It’s official. BodyPump Release 77 is the JAM. It seriously rocks my entire body.
(Source)
(Side note: Doesn’t that puppy look like Kona!?)
For those of you unfamiliar with BodyPump, it is a total-body strength-training class created by Les Mills. The routines are created by Les Mills employees and distributed to instructors and gyms all around the world. A new routine, or “release,” debuts every three months.
It usually takes me a few classes to really get into the groove of a new release. The first time I try a new release I generally concentrate on learning the new routine so I don’t pay too much attention to how my body is responding or the music.
Since I attempted release 77 on Monday, when today’s BodyPump instructor decided to do the new release as well, I was able to really get into it! A couple of new take-aways: The bicep track really is killer. One of the hardest yet! Shoulders are the same way. My arms were screaming during this class!
Oh, and on Monday I said I liked the song played during the shoulder track… I lied (accidentally). It’s the song played during the abs track that is my new favorite BodyPump jam. (It gets good at the 50 second mark.) I like totally hokey songs with a good beat and this one delivers.
Breakfast
After the ‘Pump, a 20-minute walk with Sadie and a quick shower, it was smoothie makin’ time!
Into the blender went:
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 c. frozen strawberries
- 1 1/2 c. almond milk
- 1 1/2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 scoop Gold Standard chocolate supreme casein protein powder
- 1 pinches xanthan gum
- 1 tbsp. chia seeds (plus more for garnish)
- 1 large handful fresh spinach
And, in other news, I think I finally figured out why I am currently obsessed with smoothies other than the fact that they’re delicious and give me an excuse to use my beloved Vitamix…
They are HUGE and take a long time to eat!
I’m sure some of you will feel me on this one: I love eating. I love tasting food and enjoy when my meals last longer. Most of my smoothies make around three cups of smoothie goodness for me to eat all by myself. Breakfast lasts a little longer for me when I make a smoothie, which, in my opinion, is a very good thing!
Longchamp, I Love You
Time to get to work… but first, will someone please reassure me that I will be able to find a Longchamp bag in Europe for much cheaper than they are in the United States? I’m slowly becoming more and more obsessed with this tan bag and am making myself hold off in hopes of finding one for less money in Europe in a few weeks.
It folds up into an itty-bitty bag, making it perfect for light-weight travel. I blame Kristen’s guest post for my current obsession…
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Firstly, that’s not a smoothie! That, my friend, is pudding for breakfast!
I’m obsessed with my Longchamp bag! I’e had mine for over 2 years and it’s still in top condition! They will definetely be cheaper in Europe, especially if you buy it in the airport. Gotta love duty free!
A longer breakfast is ALWAYS a good thing! I love smoothies also…I need to get some chocolate protein powder for mine though! Looks delicious!
I eat smoothie bowls for breakfast most days, and they definitely take like 15-20 minutes for me to eat. I love sneaking carrots and spinach into them too. Plus, they definitely satisfy a sweet tooth!
i never thought to try carrots!
Shopping in Europe is very expensive… unless you of course by duty-free.
Magnums.net is site that often has Longchamp bags in the clearance section. I’ve gotten 2 from there and love them…especially for travel!
sweet! i’ll check it out!
I second that website, I always purchase my bags from there. Sign up for their newsletter as well, they always have great friends & family coupons (25% off) and Longchamps are always included and it is not restricted to seasonal colors (so you’ll be able to purchase the tan bag you’re loving – I have it and love it, too!). Also, in Paris you might be able to get some good deals on Longchamps at the major department stores but with the euro so strong against the dollar, I’m not sure if you’ll get that great of a deal. Also, Longchamp itself has 2 large sales every year and while they are usually limited to the “seasonal” colors, they are nice discounts.
I feel like I always need a bowl comparison with your dishes! My smoothies always seem to come out big… glad yours is 3 cups…cause I thought I did something wrong! Yum!
oh yeah, they’re huge… sometimes closer to 4 cups!
BP 77 killed me on the chest track! But I have to say I hate the abs song. I cringed when it was time for abs and it came on! To each her own 😉
You always make the best sounding smoothies! My little guy doesnt do as well…need a vitamix!
I love when it takes me a long time to eat!! I understand completely, anything I can do to make the goodness last longer I will. That’s sometimes why I love salads too because they take forever to eat!
I have been craving smoothies/cold foods like nothing else — and I agree! They take forever to eat and fill you up!
I’m for sure you can find it cheaper price in France. I don’t remember the name of department store (I think you should look the name up) anway if you purchase stuff over 170 Euro, you can get a tax refund right there. 😉
I really need to get a blender so I can make these smoothies. They look way too good to pass up! 🙂
That longchamp bag is so cute! I want one of those! They look really roomy too! 🙂
This is my first time to post- I love love love the blog! I have been reading for a few weeks now and have been catching up on old blog posts too. So excited for your Europe trip. I will be in Spain this summer! 🙂
I absolutely love all my Longchamp bags. They are perfect for traveling, and I used them all last summer when I was in Spain. When I was flying through the Paris airport last year I picked one up for a little less than they are in the US. Also- outside of/ Paris there is a Longchamp outlet, where I have gotten one for considerably less!! Not sure if you will be around there but… http://www.lavalleevillage.com/en/home/home
awesome!!! thank you! aaaand, thanks for commenting!
Omgoodness, I am SO happy I discovered your blog! These smoothies have changed my life!! I know exactly what you mean when you say food is better when it lasts longer. It usually takes a lot for me to be satisfied in the mornings, but these smoothies, usually accompanied by a VitaTop, or topped with a little Kashi Go Lean Crunch, are the absolute Perfect Meal.
I throw a square of dark chocolate into my blender for the last 10 seconds and it makes little crunchy pieces of chocolate throughout the smoothie, mmmmmm.
I’m so glad you’re loving 77 as well!! I’m hoping to do it again this week – like you said, the biceps track is killer and I like the jelly legs feeling after the lunges too! As far as I know, I don’t think you’ll find Longchamp bags (or much else for that matter!) cheap in Europe, as I’ve found that most things are more expensive there in general! BUT I agree with you – the tan bag is gorgeous and might just be worth the price tag!
If the temperature here in NC stays above 80 (like yesterday), I’ll definitely be joining the smoothie band wagon!
Does xanthum gum make a big difference? Trying to figure out if I need to pick some up before smoothie season or not…
YES! i think it makes a HUGE different. it’s expensive (around $13 for a small bag), but i’ve had the same bag for more than a year and am not even 1/2 way through it.
Smoothie bowls have become my latest food obession because it is so dang HOT here! We are rocking almost 80 degrees with 100% humidity and it isn’t even 9:00am yet. GAG!
You know it’s getting warm when smoothie bowls become a daily experience 😉
What a sweet workout – chyeah!!
longchamps rock! I use mine for my books walking around campus. I love it because I can use it when I go out too. They are so sturdy, practical and go with everything.
you willl find TONs of Longchamp bags in EUrope- im not sure how the price compares to the US.. but i do think they are slightly cheaper! I SO get you on the smoothie thing! it boggles my mind how few ingredients can bulk up into a huge smoothie! im sure if you put all those ingredients on a plate it would take far less time to eat since it wouldnt be much!
I totally agree with HUGE smoothies that take a longtime to eat. I love when foods take a long time to eat.. they are for some reason more satisfying!
You should try Body Pump! It’s tough at first, but it’s fun. And if you don’t like it, you never have to do it again 🙂
I really want to try BodyPump. Yesterday when I was at the Y, I was watching a BodyAttack class going on while I was doing a cool down on the elliptical. Not the same class I realize, but it looked super fun!
The puppy pic is adorable!!
Loving the SIAB!! I adore huge smoothies!!
Happy Wednesday love!!
I love that song too! In Nov my friends were married in Palm Beach and everywhere we went that song was being played, so it kind of became our anthem 🙂
Hi Julie! You are right on the mark with the Longchamp bags! I studied abroad in Belgium in college and all of the girls came back to the states with Longchamp purses. Judging by your picture, it looks to be about the same size as the one I purchased for around 60 euro in Belgium (but they run roughly similar in all countries- and probably the cheapest in France) at the actual Longchamp store. Duty free in the aiport also has good stuff if you don’t have time to hit the actual store! They are at least 40$ cheaper in Europe than the US even with the exchange rate not being particualarly favorable these days. Hope you have fun in Europe! I made it my personal mission to only eat pizza, pasta and gelato while in Italy for 5 days and it absolutely did not dissapoint!
woohoo! this gives me hope!
I think my gym is doing release 77 for BodyPump tonight! Hurrah, I’m excited to try it!
I agree, I am always sad when my delicious meal is over… smoothies do last forever, and I ate this morning’s all while I was packing my lunch and getting ready. Ah, smoothie love.
get ready for your biceps to cry! 😉
Europe is darn expensive with all of those taxes, especially here in the UK.
I’m gulping down a smoothie right now!! So good! I like smoothies in the morning, especially after day 2(!!!) of AM workouts because its cool and refreshing!
Your post today made me smile! Nothing makes me happier than pics of adorable puppies. I will pretty much find any excuse to buy someone a dog/puppy card 🙂
And about the smoothies…I am the same way. The longer I can eat the happier I am 🙂 I like my meals to last long too! I keep meaning to make one of your smoothies but I need to get that xanthan gum. Rest assured, when I do, there will definitely be a post about PB Fingers amazing smoothies.
I am a Longchamp fan myself – I have a navy one (I’d ruin anything that light colored ;-)). I imagine they’d be cheaper in Europe but I’m not entirely sure.
Dechoes had a really cute navy Longchamp about two weeks ago – if you’re not set on the tan, it might be a good idea (and I’m 99 percent sure it was authentic)…I love those totes and totally want one! One of the kids that used to be in my class at the pre-k had a longchamp tote as a diaper bag…lucky little girl!
I realllly wish my gym had Body Pump, I almost want to tell them to get it!!
Made a green smoothie this am and thought it would be weird but LOvE it!
Longchamp bags are amazing. I have a red one. So easy. BUt I kind of wish they had some pockets.. sometimes it just gets a little disorganized. They also make backpacks which are cute too!
Julie, i bought my first Longchamp bag and wallet in Paris (I’m embarrassed to admit that I’m now on 7 bags, 2 makeup bags and 2 wallets… yea), and also actually own the tan one (so versatile! Looks so great with black, brown, navy, red, white!). My experience was that, while they *were* cheaper in Paris, it wasn’t a *huge* difference with the exchange rate. I’ll also second Magnums.net. It sounds like a dirty website, but I swear, it’s not 🙂
LOL i thought the same thing. i was like are my readers leading me to a condoms site???
Haha you have to make sure you type verrrry carefully. Especially at work!
oh my gosh, i just did “.com” and went to a gun site! eek!
Your smoothies always look so refreshing! I can’t wait until it’s warm enough here to have one everyday!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Longchamp bag! I got the large bag for Christmas and it’s perfect for traveling! I”m not sure how the prices are in Europe, but duty free in Australia was the same price as Nordstrom- and then tack on the exchange rate and they’re cheaper in the US. Hopefully you find a better deal! Watch out for knock-offs though… my boyfriend’s sister found them all of China.
They aren’t much cheaper in europe. They cost less… BUT with the miserable exchange rate currently you end up paying the same or more. Go ahead and splurge for one in the before the trip. They are greatttt for travel!
You can definitely find Longchamp bag for cheaper in Europe. I actually got that exact tan one at the airport in Amsterdam and it was the equivalent of maybe 80 or 90 bucks? I totally wish I had bought 2–I use mine pretty much everyday.
I agree with you on wanting breakfast to last longer. I just got sad because I ate my overnight oats so fast at my desk 🙁 haha.
I found my Longchamp, the same one you’re looking for, in the Paris airport in duty free for $89 (American) about two months ago. I’d research the airports you will be flying into and out of to see what duty free shops they have to offer!
Yeah, that shoulder song is, ummm, not the best they ever picked out. But how bout those single fies?!?!?! OUCHY!
Check out FitnessNYC’s blog. She has all kinds of fitness info for New Yorkers. I’m sure she’s got something about Body Pump somewhere, or you could ask her.
I’ve been dying to try BodyPump 77, but I just don’t think it exists in NYC :(. I’ll have to live vicariously through you!
Not sure if there’s a Bloomingdales by you, but often they have sales like 20% off Friends and Families and this discount can be used towards a Longchamp bag.
I think they are slightly cheaper in Europe, but the dollar is not strong right now so you may end up paying about the same or even a little bit more. I say buy it duty free in the airport or buy with a coupon code or coupon at a store like Bloomingdales or Nordstrom as someone else suggested.
Don’t count on getting that bag cheaper – it all depends on the airports you fly into if you’re looking to get it “duty free” but some things, like Chanel perfume, are like $4 cheaper than Nordstroms… Shopping is expensive in Europe and the exchange rate isn’t great now, either, so … maybe look for something unique that you can’t get here and enjoy that. Tons of nice leather stores over there that aren’t necessarily a ‘brand name’ but are fine goods.
I have been slowly collecting Longhamps since Highschool when one of my best friends came for an exchange year from Germany. I will actually be visiting her this summer with 2 of my best friends from college!
Anyways, she said they were always about the same price after you factor in the exchange rate… sometimes even more expensive!
BUT,
One of my friends moms just came back from Ireland and found 2 Longchamps (although the straps are a little small for my preference) for about 67 Euros!!!
If you don’t find a deal much better than that I wouldn’t buy them in Europe. I agree with Bonnie above, find something unique there because a Longchamp is probably cheaper here right now!
i would second the Ireland thing. the economy there really sucks right now and to encourage spending- you can get your tax back as a rebate. and that’s where I got my longchamp! and they had a GREAT patagonia store- off topic but still
Love the new release! I’m going to try to go back today 🙂
Longchamps are the best! The cheapest place I’ve found them in is the actual Longchamp stores in Paris. There are several of them, and they have so many varieties that you can’t find in the states–which is totally worth it! Also, they’re significantly cheaper. I recommend the shop on Rue Saint Honore because it’s slightly bigger with more of a selection. Otherwise, every department store in Paris has them–and you should totally go to at least one of those department stores while you’re there! So jealous of your upcoming trip!
In my experience you can get Longchamps for WAY cheaper in Europe. I’ve gotten most of mine that way (my mom and I have a Longchamp obsession and our combined collection is a little out of control…in my defense, most of “mine” are her hand me downs). Try the duty-frees in airports, and also the Longchamp store in Paris- they mark them up at the department stores like Printemps. Although, the US generally has better clearance markdowns on items like that, so if you can find it for really cheap online I’d say go for it!!
The abs track song for BP77 is so fun! It kinda makes me feel like I should be wearing the Chiquita banana outfit at some parts??
I also really like the way the music changes when you do the little oblique pulses 🙂
haha i totally agree! i want to salsa… which is weird since it kind of has a parisian feel to it!
YES! You can get Longchamps for cheaper in Europe, and different styles too. I got two last spring in France.. and then they also had it in the airport when I was leaving!! I’m jealous that you get to go and get one, I need more! 🙂
I actually have that exact Longchamp bag. I got it like 6 years ago, but I bought it on ebay for $70 or something. However, you will be able to find them cheaper in Europe. I saw them when I was there a few years ago and remembered thinking “well I got mine for cheap too, thanks ebay” lol…
I just got back from Body Pump 77 and I am obsessed. This was my second day in a row doing this release. It is the best one so far.
Yes, wait to get your bag in Europe. I got mine 4 years ago in the Amsterdam Airport and payed almost half for it then here in the states. I still use it to this day.
Too funny, those Longchamp bags cost about US$5 over here in Hong Kong (fake of course), but still, just means more colours!
I loveee my black Longchamp bag! I found mine at a consignment store for 50 dollars and it was in great condition, and still is after two years! When I saw it in the store, it’s safe to say I scared the ladies at the register because I screamed with excitement. I had wanted one for so long but couldn’t afford it, this one was in my budget though 😀
I’m sure you can find one cheaper in Europe, a friend of mine bought hers for last than mine and it was new