙂 i’ve yet to try lemonade, even though one of their locations is only a couple miles away from my apartment.
Hi April! Sometimes I crave big salads too! Glad you enjoyed your meal at True Food, I definitely think you should hit up Lemonade soon!
I can’t believe basketball has started back up again. It seems like just yesterday they were playing in the championship game.
I would do a barre class for cupcakes too. In fact, I’d do it for nothing since I love a good barre workout. Those are pretty intense for such little movements.
8 am sounds like a luxury. I’d love to snuggle with Oscar until then. Alas the tiny human needs attention…and milk of course.
Happy Monday.
Hahha I know! I bet you can’t wait for the day you get to sleep in without a tiny person waiting for you! And it was a super short off season again– I guess that’s a good thing because they were in the Finals though. Go Dubs!!
Hi Ashley! I am so excited I found your blog. I’m a Les Mills junkie. Currently, I am all about Combat! It is my favorite group ex of all time (ok for right now). I haven’t been to pump in about two years – instead I had been lifting on my own and doing cardio for warm up. My goal is to get back in Body Pump this week. However, I may go to Body Flow tonight. Now that I’m officially mid-thirties I am working harder and smarter. 🙂
Hi Amanda! Working smarter is the way to go! And how good does Bodyflow feel?? YES!! I am not a big Bodycombat person, but I know people can be obsessed with it! Hope you make it back to BODYPUMP soon, and I’m so glad you said hi!! Have a great day!!
Productive Sunday!! I recently moved from Ohio to Florida and haven’t joined a gym yet, so I’ve been running more lately.
Yay for Florida! Whereabout in Florida? That’s where I am from. And running outside is free and good for you! Keep it up, lady!
I’m meeting a friend at True Food this coming week. Thanks for the heads up on the price! LOL Anyway, my weekend was spent recuperating from an injury last week. Hopefully I can get back on track soon!
Hi Travis! I hope you get back on track soon for sure. Enjoy True Food! 🙂 Thanks for saying hi!
Hi, Ashley! Can you share the recipe for the yogurt parfait you had for breakfast? It looks super yummy!
Yes! That’s about a cup of Fage full-fat plain flavored Greek yogurt, a tablespoon of Trader Joe’s organic chia seeds, a teaspoon of Trader Joe’s raw pumpkin seeds, a whole banana, and some Frontier Bite quinoa puffs. It was delish and from long ago hehehe! 🙂