Post-vacation thoughts and updates
Hello, my friends! This is my first time coming at you live (well, almost live) in one whole week. While I had some posts ready for your reading pleasure while I was away on my vacation, I didn’t touch a computer for nearly seven days. Outside of the occasional Instagram post, I was disconnected, and it felt good.
I figured I would keep it short today and catch up on a few things before digging into my entire trip recap. But yes, it was full of adventure, and I’m going to give you all the details little-by-little starting next week. I want to make sure I spend enough time on every activity, because they were all so different. But now, let’s get to those random thoughts and updates …
Back to business in the Bay Area
Dave and I got back from Maui pretty late on Tuesday night. While I used most of yesterday to answer emails, unpack, do laundry and get caught up on life before heading to the gym to teach my evening classes, I also used yesterday to reflect. What did I come up with? There’s something pretty magical about vacationing in Hawaii. And vacations are so incredibly good for the mind and body, but getting back to reality is tough. Two full email inboxes, a long to-do list and obligations were awaiting me, which I’m taking on as best as I can.
Just a little preview of some of the fun times we had in Maui … and boy was it hot!
But you know what made coming home all that much easier? Being reunited with our little Rudy puppy. Dave and I went straight from the airport to pick up Rudy from a friend’s place, and that little fuzzy guy was so happy to see us. The feeling was mutual. I missed his face, and it’s nice to have him back.
One bad thing about our vacation
I’m sorry to say that there was something seriously wrong with our vacation to Hawaii … It was too short. Far too short. Last year, when we went to Cabo, we stayed for four nights. Well this time, because we were traveling a longer distance, we added a night and stayed for five. It wasn’t enough. Trust me on this: Vacations should be a full week. We need a redo. Like now. I know, I should just be happy we got to go. But still, it should have been longer.
An amazing night of live music under the stars
The night before Dave and I left for Maui, we went to an awesome event at Wente Vineyards in Livermore. A few months ago, Dave had gotten us tickets to this outdoor dinner and concert under the stars, and it was something I had been looking forward to for weeks, which got a little lost in the shuffle once we were planning to leave for Maui at 4 a.m. the next day.
Wine, food and music in the middle of a vineyard? You can’t get much better than that.
This event ended up being even more incredible than I expected, and Dave and I were blown away by the performances of three ladies on the “Girls Night Out, Boys Can Come Too” Tour — (great name, right?). I’ve always enjoyed the music of Christina Perri and Colbie Callait, yet watching them live was nothing short of awesome. Christina Perri has some serious pizzazz on-stage, including stories, dancing and more. I also really liked hearing from Rachel Platten, whom I wasn’t familiar with, and she’s got some pipes as well (and her parents were in the audience that night!). It didn’t hurt that there was a gourmet buffet of food, tasty wine and good company to round out the evening. Good times all around. If you’re in the Bay Area, check out the line-up of summer concerts at Wente, because you won’t be disappointed.
A break from workouts is a good thing
I went a whole week without doing an official “workout.” While Dave and I did a short and incredibly mild yoga session one morning while in Maui, we didn’t do anything else. And you know what, I like it that way. I always take a few days off of physical activity a couple times-a-year, and vacation is a great time to do it. We’re no worse for the wear, because I’ll back to a normal routine in no time.
Today, I’m working, going to a meeting at the gym, then teaching BODYPUMP and a core class in the evening. I’m also hoping to get back onto a normal sleeping schedule, because right now I’m still on Hawaii time. That ought to do it for now. Thanks to Amanda for hosting “Thinking Out Loud,” which gave me a perfect chance to ramble on with you today! Have a great day, people. I’ll see you back here tomorrow for some “Friday Favorites” of course!
Questions of the day
What’s been going on with you?
Did I miss anything important in the blog world?
Hawaii sounds beautiful! I read how you took a break from working out but what about your nutrition were you a little less cautious or did you still try and stay pretty healthy?
Hi Lauren! I was not cautious at all with diet, in fact, I didn’t even think about it! I definitely ate foods that are not always in my daily routine, including macadamia nut pancakes, sweet potato fries, huge desserts and pina coladas every single day — but I also had healthy foods in there too, like sushi, salads and a whole bunch of fruit. I feel like we were constantly full! 🙂 It was glorious!!
Vacations are always too short! It is always nice to take a break from working out and I think it is good for our bodies too!
Hi Julia! YES, it is. We all need a little “re-set” sometimes! I enjoyed it! Hope you’re having a great week!
Sounds like a great time…Hawaii is on my bucket list. I totally agree about taking a few days/week off from workouts a few times a year…especially doing something as intense as OTF 4-5x a week, your body needs it. I do the same thing. 🙂
Hi Karen! Yes, I know a few of my workouts each week are pretty intense, so I like to have a week to refresh at least a couple-of-times a year! Happy Thursday to you! Glad you agree! 🙂
I can’t wait to hear about your trip! Sounds incredible, not to mention all the fun you had before you left! My workouts are typically easier on vacation, if they happen at all. Vacation is a great time to let your body relax for sure! Nothing too new with me! Dealing with the huge heat wave that won’t leave, hahah
Hi Heather! It was SO hot in Maui too! I hope it cools down for you soon! 🙂
Welcome back! Vacationing in Hawaii, or just being in Hawaii is kind of the best thing ever. I spent 3 weeks there on a community service trip and I will never forget it. I would love to go back!
Hi Susie! I know! We should have stayed longer! Three weeks for a service trip? That’s awesome! Which island??
It’s so nice to be away from computers for a little while when on vacation! And taking a break from working out is always a good reset for the body I think! Glad you had fun!!
Thanks, Marielle! Yes, I needed a break from the gym and the computer for sure! Hope all is well with you! 🙂
I’m so glad you had a great vacation! I’m in the camp of vacations should be a week as well! My family does Sun-Fri so you have the weekend too 🙂 I’m SO jealous about the concert you went to! Fight Song (Rachel Platten) is one of my all-time favorites! Enjoy settling back in – we’re happy to have ya back! <3
Hi Lindsay! Yes, that “Fight Song” was the only one I knew of her, but she has some other good ones too. As far as your vacation plan — YES, we need to do it with one day of rest built in next time!
Welcome back! It looked like y’all had the best time from your pictures (although how could you not in Hawaii!).
Hi Stacie! Thanks! Yes, it was awesome!! I want to go back like NOW! 🙂 heheh! Hope all is well with you!
Welcome back! Glad you had a great vacation. We honeymooned in Kauai! We heard it was less busy there. We stayed a week which was too short as we live on the East Coast (a 6 hour difference!)
I can’t wait to read about your vacation, so I can get some ideas. In three short years, we’ll be going back for our tenth wedding anniversary with our two boys and, hopefully, my mom in tow…
Hi Bea! Yes, Kauai will be next on our list, because I’ve also heard it’s a little more scenic with less people! And I will have a full report on Maui for you soon so you can get some ideas! Hope all is well with you! 🙂
I can’t wait to hear about your recap. I went to hawaii a few years ago and went for a week and that didn’t seem long enough. I feel I wouldn’t go back unless I could commit 10 days there.
Hi Jen! Yes, you have further to travel of course! 🙂 I hope you make it back to Hawaii one day!
Welcome back!! I loved following your vacation on Instagram and it looks like you had a blast. I agree with you that vacations should be longer! I always love visiting Europe, but end up losing 1-2 full days because of travel. It sucks but I don’t really have a choice!
Happy to see you back and I’m sure Rudy missed you!
Hi Gretchen! Yes, luckily our travel was only about 5 hours to Hawaii, which helped! With Europe trips, you have to build in those extra days. Yes, Rudy missed us heheh! 🙂 Hope all is well with you, lady!
I agree, vacations always need to be longer! I think we’ve pretty much always stayed a week on vacay the past few years – we figure if we are paying for airfare, might as well get the most out of it. I have yet to visit Hawaii but I would LOVE to make the trip someday 🙂 So glad to hear you had a wonderful time and I can’t wait to read more.
Hi Becky! Yes, getting to Hawaii from Florida is tough. That’s probably why we never went until moving out here! Hope all is well with you, lady! 🙂
Welcome back! Where is the next vacation to?? I am hoping mine will be to the live filming of BODYPUMP 100 in New Zealand! Not sure how that all works, but that’s my goal! But, I guess that is still a year or so away and I will for sure need a vacation before that 😉 I’ll probably need a vacation from our upcoming move to Japan!
Hi Melissa! I’d LOVE to go for a filming one day! Let me know if you figure it out heheh! 🙂 There are probably some cool places to visit in the mountains near you — better make that trip before the big move!
I can’t wait to hear more about your trip!! Your pictures already look BEAUTIFUL! Can’t wait to catch up 🙂 Have a fabulous Thursday!
Thanks, Jamie! Hope all is well with you! 🙂
Your trip looks amazing so far! As to be expected. I’m so glad you were able to truly unplug and enjoy yourself. Plus, a week off from workouts can sometimes be a great thing. I’m looking forward to the recaps. Welcome back!
It was super nice to unplug, Heather! Yes, I’ll be sharing the recaps very soon! 🙂 Happy Thursday!
Oh my goodness, Hawaii looked amazing!! And I agree, vacations should always be at least a week long. Always 🙂
I know, Annette. Should I get to go back for those extra couple of days? I think so heheh! Happy Thursday, lady!
just found your blog today through a link up and I’m loving it! so many pretty vacay pics!
Hi Julie! Yay! Welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by to say hello. I hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
Gosh, so jealous. I went on a family vacation to Hawaii when I was 16 and had a stomach bug the whole time. Such a big regret. But so glad to hear you guys had a fabulous time!! I can’t wait to heat more about it!
Thanks, Morgan! And that’s so sad about your memories from Hawaii. 🙁 You need a redo!
Ah fun, so glad you got to unplug and relax! We did a Hawaiian cruise a few years ago- got on the boat in Honolulu and went to several islands for a week- LOVED IT! Your pictures looked great 🙂
I’m pretty excited we just booked flights to go to Vietnam for 2 weeks in November, so YAY! So much planning to do.
Hi Jessie! Wow! That’s a huge trip! Vietnam? I bet the travel there is long too. Good for you! What an exciting thing to look forward to. And I’m glad you go to see some islands of Hawaii — it sure is beautiful!
I agree vacations need to be at least a week long…especially when you go to Hawaii! Oh well, I guess you’ll just have to go again soon 😉 I’ve never been to Hawaii but it is only my bucket list of places to visit ASAP! I can’t wait for the recaps!
Hi Sarah! Yes, recaps are coming soon. And Hawaii was on my bucket list too, so I’m glad I’ve crossed it off. It was beautiful! Hope you’re having a great week! 🙂
Aw, wanting a LONGER vacation is at least the hint that you had a WONDERFUL vacation. 🙂 I LOVE Hawaii! I can’t wait to hear more about your trip. 🙂 xo
Hi Carla! It was awesome and our first time there! I want to go back immediately!! I hope you’re doing well! 🙂
5 nights is too short! I agree that it’s nice to take a break from workouts while on vacation because just like going back to work you feel more refreshed.
Hi Sheena! Yes, I needed a break from social media and the computer and workouts. It felt good! I hope you’re doing well! 🙂
Got all sorts of jealous whenever I saw you post a picture on IG 😛 I was in Maui earlier this year and I fell.in.LOVE with the island. We were there for 10 days and it -still- didn’t feel like enough!
Hi Amanda! Yes, I remember you were in Maui earlier this year! I’m so glad I’ve finally experienced part of Hawaii and want to go back! You were there double the amount of time of me, lucky girl! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii!! It looks unreal! Now you’ve made me want to go even more! I think some breaks from working out are always good to help re-energize and refocus us! Often we don’t realize how much we needed the break until we get back a it! I bet Rudy was happy to see you! Our dog is usually happy to see us for about a day then gets sulky and mad lol…If only dogs were allowed every where!
Hi Fiona! Yes, you’ve got to get to Hawaii one day. And yes on taking breaks! I needed a break from it all, and it wasn’t quite long enough. YES Rudy was glad to see us heheh! I wish we could have taken him to Hawaii too! 🙂 Hope all is well, lady!
Glad you had such an awesome time! I love love love your white lace shorts- they seem like the perfect way to be comfortable, dressy, and girly at the same time!
Thanks, Niki! I love those shorts too! Got them at Nordstrom Rack several months ago. Hope all is well, lady! 🙂
Living in Florida often makes going to tropical destinations not as new and exciting as other places. However, I have to say Hawaii is the one place that always is magical. I went over 12 years ago and I am yearning to go back. That concert on the vineyard sounds like the best event!!
Which island did you go to? Yes, Hawaii is pretty awesome! I want to go back one day soon for sure. Happy weekend to you, Judy!! 🙂