Happy Birthday To Me....Great Friday workout

Today has been a great day. For several reasons actually, because 1. it was the day God blessed my parents with my life 34 years ago :) and 2. because I had a ROCK'N workout tonight. It was actually really nice going to the gym and hearing a warm "Happy Birthday" from the counter :) That and all the love and sweet well wishes that had my facebook page blowing up. It was soo sweet. Hubby got me some nice flowers and cards, all around. (He's taking me wine tasting tomorrow!!) We wrapped up tonight with dinner with my parents. Which is really special to me, because my mom is such a fantastic cook. She knows all my favorites! She's from Italy, how can her cooking be anything less than stellar? It was a lot of work in the end, but I know she did it with so much love and care, that I could taste it in every bite. Yummm!! Except for....it was my first day of buffing and of course my diet went out the window (for dinner at least) I'm finding that having carbs + protein an hour and a half before my workout really makes a HUGE difference!! So here's what I did tonight, it was awesome.

10 minute warm up on the elliptical

Dumbbell Squats

15lbs x 15

17.5lbs x 15

20lbs x 15

Calf Raises

60lbs x 10

17.5lbs x 10 - decided to switch to dumbbells instead of the machine

20lbs x 10

Stationary Lunges

15lbs x 10

17.5lbs x 10

20lbs x 10

Deadlifts

15lbs x 15

17.5lbs x 15

20lbs x 15

Crunches (decline)

o x 15

0 x 15

0 x 15

Standing Leg Lifts

15lbs x 15

17.5lbs x 15

20lbs x 15

Glute Master (butt machine)

50lbs x 15

60lbs x 15

70lbs x 15

Roman Chair Leg Lifts

0 x 15

0 x 15

0 x 15

20 minutes HIIT on the stairmaster - this was SUPER hard after hitting my legs with such intensity.

Today was the first day I'm trying the Buffmother workout, but I decided to do it with weights, even though it advises against it for beginners. I don't really see myself as a beginner anymore. The lighter weights really gave me a chance to pay close attention to my form. And also the constant movement via the circuit really kept my heart rate up. I was pouring sweat by the time I left the gym. It was a great workout. I also put in a little extra because I knew I'd be eating birthday cake tonight. (not a lot) just enough to make me feel like I wasn't depriving myself of something I really enjoy. I was really mindful during dinner tonight too, trying to make sure that most of my plate was covered in greens and had substantial protein. Maybe too much. But it was my birthday...that's my excuse. :)