Today has been so strange!!
No I didn’t miss my morning post from some wild hangover [I only had two beers last night guys!]
In fact, I was up at 5:45 to head to the GYM! Mr. Stormy, a blog reader, hosted me for "First Fridays" when you can bring a guest for free. Since he works out in the early morning, I had to meet him then!
I decided to take full advantage of my free pass in the doors and stay as long as I could. So knowing I’d be gone a while, I had a more substantial breakfast that would hold me over without taking too long to digest.
A thick slice of Nine Grain (thawed out from our stash of Great Harvest in the freezer yesterday) topped with TJ’s sunflower, a small banana, chia seeds and honey.
It was totally delicious and gone in less than 5 minutes!
Here’s the fancy gym. It’s one of only a few gyms in town. The location is right downtown, the gym itself is REALLY nice, it’s got everything you could ever want: a pool, nice locker rooms, two yoga studios, spinning, Body Pump (which I have never tried!)
And a rooftop pool!
The catch is it’s pretty expensive and has a hefty initiation fee too. I’m used to my $25/mo membership at the YMCA that allowed me to join for free!
So here’s how my morning went:
- 5:45-6:30 – Wake up, get ready and eat breakfast
- 6:45 – Drive to the gym (if it had been light out or if I had had company, I totally would have biked because it’s only 2.5 miles away and very convenient! Next time..)
- 7-7:15 – Chat with Stormy!
- 7:15-8:15 – Multi-Level Yoga. The class was just OK. Very calming. I didn’t even break a sweat and was actually covered in goosebumps during savasana! Someone told her to turn down the heat. There is nothing wrong with being a little warm during exercise! I don’t get why people are afraid of it. The class was still a nice way to begin
- 8:20-9:10 – I did a little ellipticaling with BH&G and tested out the weights
- 9:10-9:15 – Debated going home. Debated staying for 10AM Body Pump. Realized there was a 9:15 Ashtanga Yoga class with a MAN instructor (I am partial to men)
- 9:15-10:45 – Decided to stay for yoga!! I’m SO glad I did because it was perhaps the best yoga class I have done in Charlottesville yet. My first Ashtanga class too! I would give the class an A- (Y2Yoga classes get A+s) and I really liked the teacher. ALSO – they have eye pillows scented with herbs! Not a lavendar towel, but since it’s not hot yoga, I don’t think I’d want a cold towel on my face! I find these a bit disturbing since I don’t think they get washed, but I love something covered my eyes for savasana so much that I’m willing to look beyond that a bit.
- 10:45 – Met with member services. Was able to get him to knock down the initiation fee to less than $100 distributed over a year.
- 11 – Joined the gym!
I joined 60% for the yoga, 10% for spinning, 10% for the pool, and 20% for an indoor option in rainy and cold weather. The monthly cost is high, but exercise is super important and I was itching for a bit more variety, esp. with all the rain. I’m happy!
I decided that 11AM would be a great time to get a fancy coffee drink – Pumpkin Spiced!
I like Cappuccinos the most, so I got a Tall cap with 1 squirt of pumpkin spice. That was plenty sweet enough! I was disappointed, however, that this coffee weighed about 1 ounce! I am so not a fancy coffee patron that I have no idea how to order at Starbucks. I can never remember what is what! I needed more liquid in my cup.
So I took advantage of all my leftover foam and brewed a cup of coffee when I got him. Perfect!
I was shocked that my 2/3 normal size breakfast held me over for SO long today. I do think that activity masks appetite, so perhaps it was because I was doing physical stuff for a long time. And the coffee with milk helped tide me over.
But lunch at 1PM was more than welcome!
I took some baby chard from our garden and some fresh tomato and on top, I piled leftover millet mashed with canned pumpkin, a few navy beans and cinnamon (heated) and topped all of that with a delicious runny egg:
Served with lemon seltzer
And now I am going to the grocery store to buy all of the ingredients for a weekend party!
Matt’s making crackers and I can smell them in the oven! I am sad he baked them without sharing a piece of dough. Their dough is awesome.
Tonight is the First Friday Art Gallery Crawl! Can’t wait!
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
Wow, that did hold you over a long time, crikey!! I believe exercise kills the appetite though, for sure.
Looks like you made the most of your gym!! What a great way to spend a morning 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
YUM! your lunch looks great (as always!) and the rooftop pool? i could get used to that 🙂
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Wow good for you for getting in such an awesome workout at the gym starting so early this AM! I am SO jealous of the rooftop pool. That’s amazing!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please says
Glad you found a gym that you like! The rooftop pool looks SWEET!
Steph@stephsbitebybite says
Wow! What an eventful morning you had!! The gym sounds awesome! Glad you finally found a place to get your workout on.
Ah, runny eggs are my weak spot!
Amy K. @ onehealthypeanut says
That is one of my favorite breakfasts and I ALWAYS eat it way too fast, it is so tasty!! Definitely give Body Pump a try but be prepared to be sore for the rest of the week!
Marieke says
Yeah body pump is so good. I really recommend it especially if you don’t like resitance training, or if you get bored doing a routine on your own. I pay about £50 per month for my fancy gym and it’s so worth it ( I think that is about $80 just now, depending on the currency rate). I mainly use it for classes, but the jacuzzi, steam room and pool are great too!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
Rooftop pool?! So jealous.
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
What a beautiful gym! I love the pool on the rooftop! So did just you join or did Matt as well?
I’m super jealous because I’ve wanted to try Bodypump and I can’t find it offered near me!
Runny eggs are the best 🙂
Kath says
Just me! We can’t afford two memberships and he’s not as into fitness and group exercise.
shannon (the daily balance) says
i am so envious of your runny egg! I have missed having mine each morning – stupid pregnancy precaution! humph 😉
Erin says
Pretty lunch but I’m amazed you made it that long between meals. I know exercises surpresses some people’s appetites but it definitely revs mine up!
Shannon @ ABetterMe says
I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte! It is sweeter than I normally drink (actually usually don’t even put sugar in my coffee) but since it’s seasonal…I just indulge & enjoy it! The gym is awesome! Looks like beautiful weather there today too! 🙂
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
I love when a gym has lots of good yoga classes because it’s SO much cheaper to have a yoga studio in a gym then to be members of both.
Yoga studios ALONE are more expensive than gyms.
Heather @ Side of Sneakers says
Rooftop pool?! Sign me up please!!!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Dang, that club looks so nice! Glad you found what you were looking for! Lunch looks amazing! Enjoy the rest of your afternoon!
KathyP says
I took my 1st Body Pump class Sept 8th and I’ve gone each Wednesday since. It’s really a great class and since you are working out so many different muscle groups in 1 hour, it goes by in a flash. I highly recommend it. Go easy on the weight the 1st time…the following days can be painful.
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
I belong to the YMCA…but my fee is still $65/mo. It WAS $45/mo when I was still considered a young adult (18-25), but when I turned 26 it went up $20.
Apparently you are an old woman when you turn 26, and I am not 28. Sadness.
I feel like a real idiot though, as I pay all of that and I haven’t been able to get myself to go in a while. I just haven’t felt like being indoors, trapped, stuck to an elliptical. I keep thinking I should just switch to a 24 hour fitness, as it would be $40 cheaper. Problem is, I like the environment of the YMCA. No cruising. No judgement. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is encouraged.
I guess I just need to get my butt in gear and go to the gym more so I feel like I get my money’s worth! =P
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
Obviously, that should be “I am now 28”.
Guess this old woman needs to put on her glasses. Sigh.
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Lovely lunch photos!
I’m diggin’ the rooftop pool! That’s going to come in handy during the hot summer months 🙂
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
Ooh, nice gym. Sometimes paying more is worth it, especially if it’s something that is really important to you. I hope you enjoy going and get your money’s worth out of it.
I find that exercise surpresses my appitite while I’m working out but 10 minutes after I’m done it soon catches up with me and I’m starving!
Tina says
Holy cow that was a long time at the gym! Sounds like it was worth it though. And you can always finagle better deals at gyms. Glad you scored one!
Jamie @ Food in Real Life says
What a wonderful and active morning! Good for you! I wish my gym had Body Pump. That pool looks awesome too.
I just to go to the gym all the time, but now I much prefer running outdoors. Still though- its so nice to have an indoor option.
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
what a cool gym – love rooftop pools
Tammy says
yum Cappuccino… you can order one at Starbucks as a “wet cappuccino” then it will have more milk — or “dry” if you want more foam — 🙂
Allison K says
I was going to say the same thing! I used to work at Starbucks and we had a customer who LOOOOOOVED foam. She would order a “bone dry” cap. She wanted like 2/3 foam.
S @ extremebalance.net/blog says
If you’re going to go bone dry, my experience is that it’s better to order an espresso macchiato with extra foam–it’s *the* best way to get them dry, and it’s lots cheaper, too. When I read this, I thought “man. Mine are always too heavy–lucky Kath!” 🙂
La. says
I worked there too! You could always order an extra foamy latte as well.
Kristy@ KristyRuns.com says
That rooftop pool is amazing. If I just saw that It’d be sold!!! Especially if it’s heated. 🙂 Sounds like a fun morning!
Angela says
You may want to try a caffe misto next time. It has more milk than a cappuccino but less than a latte!
Anne @ Your Kind of Salad says
I love cappuccinos in restaurants but not from Starbies! I’m with you; I need more drink in my cup! My drink at Starbucks? NonFat MISTO (they make a latte but use coffee instead of espresso; tastes the same (especially if you ask for it made with BOLD, but is way less expensive and you get a full cup o’ coffee!) Enjoy!
Laura says
I’m with you on the Misto! I used to work at S-bux as well and learned there that cappuccinos are SUPPOSED to be really light, because they’re mostly foam, and that’s how you know if it’s a cappuccino or a latte. But mistos, which are half coffee, half steamed milk, are way cheaper and taste great with a pump of pumpkin spice!
cyndie says
Your cappuccino was probably really light because it had too much foam. I always order my drinks really wet…or if the barista doesn’t go by that terminology, just ask for no foam! (unless you like foam…I’d rather have more of a beverage than air though.)
first time commenting 😉
Jenna says
A cappuccino with very little or no foam is called a LATTE. Just FYI :). So just order a latte if you don’t want less foam.
Jenna says
A cappuccino with very little or no foam is called a LATTE. Just FYI :). So just order a latte .
cyndie says
sorry for the confusion, I do get lattes! I usually order a soy latte but still have to order with no foam. 🙂
kate says
The rooftop pool is amazing!
wendy sue says
I did the member guest (as a guest) challenge at ACAC in august and I loved it! There is an awesome athletic conditioning class sat mornings. Would join but can’t justify the price since work provides a member to UVA fitness facilities.
Beth @ swimbikerundc.blogspot.com says
That gym looks amazing! I can see how you’d be occupied for hours there.
oh, Mincers! I miss Charlottesville! I hope you are enjoying it!
Runeatrepeat says
I love foam too, but sometimes don’t get enough coffee in a capp. A capp is normally half espresso/milk and half foam, which is barely any liquid in a tall size. A latte is more milk with a dollup of foam. I order a latte with extra foam. That’ll do ya 🙂
Kim says
i get up most mornings at 5 and hit the gym by 5:30, but never have I been able to stay that long! what a productive day you’ve had! 🙂
Rachel says
Congrats on your first Ashtanga yoga class! I’ve been practicing yoga for a long time and I’ve settled on Ashtanga on the practice that best suits me. I love practicing Mysore style Ashtanga (the primary series without direction from a teacher) on my own at home since I don’t have access to a studio right now.
Great blog! I love your breakfast style!
Lynda says
Hi Kath! I’ve been reading healthy living blogs for a while and recently stumbled onto yours. I was so surprised to learn that you live in cville because I’m also currently living in cville as an uva undergrad 🙂 I look forward to reading more from you. It’s so nice to have someone to follow locally.
Kath says
Hey! Nice to meet you!
Laura says
Bet ya never expected you’d end up joining! Sounds amazing though and the pool looks espescially spectacular!!
Maryann says
Your gym sounds so nice! and I would definitely take advantage of the roof top pool…and the body pump!! love body pump, you must try it!
Carlee says
I used to belong to a very fancy-schmany gym when I lived in Toronto. Since I have moved I joined the local gym at the end of my street. I was build in 1985 and has the tacky decor to prove it. But, the reality is that all I really use are the dumb bells most of the time and occasionally the elliptical machine so I don’t need all the fancy stuff. And it is so close to my house I don’t even have to shower there – I can go home and use my own shower. Always a bonus. Plus, I have the added advantage of having my company pay for half of my membership fees as part of a fitness motivation program. I think I paid only $260 for my 14 month memberships. Pretty sweet…even if the gym is a little ghetto retro.
Simply Life says
Sounds like a great day so far!
Izzyy says
(Starbucks barista over here!)
Try ordering a “wet” cappuccino. Cappuccinos are, traditionally, meant to be 1/2 foam and about 1/2 (or less) liquid. Wet just means they add more liquid. Conversly, a “dry” cappuccino would be more foam. “Bone dry” would be JUST foam.
OR you could just order an “Extra foamy latte”. All depending on how much foam you’re feeling for the day! 🙂
izzyy
xoxo
Andrea (@ Puppy Dog Tales) says
Oh, that gym sounds fabulous. The yoga classes sound great. I really need to start doing more yoga now that it’s getting cooler out!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Usually I’ll order either a misto (half coffee, half steamed milk) or a latte with extra foam. Cappacunios just never have enough liquid!!
barefootgirl says
That pool looks amazing!! Congrats on joining! I’m glad that you were able to talk down the initiation fee…. some of them seem so ridiculous !!
Katie says
Fitness is usually worth the cost, plus, all those options!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Congratulations on finding a gym worth joining! Have fun at your weekend party. Will you be hosting any dinner parties soon? Your get togethers (before your move)with all your friends chipping in with food were always so fun to read about!
Mama Pea says
Mr. Stormy. Geesh, what is it with people and their fake names?! 😉
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
you spent the entire morning at the gym- must have been an awesome place 🙂 I’m jealous of the two yoga studios..that’s really awesome!! Oh, and of the Body Pump class. I desperately miss it. :/
Heidi says
Joining a great gym, even though they are usually expensive, is such a great investment. I find myself using the gym (and enjoying it) so much more now that I upgraded. As long as you use it, it is so worth it! Congrats on the new gym, can’t wait to see how you like Body Pump.
Ashley says
Hi Kath! You should order a Tall latte instead if you want more liquid and make it a double for a stronger flavor like a capp. You can check out my post on how to save calories at Sbux on my blog. It also gives order tips!
Try ordering this next time: double tall non-fat 1 pump pumpkin spice latte, no whip.
Hope this helps!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
you got your money’s worth on the free pass! Sounds like a fabulous gym.Enjoy 🙂
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
omg that sounds like such an odd lunch combo but it looks FANTASTIC!!! that’s great that you joined – have you done much spinning before? i’m not just saying this because i’m an instructor, but it’s grrrrreeeatt!!! 😀
Kath says
Yup – I used to do it 3 times a week after my foot surgery!
MSWR says
At my regular yoga studio, they have a box of Kleenex so we can use tissue to create a barrier between our eyes and the eye pillows. Dunno if it actually keeps my eyelids clean, but it makes me feel better about using communal eye pillows!
Char says
Your meals and photos are always so vibrant 😀
xoxo
Katie @ peacebeme says
The definition of a cappaccino is mostly foam. If you want one with more coffee, ask for it “wet”. 🙂
Tiffany (Stuffed with Fluff) says
That rooftop pool looks amazing. I’m so jealous, and it’s great that you found a gym with decent yoga classes =)
Lindsey says
It breaks my heart to see your coffee cup on the corner- I spent many a day there while I was a student at UVA! You will love Charlottesville this time of year.
stacey-healthylife says
Wow you go girl. What a long time at the gym. But sometimes you just feel it and enjoy the time.
Kath says
So many smart coffee experts!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Way to go you haggling girl! My husband is so good at always shmoozing his way into getting a deal at something. I’m not sure how he does it, but it seems as if you have that gift too!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That gym sounds awesome!!
Your lunch looks so good. And I definitely think being preoccupied masks hunger; when I have time to think about it, I am hungry right on time, but if I am busy, I could easily go with eating just once a day and not even notice!
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
MMM love runny eggs. Yours looks like it’s the perfect amount of runny too. 🙂
Katie says
Kath, thanks so much for sharing your food and nutrition creativity. I love getting ideas from your blog : ) Have a great weekend!
Heather says
yay for joining the gym! that rooftop pool looks so cool!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
That gym sounds worth the cost! An outdoor pool will be SO nice during the summers!
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous says
I went to the Vermont Country Store today and saw Biscoff spread and Crofter’s and naturally I thought of you 🙂
hemp jogger says
yay! you’ll really enjoy acac. amenities are really worth it (i think), and if you are ever looking for a change/out that way, the albemarle square location is pretty awesome, too. different teachers and more cardio equipment, w/ personal tvs. once i move, i’ll probably catch ya in there 🙂
enjoy your party!
hemp jogger says
sheesh, didnt mean to use ‘really’ so much. vocab much?!
megan says
I’ve been reading your blog for a few weeks. It’s all very interesting, and the majority of your recipes sound delish! What I wonder though, is how much you spend a month on food? Where I am from we call Whole Foods “Whole Paycheck”.
Kath says
We’ve been spending $200 a month on groceries for almost 2 years. (Keep in mind my lifestyle is different than most). Increasing that to $250 now that we’re here in Charlottesville and buying more local food. And that doesn’t include going out to dinner, which we are doing a bit more now too.
citygirl says
forgive the ? but how is your lifestyle different than most?
Kath says
I just mean that I get a lot of free food through the blog and my husband works at a bakery, so our bread was also free. So $200/mo isn’t all inclusive.
Hannah says
Oooh, just twenty minutes ago I got a millet dish out of the freezer to have for my dinner tonight! Clearly I was channelling you again!
Natalie says
I think it’s a wise decision to join a gym that you really like, even if it’s more expensive than you want to pay. If the classes are good and there are tons of options, you’ll for sure get your money’s worth.
Jess says
Your gym sounds fab! I joined a new gym earlier this year just for the classes – lately I’ve been getting my share of spin and Body Pump and it’s fun to mix things up. That lunch looks great too. 🙂
<3 your blog so much!
Jessica @ The Process of Healing says
Wow what an active morning!
Laughter-Loving Stacy says
What you want at starbucks is a WET Cappachino. when you say that, it means you want a bit more milk than foam.
As a chick that worked at Sbux for 5 years, I recommend trying a “tall pumpkin spice with room Americano”. Americano’s are just hot water and espresso, tall sizes have two shots of espresso in them, and if you add pumpkin spice and ask for room so you can put a little cream in it- it saves money, calories and both the pumpkin and coffee flavors are stronger. 🙂
<3
allyson says
Hi, i have been reading your blog for awhile, i totally love it, follow recipes and all. But the one question I have is, how do you have time to make breakfast and actually eat it on a workday???? Who has time to make all that and actually sit down and eat it, i dont get it. We (me and the hus) get up at 530 so i guess thats 1/2 the prob, but if you have any suggestions on how to make and eat a complete breakfast before leaving for work i love it?? (I know maybe getting out of bed earlier/not hitting snooze)
Kath says
These days I have more time in the mornings to cook, but during my internship I had to leave the house at 6:15AM at times and still managed to eat a nice breakfast (and blog about it!) everyday. It’s just a matter of making the choice to get up 15 minutes earlier to do so. You can do it!!
Heidi - apples under my bed says
I love my gym. Luckily it isnt too expensive. BUT even if it were expensive, I would still be a member. I imagine it would be particularly important in the US, with dramatic season changes and all (which we dont have here in Aus). How would you run outside in winter? Does it snow?
p.s. i love the look of your lunch. A gooey egg yolk is the best. Love the idea of it over millet (I usually have it over mince, beans and rice)
Heidi xo
Kath says
It does snow some, and it’s pretty hard to run in that, but for the rest of the winter I just run outside
Running Blog says
5.45 to go to the gym!? I wish i had your motivation…if I manage to get to the gym at all during the day it is a big achievement for me lol.
Andrea [bella eats] says
You’ve discovered John! His Ashtanga classes are great, as are Matt’s (Wednesday nights). I knew you’d like Ashtanga! John has class on Sunday mornings as well…
The membership fee is totally worth it for the yoga…that’s what made my decision to join too!
rachael says
So glad you liked Ashtanga! Ashtanga started my love affair with yoga, and will always hole a special place in my heart.