No Motivation Mondays today—but maybe this will motivate you—I’m so sore, I can hardly walk! Now that I’m back into regular workouts, I’ve come to really embrace my Sunday afternoons. I have a whole routine— go to the gym, reward myself with a little scouting trip to Marshalls Home Goods and then go grocery shopping (and I’m cooking more too, which is huge for me!)
I’ve been feeling great since resuming my workouts. What’s even better is that I’m finally seeing the “fruits of my labor,” so to say, when I reflect back upon all of the time I spent with a personal trainer and doing boot camp. It was all worth it, because, now, I’m able to actually complete a challenging workout without direction. I know how to push myself and I know a good amount of exercises that I can do to where they feel natural for me.
Here’s what I’ve been doing:
- The Tone it Up Beach Babe DVD at home—love this for Saturday mornings! I also do workouts from their YouTube channel when I’m at the gym or at home (I just pull up the videos on my iPhone when I’m at the gym and just do the workout—so convenient!)
- BodyRock.tv workouts— I love Body Rock because their entire tagline is “The Home Workout Movement.” You don’t need a gym to be fit—in fact, these workouts are so incredibly challenging—you will break a sweat and your muscles will burn like crazy. BodyRock proves that there are NO excuses—everyone has 12-15 minutes a day to work hard. I found this particular video of a mom of a 10 month old baby inspiring.
- Bar Method— I am still doing a Bar Method class once a week with my instructor until the studio opens this fall. Once the studio opens my goal is to go at least 3 times a week.
- Gym workouts— when I go to the gym, I don’t use any machines. I do all of my workouts using my own body weight, free weights, bands, balls etc… this is what I am used to with personal training and I prefer working out this way because I push myself more. For cardio, I run up and down stairs, do burpees with jumps, soccer ball drills, jump rope, etc. I mix intense, short bursts of cardio in with my weight and resistance training.
- I’d like to start taking spin class at my gym but haven’t gotten around to it yet!
So, that’s a little update from me—I’m already seeing results after just a few weeks. Thank goodness muscles have memory! It seems like everything just tones right back up—and I sure am building back that muscle with how sore I am!
Okay, now to Monday’s outfit. I decided to take my new off-white J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt out of my closet for a pastel look.
Shoes- Nine West “Martina” (buy them here)
(they are the most comfortable heels ever!)
Mint is one of my favorite colors right now and I love how classic this look is on you 🙂
Maria
http://www.daintyanddecadent.com
It sounds like your workouts are a lot of fun! So funny, I'm getting ready to go for a jog right now 😉
Love the cream and mint! Such a pretty look, anytime of year. I can see it in the fall and winter too, not just spring and summer.
I started training for a 10k, which is crazy for me. I have a 5k scheduled on August 25, so my goal for the summer is to be able to run that without stopping.
You're inspiring me to step up my strength training. I pretty much don't do any at all and I really need to.
I recently started working out again after a really long stretch of not working out – over a year, longest I've ever gone without being active or at least walking regularly. Feels good to be back moving again.
Love this outfit too. I used to have a blazer in a similar color/texture. It reminded me of Chanel. I wish I had hung on to it.
Whoops – meant to add that the Tone It Up gals have been a big inspiration to me, I watch their youtube videos. Is the DVD something you would recommend?
Oh! Love that OPI polish – may need to go looking for it 🙂
Sarah
smalltowncatwalk.blogspot.ca
Love the mint candy apple polish- it's my favorite! It's by Essie, though, right? I get so many compliments when I wear it, even from my 3 year old son who says "oh mom! I like your blue finger nails!"
I've been working with a trainer twice a week but hard as I work out, I don't see results (except bigger arm muscles and those I do not need). I've decided I'm going to do a half marathon in 6 weeks so I'm in the middle of that. I'm up to 5 miles right now, so I have some to go but having that end goal really does keep you motivated!
Oooh, love the blazer! I play soccer but need to find the time and motivation to add in some running again. I miss it (never thought I'd say that!).
If you like Bar method, you HAVE to try Define. Their classes are amazing, the instructors are great, I just love them. I go at least 4 times a week! Can't recommend enough.
I've been doing P90X for about 5 weeks and noticed muscle gains and stronger, less jiggly legs. YES!
Elz- I did a month unlimited at define and I liked it but I prefer bar method- there is more structure and direction IMO 🙂
You should post your gym outfits, too! I'll bet you have great workout style!
I just came across your blog and checking it out. Love the outfit and adore the nail color, I just ordered a mint colored watch that would be perfect with that color! 🙂
I love my booty barre class! I have been going now for almost two months, 3 times a week, and the results are incredible.
Mollie- I post my workout outfits on my facebook page 🙂
I am starting to walk more and feel great after doing so! I also have been making healthier choices when I go out to eat and try to gear myself of going to healthy eateries. You look fantastic! Absolutely love all that mint.
I love this look!
Do you think DVD workouts are effective? Have you noticed any results? I don't like going to the gym (same reason you don't like it too much), and it's too hot to run outside (I live in New York city and it is 90+ these days… plus humidity..) so DVDs are my last resort.
You are a total inspiration; I recently started doing Elements Pilates for beginners after reading your blog. 🙂
you look amazing!
I love my power yoga class. I break an incredible sweat and always feel really strong and powerful afterward. I also love the meditative aspect as it helps me center during busy times 🙂
Love Bar Method. I just started taking classes in the spring and can't tell you how much it's done for me. I feel long, lean, and strong every time I take this class.
You are so gorgeous! 🙂
https://kadddii.blogspot.com/
I love spin and go Saturday/Sunday mornings to Rice Village 24 hr fitness classes. Best cardio and great instructors.
Sounds like you've been busy! I run 2-3 times a week & take a Yoglates class 2-3 times a week. The last week I've started swimming laps to help tone my arms & doing extra pushups at home.
Cute outfit!
Fitness-wise, I've been loving the Nike Training Club app for the iPhone. It's so convenient and well-structured. Love all the pre-designed workouts, the mini-videos, the reward system, etc. etc. Also love doing yoga videos!
Hi Veronika, I stumbled onto your blog a few weeks ago and I absolutely love your tips and styles! I know this is a little unrelated to this post, but I'm wondering if you can do a video on how you paint your nails?
Thank you so much!
Adelaide from Toronto.
Hi Veronica I recently started to follow your blog…I am j.crew obsessed and saw you have too have many j.crew pieces! Anyway I am a very committed gym goer with 2 kids(ages 5 and 7) so I regularly go at 4:30am typically doing HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts. I also use med balls, stability balls, bands and body weight and frequent a boot camp class at my gym.
Oh gf, that jacket is just irresistible! I'm on a 60 day shopping diet, otherwise, I'd snag it right up judging how great it looks on you.
This is SO pretty on you, V, definitely your colour!!
Great update on the workouts, I like reading about that. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love this outfit, V, and the matching nail polish! Very chic!