Monsoon swoon

I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do for my last class today. I was supposed to assist pool, and my pool uniform is nowhere to be found. It was in the locker room (along with a ton of other pool uniforms) and got misplaced in the hustle and bustle. I figured I’d just wear my regular uniform and roast in the heat, when I usually like to get in the pool and cool off.

Then, someone was looking out for me:

Rain

RAIN!

Rain is kind of a rarity in Tucson, with the exception of monsoon season: my favorite time of the year. In the afternoons during the summer, it will storm like it’s the end of the world. Some years are crazier than others -last year was a great one and Tucson is still unusually green from the rain- and other years, it’s like typical summer rain (much like the summer storms I experienced In Georgia). I’m so thankful that it started pouring, not only because pool class was canceled (giving me time to get another uniform), it will help our crispy grass -it didn’t stand a chance in the heat, even with the sprinklers on- and best of all, I got to come home and see my favorite people a little earlier.

Snuggle

I <3 after work snuggle time

Some eats:

Breakfast and coffee to-go

Oats and coffee

Protein oats with cherries and drizzle with coconut butter from the box Bestowed was so kind to send me:

Bestowed

If you’re familiar with Birchbox, the concept is very similar. For a small amount ($15 for Bestowed), you’re sent health and lifestyle products to test out before you bite the bullet and make a full-sized purchase. It’s a great way to try out different things and find new ones you might not have tried or have access to.

The cookie was the first to go:

Kookie

(it was made with almond meal- I LOVED it!)

Fare thee well.

Lunch was a turkey wrap and a clean-out-the-produce-drawer salad:

Salad 3

(lentils, fennel and cucumber with a Dijon balsamic dressing)

I put together a Trader Joe’s dessert plate to take over to the dadoo’s- we’re heading over there for an early Father’s Day celebration.

Dessert tray

(sea salt brownie bites, macarons and lemon turnovers)

Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

See ya in the morning with the Week 2 Summer Shape Up grocery list and meal plan + an ode to the Pilot 🙂

xoxo

Gina

Something to think:

Quote

Something to do: Check in! What did you do for your steady state cardio today? How’d the eats go? I was low on water today, so I’m going to make up for it tonight

Check in

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55 Comments

  1. Ashley on June 16, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    so unbelievably jealous. we are frying to a crisp up here. vies doesn’t even want to be outside. if you could send us some rain and hold the dust, that would be just fine.

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:36 pm

      k… for the haboobs, i can make no promises though 😉

  2. Abby F on June 16, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    I’ve never been the first before! Yeah!
    Well I did a little walking today, but Vegas is sooo hot I couldn’t last long. Other than that I brought healthy snacks to work so I wouldn’t use the vending machine- over all doing better than normal on a Saturday!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      vegas! my michael jackson friend cameron is doing a show at the wynn on september 15 if you’re not doing anything 🙂

  3. kaila@ healthy helper blog! on June 16, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Oh man you just reminded me how much I like fennel! I need to pick some up ASAP! My favorite way to prepare it is sauteed up with a little dill and served with some fresh salmon! Delicious!

  4. kaila@ healthy helper blog! on June 16, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Oh man you just reminded me how much I like fennel! I need to pick some up ASAP! My favorite way to prepare it is sauteed up with a little dill and served with some fresh salmon! Delicious!!!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      yummmmmm

  5. TC on June 16, 2012 at 8:00 pm

    Just started summer shape up today. I know I’m late!! The workout is amazing. Thank you!!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      i’m so glad you’re enjoying it!

  6. Missy on June 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    I don’t know if it can be considered “steady”, but my boyfriend and I went trail biking this evening! We have a fantastic bike trail in town that winds up, down, around, through (etc, etc) a creek. It is all through wooded area so it’s nice to feel like you’re a little out of town and get out in the wilderness. It was our first time and it was scary/exhilarating! Definitely got pretty schweaty after a 50 minute ride! My legs and buns are already feeling it from all the hills. Preparing dinner now.. turkey burgers, broccoli, and salad! YUM!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      yes, that totally counts as steady! i would have fallen over 😉
      dinner sounds fantastic, too

  7. Maria on June 16, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    I imagine that CA weather is much like Tuscon – very dry summers. I miss the summer storms (and heat lightening!) from growing up on the East Coast.

    Summer Shape Up: I switched my days up to fit my schedule and did my second Workout 1 + HIIT. Left the gym on Cloud Nine!

  8. Annette @ FitnessPerks on June 16, 2012 at 8:13 pm

    I like rain when i can curl up and read a book-and not have to work. Hah. Have fun tonight!!

  9. Bruna on June 16, 2012 at 8:18 pm

    I found out about your blog right after the last winter Shape Up, and I really, REALLY wish I could join the Summer Shape Up this time (although we’re going into winter down here in Brazil)!! But I am training for my first half marathon (in only three weeks!!), and my workouts are all focused on being able to finish the race alive (that’s what I am hoping for, anyway)… If I was following the plan, my steady work out would have been an 11 miles run, though… Maybe next time!! ;P
    (By the way, I fell in love with your blog after the very first post I read, but it’s even better now with Liv. You have the most adorable baby girl ever!!)

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:34 pm

      thank you- she is amazing 🙂
      so awesome to hear from someone in brazil! best of luck to you with the upcoming half- you’ll rock it out, i’m sure!
      be sure to let me know how it goes!

  10. Elle on June 16, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    Oh yum, every thing in that box you were sent looks really good!

    I couldn’t make it to the gym yesterday to do this weeks workout so I did the weight routine today and went for a 30 minute run yesterday!

  11. S. on June 16, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    We have similar summer storms here in colorado. It’s super dry until one day, for about 20 minutes, it just POURS like crazy! I LOVE it more than anything else! I remember being in Tucson for an especially crazy storm about two summers ago. We had gone to Frost for gelato (typical) and couldn’t get back to my grandparents because all the roads in their neighborhood were flooded! So intense!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:32 pm

      loooooove frost 🙂

  12. Erica on June 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Checking in! I just did a bunch of cardio exercises like high knees, punches, and a whole bunch of other moves I let my daughter pick out for me! She watched the clock and gave me a new move every minute. Surprisingly it kept my heart rate up really well! I wore my hrm and averaged 157 bpm for 60 minutes! I guess she’s a trainer in the making! xoxo

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:32 pm

      whooaaa! that is such a fun idea, and a 157 average is awesome!

  13. Abby on June 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Took an hour long family walk, baby is finally feeling better thank goodness!

  14. Emily on June 16, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    I haven’t been able to click on any of the links or pictures for checking in for SSU. Is anyone else having this issue?

  15. Mandy M on June 16, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    Glad you got to get some early cuddle time in…
    Did 3 mile run/walk. Wanted to do more running, but my legs were so tight, so I probably only ran about half the distance.
    Eats weren’t so strict today, had 2 regular pancakes and some fro-yo this afternoon, but all in all, it’s fine.
    Thanks for reminding me about the water, gotta get some in right now.

  16. Brenda on June 16, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    Eats were great today, lot’s of local produce. The star of our dinner was the pound of snow peas we picked from our garden this week. I’m with you on the water though… I need to drink up this evening.

  17. Amelia on June 16, 2012 at 10:28 pm

    Mmm salted brownie bites sound delish!

    Took it easy today with steady state and did half walk/half run for about an hour. Definitely need to up my veggie intake! Something to work on for next week.

  18. Angela on June 16, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I love rain, I live in Oregon and in rains a lot, I never tire of it!

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:31 pm

      i love it too 🙂

  19. Laura on June 16, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    Checking in – I ran for 30 minutes this morning with my fiance biking next to me ( we would normally run together, but he was doing one of those obstacle races this afternoon! Fun to spectate.) I did the last .25 miles at a 7:07 pace, which is CRAZY for me!

  20. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy on June 16, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    i love a good storm! Again, your little one is so precious! and that dessert plate looks gooooood!

  21. Jess on June 16, 2012 at 10:55 pm

    I love storms! We have lots here in oz. I love to watch the surf get big and crazy. Steady state cardio was 40 min jog with the jogging stroller! 🙂

  22. Jess on June 16, 2012 at 10:58 pm

    PS love that photo with Livi. She looks so content to have her mummy!

  23. Abby on June 16, 2012 at 10:59 pm

    When you say 8 glasses of water, how many ounces do you suggest ?

    • Fitnessista on June 16, 2012 at 11:22 pm

      at least 64

  24. pluvk on June 16, 2012 at 11:48 pm

    I made today my rest day since I worked out yesterday. It felt good to just relax! I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s food list. I really have to rework my diet, so these meal plans are so helpful!

    Your little one is absolutely adorable. I would be happy to get home early, too!

  25. Becky on June 16, 2012 at 11:56 pm

    I think I am going to join Bestowed. What a great way to try healthy stuff! I am NOT a fan of birchbox. I don’t like all the tiny samples.

    Could you show us sometime the salad dressing you use? I would like to see the brands.

    • Fitnessista on June 17, 2012 at 12:01 am

      i just made that one- i dumped dijon mustard, balsamic, almond milk, lemon olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt, pepper and a little stevia and mixed it around

  26. Lisa on June 17, 2012 at 12:01 am

    She is so beautiful! I love storms as well, we never get them in Victoria, and I am always so excited when the one time in 3 years we get a storm! That cacao bliss in the box is to die for! Seriously one of the best tastes ever!

  27. Averie @ Averie Cooks on June 17, 2012 at 1:35 am

    love the TJs dessert tray! the brownie bites…I need those, now 🙂

    glad the rain helped your day fall into place in many ways!

  28. Melissa (Better Fit) on June 17, 2012 at 6:25 am

    It sounds like a big relief to get some rain in! I did a lovely run today 🙂

  29. Janiek @ A non-perfect girl on June 17, 2012 at 7:44 am

    I love rainy afternoons, as long as i don’t have to get out of the house :p

    • Fitnessista on June 17, 2012 at 12:02 pm

      seriously- i just want to read or watch movies all day 😉

  30. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on June 17, 2012 at 7:47 am

    I hope that rain is heading my way – my veggie garden needs it! 😀

  31. Cayce on June 17, 2012 at 8:12 am

    Checking in…steady state will be cycling for me today…had to swap some days around. I busted out Week 1 workout and HIIT yesterday. Any ‘walk the plank’ and ‘mountain climbers’ tips for this newbie? I can’t keep my booty out of the air!!

  32. Errign on June 17, 2012 at 8:18 am

    I rode my bike 30 miles in the sunshine in just under two hours. It was my longest ride yet on my new bike, which was awesome 🙂

  33. Madison on June 17, 2012 at 9:12 am

    Did a 35 min bike ride, raced twice in my dragonboat festival, then rode my bike home. Then had “treat night” with nachos & a big glass of wine…whoops!

  34. Joelle (on a pink typewriter) on June 17, 2012 at 9:18 am

    I’m from Vegas (even though I live on the east coast right now) and we have monsoon season too! It’s always funny to me to explain it to people not from the area because they’re always so surprised that somewhere like Vegas gets crazy rain like that during certain times of the year.

  35. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on June 17, 2012 at 10:23 am

    What a great idea! I’ve never heard of birchbox but I will definitely be checking it out! Happy Sunday 🙂

  36. Ana on June 17, 2012 at 11:20 am

    I managed to squeeze out 30 minutes on the treadmill – looking forward to the day of rest sunday 🙂

  37. Amanda on June 17, 2012 at 12:58 pm

    Did the shape up workout on Friday after work, with my friend: http://onefittwofit.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/fitnessistas-summer-shape-up/

    It was awesome. one thing I think I might have messed up… That 1:30 recovery time should be some continued light cardio, I think, right? We were just taking do-nothing breaks. When that seemed too easy, we cut the break down to 1 minute. I realized later what we did wrong… Oopsie!

    But it was still awesome. My upper body is definitely sore. Can’t wait to see what you came up with for this week!

  38. Irene on June 17, 2012 at 2:02 pm

    I’m off the schedule a little bit, but I finally got to try the SSU Workout 1 circuit yesterday! Woohoo! At first I thought the workout was a little light on legs, but after I did my 20 minute HIITS (running) my little leggies were toast! Loved it! Thanks so much for putting this together. I love having the calendar even though I can’t follow it exactly, it has really encouraged me to workout a little more that I think I would have otherwise.

  39. Courtney @ Outrunning Insecurities on June 17, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    Bestowed sounds like a really cool concept. I would love to give it a shot. At least once.

  40. Kelly @ My Love Affair with Running on June 17, 2012 at 10:19 pm

    Hey Gina,
    Congrats! I’ve nominated you for a blogger award! Your blog has truly inspired me on my food and fitness journey and I can’t thank you enough for your Summer shape up program which is kicking my butt into shape 🙂

    Check out the post http://kellyrosie.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/790/

    Here are the rules for receiving the award: (1) thank the blogger who nominated you (2) include the links to their blogs, (3) include the award image in your post, (4) copy the award image to your site, (5) give seven random facts about yourself, (6) nominate 15 other bloggers for the award, (7) when nominating other bloggers include the links to their sites, and (7) let those bloggers know they’ve been nominated.

    Happy blogging and keep up the exciting posts
    Kelly xxx

  41. Katie @ Talk Less, Say More on June 17, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    I want those macaroons! They look so good. Crazy thing is, I’m not sure I’ve ever even had a macaroon!! (WHAT?!)

  42. Gina on June 22, 2012 at 6:51 pm

    I signed up with Bestow a few weeks ago, and received this same box for my first. I am in LOVE with the cookie. It was seriously one of the BEST cookies I have had in a long time. I also ordered some of the Holistic Chocolot to try in addition to the Chocolate Chip. I also ordered a jar of the Artisana Cacao Bliss butter, along with a jar of their pecan butter. Yum! Have you tried the pecan butter? I am a huge fan of pecan pie, so thought I would give it a whirl!

    • Gina on June 22, 2012 at 6:51 pm

      Also, do you have any suggestions for the fiber sprinkles? I am curious to see what you come up with!

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