My gym has a white board that features a different functional training workout once a week. I sometimes use the exercises on the board for inspiration when I make up my circuit workouts, but the workouts are usually quite short, so I often feel the need to amp them up a bit since I typically like my circuits to last 20 to 30 minutes.
Today we used the exercises on the white board as the base of our workout, but changed them up a bit and swapped in some different exercises. At the end of our first round, I quickly jotted the exercises down so we could repeat them and I could remember them to share with you guys!
In the end our circuit looked like this:
I named this circuit the “Spooky Circuit Workout” even thought there’s nothing inherently spooky about this workout (unless burpees freak you out, which I fully understand). The new festive Halloween-themed features on PicMonkey (the website I use to create my workout images) have been calling to me since they first debuted a couple of week ago and I couldn’t resist any longer.
PicMonkey = Blogger Playtime!
Breakfast
All I wanted for breakfast this morning was a cold and creamy smoothie.
I ended up making my key lime pie protein smoothie and it hit the spot!
The key to this smoothie is the added lime juice, 1 1/2 frozen bananas (extra creaminess!) and the use of a quality vanilla protein powder so it doesn’t taste chalky.
I made my smoothie with GNC’s vanilla cream 100% whey protein powder that I received through my partnership with the company and it was perfect. Smooth, filling and not chalky!
I wish I had cinnamon graham crackers for dipping!
I never think to buy graham crackers unless we’re going camping and I am buying s’mores supplies. Whenever I think about graham crackers, I am reminded of summer camp snack time. They were a staple!
Time to make myself a hot cup of coffee. That smoothie gave me the chills and I’m in need of a little burst of caffeine.
See ya at lunchtime!
Question of the Morning
- What is the most unusual or creative smoothie you’ve ever made for yourself? Feel free to leave a link to it in the comments section so we can check it out!
Though it wasn’t really all that unusual, I think my banana cheesecake smoothie was one of the most delicious smoothies I’ve made recently. Mmm!
Love that you named it spooky
I need to check out PicMonkey! Ps, made two of your recipes yesterday and it was the best day ever!
Laurie @ Love, Laugh, Laurie
so glad to hear it!
and YES, definitely check out picmonkey. it’s really user friendly.
peanutbutterfingers
Burpee’s do freak me out. Only because I am not good at them. My smoothies come from some sort of mix so nothing extraordinary about them. But now I want one!
The Kidless Kronicles
Nicole
A couple weeks ago, I was trying to finish this can of pumpkin, and I’d been seeing all kinds of pumpkin smoothie recipes all over the blogosphere, so I made one. It was pretty tasty.
I think I’m going to have to try your key lime smoothie, though. Key lime always reminds me of our family trip to Key West! Loved it!
Beks
This is one of my new favorite smoothies. It’s a little unusual because I add oats to it. But it’s very festive and perfect for fall!!
http://cooking2perfection.blogspot.com/2012/10/pumpkin-oatmeal-smoothie.html
Elaine
i need to use cottage cheese in my smoothies!
peanutbutterfingers
I love it! I think it makes much better smoothies, but it usually freaks people out haha
Elaine
I wanted a smoothie this morning, but it is way too cold here now! That looks great, though!
Cher @ Weddicted
Haha burpees scare me to death so it’s definitely a spooky workout to me!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats
I just raced in the collegiate championship for triathlon on Sunday, but before that was trying to lay off the sweets for a bit (hard to do!).
I really wanted some chocolate peppermint ice cream so I blended frozen banana, greek yogurt, cocoa powder, and the tiniest amount of peppermint extract (that stuff is powerful!) together. – It completely satisfied my craving, and will be made again!
Melissa
YUM!
Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed
Frozen cantaloupe & banana = awesome smoothie combo!
Khushboo
Love your circuits!! And whenever I make smoothies I ALWAYS add in a handful of spinach.
Corey @ When We Wander
I haven’t made a smoothie in a long time. I need to try some of your recipes.
I love graham crackers.
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope
Love that its sPoOoOkY. Okay you don’t do the capitalization weirdness, but it struck me as appropriate.
This isn’t a smoothie, but I DID make a pink sauce without cream using my vitamix once.
http://thescientistandthehealthnut.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/creamy-low-fat-pink-sauce-is-magic/
Jenica
My dark chocolate peppermint smoothie is so simple but one of my faves – you can check it out in this guest post I wrote for Fruit Salad Life: http://fruitsaladlife.com/guest-post-1/
I can’t wait to bust it out again come Christmas!
Kristi @ lifesprinkles
I am definitely intrigued by the key lime! I really need to check out the different flavors of Greek yogurt for inspiration on smoothie flavors. One of my favorite smoothies that I made lately is a little bit of a twist on your pina colada one: http://cardioandcocktails.com/2012/10/03/assistant-to-the-blogger/
Chelsea @ CardioandCocktails
Yay another workout to add to my PBFingers Workout Flashcards!!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RbaVIJ-h0ak/UHQvFlYOx6I/AAAAAAAAAAw/kuu8ZyrELhs/766943.jpg
Mandy
Have you ever tried graham crackers in milk? Growing up it was a favorite snack or breakfast for my brother and I. Just get a bowl of milk and either dip your graham cracker in like an oreo and eat it, or snap the crackers in half and let them float in the milk to your desired texture. Life changing and seriously addicting!
Allie
Not unusual – but my chocolate cherry protein smoothie is my favorite as far as taste! It’s SOO good! Here is the link: http://pinkgfruit.com/2012/08/21/chocolate-cherry-protein-smoothie/
I love your key lime smoothie too, I bought the key lime greek yogurt once just to try it and I wasn’t disappointed!
Amanda
That workout looks great! I’m going to try it out! Hmmm… I’m kinda boring with my smoothies– I like bland kind of stuff haha but I do like my peach/blueberry vanilla smoothie
Rachel
Key Lime Smooth sounds so good!
Sloane @ Life Food and Beer
I need to figure out pic monkey (aka spend time with it. Hah).
Key lime does sound delicious! I really love my kale/chocolate smoothies with a bit of grapefruit. Sounds weird, but its quite delicious
Annette@FitnessPerks
Key lime pie protein smoothie? I’m dying! And I’m still searching for the perfect vanilla protein powder. I’ll have to try that GNC brand!
Carly @ Snack Therapy
I just want to say I enjoy your blog so much! I love smoothies….My favourite combination is a pina colada (minus the alcohol) smoothie. Pineapple, canned coconut milk, vanilla protein powder, coconut oil and a scoop of almond butter. Yum!
Danielle
Creamy coconut and cantaloupe melon was one of the most unusual! http://peachypalate.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6030047
Michelle
OMG I had so much fun playing with Pic Monkey this weekend too! Love their Halloween stuff. I am excited to see what they have available for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Katie @ running4cupcakes
I would have fun playing with all of that too. That’s such a fun workout graphic!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness
Looks like a great workout! Usually at the gym I run on the treadmill or take a class. I will have to try a circuit workout next time, it looks like fun! PS I love the Halloween graphics, so cute!
Anne @ Baking Me
That looks like a great workout – I’ve been bored with my usual workouts lately, so I might throw this in to mix it up a little!
I make a banana muffin smoothie that is awesome – the addition of oats makes it so filling and yummy! I love the sounds of a key lime flavour though – I’ll have to give your recipe a try!
Andrea @ Vegvacious
pecan pie smoothie!!! I made pecan butter and used it with apples and vanilla!!
Cat @ Breakfast to Bed
I made a pumpkin and cream cheese smoothie last week, with lots of pumpkin pie spice!
Krista @ Blonde Aesthetic
That smoothie sounds amazing! I would never think of something like that. Such a great idea.
Kerry @ Totes My Oats
Cute workout idea! That smoothie sounds super tasty. You have got to try avocado in your smoothie!! With a banana it is just about the creamiest thing ever!!
Lisa
That smoothie sounds delicious. I wish it were still smoothie weather around here, but my lips would probably end up turning blue if I tried having one for breakfast.
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
These circuits are super helpful — I’m doing circuits for the first time (as part of Jamie Eason’s LiveFit trainer — I’m on the last week! ekk!).
I don’t have any great smoothie recipes, but I’ve made a zillion protein ice creams, that unfrozen taste yummy and smoothie like
I’m sort of addicted: http://vanillaproteinalmondbutter.blogspot.com/2012/10/bustling-in-ice-cream-making-bliss.html
http://vanillaproteinalmondbutter.blogspot.com/2012/10/colorful-veggies-and-reeses-ice-cream.html
for original recipe: http://vanillaproteinalmondbutter.blogspot.com/2012/09/clean-reeses-peanut-butter-cup-ice-cream.html
Katy
I used a Bolthouse coffee protein drink in a smoothie because I was out of protein powder a couple of weeks ago, and it was SO good! It added a coffee-chocolatey taste to the smoothie and I’m definitely doing it again!
Claire @ Keeping Up With Claire
Your workout design is so cute! I love your circuit workouts. I put my favorites in a powerpoint slideshow! It’s so nice to have them all together.
Jessica
Oh my! That smoothie looks delllish!
Heidi kokborg
I’m pretty normal when it comes to smoothies – either berry or peanut butter banana. And some might be protein or chocolate based, but otherwise they’re pretty standard. I can’t find my blender piece (it’s a small 1 cup blender) since moving so I haven’t been able to make any lately.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
That smoothie seriously looks like a super thick milkshake and now I want one haha!! Thanks for the info on PicMonkey, which I’m sure I’ll love!!! I don’t know how you waited until the 9th to hold out on using the Halloween theme…I’d have caved long ago haha
char eats greens
Your gym sounds awesome! I love how there’s girls there that reach out to others to do workouts. My gym is great but everyone keeps to themselves. It’d be nice to have a little more camaraderie!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
I made a smoothie the other day I called the “Berry Fruity Protein Smoothie.” Pretty tasty, minus putting a little too much protein powder in it!
http://amycvt.blogspot.com/2012/09/today-was-first-day-of-spirit-week-at.html
Amy H.
I am definitely doing that workout tonight!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance
Love the circuit workout ideas! I can always use inspiration to switch up my workouts…especially during this gross, transitional time of year. Bleh. My favorite smoothies aren’t super unique or inventive but they sure are good! Ohhh and I have a banana freezing technique that makes ‘em extra thick and icy.
Here it is + a 3 tasty smoothie recipes: http://wannabehealthnut.com/build-a-better-smoothie/
You’re welcome.
Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut
I don’t actually drink smoothies, for some reason I just think they wouldn’t fill me up and it’d be a waste of calories because instantly I’d need to eat again!
Bek @ Crave
I am not sure if it is a weird smoothie flavor, but it us delicious!! My top two right now are a
Mocha Cherry type smoothiehttp://www.trebleinthekitchen.com/2012/08/18/my-new-favorite-frozen-cherries/
and an almond butter cocoa type smoothie
http://www.trebleinthekitchen.com/2012/06/23/milkshake-for-breakfast/
Tara
Love your design for the “Spooky Circuit Workout” – so cute!! And so pin-able
A smoothie sounds so good right now. One of my favorite smoothie combinations (although not especially creative) contains: milk, chia seeds, peanut butter, spinach, frozen banana, and frozen pineapple. A “tropical green smoothie,” if you will. http://legallyblinde.blogspot.com/2012/03/tropical-ohio.html
Stephanie @ Legally Blinde
Good morning!
my smoothies are usually a lunch thing. I work on the road daily so its hard to get a healthy lunch. I use vanilla whey powder, a teaspoon of turmeric (for anti inflammatory purposes) one 1000UI drop of vitamin d and 1 tbsp of ground flax. I mix my smoothie with a chilled ‘chocolate energy black tea’ which I brew at home the night before and chill overnight . by the end of it its a delicious smoothie under 200 calories with enough protein and nutrients to keep me full and energized until dinner. if you are craving something sweet you could add stevia or a sweetener of your choice. I mix this up in a shaker cup to avoid the loud blender sounds in the morning.
Jessica
Love the circuit!! I need to check out more of your smoothie recipes! I LOVE smoothies!!!!
Maria
Do you remember what weights you used for this circuit?
Abby
Hi Julie – I’m a huge fan of your blog! Just wanted to let you know that I just did the Spooky workout and it kicked my butt! I’ve taken a mini break from the gym the past few days and this was definitely needed. Thanks!
Lauren
I WANT TO WIN THE REVEAL GIVEAWAY! I can’t wait any longer! I need Deity now! This series reminds me why I love to read!
Lucio Richmeier