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Holiday fun and my weekly workouts

December 18, 2017 By Ashley 19 Comments

Hi, friends! I hope your weekend was great. Don’t I always start my first-of-the-week posts that way? Yes, I think I do. Sadly, my Mom heads back to Florida today after an awesome 12-day visit. We’re not happy to see her go, but we’re so appreciative of the fact that she made the cross-country trip to hang out with us and help with so many things for the second time in less than two months. She’s the best! Anywho, I’m popping in today for a few weekend highlights and my weekly workouts from 10 weeks postpartum. Here we go …

Another festive holiday weekend

On Friday evening, my Mom and I hit up three grocery stores (pretty glamorous, right?) in order to fill the fridge and pantry with all the things we need — Trader Joe’s, Safeway and Whole Foods, in case you were wondering. Then, we had sushi and wine at home with Dave, while I wrapped some Christmas presents (because yes, I finally did some of my shopping). Quite honestly, sushi, wine and TV time is my ideal Friday night these days, because I love to be at home with this group …

Pitt family picture December 2017 by A Lady Goes West

Ashley and Brady in December 2017 by A Lady Goes West

(Jacket and pants are brand new purchases from Fabletics, and I love them.)

Downtown Walnut Creek adventure on foot

On Saturday, Dave and Brady and I walked to downtown Walnut Creek for lunch and some shopping, while my Mom stayed back home with Rudy to rest and hang out. I’ve been walking to downtown with the stroller at least once a week lately (it’s just over a mile), and it has been so darn pleasant out to do so on the Iron Horse Trail, which takes us all the way from our house to downtown.

We had lunch at Lemonade, which used to be a favorite restaurant of mine, but unfortunately, it’s not any longer. There’s a weird smell when you enter the Walnut Creek location, and we’ve noticed it twice now. In addition, they stopped offering my favorite menu item (the glazed hot Brussels sprouts), and then there was a hair in my lunch on Saturday. So other than that … 🙂 

To finish up, we grabbed some holiday drinks from Peet’s for the walk home and had the Rockin’ Holiday Pandora station playing on our Jambox …

PSL at Peet's by A Lady Goes West

Oh, and I got 13,000 steps during our on-foot adventure that day, so I was feeling pretty good about my movement now that I’m wearing a Fitbit every day (this one!). Speaking of steps, did you see my post from last week about how to make fitness simple and what I learned from interviewing Harley Pasternak? I totally beat out his suggestion of 12,000 steps!

Holiday party with friends

On Saturday night, Dave and I went off to a friends’ holiday party in Lafayette for a couple of hours. Nothing too crazy, but it was good to get out and be festive and eat some Christmas treats. We didn’t get cell phone reception at the party, so we didn’t want to stay too long in case Brady needed anything, but we came home to find my Mom sitting on the couch with a very happy baby, not missing us at all. Still, this momma needed to put on some lipstick and drink this …

Party pic December 2017 by A Lady Goes West

The Second City Show in Berkeley

Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was seeing the touring The Second City improv comedy show that my Mom and I went to on Sunday. Dave had purchased the tickets for me a few weeks ago, and it just so happens that my Mom was visiting during this time and could be my guest. The “Dysfunctional Holiday Revue” show took place at the Berkeley Rep Theatre in downtown Berkeley, and I’d never been there before so was excited to check it out. We got a free hot spiked cider with our tickets too. Woohoo!

Ashley and Mom December 2017 by A Lady Goes West

(Wearing my new favorite cable-knit sweater I got last week.)

By the way, I’m totally a fan of improv comedy, and Dave and I saw The Second City in Chicago back in March (when I was super newly pregnant and nobody knew), and it was hilarious. It’s a mixture of sketch and improv live comedy, with music and tons of laughs — and it’s where a lot of “Saturday Night Live” actors start out. My Mom and I had great seats, and we laughed the whole show. There were so many super realistic family-holiday-drama jokes that we couldn’t get enough of. Nice work, actors! Seriously, those improv folks are so talented.

On Sunday evening, we gave Brady a bath, did some face-masks (well, my Mom and I did the masks), then had grass-fed burgers wrapped in tortillas (don’t knock it until you try it) around the table and chilled, soaking up our last night with my Momma. Overall, it was a great weekend, with just enough activity and down-time — just what I needed after a very busy week! 

My postpartum weekly workout recap

Here’s a look at my latest workouts …

Weekly Workouts by A Lady Goes West

At 10 weeks postpartum …

  • Monday: 20-minute bodyweight bootcamp taught by Harley Pasternak, 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday: 20-minute walk, 30-minute yoga flow at home, 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Took 1-hour BODYPUMP class, 9:30 a.m., 30-minute walk, 11 a.m.
  • Thursday: 30-minute walk, 30 minutes of barre at home, 11 a.m.
  • Friday: Took 1-hour BODYPUMP class, 12 p.m., 30-minute walk, 3 p.m.
  • Saturday: Rest day (although I walked for an hour to downtown and back, leisurely)
  • Sunday: 25-minute walk, 10 a.m.

Overview of the week of workouts

Well, it’s pretty clear that the big event in fitness for me this past week was that I returned to BODYPUMP. I was actually a little nervous to see how I would hold up for the whole hour class and the more than 1,000 repetitions, because I haven’t done a workout with such intensity since getting back into exercising four weeks ago.

BODYPUMP return by A Lady Goes West

(Rocking brand new sneaks!)

I’m happy to say that I had no problem getting through the class or the repetitions, but I did struggle with my weights on the bar. I used MUCH less weight than I was using even during pregnancy, and form-wise, I couldn’t get as low as I wanted to for squats due to some hip mobility. But overall, the loud music, energy in the group fitness room and the challenge felt amazing to me. I’d love to start going back a lot more, but right now, I won’t be making it to a ton of classes.

Oh, and I was happy to pick up weights two times this week, fit in some yoga and also do a lot of walking. Good stuff!

That’ll do it, folks! I hope you have a fabulous start to your week. As always, thanks for coming by the blog today. You’re the best! And don’t forget that! 🙂 

Holiday fun and postpartum workouts on A Lady Goes West ... Click To Tweet

Questions of the day

Did you do anything festive over the weekend?

Are you traveling for the holidays this year? If so, where are you going? (We’re staying put!)

How many grocery stores do you go to each week?

Filed Under: Weekly Workouts Tagged With: Berkeley, Berkeley Rep, BODYPUMP, holiday, postpartum, The Second City, Weekends, weekly workouts, workouts

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About Ashley

I'm a writer, trainer, group fitness instructor, new mom and foodie, and A Lady Goes West is where I share my healthy lifestyle, simple meals, fitness tips and experiences living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
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Comments

  1. Emily @ Pizza &Pull-ups says

    December 18, 2017 at 4:05 am

    Sounds like an awesome weekend! We had lots of festivities and had a blast! Hope you have a great day!
    Emily @ Pizza &Pull-ups recently posted…Weekend recapMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:13 am

      Thanks, Emily! Hope your weekend was great too, lady! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:00 am

    Sounds like such a fun weekend! It seems like you really soaked in as much Mom time as you could during her last few days too.
    My holiday travel plans start late Wednesday s my boyfriend and I fly to Chicago to stay with my family for a few days. I grew up there and have never been to Second City so I think that’ll have to go on my agenda next time since I’m booked this trip. It’s so interesting that so many big comedians got their start there too!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:14 am

      What? You MUST go to The Second City! It’s awesome! And I think they change it out regularly, so it’s always different — well and it’s improv too. I bet it will be cold in Chicago! Stay warm and safe travels, Maureen! 🙂

      Reply
      • Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says

        December 18, 2017 at 3:07 pm

        I know I know. Granted by the time I was old enough to go their I was barely home since I was in college. It’s definitely on a list of things for me to do when I head to the city. Thanks Ashely! I hope your mom got home safely 🙂

        Reply
  3. Courtney Koch says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:27 am

    Sounds like a lovely little weekend. And your cute Mom is such a gem.
    xoxo.
    Courtney Koch recently posted…The Storm has Passed and I am GratefulMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:12 am

      She sure is! We had a great time together, as always! 🙂 And THANK YOU so much for the sweet gift!! 🙂 Hope your weekend was great, friend!

      Reply
  4. Peg says

    December 18, 2017 at 5:38 am

    Safe travels for your mom!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Thank you! I told her! She is en route right now! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says

    December 18, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Looks like you are getting back into the swing of things! That’s awesome girl!
    Kelli @ Hungry Hobby recently posted…My Favorite Winter Treat + HH Survey ResultsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:11 am

      I am definitely feeling better, Kelli! But I have a lot of work to do to get back to strong heheh! Hope your weekend was great, lady! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Stefanie says

    December 18, 2017 at 8:42 am

    I just tried BodyPump last week! I thought it was pretty intense and effective so will start with it just once a week but interested to hear you did it twice. I had no clue about barbell form so was super grateful to have people help me with that.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:09 am

      Hi Stefanie! Congrats on trying BODYPUMP. Were you sore? I think BODYPUMP is great to do 2-3 times a week with a day in-between each. Going once is awesome, but you may find that you don’t make as many strength gains is if you go twice a week. But even one class is tough for sure! Form is EVERYTHING in PUMP, you can even practice using JUST the bar with no weights to get used to it!! Happy Monday, lady!

      Reply
  7. Alie says

    December 18, 2017 at 8:54 am

    I had to go to 3 grocery stores on Friday too! Omg I was not too happy about it, haha. Holiday crowds are no joke!

    Also, I totally agree about lemonade, womp womp. The LA location I was used to is SO much better. I got their cookbook years ago I’ll see if they have that Brussels recipe if you’re interested!

    I also love second city and had no idea they were touring in the area! How fun!

    Must have been nice to have quality mom time, glad you enjoyed it. Happy holidays, Ashley!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:06 am

      Hi Alie! Glad it’s not just me about Lemonade! And totally check to see if they have the Brussels recipe — it was decadent hahah! I’m sorry about all your grocery stops, but I guess we all have to do it sometimes! Hope the weekend was great, lady! Thanks for saying hi! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Susie @ Suzlyfe says

    December 18, 2017 at 10:35 am

    My first workouts back are going to be HILARIOUS. I can’t even walk down the street properly! I can’t wait for my mom to come and spend the month with us and be in full on grandma mode!
    Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…From Hot Mess to Luckiest (Baby Shower Weekend)My Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 11:05 am

      Oh yay for a whole month of your mom in town! I wish mine could stay forever!! 🙂 Hope you had a nice weekend, Susie. And yes, it will be AWESOME for you to not be pregnant any longer heheh! Even though you wanted to be pregnant so badly (me too), it’s still nice to have it over with!

      Reply
  9. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    December 18, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    I love my Fitbit too – it keeps me accountable on days that I’m not active enough.

    I’m all about the face masks too. Which one(s) are you using right now? I’m always adding to my collection.
    Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona recently posted…How To De-stress This Holiday SeasonMy Profile

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 18, 2017 at 8:56 pm

      Hi lady! I LOVE doing face masks! I usually like to do the thick clay kind you wash off, but lately, I’ve been buying the single sheet packs, which is what my Mom and I did on Sunday. We got the Yes 2 Carrots sheet masks. Left the skin super smooth, but didn’t dry or tingle as much as I would have liked heheh! What are your faves?

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Ashley. I started this blog when I moved from Florida to the SF Bay Area, and I love to help you live a balanced life, making sure you never skip a rest day. I'm a mom and fitness instructor, and A Lady Goes West is where I share my workouts, simple meals and wellness tips with you. Find out more about me and stay awhile!

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A Lady Goes West is a personal blog meant for entertainment purposes only and does not serve as a substitute for professional advice from your own doctor, trainer or nutritionist. While I'm a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, the workouts, food and plans I post are what works for me and may not work for you. Please enjoy these stories and tips from my life, but proceed with caution. Also, know that affiliate links and sponsored posts appear from time-to-time, and I appreciate your support. For more information about how your data is stored, visit my Privacy Policy. Thanks for reading!

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