Good morning and happy Monday/Columbus Day/Thanksgiving Day to my Canadian friends! Looks like there’s lots of happiness to go around today and I like it. Are you one of the lucky ones who gets an extra day off today? I can tell you that hubby is not one of ‘em…boooo.
Just catching up from the weekend? You may have missed some good stuff:
Congrats Josh & Erika! (<—super fun wedding!)
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (<—delicious recipe!)
His Special Radar (<—am I overusing the !!’s yet?)
I think I’m feelin’ a little spunky this morning!
Workout
Today officially started Week 4 of the challenge…it’s coming down to the wire! Week 4 focuses on the lower body and all I can say is that this week just looks downright tough.
If you have experienced either of these lower body workouts (the xtreme or the original, 20 minute one) then you already know that they are intense; so when I saw that I had both of them to do this morning, back to back, I knew I was going to be given a run for my money. Let’s just say my legs already feel like mushy jello…and it’s only been an hour since I finished the workout.
What scares me even more is the fact that I’m supposed to do the same two workouts tomorrow. We’ll see if THAT happens!
A lot of you also made some really good points on last night’s post about rest days and I totally agree with you all on the importance of them. Looking at this coming week, I feel like I’d be completely exhausted, both physically and mentally, if I attempted everything with no rest, so I’m considering making a few changes to the plan to be able to incorporate one.
What would you do if this was what your workout looked like for this week? Keep it the same, or try to include some rest?
Breakfast
It was time to switch things up a bit this morning, so I rolled with the waffles.
I lightly toasted two Eggo Nutri-Grain Low Fat Whole Wheat waffles (say that 10x fast) and topped them with a PB2 + pumpkin mixture, banana slices, and a drizzle of light maple syrup.
Usually, I tend to buy the Van’s brand of waffles, but these were just as tasty. A little thinner, maybe, but the flavor was just as good. From now on, I’ll probably end up buying whichever ones are cheaper and/or I have a coupon for.
Coffee is also being consumed this morning, with a splash of my new favorite creamer. Yum!
I’ve got a lot I want to get done today, and am feeling pretty ambitious, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some productivity.
Question for the Morning:
Are you loyal to any particular brands, or do you like to buy whatever is on sale?
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries says
We are having the same breakfast this morning!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over says
I would definitely take a rest day – aren’t you supposed to leave around 48 hours between strength-training sessions anyway?
Taylor @ Crumbs Don't Count says
I have to take rest days…otherwise I get burnt out!
I have no brand loyalty at all…except with Splenda. I can use off-brand/store brand splenda, but I can’t use sweet-n-low or equal at all…it has GOT to be yellow packaging. Weird? Probably!
Colleen @ Jimmy Choos on the Treadmill says
Yikes! Good luck with the workouts!
It totally depends, but I am usually very brand-loyal. My family and I all get used to the taste of certain brands, so sometimes it’s hard to switch it up. Plus, it ends up backfiring at times–I might save $1.00 on an item, but if the taste is awful, it will get thrown and completely wasted!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
I usually stick with buying whatever is cheaper, unless it’s something where I have a serious preference for one brand vs. another!
Faith @ For the Health of It says
Some things, like Daiya cheese and Vans Waffles (if you haven’t tried the blueberry, you need to!) I’m loyal to, but others like pasta sauce or noodles are picked up when they go on sale.
Hope says
Sometimes I am brand loyal to products if I really like them. Otherwise, I will usually buy what is on sale and what I have a coupon for.
Happy Monday! :)
Shannon @ Healthiful Balance says
Your breakfast looks delicious! I love topping waffles with banana slices! :)
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Mmm those waffles look and sound so yummy! I haven’t had an Eggo waffle in forever, but I definitely want some now! In terms of brands, I usually buy whatever is cheaper, but there’s a few things (i.e. peanut butter) that I am willing to pay more for because I like the taste and/or health benefits better.
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says
Oh waffles sound great! I usually buy whatever is cheaper, as long as I know that it’s good! And if I was you, I would definitely be changing that workout schedule to include a rest day! That looks hard!
Lindsay @ biking before bed says
I would maybe switch one of the kickboxing sessions for the total body workout. Then your day 25 could just be a yoga stretch session. I am brand loyal for some products like cereal and yogurt. I’ll definitely go generic on canned goods.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
I HAVE to have rest days otherwise I go insane and get way too tired. I think for a couple weeks in a specific plan, it’s not terrible to go without one…but I personally couldn’t do it. In fact, my post for tonight is going to be about me adding in a 2nd rest day. Go figure. ;)
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
It depends on what I’m buying…. I’m totally brand loyal to chocolate because I’ve been there and done that, I KNOW WHAT I WANT! :)
Khushboo says
Is this the last week? If so, I would just stick to the plan. Otherwise, I would definitely replace one workout with a rest day! I tend to go for the cheaper option when grocery shopping but I am a brand snob with baked beans and ketchup–> only Heinz will do :)!
Lindsey says
It depends on how tired I was for if I switched up the workout for a rest day, maybe even on day 25 if you are tired just do the yoga, which is a half rest day I think :)
It depends on the product on how loyal we are, but a lot of the times we will swap brands out for sales.
Shayla@ The Good Life says
I used to never incorporate rest days and I don’t know how I ever did it, now that I do, I would never go back and feel a million times better with 2 rest days a week and I think they’re so very important.
Looking at your schedule for this week, I would either take tomorrow off since you already did that workout today, or I’d take Thursday off since it seems more like an active recovery day and you have cardio kickboxing both before and after that day so I think a rest day in between would be perfect.
I too always buy whichever is the cheapest/on sale at the moment. I also really like Store Brand items as they pretty much taste the same and are always cheaper! :)
Shayla@ The Good Life says
Oops, I meant Thursday=Day 25
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I switch back and forth between Egoo and Vans too depending on price. I like Vans the best but just throw the cheapest option in the cart when it comes down to it :)
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance says
I would take a rest day for sure! I spent too many years overworking myself, and as soon as I started incorporating more rest I actually DROPPED the weight I was trying to lose. It’s crazy how your body works
Chelcie of Chelcie's Food Files says
I use to be loyal to particular brands until I went to college and started buying all my own groceries! So now I always buy whatever is on sale, which a lot of times is just the generic grocery store brand, but I do like to splurge on items like Almond butter:)
That workout week looks tough! They definitely call it the X-treme challenge for a reason! I tried the kickboxing one on demand as well as the Yoga one and they were both really challenging!
Ruthie Hart says
I made your pumpkin butter yesterday!!!!! Can’t wait to munch on it all week…maybe I will put it on waffles!
Heather B says
I’m all about rest days. Your body needs to to repair and heal. That’s when the muscle happens!! Hve you noticed changes in your body yet? Are you going to do a recap post of what you thought?? Great job so far!! ;)
Courtney says
I have seen some slight changes, but I will definitely recap once it’s over!
Trainer Kjirsten @ Balanced Healthy Life says
Those dancing/swaying ghosts are just too adorable! I love them! They totally put a big smile on my face when I was looking at your breakfast pics!!!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
your ass is going to be en-fuego. For real. Invest in some ice packs.
Caitlin C. says
I love how you take your photos with those decorations in the background! Cute touch!
Melissa says
It’s funny because I tend to buy what’s on sale, but I am loyal about certain things. Heinz ketchup, Skippy Natural PB (unless I’m at TJ’s!), and Yoplait for non-Greek yogurt.
Rebecca says
I usually stick with vans for waffles. I tend to stick to particular brands, but I’ll go with whats cheaper depending on what I get.
Laura @ Unchartered 20s says
Mmm i had that breakfast yesterday :)
Are you noticing a difference since tackling this challenge?
Cute~Ella says
Thanks for inspiring my breakfast!
As for brand loyalty, there are a few achem personal items that I prefer to buy (Tampax and Durex), mayonnaise (Hellmans), and Worcestershire sauce (Lea & Perrins) but mostly the rest is up for grabs as far as price unless I’ve tried it before and don’t like it.
Claire says
Hi Courtney! Best of luck with your Week 4 workouts. I am a huge advocate of the “rest” day ever since I started doing my 10K plan. I really do MUCH better and see more improvements when I just take the rest day on the DAY that the plan states. They must be on to something ;-)
I did Van’s waffles this morning with morningstar bacon (Julie got me started on this one). It was a great Fall breakfast with the coffee & creamer on the side, naturally :-)
Happy ambitious Monday…I am right there with you! Getting lots done feels great!
Katie @ Plates and Paste says
Usually whatever is on sale, but I do like to buy Kashi a lot. Mostly their cereal and crackers!
Candice says
im cheap and save whenever i can. coupons, sales all the way!
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
I used to push through and not take rest days, but I think that you get better workouts when you do take a rest day. If you’re tired, you might not push as hard when you do workout. I’m a total convert.
I’m brand loyal to certain foods (Greek yogurt, chicken, milk), but with others, I’ll buy whatever is cheapest (spaghetti sauce, cheese, cereal). Sometimes things just don’t taste exactly the same!
Rachelle says
Good luck with your workouts this week! I am loyal to brands on certain foods and other things I will buy whatever is cheaper. Sometimes it’s worth the extra money lol.
Kim @thefamilypractice says
I get those waffles too! They make running out the door at 5:30 a little easier and since their whole wheat I don’t feel like I trashed my breakfast out of haste. I toast mine, spread with pb and then fold and eat like a taco (literally while running out the door). I’ve never seen the van’s kind…
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
i’m usually loyal to brands, but sometimes if the money is getting tight, I will buy whatever is cheapest!
megan says
you NEED rest days! that is so, so important. if you are really taking this personal training certification seriously – you need to understand why the body needs rest days. that is one of the great disadvantages to doing a certification, without the proper education and degree in kinesiology or exercise science. your body makes its gains in strength during recovery – DO NOT SKIP IT.
Courtney says
I completely agree with you Megan and yes, I am most definitely taking my personal training certification seriously. This is why I brought the subject up, to address the importance of rest days, and I intend to take one this week. :)
Kim @thefamilypractice says
When I first commented earlier, I was in the process of making pumpkin butter. As a result of reading your post and the delicious smells in my kitchen, I ended up eating a waffle with pumpkin butter still warm :) I’ll post the recipe soon – it is freakin amazing! And yes, that was my second breakfast for the day ;) Sometimes you gotta give into the craving!
Yolie @ Practising Wellness says
Mmm…those breakfast waffles look delicious! :-) And I am so intrigued by your workouts…they sounds intense! Good luck with the rest of the week! <3 xyx
Amy says
i’m pretty loyasl to brands. For waffles I tend to stick to Van”s gluten free waffles cause they tend to be the best gluten free I’ve tasted. With not eating gluten I tend to be loyal to brands that i know are certified gluten free such as Bob’s Red mill, Vans, and Rudi’s.
Serena says
Yay! Happy Thanksgiving Day!
-from one of your Canadian friends :)
Lizzie says
yum!! i love waffles!
Maria@La_Piattini says
I would say it depends on the product. I like the same brand of yogurt for sure. Other things like ice cream, pasta, cereal I stick with the sales.
Samantha says
Oh my – I’ve done the original lower body workout and it left my legs exhausted!
I would rearrange that schedule for a rest day – those are some serious workouts, you don’t to end up burnt out or, worse, injured or way too sore.
I am loyal to some brands (Chobani, Coffeemate, Tropicana), but mostly just buy what’s on sale.