After a wonderful couple of days with my parents, it was time for me to pack my bags and head back to school. I woke up early to say goodbye to my dad before he left for work, and made a date to go to the gym at 8am with my mom. I haven’t done early morning work outs since I was a swimmer and had to wake up at 5am for practice. That was always WAY too early but I really do prefer starting my day with an energizing activity, and the gym is much more peaceful in the morning. With classes I simply do not have the time, but it is something I would like to start doing again when school is over. Before heading to the gym I had a mini Clif Bar:I want to start lifting more weights and building my upper body, so I warmed up with 30 minutes light elliptical and then hit the weights. I did:
3×10 bicep curls with a 30 lb bar
3×10 lateral raises-7.5, 10, 10 lb free weights
3×10 front raises 8lb free weights
3×10 side crunches-25 lb weight
20 lunges (per side) with 15 lb hand weights
50 crunches
22 push ups (fun fact: I do 22 because that is how old I am! haha)
I took some advice from Naomi, a personal trainer and amazing blogger, and had a strawberry-banana and chocolate whey protein shake post lifting session:It made this large beer mug full plus another half cup and was frothy and delicious! Into my blender went: 1 frozen banana, 5 whole frozen strawberries, 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 1 small handful (~1 cup) spinach, 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder and 3 ice cubes.
My mom and I chatted in the kitchen and I had a carrot cake muffin with natural pb and a cup of coffee. It was a bit chilly this morning and the clouds were threatening rain. My smoothie made me even colder so I needed something warm and comforting. I sliced the muffin in half and heated it before adding the PB, which was SUCH a good decision.
This is my last time home for quite sometime, so I really wanted to make the most of it and spend some extra time with my mom. I can’t believe I am graduating so soon, but am so excited to finally be done with school and applying myself in the job world. What I am doing next year is still up in the air but I am really hoping that it will be something involving food/wine. A girl can dream.
Living Life and Eating Right,
Nora
What time of day do you prefer to exercise? Do you have specific pre and post work out foods?
Morning! Definitely the morning, I love to get it over with and out of the way so the rest of the day is MINE haha Plus there’s less people at the gym so I don’t have to wait for any machines. Post work I chug back a Protein Shake! Since i’m such a LATE night snacker there’s no need for pre workout food haha Have a great day!!
Aww I just love your time at home with your family. You and I are so alike. I appreciate that time more than anything in the world and treasure each and every special moment. You do the same!
The breakfast looks amazing! I’m really into those carrot cake muffins! Especially with peanut butter on top!
I used to work out in the mornings and it was nice to get it done early. But nowadays I work out in the late afternoon and it’s going pretty well!
wowza does that smoothie look awesome!
I just finished off the last of my protein and need to buy some more. I see a mix of chocolate and vanilla kinds, do you have a preference of one over the other?
That smoothie DOES look awesome! I have a super serious massive craving for a bit smoothie now…yum!
And when I can exercise I prefer the morning, it gives me energy all day!
I prefer doing my workouts in the morning, especially if I know I am going to have a busy day. Sometimes I split my workouts and do half in the morning and half in the afternoon when I get out of work. Sounds like you had a good gym sess with your mom 🙂
I love starting my day out with a workout too. But as a student, it’s so hard to fit it in at the beginning of the day, so I usually go in mid-afternoon.
I’ve just adopted a new post-workout food: my soynut butter and almond granola, which I’m going to post the recipe for tomorrow. I love having it with yogurt and banana. 🙂
ohh man that smoothie sounds AWEESOME! i feel better when i workout early, altho i dont do it NEAR enough!
I prefer working out in the morning – I love getting energized so early, and it is nice to accomplish something at the beginning of the day. However, it is sometimes hard for me to get out of bed!
I love the colour of that smoothie, it looks like coffee 🙂
I prefer to work out 1st thing – I find it sets me up for the day, and it’s when I’m most energised!