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?

Yet another beautiful day in the neighborhood this morning. 🙂 I had my normal Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday workout scheduled for today – a full body workout and a run. I split up the two earlier this week, but don’t want to do that on Saturdays. So, I drove to the gym and ran a quick 3.2 mile loop on the roads by the gym. Then, I headed indoors for my weights workout. I ended up with this for today:

Machine Hacksquat	Legs	3x15
Machine Wide Row	Back	3x15
Back Extenstion	Legs	3x15
Pushups	Chest	3x10
Upright Row	Shoulders	3x12
Kickbacks	Triceps	3x12

After my workout I came home and had a breakfast fail. I had reached the bottom of my peanut butter jar.

 

That meant OIAJ of course. Since we still don’t have produce, I figured I would do a strawberry yogurt mixed with the oats to get some flavor instead.

Well, the yogurt cooled the oats down. Non-hot oats = non-melty peanut butter = can’t scoop up all the good stuff. That’s the WHOLE point of OIAJ!! At least it still tasted good, despite not being able to savor melty gobs of peanut butter at the end.

And now I must get on with my Saturday…and the week’s features, but of course!

Featured Move: Kick It!

I find kickboxing a very fun and effective workout. You don’t have to take a class or do a DVD though to get the benefits. I have been known to add the moves in the video clip to standard workouts as an extra cardio boost between weights moves or to work the midsection a bit more.

And I do NOT know why the voice is all squeaky and fast in the video. Annoying!

Featured Moment: Body After Baby Progress

Continuing to make progress in my Body After Baby journey. Most importantly…continuing that progress in a balanced, healthy, and realistic way. 

Featured Meal: Springtime Lemon Raspberry Muffins

I’ve had lots of yummy eats this week. Goat cheese + pesto sandwiches. Goat cheese, artichoke, & mushroom stuffed chicken. But you all know I’m a breakfast lover first, so my Springtime lemon Raspberry muffins win the honor. Have you tried them yet?

Featured Cuteness: Nap Time

Last Sunday afternoon, after the fabulous time change, i crashed for a three hour nap with Makenzie. Peter managed to sneak a shot of us sleeping. So special!

Featured Reading: Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers – The Comparison Trap

Many of you have likely already seen this post because Julie has such a fabulous blog, but in case you haven’t – read it!

Question of the Day – Do you like kickboxing workouts?