The return of circuit workouts!
The Best Body Boot Camp program I’m following had a freakin’ awesome circuit workout on the books for today.
Before I started doing the program a few weeks ago (I’m halfway done!), I incorporated a lot of circuit workouts into my exercise regimen and they’re definitely one of the things I miss most about my old routine.
Thankfully Tina, the mastermind behind the boot camp, incorporated a few circuits into the workouts on the schedule for the next two weeks, so my craving for circuit workouts is satisfied once again!
Today’s circuit was fast-paced and each of the 10 exercises in the circuit were completed for 40 seconds, followed by a 20 second rest. I did the circuit three times through and it flew by like most circuits seem to do!
My two favorite exercises were performed back-to-back.
One-arm dumbbell row in a plank (I did this on a bench, as seen in this video):
And bench hops:
I say I liked the bench hops, but really they were probably the exercise I dreaded the most because they were the most challenging for me. Talk about getting your heart rate up FAST!
Breakfast
Apparently yesterday was National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day and I totally missed it. What the heck!? I jump on any opportunity to celebrate ridiculous food holidays that involve peanut butter.
This morning I made sure to use my beloved peanut butter in my breakfast and ate a toasted whole wheat English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana slices and shredded coconut that I had leftover from my Easter Rice Krispie Treats.
Whenever I eat coconut and banana together I cannot help but think of one of my favorite Blizzards from Dairy Queen: The Hawaiian Blizzard! It’s a little cup of banana, coconut and pineapple heaven.
My mom turned me onto the Hawaiian Blizzard when I was younger and it appeals to the piña colada-lover in me. (If you’re also a piña colada fan, you may enjoy my piña colada protein smoothie. It’s a good one!) Speaking of my mom, her PET and CT scans came back perfect yesterday. She is still cancer free! That kind of good news never gets old.
Time to write!
I have a lunchtime appointment at a local chiropractor for an assessment, treatment and massage, so I’m hoping this morning will be extra productive. I bought the chiropractic/massage package through Groupon a week ago for $35 because I have always wanted to go to a chiropractor and ask them questions and hear what they have to say. I am really intrigued and hope goes well. If you’ve ever been to a chiropractor, please feel free to share about your experience in the comments section. I’d love to know what I’m getting myself into!
Shannon says
I’m loving circuit workouts lately. I just joined a new gym where they have a workout class called WeFit which is 10 stations each with an A exercise and a B exercise. Think biggest loser style workouts. They are so challenging but awesome! I look forward to going to them everyday now!!!
Allison says
Do you use a timer or a watch during your circuit exercises?
peanutbutterfingers says
my gym has a clock on the wall, so i use that. 🙂
Yellow Haired Girl says
ALWAYS great news to hear! We just got similar news a little while ago about my grandma 🙂
have a wonderful day Julie!
Cindy @ The Flipping Couple says
My chiropractor is AMAZING. I’ve been to several and there are a lot of different techniques and philosophies, so if you don’t love the first one keep looking. Mine has made such a huge difference for me! I used to have 24/7 hip/back/neck pain, but that’s slowly being eliminated. I’m definitely a believer!
Rachel @ The Peach and The Pit says
The Hawaiian blizzard sounds amazing! And perfectly summery! Love that you added coconut to your breakfast…fun way to take it up a notch!
Caitlin says
ummm so i totally did your treadmill work out from yesterday this morning and that baby was tough! the running at 15 incline was definitely a challenge. I have to admit it was hard to run at 8.0 for 2 minutes after all that. I definitely ran in the 6.0’s. Was a great workout though, thanks for sharing!
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables says
that blizzard sounds amazing, i’ve never seen it on our menu before! Def going to have to keep my eye out for it 🙂
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says
I’ve never been to a chiropractor. They kind of scare me. Will be interested to here how your appointment goes…
Paige @ Running Around Normal says
So glad to hear the good news about your mom, Julie 🙂 🙂
Ahh I love my chiropractor/holistic doctor. He’s amazing, and I see him about once a month, now!
Nicole @ Giraffelegs says
Yum! I had a similar breakfast minus the coconut.
Rebecca @ Miss Magnolia Munches & Moves says
Any kind of jumping makes my heartrate soar – Burpees, jump rope, squat tucks, box jums; all of it!
Becky says
That’s great news about your Mom. I go through the same thing with my Mom every three months or so. It always makes me so nervous just waiting for those results! Cheers to your Mom!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed says
I love my chiropractor. I seriously wish he would teach my husband how to not kill me when working out a knot. Someone should write a book with the male lead as a chiro, because that, would be sexy.
Julia says
I don’t see a chiropractor, but I do see a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy)! Chiropractic practices are an offshoot of osteopathy, and DOs are basically regular physicians that come with the knowledge of manipulation. I love it because I’ll go in for a check up or a minor complaint and they always make time to adjust me and work out any kinks I may have AND I get my medical complaint addressed…one stop shopping! 🙂
Kerry @ Totes My Oats says
Circuit workouts are the bomb!
Lindsey says
I love the chiro! Neck adjustments are the best, but are scary when getting them. Just relax and reap the rewards that follow 🙂
Lindsay says
My family and I have always been Chiropracter-goers. I would highly recommend them for anything. ANYTHING. I mean they do it all. Mine helped me break up scar tissue in my shoulder from a surgery 4 years ago! Also, she gave me exercises to do before working out so my old high ankle sprain doesn’t come back. They know about the whole body, not just backs.
BUT!
I would only recommend seeing one that is ART and Grastin certified. They are types of treatments that you have done when you visit and they WORK. They are newer skills so you’ll want to ask since not everyone does it.
Jodi @ I Run for Food and Wine says
Julie,
I’m so happy for that news for you and your family. My dad was diagnosed with cancer in September and had his 4th surgery and chemo rounds a couple weeks ago, and his labs tests came back cancer-free, as well. Thank you for sharing your story so openly, it is so hard for a family to go through this situation.
Bridgette says
That’s great news about your mom!! I can’t imagine how stressful it must be waiting to get those results back but I’m so glad to hear they were good.
I’d love to hear what your thoughts on the chiropractor are as I’m considering a visit with one soon.
Kathy says
I never believed in chirporactors in the past (no offense intended), but lately I have had a lot of upper back & neck pain. Before seeing a physician, I thought I would give the chiropractor another try. She said she feels she is helping me, and some of the pain I had is relieved somewhat. However, my only problem is they always want you on a program where you continue to come back, on a regular schedule, whether weekly, monthly, or whatever. I don’t like to do that. If I have a problem, fix my problem, but I can’t see spending all that money when I don’t have a problem. Others may feel differently about that. I guess it could be looked at as maintenance, but $25 a visit out of my pocket really adds up, and I can’t afford that ever 3 or 4 weeks. Plus, the problem that I initially had is still there, so I don’t know if it will ever be fixed by a chiropractor or not, and so far, I’ve been going steady for 5 months. I guess it’s all a matter of preference.
Mandi says
Hey Kathy,
My husband is a Physical Therapist and this is the downside to chiros. They basically need their patients coming back, so they operate on a dependence: go in, get an adjustment, feel better for x amount of time, and then have to regularly and continually going back for more. I would recommend you try seeing a Physical Therapist as their goal and practice is to help progress/strengthen the patient back to optimum functioning, and then set them free (with the knowledge, exercises, strengthening techniques, etc) to be independent and no longer need the Physical Therapist to “feel good”.
Of course, my knowledge is biased but I see everyday the different he makes in his patient’s lives and they are forever thankful for getting back to optimum strength/functioning/balance whatever it may be, along with the knowledge of keeping themselves healthy and pain-free. Good luck!
clare @ fittingitallin says
Very excited to hear about your apt since i’m considering oen too!
Emily @ Glitz Glam Granola says
Congrats on your Mom’s wonderful news!! That must be such a relief to the whole family!! Definitely a time to celebrate! And your breakfast looks delicious specifically because of the addition of coconut! YUM!
Becky says
I am so glad to hear about your mom. Having good news when it comes to cancer is always the best kind of good news. 🙂
Stephanie @ My Freckled Life says
Yay for your mom!!! I know how relieving that news it to hear!!
Also, that breakfast looks delish. I seriously just wrote “coconut” on my hand to remind me to pick some up on my grocery trip this week!
Michelle @ Blogitness says
Great news about your mom! I’ve never been to a chiropractor. When I have aches and pains that won’t go away I tend to visit the orthopaedic doctor.
Sloane says
HAHA I thought it was shredded cheese. I thought “banana and cheese? That’s different”! And I love your circuit workouts. I can’t wait to start trying them.
Shanna says
Congrats on the great news! That’s always fantastic to hear! My mom has 3 days left of radiation and will then be done!!! 🙂
I loved your breakfast idea. My mom just returned from radiation so I’m going to go make it for us for lunch (because breakfast for lunch is totally legit) 😛
Melissa says
YAYAY about your mama!!! That just made my day! 🙂 It’s funny how invested you get when you read someone’s blog for a long time, isn’t it?
And I LOVED my chiropractor (I moved away from him 🙁 ). They are magic–I swear it! Hope you have a great experience.
Tina @ Best Body Fitness says
Hint hint – you will get your circuit love in phase four too. 🙂
Julie says
So happy to hear the great news about you mom! : )
Nicole says
I’m so happy to hear about your mom!!! 🙂 That’s wonderful, wonderful news!!!
Kellie says
I love PB & J sandwiches! How did I not know that yesterday was a holiday dedicated to them?!
I also LOVE pina coladas … and have always wanted to go to a chiropractor!
Wow, I feel like I could have written this post! 🙂
heather says
yay for your mom’s test results. i know how that ‘waiting’ feels after they’ve taken the test. each milestone leaving the treatment behind is a great one.
some people poopoo chiros, but i’ve not had a bad experience. my insurance covers a certain number of visits a year. i never even saw one until i was in my early 30’s. mine doesn’t try to say you need to come three times a week or anything. (some may – if they’re trying to get you to work on a ‘correction’ issue vs. relief treatment.) i can feel when i need to go in – and that’s usually every 2-3 weeks. def. helps me with exercise, running. my hips like to shift . . . so then one leg or set of muscles is overcompensating.
when i was pregnant with my daughter i went regularly – more often at the very end, and i honestly did not find pregnancy to be horrible. i don’t remember walking funny or feeling super achy. and i exercised up until she was born. also, she was adjusted a few days after she was born! helps them get all aligned after the trauma of being squished on the way out 🙂
Carissa says
Hey! Yeah for Mom! I know that feels so good to hear!
Let me know if you have any chiro questions. I’ve been going for 10 years…short leg, 8 degree scholisis, and now 2 herniated discs. They are good and bad ones, but a good one can do wonders! I hope you liked it! Did you get cracked?
Kimberly (Sketch the Ebb and Flow) says
I used to have some severe back issues from uneven hips, and went to a chiropractor a few times and it seemed to work well. I didn’t finish my treatment, and still had a little bit of back pain until I started doing yoga regularly! Yoga worked wonders for all my alignment issues.
That’s great news about your mom! My mom is in remission from Ovarian cancer, and good news never gets old. 🙂
Lola says
I used to work for a chiropractor. Depending on the chiropractor, it is definitely a way of life. Mine focuses on the body and its ability to heal itself. I am still going through some transformations and I have an appointment tonight at 6:30 to get adjusted.
3x a week can get a bit pricey and off-putting if I hadn’t worked there though. For me, I love the atmosphere and was able to get a good price.
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) says
I just finished Tina’s circuit workout — the bench hops destroyed me, in a good way! It amazes me how much I can run yet doing a circuit workout is so hard.
Jenny says
I’m so happy to hear about your mom’s test results! that is great news!!! 🙂
pluvk says
I LOVE your circuit workouts! I’ve been using them in my daily workouts because I was getting bored with my usual DVDs. Thank you so much! I keep telling people to check them out. 🙂
And great news about your mom! Nothing is scarier than having a parent who may be sick… I went through something similar myself. Many blessings and prayers her way!
Bri Carpenter says
I’ve been seeing my chiro for about 5 months now because I have scoliosis and since seeing her I’ve been pain free 95% of the time. Which is a HUGE improvement to how I was living previously. I personally think seeing a chiro is one of the best things you can do for your health but I’ve had an incredibly positive experience 🙂
Marilynn Spellacy says
I’d like some info on