Okay, get ready for some information overload in this post!
Remember how I told you guys this morning about my little workout date? Well, let’s talk about that…in a word, it was awesome. On so many levels.
First, we got started by grabbing a couple of elastic bands and a medicine ball and then we headed outdoors. At first I thought, outdoors? Oh crap. But it was actually pretty fun.
My workout buddy had us do things such as…
- walking lunges
- running up and down the stairs in the back of the building
- dips on the railing
- jumping jacks
- placing the elastic bands around poles and using them to do squats with rows
- mountain climbers off of a random bench
- running side by side around the perimeter of the gym, both forward, and side to side, while tossing a medicine ball back and forth (like you see below)
By the time we made it back around to the front of the gym, she turned to me and said, “Alright, I think we’re warmed up!”
WARMED UP?!? Oh good lord…
Once we were inside, we ended up doing a few core moves before heading over to the kettlebells. This was probably my favorite part of the whole workout because not only did we perform a few different moves, but we performed them correctly.
As it turns out, there were a few moves that I have not been doing properly and she actually took the time to explain not only how to do them, but why to do them that way. I’m not ashamed to admit that I was doing them slightly wrong (hey, we’re not perfect, right?), and I was so incredibly grateful that she took the time to work with me on a few things. (I found out she’s actually a certified kettlebell instructor, and her knowledge of them is phenomenal).
One of the moves we worked on was the kettlebell swing.
She explained that often times, people will use a kettlebell that is much too light for them, and in turn, they wind up using their arms to help them through the move. In actuality, the force and power should be coming from the core and legs. The difference I felt once I started doing this properly, with more force and a “pop” at the end was unreal.
Another move we worked on, which was probably the most challenging for me, was the kettlebell clean and jerk.
The kettlebell clean and jerk is an explosive lifting exercise that involves the entire body – hamstrings, glutes hips, arms, shoulders, and chest. It took me a while to really get the form down properly, but once I did…woah, BABY! Talk about your heart rate going through the roof.
I loved everything about today’s workout because not only did a have a good sweat session, but I learned a LOT. There’s always so much room for improvement in the fitness field, with new things to learn everyday, and I’m so thankful that my workout buddy took the time to teach me some of them.
Now I need to somehow come up with a workout as awesome as hers for when we get together again next week. Ummmm, yeah. Gonna have to think for a while on that one. 
Once our workout was done, I felt like I deserved a little reward…so I went right ahead and rewarded myself.
In the form of an iced coffee from DD’s.
Check out the snazzy new straws from DD’s…lovin’ the new color scheme, Dunkin’.
Once I got home, I enjoyed my iced coffee with a little post-workout protein in the form of a plain Greek yogurt mixed with 4 drops of vanilla stevia and some fresh strawberries.
Greek yogurt + berries has probably one of my favorite post-workout snacks as of late; the protein from the yogurt helps replenish the amino acids that are often depleted after a workout, and the berries provide some extra carbohydrates for energy. You always want to strive to get some protein + carbs after a workout…
Some other good post-workout snack options:
- low-sodium deli turkey + a wedge of The Laughing Cow + a small apple
- a protein shake + 1/2 banana
- 1/2 banana + 1 tbsp. peanut butter + rice cakes
- high fiber cereal + low-fat or non-dairy milk
- small handful nuts + dried fruit
WHEW. Alright, if you’re still with me after all of that info, then thanks a bunch. You’re awesome. 
Now it’s time to go make myself some lunch…the tummy is a’-grumblin’!
Questions for the Afternoon:
What is something in the fitness world that you’d like to learn more about?
What are some of your favorite, post-workout snacks?
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