Hey there! Happy Friday. I've got a good little strength workout to share with you today. Ever since I started working as a trainer for the Thrive program, I've totally been sold on the effectiveness of total body, functional workouts. They're hard, practical, and most importantly - safe! Unless you're training for something like a race or competition, I totally believe that functional fitness is the best way to get you feeling good and looking good. It's so important that we do things inside the gym that make things outside the gym easier. That's functionality.  Anyway, just a few random thoughts about my first world life over here...

Firstly, always thinking and praying for all of those in Orlando who were affected and continue to keep all my family in my thoughts after finding out some scary news about my mother. Love is love is love is love is love is love!! And my mom is as strong as a horse so no worries, she's totally going to be fine. 

Bloodline is back and season 2 was SO intense!! If you don't watch Bloodline (it's a Netflix original series) please go do yourself a favor. It's set in the Florida Keys and the cast is SPOT ON. These people are straight up Florida Keys natives. OMG it's so good. I've also tried to get into Orange is the New Black, but I think this season stinks. 

Also in my spare time I've been trying to take advantage of the warm weather by doing unnecessary yoga poses on rocks and taking photos of it...

The Wissahickon Trail in Philadelphia is so wonderful. I had a morning off last week and took an hour stroll through the trail. Such a great way to start the day!

This past weekend was an awesome one, too. On Friday I taught a spin class at Body Cycle Studio, grabbed a beer at Rogue's Gallery with good company and then Michael took me out to my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Poquito. 

I worked Saturday morning, and then finally made it down to Spruce Street Harbour Park for the first time this Summer on Saturday night. Followed immediately by a trip to Big Ass Slices in Old City...

Yesterday we head down to Brigantine beach for a gorgeous day! Wishing I was still in this exact position...

And now because my mind is on beergaritas, Big Ass Slices and beer on the beach, let me just share this workout to help reverse the effects of beer...

Total Body Dumbbell Workout

This workout is a great way to work on your functional strength while keeping your heart rate up the entire time. If you can't tell, circuit style training is my favorite way to train - mostly because you can get in an awesome workout in less time and work your entire body. 

Here's a video of the exercises:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yL6CjJU36vM[/embed]

Make sure on every single exercise that you keep your core tight for proper alignment! Especially on the shoulder presses and front squats. You'll avoid low back pain by keeping your back flat the whole time. Try to make rest periods short and keep moving! You can also modify the mountain climbers by slowing them down. You can also modify the ploy lunge into a reverse lunge, just take out the jump. 

Enjoy and have a great week! It's the first day of Summer, YAY!

XO- Rach

Did you have a nice weekend?

Any summer plans coming up?

Favorite Netflix shows at the moment?

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend? Mine was spent in Ocean City, MD with Michael and some of his family. I was really excited since I had not been before and I was seriously craving some beach time. It's been too long! We arrived on Friday just in time for the beautiful sunset. On Saturday we woke up late, had some eggs and bacon and headed out to the beach around noon. We didn't leave until 7. It was perfect! I don't think I really moved from my beach chair that whole time and that's exactly what I wanted to do. Because Saturday consisted mainly of sitting, I woke up earlier on Sunday morning to get in a run before going to the beach once more. I ended up doing 5 flat, sweaty miles. After refueling with some breakfast, we all headed back down to the beach again for a few hours.

Michael and I wanted to hit the road around 6, so we went for an early dinner at the Crab Bag. It was really fun and really messy. I kind of wish I could eat on a big paper table cloth with my hands all the time. Lady like?

Another highlight of the weekend: finishing this 1,000 piece puzzle. I've decided that I really enjoy puzzles and need to buy some for my apartment. They definitely increase concentration and alertness. I'm all for games that are good for the brain! We've been playing Bananagrams at work when we can't focus and it really does help!

Another random thought - how cute is this romper? I got it from Loft for half off! It's super comfortable and I love that it can easily be dressed up. Find it here.

- Rach

What's your favorite weekend getaway? 

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter/Passover weekend! I was able to go home to spend Passover with my family, which is something that I haven't done in a long time! School has always been too busy at this time. This weekend was special because my grandparents held the seder on Friday night and it was also their 51st wedding anniversary on Sunday...and they had NO idea I was coming home! It was such a fun surprise. I love surprises. Instead of writing about it I'll just share a bunch of pictures! I got home Thursday night and had dinner downtown with my dad and sister. My dad just moved into a new condo downtown that is right on the river and beautiful! Going home is vacation more than anything!

Friday consisted of a strength class at the gym I used to go to at home and then I hit the beach with my sister and mom. It was GORGEOUS. Man, I miss the beach here.

Friday night we made it over to my grandparents place for Passover and they were definitely surprised!

Our seder was nice, can never go wrong with matzoh ball soup and Manischewitz - a kosher wine that tastes like straight up grape juice if you are not familiar. Delicious, but a recipe for a wicked hangover if more than eight ounces is consumed.

Saturday morning I did an aerobic step class with my mom - HARD. The choreography was wild and it left me drenched. Step is underrated these days! It's so fun and such a good workout. Saturday we grilled chicken & steak, made garlic bread, salad and other munchies for a little anniversary party for my grandparents. Whenever I go home it entails a lot of food and a lot of family time! All things I love.

It was a fun and super relaxing weekend! We also made an amazing cocktail Saturday night and I will share the recipe in a future post :)

I look forward to a little more down time after graduation!

How did you spend your weekend? Family? Food? Sun?