There was a shark at the beach on Saturday!
The high of my week was going to a new HIIT class on Tuesday evening. My mom and I usually go to a different workout class on Tuesday evenings, but our regular trainer wasn’t going to be there so we decided to try this HIIT class instead. It was with a trainer I worked with in one other class, and he was very intense, so I haven’t been too keen on going to his HIIT class. And man, it was hard. The HIIT class we normally go to has 8 stations and we do 3 rounds of one exercise at each station. This one had 6 stations but with 4 rounds of two different exercises at each station (so essentially, 8 rounds in total for each station). There was a point in the workout where I thought I was going to throw up because my heart was beating so fast! I wanted to die during the workout and at the end of my class, my mom and I were like, “So, same time next week?” HA. (Also, the trainer was incredibly nice and accommodating! He wasn’t as intense as I had thought.)
The low of my week was lower back pain. While my sciatica isn’t as bad as it was earlier this year, I am starting to have the pain again. I need to start icing my back again and doing some stretches. I had a lot of pain during my Tuesday evening HIIT class and it really impacted how much of the movements I was able to do. I’ve been thinking about buying a back brace for my HIIT classes to provide a little more support for my back—it would also probably help my form during certain movements. One of the women in my Wednesday evening HIIT class wears one, and I really want to ask her about it (but I’m shyyyy).
I’m currently reading two books. I’m listening to What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall on audio (the narrator is terrible, but I’m powering through). And I just started The Housemaid by Freida McFadden in print!
A Reel I enjoyed was this very funny dog video that my mom sent me. Please enjoy!
A podcast episode I enjoyed was Real Life Homes on The Girl Next Door podcast. I love when Kelsey and Erica talk about the most mundane details of their life, and this one fit the bill as they talked about how they really live in their homes—like, where do they eat their meals and what spaces do they spend the most time in? At the end of the episode, they played a game of “Where do you keep that?” which I loved so much that I took notes so I can do my own version on the blog.
The best money I spent this week was $9 on a new can opener. How exciting! My can opener bit the dust this week and I immediately purchased a new one because that’s a “can’t live without” kitchen tool for me.
My plans this weekend include not much! I have a writing date with Mikaela on Saturday morning and a workout with Mom on Sunday morning, and that’s about it. But it’s also OLYMPICS WEEKEND! I will be spending a lot of time parked on my couch, watching athletes do seemingly impossible feats over and over again.
That shark photo is so cute! I encourage you to ask the woman at the class about her back brace. Just think, if you tried it and it helped, how pleased you would be to be asked, and could tell someone else about it!
I need to just muster up the courage! I can do it!!
I’m jazzed about the Olympics starting today so like you I’m watching some this weekend. Don’t care which sport, just something positive to see. Reading a real book! Aren’t you going retro? I like the idea of, and am looking forward to, the game of “Where do you keep that?” You’ve been around blogland for a long time so you might remember playing “Show me what’s inside your purse” which was a hoot and a half!
I do remember the “What’s In My Purse” posts. I did one a few years ago, in fact. I should do another one and make everyone repeat the trend, haha.
I’m super pumped about the Olympics, especially since they are in France!!! I’m a Paris enthusiast as you know. I so wish I could have gone, but that is just not possible in this stage of life with young kids.
I would definitely work up the courage to ask. Or would your mom ask for you? Or you could ask the trainer?
It would be AMAZING to be in Paris for these Olympics. The Opening Ceremony with the Eiffel Tower all lit up was gorgeous – it’s probably even more beautiful in person!
Okay, so I THOUGHT THERE WAS AN ACUTAL SHARK AT THE BEACH AND I WAS STRESSED. For real, Stephany. FOR REAL. I did not get the shark bit until I looked at the picture a second time when I came back to comment. Ha. That tells you how I feel about sharks (and jellyfish) for that matter. No thank you! But in this case, what an adorable “shark.”
I’d also be nervous to ask some stranger about their back brace, but I bet she’d love to share the info! I know I would if someone asked! Good for you for going to the HIIT classes. It’s hard work, and I’m really proud of you and your mom for keeping on going. That’s amazing.
HAHA – I would have run SCREAMING if there was an actual shark. Nope. Just a cute lil pretend shark. 😉
I’m sure she would love to tell me all about her back brace! I just need to muster up some courage to ask.
Cutest shark everrrrrrrrr!
My husband has a back brace and occasionally I borrow it to work out and it is really helpful! So I hope you find one you like because it could make a big difference.
I just started The Housemaid too! Book twinsies!!!! I am so excited for it because I have heard such good things for years. Right now it is giving me The Turn of the Key vibes but I just started.
I’m glad to hear that the brace is helpful for you! I think I am going to get one to see how it helps with HIIT classes.
Ooh, I finished The Housemaid SO FAST. Lol. I understand the hype!
I hope that getting a brace will help you with your lower back pain. I’ve been adding dead bugs to my routine, and it’s hard on the lower back, which I didn’t really expect. We don’t want anything to slow us down when we’re trying to stay motivated in our workouts, but at the same time, and injury would stop you in your tracks, so should be avoided for sure. Good luck. <3
I'm loving watching the Olympics this afternoon. I'm watching alone, via Peacock app, so just watching what I want, which is hours and hours of horses. YAY! Horses!
I’ve been watching the Primetime programming on Peacock but tomorrow I’ll probably turn on the men’s gymnastics since I won’t be home at night to watch it. It’s been so good so far!
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am that you talk about how hard the new HIIT class was and then both you and your mom decided “same time next week?”… Haha. You’re clearly up for more challenges! I love it.
I am not loving the back pain, but I agree, icing and stretching will probably be good!
We really love these HIIT classes for some strange reason. I’m not going to question it!
Yes, I also liked that Girl Next Door episode! And it would be a good blog post. It’s strangely fascinating to hear all these details of people’s lives.
The woman in your class would probably be so happy to tell you about her back brace! When people find something that works for them, they’re usually eager to talk about it.
And, the Olympics!!! So much fun, although watching the gymnastics makes me incredibly nervous. I especially feel like I’m going to have a heart attack every time I watch someone do a balance beam routine. But, I also love it- it’s incredible what these athletes can do.
Haha – they keep showing the heart rate of different parents in the stands and I’m like, “SAME!” my heart rate is UP during these routines. Haha.
I keep trying to remind myself that the girl probably would LOVE to talk about the brace. I just need to be brave!
We need an update! Did you ask her? Did you just order a belt without asking? (That is what I would have done, lol.)
Also, you are rocking these workouts! I hope you realize just *how different* your posts are from even a year ago. <3
I didn’t ask her but I did find an FSA-approved back brace that I bought and used in my last HIIT class. It helped SOOOO much!
I am so so late in catching up…
Hope you back feels better by now. Have you found course to ask the lady in your class about that belt.
I’ve already read that post where do you keep that and it was so fun.