Our Honeymoon Recap Part 5: Monkeys, Massages, and a Sunset Cruise

Catching up?
- Part 1: Traveling to Nicaragua
- Part 2: Fresh Fish & Adjusting to Island Time
- Part 3: The Mineral Springs, Hitchhiking, & Horses

- Part 4: Traveling to the West Coast

Our first full day at Aqua Wellness Resort started with monkeys!  We woke up hearing them coming down through the trees and ran outside with our camera.

I can't remember if we ran into them at the bar the night before or on the beach that morning, but the couple we met on the very first day of our trip at Laguna de Apoyo was staying at our resort!  They actually spotted us on Ometepe too, but I was completely oblivious at the time.  After we were done hanging out with the monkeys we headed down to the restaurant and ended up eating with Andrea and Glen.  The bfast turned out to be the best food at the resort complete with an omelet station, rice and beans, fresh fruit, and all the bacon I could stuff in my face.

I probably should've gone a little lighter on the bacon, because immediately after we went to do some yoga overlooking the ocean.  The views from the platform were beautiful.  It was a little hard to hear the instructor over the sounds of the surf, but who could complain?  It was Dave's first time doing yoga and he made it through almost the entire class (which was longer than the two other newbie dudes in the class).

After yoga, we hung out a little on the beach before heading to our couples massage.  It started with 30 minutes of an exfoliating scrub, then we showered, and the last hour was an amazing massage with oils that we had picked beforehand.  It was a wonderful experience!  We left with fresh juice and a fruit platter that we enjoyed on our little deck area.

Then we spent some more time on the beach.

And in the late afternoon, we boarded our sunset cruise!

Everything was kind of barren since it was almost the end of their dry season, but it was still so beautiful!  We had to laugh since there was a cooler on the boat with only 4 or 5 beers that we crushed in the first hour of the two hour ride and then asked where's the rest?  On our way back towards the resort, I got to use the only Spanish I remembered from many sessions of Spanish Behind the Wheel to ask if we could swim... since those beers went right through me ;)

Here's what our resort looked like from the water.

We went upstairs to freshen up and caught more amazing views.

Our night continued with a mediocre dinner at the beach bar.  The food at the resort just wasn't great.  While we were eating, we met a couple who told us about this amazing resort down the street that we just had to have dinner at.  The final piece of our romance package (which included the couples massage and sunset cruise) was a candlelit dinner on the beach that we had scheduled for our last evening at the resort, but they insisted we skip it and make reservations at Mukul's.  We thought about it for a little while and decided to do it!

Our evening ended with a bonfire and some dance lessons on the beach with our favorite bartender, who was trying to teach all the men to move their hips, it was hilarious.

To be continued... Part 6

Weekly Workouts - Planks & Modified WODs

Lots of planks and modifications this week... trying to do good things for my back!

S - Some walking in Philly but mostly rest.

M - Living room yoga

T - CrossFit 

• WOD: 4 minute AMRAP x 3
  
  • 4 Power Snatches (115/75)
  • 8 Overhead Squats
  • 12 Box Jumps (24/20)
  • (2:00 rest between AMRAPs)
  I used 65# and finished 7 rounds + 5 reps!  I probably should've Rxed since I got more reps than everyone else in the class, but sometimes you just need a nice confidence boosting workout.  I also think I like overhead squats more than most people and I was killing it on my box jumps! 

W - 1.88 mi with Butler and some planks in the park

Th - CrossFit + 2 miles with Butler

• WOD: 5 rounds
  
  • 15 Toes to Bar
  • 20 Calorie Row
  • 25 Wallballs (14/20)
  • (20 minute cap)
  My back sucks, so I modified the toes to bar to just hanging knee raises and I used a 10 lbs medicine ball and did a quarter squat for my wallballs.  I was at 22 wallballs in my last round when the clock ran out, so I just finished anyway.  I officially called to make an appointment with the physical therapist everyone at my gym recommends and I found out I actually need a prescription for PT.  I missed the memo on that one.  I guess she used to do consultations without an Rx, but not anymore.  So I made an appointment with my doctor for August 4th, which is probably good since I don't remember when I had my last physical.  Hopefully my doc doesn't deny my Rx request and tell me to stop CrossFitting... otherwise I might be looking for a new doctor.  We'll see.

F - CrossFit

• Strength: Clean + Squat Clean, 8 sets - I skipped the squat cleans because they didn't feel great.  I wore the belt and got up to 120 lbs (15 under my max) before I decided I probably shouldn't be lifting this heavy and dropped some weight off my bar for my last couple of sets.
• WOD:
• 100 Kettlebell Swings (70/53)
• 200 m Run every time you take a break
• (10 minute cap)
Another modified workout since KB swings are not a back friendly activity.  I switched between planks and push ups with the 200 m run every time I took a break.  I ended up doing a plank (run) 20 push ups (run) plank (run) 20 push ups (run) and then 1 minute 30 seconds of planking to finish. 

S - Rest

And most of my friends have seen this already, but I couldn't not share it here too!

Hope your Monday was quick and painless!

Weekly Workouts

Let's talk workouts!

S - 1.25 mi walk with Butler

M - CrossFit

• Strength: Back Squat - Build to a heavy single in 8 sets or less.  I PRed at 185#!  That is 15 lbs above my last max!  I wore a belt and it really helped support my back.  After your heavy single max, then max reps at 75% with no excessive pauses.  I got 12 reps, which was a lot!  I think I still have room to grow with my max.
• WOD: 7 minute AMRAP
• Ascending ladder 3, 6, 9, 12...
• Shoulders to Overhead (95/65)
• Box Jumps (24/20)
• I finished 15 + 21(?).  My right wrist starting hurting through this workout.  I was really hoping it wasn't a real injury.  I iced it when I got home and it felt fine when I woke up.

T -  CrossFit Barbell Club

• 6 x 2 - Split Jerk, reset front foot then Split Jerk again, got up to 90#
• 5 x 2 - Hang Clean and Jerk, finished at 95#
• No wrist pain through all these jerks, yay.

W - CrossFit

• WOD:  Running Clock
• Minutes 0-6:  1 rep max Snatch - 95# I matched my previous PR!  I tried to hit 100, but it just wasn't happening.
• Minutes 6-14: AMRAP - I finished 1 round + 55 reps
• 30 Double Unders (I did 90 singles because dubs just weren't happening)
• 15 Chest to Bar Pull Ups (I did regular pull ups)
• 30 Double Unders (90 Singles)
• 15 Toes to Bar
• Minutes 14-20: 1 rep max Snatch - I had really low expectations for these snatches.  I thought I'd be tired and I wouldn't be able to put up as much as before, but when I started I felt great.  My body hurt so much at the beginning of class, I think the AMRAP really loosened me up.  I got to 95 and it was easier than the first round.  I put a 1 pound weight on each side and PRed at 97 lbs!  I tried 100 lbs one last time before the 20 minutes were up, but it was a no-go.  100 lbs snatch, I am coming for you!
• After Party: 
• Every 2 minutes for 6 minutes (3 sets)
• 16 Overhead Lunges
• I used 65# and boy did these feel heavy!

Th - 1 mi walk with Butler

F - CrossFit

• Strength: Sumo Deadlift - Build to a heavy 2 rep touch and go in 8 sets or less.  Ugh... this was the first time I've tried these and my back started hurting as soon I put any weight on my bar.
• WOD:  5 Rounds for Time
• 15 Calorie Row
• 5 Hang Power Cleans (135/95)
• 5 Thrusters
• (15 minute cap)
• I finished in 11:42 with 65#.  The cleans did not feel good for my back, which sucks because they usually feel fine.  My back didn't really hurt on Wednesday.  I do remember doing a heavy snatch with some pretty crappy form, but I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday night and felt good.  I don't know if it was just the heavy week in general or the few sumo deadlifts I did, but this was the worst my back has felt in a while.  Honestly, I was grumpy pretty much the entire class.   I was so frustrated with my body.  On top of that, I had a blast at our extended happy hour the night before, but in the morning the food wasn't sitting right in my belly and I may have been mad at a certain someone who decided to stay in bed.

S - 2.15 mi walk with Butler + a ton of walking around the city + dancing

And as always, I really wish I took more pictures of our weekend.  We hung out on our friends' roof deck with the most amazing views.  We sweated our butts off and saw two Phillies wins!  We went dancing and ate delicious cheesesteaks.  It was a good one!

 

And then we did a lot of this...

What was the highlight of your weekend?

What's on the Menu?

Lately I've been in a bit of a cooking funk.  Summer is always a busy time.  The weekends are full of trips and parties.  We're enjoying the extra daylight, so we typically have more going on in the evenings during the week than any other season.  I find myself avoiding the grocery store when I know we have evening plans or a short week.  I've all but forgotten about my crockpot.  So what's an uninspired blogger to do?

Make a meal plan!  If the Whole30 has taught me anything, it's that healthy eating is way easier when you have a plan.  This week I'm mixing in some new recipes with some tried and true favorites.

Asian Inspired Meatballs with Ginger Lime Dipping Sauce served with Papaya Slaw Salad - My coworker made these meatballs for a big dinner party we had and they were amazing.  I've also been craving a fresh salad that screams summer and this slaw definitely fits the bill.

The Easiest (and Most Delicious) Crockpot Beef Ever - I'll be throwing some baby carrots in the crockpot with it and serving everything over some cauliflower mash.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Avocado Dressing - My friend made this dressing a few months ago and I've been dreaming of it ever since!  The chicken will be marinated in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, cayenne and possibly some other spices that move me at the time.  It will marinate for 24-48 hours.

Sweet Potato, Kale, and Sausage Bake with White Cheese Sauce - Because I really haven't given kale a fair shot and I think covering it in cheese is probably the best chance of Dave actually liking it.

Caramelized Pineapple, Bacon, Goat Cheese Guacamole - I'm a little worried if I make this I will become insanely addicted and have to make it on a weekly basis... worth the risk :)

I'm so excited for all the tasty creations that will be coming out of my kitchen this week.  The food will be delicious, my body will be fueled, and my tummy will be happy.

What's on your menu this week?

Weekly Workouts & Some Weekend Pics

Yay, I got in 4 sessions of CF this week!  Things started out pretty rough and I couldn't be convinced to leave my couch on Monday, but the workout didn't look too bad on Tuesday so I hit class back to back with Barbell Club.  This week was a deload week at the gym, but I still managed to get pretty sore from all the barbell work and some pull ups.  My back felt ok throughout the week since the lifts were pretty light :)

S - Rest

M - Living room yoga

T - CrossFit x 2

• WOD: 20 minute AMRAP
• 200m Row
• 10 Burpees
• Alternate rounds with a partner, rest while partner is working.
• We got 11 rounds + the row + 9 burpees, so close to finishing 12!
• Barbell Club:
• 10x1 Deadlifts with a pause at the shin, below the knee, and above the knee, 85#
• 7x1 Hang Clean with a pause below the knee, 120#
• 5x2 Squat Clean from the hip, 105#

My CF friends' new puppy and my new lifters that another gym friend gifted me since his wife never really used them.

W - CrossFit

• Strength: Front Squat - 5 at 40% (55#), 5 at 50% (75#), 5 at 60% (85#)
• WOD:
• 800m Run
• 50 Overhead Squats (45/35)
• 30 Pull Ups
• 12 minute cap - I finished in 10:13 Rx!

Th - Rest (and an awesome trip to the chiropractor)

F - CrossFit

• Strength: Squat Clean - 5 at 40% (65#), 5 at 50% (75#), 5 at 60% (85#)
• WOD:
• 21-15-9
• Power Cleans (95/65)
• Lunges (no weight, left + right = 1 rep)
• 6 minute cap

Ugh... I was the only person in class not to finish this under the cap.  I got through 83 reps out of 90, Rx.  In the first round everyone was dropping their bar to start the lunges and I still had 10 cleans left!  My quads were on fire the whole way.  I felt pretty down on myself but I just kept trying to remember that I still got a great workout in and I've come so far!  I used to feel really awkward and unsure during squat cleans and now I love them.  And I know I'm due for a clean PR really soon.  Comparison really is the thief of joy...

S - 9 Holes of Golf + 1 mi walk with Butler - I thought golf was going to be rough since I hadn't played in 2 years, but I wasn't too bad!

And here's some more shots from the weekend. On Saturday we celebrated Carter's first birthday at the Trenton Thunder game!

My Sunday consisted of two back to back baby showers.  A huge congrats to Christine, who's little baby boy Tristan came into the world this week!  He was 6 weeks early and I couldn't believe how amazing Christine looked considering she just left the hospital from her C section.  She's in the middle with the black v-neck dress.

Leah's little bundle of joy is due in October and she was convinced she knew the date of her shower, sometime in August...

And just like that, the weekend is over!

Do you compare yourself to others in the gym?  Did you do anything fun this weekend?

Weekly Workouts + 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!  I hope you had a good weekend!  I am dragging today, but some Chipotle for dinner and an early bedtime should help :)  Last week was a short week and I didn't really get as many workouts in as I wanted to.

S - Rest

M - CrossFit + 1.0 mi walk with Butler

• Strength: Back Squat - 3 rep max, then 3 at 95% and 90%.  I started to add weight and it started to hurt my back so I kept it light and did sets of 6 instead.  I got up to 105#.
• WOD: 12 minute AMRAP - I finished 5 rounds.
• 200m Run
• 4 Hang Squat Cleans (135/95) - I did 75 lbs, I could've Rxed, but my back said nope.
• 8 Toes to Bar

T - Rest Day (since we went to the Phillies game for Dave's 30th bday and got a home run ball!)

W - 1.35 mi walk with Butler around the dog park

Th - CrossFit

• Skill: 15 minutes of gymnastics goat work - I worked on pull ups because I'm desperately trying to connect them. In workouts I do them one at a time and it takes forever.  When I attempt to connect them my timing is off and I don't get a good push off the bar at the top, so I end up swinging awkwardly at the bottom instead of ready to kip into my next one.  I'm able to connect 2 now but not 3.  I will be working the new drill my coach gave me.
• WOD: 15 minute AMRAP
• 10 Handstand Push Ups
• 15 Kettlebell Swings (70/53)
• 30 Double Understand
• I did a modified version because I knew even light kettlebell swings would hurt my back.  I subbed the KB swings for 10 pull ups.  I also didn't complete 30 dubs every round, I just did attempts until the guy I was pacing with was finished... or until I threw my jump rope across the gym in frustration...

The rest of the weekend did not include any formal workouts.  I went for a few strolls with Butler and got a few miles in walking home from the bars.  I had a catch on the beach.  I danced my ass off Saturday night.  I did one epic beach sprint carrying my not so light beach bag and a chair.  I intended on doing more, but it just didn't happen.  Holiday weekends typically mean some extra indulgence, so this week I will be focusing on healthy eats and getting back into a workout groove!

But first... here are some tidbits from our weekend down the shore with our friends Jeff and Arley.

Thursday night, we kicked off our time in Cape May with an awesome dinner at YB.  We've been there a few times for breakfast, but we've never tried their dinner.  It's a BYOB and the entrées were all so reasonable ($20 for 2 giant crab cakes), both of which are pretty rare in Cape May.  We ordered the swordfish tacos and duck fat fries as appetizers.

Then for the main course I had the crab cakes with a pesto couscous and it was just so delicious.  Our table also ordered salmon, sesame crusted tuna, and a pork chop and everyone loved their meal.  Dinner for four came to $107, which made me literally laugh out loud!  I would definitely recommend YB to anyone!

After dinner we met up with Dave's aunt and uncle, Kay and Trip.  We spent the rest of our night enjoying the nice weather in some rocking chairs at what we call the porch bar, followed up by a trip to the Boiler Room in the basement of Congress Hall.

Friday we had a great beach day, followed by a wonderful seafood feast!  Between appetizers and dinner, Arley and I took Butler for a walk around the neighborhood.

Friday night involved buckets and more rocking chair action.

Since the weather wasn't that great Saturday we laid low and played some cards on the deck.  After I crushed everyone at Rummy 500, we decided to head over to the bay so Butler could get some beach action.  We met up with Kimber and everyone couldn't stop giggling at Butler having a ball in the water.

One of the best parts of the weekend was Saturday night.  We found the perfect spot to watch the fireworks right in front of Congress Hall.

 

After the awesome display, we made our way to one of our favorite bars Cabana's for some live music!  The band was called Mystery Machine and they were great.  When's the last time you saw a band at a bar with a 4 piece horn section?!

And Sunday we rounded out the weekend with a beautiful beach day and a quick visit with some more of Dave's family that are staying at the house this week.

It was a wonderful weekend and the icing on the cake was we didn't hit any traffic on the way home!  Till September Cape May!

How was your 4th of July?!