It felt SO good to get back to into my regular routine today!
After an extremely eventful weekend and a return to dance class last night, my body was pretty pooped and ready for bed as soon as I could get there.
This morning, I still felt a little draggy, but pushed through my sleepiness to get back to the gym. Finally!
Since Scott an I probably ran/walked at least fifteen miles touring Ohio, the thought of running on a treadmill did not sound like a good time today. Instead, I turned a good buddy of mine named Mr. Elliptical for cardio.
When I create workouts on the elliptical, I usually have a goal in mind. Do I want to climb? Do I want to tone? Do I want do intervals? Or… do I just wast to press a button and go?
This morning’s workout had a focus of toning the booty, and I will share it with you in just a second!
Pre-Workout
I never like going to the gym or for a run on an empty stomach. Even if I am working out at 5:30 a.m. (which hasn’t happened in ages), I still have to grab a little something to fuel my fire and give me energy to break a sweat.
Around 8 a.m., Scott and I made a trip to the gym together, and I brought the following with me to enjoy in the car.
FRS Healthy Energy drink mix for my water bottle (read my review!) + a Dark Chocolate Almond Zone Perfect Protein Bar.
It was the perfect formula to get me goin’.
30 Min. Gluteal Elliptical Workout
When I got upstairs at the gym, I didn’t waste any time getting down to business. We agreed to finish in an hour, and that gave me a personal challenge of combining my cardio plus leg toning for the day.
This is by no means a replacement for a leg workout, however, it was created with a focus on working the glutes for the majority of the workout. I call that elliptical multitasking.
Note that the added resistance is an option. You will still get a great workout keeping it low, but I am sure that is what got me to actually drip sweat twenty minutes into it.
After cardio, I moved over to the free weights section to work my arms. It has been a while, so I only did 2 sets (instead of the normal 3) of my 15 Minute Arm Workout With Dumbbells.
Instead of the final set, I added in a new move to work my back and shoulders under Scott’s direction. He got the idea from bodybuilding.com, and it requires a bench set on an incline and a set of weights of your choosing. Since my shoulders are probably the weakest part of my body, I kept it extremely light with a set of 2.5 lbs.
I did 2 sets of 12 reps, but Scott usually does 3 sets of 10. Baby steps! 😉
Breakfast
Home from the gym on a sticky, humid morning, the thought of a cold smoothie sounded refreshing. Still yearning over the incredible acai smoothie bowl I got from Kure Juice Bar (in Portland), I got inspiration to create a smoothie bowl at home.
It was a challenge, however, with the little ingredients we had on hand in our refrigerator. FitBloggin’ swag bag to the rescue!
I noticed this trial size of hemp hearts before I left the conference, and made a mental note to sprinkle them on my next smoothie. Done, and done.
Strawberry Vanilla Protein Smoothie Bowl
Without measuring, I combined the following ingredients to make two smoothie bowls:
• frozen strawberries (lots of them!)
• 1 frozen banana
• 2 scoops Designer Whey French Vanilla Protein Powder
• organic skim milk
• chia seeds (probably about 2 Tbsp.)
• a sprinkle of hemp seeds and fresh cut strawberries on top
It wasn’t quite Kure status, but the combination in today’s bowl was still pretty delicious!
All right, time to get some things done around the house and catch up from the weekend.
Hope you all have a great Tuesday!
Question of the Day
• When do you prefer to workout? In the morning before work, during a lunch break, or in the evening?
I actually prefer to workout first thing in the morning. Does it happen much? Unfortunately, no. Today was the first time in a long time where both Scott and I made it to the gym before work.
My favorite Saturdays are the ones that start with a long run outside. I come home feeling energized and ready to relax for the weekend.

I definitely want to try that energy drink mix! I never eat before early morning work outs mainly b/c it makes me feel sick every time!! On the weekends when I have a bit more time to acclimated to life before heading to the gym I always feel better but my weekday schedule is rush rush rush!! Anyway, I’m trying that! But to answer your question…Saturdays are my fave workout day b/c I can take my time on a run as well…and mornings!!
Yeah… I try to keep the pre-workout food light. I have found that if I skip it all together, I get weak and can’t do as much.
I prefer working out first thing in the morning but I switched jobs at the beginning of the year and now I have to work out at night. It’s so hard to get motivated sometimes! On the bright side, I get to make it to a lot of fun evening classes, like the dance cardio one I’m doing tonight!
LOVE cardio dance classes! Have you ever heard of Dance Trance? https://lifeinleggings.com/health/dance-trance/
This looks like a killer workout, I can’t wait to try it tonight! I love hemp seeds! I use them in smoothies, salads, baked goods, etc.
Yum! I will definitely be buying some!
I work out first thing in the morning! Your smoothie bowl looks amazing 🙂
Love your workout routines! I will be trying this elliptical routine at the gym today. 🙂
Thanks! Let me know how it goes 🙂
You and Gina both have recreated the smoothie bowls from Kure on your blogs….you two have convinced me that I need to try them out!! 🙂
Haha, yes you do!! That’s funny… although my attempt is not the greatest, considering I had little ingredients to work with. I’ll definitely be trying it again after a trip to the grocery store! 🙂
Oh it definitely looks good! Also I always see those hemp hearts at Whole Foods and consider picking them up but then I can never think of what I would use them in…well now I know! Thanks for the post 🙂
Can’t wait to try this!
I used to workout in the evening but now I am 100% a morning workout girl! I love getting to the office knowing my wrokout is already done. I am not a fan of the elliptical but that looks killer!
Haha, I’m the same way. I like my mornings to take my time… but I feel so much better during the day if I know my workout is already done!
Your elliptical work out was awesome! I did it last night! Thanks for the inspiration!
-Sarah
Great elliptical workout. Thanks.
Amazing, this workout motivates me to take care of my health with healthy food.