I’ve been on a huge BodyPump kick lately.
In the past I would take the class two times a week and add in a day of my own total-body weights routine for some variety. I haven’t done this in more than a month and today seemed like a good day to spice up my strength training.
How often do you change your workout routine?
Though I looked longingly into the BodyPump classroom this morning, I was committed to doing my own thing and surprising my muscles.
I completed this total-body weights routine with two little cardio bursts woven in:
Total Body Weights + 20 Min. Cardio Workout
Those tricep dips are no joke! My arms were shaking by the end.
Breakfast
I came home to a creamy breakfast bowl that included cold oatmeal, Greek yogurt and thawed frozen strawberries.
Breakfast Bowl
Cold oatmeal may be my new best friend.
I love the stuff! I prepared the oats last night and added a handful of frozen strawberries to the mix to thaw in the fridge overnight. By this morning, I had a cold and berry tasty bowl of oatmeal!
I added a cup of Greek yogurt to the mix this morning, stirred it up and dug in.
Yogurt + Berries + Oats
Thawed Berries
Stirred Up
I like this breakfast bowl a lot better than overnight oats. Cooking the oats ahead of time and allowing them to cool overnight in the refrigerator changes the texture for the better in my opinion.
Tips for New Runners
After receiving a request from a reader, I am in the process of creating a post with tips for new runners.
I am by no means a running expert and definitely do not have a natural running ability, which I think a lot of new runners can relate to. My tips are pretty simplistic, and I’d love to hear your tips as well!
Sooo… What tips do you have for new runners?
As I create this post, I’ll definitely include tips from you amazing runners out there, so please comment with your running advice!
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Cold oats– great summertime breakfast! Yum!
I would definitely say to start slow and not get frustrated. Adding a little distance or time each week can seem really slow, but it adds up fast!
Your oatmeal method sounds great, I’m going to try this for tomorrow morning!! Thanks! 🙂
your oatmeal looks fantastic! All you did was cook the oats and placed them in the fridge overnight with berries? Too easy!!
I just wanted to say thank you! I’ve been reading your blog for the past 5 months and I absolutely LOVE it. You’ve encouraged me to start running and I actually ran a 5K last Sunday. I came in 5th place out of 30 in my age group and 94th place out of 290 runners!!! I finished in 28 minutes NONSTOP. That is a new PR for me!! So thank you!!!!
that is such an AMAZING time!!! congrats, michelle!!! this comment made my day. 🙂
Did you do the tricep dips w/ you feet on the floor or another bench? I tried the latter last week & had a super hard time getting to 10! verrrry intense!
on the floor – another bench sounds scary!
Awesome workout! I think a good tip for new runners is to not start out too fast – maybe start with the ‘jog for 2 mins, walk for 1’ method, then work up from there. And don’t forget to stretch after, especially if your body isn’t used to working out on a regular basis (we don’t like injuries!!)
For brand-y new runners, definitely don’t go out there with some time or speed goals! Just get out there and run and have fun. Take walking breaks, and slowly increase distance so you don’t hurt yourself (stress fractures love overtrainers!). Don’t try to run every single day or again, overuse or just plain boredom set in. Signing up for a 5k after your comfortable running 2-3 miles would be a fun goal!
Hey love!
What pound-age do you use for weights? 8 lbs?
it totally depends on the exercise. i use weights beginning at around 10 lbs. (for shoulder exercises) & go up from there.
nothing sounds worse to me than cold oatmeal! haha, but i love you!
and I totally bet you could do at least some of those pushups “manly” style! You’d surprise yourself!
Cold oatmeal, I have never thought to do that before…when I think of oatmeal all I want it a warm, creamy bowl of goodness! I may have to try it though…
As far as running goes though, I was NOT a runner when I first started so I took it slow. I started by walking, then mixing walking with running, and then finally setting out on running adventures slowly upping my distance. I guess my best advice is don’t try too much all at once and stick with it, you’ll build the endurance over time.
I need to try cold oats! I have steel oats every morning but it’s getting a bit boring!
My running tips:
– invest in a nike plus running system or the more expensive Garmin to track your progress & inspire!
– Treat yourself to a new running outfit at the end of every month
– Make up fun playlists every week and run at a faster pace during fast songs
– Eat complex carbs about at least 2 hrs before your run.
I have recently found a taste for cold oats, too. I like my baked oatmeal better as a cold leftover than warm right out of the oven. That’s saying a lot since iI’m typically not a leftover person.
I’m with Lisa – you have been doing BodyPump for so long – I bet you can do the first series on toes. Come on! 🙂 It’s great that you are mixing things up and letting your body guess. Go girl!
My tips: start slow, mix it up with walking, then walk less, run more.. and once you can run your distance, start working on other things – speed, longer distance etc. I am not a distance runner and I still struggle. I do enjoy running outside though and that’s what keeps me going. 🙂
Love your blog!
Running tips:
-Go to a running specialty store and have them fit you for YOUR perfect shoes. Have them look at your feet and how you run so they can put you in the right shoe for you. This will make running more comfortable and help keep you injury free!
-Set a goal. Look online sign-up for a local 5k or 10k to work towards. You can always walk the race!
-HAVE FUN!
-Don’t stress over pace and distance. Start out going for time. Walk/run if you need to.
Can’t wait for your post :).
Your breakfast looks delish! I had oatmeal, Greek yogurt, and frozen berries this morning myself! 🙂
Did you just cook your oats with water the night before? I’m definitely going to try this!
yep!
I think one of the best tips is to get fitted for running shoes at a specialty running store…and not just buy any old shoes
I agree with cardiopizza, get fitted for the correct shoes. And don’t try to increase your distance too much at one time.
I think a good tip when starting is to just run light post to light post & then walk to the next one & do it all over! Or pick a particular thing & say ‘I’m just going to run to that stop sign’…and typically once you get to the stop sign (for example) you want to keep going.
Also picking out good fast beat songs to listen to is another one- I love anything that pumps me up (usually rap- haha!)
I love cold oatmeal too!! 🙂
My tips for new runners would be to listen to your body and start slowly. Never increase your mileage each week by more than 10% to avoid injury!
What are hamstring ball curls?
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