Wednesday Workout: Shapleigh Corner Circuit

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I always like to workout when I’m home in Maine. I guess that’s probably not a surprise, right? I did take a rest day on Sunday, but after having had two 10 hour sleep nights, I woke up Monday morning around 7am ready to get up and get my day started. The best way to start my day is always with a workout, so I laced up and headed out for a 3 mile run.

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While I ran, I thought of what I wanted to do for a strength finisher when I got back to the house. I ended up doing 2 rounds of this workout and lead my mom through 1 round and thought it was a good, simple workout to share with all of you. I admit: I spend a lot of time coming up with different formats and exercises when I teach, but when I’m working out on my own and short on time, I always stick with the basics- you really can’t go wrong with that!

Shapleigh Corner Circuit

So, if you’re looking for a workout that doesn’t require much thinking or coordination, this is a great workout for you to try!

Questions for you: When you go “home” for the weekend, do you work out? Do you like to stick with the basics or get creative with your exercises?

This Week: Workouts, Short Week & Things I’m Looking Forward To

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Hi there! I hope you all had a great weekend… a great long weekend for those of you who had yesterday off! I spent it in Maine and it was just what I needed after a big week of teaching. The past couple of weeks/month have been much lighter on the workout front- both in length and in teaching. And you know what? I’m ok with that! It was a hard adjustment to make- that whole slowing down thing is really hard for me- but after having a week where I taught 6 classes in 5 days, I’m reminded of just how physically and mentally demanding that type of schedule is. It’d be one thing if I didn’t have a full time job, but after an 8+ hour work day, teaching that many classes, for me, at this time, is just too much. I’m sure last week won’t be my last week of a big teaching schedule because I love subbing and sometimes it just works out like that, but it’s a good reminder that I made the right decision by dropping some classes!

I only have 3 “real” days this week since I had yesterday off and am taking Friday off for Sheila’s wedding, which normally is a good thing, but this week I feel like I have so much to cram in in such a short amount of time! I’m moving next weekend and have done zero packing- whoops! Oh well. It will all get done, and the beauty is that I’m just moving up to the second floor so I can move things up in small shifts! I think I’m going to take a break from working out next week (besides my teaching) so that I have ample time to move throughout the week.

But, let’s get to the workouts!

Last Week’s Workouts

  • Monday- I taught my 6am Muscle Work class and then ran for 10 minutes on the treadmill. RM and I went for a walk later that evening, too.
  • Tuesday- I taught my first outdoor bootcamp in Wakefield! We had so much fun… or at least I had a lot of fun. There were 3 ladies and they rocked it- I can’t wait to throw new things at them this week!

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  • Wednesday– I ran 20 minutes before teaching, and doing, my UXF Burn class at Central Square. With the 90* temps, it was not the most enjoyable run, but I went out without my Garmin or Map My Run and just went for time. It was nice to not do anything but run! In class, I threw in some new core moves that I made up and was happy to see that they left me a little sore!

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  • Thursday- I subbed my old SHRED and Cardio Kickboxing classes at the Central Square BSC. I’d heard bad things about the guy who took over my classes (I’ve taken one of his classes and thought he was a total jerk, so I can’t say I’m surprised), and was sad to see that there were only 5 people for SHRED and 6 for Kickboxing. I hate hearing that the numbers have dropped so much 😦

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  • Friday- I rested besides a little walk to run errands.
  • Saturday- I taught my Saturday kickboxing class at the Oak Square YMCA. I was afraid it was going to be a very small class, but there ended up being about 20 people- not bad for Labor Day Weekend!

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  • Sunday- Another rest day, besides filming another set of cardio kickboxing videos– can’t wait to post them for you!

This Weeks Workouts

  • Monday- Yesterday we all were up early so I headed out for a 3 mile jog and finished up with a short strength circuit and some core work with my mom!
  • Tuesday- I’m teaching my outdoor bootcamp again- can’t wait!
  • Wednesday- I’m teaching UXF Burn at 6:30 at Central Square and will probably do some cardio beforehand.
  • Thursday- I’m not sure! Maybe a class at PUMPS, maybe kickboxing at Wellington, maybe my own workout?
  • Friday- I’ll workout before I head to the Cape in the morning. Probably kickboxing if I don’t do that on Thursday night. Or a running bootcamp workout.
  • Saturday- I would love to do something before Sheila’s wedding. She doesn’t think she will have time to join, but maybe some of my other friends will?
  • Sunday- Probably a rest day after the wedding festivities 😉

Things I’m Looking Forward To

I am SO excited for Sheila’s wedding!! Sheila is one of the funniest and fun people I know and I am positive her wedding will be nothing less than an absolute blast. And, when all my SMC girls get together, it’s never a bad thing! I’m also excited to see the boyfriend… we haven’t seen each other since last Tuesday, which is a really long time for us. I missed him!

Questions for you: What was the best workout you had last week? Did you have Monday off?

A Summer Cantaloupe Salsa Recipe

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You guys- I have the perfect appetizer for you to make this weekend if you’re going to a Labor Day party, small get together or even just hanging out around your own home. It’s light, it’s fresh and it’s healthy. Win, win, win if you ask me! It can be served with chips, crackers or atop your favorite source of protein!

I came across this recipe a few weeks ago in the most recent Hannaford Fresh magazine for a Cantaloupe Salsa recipe. I’m not one to usually make salsa’s, but it’s always something I want to do when I see recipes in magazines or other blogs. They are so easy, so I have no idea why I haven’t made any before!

RM had a VERY over-ripe cantaloupe so it was perfect time to put it to good use last week. We served it over baked kale and coconut oil coated grilled chicken. While I made a few substitutions, most of the recipe was exactly as it was in the magazine. We both loved the salsa and the meal!

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Cantaloupe Salsa (From Hannaford’s Fresh Magazine)

  • 2 cups diced cantaloupe
  • 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (I only had a green pepper so that’s what I used. I would use red the next time!)
  • 1 jalapeno chili pepper, seeded and minced (I didn’t have this so we skipped it)
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tbsp. minced red onion
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
  • 1/8 tsp. sugar (Skipped this- no real need to add extra sugar, especially if your fruit is very ripe)
  • 1/8 tsp. salt, or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let set for 30 minutes to an hour. Serve with chips or on top of chicken and kale or spinach like we did!

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Let me know if you try this!

Questions for you: Have you ever made your own salsa? What’s your favorite kind?

Wednesday Workout: The “Everything Is Sore” Workout

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I’m not sure why I haven’t posted this workout yet, but I’ve taught it twice and both times it left me feeling super sore, so I think it’s about time I share it with you, right?! I have to warn you, though, nothing in this workout is anything new or earth shattering. It’s just a bunch of compound exercises, paired with complementary cardio and a timed core exercise.

After the class I subbed at PUMPS, a number of members came up and said they liked how it felt like an “interval training” class… I’m not sure what they are used to getting in classes, but interval training is often how my classes are (except kickboxing!). I love interval training because it forces you to work hard for a period of time, followed by a bit of rest and then bringing your intensity back up (and therefore burn more calories). And, while this workout is certainly not your traditional “interval” training type of workout, the way the exercises are set up does cause your heart rate to go up and down throughout the whole class.  I’m not a big fan of doing just cardio at the beginning then focusing on strength and abs later… I like my heart rate to be going up and down all class, and this workout definitely achieves that!
The Everything Is Sore Workout

Also, if you’re short on time, just pick a few sets to do instead of all 5. Or, you can skip the cardio and just do the strength and core pieces. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re properly warmed up and that you’re using a weight that’s challenging, but safe. If you’ve been using your trusty 5 pounders for a while and never feel like you’re tired from them, maybe it’s time to up it to an 8 pounder- I promise you’ll feel it then 😉

Let me know if you try this!

Questions for you: Do you like interval training or do you prefer to do cardio then strength then core? When’s the last time a workout left every part of your body sore?

Weekending: Barry’s Bootcamp Roof Deck Workout & A Maine Visit

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Good morning! I hope today’s off to a great start for all of you. The weather is supposed to be perfect all week, so for all of you who may be vacationing, I’m jealous! I was also very jealous listening to my mom and her friends plan out their week: beach day, pool day, lake day, baseball game. Retirement/summer vacation seems pretty awesome!

Last weekend was a blast! It was nice to have a night in Boston, but even nicer to escape the city for a night and head up to Maine.

Friday

My gym friend, Jen, somehow found out about a bootcamp that Barry’s Bootcamp was offering on the roof deck of the Revere Hotel and when I found out it was on a night I could go, I jumped at the chance! It was $20 which included the 60 minute workout and a cocktail… can’t really go wrong with that 😉

photo 3I wasn’t sure what to expect for the workout, but I was expecting hard since the last time I went to Barry’s I died a little. Mostly because of the treadmill runs, but still, it was tough! I knew there wouldn’t be treadmills for this workout, but I was expecting a lot of burpees and other cardio exercises, which sadly, we didn’t do!

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All in all, though, the workout was pretty tough! We just used resistant bands and our body weight and worked all the big muscles. The arm sections were by far the hardest part for me- SO. MANY. PUSH-UPS!!! It was good to feel challenged with that! The leg exercises were all things I’ve done before- actually, things I’ve posted videos of here, here, and here! That’s ok, though- still had my legs screaming because we did all of those exercises with booty bands around our ankles. Yikes!

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Once the workout was done, we enjoyed our free cocktail- love gym friends and workout get togethers!

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After, I met RM at City Landing for dinner and drinks. I thought I’d be able to find a shower, but no such luck. Nothing like a little baby-wipe “shower” and running water through the hair to try and look somewhat decent… and clean!

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City Landing has a whole gluten free menu- check out this pizza and Ahi Tuna! Delish!

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Saturday

We got up relatively early for a Saturday and hit the road to head north around 9am. I was afraid of traffic, but the roads were clear the entire time! Sadly, it wasn’t beach weather when we got to Ogunquit, so we grabbed a gluten free breakfast sandwich at Cafe Amore and then walked part of the Marginal Way, which is a gorgeous path along the “cliffs” in Ogunquit.

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So pretty! Once it reached a reasonable time to have our first cocktail, we headed to a favorite: Barnacle Billy’s. RM hadn’t ever been to Ogunquit or Perkins Cove so it was fun to show him around… and introduce him to his first Rum Punch, Billy’s signature cocktail. If you go to Ogunquit, you need to go to Barnacle Billy’s and have one!

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(yes, I realize I’m wearing the same thing as I did Friday night- I promise it was clean!)

The weather finally started to clear and our seats on their upper deck couldn’t have been more perfect! After a few cocktails, we ordered a lobster roll and steamers- holy.yum. Such a delicious lunch!

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On our way home, we stopped in at Shaw’s Ridge for an ice cream and to catch up with Mr. Shaw and Meredith (who, btw, just got engaged!!! So, so, so happy for you and Brandon, Mere!!) and grab an ice cream cone. Mr. Shaw wasn’t there, but it was good to see Mere!

We finally made it to my parents around 4:30… just in time to pick veggies from the garden for dinner (<— love doing that. nothing better!) and start on cocktail hour. We all were responsible for different things and the kitchen was quite busy!

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Dad wanted a lamb, so he did it on the rotisserie- I wasn’t sure I liked lamb but it was delicious! Even cooler? All of the veggies we ate were from our garden or a nearby farm (the corn). There’s just something to be said for the whole “farm to table” way of eating. So fresh and flavorful!

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We finished dad’s 65th bday celebration with a bond fire. It was the most perfect night for one! I think it’s safe to say he had a really great day!

Sunday

After breakfast and some reading, RM and I went on a nice 2 mile stroll. It helped clear my wine headache 😉 By the time we got back, it was getting late to make it to the beach, so we opted for going to our family friend’s pool instead. Poolside, wine in hand, family and friends- can’t get much better than that!

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All in all, it was a really awesome weekend… we were both so sad it had to end! Trips back to MA from ME are always the worst 😦 Luckily I’ll be home for a few nights this weekend!

Questions for you: What did you do this weekend? Have you been to Ogunquit and/or Barnacle Billy’s? Where is your favorite place to get drinks?