Daytime sweat sesh

Guess what?!

I joined a gym yesterday.

I’m so, so excited to have an option where I can go work out (and even take a class!) during the day. By time time the Pilot gets home at night, I do the bedtime rituals with Liv, make/prep dinner, blog and go to the gym, I’m pretty zonked. I’ve been going to the gym at night because it’s my unwinding time for the day, and also because I haven’t been able to find a gym option with good childcare. (On the days I work, I consider that my workout, even if I don’t have an “active” teaching class.)

This gym is much smaller than the one I used to belong to, and at my old gym, even way before I had kids I’d think to myself “I’m never leaving my child in there.” I decided to trust my intuition and wait until I heard about somewhere great, and recently two of my friends joined this new-to-us gym and love it. Everything about our new place feels right- It’s very clean, not as insanely busy, still has a full class schedule and plenty of room to pump some crazy iron 😉 The deciding factor: they have fantastic childcare. I would feel comfortable with Livi in there while I lift weights or take a class.

Since the Pilot had to be at work last night, I went shopping with my favorite shopping buddies.

Meg and liv

Shopped around (found a few cute things for our Vegas trip. Sadly, no sequined dresses that barely cover my booty, haha) and came back to the house for dinner.

Stuffed chicken:

Chicken 3

Stuffed chicken,

Kyle made a salad

Salad 12

and after our amazing dinner,

Dinner 2

topped it off with froyo

Froyo 4

(dairy-free marshmallow, coconut, chocolate chips and blueberries, drizzled with HOT PEANUT BUTTER)

and the Olympics.

Froyo 5

Not a bad night.

This morning, I’m still trying to fight whatever cold/allergies/thing (why I re-scheduled girls’ night that was planned for last night), so I’m forcing myself to lay low and nap when Livi naps. Hopefully I can shake it soon!

See ya later today.

xoxo

Gina

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56 Comments

  1. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries on July 31, 2012 at 11:35 am

    That is so exciting to join a new gym!!

    Hot peanut butter drizzled on froyo?!?! Good lord that sounds amazing!

  2. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat on July 31, 2012 at 11:36 am

    Congrats Gina! That’s great that they have such good childcare services. Like you said, I’ve seen some gyms where I’d NEVER leave children while I work out! Looks like a very fun day (and tasty dinner!)

  3. Chelsea on July 31, 2012 at 11:36 am

    the chicken looks amazing, I made grilled chicken stuffed with spinach and feta last night

  4. Sarah on July 31, 2012 at 11:39 am

    I’ve been dragging my feet on checking out the daycare in our gym. I hear it’s good. I’m glad that you found a great place! You’ve inspired me to check ours out, because I could REALLY use a good workout during the week, besides our usual amble around the pond.

    Livi is so cute! Do you just have too much fun dressing her up in those adorable outfits?

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 11:56 am

      yeah, i’m really glad i found a good place- the women in there have worked there for 15 years + !
      and YES. baby girl clothes are so fun

  5. Maria on July 31, 2012 at 11:40 am

    I recently went to a new Fro-yo place in my town and they had hot peanut butter too. I really wanted to try it, BUT didn’t think it would taste good on top of the pink lemonade I decided to roll with.

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 11:55 am

      haha good call 😉 you will love it, though!

  6. Claire @ Live and Love to Eat on July 31, 2012 at 11:45 am

    That chicken looks lovely (even as a vegetarian!).

  7. Erin on July 31, 2012 at 11:52 am

    That chicken looks delish – share how you make it?

    I’ve also been fighting a cold/allergies/sinus, hope you’re feeling better soon!

  8. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on July 31, 2012 at 12:04 pm

    That chicken and fro you looks amazing!!!! Can I come for dinner? Girls shopping trips are the best! Love that picture of Meg and Livi!

  9. Julie on July 31, 2012 at 12:20 pm

    Congrats on joining a gym! I’ve been holding out–LA gyms are craaaaaazy expensive or horribly run down and crowded. Glad you’re able to get in some you-time. Feel better!

  10. Leslie W on July 31, 2012 at 12:23 pm

    Are you not able to work out where you work? (I think I missed a step.) But, yay for a good gym with reliable daycare. Huge Score!

    I had my first sweet potato half topped with almond butter today. Yummers! 😀

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 12:24 pm

      I can but only at night since they don’t have child care:/
      Yay I loooove that combo!!

    • Julie on July 31, 2012 at 4:36 pm

      I was wondering about that, too. 🙂

  11. Marissa@ohhhsolovely on July 31, 2012 at 12:41 pm

    your stuffed chicken looks so fab! i’ve been in a dinner rut lately & i think i’ll have to give this a try this week!

  12. Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed on July 31, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    I forgot about that chicken… I was planning on making it a while ago, but never did! Looks delish!

  13. Eva @ Committed2Nutrition on July 31, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    So glad you found a gym that has the child care worthy of Liv! huge success! Dinner looks awesome, per usual 🙂

  14. Sam @ Better With Sprinkles on July 31, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    Ah, makes me want stuffed chicken – been a long time since I’ve made it!

    Glad you found a gym you like – clearly, good childcare is super important!

  15. Negar M on July 31, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    I know what you mean about the skeezy childcare at that gym (park place mall location). my friend tried working out there with me ONCE and 15 minutes in she had been called in several times before she finally just gave up and took her kid home.

    I have watched her child before, he is not a problem. I did like the gym for myself, I swim a lot.

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 3:10 pm

      i liked the classes there until they changed the music policy!
      and yes, the childcare there looks absolutely horrendous. it’s like a zoo.

      • Negar M on July 31, 2012 at 5:18 pm

        I never took Zumba there (or anywhere!) I’m too cool to dance like a fool (but not so cool I can’t rhyme online).

        Aw geez.

  16. Catalina @ Cake with Love on July 31, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Can’t you just use the resort GYM in your off teaching days? Just asking! Love the chicken, it looks totally delicious and healthy!

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      it’s an adult-only resort, so no childcare. that’s why i’ve been going at night, since tom is home, but with all of the other things i do at night, it will be nice to be able to get in a couple of daytime workouts each week

  17. Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy on July 31, 2012 at 2:14 pm

    That fro-yo looks so good! Hope you feel better!

  18. April on July 31, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Hey Gina!
    I am always in awe that you are able to work out at night after Liv is in bed, you rock!!!! Where do you get the energy? and do you do it every night?
    I am only asking because i am looking for motivation. I have an 8-month old, and by the time I put him to bed and finish a few chores – it is 8pm and the last thing i can think about doing is working out, BUT I know i would feel a million times better if i just did it! Any tips for me? I am not one for excuses, however you know how exhausting and time consuming it is to take care of a little one. I think the most challenging part of motherhood (for me) is finding time to take care of myself:=
    Oh, and i work full time, so i get up at 5:30am to get myself and Jack ready so i can leave the house by 7:30am:= I do have a hubby who helps, but i still find it challenging.
    Sorry for the long comment, i really did just want to say you are Super Mom:)

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 3:08 pm

      thank you, lovely! i can’t imagine doing it while working full-time. of course, i’m sure you just make it happen, but i only work part time and it’s still exhausting.
      my motivation is the fact that it gets me out of the house and feels so good when it’s over. even if it’s 9pm, a short elliptical session helps me unwind and shake my legs out after the day. the goal was originally to wake up before tom an olivia get up, but for now, i’m taking all the sleep i can get 😉
      keep up the amazing work, and definitely be sure to take care of you, too!
      xoxo

      • April on July 31, 2012 at 4:20 pm

        ah thank you for responding, you TOTALLY have motivated me to go at night at least once this week (bonus if i go more) as a start. My ‘original’ plan too was to go in the morning:=
        Also, i love love love your shape up workouts, thanks so much for taking the time to post these!
        Enjoy your new gym!!!!!

  19. Michelle@Peachy Palate on July 31, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    Do they not let you use the gym you work in???

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 3:12 pm

      they do- but since it’s adults-only there’s no childcare. that’s why i’ve been going at night, since tom is home, but i’d love to be able to hang out with him at night or stay here with sleeping livi if he wants to go workout.

  20. Amy on July 31, 2012 at 3:13 pm

    Feel brighter better soon angel

    xxx

  21. Lisa on July 31, 2012 at 3:32 pm

    That’s super exciting they have great childcare at the gym…I think that is so important for mama’s to look for!
    Congrats on joining the new gym!
    That chicken looks like the best thing ever! Why does my chicken never coming out looking that tasty;)

  22. ellie on July 31, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    that chicken looks amazing!

    that’s my tea for tomorrow sorted 🙂

  23. Krystina (Krystina Yogini) on July 31, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Do you work at Miraval?

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 4:46 pm

      i don’t like to post about where i work- sorry bout that

      • Krystina (Krystina Yogini) on August 1, 2012 at 12:04 am

        Sorry! I’m planning a trip to Tuscon soon and was just wondering so I could take one of your Zumba classes. 🙂

        • Fitnessista on August 1, 2012 at 12:32 am

          email me about when you’ll be here, maybe we can work something out!

  24. Lydia @HappyHealthyConfident on July 31, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Hot Peanutbutter Yum!

  25. Annette @ FitnessPerks on July 31, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    YAY for a new gym!

    I too (if I had kids) would make sure the childcare was good–glad you found a great one!

  26. amanda on July 31, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    I was *just* wondering if the gym you mention (for your own personal workouts) was the resort/gym where you work, and I thought, huh, that would be kinda lame (ya know, to try to get “me” time at your place of employment). Glad to hear you found a kick-a*s place for YOU! And man alive, I am SOOOO jealous of that fro-yo place with DF options. I’d probably die and go to fro-yo heaven if such a place existed near me in Seattle.

    • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 6:30 pm

      Yeah and when I workout at work, guests will come up and talk to me or ask questions. It will be nice to have a place where I can get an undisturbed workout
      I’m shrouded to hear Seattle doesn’t have a df place!

      • Fitnessista on July 31, 2012 at 6:55 pm

        shrouded = surprised
        love autocorrect hahah

    • Sarah on August 1, 2012 at 12:10 am

      We have a couple of Menchies here in Seattle, Amanda…lots of great DF, etc. options. 🙂

      • Fitnessista on August 1, 2012 at 12:31 am

        menchies! menchies! MENCHIIIIIIIIIIIES!

      • amanda on August 1, 2012 at 1:25 am

        wuh?! omg! I’m googling this second! Thanks, Sarah 🙂

  27. Emily on July 31, 2012 at 6:29 pm

    Congratulations on finding a gym that you’re happy with! Belonging to a gym that offers the things that you need and that you ENJOY going to is sooo important. I truly didn’t fall in love with exercise until I joined my gym 2 years ago. Being there makes me happy and that’s how it should be!

  28. jaclyn on July 31, 2012 at 6:50 pm

    love the quote, and thanks for the shoe advice. my knees have been killing me even though i haven’t been pushin TOO hard, so i definitely agree and think i should get a personalized shoe…

    ….and nothing beats HOT peanut butter. nothing. 🙂

  29. Cathy on July 31, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    Such a great quote! I’m going to vegas in a few weeks and will do the dress shopping this weekend!

    Cathy Trails

  30. Natalie @ Fresh Life Findings on July 31, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    This stuffed chicken looks delicious! Hope you feel better soon! Oregano oil always does the trick for me 🙂

  31. Averie @ Averie Cooks on July 31, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    Glad you found a new gym! That’s exciting and can’t wait to hear more about what you think of it!

  32. MareBare on July 31, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    um where is there non-dairy for-yo? I am crazy allergic to dairy and would love to be able to eat some! I hope they have cali locations!!!!

  33. MareBare on July 31, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    fro-yo*

  34. amanda on August 1, 2012 at 1:29 am

    can I just say that the menchie’s website in itself is totally amazing. it’s like a cute cartoon world. and I am SO getting my menchie’s on this weekend!!!! huzzah for df frozen treats!

  35. mary on August 1, 2012 at 1:45 am

    I toured a gym once that the childcare room was a large-ish broom closet with a tv with a Dirty Harry movie on! No joke. Is there Lifetime Fitness in Tucson? They had the best childcare area. Though they’re expensive. But ‘free’, quality child care? That’s priceless!

  36. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on August 1, 2012 at 6:47 am

    That’s awesome about the new gym – it sounds perfect! It’s so hard to find a gym with everything you’re looking for. I mean, I like mine, but it doesn’t have a pool, which is a sacrifice I’ve had to make.

    Also that fro yo combo looks amazing! 😀

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