Spicing It Up + Over Bodypump
Posted: October 19, 2011 at 9:08 amSo. Um. Wow!
I’m pretty speechless after the response to yesterday’s post. It’s a tough spot to be in because part of me hates to give less to something I care so deeply about. However, I also know that I care more about other things – like my family and my own health. If that means letting go of control in order to have my goals and passions in line with my values, then I know I must. Thanks for everything. You don’t know just how much you all mean to me.
Now…let’s move on. Things may have to change a bit, but I’m for sure not leaving!
I’ve been in the mood to spice things up lately.
Spicing Up The Eats
Remember that fair thing we did this weekend? Yea. I’m sure you do. I only showed 93714854189 million pictures of it. Remember this one?
One of the vendors at the fair had a variety of local, homemade jellies and sauces for sale. For $6 a jar and a portion of each sale supporting a local school fundraiser, I knew I needed to grab some for home. I taste tested about every single one before finally settling on these two:
A spiced apple chutney and a hot pepper jelly. MMMM! I almost went with a FROG (fig, raspberry, orange, and ginger) jam as well that a certain someone always raves about, but the spice called to me on Saturday. Perhaps because I had just satisfied my sweet tooth with a mondo funnel cake and needed to balance it out? 
Good thing I went with the spice though. I have been absolutely loving it. I have even spiced up my standard oatmeal breakfast a few times this week. Things are getting crazy up in here!
I’ve been having an omelet with some pesto, feta cheese, and a large handful of spinach in its innards.
Then, spicing it up with the pepper jelly.
Two slices of nine grain and seed bread from the bakery – one with a smear of peanut butter and another with a thick layer of pepper jelly. My mouth was on fire and I was loving every minute of it. I foresee a new favorite in this combo! Maybe for lunch today? You know I can’t go without oats for too long. 
Spice Up The Workout (aka I’m Over Bodypump Type Classes)
Yesterday, in the midst of my overwhelmed feelings, I knew I needed to head out for a mind clearing workout session. I didn’t want to have to think much about my workouts, so I headed to the gym for some classes. I did a combo I used to frequent quite often – Group Power class (aka my gym’s Bodypump) and Group Ride class (aka cycle). I had a lot of steam to blow off obviously.
I started off in Group Power class and within 10 minutes of the workout, I found myself looking at the clock to see how much longer I had left. Blech.
I was not smiling like in that ^ old school preggo photo. ^
Here’s the thing – I like Group Power, Bodypump, and other group weights classes for many reasons.
- not having to plan a workout
- mixing things up with the endurance style training
- using a different tempo for exercises for a new challenge
But besides those things I am soooo over it! It’s just so BORING to me! Yea. I said it.
- It’s the same moves every single class.
- I like using different equipment.
- It always feels like I don’t get a great workout because I can never get the “just right” weight. For example, my back and neck make me use lighter weight in the legs track because they don’t like a bar on them for 3+ minutes. That leaves me not lifting heavy enough for my legs to really feel it. And with a sore neck. Grrrrr.
Long story short – I want to find something new for my strength training! I’m getting very bored with the same ole stuff and I want to spice it up!
I’ve tossed around the idea of Jillian Michaels’ Making The Cut or doing one of the New Rules of Lifting workout routines. If I could hire a trainer or afford a Cross Fit gym, I would so be there. Basically, I need a change. A change that doesn’t require me thinking or planning. A change that forces me out of my comfort zone and keeps things new and exciting. I need to spice it up, folks!
- Do you like spicy foods?
- What’s something new I should try to spice up my strength training?
Tags: breakfast, fitness, fitness plans, strength training
Love spicy foods. I’ve never tried the bodypump style of classes. They just don’t even look appealing to me. But I know so many people love them. Maybe kettlebells?
Spicy jelly for breakfast? Crazy (but looks fun and delicious, as does yoru omlette). Glad you’re not going away! I am a big fan of spicy foods, but my “spice-tooth” has only been developing in the past couple of years. I just tried a mini cross-fit workout this morning and loved it (it’s from Self mag). I subscribe to Self and Shape because I like having different workouts come to me monthly.
I get bored so easily, so I rarely do group classes unless its yoga, zumba or a bootcamp style. I try to keep my eye out for Groupon deals for local gyms and interesting classes. I bought one for a workout studio and did ballet, pilates and a butt kicking bootcamp and it was a nice change for 2 weeks.
I am also doing a program start to finish, LiveFit on Body Building.com, so far I really like it!
What is the program like?
Here is the link to the program website, I am on Week 3 and really like it so far.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-phase-1.html
I used to love spicy food when I was little (think under 12), but then I slowly grew out of it. I hate spicy food now. It’s just not fun when it feels like my mouth is on fire.
Never even heard of Spicy Jelly!! Sounds intriguing..
When I get in a rut I always start a new routine – Have you tried kickboxing?
I LOVE spicy foods. Their tomato chutney is really good too. 🙂
To spice up and motive workouts I like to find a weightlifting friend or do a couple of sessions with a trainer. It helps to get over plateaus and you learn new moves!
If you’re up for it you can always do CrossFit workouts at home. The CrossFit site posts the workout of the day each day and they have demos of the specific moves. I know the box the I tried out also posts a bodyweight only workout on their site as well in case you don’t have all of the equipment called for. I LOVED CrossFit but just don’t have the kind of money for a membership.
Thanks for letting me know they post the workout of the day. I may have to look into trying that one workout. 🙂
Get outta my head!! I was a huge BP fan and now, not so much. I’ll do it every now and then, but honestly, I am not seeing my body change the way I’d like it to, so I seeked the advice of a trainer friend who pointed me in the direction of Jamie Eason’s LiveFit training schedule. You can find the info here:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer-phase-1-day-1.html
Also, I’m a huge fan of bootcamp and circuit classes, body weight exercises, and the like. I’ve learned I can get so much more out of a 30 minute strength training workout I do on my own then with an hour of BP.
I like the New Rules program, but it may be too easy and simple for you. I’m toward the end of Stage 1 and feel and look much stronger.
I’m so glad u discussed both the pros and cons of group workouts- 100% agree with both sides! I don’t mind body pump but I always feel like I get a better workout solo- I guess no one can push u to your limits as far as you can!
If you felt like your body wanted to sleep for 24 hours and was fighting off illness, why would you go to 2 gym classes?
Well, I wasn’t fighting off illness in reality. The wanting to sleep and not feeling well was all based on what I wrote in my last post about feeling overwhelmed and stressed out. I went to the two classes as a sort of release and mental escape. It actually helped me a lot.
But yes – if I was really dealing with illness I would not have been at the gym. 🙂
I’ve started to like spicy foods more so now that I’ve started a food blog and also since getting married, because Ben loves spicy things. But sometimes I do get “spiced out” and have to abandon a meal or add alot of sour cream/extra chicken broth/etc. to balance the spice out. I recently made a roasted vegetable soup that got BOTH the sour cream/chicken broth treatment for my portion. 🙂
As usual, I’m behind on blog reading, so in regards to your previous post…why don’t you just post less often? I can’t imagine posting more than once daily and if that felt too hard, I’d go for every other day. It’s supposed to be fun!
If you’re liking the insanity workouts, I just got a weights DVD from the same people (beachbody) it’s called ChaLEAN Extreme, and I LOVE IT. I can’t get over how much of a workout I get!
love Chalene’s workouts! I have heard of this one too and it certainly sounds like a good challenge. The only thing with DVDs though is a lot of time I get over weights ones at home very fast and would hate to invest in something I wouldn’t use often enough. Ya know?
I totally get it! I *think* that the guidebook has stuff you can rig with you to the gym so that you have options. And you can use someone else’s weights. That’s the one thing I don’t like, I sometimes wish I had heavier weights.
Aww…sorry to hear about your Group Power class! We have the same thing/with same name here in Chattanooga. However, I love it to have as XT while I’m training for my 1/2 marathon coming up, and our instructors have been doing the power classes since their inception in 2009, so they switch it up often so we don’t get bored. Then, of course, every 4-6 weeks, they do a new launch with new stuff. I bought the New Rules for Women book a while ago, and am going to do its routines in conjunction w/ Power when I’ve completed my 1/2! =) Love the “spicy” new things in your life – ha! They sound fab!
Looking at the clock only ten minutes in is always a sure sign to me that I need a break from the class! Hope you find a new class that lights a fire in you– could you do the crossfit workouts from the website (with modifications) on your own, maybe?
Love spicy foods, too bad I’m preggo and can’t enjoy them as they give me wicked heartburn 🙁
Less is more sometimes. I can read each post and savor it now. It was getting hard to keep up! I love everything you post.
Love spicey food, your pepper jelly sounds yummy.
Lately, I’ve tried some kettleballs, and I’m liking it, not loving it yet. However, it takes some skill to throw those things around. Currently, I have a trainer, and she is showing me the technique. One can get a full body workout with those things, and it does change things up.
I’ve heard the Jillian DVD’s are good too, but I have never tried one (but will put one on my Christmas list)
I like a little spice to my food, but not so much that my mouth is on fire and I can’t taste it. That jam sounds really good though! I think I’d love that.
As for switching up your weights routine… When I get bored, I like to research different exercise moves online. Sometimes SHAPE or Women’s Health has some great moves that I don’t even think of, and it makes me excited to try them out. I also will look into a new workout DVD or look for one on Netflix. Does your gym have any other strength training classes other than a BodyPump style one? You could look into that too. Hope these ideas help – good luck!
Maybe I’m a weight-wuss, but I think that the Jillian DVDs (with light weights at home) are a great option. I never get bored with them, but am always challenged and sore the next day!
I am a member of a CrossFit gym and it is pricey, but the beauty of CrossFit is that you can do it anywhere. CrossFit.com posts daily workouts that anyone can (even non CrossFit gym members) use. They also have a list of workouts posted, so you could print a bunch out and choose whichever you liked.
I love, love, love pepper jelly. Have you ever poured it over cream cheese and eaten it as a dip with crackers? My mom makes it with pepper from my dad’s garden and it is AWESOME!
I always gobble up the pepper jelly, cream cheese, and cracker combo at holiday parties. So good!
And I think I may just do that with the crossfit workouts and printing some off. i didn’t think you could do that!
Wow, I missed one day of blog reading and apparently quite the announcements! I know I’m a day late here but, just wanted to say that you should absolutely be doing what is best for your health and family first and if that means less blogging, we’ll survive 😉 Although of course I look forward to your posts, reading fewer that are coming from a less stressed/happy/balanced Tina is a much better thing 🙂
In regards to strength training…I’m a big NROLFW fan as you probably know but will admit that stage 1 is a but long and could get boring as it is the same moves varied b/w 2 workouts for 8 weeks, just increasing as you go. Sort of bodypump-ish so that may not be your best choice.
I love spicy foods! But I’m not a huge fan of sweet and spicy, unless it’s chocolate. Spicy chocolate = best thing ever!
As far as weight lifting goes, I like to mix it up between days of strengh and endurance. I also really like interval weight training – things like bodyrock.tv. For dvds, I generally like dance/barre related ones (like physique 57) as they work stabalizer muscles more than anything, something I find hard to target on my own.
Sounds like we are strength training twins. I also love mixing up strength/endurance type stuff, find interval style moves a great challenge for strength too, and love barre DVDs (especially Physique 57) for working the core and stabilization! Forgot about the barre ones. may need to do one again sometime soon.
I am in the same rut, girl! If you find something new and interesting, please post it! I just finished up a 4 week bootcamp class and now I am kind of dreading going back to my same old ST routines. I guess what I really need to do is sit down, do some research and put some together.
I love pepper jelly for dips! It’s been a while since I’ve had any though.
I <3 spicy food A LOT!
I didn't get a chance to read through all the comments to see if anyone suggested this, but if your gym or you know someone who has TRX straps they are a good workout! I haven't worked with them a ton, but it adds a new dynamic to your workout. If you're really serious about them you can purchase them, but they're expensive.
They have TRX straps. I just need to research some moves to do with them. 🙂
I wish I liked spicy foods…I just can’t handle them! I guess I’m a whimp haha ;). I always make up my own workouts at the gym but I’ve heard great things about the new rules for lifting and think it would be nice to try!
Nope, I can’t say I am a fan of spicy foods, it hurts too much! haha
I do need to “spice” things up too though… I am looking more into CrossFit these days! There is a gym right near me, but it is just so darn expensive 🙁
My breakfast was nearly identical to that! Except I had goat cheese instead of feta. My smaller piece of toast was topped with PB as well, and my bigger piece was topped with raspberry jam 🙂 I think our taste buds are twins as I have seen you eat tomato+cheddar sandwiches too!
I need a change too! I did a fitness evaluation at the gym I just joined and was told my body fat % was higher than it should be…totally a surprise to me, but in a way, not, since my strength training has consisted primarily of uber light weights, and not anything more traditional. I need a routine as well…hoping Cathe’s new series coming out asap is the ticket! did you preorder?!
My gym has a class called body works where it is strength training, but you use light free weights and it usually includes tons of lunges and squats and push ups, so even though the heaviest weights I will grab are 8lbs, I leave with my entire body feeling like jello and as long as you go with a good teacher, the class is never the same! My fav teacher had us doing one legged squats on our toes one day. And one day we did 100 push ups throughout the class. I absolutely love it. If there is an LA Fitness in your area, I highly suggest it! Also, sometimes I will go to the gym a new buddy and let them choose the weights work out. I am so competitive that I always push myself to keep up, and a lot of times I learn new exercises that I haven’t used before and can incorporate into my work outs. Also, in regards to your last post, remember that at the end of the day it is YOUR life and YOU are the only one you need to please. Do what feeds you and what makes you happy. If you post less, you post less. Healthy living is all about balance right? I find that finding balance in our passions can be the hardest, but I feel like neither extreme can truly make you happy. Put yourself first, you deserve it! 🙂
I too find myself looking at the clock about 5 minutes into Body Pump. So boring.
And I know that Crossfit gyms are expensive, but most boxes (what Crossfit gyms are called) will let ya workout for free a few times to try it out. You could at least try it to mix up your exercise a few times.
Do you have an iPhone? The Nike Training app is the most amazing little tool ever! It’s like having your own personal trainer and you can use it at home (which would mean more time with your family!). It’s literally the best workout tool I have ever used! Oh and it’s free! I <3 Nike 😉
I have heard of that but never tried it. Downloading it pronto!
Spicy food and I do not get along. haha. I hate it. I’m always shocked when someone says they actually eat pepper jelly! I live in Kentucky and it’s quite the thing around here.
I’ve read reviews on Jillian’s Making the Cut on Amazon and most people are very satisfied it seems. Once I achieve my weight loss goals I’m hoping to do it myself. 🙂
Love LOVE LOVE spicy food! I actually just wrote in my post last night that I’m pretty sure I’m sweating out peppers. ha ha!
Try kettlebells!!!!!! 🙂
I just need to say that you and your blog ROCK! I know you got a lot of comments on your last post and I left one there too, but I juts had to say it again. 🙂
I love love love spicy food. I put Chalula sauce on so many things, it’s ridiculous and the spicier the salsa, the better.
As for mixing it up, what program would you design for your client if they said they were bored? Maybe something that was more bootcamp like with kettle bells thrown in? More plyo? JM would definitely getting you burning. Or maybe a P90x challenge?
I need to up my intake of spicy foods! 🙂
I love spicy foods.
If you really wanna spice up your workout… try CrossFit. I’m really sad I can’t do it anymore bc my job stopped paying for it… it’s definitely different from any workout I’ve ever done, I’ll say that! But I liked it.
And here I thought I was the only one who totally doesn’t get the body pump craze!! I get that it works for many others, and that’s great! It really it:) but it’s not for me. I find it boring, and I like to challenge myself with heavier weights 95% of the time.
GOSH, can we trade? I miss bodypump so badly. so, so badly.
I know this is unique, but the trainers in my gym walk around hoping someone asks them for a new workout. if I tell them what I want to work for the day, they give me supersets. usually, I learn moves I’ve never tried on machines I’ve been intimidated by, so it’s been a grrreat way for me to switch up my routine.
maybe try the trainers at your gym? just tell ’em you need some new moves. 😉
I’m so not a spicy foods person and the hubby is so he has to always spice up his own dish with red pepper flakes or hot sauce 😉
I just want to say again how much we love you Tina! And I meant to say in my comment yesterday that perhaps you could try just blogging once a day or every other day? I average about 3-4 posts a week and that gives me so much balance and the pressure is off in not feeling I have to post everyday… 🙂
You need some bang for your buck exercises! No more having to spend 2 hours at the gym. Think about your post from yesterday…you need more time to be with the ones you love. 🙂
Pick 2 or 3 strength workouts (not sure how many strength workouts you do a week) and do that for a month or 6 weeks. You have a program, you only have to think about it once and then every time you go you know what you’re going to do so you don’t have to think! Plus you can see what type of progress your making by either increasing weight or reps or sets.
Keep it simple. Deadlifts and chinups will get you a lot further in a lot less time than bicep curls or leg press machines or using lighter weights in BodyPump. 🙂
I’m happy to help you w/ ideas if you want!
Oh, I normally do an hour max of workouts any given day (besides long runs). That was a fluke because I just wanted to vent with some body movement. 😉
But, yea. I like the plan idea. I used to always do that actually. May have to look into doing that again. Thanks! 🙂
I know the feeling!
Crossfit gyms can be expensive!
Check out gppfitness.com
Awesome workouts!! You can just copy them down and do them at your gym! They are fast and effective (similar to crossfit!) Never boring! GO TRY IT !!!
loves!
I hear ya on the strength training! i need to spice it up too!
LOVE spicy foods tooooo!! I’m with you on Group Power and Body Pump classes – they get old after awhile, and rather quickly if you ask me! I came up with a couple of good weight training workouts, sort of a takeoff on some of what I learned from Cathe’s STS workouts – they are on my blog under “weight workouts” at the top, check them out, maybe it’ll spur some ideas?? 🙂
Coming out of lurkdom to comment on this, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the past few months. 🙂 Have you tried BodyRock.tv? Zuzana and Freddy post great HIIT workouts there on a regular basis and there is a vast archive to choose from. Plus, it’s all FREE! I was doing them pretty regularly earlier in the summer and loved it, I never got bored, because each workout was different. I’ve gotten out of the habit now and am getting back into the routine of working out with the Power 90 program from Beachbody. But I would definitely recommend checking out BodyRock.tv.
Thanks for the kind words and support, Tiffany! And thanks to yours and others’ recommendations I have been perusing Bodyrock workouts. May take some notes of them to bring to my gym. 🙂
Hey Tina,
I’m not sure if anyone has posted about Bodyrock.tv and Zuzanka’s workouts. If you are looking for a Crossfit combined with some serious HIIT – check out her site.
http://www.bodyrock.tv
Hope everything works out! Enjoy your pepper jelly – my hubby would be jealous!
Lenore
I always hear such great things about bodyrock but have never done it! I need to give it a shot
I have actually started doing this wrkout. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-eason-livefit-trainer-phase-2-day-54.html Sorry the link is from the 2nd phase, but it was quick and easy. It’s a 12 week plan that gives you all the workouts. I usually stop things within a month and I actually want to keep going on this one. I’m in week 3 and I think it’s great! I think “my opinion” you should cut back to blogging only once a day for a week or so and see how it feels. Write down post ideas instead of actually posting. Maybe you need to take a week off from workout also. Still be active but just relax and do what you feel like doing. Your body might be telling you to rest! Good Luck!
I get bored easily when it comes to work out and I have found that for me it works to spice things up. For strength training I mixed it around with barre classes that challenges the other muscles that I didn’t think it existed.
For cardio- I am a girl who tries a little bit of everything. I am not much a zumba fan but I love intensati. I also like to take bollywood classes, belly dancing, Nia, etc.
I have never expressed my hatred ( haha!) for BodyPump type classes…for that exact reason you stated. BORING!! Ugh, I would rather NOT lift than take that class…I do recommend it for people new to lifting or to group exercise, but that’s about it. It is great for some, just not this chick!
I love spicy foods…not sure about it in jelly form though! 😉
CrossFit would be sooo you ( I think). It really pushes you to your maximum limit in a short period of time….
Or a Bootcamp class of some type….. 🙂