Hi, friends! I hope you had a nice weekend! It was warm and sunny in Walnut Creek, and we loved that! Today, we’re going to do some life updates, a quick weekend recap and then take a look at my workouts as of late. Sit back, relax, read and enjoy!
A little bit of change ahead
So I’ve been waiting to tell you guys some news on the work front, which I’m pretty excited about. Ready for it? I’m not working full time at 24 Hour Fitness corporate office any longer. As you know, it’s been a lot for me to manage a full-time job, teach multiple group fitness classes, run A Lady Goes West and have a social life throughout the past year. While I kept my head above water since January of 2016, it’s hasn’t been super easy.
That’s why, toward the end of last year, I realized I needed to make a change, and so I gave my job plenty of notice and slowly transitioned out of the full-time role at the end of February 2017 (just in time for my trip to Chicago!). And now, moving forward, I’ll be contributing to the 24 Hour Fitness 24Life site as a part-time contractor, which gives me time to teach more classes (still at 24 Hour Fitness Walnut Creek) and write more on A Lady Goes West. While I struggled with the decision for a very long time, wanting to hold onto everything, it’s clear to me that it was RIGHT! What does this mean for you? More blog posts each week, yay!
TRX workout, weekend and dinner party fun
This past weekend was a good one. On Friday evening, I spent far too long at the grocery store getting 8 million things off a list for our dinner party, then I hit up the gym for a quick TRX workout, which I loved, so I wanted to share it with you. It took me 30 minutes total from the warm-up to the cool-down. It looked like this …
- Warm-up: 3 minutes of incline walking on the treadmill at 4.5 mph and 4.0 incline, followed by foam rolling and mobility moves like kicks and arm circles
- Circuit 1: Squat to low row, chest press, hamstring curls (3 sets of 10 reps each)
- Circuit 2: Clock press, tricep extension, bent-leg inverted row (3 sets of 10 reps each)
- Cool-down: Stretch and foam roll
On Saturday morning, I walked downtown while listening to a podcast to have coffee with blog reader and friend Rachelle. (Hi Rachelle!) We went to the Coffee Shop, and it’s clear to me I need to eat at this place one day, in addition to getting a beverage, because the food looked excellent. After that, I met Dave and Rudy for a delicious salad at Lettuce.
Rudy had just gotten a fresh bath before lunch, so his fur was literally glistening white in the sun. It almost hurt to look at him. He was actually not a very good boy at lunch that day in spite of his shiny coat, and he growled at nearly every dog that walked by. Bad pup!
The rest of the afternoon was spent in the kitchen prepping for our dinner party. We had four couples over, for a total of 10 people. We watched some of the Warriors game, hung out, nibbled on appetizers, then had a casual dinner and hung out until 11 p.m. before saying goodbye. The best part? Everyone wore their pajamas. I have to admit that I didn’t take a single picture of myself, Dave or our friends that night — and I even forgot to do one of my favorite self-timer group pics. Whoops!
I picked up my phone like two times total for a few quick Instagram stories. While that’s not always a good move as a blogger, it was a good move as a friend, because I was immersed in the night and the conversation. Not a ton of imagery to share, but below you’ll find all of the food items and recipes that we served, and there was seriously no food left behind. That made clean-up easy.
- Chips and guacamole (staple)
- Salami and cheddar bites (I added some green stuffed olives)
- Baked cauliflower with tzatziki (OMG, DELISH and HEALTHY with whole wheat flour)
- Buffalo sliders (made in the crockpot)
- Meatball parm sliders (so simple, soooo tasty)
- Southwestern salad (bought it bagged)
- Sweet potato fries (Alexia brand)
- Ice cream sundae bar (total HIT, with granola, cookie crumbles and fudge for toppings)
I will definitely make the sliders and the cauliflower dish again, because they were excellent! I’d say it was major dinner party success.
To finish out the weekend, on Sunday, we relaxed, rode our bikes to downtown Walnut Creek along the very busy Iron Horse Trail for acai bowls for lunch and did all the usual stuff.
My weekly workout recap
And now, let’s switch gears to look at all of the ways I’ve been moving lately …
Weekly workouts
- Monday: Took a 30-minute GRIT Strength class, 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday: Took at one-hour PiYO class, 4:30 p.m.
- Wednesday: Took a one-hour BODYPUMP class, 9:30 a.m.
- Thursday: Practiced Bootybarre at home for 45 minutes, 11 a.m.
- Friday: Did a 30-minute full-body TRX workout, 6 p.m.
- Saturday: Rest day
- Sunday: Rest day
Overview of the week
This past week, I lifted weights three times and took a new-to-me workout class, which was PiYO. I LOVED PiYO and explained why in my favorites post, because it was a mix of yoga and Pilates and so beneficial to counteract the tougher work I do throughout the week. I also loved switching things up and going to Les Mills GRIT Strength on Monday, because it was full of hard working-blocks (lots of push-ups and squats), followed by breaks, and it was done in a flash. A couple of rest days as well, so this week was complete!
Have a wonderful start to your week, friends!
Weekend fun, life updates and #workout talk. Check this out by @apstyle ... Click To TweetP.S. Thanks to Meghan for today’s “Week in Review” link-up.
Questions of the day
How was your weekend?
What’s your favorite party appetizer?
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
Dinner party success is RIGHT! And I don’t think I ever realize just how huge those Acai bowls are! I love the presentation–that is gorgeous. I am really excited to have more Ashley here at ALGW. Maybe that is selfish… Have a great week, girl!
Susie @ Suzlyfe recently posted…Oven, Stove, Fridge, Freezer (Embryo Transfer Week in Review)
Ashley says
Hi Susie! We ordered the LARGE size, when there is a MEDIUM that is a bit smaller and probably has less sugar. Well definitely has less sugar, but acai is DELISH! And I hope you have a GREAT week too! I’m hoping for GOOD things for you!! 🙂 Thanks, friend!
Patricia @sweet and strong says
I LOVE hosting and making food for friends, but I do the same and always forget to take lots of pics. Sounds like it was a huge success and I def need to try those cauliflower bites! And YAY congrats on the changes with the career. I am SO excited for more posts 😉 Have a great week!
Patricia @sweet and strong recently posted…Best Places to Eat in Washington DC
Ashley says
Hi Patricia! It’s tough to host, get ready, be social and then NOT let people eat while you take pics hahah. A couple of years ago when we had a housewarming I put all the food out early just for pictures, but then I had to struggle to reheat things — so this time — I said, OH WELL! hahaah! Hope you had a WONDERFUL weekend, lady! 🙂
India says
I’m so happy for you! Always good to realize when it’s too much and adjust accordingly. Glad you can still work part-time for 24 too. Looking forward to more posts and seeing the blog grow.
Ashley says
Thank you my friend! I appreciate that you read and support! And I LOVE when you request post topics, so keep that coming. Hope your weekend was good!! Any nice weather in your area?? 🙂
India says
Aw I love it when you write about reader’s requests, like mine. Your blog is really so great. The weather in L.A. has been so warm…like too warm ha! But on the plus side, I’m hoping to make it to the beach this weekend if I can get all my school work done. Hope it’s a good week for you!
Ashley says
Ohhhh I miss the beach! That sounds wonderful, India! I hope you make it to put your toes in the sand!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) says
Super happy for the big change!!! Good for you for going after what you want 😀 The dinner party looks great! Cauliflower tzatziki sounds delicious– and those little skewers are something I would nosh on! I’d say my favorite are meatball bites!
Carrie (This Fit Chick) recently posted…New favorite brunch spot + other happenings this week
Ashley says
Hi Carrie! I usually make flavored meatballs as an app, but because our crockpot was in use for sliders, I skipped it — at least we had meatballs in one of the sliders. And the skewers were gone in an instant — who can resist and meat and cheese bite? heheh! Hope your weekend was great, lady!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Yay for a part time gig now! Congrats on the change!
I totally crave a good acai bowl but little Asheville hasn’t figured out how awesome they are yet!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Things I’m Loving Lately 31
Ashley says
Hi Julie! Oh no! There aren’t any good acai spots? We have a ton of places that serve acai made with juice, but Vitality Bowls (where I went for the ones in this post), has SUPER authentic and fresh stuff. Maybe it’s coming your way soon eheh! Hope your weekend was nice!
Emily says
The weekend was AWESOME; God is so gracious to refresh my soul in Him every weekend, and remind me that He is all that I need to depend on every week, especially because i get so weary in and of myself…
I am so glad that you made that decision; I really do love coming and reading your blog Ashley and the knowledge you share with others; it’s a wonderful way for your gifts to shine through to so many and bless so many.
That is wonderful that you didn’t pick up your phone very much during the dinner, because I think that’s so essential to being fully present and being fully there for your friends and family! <3 I think that was a really wise choice.
Emily recently posted…Why I Ditched The Running Watch + ALL the Link Love Lately
Ashley says
Hi Emily! You said so many wonderful things in this comment my friend. First of all — how nice is it that beautiful weekends make us refreshed? I definitely get weary too, so I understand what you mean. And I SO appreciate your friendship and support on the blog. Thank you for reading! And as far as being present during my party — I think that’s something us bloggers should ALL do sometimes. No phones, just people! 🙂 hehehhe Have a FABULOUS week!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says
Congratulations on the career switch. It’s so smart to know when to push through and when to pull back. It’s hard but always worthwhile to do what makes us happier in the long run. Good for you.
Also your dinner party looks like a roaring success. I’m thrilled for you. I want to host a dinner party at our house, and I’m actually thinking about Easter. God help me. 😉
Happy Monday and here’s to a great week.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets recently posted…Week in Review: The Good, The Bad and Oscar Has The Runs (#74)
Ashley says
Hi Meghan! Thank you, friend! I think Easter is a great time to host a dinner party — seems like there are usually more lunches and brunches around that holiday. Hopefully you will serve candy too eheheh! Happy Monday!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
awesome news lady! sending you best wishes for your new role.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health recently posted…Mula Ko Achar (Nepali Fermented Radish Pickle)
Ashley says
Hi Dixya! Thank you so much for the support! Hope you have a great start to the week!
Melissa says
Congrats on the big change!!! You are going to rock and it sounds so exciting. New can be fun!! And man, all that food looks too good. I may need to break into my lunch right now.
Ashley says
Hi Melissa! Thanks so much! Change is good! 🙂 And I hope you have something delicious to eat for lunch!
Courtney Koch says
Since you already know I’m one of your biggest fans, this goes without saying, but I will say it anyway. You will do amazing at whatever career route you choose! I’m happy for you and your new journey and will continue to follow and support you and all of your adventures.
And my favorite party appetizer is probably a meatball or a mini crab cake. 🙂
Ashley says
You are THE best ever. Like ever! Thank you, my friend!! 🙂 I wish I knew how to make mini crab cakes, because I love those too. Maybe my next party! Hope you had a nice weekend!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot says
I always love hummus and chips or guac and tortillas for apps. Simple but so good!
Congrats on the new schedule–looking forward to more posts!
Heather @ Polyglot Jot recently posted…Body Image During Pregnancy
Ashley says
I think chips and guac are a party must, and YES on hummus for sure. All good choices for apps! Thanks so much for the kind words, Heather! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Ashley recently posted…Sunny weekend, updates, dinner party, good food and weekly workouts
Christina Orso says
ohhhh that salad. is that the most perfectly cooked salmon you’ve ever seen!? my fave appetizer is goat cheese stuffed dates wrapped in bacon. so good! xo, Christina – Hungry Meets Healthy
Christina Orso recently posted…This is What I Use for My 5-Minute Everyday Makeup Look
Ashley says
Yes! I wish I could cook salmon like that. And goat cheese with ANYTHING is delish. Nice app choice, Christina! Hope you had a great weekend! 🙂
Jessica Joy says
Happy you found the right balance with your job! It can be so tricky, but you were able to listen to your heart, and so HAPPY you feel great about it! And PIYO – I love it too. It has so many things I love all wrapped into one. : ) Those acai bowls are calling to me too. Always love your vibes here, Ashley! Thanks for another great post! Xx Jessica Joy
Jessica Joy recently posted…COMBO MAMBO HIIT – All Combo Exercises
Ashley says
Hi Jessica! Thanks so much for the kind words!! 🙂 PiYO and acai bowls and balance are all good things, right? Hope all is well with you, lady!
acktive life says
Everything looks DELICIOUS, especially that perfectly crusted salmon bowl and those acai bowls! Jealous of all the sunshine as I am currently snowed in and freezing my booty off! 🙂
acktive life recently posted…Banana Ice Cream 7UP Floats
Ashley says
Hi lady! Yes, it is so sunny here! I’m sorry! Your time will come hehe. Keep up the great indoor workouts though!!