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?!

Christmas Reflections

The past few days have been a whirlwind of celebrations filled with family, traditions, and endless feasting.  To say I am blessed would be an understatement.  I received many thoughtful gifts, I savored more than my share of multiple delicious holiday dishes, and I got to spend some quality time with my loved ones.  Waking up to a thin blanket of snow this morning was the icing on the cake!

I’m really enjoying blending my family traditions with Dave’s, and making some of our own along the way.  Cutting down our own tree with Dave’s parents, my mom’s homemade pierogies, feeling like a big girl sending out my own Christmas cards, running outside in the cold with no coat on when Santa comes down the street on a fire truck at my parents’ house, singing Silent Night in church only by candle light (well, battery operated candle light since someone lit their hair on fire a few years ago), and oh my goodness, the cookies!!!  I only dream of baking cookies as delicious as our moms’, they are both so amazing in the kitchen.  Puddin’ was sufficiently spoiled and I’d say we were too.  I may or may not have gained 7 lbs over the long weekend.

There’s so much preparation and anticipation leading up to the holiday and I can’t believe it has come and gone.  Now I’m feeling slightly run down from all the running and the reality of waking up for work tomorrow is setting in.  The holidays are a lovely time of the year, but I am looking forward the less busy feel of January.  I look forward to clean eats, a busy gym buzzing with New Years motivation, catching up with friends that I couldn’t connect with over the holidays, and maybe even some weekends with no plans other than cuddling on the couch while something simmers in the crockpot.

Oh wait, we still have another long weekend filled with celebrations!  On that note, my bed is calling me.  Merry Christmas to you and yours.  I hope Santa was good to you and you find yourself in good health.

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for my good health.  Dave and I woke up and ran a chilly 2 miles on the trail behind our house.  I felt surprisingly good considering how much running I haven’t been doing lately.  The sun was shining and it was a great way to start the day.  We are doing a Burn off the Bird 5K on Saturday with some friends!

I am thankful for my plethora of friends.  Some I’ve known since elementary and middle school, others I just met this year, I am surrounded by a huge group of supportive, loving, hilarious, amazing people.  We attended two different Friendsgiving celebrations this season and my heart is full.

I am thankful for my family.  I love living with Dave, and Puddin’ perfectly completes our little family.  This turkey day we headed to Lancaster to spend the holiday with Dave’s family, it was kind of strange because it was my first Thanksgiving away from my family, but the food was delicious and I’m grateful that Dave’s family is so welcoming.  And our alternating schedule means we will spend Christmas Day with my family!

I am thankful for spandex pants, a perfect Thanksgiving stuff your face uniform.

I am thankful for my job, a roof over my head, and all the fortune in my life that I tend to take for granted.  Especially in the wake of Hurricane Sandy and with so many people still dealing with the effects of the storm, I am so grateful for all that I have and I need to remember how good I have it throughout the entire year.  I am spoiled.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday!  Don’t forget to appreciate all your blessings today.

Can we go back this weekend?

I've been busy busy, I need to catch up and fill you guys in on my weekend!  Friday night we headed down to Cape May.

I love that feeling you get right at the start of your vacation, anticipation, freedom, excitement.  It was only a weekend, but we were both thrilled to enjoy a cold cocktail on the front porch as the sun set right when we got there.  Our night continued with a search for good eats.  We tried to hit up the raw bar, but unfortunately it was already closed for the night, womp for off season hours.

We saw people eating on the dock, so I was convinced we just missed it, bummer!  Next we headed to one of our fave bars, The Ugly Mug for some pub fare.

 

We ended up heading home and going to bed early after dinner.  We must really be getting old, but getting 10 hours of sleep was glorious!  Our weekend continued with sticking our toes in the sand and running into some friends that we ended up joining for breakfast.

The beach was super chilly, especially since it was so windy on Saturday, so we headed back to the house and I did some sunbathing on the back porch while Dave cut the grass.  And then it was time for a run.  I was really looking forward to running around Cape May, but then it was time and I really didn't want to leave my lounge chair.  I rallied myself and headed out the door with my camera.

 

 

 

I've absolutely fallen in love with Cape May.  Before dating Dave I'd never been and now I don't want to go anywhere else.  Well... except for Long Beach Island!  We left Cape May Saturday afternoon and headed north to spend the night with Leah and Pete.  We feasted on delicious tuna, drank way too much tequila, and laughed so hard our sides hurt.

 

Those are our tequila smiles!  The next day, our Easter started off with some egg dying, mimosas, an epic breakfast, and a walk on the beach.  Perfection.

 

And then there was this crazy guy at the beach...

 

Straight crazy!  The rest of our holiday was spent feasting and chatting with family.  What a wonderful weekend!  I hope you had a good holiday too.

Have you ever gone in the ocean when it's super chilly (like a crazy person)?!  Where's your favorite beach spot?

Easter Escape

Well, we officially made it through the winter... and back to the beach!  Dave and I are spending the weekend doing a tour of the Jersey coast.  We're spending tonight until tomorrow afternoon in Cape May to relax, put our feet in the sand, and eat at all our favorite spots.  I'm also looking forward to my first run on the awesome boardwalk here.  Then tomorrow we're headed north to hang with our friends Leah and Pete in LBI!  We'll be dying some eggs, drinking some cocktails, and cooking up a storm!  The weekend will end with some family time at my aunt's in Sayreville.  I love holidays with my family because the food is always amazing and we always have a blast.

I know 60 degrees isn't really beach weather, but there's something about being down here that just makes me happy, and relaxed... I'm on vacation :)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  Happy Easter.

Do you have any special plans for the weekend?

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I forgot to mention one of my favorite Christmas traditions in my last post...

(source)

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!  Or a great Hanukkah!  Or a merry whatever-you-celebrate!

Whoa December!

Anbody notice anything different around here?  It's December and the blog needed a makeover!

This week started with some fitness. Sunday included yardwork and some push-ups. Monday I went to the gym and did 40 minutes on the elliptical, yay for using that membership. Tuesday I did 35 push-ups in a row! I felt like a champion. I counted down from 35 and I think it made it feel easier to finish. When I knew I only had 5 left to do, it just made me feel like I couldn't give up. Planned to workout last night and decided to skip, fail. Tonight I did a few dumbbell arm exercises and I plan to bust out some push-ups after writing this, definitely a better than nothing workout.

A little workout inspiration this week.

I know their bodies aren't realistic, but I still love the show.  I kind of think some of the girls look like giraffes, but some of them are so beautiful and I love the lingerie, the glitter, and definitely those wings.

Is it awkward that I'm posting pictures of girls in their underwear on my blog?  Strange bird.

Tomorrow is Friday and I'm loving it. I'm ready for a weekend full of friends and food, some backyard football, and going to pick out our Christmas Tree. It's December and I'm getting in the mood for Christmas, but not before we celebrate Thanksgiving one more time with our friendsgiving, Turducken Day. I'm pumped.

I've been thinking about getting in touch with my crafty side and doing some DIY Christmas decor for Dave's house.  I am not usually very crafty, but perhaps some crafts coming up on the blog in the near future!

Are you ready for the holidays?  Do you like to decorate?