Core and cardio workout

Hi friends! How was your weekend? Hope you had a great one. It’s been a weird and glorious weekend over here. I can’t remember the last time I spent so much time in the supine position.

I read a book in 24 hours, 

watched movies (Sicario was very intense!)

snuggled with my babies

In bed with the girls

ate a lot of takeout,

Goat cheese flatbread

Bobeau takeout

and spent a lot of time healing/resting. It was eerily reminiscent of sick days from high school where I’d watch A Wedding Story and A Baby Story all day on TLC. Did anyone else do this?! It was very different than the early days of having a newborn. Even when you come home from the hospital, there’s a lot of stress as you find your groove and routine, figure out feeding, and are awake most of the night. For this recovery, the Pilot swooped in and took care of everything while I slept. A lot. He is amazing.

The Pilot took Liv on a date to Mission Saturday night,

Pilot and P photo booth pics

and I felt good enough to put on *real* clothes and enjoy a girls’ date to the movies yesterday afternoon. Madre and I took Liv to see Zootopia. It was hilarious and heartwarming; far better than I was expecting.

Movies with livi

(We have a pretty solid “no princess dresses outside of home” rule unless we’re venturing to Disneyland, but somehow Liv knew I was on pain meds because I was just like “treat yo’ self.”)

We had a delicious dinner at home (chicken, sweet potato, zucchini, and macaroni n’ cheese shells) and spent the evening hanging out. It was perfect.

Even though I’m out of the fitness game for a while, I still have some fun ideas for posts coming up (including some how-tos, recipes, workouts, and a random craft I’ve been dying to make). Here is a core workout that I was able to try last week!

I'll miss you gym

(Shirt is here. Peace out, gym. I’ll be back soon!)

I stopped working out my core so often when I realized that visual ab definition is directly attributed to clean eating and cardio more than anything. But, there’s something to be said about cranking out some burning core work in conjunction with sweaty cardio. It’s a great way to break up the cardio segments (so you get a rest from that type of work and can really hit it hard each time!), and also bring awareness to your core during the sprints/runs. Over time, I’ve learned how important it is to engage your transverse to support your other exercises. Another key component is breath! Make sure that you aren’t holding your breath as you work out.

Core and cardio workout

So tell me friends: what was the highlight of your weekend? Any awesome fitness accomplishments? Last movie you saw at the theater? I can’t wait to see the sequel to My Big Fat Greek Wedding. (I still say, “And inside the lump… was my twin” on a regular basis haha.)

Happy Monday!

xoxo

Gina

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62 Comments

  1. Sam @ Barrister's Beet on April 4, 2016 at 6:35 am

    Glad to see you’re healing and that you got out to see a movie! Your dress is adorable, too! Thanks for posting the workout. I’m going to give this a try tomorrow!

    Sam

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      thanks, girl! let me know how it goes <3

  2. anne on April 4, 2016 at 6:43 am

    haha, I love that quote, and “it’s a bundt!” Enjoy your downtime, speedy healing!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      haha i love that one, too!
      thank you <3
      hope you had a great weekend!

  3. Bethany on April 4, 2016 at 6:44 am

    Did you love Me Before You?! I cried through the ending (and am still a little mad haha) after finishing the book in less than 48 hours. I also just discovered that there’s a sequel called After You!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      it was everything. i figured out how it was going to end, but i didn’t mind because it was so beautifully written. i’m downloading the sequel now! are you going to read it?

      • Bethany on April 5, 2016 at 4:36 am

        Yes!! I started it last night. I also knew how it was going to end but I’m still mad about it haha.

  4. Sana on April 4, 2016 at 6:56 am

    Love the pics from The Pilot and Liv’s date! TOO CUTE!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:23 pm

      they are so fun together <3

  5. Kelsey Halena on April 4, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Ha, I just about spit my coffee out when I read ‘treat yo’ self’ on Liv’s dress! I tend to steer away from crunches because I don’t ever feel amazing effects – especially since starting to take Megaformer classes here and there where it hurts to sneeze 2 days later. That’s my kind of core bang for my buck 🙂

    I got a 9 mile run in yesterday in prep for a half on May 1, which – for a very UNNATURAL runner like myself who has had to work pretty hard to get there – always feels like an accomplishment.

    Glad you’re getting plenty of time in recovery mode!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:23 pm

      megaformer classes are my current fave for core work- so, so tough, every time!
      9 miles! GET IT GIRL. that is awesome <3 hope the rest of your weekend went well!

  6. Kailey on April 4, 2016 at 7:13 am

    A Wedding Story & A Baby Story…yes! So glad I’m not the only one 🙂
    Glad to see you’re able to enjoy yourself while you recover! Hoping the rest of recovery is speedy!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      thank you so much, friend!

  7. Laura @ SheEatsWell on April 4, 2016 at 7:26 am

    We watched Room this weekend – holy moly, intense.

    Re: princess dresses. Friday night I was serving where I work, and this Mom came in with her two daughters. ALL dressed in different princess dresses – the Mom was Snow White. She totally owned it and was like, well, I told them they could pick my outfit. It was pretty cute and ballsy to walk into a busy SF restaurant like that. My coworkers and I were like “we didn’t know royalty was coming in tonight!” Too cute.

    • Julie on April 4, 2016 at 11:02 am

      I watched the Room this wknd too & had the same reaction. So good! I was engrossed.

      • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

        we’ll have to watch it this week! thank you for the rec 🙂

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      haha that is amazing. she is braver (or just more fun?) than i am, but i could totally see liv and p convincing me one of these days 🙂

  8. Catherine Cormier on April 4, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Ha – I used to be obsessed with TLC when I was home sick!! Baby Story, Wedding Story, some makeover show that I can’t remember the name of. I could literally sit and watch for hours!!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      same! i would watch it ALL DAY haha

  9. Katie on April 4, 2016 at 7:51 am

    OMG I was just thinking of those shows yesterday! I think A Makeover Story always aired around the same time as well. TLC reality shows used to be so innocent…hahaha. I think they still advertised it as “The Learning Channel” back then.

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:22 pm

      YES! i forgot about a makeover story! used to love that one too 🙂

  10. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious on April 4, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Glad to hear you’re on the mends! I do a few pilates core work moves in my strength routine, but otherwise I don’t do specific core work. As long as you’re stabilizing through the movements, you really don’t need to. Like you said, it’s about what you eat more than anything!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:21 pm

      so so true. pilates exercises DESTROY my core

  11. Kristin on April 4, 2016 at 8:23 am

    What is your nail polish in the gym t-shirt photo? Love it!
    I saw the trailer for Zootopia before Star Wars and told my husband, “Is it weird that I want to see that?”

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:21 pm

      it’s an essie color! i think it’s something cameo?
      and zootopia was surprisingly good! (the trailers cracked me up too)
      xoxo

      • Kristin on April 5, 2016 at 7:21 am

        Thanks! I think I found it–Buy Me a Cameo!

  12. Karen on April 4, 2016 at 8:37 am

    Glad to hear you’re healing well!

    I used to LOVE LOVE LOVE A Wedding Story and A Baby Story!! Too bad all they show on TLC now is trash! Good times!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:21 pm

      i know- such a bummer! those were the days 🙂

  13. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby on April 4, 2016 at 9:19 am

    Wishing you a speedy speedy recovery! Glad your soaking up the down time as much as possible! The theater? Uh….. I literally have no idea!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      thank you, friend!

  14. Amanda @ Exploring Life & Things on April 4, 2016 at 9:35 am

    I’ve been wanting to read Me Before You for awhile! I need to read it before seeing the movie! This weekend’s highlight was a 5k I did on Saturday, despite the terrible winds haha. Hope you’re feeling better!

  15. Crystal on April 4, 2016 at 9:53 am

    Glad you’re getting a chance to rest up and heal. It sounds like the Pilot and Madre are taking good care of you 🙂

    We saw “Hello, My Name is Doris” this weekend…it was cute (and uh, so was the guy in it). Can’t wait to see MBFGW 2…What do you mean, he don’t eat no meat?!? It’s ok, I make lamb.

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      yes, they are amazing! i’m a lucky girl <3
      i haven't even heard of that one. i'll need to check it out!
      xo

  16. Jill on April 4, 2016 at 10:28 am

    I always say, “Bunnndddttt… Oh, it’s a cake!” out loud and in my head. Can’t wait to see the movie also!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      one of my fave scenes, too 🙂 i’m ready for some new one-liners in my life

  17. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul on April 4, 2016 at 10:32 am

    I loved Zootopia! I’m glad you’re getting to rest, relax, and heal!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      thank you! and yes, it was hilarious 🙂

  18. Leighton Wells on April 4, 2016 at 10:34 am

    I wasn’t sure what I was going to do at the gym today until I saw this blog post so thank you for posting this!! Excited about this workout I’ll let you know how it goes!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      wahoo! how was it?!

  19. Tracy on April 4, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Although it stinks to have to go through surgery & recovery, It’s kinda nice to enjoy the opportunity to take it easy and be waited on for a bit! We don’t get to do that very often (ever?)! Enjoy and continued good recovery vibes to you!!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      totally. i can’t even remember the last time i did that. even though my body is still out of it, i forgot what it’s like to not have bags under my eyes hahaha
      hope you had a great weekend <3

  20. Robin Morehouse on April 4, 2016 at 12:25 pm

    Now you have to read “After You” – equally great! Glad you are feeling better. And also loved old school TLC – Wedding Story was the best!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      ok, i’ll download it now- thank you!

  21. Ashley @ Down Home Duo on April 4, 2016 at 12:50 pm

    So glad to hear that you are recovering well! <3
    I agree that ab work hasn't really been part of my workouts so much since I started focusing on the "whole body." Also, I just hate doing it LOL I was doing some weighted step ups today that were actually a killer core workout that you wouldn't expect!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:18 pm

      i feel the same way! BUT i’ve found that a lot of clients (and guests in the classes i teach) really like “traditional” core exercises, so i’ll throw them in there in limited amounts 😉
      love weighted step ups! so excited to do them again eventually 🙂
      xoxo

  22. Katherine @ A (Fit) Girl and Her Dog on April 4, 2016 at 2:05 pm

    Yessss to the sick days with TLC shows. Pretty sure that’s all I watched. Fitness win was signing up for my first race in ages. Looking forward to speed work tomorrow…not! 😉

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:17 pm

      haha! i hope it goes well 🙂

  23. Alycia on April 4, 2016 at 7:36 pm

    I love the color of your nail polish in the gym shirt pic! What brand is it?

    Glad you are on the mend and had a relaxing weekend!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 8:41 pm

      thank you! it’s essie 🙂
      hope you had a great weekend too

  24. Juliana on April 4, 2016 at 9:47 pm

    I wish you the speediest of recoveries! I’ve also heard that anything from Extraordinary Desserts is scientifically proven to aid recovery time 😉 I’d also love to hear how you handle mentally being out from exercise for a while. I’ve been out since November after being hit by a car and I’m going crazy here (just let me run already! Argggh). You are so good at staying positive, it’s so inspiring and I love it, and I’d love to hear a post about it down the road. Cheers!

    • Fitnessista on April 4, 2016 at 10:15 pm

      oh my gosh, you’re right! (can you believe i still haven’t been there?!)
      i can definitely do a post about it later! for now i’m still in the “thank god this problem was fixed” euphoria, but i’m sure i’ll get antsy in the next week. not being able to move the way you’re craving is really hard. hope that you’re doing much better after the accident <3

      • Juliana on April 5, 2016 at 7:53 am

        You should really try Extraordinary Desserts. For science. (And to celebrate problems being fixed, woohoo! 🙂 )
        I actually just signed up for the Coronado Bridge run in May as something to work towards, though I may end up walking it. It’s really frustrating when you want to do things that your body can’t.

        • Fitnessista on April 5, 2016 at 10:46 pm

          it will be for purely research purposes 😉
          yes, it’s super frustrating. hang in there. when you’re back in the game, you will crush it- and it will feel so good to know you took time to wait until your body was ready. thinking of you

  25. Jessie R on April 5, 2016 at 8:13 am

    Glad to hear your recovery is going well! Take it easy, you deserve it! Love the picture of the three of you at the top, so precious, and Livi and Tom- too cute! So many good books, so little time! Cameron Diaz’s new book came out today, so I’m excited to read it.

    • Fitnessista on April 5, 2016 at 10:46 pm

      thank you, friend. also thank you for the reminder that it came out! i need to download it

  26. Katie K. on April 5, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Thank you for all of your posts. You’ve been a great inspiration for me to get wedding ready!
    Hope you are feeling better!!!!

    • Fitnessista on April 5, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      thank you so much, lovely! congrats to you on the upcoming wedding!

  27. Kim @ Racing Bananas on April 6, 2016 at 6:46 pm

    Can’t wait to try this workout! Hope you’re feeling better and recovering!

    • Fitnessista on April 6, 2016 at 9:20 pm

      thank you! let me know if you give it a try 🙂

  28. Rebecca Dawkins on April 26, 2016 at 12:00 am

    I just loved the exercises. These exercises can be the best way to start a day and keep yourself active. Thanks for sharing!

    • Fitnessista on April 26, 2016 at 9:41 pm

      happy you liked them!

  29. Agness of Fit Travelling on May 8, 2017 at 5:08 am

    This is what I can an all-inclusive post! Great job! I couldn’t agree more with you about the core strengthening, it is crucial!

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