I cannot express the joy I have that the weekend finally came! This week was a long one in mommy world. It started off with a growth spurt and little sleep, then ended with a sick Makenzie. In light of yesterday’s tragedies, I feel silly for concerning myself with such things that are in reality true blessings. I’m still thankful we seem to be over it all now though. And I’m ready for a fun day ahead – including a hair cut and blogger meet up!

This morning I had a desire for some weights, so I went to the gym to get in a great full body strength training session along with my run. I tried something a little different this time. I did my run first and then followed it up with weights. I did my Week 6, Day 3 Couch to 5K workout - warmed up for 5 minutes, then did 25 minutes of running at 6.5 mph (9:13 pace).  Followed that with this full body workout I made up:

Leg Press	Legs	3x12
Lat Pulldown	Back	3x8
Walking Lunge	Legs	3x12
Pec Deck	Chest	3x10
Overhead Press	Shoulders	3x10
Preacher Curl Machine	Biceps	2x15
Tricep Press Machine	Triceps	2x15

I always hear about the benefits of completing your weights first so your body will burn up available energy, then use its fat stores during cardio. I don’t think switching up the order of the workout makes such a noticeable difference. Honestly, I think you should put what you need the most energy for or what you’re focusing on at the start of your workout. Switching up and doing my cardio first, gave me more energy for a great run. I don’t feel like my weight training suffered coming second either. In fact, I may have worked harder during my weights because I felt so pumped from the run! Yet again the moral of the story is you don’t have to follow “the rules” to effectively workout, eat, train for something, etc. Trust yourself and your preferences.

And with that, we move on to this week’s FFF Features! Happy Saturday, y’all!

Featured Move: Something Different

I couldn’t go to the gym in the morning again yesterday, so I had to go in the afternoon. When I glanced at the gym’s class schedule I noticed a Zumba class at 5:30. Then I thought “What the heck?!” I’ve been before but it was only a few times during my competition prep training when I searched for any way to get in some fun cardio. I haven’t been since then, so over a year and a half ago? Wow! It was quite the fun workout. Give something new or that you haven’t done in awhile a shot sometime soon!

Featured Moment: My First Outdoor Run

It went soooo much better than I expected. Loved. Every. Second!

Featured Meal: 5 Layer Veggie, White Bean, & Pesto Strata

I loved this new recipe! If you think vegetarian meals can’t be hearty…think again! Tons of veggies. Tons of flavor. Tons of healthy. Tons of easy thanks to the crock pot.

Featured Quote:

When something robs you of your peace of mind, ask yourself if it is worth the energy you are expending on it.

Featured Cuteness:

I love those chubby cheeks! Now if only I could catch his heart-melting smile on camera!

Featured Reading: Heather @ Heather’s Dish – Letters To Our Baby

 

I love Heather so dearly and my heart aches for her having to go through her current struggles after a miscarriage. This post shows her heart and beauty so immensely. She is one of the best people out there and one of my closest blog friends. Love you, my friend!

Question – Do you do weights or cardio first when doing both?

PS – I added a separate Fitness tab at the top for detailing workouts and favorite fitness posts. Also, Month 2 Body After Baby progress post coming on Monday!

Morning! I love Saturdays. They definitely take the spot as my favorite day of the week. I enjoy the more leisurely morning, yet still having time to get in a good workout. I started the day with some quick fuel for my workout.

I didn’t have time to eat a full breakfast but wanted something to give me good energy for my workout. This did the trick perfectly. I powered through a full body workout and my last Couch to 5K session of this week.

Split Squat	Legs	3x10
Barbell Bench Press	Chest	3x10
Deadlift w/ Barbell Row	Legs & Back	3x10
Plie Squat w/ Upright Row	Legs & Shoulders	3x10
Cable Rope Pushdown	Triceps	2x15
Cable Bicep Curl	Biceps	2x15

This Couch to 5K workout called for running 20 minutes straight. The longest I have done before this was 10 minutes at a time so I felt a little wary. Then, I hit my groove and somehow 20 minutes passed by in a flash. I actually had to stop myself! I covered 2.53 miles in 25 minutes. That’s a 9:51 pace on average – which includes my 5 minute warmup at 15:00 pace. Boo-yah! It felt so good!!! I think I’m going to be ready to give an outdoor run a shot sometime in the next week or two!

After my workout I needed some more fuel. A green smoothie sounded good. I always prefer mine the basic way – frozen banana, spinach, and almond milk.

I ate up a container of Chobani yogurt as well. Perfect for post-workout.

Now, time for this week’s FFF Features!

Featured Move: Compound Movements

As you can probably tell from my workout today, I really enjoy compound movements. They help make a workout quicker and provide a bit more of a challenge. Check out a few of my favorite combos in the video.

Featured Moment: Back to Spin!

It feels so good to be back! And the added surprise of it not hurting was icing on the cake.

Featured Meal: Picnic Eats

Love light and fresh food while out in the sunshine. 

Featured Quote:

Happiness can only exist when what you believe is what you do.

Featured Cuteness:

My child is pure dork like her mom. I’m so proud of her random sense of humor! 🙂

Featured Reading: “One of Those Weeks” - Evan @ The Wannabe Chef

He seriously cracks. me. up!!! If you don’t read his blog you should. His sense of humor is exactly the kind I like and he makes exactly the kind of food I like too. Lemon icing? Yes!!

“Audit Your Own Blog” – Katy @ Katy Widrick

Plain and simply, Katy rocks. She includes so much useful information on her site. This 5 question run down is dead on in what you need for your blog.

Question of the Day – What’s a food that you always prefer the most basic way?