Last night between my last class and my meeting I had the opportunity to go the gym (I say ‘opportunity’ because it’s a privilege not a chore! 3 cheers for positive thinking!). I had two choices: 1) get on the elliptical and pedal for however long or 2) take the Body Tone group fitness class.
I picked #2.
I’ve taken this class several times in the past and I always get my booty kicked, without fail. The instructor is so energetic, intense, and strong! Her version of this class is a combination of cardio + strength in a conditioning/boot camp style. It’s this class that reminds me of why I was as fit as I was when I did gymnastics. We did these crazy calisthenics, cardio bursts (aka heart rate MAXIMUM!!!!), ab work, body weight exercises, and dumbbell strength training. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
It’s like mindless exercise though–you don’t have to think about what you’re doing. You just DO IT. No buts about it. You don’t even need much mental strength because there isn’t time to think about how much you want to stop 
. There’s no ‘meh I don’t feel like it’ or ‘I’m going to stop now.’ It pushes me just a notch further and well, I always wake up a little sore and feel muscles I forgot I had!
Body Tone and I definitely have a Love/Hurt Relationship. I always feel great after the class but boy is it intense!!
Do you take group fitness classes? If so, which classes are your favorites?
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Yesterday I got not 1 but 2 packages from the post office that instantly brightened my day. I’m pretty sure the blogworld is made up of some of the nicest most generous people I’ve ever met.
First up, Krista and I did a blogger exchange because she wanted the all-too-delicious Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea and I was more than happy to send her a box.
Can we first stop to appreciate the stamps?
Of course, it was filled with lovely nutritious treats!! Thanks, Krista!!! I cannot WAIT to try the coconut mango tea!!
I actually had one of The Simply Bars (cinnamon flavah) and an Oatmeal Chip cookie after my Body Tone class last night.
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The second package was from Lauren!!! I knew a package was on it’s way but I had no idea what was inside.
Almond Naturally More!!! I’ve wanted to try this for so long. I’ve only seen the Peanut Butter kind, but I’m allergic to pb! I can’t wait to crack this jar open.
Thank you Lauren!!! You are SO thoughtful.
A Love/LOVE Relationship
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Also, last night I made a microwave KASHI KRISPIE!!!!!!!!
First I melted a pat of Smart Balance w/ 2 jumbo marshmallows in the microwave.
Then I mixed in Kashi Go Lean.
Amazing.
My roomie made rice krispie treats a couple days ago and I KNEW I had to try it with my Kashi Go Lean (which by the way has lasted SO many days under the same roof as me. I think it’s been over a week–shocker!).
I’m totally rockin’ this cereal addiction recovery. Boo yaw!! Movin’ onto bigger and better (tastier) cereals now!
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I’ve got another super long + busy day. I won’t be back to my room until after 9pm! School and I have a Love Like/Hate Relationship!
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Sometimes it’s good to shake thing up with a group class to kick your rear. I like spin or step group classes. I also have tons of step DVDs that I do at home. Classes definitely help keep you more pumped up (no pun intended)
Surprise! Yup, a loyal reader. In fact, you were my entrance to the whole food blog world! I read a bunch of running blogs and one day I was reading Nurse On The Run and happened to click on the link to her friend that she wanted to open a bakery with. You! …and the rest is history! I read Susan’s blog loyally too and clicking on the links for those two blogs has *literally* changed my life.
Hope you’re having a great day!
LOVING the kashi krispies idea! I’m inspired.. I’ll let ya know how it goes
have a terrific tuesday
bec xo
OMG! Those stickers were so NOT on the box when I mailed it!!! LOL! Wonder where the heck they came from??? Where they right on the front? That is so weird….
I haven’t taken a group fitness class in years….but I’m not a member of any gym, either!
LOVE the Kashi Crispy!! YUM!
I only like exercise classes if they seriously kick my butt. I know, I’m strange…
Love group classes! Most of them do a seriously decent job of kicking my a$$!
I need to get my hands on some of that naturally more!!!! OMG its the best everrrrr. If the almond is half s good, its a gasm in your mouth!
Opportunity to go to the gym! Love that word choice! Makes for a much healthier overall attitude.
I love group exercise classes, especially spin. I’ve also been getting into step+sculpt.
Your krispie treat is genuis! I tried panini-ing sweet potato rounds yesterday but they weren’t cooking for me really, the George Forman considered it done after a minute or two…so I ended up microwaving the taters. Is there some kind of trick to this that I’m missing?
Melting those marshmallows and adding cereal is genius!
I love the idea of Kashi Krispies Treats!!! I can’t wait to give that a try.
Allie, you’re so welcome! I hope you like it! I LOVE the kashi krispie idea! Before Christmas a friend of mine made these amazing “wreath” shaped cookies that tasted just like a rice krispy but it was made with bran flakes! They were so good! I don’t know why I don’t take advantage of my gym’s classes-sounds like you had an awesome workout! And you’re so right-it is a privilege to work out. So many people who are injured and sick would be so grateful to work out-that is always such a good reminder!
omg what a fabulous idea with the kashi go lean and marshmellows! a fiber filled, healthified rice kirspy treat!! I love that you went out of your comfort zone to try out a class! body tone sounds awesome, totally my type of class too! I love group fitness classes but I depend alot on the instructors to make it a kick a** class! if there is a ho hum instructor, the whole morale of the class goes downhill, as long as there is great motivation I am there! LOVE spinning
ok, that looks AMAZING. have you ever had golden graham treats? they are SOOO good.
i can also plow through cereal like it’s my job–but i’m the same as you with the go lean, and more fibrous cereals. me + honey sunshine = refill fest. i embrace it haha.
I used to go to BodyPump every week but stopped when I hurt my back. I really like the mindlessness too though. You just have to do it no matter what. These days I only go to yoga and pilates classes.
I love spinning classes and circuits, that sweet treat looks delish! What great packages I love getting stuff in the post! x x
I love group classes, esp for weight lifting. I’m never as motivated to do it on my own!
I love this blogging community!
People are so friendly and seriously become instant friends.
Also, that microwave treat — oh my! I may or may not HAVE to try that tonight, just to make sure it’s as good as it looks.
I love group classes (BodyPump, BodyStep & Spinning), and it never occurred to me that I love them because someone else is doing the pushing and the thinking for me, but you’re so right!
GoLeanie treat looks awesome! I’m afraid to try and get hooked :p
Spin class always kicks my bootay. Something about being in pain with 15 other people makes it way more motivating!
Kashi Krispie? Genius!
That’s so nice of those bloggers!!! This community is so so supportive it is awesome! Which, by the way, your kashi treat bars look to be as well. What a novel idea!
Mail is so fun! It looks like you got some great stuff too!
And your kashi krispie is so creative – mad props girl.
Did you like the Simply bar?
Ive tried every flavour…thinking/hoping to like it.
They’re dry and not too falvourful…sad….they’ve got like 13 grams of protein…I wish they tasted better!
mmmmm kashi krips! YUM! I used to be a cereal addict as well…but ive had a box of multi-grain cheerios in my pantry for a good 2 weeks now! GO ME GO ME!!
Oh, and Im not that big a fan of group exercises class–Id rather just lift or do cardio on my own. But, its nice occassionaly for when I get bored of doin my own thang.
Loveee the Kashi krispie idea!!
I love group workout classes! My favourite is a circuit class I go to – it’s so fast and you get really pumped and tired
and you can’t stop!! BRILLIANT!
oh gosh I think I need to join the cereal addicts annoymous group. haha. I love it! Sounds like one hot fitness class you took! Awesome job girl! My fav. classes are the spinning class. I love it. Great looking goods too! Love the kashi krispy. what a cool idea. Anyways I hope you have an awesome day sweetie!
what great packages- that almond butter looks delicious too!! that fitness class does sound really hard
Did you notice anything special about the Naturally More jar?? It’s made in Birmingham, AL–my hometown!!! Sorry, I get excited about that kind of thing:)
Almonds and flax are always a delicious combo!! The Kashi crispie is really creative and looks awesome. I bet it would be great frozen, too!
(Am I weird because I like frozen rice crispies? Don’t answer that.)
Cool they make AB now!!!!!!!
Kashi krispie?!? YUM!
So many fun packages! Lucky duck!
Yay mail!! My favorite part of the day, and you got some nice treats!
Allie you are SO right about the group classes! Not much mental strength required unless…it kicks MAJOR ass. I sometimes feel like a wimp in the middle of class when i am Super super close to quitting…then i stick with it but lower the energy…finish it, and then YAY i feel awesome!!! hehehe
Look at you with all those yummy treats!! you’ll have to tell me how the almond butter is!! I see Naturally Nutty all over the place.
Allie…that kashi bar…you are amazing!
Sooo behind on commenting–sorry!
I love Body Pump classes but I think yoga and spinning are definitely my favorite group exercise classes.
GENIUS Kashi Krispie treat! And it’s single serve! So cute
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