A Week Of Rest, Enjoy The Ride, & An Epic Smoothie
Hello Friends! How is everyone’s Tuesday going so far? I’m glad to hear I’m not the only worrier around here…and like Shanna mentioned, I know that will only get worse for me once I’m preggers, ah! I least I have all you soon-to-be mommies out there to go to for advice 😉
Quite a long post title but I didn’t want to leave anything out since I find it all important! So if you happen to hop on over to my Fitness page every so often or know that I’m a huge fitness enthusiast and love to get my sweat on most days of the week, you may notice then that that will be entirely missing this week. Say what?! Yes, I am taking this entire week (M-F) off from exercise. No gym, no spin, no strength training, no yoga, no nothing. And you know what, I think my body needs it and will be greatly appreciated for this rest. Especially since oh I think the last time I ever took this much time off from exercising was 1982?! Ha, just kidding 😉 But in all seriousness, it has been a very very long time and with our getting ready plans and feedback I’ve received from ladies who were in my shoes and had to back off from exercising when trying to get pregnant, I think this is what my body needs.
I have to admit that the thought of 5 days in a row of not burning those extra calories and not getting those endorphins fired up bothered me a bit, but it’s what I need to do and just the mere thought of how badly we want this made me quickly get over it. And too, I have to remember that it’s not “all or nothing”, which I have a tendency to always think in that manner. I have to remember that next week I can add in some low intensity walking and strength training and it’s not like I’ll never ever be able to work out again…it’s not the end of the world and things could be worse.
I think from the very beginning this is what my body needed, but it takes awhile for this stubborn Taurus to come around, and some perspective and advice from my family and tough love from the hubby who I can depend on to tell me what I need to hear, helps too 😉 So far today I’m feeling great with this rest, but come Friday I’m sure I’ll be feeling antsy, but I’m going to brush those feelings aside and remember that more than anything in this world I want our big plans to come true 🙂
And if you have a moment today, click on the link below to be taken to such a wonderful video with such great messages…thanks mom! 🙂 And it reminded me that in this life of ours we need to remember to make the most of it, and simply, enjoy the ride…
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I was in the mood for a smoothie this morning (when am I not?!), and it was purely epic. My smoothies have always been pretty amazing in creaminess and taste, but this one is on a whole other level. This ingredient had something to do with it’s pure epicness…
Whole Milk!
Lately I’ve been researching ways to increase fertility, and they say that having a serving of whole milk daily helps with the good ole baby making…could be a bunch of hype, but I’ll take my chances. Especially since it creates the most amazingly creamiest smoothie I’ve ever had…
Cue the angels…Ahhhhhh 😉
Here’s what you need to recreate this beauty…
1 cup Whole Milk
1 frozen banana – I used a small one
1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder
1 tsp xanthan gum
Enjoyed with a handful of Peanut Butter Puffins and coffee once I got to work 🙂
P.S. Never ever make a smoothie with Silk Almond Milk and xanthan gum together…it was a horrifying, gloppy, inedible mess! In the past the Almond Breeze brand worked with the xanthan, but not the Silk brand. I’m not sure why either, but take my word for it. So if you’ve experience xanthan gum not working for you, play around with different types and amounts of liquids and you’ll get the right creamy consistency.
And I just realized this morning that my last fashion pic was a month ago, ah the horror! 😉
So here’s a pic of my outfit today…one that’s simple and am loving lately…
Icky camera phone pic, sorry! But you get the idea.
Hope you’re all having a fabulous Tuesday and go get yourself some whole milk 😉
Questions:
What were the most amount of consecutive days you took off from exercising?
What kind of milk do you drink and/or use in your smoothies?
The Good Life 
September 13, 2011 at 10:22 am
The longest time recently was about a month while we were moving in July. It was so weird feeling – it helped that I was completely out of my routine all together though or else it would have been even more weird.
i dont really drink milk by itself but for cereal and smoothies and stuff I use nonfat milk – unfortunately I am very allergic to soy milk. I can use almond milk (and have for smoothies) but usually just end up buying nonfat and using it for anything milk-related 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 10:45 am
I can see it would help being out of your normal routine…I think by Friday it will definitely be feeling weird to me, ha!
I love nonfat milk for cereals too – whole milk would be a little too rich for me I think in cereals. But in a smoothie, it was pretty darn tasty 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 11:00 am
Love classic black and white together!
I only workout 4 days per week so I can get upto 3 days off.
September 13, 2011 at 11:59 am
Thanks Shanna! Yes black and white is the best!
I think once I get back into working out I’m going to incorporate 3 days off…I think that would be a nice balance 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 11:58 am
I like using almond milk in my smoothies! I think recently the longest time I’ve spent not working out have probably been almost two weeks while I was suffering through morning sickness. I couldn’t eat, drink water and barely could get out of bed. There was no way I was going to workout when I hardly had the energy to shower!
September 13, 2011 at 12:18 pm
I can most definitely understand not working out during morning sickness…I can’t even imagine! In reading all the pregnant bloggers experiences and seeing the various bouts of morning sickness they get, I’m actually curious to see how bad it will be for me, ha!
September 13, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Love the outfit – classic! I use unsweetened almond milk in smoothies and cereal but prefer to drink organic skim milk.
September 13, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Thanks Tiff! 🙂
And I agree, I much prefer to drink skim milk 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 1:11 pm
Love the black and white Shayla! You have such a classic look… absolutely stunning 🙂
I think the whole milk/increased fertility connection has a lot to do with the fat content. You need appropriate levels of estrogen for baby making, estrogen LOVES fat. Just a thought.
Are you taking off from ALL exercise this week including walking? I would go insane hahaha But I think taking a week off and lowering the intensity of your work outs is probably a good idea considering your goals. Good for the mind to slow down too 🙂 Though, getting your body moving is SUPER important for cardiovascular health. Why not do some light walking this week to get your blood flowing? Enjoy the outdoors.
The most consecutive days I have gone without any exercise in recent memory is probably about two. If I don’t run (or for now use the elliptical) I go on walks for rest days or use a medicine ball. I am an incredibly high strung and anxious person… I literally need to do a bit of cardio every day for relaxation haha
I usually stick to unsweetend coconut milk or almond milk… I like daity milk for cooking and baking. When I loved in Maine I was able to buy raw whole milk. THAT was worth drinking. SO SO SO heavenly.
I gotta say your smoothie DOES look epic. I mean, it looks perfect. You’ve got me wanting to buy a big ol’ container of whole milk just for these luscious creamy vanilla smoothies!
You make them at home and eat them at work? Do they melt? Oh my gosh that texture is so perfect I would be afraid of it melting! haha
September 13, 2011 at 3:04 pm
Thank you so much Sarah for that sweet comment, you’re the sweetest ❤
Ahhh yes you're right about estrogen and fat content…I couldn't remember earlier the scientific explanation but you nailed it on the head, thank you! 🙂
I actually suggested to the hubby last night that I should do my walking outdoors to get fresh air, so good for the body and mind which is what I need right now. And when I step into a gym I feed off of the energy and have the tendency to want to "go-go-go" so I think it would be best for me for now to stay away and keep my activity outdoors. Yes I'm entirely taking this week off, even no walking, but I think that will be ok for 5 days…and I didn't take any days off last week (bad me!) so cardiovascular wise I think I'll be ok. And this Saturday I'll get back into it with light walking and light strength training to get that blood flowing 🙂
I've never tried coconut milk, sounds delish! So does that raw milk, wow yum! Funny you mention about my smoothie melting…it actually does lose that awesome creaminess by the time I get to work so I make sure to have extra large spoonfuls of the good stuff right out of the blender 😉
September 13, 2011 at 1:18 pm
I’m currently only working out 3 days a week but I can’t wait to add 1 more day back. I think 4 is perfect. I like to do 2 upper and 2 lower body days. Doing 3 days is tough for me cause I have too much downtime. I’m praying i can add another day back soon.
I’ve been alternating between skim milk and soy milk. I usually do unsweetened almond but I’ve chose to do something with more calories while I’m trying to gain weight.
September 13, 2011 at 2:51 pm
When it’s time for you I think 4 days is perfect and I’m starting to realize the same, I think it lends a great balance in having 3 days of rest. And I like your 2 upper and 2 lower workout routine – a great balance too!
Good for you in choosing a milk with more calories since that’s what your body needs, I know I always did that when I was gaining weight too. It’s hard to get “fat-free” out of your head, but with determination it’s doable and so good for your body. I also always liked to get the 2% Fage! It’s so good and once I run out of my 0% I plan on getting more of the fuller fat yogurts! 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 3:32 pm
i use chocolate soy to make chocolate peanut butter banana smoothies, and I use vanilla coconut milk when I’m making my banana avocado honey smoothies!
Right now since I’m training for a half, the most days I probably take off is 4. Sometimes your body needs a break! After running a long race, I usually take off a week or so to recover. But I still do lots of yoga!
September 13, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Um banana avocado honey smoothies?! Yes pleaseeee! Wow that sounds delish! I’m going to have to try one of those 😉
I really want to get more into yoga…I think after this week off I’m once and for all going to start incorporating it into my routine!
September 13, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Love the outfit! I use Almond Milk in my smoothies when I have it on hand…if not..just regular old 1% milk…:)
September 13, 2011 at 5:35 pm
Thanks Amy!! 🙂
Before using this whole milk, I always love using Almond Milk in my smoothies too, and drinking straight from it is pretty good too! 🙂
September 13, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Wowee that was a creamy smoothie!
I was 100% raw for a month when I went to Matthew Kenney Academy and it was so easy to eat that way when you were eating everything you made, and you know what, I attribute THAT to the ease in which I fell pregnant. My body must have been so cleaned out that within a month of returning home I was up the duff (Aussie term haha)
Would you believe this week I’ve taken 3 days off exercising because I came down with a cold after returning back to the Middle East (summer) after a glorious 5 weeks at home in Australia (winter). Sucks because I never get sick and I am always gloating that it is because of my clean eats.
The kind of milk I like in my smoothies usually is home made almond milk but lately I’ve been experimenting with sesame milk (awesome for calcium), pumpkin seed milk and also brazil nut milk.
September 14, 2011 at 9:36 am
Haha “up the duff” I like that expression! 😉 Congrats on your pregnancy! I believe that eating a clean diet definitely helps with fertility, however I couldn’t go raw, but I’m definitely making sure to get a balance of fats, proteins, and carbs in my diet 🙂
Ugh I have a cold too, something must be going around! I too was annoyed that I got one since I eat pretty clean…I’m just gonna chalk it up to the change in seasons and not our immunities, ha! 😉
Wow sesame milk, pumpkin milk and bazil nut milk?! Sounds delicious!
September 14, 2011 at 9:14 am
I am so proud of you for taking the week off exercise!
September 14, 2011 at 9:22 am
Thank you mom!!! Your advice and support helped so much 🙂 love ya! xoxo
September 15, 2011 at 2:43 pm
Good for you for doing what it takes to help your fertility! I suffered from hypothalamic amenorrhea and decreasing the High intensity exercise and upping my fats is what helped me regain my cycle (without really gaining any weight.). I am a big believer in full fat dairy. My favorite is full fat cottage cheese – will never go back to non-fat!
September 15, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Thank you so much Mo for that sweet, supportive comment. It feels so good to hear that it worked for you and it reinforces in me that I’m doing the right thing. Even though it’s hard, it means more than anything to me to get my fertility back on track and I found that I’m really enjoying this week off and then only doing walking as my cardio. I too now will never go back to non-fat, full fat is the best! And I forgot about full-fat cottage cheese, love that stuff! I’m definitely going to pick some of that up! 🙂