Hey everyone! Happy Monday to ya’ll 
Can I just say that you’re all AMAZING? I got a weird comment (and by weird I mean super rude and kinda hit home because this lifestyle is not easy) and in return I received a quite a few sweet comments that mean more to me than you’ll ever know. I couldn’t even read a couple of them out loud to the pilot because the waterworks started. It was also very cool to hear from some other military wives out there. It take a lot to put up with deployments, constantly moving and the unknown, and I always love to hear from girls who are in the exact same situation. Being a military wife is definitely a challenge, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart for brightening my day and for making the things I do all the more worthwhile. Thank you x 1000000000000
That being said, it’s time for Week 6 of the Summer Shape Up!
This week’s workout is a medley of the exercises we’ve done so far. Next week, you’ll have an all-new work out and we’ll also switch up the order of muscle groups to shake things up even more.
Day 1: Cardio
Try one of these or take an aerobics class
2. Day 2- Weights and cardio; Shoulders,Chest and Triceps
-Cardio warm up, 5 minutes
-Tricep kickback with pronation
-Diamond push ups (as many as you can)
-Shoulder “flys”—holding a light weight (like a 2.5 lb flat weight in each hand, bring your arms out and up to shoulder height so your body looks like the letter “T”. Flap your arms up and down (small movements and fast) for a total of 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.
-Cardio blast- hop on the treadmill or elliptical and sprint for 1 minute (RPE 9), followed by 1 minute of recovery for a total of 5 minutes
-Cardio- 20 to 30 minutes
Day 3: Cardio 30 minutes
Elliptical program or take a class of your choice
Day 4: Legs and Abs
Cardio- 5 minutes of choice to warm up
Double Leg Lift
Calf raise with stability ball
Burpees (As many as you can for 1 minute)
Side lunge and lift
Booty blaster (can do with resistance bands; if you don’t have them, just kick straight out for 10 reps and then pulse leg up towards the ceiling for 10 reps and do 3 sets like that)
Lunge jumps (as many as you can for 1 minute)
Stability ball pass
Cardio of choice 20 minutes
Stretch
Day 5: Cardio
1) Run- steady state (level 6-7)
2) Elliptical:
| Time | Crossramp | Resistance |
| 0:00-5:00 | 5 | 5 |
| 5:00-7:00 Slow your pace (not too much) | 7 | 10 |
| 7:00-8:00 SPRINT (as fast as you can go with the heavy resistance) | 7 | 10 |
| 8:00-9:00 | 5 | 5 |
| 9:00-10:00 SPRINT (as fast as you can) | 5 | 7 |
| 10:00-12:00 (slow your pace) | 8 | 11 |
| 12:00-15:00 (increase speed) | 5 | 7 |
| *repeat minutes 5-15 1 more time |
| 25:00-27:00 (slower speed) | 7 | 10 |
| 27:00-30:00 (faster speed, bringing heart rate back down | 5 | 5 |
or
3) Use the Stairmaster hill program, level 6
Day 6: Back and biceps
Cardio- 5 minutes to warm up
21s
Bent over dumbbell fly
Cardio of choice- 5 minutes
Swimming (1 minute)
Dumbbell hammer curls
Cardio of choice- 5 minutes
Crunches on stability ball
Seated row
The sprinter
Cardio- jog or walk for 15-20 minutes
Stretch- 5 minutes
Day 7: Active recovery activity of choice. Easy yoga, walking, gardening, etc.
You’re halfway through the challenge so far!! I really hope you’re thrilled with the results—stick with it!
Here are some of yesterday’s eats:
A juice for snack (carrots, cucumber, apple)
Lunch was an AWESOME mini salad beast with mixed greens, kalamata, bell pepper, avocado, grape tomatoes, flax oil, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper.
And a Lara:
Scrumptious lonchi:
I went and got groceries while the pilot went into work, did a sweaty half hour on the elliptical in the gym with no AC and some ab work, then had an impromptu Indian dinner with Megan and her pilot at Passage 2 India.
It was a vino kinda day. (Wait, isn’t that everyday?)
And as much as I debated getting something different, I got the usual: Baighan Bhartha
Roti:
Pappadum
And dippers! I love when they put the chickpea one in there:
It was a beautiful and delicious meal, as usual I could never get sick of Indian food. Ever.
We came back to the casa and watched Next Food Network Star (anyone else obsessed?!?) and called it a night!
I’m off to walk the puppers, have a phone interview I’m WAY stoked about (SELF mag! The same interview Jenna and Caitlin did about healthy eating during the holidays), and then work for a little while. I’ll see ya tonight after Zumba!
xoxo,
Gina
Something to do: Check out my guest post over at Oh She Glows!
Hi, I'm Gina. Welcome to The Fitnessista! I love blogging about my adventures as a new mom, military wife and fitness instructor, as well as sharing new workouts and recipes. Check out the About page for more info - thanks for stopping by!
anon commentors can suck it!
I haven't been watching Next Food Network Star, but I LOVE the new show Chopped – if you get a chance to see it, definitely check it out!
Have a great Monday!
So glad you're feeling better since the nasty comment and never forget how much of a difference you make to so many people who haven't even met you!
Have a great day
Part of blogging is opening yourself up to people like that that only want to stand on someone's shoulders to feel taller. Kudos to the Pilot and to you for responding without shooting daggers back.
Your blog is one of the few I've continued to read because it isn't the same day to day and its real. And you're entertaining! Keep up the great work in ALL of the roles you play.
Being a military wife isn't easy. Every branch has different sets of circumstances and challenges. NONE of them are always easy. The Pilot is lucky to have someone so supportive but also so SELF SUPPORTING.
I went back and read that anonymous comment, and I was so shocked! what you do as a trainer, fitness instructor, and blogger is sooo amazing and incredibly helpful to so many people! i cannot think of something more admirable than guiding people in learning to live a healthier, more active life…I hope you have a wonderful and blessed day!
Hello! I really admire you for maintaining a positive attitude in light of that malicious comment. Even your blog alone helps SO many people. On a lighter note that Indian food looks delish! I cannot wait to try Baigham Bartha (spelling?) sometime soon!
Gina you are such an inspiration and your "do it all with a smile" attitude has helped encourage me SO much during this deployment! I hate when people try to spin the military spouse lifestyle around just so they can stand on their "butthurt feminist" soapbox. Thanks for all you do, and keep it up!
I just want to say, that I finally read "the comment" and would feel the same as you had that been directed at me. I am a military wife and move more frequently than most. Even just the other day, my husband told me I could do whatever I wanted to with my career and he would support me. While that is exactly what I want to hear, it's not exactly possible, as you know, given the lifestyle. Many things I want to do require time in a single place. But, we perservere and find things that work for us in our situation. And, if we are lucky, they make us as happy as our husbands do.
I am proud to know that you work so hard. And I am honored to receive your advice on a daily basis. I admire your success and your passion for health.
Please don't let anyone tell you that your life as a military wife is about settling. It's about adapting. And you, my dear, have adapted better than most I've seen. This life isn't for the faint of heart, or for the selfish. Just know one thing: not everyone can do this, it takes a certain type of person to be able to endure the tribulations of military life. You are a rockstar at it! You are inspiring many more military wives to further ourselves. Who knows, one day I may find that hobby that with a little passion can become a career. So, here's to you!
Yea, I didn't get around to commenting on the actual post but I read the comment, it was WAY out of line! You keep doin' your thing Gina, we are here for YOU!
I'm not doing the challenge, but I may sneak away with a few of this week's workout tips!
you and your indian!! Love it!!
~Justine
You always make me crave Indian food!!! As you know I love your blog! Youre the sweetest girl, don't let negativity get ya down.
You all are so lucky you are interviewing with SELF! good luck!
Man, that comment was so rude. Honestly….to me, you're living the live I'd love to live. You are doing something that you enjoy and you have enough time to yourself to really enjoy life. That's something that's hard to achieve crammed in a cubicle (trust me, I know). That comment was obviously from a very sad, sad individual.
I am late on commenting on this, but obviously the rest of us here do not feel the same! The last thing I would think is that you are "settling" for the job he/she described. And just because you aren't in the corporate world does not mean you are any less competent. You do what you LOVE and that's more than a lot of people can say! Good for the pilot for responding…what a sweet, sweet man.
Woo-hoo for the self interview. Hope it goes well!
I know I told you this already, but I'm loving the shape up!
Congrats on the interview!! You guys deserve all the support in the world
Screw anons!!
I love The Next Food Network Star! I felt bad for the girl who made the green bean recipe – give her one more shot. But at the same time she decided to make plain old green beans for the first food competition. You've got to wow people while you are there.
GRR. That is so, so rude. I'm glad I didn't see that when it was first written, or there probably would've been some swearing! Great way you and the pilot handled it. Lordy lord.
Good luck with the Self interview! That's so exciting! Glad to hear you're not letting the crummy comment get you down.
Your positivity and openness is beautiful,as is that whole wheat naan!
Have a great Monday love
Wow, I just caught up with this whole drama over the heinous anonymous commenter, and it is honestly making me kinda teary-eyed! I dunno why but it felt like the worst kind of slap in the face even to me, and my circumstances couldn't be more different from yours! I'm sure it hurt more than we can tell from your blog, but way to go for not letting it get you down. Especially since just reading your blog, not to mention all the many other things you do to make other people's day better, is one of the small things that helps make MY day good! Well anyway, this is not the place for a whole speech, but you get the idea – everyone else said it better than me.
Happy week to you!
mmm food looks great
everyday is a wine day for sure
Have a great one!
Glad you aren't letting it get you down. That comment was stupid/ignorant. I think your job is awesome, and I can't tell you how great your blog has been for info on going more raw while still being active, a subject I neeeeeeeeeed to know more about. Thanks a ton!
Have fun with the interview — it sounds exciting! I wanted to watch the next food network star but I don't have cable
I'm glad you're taking such a positive attitude to the hurtful comment. As long as you are with people you love and making the most of your situation, you're doing the best you can!
I didn't read the comment but anon commentors usually have nothing of substance to say. Too awesome about the SELF interview, that is so exciting!
sorry to hear about the anon commentators – you're gorgeous and so sweet and kind and i hope you never stop blogging!
Looks like I missed quite a bit of drama!
Anon commentors lack so much spine. Jerks.
You are lovely. Don't forget that!
hey everyone- thanks so much for your kind comments. i appreciate it so much
intheskinny- i know huh?? that's when you need to pull out your fanciest recipe and she made plain 'ol green beans. when she showed her dish, i was like "she's out!". i think the blond mom is so cute, though!!
Good luck with the Self interview! So exciting!! Love the Indian meal as always!
What an f-ing rude meany
I can't stand the ridiculous anom comments. Come on people! You know I get rude comments from people (real life and online) about me being playing the "traditional" role of wife…liking to cook and clean for my hubby. Sorry, but even though we woman may work and have college degrees doesn't mean I still don't enjoy taking care of my man! There is nothing wrong with traditional gender roles 
That anom can eat it!!
I just wanted to tell you that I admire (and envy!) you for doing something you are passionate about, that helps people. I have a degree in Marketing and work a regular 9-5 and I don't enjoy it all. I'm not helping anyone and not doing what I love. I'm a certified Spinning instructor (though it's been a year since I taught) and I enjoy that so much more. I hope to be able to work in a gym setting full time someday.
I'm so glad to hear that the bloggers cheered you up
.
That fluffy whole wheat naan looks sooo good to me right now. I haven't had some in the longest time!
Three years out of college, I know from personal experience that life definitely doesn't always go as planned. I have a degree in education and haven't set foot in a classroom…now I'm back in school to become an R.D.! The choices you and the pilot make now as a family are to benefit both of you, and it shows in the happiness and love you seem to have for one another. People such as the anonymous commenter are just jealous of what you have and the person you are! The military lifestyle isn't easy whatsoever, and I appreciate what both of you do to keep our country safe and free!
Gina, I am so sorry about that totally ridiculous comment..just forget about it. We are all here to support you and back you up!
Your indian dinners never fail to make me drool. Ahhhh, so good!
Hope you have a great Zumba class!
All your food looks so good again!
Having read this I realize I need to get out of the apartment today (packing to move) so am going to head out for a run now
I'll look forward to reading your interview in Self!
Have a great day.
ugh, i hate when people think they've got a person all figured out by reading about what they're doing now. obviously it's not like that. i have lots of respect for you and i probably would have gotten really upset if i got a thoughtless comment like that too. i liked the pilot's response though; it was very nice. by the way, you inspire me (and judging by the comments on this post, countless others) on a daily basis, and that is why we come to read this blog.
I just found your blog through Oh She Glows, and I love it! Your dinner looks amazing, and I love that you have a really great grasp on the workout but eat yummy things balance!
[...] went to the gym and had a wonderful workout. I am on week 6 of this workout. I have definitely seen a difference in my body over the past 6 weeks! I can handle more cardio, I [...]