Caliente
Hi 🙂 Thank you so much for all of the amazing enthusiasm for this year’s Summer Shape Up! (Fashionably late to the party? Check out the intro post if you’d like to join in!) So many of you have done the first workout already and I’m glad to hear it was as challenging and fun for you as it was for me. Hopefully those biscuits were burning 😉 Don’t forget to check in at the end of this post when you complete your first circuit workout and HIIT for today.
Sunday afternoon, we decided to hit up the very picturesque Agua Caliente park to take Oliv to see the ducks.
Agua Caliente is an oasis in the middle of the desert. It’s funny because while you’re driving there it’s cactus, brown, dried-up desert and then BOOM: greenery, trees and water. I love the fact that the lake is filled with ducks and little turtles who like to poke their heads out of the water and look around.
It was Liv’s first time seeing ducks in real life (she’s only seen pics in her books and had to listen to me try to “quack.” Poor girl) and she was fascinated.
Of course, I was ready to make a quick escape the second a duck started looking scrappy… I had a traumatic run-in with a goose when I was about 3.
There were so many families at the park enjoying the day, BBQing and picnicking. We’re going to try and have a breakfast picnic one of these upcoming weekends.
As far as eats go, summer eats are in full swing since it’s a thousand degrees here.
Lots of smoothies, fruit
Salad beasts,
(that one had greens, turkey, lentils, brown rice bread “croutons,” tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Meyer-lemon olive oil)
made a batch of banana-almond muffins to crumble on breakfast cookie cereal or smear with almond butter
and continue to cover everything in Cholula, which really has no season 😉
The Pilot snuck that photo of me yesterday: 100% immersed in my turkey wrap and the fact that I had to drizzle Cholula in after every bite.
I hit up a spin class yesterday afternoon and it KILLED me. The new watts/RPM bikes that we have at work are really effective… and make me feel like a slacker. I think about the days that I used to teach spin and then immediately teach Zumba afterwards and am hoping to get my cardio endurance back to that level over the next few months. Right now I could do one or the other, but both in a row would be a little cray.
Here’s one of the songs the instructor played yesterday- I love it. Perfect for heavy climbs or hills:
This morning, Liv and I are off to get some bday goodies for the madre- her birthday was yesterday but she was out of town.
Hope you have a wonderful day and I’ll see ya tonight with a recipe <3
xoxo
Gina
Something to talk about: Are there any animals you’re afraid of? I’m definitely afraid of German Shepherds since one bit me in the face when I was little, and my poor brother Trev was afraid of rabbits growing up – one bit his finger. If you asked him what sound a rabbit made, he would say “RAWR!!!” and stick his finger out. Very sad then, kinda funny now.
Also, please let me know if you have any new workout song loves! Since many of us will be hitting (HIITing) the gym today, a killer playlist always helps.
Something to do:
Did you do the first circuit workout + HIIT? How’d your eating go today? Leave a comment to check in so we can cheer each other on! Not doing the Shape Up? Check in anyway! I love to hear what you’re up to.
Shout outs to some of the amazing ladies who rocked it out yesterday: Joyce Fu, Lili, Mischa, Rachel C, Erin, Lindsay, Raya, Rebecca and Natalie!
145 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Geese are MEAN.
I am totally afraid of birds, and geese are about as bad as it gets. Anything that can peck you, fly away, and keep doing it again and again is not a friend of mine.
Rocked WO #1 today with 20 minutes of HIIT 1 minute intense, 1 minute easy jog. Used ZWOW #9 for my moves during the intense period. I was sweating in places I didn’t know were possible.
Eats have been good so far. Even went to the movies with my little one and didn’t eat anything. He even said after the movie, “Mommy, you didn’t even taste any of my popcorn.”
WO#1 plus 25 min of HIT completed today and steady state cardio was knocked out yesterday. Biscuits were definitly burning!
I’m completely out of shape (haven’t been doing anything for months) and I did your WO#1 circuit twice today- holy moley I’m surprised I even made it through that much. I’m shaking like jello now! I couldn’t fathom the HIIT after that so I just did low intensity steady state cardio for half an hour…..hopefully I can build up my fitness level so I can do the fully amount of reps called for, I’m a ways off from that right now though 🙁 60 pushups?!?!! In my dreams….
you can do them on your knees too if the toe push-ups are too much <3
great job!!!
Last year I wouldn’t have dreamed that I could pull off 60 real pushups. Yesterday I did those 60 plus another 40 during my HIIT! You’ll get there!
Somehow motivated myself out of bed at 4am this morning to do WO#1 and a 30 min HIIT WO. (Only time between nursing my baby all day long and the early rising of my twin 14 month olds – ahh!) Loved it, even at that ridiculous hour. Thanks so much for posting these – I always enjoy them but only really started commenting recently (love your family posts).
Love anything by Pitbull for work-out tunes – also Dynamite – Taio Cruz.
you are outta control inspiring <3
Today I did a Fat Burn Challenge class at my gym. It incorporates HIIT, lots of strength and cardio…I am always very sore afterwards! And yesterday I ran an hour on the treadmill 🙂 Might go to yoga tonight to try to prevent some sore muscles tomorrow!
omg i love all flavors of cholula. so so so good.
WO #1 done plus 16 minutes HIIT sprints/hills! Yowza, I’m going to feel it tomorrow!! : D
My little sister was attacked by a swan when we were young! She was very scared of them for a long time. It tried to bite her & was hitting her in the head with its wings- kind of crazy!
Cats scare me just a little. I’ve known too many that like to hide under furniture & then bite or claw unsuspecting feet.
I’m almost 7 months pregnant so I am not doing the summer shape up, but last night I did an interval treadmill walk & lifted weights, & tonight I am going to swim laps at the gym. Definitely feeling myself slow down a little these days, but it still feels great to do what I can at the gym.
i am going to do WO #1 tonight along with my boot camp class too. I am a glutton for punishment.
Just made a delicious lunch of roasted brussel sprouts, chicken sausages and some sun dried tomatoes with a sprinkle (ok more than a sprinkle) of parm. cheese.
you are cray 😉
and that lunch sounds AMAZING
Checking in for Workout #1.
With the exception of not packing my socks in my gymbag, it went really well! I completed 2 reps of the circuit and did 15 min HIIT on the treadmill 6.0 and 8.0 speeds. I had trouble with the V-ups. Need to work on those for sure 🙂
Thanks for being such an inspiration.
ahh i hate forgetting socks!
you did an amazing job!
My husband loves cholula on everything too! I used to be super sensitive to spice and now I kind of crave it. Must be from the help of Chipotle’s medium salsa. Anyone else have an obsession with that??
LOVE chipoddle. i always get mild + hot
I did Workout #1 today! I def needed to do knee push-ups, & did the circuit 2 (not 3) times. I have a question about HIIT though – I first tried to do it on the treadmill, but since I’m normally an outside runner, I felt like I was going to fly off the treadmill, so switched to the elliptical. For the 1:30 regular intensity, I did a 7 on both resistance/intensity and on cross-ramp, & for the 30 second interval, I increased to 11 on resistance/intensity & decreased to 5 on cross-ramp (going as hard/fast as possible). Do you have a better idea for using the elliptical for the HIIT portion? THANKS!
that’s a perfect way to do it! i wouldn’t focus on the cross ramp too much, just increase the resistance/level and pedal as fast as you can
Thanks! That (not worrying re: cross ramp) makes it easier, actually, b/c then I can focus on pushing only one button at once. I’ve been known to fall off an elliptical while distracted before 😉
Only had time for the circuit, so I didn’t do the HIIT, but I was already sweaty enough! I did three rounds, it was fast, I didn’t get bored, but it still challenged me. So excited for the rest of this series. Breakfast was a smoothie with peaches, cherries, and blueberries, snack was a LUNA bar with fruit. Planning on a Kashi meal for lunch. Trying to keep myself on track with lots of cupcakes and cookies at work.
Have you tied TJ’s pepper sauce?! Thicker than most, spicy, tasty! I love it on eggs and salads 😀
Oh my goodness. I’m a newbie trying to get in the habit of exercising and WO#1 was a killer! I did the pushups on my knees and only went through it twice and I’m a shakin’ all over! I’m definitely going to feel that one tomorrow 😀 Thanks!
I did the workout while my son watched his show, was a great one! One question, what size do you recommend for weights? I used 3 lb but maybe could/should have gone with 5? I am not sore now, I guess I will have to see how I feel tomorrow.
yep if you feel like you could do more next time, try heavier.
Also loving the meal plan, this is just what I needed to get out of the rut I’ve been stuck in, I have made a few substitutions but am following it for the most part exactly.
cute shoes!!
SO excited for Summer Shape Up!! Steady cardio with my Husky yesterday for an hour, and WO#1 circuit three times today! I had to modify the toe touch/plank to a knee cross plank/ leg extension. Not enough balance yet for the toe touching!!
I had a 30 min walk with my pup before the WO so I only had 10 mins of HIIT left in by the time I got to that, but they were a solid 10 mins 🙂 I opted for a plyo HIIT with jogging or crunches in between.
OOOO and I took some pics today to watch my progress, cant wait to see some things tighten up!
Just did workout 1 and am definitely sweaty. I’m not sure what was better though, the workout or my one year old daughter dancing to the Metallica on the how to video 🙂
I am grossed out/scared of most bugs. Not like butterflies or dragonflies but the real creepy crawlies: cockroaches, crickets, worms, etc. My bathroom once had an infestation of these little-bitty weird ant/fly things (not termites), and when I walked in I saw them scattered all across my mirror and it COMPLETELY freaked me out. I screamed like a little baby.
Geese aren’t fun creatures. I actually just had my first experience with them at my family reunion a few weeks ago. I was feeding bits of bread to the nice, quiet, subdued ducks, when the geese realized what I was doing. They started running at me with their necks bowed and honking loudly. I literally ran away throwing the bread behind me so that they wouldn’t follow me. Yeah… I don’t like geese.
Just did workout #1 with three circuits; with 15 min of HIIT aftewards, it was the perfect workout to squeeze in on my lunchbreak! I had to work super fast and hard! Loved it. I’m following the meal plan example you gave with the exception of adding a couple tbsp of natch peanut butter for a bedtime snack 😉
Yesterday I did a 35 minute run/walk and today I did Workout #1 and HIIT. Due to some broken ribs I had to modify the push ups (to knees) and I could not do the abdominal exercises. I still feel really good. It has been about a month since I have had a really good workout and I’ve been really frustrated. I plan to follow the program as much as possible, modifying as needed for my injury. If you have any suggestions for standing abs that would be great! It really hurts my side to lay flat on my back or be in the plank position. I don’t want to totally neglect my abs though. Thanks!
Awwww, what cute pictures! I don’t blame you for making a quick getaway from the ducks. I was accosted by a duck that was irate that I hadn’t thrown any bread his way – he hopped on my foot and grabbed my sock in his beak. I thought it was funny though! I’m weird – that doesn’t bother me but I’m terrified of fish and especially butterflies. I had a traumatic experience in the nature cabin at camp when I was seven and have had a butterfly and moth phobia ever since. I’m not alone though – apparently Nicole Kidman shares my fear. (YES! We have something in common!) And my BFF once told a ticket-taker at a butterfly garden about me, thinking she was sharing something really bizarre, and was told “You’d be surprised how many people are scared of butterflies.”
No HIIT today, but back-to-back classes: BodyPump then Turbo Kickboxing! Can’t wait to try this workout though 🙂
I did three rounds of the workout plus 20 minutes of HITT on the treadmill… great workout! I’ve never followed along before, but I have recently learned I push myself much harder if I am following a plan, so this is perfect. Thanks so much for putting it together!!
I was afraid of cats for the longest time. Their sharp claws are intimidating… but I have since realized that SOME… a handful really… are kinda cute.
Yesterday was my rest day from my other schedule that I had been following. I will use my rest day later in the week to catch up with cardio from yesterday. I did the Workout 1 and HIIT today. Thank goodness for the laying on mat exercise…er…superman/v-ups (LOL) or I would have died. I am not new to circuits, so I guess it was the combo that did me in. I lift 4/wk and do circuits with 8-10 exercises, not stopping. I don’t do the combo exercises, so maybe that is what did me in. Then I jumped on the Elliptical and did 16 mins there. PHEW! I got my water and fruits and veggies in today with no problem. I am really looking forward to another butt kicker!
Committed to Summer Shape up this year! Did day 1 before work this AM … badass. Thanks for the video!
Today was good! I did the workout and HIIT for the first time- it was ROUGH! The first time through I thought “I got this”, then the second time through the circuit I was huffing and puffing! I also made the amaze balls using my mocha protein powder and they are SOOOO good. Thanks again.
Just did the workout today- I’m all sweaty and loving it! It was my first time doing a v-up…not sure what I think of them, but maybe once do a few more I will like them better, (I got the HIIT in earlier in the day by running). I really like the circuit though! Fruits and Veggies were no prob today, although I still have some water to drink.
I did it! For me, Day 2 was a combination of the Week 1 workout and Jillian Michaels Making the Cut workout. I wasn’t able to get in my cardio, but that’s the goal for tomorrow.
Question – is there an alternative workout for the StepUps? I have limited access to equipment right now and I don’t have a step or even a chair where I work out. I don’t want to skip it completely. Thanks!
I did it I did it! Made it through all three sets and I hurt SO good right now. I belong to a public rec center in NYC (me and the old men and the ex-cons, basically) and people were definitely staring. I’m so bad about switching up my strength routine – I have one memorized that I’ve literally been doing since I was 12 – and this was just what I needed to pull me out of my rut. Thanks a million for putting it together. The video especially was super helpful and so much more accessible than just a list of exercises.
Off to refuel on a Mediterranean-themed salad beast. Can’t wait to do it again on Friday!
I did the circuit tonight and plan to do the hiit tomorrow as part of the steady state cardio. I’m going to have to start working out in the am. Getting home from the office at 8 pm is just not conducive to a long workout. Glad I fit part of it in though! The push ups with toe touches are killer.
I did workout #1 with 30 minutes of HIIT on the treadmill after, 30 second sprints alternating between 7.5 and 8. I did the circuit 3 times and definitely need to work on my pushups and V-ups. I had trouble with 12.5 pounds during the first round so I used 10 pounds the next 2 times around, I am guessing my strength is somewhere in between 10 and 12.5 pounds at the moment. Loved the workout!
Holy. $#!¥!!! Just did 3 sets of wo1 and 15 mins HIIT and thought I was gonna die! In a good way, of course. Did this in my back yard with my bestie using milk crates, bands and towels as mats and ran around my subdivision for the HIIT. Great to have a workout buddy as I pulled her through the Werq out and she CARRIED me through the cardio. Thank you so much for doing these!
After bookmarking Summer Shape Ups year after year I’m finally committing this year! Did my Workout 1 and my first HIIT session tonight. Tough tough but I am excited to work hard! Thanks for always putting so much effort into putting the Shape Ups together!
yay i’m so glad you’re joining in!
Loving the pictures of the park and you and your baby girl 🙂 so sweet! I’ve met some mean swans before at the lake.
I’m going to assume the shout out for Rebecca was for me since I’ve been diligently following the workouts and eating Fitnessista-approved food. 😀
This morning I did the first workout before work, with my warmup on the rowing machine and HIIT on the stairmaster (and I had the sprints on the max speed!!) and it was gloriously sweaty. I think this year’s SSU is the best one yet!
yes, it was you! 🙂
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way…my abs are really sore. It hurts to laugh. I decided to make the pushups sets of 20 and forgot how much ab engagement is required! It feels amaaazing.
love!
I completed the week 1 workout and my gawd those toe touches are impossible!!! I bashed my shins a couple of times trying to get my leg across my body and out the other side 🙂 Enjoyed it though, I like the photos you can print out that really helps!!
I did wo1 last night and I love the push up combo! Never thought to do that with push ups before. I need to do a longer HITT workout and heavier weights next time. My biscuits are def burning today though! 🙂
Checking in (double, since I forgot to yesterday) for the workout, and did awesome with eats today with the exception of some delicious homemade trail mix someone brought it at work. I sort of had a moment with it, people were staring. WORTH IT.
Thanks for doing the video and the “at a glance” sheet — both are super useful for moves I’ve never done before, like the pushup/toe touch combo.
I did workout 1 and HIIT this morning..loved how challenging it was. My favorite was the squat/bicep/upright row combo. I love working so many muscles at once!
me too- more bang for your buck 🙂
so glad to hear you had a great workout!
Got my first circuit in this morning and LOVED it! Perfect amount of time and definitely felt the burn. The video was a great inspiration too – made me bust through the moves a little faster instead of taking my time stepping up and down on the bench 🙂 I actually can’t wait to do it again later this week!
This workout was awesome! Did the circuit 3 times through, plus 20 mins HIIT on the treadmill. LOVED IT, and was SUPER sweaty! Thanks for putting this all together–I really enjoy having a plan to follow!
I did it! Workout completed. I love the summer shape up, I do really well when I have a scheduled routine to follow. I was worried that I wouldn’t have time to fit everything in because I have a 3 month old at home but I was able to fit everything in during his nap time! I’ve been making all of the meals you suggested for this weeks meal plan, everything is awesome! Just finished eating the chicken caprese salad, so yummy. Im so excited about this! Thanks Gina!
I did my steady state cardio yesterday, and completed my HIIT and the first workout. Talk about sweat dripping all over the floor! I was so proud of myself, too, because I upped the lbs on my weights today and made it through unscathed! 🙂
Whew! 10:21 PM and I just did 30 mins on level 10 on the elliptical. I worked for 12 hours today, so I’m proud of myself for fitting it in 🙂 I did workout 1 yesterday and am looking forward to it tomorrow
Taught an a.m. Zumba class (love my old ladies that come to shake it with me!) and then rocked Workout 1 tonight. Love how your workouts make me sweat after 5 min!