This Thursday needs some Thinking Out Loud

This time tomorrow, Dave and I will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of our movers. Let’s hope they aren’t late. But yes, we still have a lot more to accomplish before then. And to say that this packing and moving process has been easy would be a lie. There have been a few annoyances here and there. And then there’s this …

Boxes in apartmentHow could a small apartment contain so much stuff that needs to be packed up and moved? That’s not even half of it!

Needless to say, we’re pretty darn excited to be situated once again in a few days. And because I’m living in a little bit of chaos, I thought it would be the perfect time to spew some random thoughts at you in the form of a “Thinking Out Loud” post. Here we go …

Thinking Out Loud

Cardio is my new friend. You’ve probably noticed that I write a weekly workout recap on Mondays to go over all of the ways I’ve been active. And for the past few weeks I’ve been heavy on the weight training and lighter on the cardio. Well this week, I woke up early to do some fasted-cardio on both Monday and Tuesday just to get it out of the way. Just 20 minutes of intervals on the treadmill was a great way to start my day. This reminded me of the days when I used to wake up super-early before my corporate job to get my sweat on. It feels good to get moving before breakfast. 

More classes, new gyms. Next week, I’m changing my group fitness teaching schedule. Because we’re moving out of our neighborhood, I’m going to teach some classes at two new-to-me gyms closer to our new place. I’m looking forward to meeting some new members and spreading the Les Mills love in new time-slots. And I’ll finally be back to more than one BODYATTACK class a week. Kia Kaha! 

Snow days. Snow days are a thing? Being that I was born in Florida and now live in California, I’ve never experienced this phenomenon. While I have experienced a hurricane day, that’s just not as fun when you’re living in fear of a natural disaster. To all my friends on the East Coast who have had major storms this week, I hope it’s been okay for you. From the looks of some pictures I’ve seen online, people seem to take advantage of their time off. And babies in snow-suits? So cute.

Smoothie kick. I’ve had a smoothie for lunch for the past three days. While I used to do green smoothies every day for nearly three months (after transitioning from my daily peanut butter and jelly sandwich, of course), I hadn’t had a smoothie in a long time until this weekend. I’ve been making these delicious blue chocolate protein milk-shake smoothies, which have been incredibly filling and satisfying. However, I have a bone to pick with my Nutribullet. Sometimes it gets all jammed up on me. Too much ice? Not enough liquid? Whatever the case, I always end up screaming at it and pounding on it in frustration. Good times in the kitchen.

Moving can be bittersweet. While I have said over-and-over again that I can’t wait to move and to get into a bigger place, of course, part of me is feeling sad and nostalgic. Dave and I have gotten really good at living nearly on top of each other in our cozy little place for more than a year-and-a-half. And we’ve been so fond of our neighborhood, which is right near the hustle-and-bustle of downtown San Francisco and home to many cute San Francisco spots. We’re trading our proximity to the main drag for some more space and a second bedroom, so it will all be worth it. Change is good. And I’m ready for it. Oh, and guess what? This Lady on foot will also be getting a set of wheels. Watch out Bay Area, because I’m a little rusty in the driver’s seat. 

Off the grid. Even though we’ll be in our new place by Friday late-afternoon, we won’t have Internet or cable TV until late on Saturday. That means I’ll be away from the computer. Probably a good thing, so I can focus my efforts on unpacking. But don’t worry, I’ll miss you guys and will try to sneak in an Instagram shot here or there, which will probably look like this …

Wine with boxesThe only thing that makes packing fun? My favorite Wente Chardonnay.

Sadly and embarrassingly, that’s about all I’ve got for you today. This must be my shortest post ever. I bet those of you who like to skim my long-winded essays have enjoyed the brevity. And thank you Amanda for giving me the chance to babble during “Thinking Out Loud.” Okay, my friends, I sure hope to see you back here tomorrow for a light-hearted and positive set of “Friday Favorites.” I’ll do better, I promise. Please go off and enjoy your day!

Questions of the day

When was the last time you moved? What is the best thing that has happened in your week so far? What are you thinking about today?

Ashley signature

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51 Comments

  1. Ooh moving is definitely bittersweet..and also a bit of a nightmare when you add in the packing part. I am such a hoarder so I try to use moving as an opportunity to declutter & donate as much as possible…easier said than done ;)! Hope everything goes smoothly and you are set up in your new place by the weekend!

    1. Hi Khushboo! I know, I’ve donated and purged as much as possible, but there’s still a lot. I’ll need that luck, so thank. Happy Thursday to you! 🙂

  2. Hi Ashley! So excited for you and Dave! Moving is so stressful and fun at the same time. Jon and I just moved January 2014 from NC to PA and it was bonkers. Seems like there’s always something you forget you need to do or pack. Once it’s all over I know you will be so relieved! Today I am thinking about taking a break this weekend and giving my body some rest time. The best thing this week was that the snow storm missed our area and only gave us a little bit instead of a blizzard. Good luck and enjoy that wine!

    1. Hi Jenna! That’s a big move too. Our move across the country from Florida was rough. This one is a much smaller distance, but still isn’t fun. Glad you didn’t get a blizzard in your area. And I’ll need another bottle of wine to get through the weekend hehehe! 🙂

    1. Hi Stacie! Glad you enjoyed. I still get weird looks from people who can’t believe I’ve never lived anywhere colder than San Francisco heheh! 🙂 Happy Thursday!! Did you make that Stitch Fix decision yet?

  3. Oh man, I miss snow days! We’d get them once in awhile in Seattle and it was so fun to walk around the neighborhood and see so many people out and about! Good luck with the move!

  4. Oh man, moving can definitely be stressful and chaotic! And for those of us that hate chaos, it’s definitely not the most fun times ever. We just moved in April, and I hope to not do it again for several more years! I will say, the GOOD thing about moving is I cleaned out a lot of stuff that we didn’t need anymore. It was nice to get rid of some junk and go through everything. It’s also fun to redecorate!! I’m excited for you guys!

    1. Hi Ashley! Yes! I’m definitely excited to redecorate and get more furniture to fill up the new place. And I’m sure moving is much harder with a little one. At least it’s just the two of us. Happy Thursday!

  5. Oh moving is always good. Good to cleanse and get rid of things and change is good too. It’s hard letting go but always exciting to move onto something new. Never apologize for a short post of missing post. Things happen in life. Good luck with the movers tonight!

    1. Thanks, Megan. Yes they, do! I’m excited to start fresh in a new place for sure. Once I get accustomed to the space, hopefully I won’t look back and miss our current spot. Happy Thursday to you! 🙂

  6. Hahaha to the no snow days thing! That’s crazy to me! My hometown/home county was very diverse and while my area was regular small town, parts of the school system were very back roads and country… they would get ice and snow and have hazardous driving conditions well before I would…. yet it was the same system so if they were unsafe, I got a snow day even with barely any snow! It was the best! =)

    1. Hi Chris! That’s awesome. I bet snow days are WAY fun as a kid. Yet, it’s something I’ve never experienced. I always thought my hometown was small, but compared to others it really wasn’t. It just had a small-town vibe. Hope you’re having a wonderful Thursday!! 🙂

  7. I haven’t moved in almost 5 years…but before that I moved just about every year! It was such a pain but the nice thing was it gave me a reason to clean everything out. Now I feel like our place is so filled with junk and clutter, and we are finally moving into a house in a couple of months! It will be great to have more space and be out of the city, but I will definitely miss some things about city life. I’ll also miss my 5 minute drive to work.

    1. Hi Lisa! I feel ya! There are so many benefits of moving outside of the urban area, but of course, you have to give up something. Glad you’re moving into a house, that’s awesome! And yes, this is my third move in three years. The big one was from Florida to California of course. Happy cleaning and purging until your move!! 🙂

  8. Wine is basically a prerequisite for moving 😉 I feel you on the chaos and I’m hoping everything goes smoothly for y’all over the weekend. It’ll be so nice to be settled in a larger place. And yay for a new set of wheels! I didn’t have a car for almost 5 years before moving to Florida and it was definitely an adjustment.

    1. Hi Becky! Oh wow, you went longer than me. It’s been two-and-a-half years here as a pedestrian, and I’m SUPER ready. Happy Thursday!! 🙂

  9. Good luck on the move! I know the feeling (I did it in September) – it can be overwhelming but once everything is in place it is great. One small tip I might offer: Start unpacking an area that gets rid of the most boxes. I started in the kitchen because I knew I could get rid of the most boxes by unpacking that area first. It helped me feel like I had accomplished a lot even though only one area was unpacked. Hope that helps!

    And my magic bullet does the same thing when making smoothies. I am alway banging at it.

    1. Hi Sara! Good to know about your Magic Bullet. I feel like it never locks up when my husband uses it, only me?? Hhaha And yes, I will be sure to unpack the kitchen pretty quickly, because I need to make food in there! 🙂 hehehe Hope the job is going well. Happy Thursday!

  10. Oh my gosh, moving can be so stressful! Enjoy that glass of wine and time to be off the grid this weekend once you’re there! Yes, snow days are a thing my friend. A beautiful thing. I would, however, still prefer to live where it doesn’t snow at all… but what’cha gonna do. Enjoy a snow day here and there to make up for the lack of warmth! 😉

    1. Hi Heather! I don’t know if I could handle a lot of snow. You’re a champion for what you have to live through in Michigan!! 🙂 Hope you have a Happy Thursday!

  11. Ohhh the moving mess. The last time I moved was a little over 3 years ago and I told myself that I’d never move again 😆 Isn’t it amazing how so much stuff seems to come out of nowhere as soon as you decide to pack? Un.real. And I’m right there with you when it comes to being on a smoothie kick! I’ve been having one for breakfast for months now, and sometimes I’ll even whip one up for lunch as well. They’re so wonderfully satisfying, and I love how you can pack so much nutrition in!

    1. You know Amanda, I’ve only ever had smoothies for lunch. Never for breakfast. I don’t think I could handle my Nutribullet frustrations first thing in the morning heheh! 🙂 Happy Thursday!

    1. Hi Carrie! This is my third move in three years … so not super excited about that, but it will be worth it. Thanks for stopping by, hope you have a great Thursday! 🙂

  12. moving can be such a stressful ordeal. i haven’t moved apartments in about two years and the first time i moved i barely owned anything. the next time will be a bit of a disaster, i’ve seemed to accumulate a bunch of things.

    1. Hi Laura! I’ve gotten rid of so much stuff, yet there is a lot to pack. You just don’t realize how much you have some times … anywho, yes, moving is a pain. Stay put! 🙂 heheh Happy Thursday!

    1. Hi Jess! This is my third move in three years. Ahhh!! But yes, the wine should help. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Hope you have a great Thursday:)

  13. Where are you moving too in the East Bay? You’ll have to let me know if you do any BodyAttack classes over there as I love driving over to the East Bay 🙂
    Last time I moved, was when I moved from San Leandro to SF (all those hills, omg), although I have moved quite a lot prior to that. Good luck with your move!!

    1. Hi Alice! Yes!! I have a new teaching schedule already and will be adding on as I go. I’ll be teaching BODYATTACK on Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at Walnut Creek Super Sport and on Friday mornings at 8 a.m. at San Ramon Super Sport. Come check me out! 🙂

  14. I hope everything goes smooth for you tomorrow! And how exciting that you’ll be getting a car! It’s probably going to feel really weird after not driving for so long.

    Are you guys moving to the East Bay? You asked where I take classes- I usually go to San Ramon or Livermore. Although I would be more than willing to come visit you somewhere else! 🙂

    1. Good news, Sarah!!! I will be teaching at San Ramon Super Sport on Tuesdays for BODYPUMP at 5:15 p.m. and on Fridays for BODYATTACK at 8 a.m. I’ve also got classes at Walnut Creek Super Sport! I hope you can make the Tuesday PUMP sometimes! 🙂

  15. Ahh good luck on the move! Enjoy decorating I know that is my favorite part about moving! And I feel like on the smoothie kick. Even though I live in the bitter cold Ohio in January I can not stop, I have had a smoothie for breakfast pretty much every morning for two months!

    1. Hi Hilary! Smoothies are okay with me in any type of weather:) And moving is done and now it’s time to decorate, which you are right, is the BEST part! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂

  16. I hope your move is going well!!

    I was rather nomadic in 2014 as I moved in mid-July and then AGAIN at the end of November. The July move was to a place I didn’t like and it went smoothly and the November move was a freaking disaster but I love my place, so it all evens out in the end, right?!

    1. Hi Ange, Yes, moving is tough. Two moves in a few months? Wow! Glad you like your new place. And my move is now done. Woohoo!! Hope you’re having a great weekend! 🙂

  17. I think I will be stalking your blog for some fitness motivation, I have totally plummeted lately! Need to get back into my mummy workouts and walks!

    And you should definitely check out the stick blenders for your smoothies. I use the Sunbeam high power one, a little pricey but totally worth it as it breaks ice in 2 seconds flat.

    Hope your move went well! xx

    1. Hi Krissy! Ohhh thanks for that. I will check them out. My silly Nutribullet … always a pain! And hey, sometimes we all take a little step back from the workouts, so get back on it when you’re ready! 🙂

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