Sarah John Fitness/virutalates Archives

I’ve finally started an exercise routine. Every fall when I return to Boston, I vow I will not be deterred by the overabundance of work. I make plans with friends to walk on the Esplanade around the Charles River, lift my pretty chartreuse weights every afternoon, and stretch out diligently at night. I even joined a gym before I left for the summer—David Barton—but it’s not opening until January. Spurred by the need to eat better too, I’ve pulled together over a dozen recipes of gorgeous fruity breakfast smoothies for today’s Foodie Friday post.

A few weeks ago on Facebook, I spotted a childhood friend of my husband’s, Sarah John, touting her exercise program for long, feminine muscles. Commenting that yes, I definitely wanted those, she encouraged me to sign up for her workout sessions via Skype, SarahJohnFitness. I took her up on it. We set a time, I downloaded the newest version of Skype, added SarahJohnFitness to the address book, bought a yoga mat, cleared a spot in the living room, and yes, I worked out. (You can find Sarah, of the long, lean muscles, on FB at Sarah John Fitness/virutalates —you won’t believe she just had her 3rd baby!)

I have my fourth session this morning. It’s getting easier. While I generally detest exercise, I like the core-centric, floor barre exercises, which are reminiscent of my dance class days in college, but way harder. I did Core Fusion at Exhale regularly, about five years ago, but didn’t keep it up. This is similar and takes a lot less time, seeing how I don’t have to leave my house. Plus, the sessions are only 30 minutes and private. Sarah says I’ll be able to join the longer group sessions soon; we shall see. My tummy is feeling a bit tighter.

I need to stop my morning chocolate habit. And afternoon chocolate habit. I’ve been attempting a more disciplined approach to eating, though that leads me to eat more somehow. Since I love smoothies, and like yogurt in the morning, I thought I’d consider concocting smoothies. Seems like a lot of effort, but they look delicious. Here are recipes for 15 fruity breakfast smoothies.