Good morning, friends!
Happy Friday!!
This week has just flown by in a blink of the eye, but I’m still ever so excited that Friday has graced our presence.
We have finally got spoiled by the weather gods and have a full week of sunshine. I can’t wait.
Sometimes, foods that once appealed to me no longer have that desired effect. I have experienced these phases several times. I go through food obsessions for a while and then come out of them. I had taken such a long break from toast at breakfast and decided to bring it back for some experimentation.
This little number was 2 slices of ezekiel bread slathered in protein frosting and topped with fresh strawberries!
Definitely good, but nothing compared to my usual oat bran breakfast. Its good to mix it up every now and again though. Maybe some pancakes tomorrow, now those were darn delicious.
Later, I got my daily coffee.
When does this turn into a problem? I think its quite possible I’ve gone too far on my addiction.
I thought that since I got such a horrible sleep I’d get a quad americano. Um, awful idea. Not good. I was basically a jittery, spazzy mess for half of the day.
*******
This week in fitness, or how I was sweating dirty this week.
Monday – 4 minute plank, followed up with this workout. Since I had done abs earlier, I replaced the toe taps with barrier jump overs and the scissor abs with jumping lunges. That workout took me about 15 minutes so after I completed Zuzana’s ZWOW #16.
Tuesday – spin class
I can’t get over how excited spin makes me, I just love the energy that comes from the class! Am I a nerd or what.
Wednesday – I wanted to complete a similar workout to the one I did on Monday, since I loved it so much. I completed this little number that I made thanks to the wonderful inspired workout above. And then did this quick workout from Amanda Russell after.
Thursday – spin class
I wasn’t planning on going to spin, I went to bed at 2 and the night before only got 5 hours sleep. As luck would happen, I woke up right at 5 so decided to just get up and get ready to go anyways. It felt great to get moving and it ended up being an awesome class, as always.
Friday – ZWOW #23 Burpee Torture. 100 Burpees = Death. Especially because they were 50 in a row. I was a complete sweaty mess after this one.
Saturday – I think I am actually going to try out a pilates class. I’ll either go to a class or find something online. I think I should probably round out my week of intense workouts with something more low key, like yoga or pilates.
I mean its doing some good for Miley Cyrus, might as well try it out for me;) Sorry to those that dislike her, I happen to be a fan.
(Source)
Sunday – planned to have a rest day
I think it’s so important to workout with how it works for you. If you don’t like intense workouts, don’t feel inclined to do them because others are doing them. If you loathe running, don’t do it because other bloggers like it.
I always tried to live up to the ideal of someone else, but it never worked because it wasn’t something I was dedicated or passionate about. And then would get frustrated when it didn’t work out.
When you are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle its important to view exercise as a positive experience for well-being. And that it is a source of stress relief and something that makes us feel good about ourselves. It is meant to let us live longer and happier lives because of the benefits it brings to us, not about the calorie burn you get afterwards.
Once we start dreading exercise, its time to take a step back and reevaluate why you are exercising in the first place.
That’s it for today. Also honest opinions here, do you like having the Fitness Friday’s every week or would you rather me include my workouts in daily posts and then do another normal post on Friday? Seriously, feel free to be honest. If you hate it, let me know and I’ll switch things around. I just want to make sure you enjoy what you read!
And on that note is there anything else you’d like to see on this blog? Say whatever, I won’t be offended;)
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The rest of my day look like it will be filled with more blood work! Eek, I always hate this. I bruise like a peach, so its really fun when I walk around looking like a heroin addict for a few days. And to also get my passport picture re-taken. Guess that must be done before HLS!!
Have a great weekend!
What was your workout today?
Do you workout for the calories burned or the benefits of exercise?
About Lisa
Love the workouts this week girl! You Rock!!! I’m loving the eat clean sweat dirty challenge too! So awesome! That protein frosting looks amazing! I always try to make it but it never comes out all that great for me! Still tastes fabulous though
Happy Friday!
It is a great challenge! A good reminder this month how clean foods and great workouts make me feel awesome!
benefits of exercise OBVIOUSLY! I am juts coming off three days of rest
So I will be ready for my leg workout this AM
Perfect! I love the way I feel after getting off a period of rest! Its so refreshing.
I kind of don’t mind bloodwork, I am strange like that. I wish I had fitness classes I could attend, I miss that group workout craze. It was nice to not be doing stuff alone.
Yah the only time I workout with others is spin class, other then that I kind of like to have the alone time!
A QUAD americano?! I would be bouncing off the walls! haha
And eeek, I hadn’t realized Miley had gotten so skinnnny!
My workout today is spin! About to take off here in about 10
Yep, it was insane;)
I know, she did get quite tiny! I know there’s a lot of speculation, so hopefully she’s being healthy about it!
Wahoo, I love spin!!!
Great comments on fitness and exercise! It is easy to read blogs and think “I should be doing this” or “I should be eating that”. Listening to your body is so, so important. Though I do love hearing about your workouts! Great ideas. I plan to try the WOD you did on Monday this weekend! Combine it with some of Amanda Russell’s workouts. I love her videos!
Enjoy your weekend
I’ve never tried pilates before but have been thinking it would be good to try.
I remember when I first started reading blogs and I thought I was doing so many things wrong. In reality, its just what works for some people, and I’m glad I finally stopped trying to pressure myself into changing something that wasn’t meant to change. Her videos are great! I love how they are short and intense.
Have a great weekend too!
YEAHHH GIRL! Get it!! What’s protein frosting and how can I make it? Teach me.
I want to know, too!
I just combined a scoop of sun warrior with about 2 tablespoons almond milk and a little (like 1/2 – 1 tablespoon) nut butter or coconut oil to make it smoother! Its delicious
It can be made without nut butter too
I like your Fit Friday recaps, keep them coming!
Sounds good
I love all of your posts.. so keep bloggin’ just how you are! I like how you change up your work outs so much. You work hard! get after it
I also agree with your words of wisdom on here. Working out, in my opinion, should never be a chore. If it is a chore, you won’t stick with it. You do have to find something that you enjoy doing AND look forward to.. Obviously for me, that is Zumba (which is definitely not for everyone). Before I started teaching it, it was too easy for me to skip work outs. I do still enjoy the ArcTrainer and Treadmill HIIT work outs, but having a work out you really enjoy and thus see results from, is truly rewarding. Just my 2 cents!
Yes totally! I used tot ry so hard to love running because so many others did, but it just was not fun for me and I would dread it. So, I just decided to find my own fitness niche and I just so happen to like HIIT and spinning! Totally agreeing with you!
Look at you with your 4-minute plank, amazing! Lol I just blogged a couple of days ago about how I go through food obsessions too. I just find something I love and I have it every day and then eventually I don’t want it so much and I move onto something else. Honestly, the only food this hasn’t happened to me with is sushi. I have yet to get sick of that
.
Haha, it happens to me all the time! I get so obsessed and then just move on to something totally different! Oh heck yes to sushi! I used to not like it and for the past 2-3 years I can’t get enough. Whenever I go out to eat, its usually for sushi
*love the last bit you said about exercising for yourself, in a way that is enjoyable for you and enriches your life*. As someone who falls victim to exercising for the wrong reasons, and feeling like I HAVE to sometimes- even if my body/mind feel like poop, I needed to hear this:).
All your workouts sound fantastic as usual! I actually really don’t mind if you share them day to day, or in a round-up.
Your breakfast looks lovely. In order to prevent the heart wrenching decision of choosing 1 breakfast, I like to enjoy breakfast type foods all through the day, for snacks and such. You’d never have to be without your beloved oatbran again!
Xxx
I definitely have had moments in the past where I struggle with working out for the wrong reasons. I even catch myself still doing it at times, but that is when I know I am probably over doing it.
Oh man I do that with my breakfasts too! I eat up to 3 breakfasts a day;) Why are they the best meals ever haha. I’m so not a dinner person
Great post Lisa! Exercise should be something enjoyable that you so because you love it and love yourself and want to stay healthy!
That’s why I love crosstraining. I used to stick to a rigid workout schedule, but I started not enjoying something I love. Now I switch it up with cardio and weights, running, yoga, etc. I look forward to it everyday now.
Me too, I used to be so rigid with my plans and “had” to do what I scheduled. That made me dread it so much though, so I just decided when I wake up I’ll determine what I want to do.
Miley is looking good! I saw her on the Conversation awhile ago and she’s grown up so much.
LOVE the Fit Fridays! When I can safely work out again (more than yoga and long walks) I can’t wait to try some of what you post! Its great to see how the entire week of fitness works together–including rest days!
It seems like most people like it this way then. Hopefully you get better so you can workout again! Its always good to make sure your totally healed before getting back into it
I wish I could afford starbucks everyday! Haha. I’m happy with my homemade coffee, it’s still an addiction ;D You go on the workouts! I agree with when you start dreading a workout, it’s time to change it up. I NEVER know how many calories I burn. So I definitely just do it for the benefits!
Woooooo HLS! So excited.
Haha. I only go to starbucks everyday because I don’t have a coffee maker. Maybe I would be able to afford one if I saved up my coffee money? Probably! I know what I’m going to ask for for my birthday! I’m just SUPER excited for HLS
I always find it interesting to see what my food phases are – right now I can’t stand bananas after having one (or two) every day for the past year! Glad to see you got your morning cup of joe
Hope the blood work went well!
I used to be the same way with bananas! Now I’m a little sick of them, but realized I can tolerate them in small amounts hah.
A QUAD Americano?! Holy shitballs
Actually, I kinda like the sound of that, LOL!
Totally agree with doing what works for you. The most important thing is that you do something! I’m with you on the Pilates/yoga thing. I’ve done Pilates in the past and loved it, yoga not so much, but I want to give it a try. Unfortunately, my want to go home as soon as I’ve finished work and not wait around until the classes start 45 minutes later is getting in the way of me going to them. Oops.
I love the Friday posts you do with the fitness round up. I think I’m going to start doing Sweat it Out Saturdays again (now that I’m actually sweating it out again!). I love your posts as they are! Love seeing fashion as well because I don’t read fashion magazines and don’t really have much idea at all about fashion. I’m uber boring and tend to stick to black.
I haven’t done any exercise yet (I only woke up an hour ago) but am going to go for a run/walk later on if the rain holds off.
Have a great day lovely!
Yah, the quad americano wasn’t the best of plans I don’t think.
Haha that’s why I love doing at home workouts because then I never have to sit in traffic to get to classes;)
I workout for health benefits. If I burn a lot of calories I end up eating a lot of calories anyway so It really doesn’t matter. My workout today was only 20 minutes on the treadmill and I think a short workout is better than no workout at all. Your toast looks so yummy!! have a good weekend
I agree that any amount of workout time is better than nothing at all! Sometimes the only exercise I get in is just working out in between commercials, but all that time adds up to about 20 minutes a day, better than zero! Hope your having a beautiful Sunday lovely!xo
I like how you put the fitness stuff together on Fridays. It makes it easier to find if we want to look up a workout.
Oh man, I work out for the BENEFITS of exercise, physical and mental. I spent several months not working out at all around the time I was in treatment. I would have never been able to break my exercise addiction without stopping cold turkey for an extended period of time. Best decision I ever made in my life. Much later when I slowly eased back into exercise it was a completely different experience and I realized now that my body and mind were healthier I could get the actual benefits of exercise, before I was just hurting myself. Such a revelation.
Oh my gosh I just read this comment and HAD to tell you THANK YOU!!! It was just what I needed this morning! I’ve been a swimmer my whole life, and I currently compete for an SEC school. But I’ve also struggled with exercise addiction, anorexia, and bulimia. After a recent relapse, I finally made the decision–with a LOT of guidance from health professionals and people close to me– to stop swimming (at least for now) and also cease all exercise except for walks with my dog and gentle flow yoga. I know its necessary, but I’m going stir crazy! And I’m so worried that I will never be able to work out again without it triggering me. Its SO comforting and encouraging to see that this is not true! Thank you SO much!!
xoxo Sloane
I’m so glad it helped you feel more confident in your decision. I know a lot of people who had to stop exercising and say they can never do it again, but it does not have to be that way if you truly work through your issues. It can be even better than before and really empower you through the rest of recovery. You can do it!
~Sara
PS-Sorry Lisa for hijacking your comments
You are totally not taking over my comments silly!
I think it would have made me recover faster if I gave up on working out cold turkey. I think it would have been a great relief and something that would’ve helped in my recovery. I think I only recently started working out purely for benefits because I had it programed in my mind for so long that I “had” to work out. Which is why I now can take a few rest days in a row without freaking out. Thank god for that. Life is meant for living, not obsessing with little things like working out for the day
Great workouts girl! I have been doing a lot of pilates lately! I love it!
I’m excited to get back into it! I used to do it 5 days a week, and then just couldn’t afford the studio so totally stopped, but I always loved it!
You are rocking it girl! Great workouts for you this week!
I love that keep calm print, I love love love!
Happy weekend girl! xoxo <3
Thanks Katie!!
Haha, I totally am obsessed with the keep calm generator thing now and thought this one would work in with the post;)
Happy Sunday beauty xo
You kicked butt in your workouts this week! I love it. And I’m so happy that you’re enjoying spin class. I’m planning to take another one tomorrow and I can’t wait! You’re right- the energy is amazing!
I hope you do end up taking a pilates class. I just started taking them recently (and getting back into yoga) which has been amazing!
Spin is just the best energizing workout out there, for me personally! I can’t get enough hah. I did end up taking the pilates class and forgot how much I adored it! I used to do it so often and can’t wait to get back into it! Its so rejuvenating! I’m glad you are loving pilates and yoga as well!
Protein frosting looks so good. I’m a spin class nerd too. I think a weekly overview of your workouts works well.
Yay for spin nerds! I took a picture in spin today and people looked at me like I was crazy for whipping out my camera at 6AM. Oops?
No wonder you were shakin in your boots half of the day, a coffee like that would certainly do that to me!
Awesome job on the workouts this week Lisa, and I definitely appreciate your views on exercise.. especially right now! You have to do what works for you right now, and what you want to do of course, and no comparisons allowed! This is something I must take to heart, as exercising has continued to feel sucktastic these last few months.
Aw boo on the sucky workouts! I really hope you can figure out what’s causing all the fatigue, it can be super frustrating! I can relate to that, often times I find myself getting very fatigued. It depends on the days. I hope your weekend was fab!<3
Hey girl! Love fitness friday because we both love HIIT and I like to see which HIIT workouts you’re doing! As we know, I’ve drastically cut down on them and I’m LOVING that so far! My body is definitely thanking me.
I have been gravitating towards short and effective workouts these past few months. I like getting a real challenge in a short amount of time and then moving on with the busy day! Just makes me feel the best. I don’t really care about calories or anything – just the mental challenge. That’s the best part, in my opinion!
I’m so happy you are doing what your body wants and needs, especially to get back that menstrual cycle! I think that is what I will have to be doing soon. I have an appointment with my doctor this week and am definitely getting into more detail with her about that! I’m kind of nervous about it, but know my body probably needs that break to get the hormones in check.
I love that you exercise for the mental challenge, I completely agree! That’s how I feel too, especially when it looks so daunting and you end up finishing and just feel so accomplished! I hope all is going well with your Heather!xo
So glad I found your blog! I used to workout just for the calorie burn and I ended up HATING it. Pointless and uneffective. I am now LOVING short intense workouts. They mean more to me when I am absolutely dripping after 15 minutes.
I’m glad you found me too! Now I can look at your blog:)
I agree with the short and intense workouts, I love how they make me feel after and that they still kick my butt into awesome shape! The results are much better than when I was cardio crazed
Lisa! Thanks for visiting my blog–I can tell I will be a huge fan of yours as well! Loving the circuit you created! And, gorgeous profile pic!
Thanks so much Jess! Especially coming from you, I just love all your workouts recently!
I’m so glad you tried Burpee torture!! Good for you girl!! I did it 2 weeks ago and am trying to muster up the strength to do it again-lol! I mean I felt like I was hit by a truck after I was done–but it still felt great. Lately I’ve been sticking to the other ZWOWs where there are still lots of burpees–but at least split up–in manageable sets–like 10 or 20 rather than horrible 50! I think it’s more of a mental thing– I mean if you can do it once you can do it again–right?
Haha, it is definitely tough. I think just because its 50 reps at one. Definitely more of a mental barrier!
I love that quote: If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you.
That is going to be my new mantra for my workouts!!
Glad I inspired your new workout mantra
Its good to go into workouts with an intention!
no i love the fitness friday. gives me some ideas for the weekend or for my clients, hehe. zuzana wow is awesome too! I love working out because it makes me FEEL strong and balanced. whatever the workout may be. xxoo
Haha, yay!
Yes with feeling strong and balanced after a workout! So important
I work out for the benefits of exercise. I love feeling strong and the endorphin rush afterwards. Its easy to fall into the trap of what others are doing, but once you find that healthy balance for YOU, thats all that matters. For me, my body does nottt love running. It definitely prefers weight training, with circuits and jump roping for cardio, and walking with some sprints thrown in. Less is more !! Have a great weekend
Happy you found the right balance for you! Clearly you figured it out because you look amazing! I totally got into that comparison trap and used to even feel jealous by others workouts, so had to reevaluate my exercise routine. I definitely love all the workouts you do, those are my fave!
yes yes get that passport all set for HLS! so that we can hang out!
i wish that i worked out just for exercise’s benefits (and i do) but i can’t lie, i do wonder how many cals i burned. however, certain workouts make me happier or are more preferred by me, even if they don’t burn as many cals as other kinds, and i no longer force myself to do the top calorie burners if i don’t want to. i’m at least at that point, and am working on continuing to fight exercise guilt.
i love spin too, it really makes me feel so amazing and kick-ass!! i like your friday fitness posts. it’s nice to read about the whole week in one go because if you recapped each day as it comes, i may miss a day!
SO excited to meet you at HLS! Ah, its so close now!
Sometimes I still try and figure out how many calories I burned in a workout, but realized it never really matters in the long run and just try and focus on the benefits for my body. I’m really glad you are working on overcoming your exercise guilt!
I love when you do these Fitness Fridays Lisa, it’s great for me to see several other workouts and ideas out there.. especially the ones that don’t make so much impact on your legs, that is where I am taking the focus from! And I am continuously trying to workout for the benefits rather than burning calories, but I certainly have been stuck in the burning calorie mode for years and years!
I was totally in that calorie burn mode for far too long, so of course I still catch myself from time to time thinking about it. I just try to readjust those thoughts and maybe take a step back if needed! Gosh, our ED’s really mess with us eh?
I couldn’t agree with you more about your thoughts on exercise. I thrive on the benefits of exercise so I definitely focus more on that than calories burned. Nothing can describe how refreshed and positive i feel after a good workout!
P.S. your coffee addiction has not gone too far; you are just drinking for me as well as yourself since I can’t have it much anymore. See what a good friend you are!?
Yes! The positivity and mental strength I feel after completing a hard workout is so awesome! Even not a hard workout, just a gentle stretch refreshed my mind a ton.
Haha, very true. I’ll just think of it as I’m drinking for you AND for me;)
I have a few of those windsor pilates dvds and I love them…a good quick workout on days I don’t want to head to the gym (which is only our garage…haha).
Haha. I feel ya! I workout at home most days, and sometimes don’t want to take out all the equipment (hello lazy) and just turn on a DVD instead. They are definitely convenient!
Mmm…your toast + protein frosting + strawberry breakfast looks so good! Maybe it’s the bright colors, but it’s definitely appealing to me right now (and it’s almost 2am!).
I am the same way when it comes to food ruts though–I’ll get really excited about something I love, OD on it, and then burn out and go without it for months. I guess there’s nothing really wrong with this, as long as we’re eating what we’re craving, right? 
Did you end up taking a pilates class Saturday? I need that back in my life! My muscles always feel so sore and tight from lifting. Oh, and btw, I’m a Miley fan too.
Love ya, girl!! xoxo
Haha I think food always looks yummy at that time
Totally agree with the food “rut” I hate even calling it that. It makes it seem bad, but its just what I happen to like at the time!
I did take the pilates class!! Loved it, I missed it so much.
I used to do them all the time and then completely backed off once it was too expensive for my bank account, made my body feel nice and stretched out after!
Love you!<3
100 burpees! I tried to make it a goal to do 100 burpees at least once a week but that only happened for 3 weeks before I kinda forgot about it. I must start it again.. it’s only >6 minutes of torture per week. So worth it!