Weekly Workouts

July Fourth {Weekend} & Weekly Workouts

July 7, 2014 by Hillary 8 Comments

Aaannd I’m back from a long, restful weekend on the coast.

It is always good to hang with the family, eat homemade bread, peruse The Plaza, shop at the local co-op, catch up with friends on foggy morning runs, and say hello to the ocean via long bike rides.

July Fourth {Weekend} // Twenty Fourteen

<< jaw-dropping young acrobat at the fair >>

<< fair falafel – mmm! >>

<< hippie henna in Humboldt #summerbucketlist >>

<< heart of my home town >>

<< fireworks over the bay >>

<< couldn’t get enough of this little guy >>

<< one year olds are the cutest >>

<< “Grandma, I’ll water your lawn.” >>

<< rolling homemade sushi >>

<< pretty pit stop along the Trinity River >>

Workouts | Week of June 30

Monday – Fired Up Squat Workout + Do-Anywhere Bikini Circuit

Tuesday – 30 min. indoor cycle + 4 rounds of this kettlebell workout

Wednesday – 5 mile run

Thursday – Rest

Friday – Rest (13, 500+ steps)

Saturday – 28 mile bike ride

Sunday – 3.75 mile run

How was your holiday weekend?

The Fitness Comparison Trap {Weekly Workouts x 2}

July 1, 2014 by Hillary 9 Comments

Once again, I have a double dose of Weekly Workouts for you today.

You’ll immediately notice all the Resting. As a fitness fanatic/former gym rat/lover of exercise, it’s taken me a long time to accept Rest Days. Not gonna lie, I still have a hard time with it on occasion, but there is so much power in a rest day… or four for that matter ;)

It took my body a long while (6+ weeks) to recover from Bronchitis, so naps after work in lieu of a kettlebell workout happened… and sleeping for 11 hours solid this weekend happened.

I read fitness blogs daily for inspiration; but, if you’re an avid blogger/reader yourself, you know that quest for inspiration can easily be twisted into comparing yourself to other’s week of workouts. “She ran 32 miles; she did 4 CrossFit workouts, and she sweated out 3 hot yoga classes.” As I am reading others’ fitness accomplishments, I can’t help but notice the skin under my running shorts turn green with envy.

If you find yourself in the same comparison trap, be mindful of it. STOP. Acknowledge and appreciate what you did for your body, for yourself, today and this week. I may have rested just as much as I moved the past couple of weeks, but it is what my body requested. It does not make me any less of a fit chick or athlete than the next blogger/runner/CrossFitter/yogi.

source

Workouts | Week of June 16

Monday – 25 Minute Birthday AMRAP + 30 min. walk

Tuesday – 50 min. slow run

Wednesday – Rest/45 min. walk

~~Thursday~~ My Birthday – Rest

Friday – Rest

Saturday – Rest

Sunday – Dumbbell Superset Workout (@ 15lb.) + 25 min. walk

Workouts | Week of June 23

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 40 min. walk

Wednesday – 400 Reps ~~for Time~~ (@ 15lb.)

Thursday – 5 mile run

Friday – Birthday ~~AMRAP~~ Workout (3 rounds @ 15lb.)

Saturday – 2.5 mile run + 5-Minute One-Dumbbell Workout (@ 15lb.)

Sunday – Dorm Room Dumbbell Workout (@ 15lb.) + 25 min. walk

I finally bought myself a heavier pair of dumbbells, so I’ve let my trusty ten pounders take a breather as I challenge myself with fifteens.

Do you find yourself in the fitness comparison trap?

How do you get out of it?

My First Race Since 2012 {Weekly Workouts}

June 15, 2014 by Hillary 9 Comments

Hi y’all! Hope you are enjoying the last tasty bite of your weekend and perhaps spending some quality time with your pops. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!

Just checking in for my weekly workouts recap. This one is sort of special because my exercise this week included an organized running race. I can hardly recall the last time I ran a race… no, I believe it was in February 2012 when I ran my 6th half-marathon and PR’d (thank you blog archives). It was when I was training for the Jack Frost 10K in December 2012 that I injured my knee and I have been sidelined from any starting lines since.

beach

Despite that I am still not 100% recovered my bronchitis episode, on Friday the 13th, my girlfriend and I ran the Moonshine Trail Run at Whiskeytown Lake.

The race started at 7:30pm; those running the 7 and 15 mile trail races (!) finished under the full moon. The finish line also happened to be in the lake!

I didn’t have any expectations for the race; I simply wanted to finish without rolling an ankle or having to use my inhaler — success. For not training any hills in who knows how long, Kendra and I both conquered the 1.75 mile steep hill at a slow but steady pace and picked it up on the way down Brandy Creek Trail.

I am grateful this week for what my body endures and thankful for its ability to heal and bring me back to my favorite pastime.

Workouts | Week of June 9

Monday – Kettlebell & Dumbbell Workout (12 reps instead of 10) + 4 x 12 no push-up burpees + 3 mile night run

Tuesday – 35 min. walk / Rest Day

Wednesday – 2.5 mile run + 50 step-ups + ~~1,000~~ 500 Reps Home Workout + 15 min. Bikini Yoga (bodyweight day)

Thursday – ~~Rest Day~~ Indulgence Day

Friday – Moonshine Trail Race (somewhere between 3.25 – 3.5 miles)

Saturday – Dorm Room Dumbbell Workout + three point plank (try these!) + lots of stretching/rolling

Sunday – 3 mile run + 20 min. walk

race

kendra

moonshine

instagram

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Are you running any races this summer?

Weekend Scenes & Weekly Workouts x 2

June 9, 2014 by Hillary 16 Comments

Mornin’ & happy Monday!

It was fun to break out the real camera and take snapshots of my solo, sunny weekend. Not included below are a necessary haircut and balancing yoga class (hello, tight hips!).

toast

current breakfast obsession >> organic chia honey bread (from Costco) toasted with organic crunchy PB, banana, cinnamon & local honey

strawberries

apricots

flowers

squash

farmer’s market loot – score! – including a “burpless cucumber”

kombucha

smoothie

more green featuring Vega Sport Performance Protein (and eco-friendly drinkware)

tabbouleh

Mama’s “Ruth Lake Tabbouleh”

recipe

When was the last time you used a hand-written recipe?

sun

#hothothot

Coola

poolside with my one of my summer beauty must haves

smoothie

cold creamy smoothies on the regular (recipe coming soon!)

run

<< Weekly Workouts >>

I didn’t post my usual Weekly Workouts recap last week, so today we’ve got double the action. I’ve been dealing with a bought of bronchitis since Mother’s Day weekend, so my exercise regimen has obviously taken a back seat as I catch my breath, literally. Now that the antibiotics have seemed to knock out the bad bugs inside, I am feeling 90%.

Workouts | Week of May 26

Monday – 2 mile run + 5-Minute Workout That Will Kick Your Butt (2x) + 50 jump lunges / sit-ups / push-ups / bicycles

Tuesday – Rest (diagnosed with bronchitis)

Wednesday – 35 min. easy cycle + light stretching

Thursday – Dorm Room Dumbbell Workout + Beach Yoga via Tone It Up

Friday – Rest

Saturday – Rest

Sunday – 70 min. easy walk

Workouts | Week of June 2

Monday – 20 min. easy walk

Tuesday – Dumbbell Chipper Workout + 5-minute Tone Your Butt & Thighs (2x) + 50 KB swings

Wednesday – Fired Up Squat Workout + Quick Kettlebell Workout (3x) + finisher + 40 min. walk

finisher:

10 man makers
10 elevators
10 burpees
bicycles / crunches / leg lifts

Thursday – Rest

Friday – Squat/Push-up Pyramid Workout + Dumbbell Superset Workout+ 100 KB swings

I really want 15lb. dumbbells for the superset workout!

Saturday – 3.1 mile run + The 5-Minute Workout That Will Kick Your Butt (2x) + The 5-Minute One-Dumbbell Workout (2x) + Squat/Push-up Pyramid Workout

Sunday – 60 min. yoga class + 40 min. walk

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What was the highlight of your weekend?

Last Week’s {Stubborn} Workouts

May 25, 2014 by Hillary 3 Comments

Howdy, friends!

I hope you are enjoying your long holiday weekend. I’m trying to make the most of mine, but unfortunately this cough I’ve had for 2 1/2 weeks has not subsided; I have an appointment with the doc early Tuesday morning — suspecting it is bronchitis. With that said, hopefully it’s understandable why my Weekly Workout posts have been on the slimmer side the past couple of weeks.

I’ve done my best to keep up with my healthy lifestyle, but sometimes a 30 minute walk or sleeping in until 9:00am all weekend is the healthier choice.

Workouts | Week of May 19

Monday –

20 min. run before the storm (literally rain, thunder and lightning… and it will be 100F by week’s end)
Bikini Shape-Up Circuit via FitSugar (subbed the dumbbell swings with heavier kettlebell swings)
my own chipper:

50 step-ups
40 KB swings @ 25#
30 mountain climbers
20 push-ups
10 running flights of stairs

Tuesday – 20 min. AMRAP (moves from CrossFit Circuit Workout) + 20 min. Total Body Tabata Workout

AMRAP

20 swings – 25# kettlebell
10 elevators (alternating) – 10# dumbbells
10 Turkish get-ups (alternating) – 10# dumbbell
10 power deck squats – 10# dumbbell
5 inchworm/mountain climbers
5 handstand push-up

>> 3 rounds + 20 swings

Wednesday – 35-40 min. run (88F)

Thursday – 30 min. walk, boo0

Friday – 400 Reps 4 Time Workout (slight variation)

Saturday – NADA, booo

Sunday – 20 min. walk (95F) + Dumbbell Superset Workout + 100 KB swings @ 25# + 5 min. plank

Eats | Week of May 26

the best pasta salad you will ever have in your entire life via The Fitnessista – I’ve been craving cold pasta salad on these hot days; it turned out great!

garlic & white bean hummus via Tone It Up

easy tofu vegetable stir-fry

strawberry avocado salads

paleo zucchini muffins – I’ve made ~~this bread~~ these muffins a gazillion times; they’re a staple in my freezer.

~~cold cereal~~

* * *

What’s on deck for eats this week?

What fun are you having this holiday weekend?

On My {Fitness} Mind

May 19, 2014 by Hillary 6 Comments

Hey guys! Long time “no see.”

Blogging and exercise shared something in common last week… there wasn’t a whole lot of it over here. I’m on Day 9-ish of hacking up a lung. In other words, I’ve had the most unflattering, flem-filled cough for over a week.

I am still using all my might and every core muscle to cough up the last of this spring gunk, but I’m motivated for a new week to move and write and do… and ~~study~~.

Today’s workout was just what I needed:

20-minute run before the storm (literally rain, thunder and lightning… and it will be 100F by week’s end)
Bikini Shape-Up Circuit via FitSugar (subbed dumbbell swings for heavier kettlebell swings)
my own chipper:

50 step-ups
40 KB swings @ 25lb.
30 mountain climbers
20 push-ups
10 running flights of stairs

Back-Lunge-Overhead-Press source

Workouts | Week of May 12

Monday – Rest Day

Tuesday – Dumbbell Superset Workout + Jump Squat/Push-Up Pyramid Workout + 150 KB swings @ 25lb.

Wednesday – TIU Beach Yoga + Love Your Body with Yoga (low energy and sore)

Thursday – Rest Day (sick)

Friday – Dumbbell Chipper Workout + 5-Minute Workout That Will Kick Your Butt (2x)

Saturday – 20 minute run

Sunday – 45 minute walk

On My Fitness Mind

I need heavier dumbbells.
I really really miss the treadmill.
I wish Lulu would come out with a cute duffel bag soon.
I should stop procrastinating buying new running shoes.
When will I be ready to sign up for a running race?
I should learn how to pump air into my bike tires.
I want abs like Aubrey’s.
Walks are so good for the soul.

What’s on your fitness mind?

Fingers are crossed for more push-ups and posting this week! See ya soon…

My New Favorite Dumbbell Exercise {Weekly Workouts}

May 12, 2014 by Hillary 5 Comments

Heads up for any of you online shoppers: Ebates has a ton of 15% cash back deals this week in celebration of their 15th anniversary. It’s excellent if you need some retail therapy!

* * *

I hope you all had a splendid May weekend. I got to enjoy mine in the lovely Sonoma County with P and family.

Last week’s workout were on the lighter side – nothing too intense – but a nice balance between cycling, running, and dumbbells. Speaking of dumbbells, I have a new favorite move thanks to Women’s Health Magazine — dumbbell squat thrusts. They don’t look like much, but try ten, and tell me your heart isn’t pounding. The key is to use heavier dumbbells, i.e. 10-20 pounds.

Workouts | Week of May 5

Monday – 35 min. cycle + Total Body Dumbbell Superset Workout (2 sets each) + 5 x 10 dumbbell squat thrusts + Gunnar’s Hotel Workout (5 rounds)

Tuesday – 25 min. cycle + 5 weighted tabatas (2 kettlebell / 3 dumbbell)

Wednesday – 45+ minute walk (Rest Day)

Thursday – Dumbbell Chipper Workout (3 rounds) + random jumping jacks + abs (bicycles, sit-ups, etc.)

Friday – Rest Day

Date Night Moscow Mule

Saturday – 35 min. run

gma

Grandma and #ALLthepups at my cousin’s baby shower

Sunday – 35 min. run

FitSnap is fun!

Steppin’ It Up {Weekly Workouts}

May 4, 2014 by Hillary 12 Comments

It’s been a longgg Sunday. That is what happens when you naturally wake up before 7:00am and do work… by work, I mean plow through to-do lists. I shouldn’t be complaining though; what crazy person actually wants Monday to come sooner?

I am about to crash on the couch with a container of coffee chocolate chip Talenti here momentarily; but, first, a little more IIN needs to get d-o-n-e.

I titled this week’s workout recap “Steppin’ It Up” for two reasons: 1) I did step-ups three separate times, and 2) I kind of felt like I “stepped it up” this week because I didn’t take any sit-on-my-butt-all-day rest days.

None of my workouts this week were more than an hour; I anticipated a long run today, but my body was not up for it. Although my workouts were short ‘n’ sweet, I was awfully sore most of the week… especially my abs! The Power Plyo workout is killer, and side dips with a 25lb. kettlebell are evil the next morning.

Workouts | Week of April 28

Monday – 2.25 mile run + 10 sandbag squats / 10 sandbag lunges / 10 jump squats / 10 jump lunges (3x) + 5-Minute Workout That Will Kick Your Butt (2x)

dumb idea to try to use my 35lb. sandbag after Sunday’s 35-mile ride

Tuesday – 55 min. walk + 75 step-ups (active rest day)

Wednesday – Power Plyo Tabata Workout (with a couple modifications)

Thursday – 20 minute run (91F!) + 50 step-ups

two appointments after work = crunched for time!

Friday – Total Body Dumbbell Superset Workout (with 5-minute plank variation)

Saturday – Kettlebell & Dumbbell Workout (12 reps instead of 10) + 40 no push-up burpees

Sunday – 30 min. run + 75 step-ups

step-ups = a homemade “ploy box” using the cement block wall in my neighborhood (see photo below)

I hope you had a wonderful (active?) weekend!

* * *

Questions for me… about anything? Ask away!

Flatflower Bike Ride {Weekly Workouts}

April 27, 2014 by Hillary 6 Comments

Greetings from my couch!

I hope you all have had a lovely final April weekend. May on Thursday and 93F weather!? Don’t want to believe it.

This week felt long, and therefore I took two rest days without hesitation: one for good reason on Wednesday, and a second on Friday out of pure laziness.

This week’s workout highlight was certainly today’s 35-mile bike ride with my pops. We rode (not raced) the local Flatflower 30 mile ride. The weather was in the least bit inviting when we woke up early, so we opted to go out to breakfast first rather than afterwards.

We finally decided to brave the wind, light rain, and chilly weather around 9:30am. As the name indicates, the route is flat, circling around the almond/walnut orchards and rice fields. Despite pedaling at a fairly leisurely pace, my legs are toast. The wind was no joke today!

Workouts | Week of April 21

Monday – Dumbbell Chipper Workout + 10-Minute Workout via FitSugar

I think this is going to be a new go-to for quick workouts!

Tuesday – 30 min. cycle + 5-Minute Fat Blaster + 5-Minute Workout That Will Kick Your Butt (2x)

Wednesday – Rest Day

crush

<< date night pre-concert eats & spirits >>

<< Tyler Farr concert in town >>

Thursday – ~17 min. run + Dumbbell Chipper Workout (1 round only) + 10-Minute CrossFit Workout

Friday – Rest Day

Saturday – 3.75 mi. run + 50 25# KB swings / 50 25# KB squats / 50 burpees / 50 sit-ups

Sunday – 35 mile bike ride

toast

<< pre-ride fuel: banana challah French toast #allthecarbs >>

wildflower

Have you ever participated in a road race/ride before?

What was your favorite workout from the week?

Weekly Workouts & Berkeley

April 20, 2014 by Hillary 7 Comments

Annddd another week comes to a close. I hope y’all enjoyed your weekend and the holiday today, if you celebrated. (By the way, is it weird I was surprised how many stores were closed today?)

Anyway, I’m settling in from a weekend away visiting P. Lots to do (ahem, school!)… but here’s the low down on my exercise from the week.

I can’t remember the last time I cycled; and, well, I am doing a 30 mile ridewith my pops next Sunday. Yeah… good training, Hill.

Workouts | Week of April 14

Monday – Booty Burner Tabata Dumbbell Workout + 50 burpees + 50 KB swings + 50 KB side dips + 50 dumbbell sit-ups

Tuesday – 4 mile run

Wednesday – Rest Day

Thursday – 400 Heavy Rep Workout + 80 (no push-up) burpees

Friday – Dorm Room Dumbbell Workout + 5-Minute Fat Blaster No Equipment Workout

quick, early AM workout

Saturday – Rest Day

Sunday – Easter “WOD” at P’s house

10 rounds:

~200m run (to the end of the block and back)
10 kettlebell swings @ 30lb.
10 kettlebell sumo squats @ 30lb.
10 burpees

This was tough to do decaffeinated and without music; but, I’m glad I was able to fit some sort of exercise into the weekend since Friday’s short workout was relatively easy/light.

Weekend Scenes >>

Saturday, P and I went to Berkeley for the day: lunch at Cafe Rouge, growler fills and hellos to my co-workers at the Torpedo Room, and shopping on College Ave with kombuchas in hand.

P at Cafe Rouge

snbc

Taps at the Torpedo Room

berkeley

Spring flowers on College Avenue

allie

P’s dog, Allie, keeping me company during today’s front yard workout

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July Fourth {Weekend} // Twenty Fourteen

Workouts | Week of June 30

Workouts | Week of June 16

Workouts | Week of June 23

Do you find yourself in the fitness comparison trap?

How do you get out of it?

Workouts | Week of June 9

Are you running any races this summer?

<< Weekly Workouts >>

Workouts | Week of May 26

Workouts | Week of June 2

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Workouts | Week of May 19

Eats | Week of May 26

What’s on deck for eats this week?

What fun are you having this holiday weekend?

Workouts | Week of May 12

On My Fitness Mind

What’s on your fitness mind?

Heads up for any of you online shoppers: Ebates has a ton of *15% cash back deals* this week in celebration of their 15th anniversary. It’s excellent if you need some retail therapy!

Workouts | Week of May 5

Workouts | Week of April 28

Questions for me… about anything? Ask away!

Workouts | Week of April 21

Have you ever participated in a road race/ride before?

What was your favorite workout from the week?

Workouts | Week of April 14

Weekend Scenes >>

How was your (holiday) weekend?

Have you been to Berkeley, CA? Favorite spots/restaurants?

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Heads up for any of you online shoppers: Ebates has a ton of 15% cash back deals this week in celebration of their 15th anniversary. It’s excellent if you need some retail therapy!