This morning when the alarm went off at 5:05 a.m., Ryan rolled over, asking me if I wanted to sleep in.
I mumbled yes and we slept for another glorious hour and a half.
At 6:30, I awoke, got dressed and sat down at the kitchen table, debating in my head what kind of workout I wanted to do. Usually I’m on autopilot in the morning and go right to the gym without really thinking about my workout, but today I was feeling inspired to change things up a bit.
I remembered seeing an awesome circuit-style workout on Tina’s blog yesterday and thought that seemed like a good way to go. I took a few minutes to jot down my own circuit workout to complete when I arrived at the gym.
My circuit looked like this:
- Jumping jacks – 50
- Squats with 25 lb. kettleball – 20
- Squat jumps – 20
- Alternating lunges – 20
- Burpees – 15
- Push ups (on my knees) – 25
- Mountain climbers – 30
- Crunches on exercise ball – 50
I did the circuit three times through which took me slightly less than 25 minutes. I really liked how this circuit seemed to build in intensity. I didn’t begin with burpees (the hardest thing for me) right out of the gate, but rather built up to the harder exercises with slightly easier ones like jumping jacks.
I rounded out my workout with 20 minutes of light cardio on the elliptical with People magazine.
This workout was no nonsense!
Who owns socks like these? I mean really.
Just in case you’re a circuit workout lover, you may also enjoy these workouts:
Breakfast
After a quick walk with Sadie, it was breakfast time!
I saw a guy sipping on a delicious-looking smoothie from my gym’s café as I was leaving morning and knew that was exactly what I wanted… but I saved the $4 and made my own.
Booya, Tropical Smoothie Café!
Served in my favorite Anthropologie mug!
This smoothie tasted like a chocolate and banana cloud. It was so light and fluffy, but thick at the same time.
In the mix:
- 1 c. milk
- 1 scoop chocolate casein protein powder (makes smoothies extra thick!)
- 1 extra large frozen banana
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum
- 1 extra large handful fresh spinach
Garnished with chia seeds!
This was one of the best smoothies I’ve had in a while. The perfect post-circuit workout treat!
Now it’s time to tackle my email inbox. It’s currently giving me the evil eye for neglecting it since lunchtime yesterday.
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I’m sure you have answered this before, but do you eat anything before heading to the gym? Or work out on an empty stomach?
on weekdays when i wake up, i workout on an empty stomach b/c i cramp up easily and have to eat an hr. before i workout – and i’m not about to wake up in the 4 a.m. hr. just to eat! 🙂 on weekends, i’ll typically eat something light – like an apple w/ pb or a tortilla with cheese and hr. before.
Love smoothies… I need to get me some xantham gum stat!
yes you do! it makes such a HUGE difference!
ohh I do love circuit workouts as they combine cardio and strength! 🙂
Love the smoothie, it’s soo wonderfully voluminous! 🙂
A) I totally have the same socks, it’s cool.
B) I saw your tweet this morning about dominating the cardio circuits…nice work!
C) Seeing your Anthropologie mug really made me miss mine even more this morning (I dropped and broke mine)
D) I think instead of being the “sprinkle girl” you should have your own smoothie cart right along next to my slushie cart 😉
We can all rock our no nonsense socks together in Philly! 😉
And awesome job on those circuits, Julie! I love circuits. That’s actually my post this afternoon. An ode to circuits. Thanks for the link love, friend!
I have those socks in black!! LOL
And I really need to find some of this Xantham Gum.. I’m jealous of how thick and delicious your smoothies always look!
we’re so hardcore!
I have those socks too, and I love them! They make me feel hardcore every time I put them on. I also love your workout posts. I’m trying to round out my running schedule with more strength training these days. So thanks for your circuit inventions — they are very inspiring!
Love the circuit workout…I’m on the hunt for workout routines I can do in the park and this one totally fits the bill!
I think I need to take the plunge and buy some xantham gum. I always pass it by in the store b/c it’s pricey, but your smoothies look so thick and good (TWSS?)
ahh I have the exact same socks love them!!
That smoothie looks like one of your best-est yet! It looks awesome in that mug too! I am the same way with eating before workouts…but have had to choke something down lately b/c of my work schedule…this lil breakfast didn’t cramp me up today: http://www.navigatingnorth.com/2011/06/vegan-van.html
Happy e-mails!
I love the anthro mug! I bought a bunch of them as “stocking stutters” last Christmas.
Im going to give your circuit a try before my run today. I like how it doesn’t involve much equipment since I don’t belong to a gym.
I haven’t done a circuit workout in forever. I might need to add them into my routine to spice things up.
Love the vera bradley wristlet. I have the same one! It’s so useful!
Do you ever crap up on an empty stomach? I also cramp up easily after I eat, but I’ve started working out in the mornings on an empty stomach, and I still cramp! Just can’t win.
fortunately, no. i will cramp up on even the slightest amount of water sometimes when i run though which is super annoying!
Oh what an unfortunate typo…I meant “cramp,” not “crap”!! Haha
This made me LOL. 🙂
Hi!
I’m a new blogger, and LOVER of PB Fingers.
You are absolutely wonderful! I love reading/stalking your posts, and I love that you do this full time!
Oh, and I to am addicted to PB, only I eat it by the spoonful!
=)
I’ve been meaning to ask you…do you have a post on stretching before or after your cardio workouts or running? I’d love to read about it!
i don’t, actually… but i should! and, come ot think of it, i should stretch MORE. 🙂 thanks for the reminder!
I love the socks!
Nice workout! I’m definitely stealing it to do later this week 🙂
Oooh I love those mugs! I have the one with the “K” on it (obviously). So fun!
Great workout! I’m loving circuits – I did a Jillian one last night and thought it was awesome!
Smoothies are a great choice post-workout and this one looks delicious! Really chocolatey 🙂
yum the smoothie looks great! esp in that cute mug (i have one too 🙂 ) i love doing circuit training. they’re always challenging but usually short and sweet. that looks like a great workout!
That smoothies looks delicious! I can’t get enough of them these days!
Burpees are my worst enemy! Did 20 last night and almost died 😉
me too! they’re the WORST but are so good about getting your heartrate SKY high. i love them and hate them at the same time.
I have started reading your blog for a week now and I love it. I am just upset when I finish reading an entry because I know I have to wait until the next meal time to get another update 🙂
I feel in a rut as far as morning workouts go…. I’m going to try this in about 30 minutes. THANKS for the inspiration this morning!!!! So *VERY* excited now! 🙂
I have an Anthropologie mug I love too! Dying for a good workout this afternoon!
I’ve been on such a smoothie kick lately. Looks delicioius and refreshing!
It’s nice to hear that someone other than me do push-ups using their knees. I have such weak upper body strength. I am really getting into circut workouts-recently I have been in a running slump and circut workouts are just what I need. I have also been throwing in some Insanity and p90x workouts to mix it up too. I love the intensity but man and I whipped out after several of these workouts.
I love those Anthropologie Mugs! I’ve given them has gifts before 🙂 I’ ve never tried xantham gum before ( in anything!) is it mainly used in smoothies??
I’m going to do that circuit workout tomorrow night! Thanks Julie!
I love that mug – is it from Anthropologie??
yep – look right below the second picture. 😉
oops, i mean the first pic.
High five Anthropologie mug gifts. I love that I can read comments here and get Christmas ideas six months in advance. Win 🙂 I also love reading your work-out posts. They’ve really inspired me to switch up my work-outs and I’m enjoying the gym so much more. Thank you!
haha me too – totally saw Courtney’s comment about using them as stocking stuffers and thought, “brilliant!” will have to bookmark this for December… 🙂
I have black “No-Nonsense” socks! 🙂 And btw, I think you should have a Vitamix give away because I am totally jealous of your creamy-licious smoothies but just can’t fork over that much moolah for a blender! :o)
i’ve actually emailed them about it, but never heard back. boo!
Haha – I’m a moron. I was too excited to get to the ingredients in that deliciousness that I must’ve missed it!
That workout sounds awesome! I love Circuit-style workouts. They keep me engaged and involved in the workout! 🙂
Have a great day!
Sometimes a girl just needs to sleep in! Such a delicious sounding smoothie. Mine are pretty thick, but I think the xantham gum would make a world of difference!
Where do you get chia seeds? I’ve looked for them a few times at the store but haven’t found them.
chiaseedsdirect.com or the bulk bins at whole foods! iherb.com also has them!
This cardio circuit looks awesome! 🙂 I do push-ups on my knees as well – they are SO challenging! I was on the elliptical a few days ago and this girl came in a rocked out 3 sets of 10 full ones and I was staring big time in awe, lol! 😉 Awesome. And inspiring. I just did Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown DVD yesterday and it left my arms exhausted, shaky – and hopefully, if I keep working on it – stronger! 😀
Random question, cause I know you love your celebrity mags, and I’m curious: do you prefer People magazine to US Weekly? They’re quite different! I used to work for the former but I much prefer the latter – it’s so trashy and fun, lol! Love me some trash reading! 😛
I love your no-nonsense socks! <3 Good luck tackling the inbox! xyx
i like both! if i’m on the elliptical, i prefer us weekly b/c it’s easier to read – more pics, etc. but if i’m in the mood to spend more time w/ a magazine, i like people.
hehe, cool! i was just wondering, albeit a little randomly, lol! 🙂 Take care! xyx
Great workout, I was actually googling circuit workout ideas so this post came at the right time 🙂
i like both! if i’m on the elliptical, i prefer us weekly b/c it’s easier to read – more pics, etc. but if i’m in the mood to spend more time w/ a magazine, i like people. 🙂
Hi!
I love your blog and all of your fun journeys with food and exercise and food. I have a quick question. I’ve recently lost a bunch of weight and am trying to maintain. I’m wondering about how many calories you eat during a given day…average of course. Have you ever worked out that calculation?
I LOVE those socks! I definitely own a pair and always giggle when I wear them, lol.
Love the socks! I have the same mug except with an “H” obviously 😉
Hi Julie! I have been reading your blog for a while now and have just started my own. I just wanted to pop over to tell you how much I enjoy reading your posts, and also thank you for my new-found smoothie ADDICTION! Seriously, I can’t get enough. I love your trick about frozen bananas. Oh, and I have those kind of socks too! They’re very entertaining, haha.
Hey Julie! I absolutely love your blog, and I love all your workouts, I think I’m going to try out this circuit today! One question though- I think you’re an inspiration with your healthy eating and daily workouts, but why don’t you ever try to do regular pushups? You must be pretty strong, especially with all the Body Pump classes you do, and I definitely feel like you can bust ’em out! Just curious! Hope you have an excellent day 🙂
i will often start w/ regular pushups and then go down on my knees when they get harder. push ups are a totally different kind of strength for me than weightlifting. they’re intense!
Isn’t it great to plan a head and change things up. Sometimes I’ll change things up when I get to the gym, but I just think there’s something to be said about planning ahead. I’m always more pumped up!
Julie, Besides selling T-shirts, you should sell cards with Sadie’s pictures and all the daily captions underneath. They would be a big hit, everybody loves Sadie!!
When I move to Florida will you be my personal smoothie maker? 🙂
Like a lot of other readers, I have those socks too 😉 I wish I could remember where they are from! haha.
ooooh, you get to “sleep in” and still fit a workout in now! I bet Ryan is envious! That circuit looks scary-tough, to me. Good Job!
I totally have those sock! That is SO funny!
Workout looks great…I did a similar circuit yesterday from Tone IT Up..will have to try yours next time!
I totally took picture of my chocolate smoothie this morning in my Anthropologie mug…we are definitely on the same wavelength today! 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
I just copied the workout on my notepad to try! 🙂 Can’t wait to spice things up a little today, thanks Julie!