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This or That
Hey guys!
Coming at you from beautiful Calgary at the tail end of summer. Who’s ready for a change in weather? Truthfully, although I’m not anxious for summer to be done because that season is so short here, I’m excited about fall: crisp air (perfect for running!), great flavors and tastes (pumpkin, cinnamon, etc!) and a feeling of change and transition. We indeed are making some changes in our life with Mikey going to grad school (for Community Health Sciences) at the University of Calgary and focusing on working hard so we can move out in a year. Our summer trips are almost done (we leave Saturday for the last one out in BC!) and then we’ll be pretty stationary in Calgary focusing on working, investing in our community and staying consistent here.
Do you have any changes coming up? How do you feel about them? I’ll share more as the transitions occur with how we’re feeling and go more in depth with them, but for today I thought I’d switch things up a little with a vlog and a fun little survey – would love to hear your answers too!
This or That!
1. Run/workout in the heat and humidity or freezing temps and snow?
2. Have washbord abs or flat abs?
3. Dr. Oz or The Doctors?
4. Cardio or strength?
5. Cravings: Protein or carbs?
6. Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper?
7. Frozen yogurt or ice cream?
8. To train: upper body or lower body?
9. Protein powder or food with protein?
10. Lunges or squats?
11. Sweet or salty?
12. Workout attire: cute or comfy?
13. Body pump or heavy lifting?
14. Yoga or pilates?
15. Nike or Adidas?
16. Running on the treadmill or outdoors?
17. Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s?
18. Summer or Winter Olympics?
19. Exercise classes or videos?
20. Steamed veggies or roasted ones?
What about YOU? Lunges or squats? Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s? Jillian or Bob? …I want to know. 
In other news, I had a GREAT workout today. I completed Marianne‘s just-posted Comeback Workout and LOVED it! I did it with almost the same weights as she posted and the same amount of sets. At the end of the workout, I threw in 10 rounds of 5 squat clean & presses (50 lbs) and 10 24″ box jumps, giving me 50 squat clean & presses plus 100 high box jumps. It was tough but I focused on form and pushed through! Felt great afterward!
Yesterday I prepped some food and it felt great to be ready the night before! I posted it on my facebook page but thought I’d share this taste of what I brought to work for the day:
Some curry chicken with peppers, sweet potatoes and tumeric; some hummus with rice cakes and cucumbers, a just-in-case protein bar (ate half and then the other fourth later as a snack) and a tub of spinach for a green smoothie (which I didn’t make but will likely do tomorrow!). Unpictured was a hard boiled egg which hit the spot; felt so good to fuel up with good things!
In between my gym and home clients yesterday I stopped at the mall to use 2 $25 gift cards. Guess where I went? Lululemon. If I can use money towards a purchase there it’s a safe bet I’m going to do it even if I “need” a dress or different pair of shoes or bra. With my gift cards and my discount to the store (as a health professional – you can get one too! 20% off!), my total for 2 items came to $9.00…not bad!
Wandering Yogi Bar (on sale for $19!)
And in other fun news, I went to breakfast with my good friend Emily this morning! We dined at the Diner Deluxe – one of mine and Mikey’s favorite spots! Great food, good atmosphere, and even better company. Definitely recommend it if you’re in Calgary!
(Emily’s pregnant with a little guy and due in October! She’s SO cute – a southern belle! – and it was wonderful to connect again.)
On that note, it’s training time. A few more clients then tea with a friend! Shaping up to be a pretty great Wednesday. Make it a good one! Live well & be well friends,
Bonnie
Recent Updates
Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday to you. 
I hope this day finds you feeling motivated, encouraged and inspired. If it doesn’t, remember that the opposite feelings must be present in our lives at some point and I hope you are persevering through your hardships.
I thought I’d share a few updates with you since I last wrote:
I’ve been loving some new workout gear my mom sent me (thanks, Mom!)…care packages, especially ones filled with workout clothes, are the best! I love this sports bra from Fila and don’t own anything like it: supportive AND stylish. And a great color! Makes me ready to move when I put it on.
I also received some new workout crops that are from Fila too; usually the hint of yellow is covered by a longer shirt/tank but I like the accent and love the way they fit. I’ve been rocking them out using my Ultimate Sandbag, dip station and while working on my ninja tuck jump skills.
Deadlift + Upright Row
Deep Triceps Push Ups
What’s your favorite brand of workout gear? I’ve been known to wear anything from anywhere, but as a personal trainer the bright colors, clean cuts and quality materials of a brand like lululemon or Fila really make me look and feel more professional, and so far I’m loving trying a new brand!
While we’re talking workout clothes, let’s talk workouts! …been working out anything good lately? I always love to hear if you try a good circuit or something new to you. If you’re not sure where to start but want to release the animal within, check out Lindsay‘s compilation of moves from yesterday’s Tuesday Trainer!
It’s all about animalistic moves and is a HIIT (high intensity interval training)-style workout guaranteed to get your heart pumping and your muscles burning. Here’s the video (in my Fila gear, again – I tend to over-wear things! 
) that I submitted:
By means of another update, Mikey got into grad school yesterday! While we were hoping this would happen and felt some level of confidence about his interview, it’s still a nervous unknown in the waiting time, but yesterday he got the news that he’s in! That means after our summer of Survive & Thrive trips he’ll be a student again pursuing Community Health Sciences in September. Wahoo! We are so thankful for God’s leading and direction in this way in our lives and trust that he will now provide the means for us to afford the schooling and juggle this new phase of life.
We celebrated well with our small group last night (which meets every Tuesday for good food and good dialogue) on the actual “Fat Tuesday” or Mardi Gras! We nicknamed our group “Fat Tuesday” because we eat well and always have a good glass of wine and some dessert with our conversation, so it was fun to celebrate with food and friends on a special night. We brought a log cake from Dairy Queen (it’s our go-to celebratory cake) while Zeal made sauteed mushrooms, BBQ’ed pork, sweet potato fries and spaghetti squash; Ben and Christy supplied a spinach salad and Edith brought the wine. Emily made a festive dish – a king cake! Oh man was it ever delicious – like a giant cinnamon roll! It’s a traditional Mardi Gras dessert?
(source)
You’re supposed to hide a little baby Jesus figurine in the cake and whoever gets it makes the cake the following year. Emily didn’t have a little baby Jesus and her cake was so good…so we all agreed she could re-make it next year. No pictures from the night but good eats and peeps to make it a wonderful Tuesday.
Got any bits of news to share with me? Leave a comment and let’s talk about it! I’d love to hear if you celebrated Mardi Gras at all, what workout gear you’re loving and if you’ve had an experience in grad school…as a spouse and supporter, what should I prepare for?
Have a great Wednesday you guys! Live well & be well,
Bonnie
D5 Creation