Good morning! I hope you are all doing well and are feeling relaxed after the weekend!
I actually spent most of yesterday outside, which was glorious! It was unseasonably cool in in Ocala, so Ryan and I took advantage of the gorgeous weather and took Sadie on a hike in the late afternoon once I got off of work.
While we hiked, I told Ryan about some of the first aid tips pertaining to spider and snake bites that I learned earlier that day in a first aid training class. I don’t advise talking about spider and snake bites while hiking because we became quite the paranoid pair. A branch that lightly scraped against my leg made me jump a mile into the air!
Once we made it home, we got to work in the kitchen and made some of the most delicious enchiladas for dinner!
We followed the Publix Apron’s enchilada recipe, but used whole wheat tortillas in place of the regular tortillas and doubled the amount of (fat-free) refried beans. They were delicious and I cannot wait to dig into the leftovers!
Workout
This morning Ryan and I headed to the gym to take a cross training class together. Though we go to the gym together most mornings, we rarely do the same workout, so I was really looking forward to taking a class with him.
One of the trainers at our gym is really into functional workouts and recently got his CrossFit Level 1 certification. The cross training class he teaches is CrossFit-inspired, and reminded me a lot of the two CrossFit workouts I did at the Reebok headquarters last year.
The workout lasted only 12 minutes, but introduced a new butt-kicking exercise to me.
Wall balls. (<—Click the link for a video demonstration.)
(Source)
Oh my gosh. Wall balls are tough. They’re a staple in many CrossFit workouts, but since I don’t do CrossFit, they were totally new to me.
The circuit we completed included three rounds of four different exercises that we did continuously for one minute a piece. The entire workout took 12 minutes, but it kicked my butt!
I finished my time at the gym with some stretching and light cardio before calling it a day.
Breakfast
When I arrived home from the gym, I opened the fridge and grabbed the bowl of overnight oats that I prepared last night for breakfast this morning!
Since I did most of the prep work after dinner yesterday, all I had to do was add a little almond milk to get things moving and top the oats with pecans.
A good workout + Overnight oats = A great way to start the day!
See ya after lunch! I hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Question of the Morning
What is the most challenging new-to-you exercise that you’ve recently completed?
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Wall balls are the absolute worst! But, also kind of feel amazing when you’re finished them at the same time. That exercise is for sure killer.
Glad you got to enjoy some time outside yesterday, it was beautiful here too which was amazing.
Those overnight oats look so thick and creamy (which sounds creepy to write), but look tasty:)
I’ve been taking an awesome TRX/functional training class at a new gym near my apartment in NYC and we did Wall Balls this weekend! I agree, they’re tough. We also did something that our instructor called an “Alligator Walk” which were essentially walking push-ups across the length of the room. Super tough, they felt way more difficult than usual push-ups.
Last week I integrated plank rows into my workout. Essentially, you are in plank position and you pull the weight back with one arm. Very tough to balance and a GREAT core workout! It hurt to laugh for days!
those are definitely challenging – but in a great way!
I need to try that!
I’ve never tried using a wet ball, but its name brings forth images of me drenched in sweat, cursing whoever invented them ;). I’m glad you had such an enjoyable day! The eats look fantastic 🙂
Love your handle “Apple of my Eye”! It was the theme of my teacher and autumn inspired fall wedding! It is also one of my favorite Psalms.
Mmmm, gimme some of those enchiladas! 🙂 I made Clean Eating Mag’s crock pot tamale casserole this weekend. Sooooo yummy!
I haven’t tried wall balls, but perhaps I should. I like functional training. I haven’t really tried too many new exercises lately. Pregnancy kind of put a stop to trying new n’ crazy things. haha I am trying out a new fitness DVD though, so hopefully I’ll like it!
I love using P90X videos for at-home workouts, and yesterday I thought using the plyo tape would be a good, average workout. Boy was I wrong, that workout was the hardest thing I have ever done! I thought I was gonna die, and I didn’t even do the whole thing.
Everyone loves p90x…. What is your take on it? Is it expensive? I know nothing about it really, but many bloggers and friends have been loving it lately!
I’m not sure how expensive it is (because I use my parent’s videos) and I know there are a lot of different packages that you can buy that cost different amounts. You also have to factor in the cost of weights if you don’t have any already at home. But I LOVE using the videos because they have a warm up and cool down, and the strength training videos are AWESOME. The shoulders and arms video is my favorite, it makes my arms shake for hours afterward! There are so many different videos that you can incorporate into your routine, so I would definitely say that the videos are worth it.
I bought the P90X basic package for about $130. I think it was well worth the money and its basically what got me into lifting more weights! I used to follow the program but now I just do a workout once and awhile when I am looking for something different! I have learned a ton from it too!
Those enchiladas look delicious 🙂 perfect cinco de mayo meal!
YUM! Those enchiladas look delicious. I’m making Sour Cream Enchiladas tomorrow and can’t wait!
I told you a couple months back that I tried your peanut butter overnight oats and didn’t like them, and I finally realized why! I left out the brown sugar and didn’t add any other sweetner. Its SO good if you follow your recipe correctly 😉
Wall balls kill your arms! Or at least mine, bc I’m weaker in the upper body.. oy! I tried them when I did a two week CrossFit intro last summer.
Enchiladas are a perfect way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! I have recently began to swim (I have my first triathlon coming up in June!) and boy oh boy is it hard! I thought I was a halfway decent swimmer, but when it comes to endurance I need some work!
I have been doing Xfit for about 3 weeks now and was intrigued by the wall ball workout. The video link only showed one exercise – what were the other 3 exercises you did in your workout? I am trying to add new stuff to my workout. Thanks!!
Sounds like a great workout, I love that you and Ryan did it together. I really like wall balls, but I don’t do them often enough. I think full burpees are really difficult, and basically anything that involves coordination (haha!).
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com
Wall balls are rough! I don’t do them often (or ever), but the few times I have done them have been pure, torturous hell.
Those enchiladas look so yummy! How fun to take the same class with Ryan this morning! I’ve been trying to take the harder position variations in bar method classes lately, and even though it’s not a huge change, i’ve noticed a pretty big difference.
Wall balls really are No Joke! The 1st time I tried them I thought, “this can’t be too tough!”. Not so much! They are a great exercise though 🙂 Happy Monday!
Wow! Could you have melted that cheese any more perfect?! Nice! Enchiladas are my absolute favorite, and something I feel is always better homemade over restaurant 🙂
I’ll be sure to try the whole wheat wraps as well.
Those enchiladas look delicious! I like that it uses rotisserie chicken in the recipe. Definitely want to try it! 🙂
Oh my goodness….wall balls kick major butt.
Ouch wall balls look tough! Never done them before, but I JUST started strength training so pretty much every exercise is new to me right now. Those enchiladas look delicious – mexican food is my favorite 🙂
Those wall balls do look really tough and the more I’ve looked into CrossFit, the more I think I would really enjoy those workouts, even though I believe they will kick my tail!!
Those enchiladas look great!
Those enchiladas look fantastic! And I bet they’ll be great as leftovers, yum!
I think it’s unseasonably cool up here in Boston too – cool as in in the 40’s today!!! I’m a born and raised Florida girl so I am completely out of my element. I mean, it’s MAY. IT’S SUMMER. WHY IS IT IN THE 40’S!?!?
Time for me to plan a vacation 🙂
Haha our weather patterns and habits are the complete opposite here in Chicago – we head outdoors when it’s unseasonably warm, not cold! Glad you all got a nice day though!
I did BodyPump for the first time two weeks ago and it was so intense! It’s probably a combo of me being out of shape + not ever really lifting but I had no idea how hard it was going to be!
did you like it???
I’ve never done a Crossfit workout either, but I think anything new always kicks my butt because it’s out of the ordinary. I love trying new things because your body is always challenged in new ways using new muscles. Have a great Monday!
I’m always too scared to do wall balls! I’m scared it will be really loud or break something in the gym haha.
That’s so fun that you and Ryan did the class together – I would love to do that with my husband but we’re always on different schedules, boooo.
I would love to hear more about those Monday night small group for couples that you guys were doing! I loved that first post and would be really interested to hear what you’ve been working through – if you’re still doing it!
tonight is actually our last group meeting. we’re having a bbq! i am hoping we will continue the group (or join another one!) even after it is technically over and i’d love to blog more about the topics i feel comfortable delving into on the blog. it has been a great experience!
I actually tried wall balls the one day I subbed for gym, and could already tell they are an awesome workout! The frogger from BBB last week was the toughest exercise! Haha I’ll take burpees, please!
The most challenging thing I’ve been doing recently is hiking. Hiking up a mountain can actually be pretty difficult if the climb is steep!
I also saw a clip today GMA about water spinning – sounds like fun right?!
Enchiladas are one of those things that taste EVEN better the next day. YUMMY
Those enchiladas look so good! I could eat enchiladas every week! 🙂 I have a trusty family recipe I follow for chicken enchiladas! I use whole wheat tortillas and greek yogurt so I can feel better about eating it through the regular workweek. http://rustichoney.com/2013/02/02/team-spirit/ Creamy and deliscious! Happy Monday!
thanks for sharing, lauren! i’d love to try this recipe!
Those pecans look delicious. They are definitely my favorite nut!
If it was me on that hike, I’d refuse to talk about spiders. I hate them (or any bug) so much, and talking about them just makes me even more creeped out!
We used to do wall balls for conditioning for swimming…I wasn’t a fan. You can definitely feel the burn!
Those enchiladas look amazing!! I would gladly take some of those leftovers off of your hands for you! 😉
I’ve actually been taking a lot more yoga lately, and while it’s way less impact, some of those yoga poses are tough! I’ve been getting shaking muscles in areas that I didn’t know there were muscles to shake! But it’s definitely one of those “hurt so good” kind of things!
I love days where I’m outside a lot. The weather has been strangely cooler lately- not sure what that’s about! Have a good Monday!
I hate wall balls they are the worst thing ever created haha.
I always desperately want to add wall balls to a BBB workout but know it wouldn’t be a feasible move for lots of people just at a gym or if at home wanting to toss a ball at their wall. They are SUCH a good and fun exercise, though!
I tried an rpm spin class this weekend and it kicked my butt. It wasnt as fun as soul cycle but it was still a good workout.
I did TRX about a year ago with one trainer and loved it. I have been keeping up with it by doing it for awhile, but last week I tried out a different trainer. Holy smokes. TRX Planks = BRUTAL. I was crying like a baby, on the inside.
those are no joke!! so hard!
I’m kind of ashamed to say I haven’t tried a new-to-me workout in MONTHS! Rowing (on the machine) was the last one I tried and that STILL kicks my butt. It looks like I need to find me some new cross-training workouts!!
I’m glad you mentioned the wall balls exercise because I was curious about how effective or tough they would be~And I think the toughest and most intense routine I’ve done (not lately though) is Insanity. It’s not too bad when you break it up into 30 minutes or something, but the whole thing through is extremely heart pumping!
I did wall balls today, too! I love functional workouts, and they always kick my butt! I do the 12 lb. ball, and try to go for 50 wall balls….whew….never easy!
Hey Julie – long time reader of your blog, but I had an idea for a post that I would love to read. What are Ryan’s workouts like? What does he eat? I’m always fascinated with what (and how much!) men eat. My fiance once said his favorite food is “protein”.
ha! your fiancé sounds like ryan. 🙂 ryan does a lot of crossfit-inspired workouts (he copies them from the crossfit website). as for food, we eat a lot of the same foods, but he just eats more. and he is more into meat/protein than i am. he’ll usually eat 2x the amount of protein i will in any given meal.
Hi Julie!
I did the white board functional training workout you posted last week yesterday, my first time at one legged burpees!!! Wow, I am feeling them today!
Those enchiladas look amazing!!! I think the most challenging exercise I’ve recently tried involves the agility ladder. I use the ladder with Insanity the Asylum, and all the drills are killer! They take so much mental focus as well as physical focus. It’s like a workout for my brain and my body. 🙂
I made us turkey and corn enchiladas! Delish!
Overnight oats are just the best to have sitting and waiting for you! Love short blast challenging workouts!
Wall balls sound tough!! I’ve done something similar, so I can see how they’d be crazy hard!
I’ve been loving the combo squat burpees & weighted squats lately.. ouch!
The enchiladas look yummy! I love overnight oats! It’s so great to wake-up in the a.m. and have your breakfast all ready to go! Never heard of wall balls, but they sound like quite the challenge!
I just started CrossFit a few weeks ago and most of the workouts have kicked my butt, but I love it! I love going super hard for a short amount of time. I haven’t done wall balls yet, but I just recently tried double unders, which is when you’re jumping rope and the rope passes under you twice in one jump. My calves are still burning days later!