I got my workout groove on this morning. You know how some workouts leave you with the biggest endorphin rush and make you want to fist pump your way out of the gym? I do. And I had to refrain from the fist pumping as I left the gym today.  I switched things up a little bit by splitting up my full body weights with some action on various cardio equipment. Hold onto your hats, friends! This workout is a doozy!

Elliptical – 10 mins

Minutes	Level	Speed	RPE
0-5	5	60	5
5-10	8	60	7

Weights – Superset 1

Stationary Lunge	Legs	3x15 per leg
Narrow Pulldown	Back	3x10

Cross Trainer – 15 mins

Minutes	Incline/Resistance	Speed	RPE
0-3	7/7	moderate	6
3-5	10/7	quick	8
5-6	10/10	push it!	9.5
6-9	7/7	moderate	6
9-11	10/7	quick	8
11-12	10/10	push it!	9.5
12-15	7/7	quick	7

Weights – Superset 2

Step Ups	Legs	3x15 per leg
Incline Dumbbell Bench Press	Chest	3x8

Stepmill – 10 mins

Minutes	Level	Speed	RPE
0-10	6	60-70 steps/min	8

Weights – Superset 3

Rear Delt Raise	Shoulders	3x15
Cable Triceps Pushdown	Triceps	3x15

Treadmill Cooldown – 5 min

Minutes	Incline	Speed	RPE
0-5	1.0 %	3.5	4

It looks like a lot, but in total it was 40 minutes of cardio with about 25 minutes of weights. The variety and constant movement take it up a notch, though. It sure kicked my butt. I always love adding variety to my workouts and this mix did a great job. Loved it!!

Obviously, I needed to refuel after that workout. So, I turned to what I consider one of the best post-workout treats. A Green Monster. So healthy, refreshing, and YUM!

This mix included a frozen banana, frozen strawberries, spinach, and almond milk. I also had some whole wheat pancake action on the side.

Peter started making some just as I left for the gym and I was set on having some post-workout. I couldn’t decide on toppings so I had a variety, just like my workout. One with peanut butter. One with cranberry apple butter. One with traditional maple syrup.

Slurp. Chow. Satisfied Tina.

Now that the belly is full, I can bring you the FFF Features of the week. Happy Saturday!

Featured Workout: Look Up. Give that one a whirl. If you’re brave enough. 😉

Featured Moment: Hanging with True Friends

Kiddo birthday parties are fun. And if it includes cake, I’m happy!

Featured Meal: Random Lunch

Loved the variety and flavor combos in this mix from yesterday. Also, you can check out other great recipes from the week in my recipe round up post.

Featured Quote:

Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.

Featured Cuteness: Video!!! Baby B’s Coos and Smiles

Don’t you love my “mommy voice”? LOL

Featured Reading: THREE great posts because I couldn’t choose!

Andrea @ Can You Stay For Dinner – Emotional Hunger

Wow. Wow! Anyone who has ever turned to food for comfort needs to read this beautiful, reflective post. So wonderfully written…just like everything Andrea writes.

Heather @ Then Heather Said – Feeling Less Than Beautiful

A fabulous post on overcoming those days when you don’t feel quite your best. Loved it!

Jess @ How Sweet It Is – Triple Layer Cookies & Cream Crunch Bars

Just because I want you to make these and bring them to me stat. I think I will happily go to heaven upon tasting such a decadent delight. Jess has outdone herself with this one!

And don’t forget to enter the workout skort giveaway!!!

Question of the Day – What was your best workout this week?

Did you enter the workout skort giveaway? It’s a good one!

This morning, I found myself in another butt whooping at spin class. I think the instructor has it out for us. And she just loves to shout “Tina…go for it!” now that she has learned my name. Perhaps I should have said “Sally” when she asked. I look like a Sally, don’t you think? No? I guess you’re right. Just like you all are right about surrounding myself with positive people in my life and moving on from toxic friendships.

I did just that today. I visited one of my very best friends today for a play date. [Side note: Danielle, I hope you know how much your friendship means to me!] We talked about all things under the sun for a few hours while our little girls entertained each other.

I left all smiles from some great girl time. Now, that is what a friendship should feel like!

When, I got home I needed some food. Since we’re at the end of the week again, I faced limited options. I guess I should embrace limited options because it causes me to get creative and I ended up with quite the delicious lunch.

 

One egg, one egg white, blue cheese laughing cow, spinach, and mushrooms all scrambled together on one side. A sweet potato with black beans on the other side. And a cup of grapes for some sweet. Super random. Super tasty! I now want this meal for dinner one night this week. You know. So I don’t have to eat it while breastfeeding. You should have seen me balancing beans on sweet potato on fork hovering to my mouth over baby B’s head. Clearly, I am a mother. 

After both my and B’s feedings, we all settled in to naptime. Errr…until M decided she didn’t need a nap today. Can I just express my gratitude for getting in my morning quiet time today? It helps keep me so much more level headed when things like missed naps and our daily “poopy on the potty” debacles happen. When I lose my all-too-important morning time, I end up in a perpetual bad mood. I firmly believe that the start of the morning sets the tone for the day.

In fact, for Lent I gave up my morning time to focus solely on reflection instead of things like catching up on emails or writing blog posts. I had noticed hectic awakenings and mornings had a negative effect on the remainder of my day and attitude. I wanted to focus on starting the day with a calming, positive energy. It rejuvenates me and my “spirit” shall we say. In order to get that time, I do have to wake up at 6:10 because M believes 6:30 is time to wake up. It’s early, but 6:10 isn’t so bad now that the little man has dropped to only one feeding a night. And I would rather exchange 20 minutes of sleep for a happier demeanor any day of the week. Well, except for maybe Saturdays. 😉

Questions of the Day:

• What do you think? Does the morning set the tone for your day? Do you get up early to have more time to ease into the day?
• Best random meal you have had recently?