I hate when I go to write these posts and I wasn’t a perfect angel. But I guess that’s part of the wellness challenge. We can’t all be perfect angels all the time. That would be boring. 😉 This week was a mixed bag. The good: I got in all of my workouts, despite going to Charleston for a few days. The bad: I could not stop eating. Literally. I don’t remember the last time I was so hungry, and all I wanted was carbs, carbs, carbs. Bagels. French fries… total carbohydrate monster. What the hell? I was confused at first and realized later that it was PMS so that made more sense, but oof. My skin was also a mess. So this was not my best week, nutrition-wise and we will just crack that up to PMS and focus on the good part: workouts!
As an aside, I keep getting asked to do a post about my favorite Aaptiv workouts. I am not planning on doing it as it would be a really boring post. I do a lot of the stretches and pretty much do the same treadmill workout over and over again: Just Push It. I like the classic rock mix, it’s flat (I hate hills), it’s only 25 minutes, and it totally kicks my ass. If I’m having an off day I will do the beginner version (max speed 6.2 or 6.4), if I’m feeling good I’ll do advanced (max speed 7.0 or 7.2). I don’t do the yoga or strength workouts as I need a visual aid.
How did you do this week!? This post is my favorite every week as I love seeing your comments and how everyone else did – you guys keep me on track! 🙂
Workouts:
Friday – 25 minute (Just Push It on Aaptiv) treadmill run + stretch.
Saturday – active rest – got in over 1,500 steps while in Charleston.
Sunday – day off but walked a lot.
Monday – Evening Y7 Yoga Class
Tuesday – regular old 20 minute treadmill run
Wednesday – Sky Ting Yoga Class with my friend Mollie.
Thursday – 25 minute (Just Push It on Aaptiv) treadmill run + stretch.
Meditation, Protein Packed Breakfasts: A mixed bag, again. Meditation was on track but I had a few breakfast meetings this week where I had something carb-y… and in Charleston, we didn’t want to go get groceries one morning so I had leftover pizza for breakfast that day. Oops. Cheat day. I remembered the importance of starting with a healthy breakfast this week. It keeps you full and for whatever reason prevents you from craving carbs all day.
Trying Something New: My something new this week was really cool! I did an essential oil treatment with Paul Kepisty! He is Gwyneth Paltrow’s acupuncturist/herbalist and her PR agency set me up with an appointment with him as a part of my review of her new bath soaks, which they developed together. There will be more on that to come but it was pretty awesome. He was able to assess a lot of things by my pulse (and looking at my tongue) and put together a treatment from there. Really cool stuff!
Morning Workouts: I stayed on track with this goal. I like working out in the morning SO much better. Getting up early will always be a stretch for me but it makes the day ahead amazing. Yesterday morning I had a little blog emergency (I messed up an email and coded a post incorrectly) so I didn’t get to the gym until 9am which felt so late.
This Week’s Healthy Links:
- Loved hearing about Merritt’s experience with Whole30.
- How pretty is all this blush activewear??
- My favorite leggings are back in some really pretty seasonal colors.
- Advice from Blake Lively’s trainer.
- Makes me want to have green tea after my meals.
This week’s challenge!
- Get to the gym five times between now and Friday’s check-in.
- Try something new (this is an ongoing thing!) It can be a new class, a new wellness treatment, a new face mask… even a new recipe! Don’t stress, this one is meant to be fun.
- Meditate every day, eat a protein packed breakfast, and add to your gratitude jar.
- Treat yourself! Choose your own treat. It could be fresh flowers, it could be a new pair of workout leggings, or maybe a massage. Do something nice for YOU!
photography by Trent Bailey.
Ooh, I’m interested to know more about your Aaptiv workouts, have never heard of them before. You did great this week, Grace! Here’s to living healthy! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thanks Charmaine!
I’ve been meditating (mostly) everyday and changing up my workouts (I’ve always worked out 6 days a week but you’ve been a huge inspiration for trying new yoga classes) but I think the gratitude jar might be the game changer. I’m going to add that in this coming week!
Good job!!! Yoga is my favorite, I get so tight and it’s really helped.
I love this – it has given me some serious inspiration to kick up my own wellness weeks! Thanks for sharing. I have thrown myself back into yoga this week alongside daily meditations, small steps but I can already feel a positive change x
Yay – great job!!!
I feel like my life is a never ending wellness challenge hence why I try not to add extra stress. But I love reading these so here ya go 🙂 This past week I worked out everyday, my saturday and sunday workout are mostly long walks with a quick hiit session at the end. They are easy and a great way to clear your mind. Thankfully the weather has been wonderful in South Florida. Sleep is very important to me only one night I went to bed after midnight, I usually try to be in bed by ten.
I got my first sports massage last Sunday and it was life changing, I will make that a monthly routine.
My main struggle is food and I realized that I need to prep my meals as meticulously as I prep my workouts. Also hear Geneen Roth on Oprah’s podcast super soul conversations and I think I need to get her books.
Next week’s goal is to drink more water, goal is 10 cups a day.
xo
Pinksole
Good job! I have realized the same thing and really make a big effort to plan out my meals as otherwise I will snack and eat poorly!
I love your honest reports! I find it is so hard to squeeze in workouts when traveling and much prefer to just walk around the city and explore which is exactly what I did last weekend when visiting Asheville.
This week went pretty well for me as far as Aaptiv workouts although I did take a couple extra days off as we were out of town. I still swear by overnight oats for breakfast. 🙂
xo,
Em
http://www.organicallyemily.com
Thanks Em!!! Agreed on overnight oats – so yummy!!!!
My week was very similar to yours (minus being in beautiful Charleston). I’m finally back at my regular workouts. For my something new, I FINALLY downloaded Aaptiv and am already obsessed. I love the treadmill workouts and strength training circuits (especially abs), so far. I’ve also been eating super carb-y meals this week and even did a cheat meal yesterday of a microwaveable pizza. Oops. In all seriousness, it was delicious, but not as filling as my healthier options.
Great job this week! Keep up the good work. Love reading your realness – so easy to relate to.
YAY – So glad you are loving it!!!
Aaptiv has changed everything workout-wise for me. Like you, I mainly stick to their treadmill workouts. I am training to run my first 10K in a couple of weeks — nervous but excited!
It’s such a gamechanger!!!!
I can relate to the off week, on Valentine’s Day we ordered fried chicken from Blue Ribbon (omg so good) and I got doughnuts from Dough to share for dessert… and we split a bottle of wine. It was all so good, but I’ve noticed lately if I drink more than a glass or two of wine/don’t eat well at night – my insomnia acts up. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep and was up from 2-5 am, ugh! We had a really nice night, so I don’t regret it – but I’m not exactly aching to repeat it.
I did get my 5 workouts in, and found some strength training workouts on Aaptiv that I like – Meghan is really good at explaining in detail the moves she wants you to do, and I *think* I’m doing it right. A few ended up being in the morning, mostly by coincidence, because when I have early morning calls I will take them at home and get a workout in before heading into the office. I have also been loving meditating! I have been doing it for 32 days straight and I look forward to it everyday. Really glad this challenge was the kick in the butt to do that regularly. Have a good weekend, Grace!
Yummmm fried chicken is one of my biggest weaknesses. You definitely get a pass for Valentine’s Day.
Great job getting those workouts in!! xx
Sometimes you are just really hungry! It’s important to listen to your body and it evens out with days/weeks that you are less hungry. That oil treatment sounds so interesting!
This week was about getting back into it after being sick and then having some back pain. I got 4 workouts in and ate healthy breakfasts and lunches all week with less snacking! I went with the pumpkin oats and added almond butter and banana for some extra staying power. I already have a treat planned for myself next week – a ski vacation!
The pumpkin oats are soooooo good!
Have a blast skiing!!!
I did well this week with the workouts! I did 5 regular pure barre classes and 1 pure empower class (their cardio class). On Wednesday was when I did both a regular barre class with the empower to follow, it was really hard but also felt good at the end that I had pushed myself to do it. Yesterday was my 250th class, which is exciting! I really like that they acknowledge that at the studios, it makes it feel like you’re working towards a fun goal.
I have also been better about meditating, but not the best. I am planning on using this weekend to get back into the habit. With grad school + work, I really think I need the brain reset each day. It has been really stressful lately, and I think getting back into meditating every day will help me with feeling overwhelmed!
Your trip to Charleston looked amazing! I loved it there the one time I went to visit, I definitely want to go back sometime 🙂
Awesome work! Barre is so hard!!!!
Four workouts – I was SO exhausted all week and I have no idea why other than weather and allergies. Zero meditation – I probably would have been less tired if I had made time for this. When I do eat breakfast it’s healthy and high protein, but be honest I’m not a big breakfast eater, and never have been, even as a kid. I tend to have something like a smoothie or Greek yogurt and berries, but not until at least 10 a.m., and sometimes I just wait and have an early lunch if I’m not hungry until then. My body actually doesn’t feel good if I eat breakfast too early, and I also end up eating way too much on the days I eat an early breakfast. My new thing this week … I am trying a course through the website Daily OM. I’ve been intrigued for a while by these, and since Lent started Wednesday, it seemed like a good time to being a new journey. I also have up both sugar and FB for Lent. I do FB every year, but decided I need a good sugar detox this year as well. I think I overdid it on sugar during Dry January, and since I’m back on the wine (although much less than before), I figure the sugar needs to go for a while. 🙂
Great job! Isn’t that the worst? I felt like that this morning – so tired but no reason. I joked that it was because today is a holiday and my body didn’t want to work. 🙂
Still loving this wellness challenge. I joined Equinox at the end of 2017, and it’s been a goal of mine to try a new class every week. There’s just so many options. This week I tried Precision Running and LOVED it. I pushed myself so hard. As of this morning I’ve worked out 5 times this week.
Congrats on transitioning to being a morning workout person. The initial transition is hard, but once you get used to the wake up time and get hooked on the morning endorphins, it’s hard to ever go back.
I really need to get better about meditating. That will be my big push next week.
Thanks again for organizing all of this and helping us all stay accountable!
So glad you are loving it!!!! And yes… those morning endorphins are everything! xo
Though I was only able to make four of my workouts this week, I did work hard at the workouts that I did complete. I’m currently in my last semester of graduate school, so now that we’re four weeks in, I have a much better handle on when I can comfortably schedule a workout on the weekdays and which days need to be devoted to rest. With this in mind, I now know that I need to hit all of my workouts Friday through Tuesday because Wednesday and Thursday must be days off for me. I find this predictability really helpful, especially because I do not have the typical 9-5 PM schedule right now.
In regard to the trying something new, I attended a new dumbbell class last week and took a spin class with a different instructor. In both cases, I was really happy with the classes and proud of myself for branching out a little bit from my typical choices.
For the coming week, I want to be a bit more consistent with my water intake. Usually, that is the goal that I can most easily hit, but last week was not as hydrated as I would like. I want to make that this week’s priority.
You still did great!!!! Keep up the good work!
Workouts were great this week – on top of it! So far I have worked out everyday but Wednesday – went to Valentine’s dinner with my parents because they pitied me and didn’t want me eating alone haha. Didn’t switch to morning workouts though because I have to be in to work at 7:30 AM and I just can’t bring myself to wake up at 5 AM.
Meditating and healthy eating were okay this week. Slacked a little on both. And I have the hardest time saying no when delicious treats are brought into the office. So I decided to just go on ahead and treat myself! Haha.
I also was having PMS issues – horrible skin and verryyy bloated. I am working on cleaning up my skincare routine and I think it has really been helping. Better/cleaner ingredients = clearer skin!
Great job!!! And PMS IS THE WORST!!!!
I got in my five workouts (a few were ugly) and while I didn’t try the rowing machine like I planned, I did start tracking my food and exercise on My Fitness Pal which helps a lot. I eat a lot of handfuls of things plus leftovers off my kids’ plates which adds up the cals.
I want to treat myself to a lightweight to midweight jacket that will cover my bum adequately (I live in a warm climate). Suggestions are welcome!
Awesome job!!!! For a jacket… hmmmm… what kind? Like a workout jacket, or a more professional one?
Checking in from 35,000 feet en route to Mexico! We are headed to a friends wedding!
I feel you on the mix bag of a week Grace!
Friday-trainer HIIT workout
Saturday-Aaptiv just push it
Sunday- Seventh heavan. This is the hardest workout I’ve dont on Aaptiv. I do it almost ever Sunday and track my progress based off of when I peak and then start having to hop on and off the treadmill for a 30second rest.
Monday – I tried Aaptiv Rock and stride. Not a bad lik workout.
Tuesday – intentionally rested. Got in over 15k steps
Wednesday HIIT woodway workout
Thursday – 20k steps at work and after two hours of running all over Boston I have myself the night off
Friday – HIIT dreadmill and arms w my traine
I did ACV everyday and cmpicked up The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*uck.
Hope to ge a few good workouts in while in Mexico!
Hope Mexico was amazing!!!
Great job!!!! xx
I did good on exercising and walking and eating the right amounts and the right kinds of food….I gained 1 pound! I’m doomed ! This thyroid problem is h#*@$$&
Great job! I think it’s important to note that it isn’t about that # on the scale (I haven’t weighed myself in years!!) but more about how you feel and how your clothes fit!
Finally! I got in all of my early morning workouts this week! I realize how much better I feel when I workout first thing and that has been a huge motivator. Also did pretty well with eating except for the pizza I had last night. And Thursday night. Oops.
My new thing I’m trying this week is volunteering at a retirement community with my dog. I’m so excited!
As for a treat for myself, I need to think about this one. I just bought myself a condo that needs a lot of work, so my treat may actually be the crowbar I bought today to do some demo work 😉 I really love the Outdoor Voices leggings you linked … but I may need to hold off on those extras for a bit.
OOps. Pizza… it’s just so good!!! x
I just completed my fifth workout of the week! I am so excited. I have been keeping track of my workouts by checking a box each week. It is SO encouraging to look back and see all of my workouts over the past seven weeks. I only got a little messed up during weeks 4-5 when I had to travel for a wedding but I still made many happen!
I have also been doing ACV everyday (except today haha). Just a capful in my water bottle in the am is great way to start my day! Protein-packed breakfasts are never a problem for as I usually eat overnight oats on weekdays. I am focused on prioritizing the workouts with my schedule. I gave up Instagram for Lent so I am hoping that creates more time in my schedule.
You should feel very proud of yourself for getting in all of your workouts despite traveling. It is so tough to make that happen sometimes!
Yay! Great job!!!! And agreed – travel makes things so tricky!!!
I totally relate to your not-being-a-perfect-angel sentiments! I got in my workouts, but may or may not have bought myself some ben & jerry’s (which I really, really enjoyed).
This week, I got in two swims (though I really wanted to do more), two yoga classes, and one pilates video. Even though I fit in all my workouts, I felt a little sluggish about them. Though, I tried to do a good amount of walking to make up for my less-than-perfect exercise attempts.
For my new thing, I’ve been trying to prep my food for the week so when I look in the fridge when starving, I don’t just resort to something not-so-healthy as a default. So far, I’ve cut up kale so it’s prepped for salad, as well as cubed and roasted sweet potatoes to eat as a side or in salad, amongst other things. I feel like this is a habit that’ll stick!
Thanks for keeping us motivated, I love these check-ins! I think about this post during the week and it reminds me to make better decisions! 🙂
I mean… you have to treat yourself every now and again, right!?
Great job this week!