It’s official. BodyPump Release 77 is the JAM. It seriously rocks my entire body.
(Source)
(Side note: Doesn’t that puppy look like Kona!?)
For those of you unfamiliar with BodyPump, it is a total-body strength-training class created by Les Mills. The routines are created by Les Mills employees and distributed to instructors and gyms all around the world. A new routine, or “release,” debuts every three months.
It usually takes me a few classes to really get into the groove of a new release. The first time I try a new release I generally concentrate on learning the new routine so I don’t pay too much attention to how my body is responding or the music.
Since I attempted release 77 on Monday, when today’s BodyPump instructor decided to do the new release as well, I was able to really get into it! A couple of new take-aways: The bicep track really is killer. One of the hardest yet! Shoulders are the same way. My arms were screaming during this class!
Oh, and on Monday I said I liked the song played during the shoulder track… I lied (accidentally). It’s the song played during the abs track that is my new favorite BodyPump jam. (It gets good at the 50 second mark.) I like totally hokey songs with a good beat and this one delivers.
Breakfast
After the ‘Pump, a 20-minute walk with Sadie and a quick shower, it was smoothie makin’ time!
Into the blender went:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 c. frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 c. almond milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 scoop Gold Standard chocolate supreme casein protein powder
- 1 pinches xanthan gum
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds (plus more for garnish)
- 1 large handful fresh spinach
And, in other news, I think I finally figured out why I am currently obsessed with smoothies other than the fact that they’re delicious and give me an excuse to use my beloved Vitamix…
They are HUGE and take a long time to eat!
I’m sure some of you will feel me on this one: I love eating. I love tasting food and enjoy when my meals last longer. Most of my smoothies make around three cups of smoothie goodness for me to eat all by myself. Breakfast lasts a little longer for me when I make a smoothie, which, in my opinion, is a very good thing!
Longchamp, I Love You
Time to get to work… but first, will someone please reassure me that I will be able to find a Longchamp bag in Europe for much cheaper than they are in the United States? I’m slowly becoming more and more obsessed with this tan bag and am making myself hold off in hopes of finding one for less money in Europe in a few weeks.
It folds up into an itty-bitty bag, making it perfect for light-weight travel. I blame Kristen’s guest post for my current obsession…
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I got my longchamp right before my trip to Italy 2 years ago and have used it pretty much every day since then. I got it at Nordstrom’s in the US. In my experience it was actually more expensive in Italy and at the airport (but this was 2 years ago, and it might be different in Paris). I was really skeptical of spending that much money on a tote bag, but I couldn’t recommend this bag enough. The best part is that you can throw it in the washer on delicate when ever it starts to stink or gets dirty and it comes out looking brand new.
That bag is gorgeous!!!! 😀
They had some Longchamps on BlueFly as recently as 2 weeks ago or so. Keep an eye out on there. You can also make your own custom Longchamp on their website. I may do that rather than buy one from the shelf so I have a more original bag.
eeeeeep I LLOVE my Longchamp! I really don’t know what to tell you, I’m sooo not a risk taker. I’m all about saving the bucks, but then again, you want to be SURE to have the bag for your trip! I guess try to decide if it’s more important to you to save money or have it for the trip…I don’t think I could buy it in Italy if it ended up being more expensive, just because I’m stubborn 🙂
I give your smoothie bowls full credit for taking my daily smoothie from the bottle to the bowl. I’ve always loved smoothies, but I agree that you can enjoy them so much more simply by eating them with a spoon than with a straw. I’m definitely addicted to the smoothie bowls now!
Longchamps in Europe are way cheaper! Try to get on in duty free at the airport, they are at least $20 cheaper and there is no tax! If you fly in or out of Heathrow they always have they best selection!
We’ve been working out to “We No Speak Americano” in the latest release of Jazzercise and I love it too! So incredibly cheesy, but it works!!
I LOVE how organized that it is – i mean to know you’re doing #77?! That’s awesome. Sounds like a great workout.
I looooove my Longchamp bag! It was given to me as a gift by my bridesmaids on my wedding day, and I’m madly in love. I’m jealous that you’ll be able to get one cheaper because I want all the sizes and colors now. They’re so useful AND cute. win win!
I *love* BodyPump! Right before I read this post, I texted a friend of mine “Isn’t the new release tough? I’m actually sore!” I’m so glad you think the bicep track is killer, too. With all those bottom-halves, I thought I was just being a wimp! I actually really like the new shoulder track. As long as front raises are out, I’m happy 🙂 I was really into the music, too. If the music is good it makes me push harder.
P.S. Since I read Kristen’s guest post I’ve been wanting the same Longchamp bag in chocolate. Maybe Kristen will do a giveaway. A girl can dream, right? 😉
Yes you can definitely get Longchamp bags in Europe. I got the small-ish one for £60 in Selfridges in the UK, and the one from your picture at the duty free.
When I lived in Italy, near Florence I think the one from your picture was less than 100euros.
I will warn you though, once you get a Longchamp you will never want anything else!!! I can’t wait to expand my collection!
i can totally see your smoothie bowl obsession.
i think thats why i tend to make things like massive bowls of oatmeal and yogurt bowls so often rather than eating sandwiches, because it takes much longer.
however, this morning i made my first ever “Julie Bagelwich”: a cinnamon raisin bagel thing w. 1 wedge laughing cow swiss cheese, raspberry jelly, and a big ‘ol egg white. delishhh!! 🙂
woo! glad you liked it!
I love, LOVE my longchamps bag. I think it was worth every penny. I’d say hold off though, maybe it will be cheaper in Europe? If not, just buy it once you’re back home, it will only mean less shopping finds to trek back with!
I got my longchamp bag from Paris, and it was waaaay cheaper than in the US.
Oh, that’s for the large with the short handle too by the way. I forget if the handle size changes the price or not since it’s been so long since I’ve bought my other ones.
I actually have the EXACT answer to your question! My friend is in Paris right now so I made him look a couple of days ago! They are 68 euro right now, so that equals $97 USD (for the large). Which is a little over $50 in savings. HTH!
It does look like a mini Kona!
My best friend got a Longchamps bag in Europe a few years ago and she loves it. Not sure where she got it or if it is still available.
Every time you talk about body pump I get jealous that I can’t find an affordable gym nearby to take it! It always sounds like a great workout 🙂
Magnums is the best! Not sure if it’s all the time, but they offer free monogramming and sometimes free shipping! I have that exact bag if you want to borrow! 😉 The BEST part: just throw them in the washer. Love mine!
Ok, am I the only person that does not have a Longchamp bag?? Well, besides Julie 🙂
I suddenly feel like I need one…
You can definitely get deals in France and when I was there last they had a much better selection ( I would say go to the actual longchamp boutique over the super touristy spot where everyone shops i forget what it’s called) then Nordstrom and Bloomingdales at Tyson (which is a massive mall outside DC). Only cons about the longchamp is the lack of inside pockets (there is one tiny one but nothing stays in it!), the corners tend to develop holes, and the lighter colors are impossible to keep clean. But they do make for an adorable gym/work bag.
I want that puppy! I want I want want!
I was in Paris last weekend and bought 3 Longchamps! (oops!) They are wayway cheaper. I would buy one in Euros though rather than getting on in pounds if you are coming to England because of the exchange rate. I think the large one was like 72 Euros.
Also, if you spend so much you can declare it at customs and get the tax back!
I was recently in the same situation, so I felt obliged to comment! I reallyy wanted a longchamp bag (also tan!), so when I went to Ireland, it was the perfect opportunity…as tacky as it sounds, I actually bought mine at the Longchamp store in the IRE airport, so I was in Europe (where I’ve heard they are better made) and it was duty free…win-win!! Unless you are going to Paris, they are not cheaper in Europe than in the US (in my experience). Goodluck and enjoy your vacay, Julie!
ps – I’ve since bought a second longchamp (dark brown), off of ebay, so definitely look there if you havent already
Join the saks email list and they’ll email you a 10% off coupon code 🙂
brilliant!!
haha! those bags were so popular in europe the last couple years (i live in greece)
you will DEF be able to find one for cheaper… AND if you dont care you can just buy a knock off on the streets.. they really do look identical to the real thing but are about 20 times cheaper!!
julie, i blame you for my recent smoothie obsession. i just bought a HUGE bag of frozen strawberries from sam’s this week. delicious!
I just did the new release last night for the first time and my body is already screaming! That squat track and the shoulder track were both sure hard! I think I needed more weight on the bar for Biceps and chest because I didn’t feel the same burn as I normally do. I loooooove BodyPump!!
Like everyone else has mentioned, you can get them cheaper in Europe. I got mine from the original Longchamp store in Paris and it was definitely cheaper when I did the conversion. Plus, there are SO many options. If you are feeling generous, you can pick me up one too! 😉
I’ve always been curious about bodypump, it sounds fun! I love all things strength training. 😀 do you eat pre-workout snacks Julie?
i don’t on weekdays b/c i get really crampy if i eat w/in an hour of waking up and i’m not about to wake up in the 4 a.m. hr. just to eat. on weekends i’ll often eat something light an hour before working out… like an apple, granola bar or tortilla with cheese.
I live in Paris and longchamp bags are considerably cheaper here. Stop by a Galeries Lafayettes or a Longchamp store while you’re here, it will be worth your time. I use my Longchamp tous les jours 🙂
Also, just a fun fact – my gym in Paris has Bodypump classes!
I have three Longchamp bags and I looove them. Two of them were gifts and I recently just bought myself a third (large black with long handles, medium tan with long handles, small black with short handles). They are SO useful and versatile, and washable! I’ve heard you can find them cheaper in Europe, lucky girlll!
Aw, that little puppy looks just like my Ridley when he was a puppy….it makes my heart swoon 🙂 I would say go ahead and get a Longchamp Bag now, but I can be a bad influence! Your smoothie looks delish!
100% buy your Longchamp in Paris. I bought mine there for $69 Euro and at Nordies in the states it was $170! As long as the exchange rate stays where it is you’ll get a much better deal… and be tres chic with your Longchamp in Paris! 🙂
Another AMAZING Longchamp esque bag from a French company is Herve Chapelier. . . so durable. I use it as my gym bag! Definitely check them out while you’re in Paris!
That smoothie looks phenom! I totally agree that it’s more fun when I meal lasts longer 🙂
i definitely need a substantial amount of food to feel full, my massive breakfast that gets me going is oatmeal with a banana, blueberries and any other fruit i can stir in. I always feel full for hours!
I made my first smoothie bowl yesterday and I was shocked at how long it took me to eat it!.. I was done blogging before I was done eating! 🙂
I REALLY want that Longchamp bag too!!! I want the black one! My friend bought hers off of eBay for $90, and she says its the real thing…I’m still looking. I’ll let you know if I find something.
Having some serious blog-envy over your VitaMix blender!! It looks like it makes the most amazing smoothies & smoothie bowls! I am *trying* to hold out until we register someday & for when I use BB&B coupon like you did!
I bought a longchamp duty free in an airport in Europe (I’m not even sure which Country I was in, i was all over the place). Although it was slightly cheaper because it was duty free, the difference between the Euro and the dollar made the price difference pretty minimal. There also tends to be a pretty small selection of colors in duty free shops. There was no price difference when shopping in European department stores. I would still suggest getting one. I have a few, one that i have been using for about 6 years. The corners of the bag might get a little big frayed over time, but the rest of the bag holds up really well. Whatever you do, get long straps. It is not fun carrying a bag around your forearm for hours!
Unfortunately Longchamps were not less expensive when I looked at them abroad. Many countries have a very high sales tax (England is close to 18%). : (
I have that bag!! Yes, they are expensive but are worth the money. They last forever and can hold a decent amount of weight. Plus they are really easy to clean. You should try looking at places like Marshalls or Loehmanns. Also, I know for a fact that Nordstrom’s Rack has them for discounted prices. I’m not sure if Nordstroms is just an Illinois thing (don’t think so), but even if it is I’m sure you can find it on the website.
I make and pack meals based on how long I can make them last when I’m eating them. I loveeee something that takes a long time to eat. I really need to try a smoothie bowl asap.
yes! i love that you posted that song! I love it! I’m trying to convince my boyfriend to come to a body pump class with me…has ryan ever gone with you??
I’ve been wanting to try Body Pump for quite awhile now, and this post has renewed my interest. I LOVE Body Flow, and the current release (#53) is the hardest yet…Les Mills seems to be pushing everyone 🙂
I got both of my Longchamp bags in Heathrow on my way back to the States. So much cheaper! I’ve traveled through every terminal at Heathrow and some point and they’ve all had at least one bag store selling Longchamp.
I have the bag in your post in a mustard yellow color and it worked out being around 70 bucks and I’m still kicking myself for not getting another one!
That bag is my current obsession, too! Whenever I do pretend online-shopping (adding a bunch of things to my cart and then deleting them because I have no money), I always debate between the tan and the black. I have HEARD that Longchamp is cheaper in Europe, but I’m not positive!
I can’t wait for my gym to release 77! I think its coming out at the beginning of May. Horary for Body Pump!
I looove Longchamp! The Longchamp SoHo store is down the street from me, I’m always tempted to go in there and then I forget I’m poor.
Body Pump sounds fun, I need to try that! Running gets old after a while and it’s going to be too hot to run outside eventually.
You’ve saved me! A smoothie is what I need right now.
Thanks Julie!