Body pump

Body pump is my go-to for a good weight lifting session (okay, it's the only way I'm lifting weights these days). I first discovered body pump in law school in 2008 and since then I've had phases of loving it and hating it. I'm currently in a loving phase and try to make it twice a week.

Body pump involves working each body part for the length of a song - warm-up, quads, chest, back, triceps, biceps, hamstrings, shoulders, abs. It's always in the same order, which when I'm in the "hate" phase makes for a long hour session, but lately the class has been going by really fast. From the Les Mills website it states that you can do up to 800 repetitions with 70-100 per body part. 

What I love about the class is that you really start to notice increased strength with the moves. Lately I've been noticing that I'm getting stronger with the tricep moves and the lunges. Lunges are something I want to train myself to love (seriously, is there a way to love the ahh-it-burns?). I'm a fan of the squats and really like some of the super intense shoulder tracks. I dislike when the instructor sings.

When we move I'm not planning to join a gym, because the one in our area has really inconvenient hours. I'm hoping that I can buy some weights and get into a good home-based weight lifting routine.

The Workout

Today I went to body pump and walked 5ks. 

Off to clean the house,

B

Purple Carrots

Yesterday was an exciting day in house buying - we paid our deposit (it's starting to feel real). I also went to the Prahran market in search of some organic produce. I found lovely spinach and also a new-to-me veggie - purple carrots.

Purple carrots taste exactly like their orange cousins, but offer a different nutrient profile. It's important to eat a variety of colours, and purple pigments can improve vision, protect against heart attacks and help with memory functions.

We put ours into a juice.

The dinner plan said Mexican bowls, but I decided to change things up a bit by making potato nachos (which used mostly the same ingredients). The Aussie and I were pretty happy with the results. Slice the potato extra thin and toss with olive oil. Then bake on top of a cooling rack and top with whatever toppings you desire.

The Workout

I walked 5ks and went to body pump. 

Off to be productive,

B

Signing

Today the contract on the house was signed, and tonight the vendor will be signing. Very exciting and scary times. We settle in 60 days, which is right before my birthday (note to the Hubs - this can't count as my bday pressie).

I'm already starting to think up things to do to the house - redo the butt ugly kitchen, add a deck, and (if I can convince the Aussie that we need one) put in a water feature.

I fell in love with this one:

source

(note to the Hubs - this can count as a birthday gift)

I'm looking forward to decorating the house and believe I may form a pinterest obsession.

In contrast to yesterday, today I had an extremely pretty smoothie that was a lovely red shade (but I failed on the picture taking because the Aussie is a thief and stole my camera).

I also made Tofu & Broccoli (veg version of Beef & Broccoli) served with brown rice for dinner. Instead of using soy sauce as the base for the sauce, I opted for Braggs Liquid Amino Acids (which may or may not be healthier than soy sauce depending on who you ask).

Tomorrow I'm excited for an early morning walk with the SIL around a local lake. I will certainly miss being close to the SIL when we move.

The lake is such a nice walk with a sand trail and views of the city.

The Workout

Went to body pump and did an 3k walk. 

Off to watch tv,

B