Ryan and I both awoke in quite the chatty mood. We began our workouts with 20 minutes of side-by-side cardio while we talked away. I love that Ryan is now integrating cardio into his daily workouts. It makes the first 20 minutes of my workouts a lot more fun!
After 20 minutes on the elliptical, I headed into the gymnasium to complete a cardio circuit workout.
I’m not sure if you can tell in the above picture, but I’m wearing a neon green sports bra and bright red running shorts. I told Ryan I felt as though I looked like hyperactive Christmas in this getup. (Also, this gym wear is updated on the Fashion page since I’ve had some requests for workout attire posts!)
Once I entered the gymnasium, I was thrilled to see that it was deserted. Since no one was there, I queued up my phone to blast the Lady Gaga station on Pandora to help power me through my workout.
(I think it’s time for me to wash my mini gym bag, huh?)
I based my circuit off of my favorite circuit workout, but added additional sets of jump roping into the mix.
In the end my workout looked like this:
- 50 jumping jacks
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 20 alternating lunges
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 10 tuck jumps
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 20 squats with 15 lb. dumbbell
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 60 sec. high knees
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 10 jump squats
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 10 burpees (I hate these!)
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 60 jumping jacks
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 20 sec. mountain climbers
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 25 push ups (girly style)
- 30 sec. jump rope
- 60 sec. plank
It was awesome and took me about 15 minutes to complete, though I rested a little longer in between sets than I would’ve liked because I kept getting crampy. I think I chugged way too much water during my time on the elliptical and it made me cramp up. Not so fun!
Had I not been crampy, I would have done one more set of this circuit and called it a day. I think doing this circuit two or three times through would be a fantastic workout!
After finishing the cardio circuit, I completed 15 minutes of easy running/incline walking on the treadmill while waiting for Ryan to finish his workout.
Breakfast
After the gym and Sadie’s usual morning walk, it was breakfast time!
I’ve seen Kath post about her dough boy smoothies over the past couple of weeks and have wanted to try my hands at her creation for a while now.
Last night I combined the following in the blender:
- 1/2 c. old fashioned oatmeal
- 3/4 c. almond milk
- 2 tbsp. chocolate PB2
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds
Then, this morning I added:
- 1/4 c. almond milk
- 3/4 c. frozen strawberries
After blending away, this little beauty awaited me:
Lovin’ all the pink!
Though I had no problem demolishing this entire bowl, I would make some changes next time, like using a frozen banana rather than strawberries because the frozen strawberries made the concoction a bit icy rather than super creamy. I might also add a scoop of vanilla Greek yogurt to give this meal a little more staying power.
Time to rinse out my bowl and head to work.
Two more days ‘til the weekend, people! 
Two more days.
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Buhhh exercise cramps are the WORST. It’s just annoying more than anything, right? Like, goodness tum, I just wanna get some endorphins flowing!
I love talking to somewhen when I walk, keeps the boredom away 🙂
Enjoy your day – and I love the idea of workout fashion!
yes! i was really annoyed b/c i felt like everytime i would get my heartrate up, the cramps kicked in… and i wasn’t tired! very frustrating!
I love your little gym bag…you recently inspired me to start bringing a little bag like that to the gym. It’s so much easier than lugging a huge gym bag full of things you don’t need.
You are so cute and I love your style! Your apartment looks really cute, too! Have you ever thought of doing a room-by-room tour on your blog?! 😀
Have a great day!
haha yeah i have thought about it, but, to be honest, i’m not really in love with our apartment (though the location is GREAT) and hope to move soon! if/when we move out, i have a bazillion ideas for our next place and hope to feature them on the blog! still, i should do a tour of this place too… even if it does have the ugliest kitchen cabinets known to man.
I totally know what you mean! I’m hesitant to post pics of my place too because a lot of the things are really outdated. Luckily my lease is up soon and then I’ll be moving to a new place when I get married this fall!
It sounds like your place is in the most perfect location for you–so close to the gym and your work. That definitely cuts out a lot of stress, I’m sure!
I just tried the dough boy smoothie yesterday, and made the mistake of adding xanthan gum so the doughiness kind of disappeared. The banana still made it delicious, though!
My Vera Bradley coin purse looks 10x worse then yours, so don’t worry. 😉
That breakfast looks great…I hadn’t seen that one yet! I like your idea with the banana, too. They do wonders in smoothies, don’t they?
yeah! if you make it i would definitely do banana and not strawberries. i think it altered the texture in a weird way.
I seem to be following your breakfast trail this past week! Do you think this smoothie would work without the overnight soaking? The reason I ask is because I’m not sure I’ll be in the mood for it come tomorrow morning post-workout.
it would, but you might taste the texture of the oats more since they didn’t have time to soften and soak.
I never soak mine in the morning. Just put them in the Magic Bullet and no texture of the oats present! Just super tastiness. 🙂
Maybe it depends on the amount of oats used? I made one with raw oats this weekend and could definitely see a difference in the texture. Maybe I should’ve blended it longer, too.
Replying to your first response since the last one doesn’t have a reply link avail:
I use raw instant oats or the raw 1 minute oats. Not steel cut or anything like that, so definitely possible. I always use yogurt in my mix too, so I bet that helps.
oooh good call! i bet the instant oats make a difference!
I have oatmeal smoothies every morning and I put yogurt in mine to make them creamy. Soooo tasty.
I’ve noticed that the low sugar cinnamon and apples oatmeal makes it so much better than plain oatmeal too. 🙂
What a great circuit!! I had a great workout today as well – now let’s just get through today and start the long weekend hey!? Breakfast sounds lovely, and I agree about the bananas over the strawberries for upping the creaminess factor!
I love experimenting with different smoothies, because chances are they are going to taste great no matter what!
Hey Julie! In the Cardio Circuit workout, what is a burpee??
here’s an explanation: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/rossboxing2.htm
I love those doughboy smoothies — the texture is so right on!
Great workout circuit — I love those bodyweight type workouts that really get your heart rate up!
That dough boy smoothie looks really good! I love the pink color. It makes it so pretty!
I need to incorporate smoothies into my breakfast rotation – yours always looks so delicious. I’m trying to get my boyfriend to start working out with me, especially running because I think we’d have a great time chatting away while getting in a good workout. I really think he’s scared I can outrun his butt. Haha
awesome workout. but i have to say, mountain climbers are NOT my friend. i shed a little tear each time i do them 🙂
that’s how i feel about burpees! ugh!
I seriously can’t do mountain climbers so I just mimic something similar!
Smoothie bowls looks like so much fun! I seriously need to try them out… but I always want a warm breakfast in the AM. Maybe once I try adding some xanthan gum, I’ll be a convert 🙂
awesome circuit and MMMMM smoothie!!!!!
oh, btw, finally purchased a small vera bradley backpack. now i see why you love your’s so much!! it’s FAB!
That is so awesome that Ryan is doing so well on the cardio lately. Boys hate cardio so props to him!!
it was his lenten resolution! i’m proud of him, too! he said he now feels like something would be missing w/o it. progress!
I love vera & the bright workout clothes 🙂 I’m still trying to build the habit of working out in the morning.. Ahh!
Looks like a great workout! 🙂
Hope you have an awesome Friday 🙂
I’m seriously impressed, that’s an AWESOME circuit! I do the same workout every once in awhile since you posted it months ago and it’s TOUGH, the thought of adding the jump rope in- rough! I am definitely going to give it a go though!
Wow I’m totally copying that workout for myself later today! Sounds killer 🙂
I love any workout that involves jump roping!
I love circuit workouts but need an instructor yelling at me to really keep me moving!
Please please please tell me that your shirt/ dress/ tunic (??- not sure which one it is) is going to be on your fashion page!!! PLEASE 😀 I LOVE it!! Or if it’s not, could you tell me where you got it? 🙂
You are a smoothie-holic! That sounds like an intense but rewarding workout–and how do you manage to look so cute while at the gym! Jealous!
oo i love your cardio circuit-! i love me some cardio besides running all the time!!.. umm you are quite possibly the one person I know who can look GOOD while working out! i usually resemble a beetroot…
I never do circuit workouts but I should more often. I may just copy yours. Smoothie looks goooood!
Your exercise circuit looks intense and seriously butt-kicking, but awesome! I will definitely try it.
This sounds like something straight out of CrossFit. Next time, try some doubleunders with the jump rope. Holy heck are they hard.
lol i love “holy heck.” 🙂
LOVE your circuit! What a good workout. I’m gunna have to steal that and do it soon … well HOPEFULLY soon – but I woke up this AM with my hamstring badly strained. It hurts to walk! I am kind of freaking out about it … wedding is in 1.5 months & I can’t afford to not get workouts in! Sad. (PS – can I register for a Vitamix? Haha! I want one SO bad but they’re so pricey! Is yours worth every penny for sure?)
Anyways, hope u have a great day!
PS – u look super cute in your workout gear!
I wish I had a place to do a circuit like that! There’s no room at my gym and I can’t do it in my upstairs apartment. I have so many fun workout DVDs that I can’t wait to do! House-hunting is hard, but I keep thinking about how much I’ll save being able to work out at home.
I’m going to have to copy this cardio circuit! I hate burpees too. I have to do ULTIMATE burpees in boot camp, it’s doing a push up when you kick back at the end movement, AWFUL. But it does give me awesome tank tops arms!
My new favorite thing at the gym is jump-roping. It’s so so fun!!
I have bright orangey pink shorts like that too! I love them because they trick people into thinking that I am tanner than I am haha.
First, I am impressed by your fashion post picture because even though you have sweat on your shirt, your hair looks perfectly fine! My hair is always all gross and sweaty. Second, I did the new BP release today and all I have to say is if it doesn’t tone my arms with the endless “bottom halves” for biceps, nothing will. (I also liked the music a lot better too.)
I love bright colored workout clothes! It makes me more motivated to workout.
Looks so good! Thanks to you I had a smoothie for breakfast to. I haven’t tried Kath’s smoothies yet though. Don’t you love a good circuit training workout! They are my fave.
Hi Julie! I just wanted to say I love your blog, and am now addicted. I am currently working my way backwards through it and I just want to say thanks for all the tips and inspiring all of us. Reading your blog made me realize I need to make some changes in my life for the better and that I need to quit yo-yoing on my weight. You and Ryan make a cute couple and Sadie is just adorable! Your blog is so inspiring and because of you, I’m going to get my life and weight back in order.
FYI: You were on Healthy Dose Link Time!
http://www.fitsugar.com/Colbie-Caillats-Full-Body-Workout-15864578
So glad it’s almost the weekend!!!
I love your workout clothes! Super cute. 🙂
I loved the Dough Boy smoothie too…I tried it with a mix of strawberries and banana and it was perfect.
You look really good when you go to the gym!
I love wearing bright sports bras with white shirts as well. Somehow wearing bright colors makes working out more fun.
Cute gym attire! Yesterday I found myself in bright purple shorts and a turquoise top, whoops… 😉 I’ve been loving adding oats to my smoothies lately — last night I made overnight oats (pumpkin pie style) and this morning put them in the blender with a frozen banana and some toasted buckwheat — YUM! I think the buckwheat tasted like pumpkin pie crust, DELISH! Have a great Thursday!
I love bright colored sports bras 😉
Just incorporated two circuits of this workout into my routine this morning-LOVE IT! Thank you!
p.s. I hate burpees too-I feel like the most uncoordinated person doing them!
Thanks for posting your circuit workout!
😀
Your posts make me want to do more cardio and eat/drink more smoothies. 🙂 Neon sports bras are awesome! I have built in bras on my tanks (not very top heavy) so I don’t really wear the sports bras anymore. If I did, I’d totally get neon colored ones!
I love that circuit! Actually, I love circuit style workouts in general! Keeps me from gettin’ bored! hahaha
I just did a post yesterday asking if anyone did any at-home circuit workouts, and someone referred me to your page! I love this one that you did today, but honestly it might be a little intense for me! I’ll probably be making some modifications, but thanks for the workout 🙂 I look forward to reading more of your blog!