This morning was a sad one.
I took my final BodyPump class in Orlando. 
Since we’re hoping to move all of our stuff into storage in Ocala tomorrow and be out of our apartment on Friday, I won’t be taking another BodyPump class while I’m here and that makes me one sad little camper.
I fell in love with BodyPump back in 2008 when my boss at the Orlando Museum of Art encouraged me to try a class. I wasn’t sure what to expect and had no idea that a group exercise strength class could totally rock my whole body and target every muscle group in a fun, upbeat environment.
It was love at first class for me and I’ve been hooked ever since. A quick glance at my Daily Workout Log and you’ll see BodyPump class after BodyPump class pop up.
I love that the class takes all the thought and planning out of a workout and makes me totally feel the burn every single time. It’s motivational, intense and fun.
Rather than focus on how bummed I am that BodyPump will no longer be a part of my regular workout routine, I’m trying to see this as an opportunity to get more creative in the gym and try some new workouts. I’m actually pretty excited to do some research into new weightlifting moves, strength training routines and circuit-style workouts.
It’s good to surprise your body and change things up and now that I can no longer lean on my BodyPump crutch, it’s time to get a little funky in the gym!
Breakfast
After the gym and a walk around the lake near our apartment with Ryan and Sadie, it was time to put my Vitamix to good use and blend up a smoothie.
Today’s smoothie flavor strawberry banana!
In the mix:
- 1 1/4 c. almond milk
- 1 c. frozen strawberries
- 1 frozen bananas
- 1/2 c. strawberry banana yogurt
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
The strawberry banana combination is an oldie but a goodie!
And now I must wish a very special woman a very happy birthday…
Happy Birthday to…
To the kindest woman (and person!) I know
To the most loving mother and most caring wife
To the woman who can get a stain out of anything
To the mother-in-law who makes her son-in-law a homemade Oreo ice cream cake for his birthday
To the nurse whose soothing voice makes me feel better than any medicine
To the woman who battled breast cancer with optimism and strength
To the faithful woman who lives her life in a way I can only hope to emulate
To the confidant who will listen to me cry and offer support without question
To the space-loving woman who texts me to let me know about every shuttle launch and meteor shower
To the selfless woman who always puts the needs of others before her own
To the doggie grandmama whose house is always stocked with chicken jerky just for her granddog
To my mom!
I love you, Mama! Happy Birthday!
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dont worry!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pretty much every single gym offers some sort of boot camp class nowadays you will definitely find something you love just as much as bodypump!
I can’t believe that is your last class for awhile! I definitely think you should become certified in Ocala. 🙂
I think it’s awesome that you have such a great relationship with your mom! And that you call her mama 🙂
Happy Birthday to your Mama!
PS we are birthday twins!
I cant wait to see what you come up with in the gym! And maybe bodypump will eventually come to where you are 🙂 I have the Women’s Health Big Book of Exercises and it’s a really great resource for strength training routines and moves.
Good luck on your new move. The writing about your mom= so sweet! I hope she has a great birthday!
Such a sweet post… happy birthday to your mom!
This is so beautiful! I always love your birthday tributes to your family members. Happiest birthday to your AMAZING Mom! She is such a strong lady!!! Definitely a huge inspiration! 🙂
What a sweet post!
I definitely need to try a place where I can take Body Pump! I havent been able to try it yet, but have been hearing such amazing things about it. And happy birthday to your momma 🙂
Wahhhh no!! You are going to miss pump so much.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YO MOMMA!!! <3
p.s. I am having a giveeeeeaway!
Happy birthday to your mom! 🙂
I get great strength-training workouts from Shape and Women’s Health – you should try that.
L-O-V-E the optimism! Thank you for helping me get a little pep in my step today, and GOOD LUCK with the move this weekend!
Happy birthday to your Mama!! 🙂
Yo mamas birthday is the same as my best friend’s mom’s birthday! hooray for matching mama’s birthdays!
hope she has a great one. your mama looks so sweet. 🙂
aww your mom is so inspiring! happy birthday to her! and good luck with your movee!!!
Happy birthday to your mom! My birthday was yesterday. July birthdays are the best.
Aww Happy Birthday Mom!! 😀
Happy Birthday to Mama PBFingers!
…it’s my mom’s birthday too! Twins?!
What a beautiful post Julie! Your mother is so lucky to have such a wonderful and caring daughter!
She seems like such an amazing woman!
Happy Birthday to Your Mom! Mom’s are such special people. I wish I lived closer to mine.
That’s a bummer about Body Pump! I’ve never tried a class, because they don’t offer it at my gym, but I’ve heard such good things about it. Glad that you’re staying positive and looking at it as an opportunity to switch things up! Good luck with the moving process!!
Happy birthday to your mom!!
What a great birthday post to your mom! My mom is my best friend and she means the world to me too!
Such a bummer about body pump – BUT this may be your chance to become an instructor or get really hooked on another type of class! My gym doesn’t offer Body Pump but since I was looking for a class that targets all my muscles and really makes me feel the burn – I discovered and fell in love with TRX training interval classes and pilates! You never know what’s in store 🙂 Good luck with the packing the moving!
Such a sweet post! Happy Bday Momma Julie!
I just finished writing my blog post for today (that whole work thing means I won’t post it until tonight though) so I thought I’d take my last few minutes of lunch to catch up. But I HAD to comment because my post will be soooo similar–because today is MY Mom’s birthday! Happy birthday to Mama Peanut Butter Fingers! It’s the best moms’ birth day 😉
I’m eager to see all of your various strength training routines now that you won’t get to do Body Pump for a while. Maybe they will spark some creativity for me as well! 🙂 Happy Birthday to Mama PBF! What a sweet message for her!
Which model Vitamix do you own? I am thinking of getting one.
AWWWWW!!!!
happy birthday PBF mommy!!!!
Thank you, Julie! You warm my heart and remind be that my life is everything I’ve ever dreamed of. You make that easy! I love you, Ryan and Sadie so much. I hope this move happens just that way you want it to. If not, you can count on me to help you through. Love, Mama
I’m a former Body Pump freak who unfortunately (due to my husband’s schedule changing) had to quit the gym a few months ago. I miss it!!! BUT. I have discovered you can find quite a few of the individual tracks on Youtube. I would much prefer actual class, but with a few weights and a bar and a Youtube playlist, I can do most of it at home. Good luck!
You could take a BP instructor class and talk your new gym into offering it 🙂
Happy birthday to mama PBF!
awww, happy birthday to your mom!