Today has easily been one of my favorite days of summer so far and it’s not even over yet!
The day began with my favorite group exercise class… BodyPump!
After going nearly a year without access to BodyPump in Ocala, I’ve had the pleasure of taking two BodyPump classes this week. I’m in strength training heaven!
A gym connected to my gym in Ocala located here in Jacksonville also happens to offer BodyPump, so I jumped at the chance to take the class again this morning. After a filling breakfast of banana pecan coconut baked oatmeal, my sister, her boyfriend, Ryan and I headed to the gym and while the guys did their own workout, Leslie and I felt the burn in BodyPump.
It was glooorious.
Beach Day
We left the gym ready to hit the beach. After changing into our bathing suits and assembling a quick lunch, we grabbed our towels and headed out, but not before polishing off the last of the birthday cake Oreos.
Lunch was an egg sandwich plus a bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crunch.
Can’t forget the Oreos!
For those who asked, I like the birthday cake Oreos more than original Oreos, but Leslie, Ross and Ryan disagree. (If you’re an Oreo fanatic, I’m sure the original Oreos will reign supreme for you, as Leslie and Ryan are two of the biggest Oreo lovers on the planet.)
The top Oreo-eating prize went to Ryan with nine Oreos. Now they are gone and we are sad.
Spending the day at Jacksonville Beach seemed to be a popular idea for Jacksonville folks this afternoon, but the four of us had no trouble finding a quality spot along the shore.
We lasted quite a while in the sun thanks to a fantastic beach breeze and lots of sunscreen.
Eventually the huge, crashing waves started calling to us and we abandoned our towels and dove into the surf.
I LOVE BIG WAVES!
Riding the waves is waaay too much fun!
We all agreed that we need to hit up a local beach store and buy cheap-o boogie boards if we head out again tomorrow. Body surfing is a blast, but riding the waves on a boogie board gets you much farther!
I just love those two. 
I’m not gonna lie, Ryan and I are pretty psyched that Leslie and Ross coupled up back in October. For those of you who may be new around here, Ross is one of Ryan’s best friends (he was even a groomsman in our wedding) and I’ve always thought he was a great guy. They’re such a fun couple to hang out with and we all have such similar interests that the four of us always have a blast when we get together.
Now it is time for a show-ahhh!
Hope this lovely summer Saturday is a sunny one for you!
So many good things in this post! First of all, I need to try those birthday oreos. They sound amazing. Secondly, what a beautiful beach day! I’m jealous
and third, your sister and Ryan’s best friend make an adorable couple. What a nice way to meet!
Danielle
i love them together, too.
and yes, please get your hands on those oreos. you won’t regret it!
julie @ peanut butter fingers
I LOVE that you guys all hang out. And so lucky that you got to hit up a beach. I wish it were sunny here! It’s all rainy and cloudy. Boo.
And yAY for bodypump again! I seriously love teaching that class, so it’s awesome to hear people enjoy the burn as much as I do. Hah
p.s. cute swimsuits!!
Annette@FitnessPerks
i would LOVE to take one of YOUR classes, annette!
julie @ peanut butter fingers
they’re the BEST!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Finally got to Body Pump 82 today…what the heck squat jumps?? They hurt. Now I clearly need oreos…
Steph
LOL! those were definitely unexpected!
julie @ peanut butter fingers
It has to be said- you abs Leslie have some killer abs!!!
Khushboo
Here’s what I’m thinking Julie, after you get your certification with NASM, you should get body pump certified and start a body pump class at your gym. I am sure you’re not the only one missing out! You would be great at it.
Also, are you going to Fitbloggin this year?
Taylor
i would love to do that. i actually asked about bringing bodypump to my local gym and they said they’re not interested at the moment, which really sucks. :/ perhaps i should keep pestering! as for fitbloggin’, i’m not sure just yet!! i haven’t made any arrangements, but i’m not counting it out.
julie @ peanut butter fingers
Keep pestering, that is what I have learned. If you know anyone at the gym have them go to the counter and ask if they plan on starting a body pump… lol. just so they know people are interested!
Def come to fit bloggin! I am excited, though not excited about the drive from charleston to baltimore!
Taylor
so nice to be so close with your sister and her boyfriend! looks like you guys are having the best weekend!
Mollie K
Saw you today at Starbucks! AHH, not gonna lie, kind of freaked out on the inside!!! Hope y’all have a great weekend!
Emma
I love that Ross and Julie are a couple!! It just fits! Ryan and Ross are good friends. You and Leslie are sisters and Sadie and Kona are BFF’s….what more could you ask for?
Kelly
ahh, sister fun is awesome! i have a question for ya … when you take a cardio class do you worry or i should say monitor your “target” heart rate to keep it in the ideal zone or is it not something you think about? have a great {rest of} the weekend!
mj
hi mj! it’s not something i personally monitor, but i think it’s not a bad idea for people who are looking to challenge themselves in the gym a bit more.
peanutbutterfingers
Love this post! And noooow i’m craving some birthday cake Oreos – i didn’t even know they existed!!
Joelle (on a pink typewriter)
I love the birthday cake Oreos, but my favorite are the mint Oreos!!! Soo so good.
Molly
this makes me want to go swimming! Hope you’re having a great rest of the weekend!
Danica @ It’s Progression
What a fun day at the beach! My brother is obsessed with those birthday cake oreos – I might have to try one!
Michelle (Better with Berries)
Where is your bathing suit from?? Super cute.
Heather
Where is that suit from!? I need it – it’s so cute!!!!
Hillary
thank you! target!
peanutbutterfingers
How interesting, bday cake oreos? I’ve never heard of such a thing~hah! And that looks like a beautiful day~Love that goofy pic of the two.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
I got Birthday Cake Oreos for my boyfriend and was so upset when he told me that he was not a big fan … until he admitted that the reason he wasn’t a fan was because he used to eat wayyyy too much birthday cake ice cream when he was younger.
I guess there IS too much of a good thing — and it comes in the form of birthday cake-flavored desserts!
Kellie
One day Ryan will have to do a guest post on how he manages to have abs like this while holding down a full-time job. I always thought only guys who are in the gym for at least 3h a day get them
Silvia @skinny jeans food
Beach looks beautiful!
And I love your bathing suit – it’s so bright!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
Leslie should start her own blog so we can follow this romance!
Jackie W
yall are too cute!!
mel
I have always thought it was so nice that the 4 of you get along so well, but I never knew Ross and Ryan were friends! So cool.
Also I noticed once again how TINY your waist looks! Do you do any special exercises?
Michaela
i don’t really do anything in particular outside of the circuit workouts and stuff you see me post on this blog. i think i also i tend to gain weight in my butt, hips and legs before my stomach/waist.
peanutbutterfingers
Looks like a gorgeous day on the beach! I’ve never had cake-flavoured Oreos but I’m definitely a fan of the original so I might be in the ‘original reigns supreme’ camp…!
Sam @ Fit for My Fork
Those Oreos are not in Target that I could find. Ill have to keep searching
Ariane
I’ve never tried a Body Pump class before but I’m pretty sure I would LOVE it. I definitely need to find a gym that offers it. My gym is just LAME.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
that does indeed sound like my version of a perfect summer day too! can’t go wrong with a Body Pump class, the beach, and great friends. cute suit too!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Bodypump and beach, that is what great days are made of, my friend! Love it.
Birthday cake Oreos? You have got to me killing me. Awesome.
And agreed with some of your buddies above, super cute suit!
Emily
Your swimming togs are adorable! Red is an awesome colour on you. Wow, 9 oreos Ryan? It’s really not fair how much boys can eat aye!
Bek @ Crave
Oh I hope the weather is just as nice tomorrow at Jax Beach. My boyfriend and I are planning on going after we do BodyCombat.
Oh and I’m planning on taking my first BodyPump class this week! I”ll let you know how it goes.
Nilda
I’ve tried the Birthday Oreos & I love them even more than regular Oreos! (even as a huge Oreo fan)
Liz
I’ve NEVER heard of birthday cake oreos… where have these been hiding?! You guys look like you’re having a wonderful time!
@pluvk
I LOVE Bodypump too! I’m taking it in an hour!
Stacey Marino
Woohoo for BodyPump!!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake
cute suit!!! I need to try those birthday oreos I have heard great things about them. Sounds like you had a fantastic day!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
Like everybody else, I’m dying to know where your suit is from!
Jessie @ …y’all.
i got it at target a few weeks ago!
peanutbutterfingers
Ok I absolutely love your red French Connection dress! I tried to find it on that HauteLook page but couldn’t. Do you know where else I could find it?
kimbell sadler
i tried looking for it, too, but without any luck! the style name of the dress is “Louisa One Shoulder Dress” if that helps!
peanutbutterfingers
My two kiddos inhale those Bday cake oreos everytime i buy them.
You & your sister look in fantastic shape! (Gives me incentive to go work out!)
LisaG
Birthday cake Oreos definitely got my friends and I through exam season this past April. SO yummy! I think we polished off the whole bag in one afternoon.
Sharan
I love how happy you four always look – nothing better than family, fun, and your favorite way to work out! You go girl!
Electra @ Vanilla Bean Lean
Um, birthday cake oreos??? Oh, I wish I did not know those existed…. I would probably eat a whole bag. Then buy another and crush them all up and put it on cake batter fro yo, lol!
Kristen Exline
I’ve read many posts mentioning you and Leslie heading to the gym together. I’d love to hear a little bit about what her fitness routine is like!
Dani
I agree! Where did you get this bikini? I love the top.
Jenn
Thanks! Target!
peanutbutterfingers
Please tell me where you got that beautiful/hot red bikini?!?!? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
Jenna
Target!
peanutbutterfingers
birthday cake oreos look AMAZING!
Laura @ sweatingforit
Oh gosh, I haven’t taken a BP class in ages! Makes me miss it.
Lauren
I love your top you are wearing in the pump photo, nice and long!
I was cutting an apple for my 4 year old boy and I heard “ooooooh, they’re girlfriend and boyfriend”, it was the picture of Leslie and Ross lying on the sand, so even he agrees they make a great couple. Just so we’re clear, I don’t have random pictures of you, your family and friends hanging around, I was in the middle of reading this post when he asked for the apple
I love Ross’ jazz hands
jane
that top is one of my favorites because it’s so comfy and was super-cheap. target, baby! and your comment made me laugh!
peanutbutterfingers
Okay, this post inspired to me look up the local body pump offerings in my area! I used to go 3x a week with my mom but then I moved, and now I realize that’s exactly what I need to get back into a strength training routine! Thank you!
Stephanie
I live in jacksonville beach..where did you take the body pump class? i would LOVE to find a place to work out at!
Lisa
Hey jaxivillian! First Coast YMCA offers the Les Mills Bodypump classes. I prefer to take them at the Brooks location near Gate & Hodges, but several (if not all) offer them.
You should also check out Timed Exercise. There’s one right by Brooks and they’re opening one in Ponte Vedra in the next year.
Stacey
Too funny! You were at my gym!! I used to take the body pump class there all the time, too! Now I switched to Timed Exercise. I’m crazy and still go to the Y too for treadmills & swimming. Next time you’re going to be in Jax message mem, and we’ll get you in to try that!!
Stacey