Can you say #readyfortheweekend?? Happy Friday, folks! Hope y'all have some fun plans for the weekend. I have a jam packed weekend myself. I am seeing a Shrek: The Musical at my client and good friend's school that she teaches at. She has been working hard with her chorus students to prepare for this show, so I am excited to see her hard work come to fruition. On Saturday, I'm headed to my Mom's house to make a big brunch for my family, while my brother and nephew are in town. I'm making WAFFLES! Recipe to come ;). Then on Sunday, I have a lunch in Marietta planned with friends. There's sure to be some fitness sprinkled in there too. I would love to go for a nice long bike ride with the hubby at some point.
In typical Friday fashion, it's time to share some of my faves from the week! I would love to hear about the things you've been enjoying too, so feel free to share in the comments section!
1. In Defense of Food, the book by Michael Pollan. A couple weeks ago I watched the documentary that is currently on Netflix. The book goes in depth about the same ideas, and this, coupled with the book Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? by Mark Hyman have really shaped the way I feel about food and nutrition right now. A very simple takeaway from this book is this: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants." If you're not a big reader, watch the documentary. It might make you think a little more about the foods you are eating.
2. New personal records from all the members at the gym. As a coach, it becomes so rewarding to watch the people you coach everyday find success in the gym. I love helping people set goals, watching them work hard for them and then being there to witness them achieve what they have set out to do. You get what you put in! All these numbers on the board are a testament to the dedication these guys have to their fitness! I LOVE that, and I love the motivation that this testing week has brought out in the members.
3. Big ass salads. I just posted yesterday about this almost daily routine for me. It's been the perfect way to get tons of plants into my diet, and by adding healthy protein and fats, it makes a great meal!
4. Nuun electrolyte tablets. I have been drinking a big glass of water every night this week with 2 Nuun tables dissolved into it. This was one of the BIG contributors to my successful break-up with Coke Zero. I haven't talked about it much on the blog, but I used to have a HUGE addiction to Coke Zero to where it had become my main source of fluids. It was bad. I had a come to Jesus with myself about it, and we broke up. Enter: Nuun. It brings some flavor to your life when you just don't want a plain old glass of water, and it even has a bit of the bubbliness to it as well. Plus, it has the added benefit of getting you some electrolytes, which is imperative going into summer. I sweat a LOT. Drinking beverages that contain electrolytes and/or salting my food is a MUST when it gets warm outside.
5. Birchbenders Paleo Pancake mix. YUM. I'm a fan of the no B.S. ingredients list on these, and they taste really great too. I had some digestion issues in the past with the Kodiak cakes, which I used to love, so I have been looking for a good replacement since then. Although I wish I could make waffles or pancakes from scratch everyday, that's just not realistic during the week. These are quick (just add water) and can be cooked up in under 10 minutes with very little clean-up. Sign me up.
6. Someone Great on Netflix. I shit you not, I was literally crying with laughter during this movie. Speaking of laughing, another great one is Amy Shumer's new standup special on Netflix called Growing (mainly for the ladies), or Kevin Hart's standup special called Irresponsible. Grab you some popcorn and watch these over the weekend. You will be full on belly laughing. Be careful not to choke on your snacks.
7. This speed short color from Lululemon. Lulu had to make an appearance on my list eventually right? Speed shorts are the first short I have been super comfortable in when I go for long runs. Lulu and speed shorts are full-time faves for me, but this particular color is not only perfect for spring, but it's also one of my favorite colors in general. I also want these shorts and these crops pretty much ASAP. Maybe this tank too. Don't tell my husband. PS, for the dudes, I almost impulse bought these swim trunks for my husband the other day at the mall. Also one of my fave colors, also amazing for Spring, would look really great if you are tan.
8. Jergens Instant Sun foaming mousse. Speaking of tan, I am not. Naturally. But you would never know it, because I can create a hell of a fake one using this. It's affordable and works, as long as you're careful. You can also get one of these hand mitts to protect your hands while you're applying. Fight the orange palms! Don't hate! I like being tan. It also looks better in pictures. So until that pool opens up for the summer, I'll be over here putting on my self tanner and loving life.
9. My indoor bike trainer. Similar one here. Sometimes I don't feel like going to the gym or going for a bike ride by myself, but I still want to get a workout in. This thing makes it super easy for me to get some extra cardio in while I'm watching a movie or TV show. The ability to change the resistance level also gives you the option to do interval workouts as well! It's super easy to get your bike on and off of it, so if you want to change it up and ride outside, it's not difficult to do.
10. Massages. This fave actually happens later this morning, but I am SO PUMPED. I used to get massages pretty frequently when I was training multiple times and lifting all the weights. It actually became a requirement for my recovery. Now that I am taking it easier with my training, my body hasn't needed it as often, but that doesn't mean I miss it. I can't wait to some time on the massage table tomorrow.
11. This marinade. Super clean ingredients list, super tasty flavor. This was a random Kroger find the other day. All I did was put a couple chicken breasts in a Ziploc baggie, poured about 1/3 of the bottle on top of the chicken, sealed and placed the chicken in the fridge for 4+ hours. After they marinated in the fridge all day, I grilled them, ate one for dinner, and saved the other to put on my lunch salad the next day.
What are you guys up to this weekend? Any fun fitness activities planned? Let me hear all about it below. Hope everyone has the best weekend!