Spring Cardio Workout
Morning friends! How’s your day going? <3
Thank you so much for all of your feedback on the new blog design!! Cody worked extremely hard on it, and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Most of the response was extremely positive, but people said they were offended by the picture on the left. While we were designing the blog, I really looked to 3 other blogs for their design, as they’re blogs I aspire to be like in terms of community and quality posts:
(Giuliana is my style idol)
These are all HUGE blogs- but hey, if you’re going to have a goal, go big 🙂 In the first two (which are more workout and nutrition-focused, like my little blog), they have background side images of the authors, in sports bras. I’m not one to skip around on the blog in a sports bra, which is why I rolled with a tank top, but some readers said they still didn’t like it. The pic isn’t set in stone and can always change, so NBD.
So last night, I was welcomed home by the smell of burning plastic.
Apparently one of the lids from my bento lunch box slipped into the bottom part of the dishwasher, where it was burned by the hot coils. There is no smell like that of burning plastic- stinky stuff!! (and yes, I had to Google to see if it was toxic.) So I opened all of the doors, turned on the fans, lit a candle and made a beautifully aromatic dinner to replace the heinous stench.
While I cooked, I enjoyed a sliced of goat cheese, while Bella dreamed and wished in the background:
(I had to give her a little piece)
In a large pot on medium, I sautéed 1/2 onion, 1/2 container of organic mushrooms and about 8 chopped stalks of asparagus for about 7 minutes:
Seasonings:
-olive oil
-sea salt and pepper
-cayenne, garlic, thyme
After they were soft and cooked, I added in half a bag of frozen organic spinach, and cooked for an additional 5 minutes.
Next, a can of organic kidney beans (rinsed and drains) and made a sauce in the corner of the pot before stirring into the vegetables:
Sauce:
-2 T Dijon mustard
-2 T nutritional yeast
-1 T hummus
-splash of balsamic
-almond milk to thin it out
I enjoyed the stir-fry stew creation on top of some red quinoa with fresh basil:
It was DELICIOUS. Very filling and fresh- I love when random ingredients come together to make something glorious 🙂 By the time I sat down to eat, the burning plastic smell was gone 😉
After dinner, I went to walk on base for a little while with a book, and then happened to show up at my mom’s house for gluten-free night.
(My bro is in culinary school and Monday is his gluten-free class)
On the menu: double chocolate chip cookies and carrot cake, still warm…
(don’t let the pic fool ya. I started off with a tiny piece of carrot cake and then washed it down with a huge piece. These things happen sometimes haha)
I die. So good. There is nothing like fresh gluten-free goodies, still warm from the oven 😉
This morning I’m off to b-fast with my brother and nana and then getting started on my wicked to-do list.
Enjoy your day!
xoxo
Gina
Something to do: Spring Cardio Workout!
For this one, hit up your favorite piece of cardio equipment- bike, elliptical, treadmill, stairmaster, etc. You’ll be doing a series of hill and speed intervals- make sure to check with a doc before making any fitness or nutrition changes. As always, if it hurts, don’t do it! Feel free to modify to suit your needs.
*Make sure to start off with some incline or resistance (2.5% is my fave for treadmills)
| 0:00-5:00 | Warm up | Walk/Jog – easy speed |
| 5:00-7:00 | Hill- maintain your speed (jog, faster cadence on the bike) | Add 1.0% incline/resistance every 20 seconds |
| 7:00-8:00 | Recover | Jog/run comfortably (or speed walk) |
| 8:00-10:00 | Speed | Increase your speed every 20 seconds until you are at a full out sprint |
| 10:00-11:00 | Recover | Jog/run comfortably (or speed walk) |
| 11:00-15:00 | Steady state | Pick up your pace a little and maintain a steady state for 4 minutes- you can do it! |
| 15:00-17:00 | Hill- maintain your speed (jog, faster cadence on the bike) | Add 1.0% incline/resistance every 20 seconds |
| 17:00-18:00 | Recover | Jog/run comfortably (or speed walk) |
| 18:00-20:00 | Speed | Increase your speed every 20 seconds until you are at a full out sprint |
| 20:00-21:00 | Recover | Jog/run comfortably (or speed walk) |
| 21:00-25:00 | Steady state | Pick up your pace a little and maintain a steady state for 4 minutes- you can do it! |
| 25:00-30:00 | Cool down | Jog comfortably (or walk) and every minute, bring down your pace until your heart rate comes down. Stretch. |
Let me know if you give it a try!!
Want a weights workout? Check out *Spring Arms* and *Spring Legs* (Next, spring abs!)
223 Comments
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I think the photo translates the direction your career is going so you should keep it! You look amazing why not show it off! 🙂
Why are people offended by the sidebar picture? I really like it! It showcases fitness and is a nice added touch to the design! KEEP IT 😀
Thanks for the cardio workout… I’ll be sure to test it out!
How many days ’til the Pilot is home for good?
a week and a half! i can’t wait 🙂
I don’t understand how somebody could be “offended” either??? This is a fitness blog. Gina works hard for her body. She should be able to show a little “skin” aka an ARM! : )
Agreeeeeed! She looks fab… don’t be haters 😀
& yay Gina its going to FLY by!
“She should be able to show a little “skin” aka an ARM!” – I know, right ??? SHEESH.
….Offended by a picture of you holding a weight? Really? LOL. That’s a little…I dunno. :\
the word you are looking for is “looney.” 😉
you look fantastic, gina! if anything, that picture on the left makes me wanna kick my boo-tay in the gym to get arms like yours! it’s motivating while still remaining classy and completely tasteful. you don’t have boobies all over the place or anything.
also, the overall look is fantastic! it’s so clean and easy to navigate which are the top two things i LOVE in a blog’s design.
Agreed – they will get over it!
I know, your arms look great, Gina! I want them. I’m not offended by the pic at all!
Thanks for the great workout! I’m always looking for new cardio! 🙂
I can’t wait for the abs one!! And sorry to hear about your bento lid! I’ve done the same thing with tupperware in my dishwasher and it stinks! Looks like dinner definitely covered the smell though. I think your new blog design is fantastic! I’m planning to get some blog-o-vations done in the coming months and I can’t wait! Have a fabulous day Gina 🙂
that gluten free treat looks absolutely amazing!!!
I love love love love love the new blog design! And you look fantastic in the picture to the left!
You did a great job with the reimage!
I’m all over your Spring Cardion & Spring Arms! I have 1 year until my wedding and although I don’t like associating my workouts with the reasoning being the wedding it actually is quite motivating. me + wedding dress = arm workouts!!
amen! i have a bridal bootcamp too if you want to check that out 🙂 (under the fitness tab)
ps congrats on your upcoming wedding!!
I don’t know why people would be offended by the side picture… I like it! Thanks for the cardio workout! I’ve been looking for a new one!!! I’ll give this one a try this week!
Really?!?
People were “offended” by a girl in a tank top?
You look great!!!
People love to find a reason to complain about anything! Ridiculous…
You look great in the picture and you’re a very modest woman. I don’t understand why anyone would be offended by a picture of your awesome guns!!!
I think that your new blog design looks fantastic! I think that the picture of you on the left is a great picture and you look fabulous, but it does seem out of place on the page. I love the toneitup.com site and think that the way that they have it is a little more subtle — maybe because it is just half of them and it seems more like a background then right there the whole time. I definitely don’t think that it is offending and it shows all of your hard work. It is just something about the placement of the picture on the site that I didn’t care for. When I looked at the blog last night after the ‘unveiling’, that was the one thing that I would say just didn’t seem to flow with the new design. I love your blog and look forward to it every day!
I agree with Tracy about the photo seeming out of place. I do agree it’s a nice photo of you, although the pose seems a little awkward? maybe that’s just because I feel awkward doing that movement? At any rate, it’s not my blog and who am I to judge. I will say that your blog does not fit my screen anymore so I have to side scroll to see anything on the right of the page. Don’t think that would be an issue if the photo weren’t there, but that may be my monitor settings. Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I’ll be readin everyday regardless of the design.
offended? thats a bit ridiculous. if anything you should be in a sports bra showing off what exercise and good eating does! haha i love the new layout, especially the font!
I’m with everyone else…there’s no reason to be offended by the picture to the left! You are quite classy in it and it’s an inspiration! Hey, can you hit your bro up for some recipes to put on your blog? Pretty please? 😀
yeah maybe he’d do a guest post??
I still haven’t commented on how awesome your new blog looks!! love it! :)) the pic on the left is perfect! love that your showing your guns! :))
Offended?? By what?? Haters gonna hate… 😉 Overall, I think the blog design is fab and as you said, you can always change something if you decide it isn’t quite right. Now if you start posting videos of yourself baking in the kitchen while wearing skin tight button down shirts with the girls popping out, I *may* be slightly offended. 😉
LOL
Thanks for the spring cardio! I would LOVE to see some spring hamstrings and/or bunns! My new years goal was to get that defined hump of muscle on the hammies (as mine are well… flat) by summer. Any hammie building series would be awesome! 🙂
oh & your new design is awesome <3
I can’t believe people are complaining about the sidebar picture! What’s not to like?! Keep it girl, you look great!
Looove Tone it Up! They have the best videos and are so motivating! Have you done any of their Spring into Bikini Season workouts?
i haven’t, but i love their videos and recipes
I’m loving the header font with the fork bookends underneath. That works for me very much. 🙂 I am certainly not offended whatsoever by the pic of you on the left. Inspired, if anything. What about giving it a friend on the right, such as on the Bodyrock site? Obviously I am a nerd for symmetry and the bookend look, haha.
I agree! Second picture would be awesome.
Oooh, those GF goodies look YUMMY!
Yeah, I don’t see the reason to be offended either. You work hard for that bod, if anything, it motivated me!
That sliced goat cheese looks bomb.
I really like your side picture!! It’s a lot more classy than the whole “posing in a sports bra and short shorts” thing, lol.
Also, that carrot cake looks absolutely amazing.
Gina, I’ll have you know I tried really hard but I can’t work myself up enough to get offended over that picture on the side. Not even a little bit. Darn. 😉
The new blog looks great! The frames are a little wide for my monitor but the over all layout looks awesome. Love the pic, keep it!
I love the new blog design, and I don’t think the picture is “scandalous” at all! Very modest, but also looks great!
I love the picture! If people really are offended, they should just skip exercise and fitness blogs.. or even the gym for that matter. Keep it!
Love the new blog layout!! Totally fun and exciting!
Why would people be offended by the left pic? It shows strength!
Also, love the workouts, I’ve been incorporating them into my other weight exercises. Its fun to have something new
Love the new look of the blog including the sidebar….There is absolutely nothing wrong with it at all!!
Please don’t change it because of a few silly people out there.
Umm you definitely look awesome in the pic on the left. It shows your body tastefully, and it’s not like it’s risque at all. I think some people are just too uptight. And I seriously want that carrot cake recipe, it looks amazing!
I REALLY love the picture! i thought it was very tasteful. I’m not sure why anyone would be ‘offended’ by it. I see more skin/scandalous dressers walking down the street than here on your blog. I would leave it the way it is.
Thanks for the workout! Maybe I’ll give it a whirl today! I love the Tone it Up girls they are so awesome! Plus they have the best abs ever.
I agree with everyone else. Silly that they would be offended. Strange. I think you look great and so does the blog! Congrats on the new design – so fun!!
Also big fan of your sidebar picture! It was the first thing that caught my eye, it’s really pretty and tasteful and shows how great the results you get are!
And that carrot cake looks amazing.
If I can put in another two cents though, visually I think the colour scheme looks awesome! I do find the header and the left side look a little busy though (too many pics maybe for the header?) I thought it took a little bit away from the whole right-side classy pink thing to going back to being “just a blog.” The right side and the left side give such a different impression they give… haha, not sure you wanted all this feedback and comments, but I’m an aesthetic junkie… It’s a weakness! I’m so inspired by all the work you constantly put into your bloggy! It’s no surprise you have so many fans!
I love the photo! Please don’t change it! I think it gives off a very positive message towards weight lifting for women. Something all of us should do to help prevent osteoporosis and keep our bones strong. I also don’t understand why it was offensive, but everyone has their own thing.
damn the new blog design looks awesome and YOU look amazing on the pic!! Don’t mind people who talk negative.. It’s smashin! :))
I really love your blog, but harldy ever comment. When I saw the new layout, I loved it. I think you look awesome in the sidebar photo, but the dumbell is placed knida wierd- like maybe jabbing your tata or something, easily fixed if you want to (it’s your blog!)? The idea is awesome- show off that hard work!
Hi Gina, I also like the new design and have nothing against the side photo…however, maybe it could be smaller as it cuts off the right side bar, even at full image size. Or maybe the side photo can change to something new every month or so, that would fun!
Hey Gina!
1. Love the new website!
2. Thank you for introducing me to the protein muffin. HOLYY AMAZe
3. I want to know more about acupuncture. I have always been interested, but I do not know where to look, what is a good price, what to look for. Also, I want to know how much it helps you and how you notice the difference? I would love to hear what you have to say because it seems you are well versed in this area!
Thank you so much!
Gina, congrats on the new blog! Loving the format, it not only looks good but it’s easy to navigate. And the picture on the left is awesome, don’t change it!
I’ve been reading your blog for as long as I can remember, haha, and I just want to let you know I love the new site! Fitness is an integral part of your blog as well as your life so what’s wrong with showing that with the sidebar photo? I think the new site is fun and classy and wish you luck with deciding to keep it as-is or not 🙂
Really? I can not believe there are readers out there that would try to bring you down and were actually “offended” by your photo on the left. GET A LIFE! & find something meaningful to focus your energy on. You look fabulous and are an inspiration – I hope you decide to keep that picture up girl! xoxo
I like your dressing recipe.. I mix dijon and balsamic together a lot.. but never thought of adding the hummus and almond milk.. a little more creamy. Trying it ASAP!
THE WEBSITE LOOKS AWESOME!
Grrrrl, it’s rad. super rad.
The pic on the left? Offensive? No, I wouldn’t think so. It’s a very cute picture of you holding a weight, but that’s also it- you’re just holding a weight. I think a better “I’m working out” pic of you could be there. But it is a cute pic. 🙂
Why the heck are people offended by the picture on the left?! That makes no sense to me. You look strong and beautiful!
Haters = jealous!
The picture is tasteful and gives your blog a face to a name right away.
Hooray for the pilot coming home soon. 🙂
Any tips on being the friend of someone who’s signifigant other is deployed?! My sister’s bf is over in the middle east and I am trying to be there for her anyway I can.
Happy Tuesday
xoxo
I’m super confused on how that photo would be offensive. You look fit and strong! Inspirational is the word that comes to my mind. Crazy!
I love the picture on the left- definitely keep it! You look awesome 🙂
I think they *might* just be a bit jealous…so don’t even think twice about it!!
I never turn on the heated dry on my dishwasher. I think it ruins your dishes or wears them out faster by staining plastic and leaving a film on glasswear. And if anything evers falls to the bottom it won’t get burned. BTW love your new site.
My only complaint about your new layout is that you took out the links to previous/next posts. I used that ALL the time! please put it back! xoxo!
They’re at the bottom now 🙂
I think it is incredibly weird for a person to be offended by your side bar photo. It must be jealousy because there is no rational reason.
I like it and now want arms just like that :-).
Thanks so much for the new Spring Cardio workout, it will be a nice change from the normal interval that I do.
Your dinner looks amazing I love it when something falls together like that and tastes amazing.