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Eat, Lift & Be Married

healthy recipes, fitness tips, wedding inspiration, and adventures in married life

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Hi, my name is Paula Dubovoy and I am so glad that you are visiting my site. I have a passion for fitness and event planning and would love to help you feel AND look great for your big day! Crash diets and extreme workouts are not an option- I'm all about helping you live a healthy and balanced life. I'd love to hear from you!

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SHE SAID YES! Not only has @smarik2001 been my coworker for the past year and a half, but she’s also become one of my best friends. I’m so grateful to share an office and see you almost every day, and especially grateful to celebrate your birthday together! Cheers to you, and to another year of spontaneous handstands, açaí bowls, shopping sprees, tequila shots, dancing, and you giving me endless advice that I don’t always listen to right away... but should. And cheers to a lifetime (of drinking wine) together!

A salad.... for breakfast?! Hear me out! (spoiler alert: there’s bacon) Leave it to my mom and me last weekend to make a breakfast salad. 🤤 We have salads at lunch and dinner — why not make a breakfast version to compliment all the sweets at your next brunch! Recipe: 1. Cook bacon on a skillet and cut into small pieces. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, mix 3 TBS olive oil, 2 TBS balsamic vinegar, and 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Place 8 ounces of spinach in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat evenly. 4. Top with fresh tomatoes, bacon and chopped hard boiled eggs. PS. Can you tell I’m missing my mom’s cooking?!

Pull-ups are BAAAAAACKKK (literally) . Fun fact: if you’ve been following me since I ruptured my Achilles in January, you know I was working hella hard on my pull-ups after my surgery. Then April comes around and the bridesmaid dress that I had gotten measured for in December comes (pre-surgery, when I was doing lots and lots of running). Welllll needless to say after 3 months of zero cardio and all the pull-ups/upper body workouts, the dress just would not zip over my lats! I immediately stopped doing pull-ups, focused more on cardio based workouts, and fit in my dress last weekend. 🙌🏼 But now, bring on the pull-ups and bring on the lats because #strongissexy.

Thirsty Thursdayyyy 💦 I might be biased, but I’ve got a pretty cute drinking buddy... who’s yours? Tag your fav drinking buddy below! Whether it’s for water, wine, tequila... you know I don’t judge! At LinkedIn, we have a catchy little phrase when it comes to hydration. “If you pollute, you must dilute.” Drink your wine, but drink your water too. Aim for half your bodyweight in ounces (of water... not wine) and start today! It may feel like a lot at first, but your body needs it and it will get easier!

Still running with the help of the Alter-G, but I forgot to share a different kind of milestone I hit on my 7 month surgiversary... dancing all night long WITHOUT DAS BOOT (in heels!) at @modo24’s wedding! BYE BYE BOOOOT 👋🏼

Cold pressed juice and handstands go HAND in HAND - no pun intended! Since I’m prioritizing low intensity workouts, nutrition, and sleep this week, I figured today was a perfect opportunity for a juice cleanse. What that looks like for me: Warm water and lemon first thing in the AM Celery juice Roots 1 (preworkout) Afternoon swim Citrus 1 (post workout/hydrating) and Strawberry Almond + 1 TBS chia seeds (protein, healthy fats) after my swim Greens 1 Greens 4 Raw veggies, hard boiled eggs and roasted almonds to snack on throughout the day. My intention behind doing a “juice cleanse” (which maybe mine doesn’t even technically count since I added in chia seeds, hard boiled eggs, raw veggies and almonds) is NOT weight loss, low calories, or punishment from an indulgent weekend. It’s NOT to feel hungry or deprived by the end of the day. It IS a way for me to have nutrient dense juices/foods and push the “reset” button after a weekend. My goal is to feel refreshed and content at the end of the day! 🌱🥒🥬🥕🍏

Can you believe that it is already week 3 of August?!Time is flying! I officially hit my 7 month post-op mark. Everyday I keep hoping and wishing and praying that TODAY IS THE DAY that I’ll nail my single leg calf raises and get cleared to run. But until that day, I’ll can still pose to look like I am! I am very grateful for the ability to walk and make a difference so I’m still logging my #racefortheplanet miles despite the fact I can’t run. Because what’s the point in dwelling on what you can’t do?? In addition to the miles I’m logging for @nature_org, I’ve also been challenging myself — and you — to commit to some thing(s) to better our planet this month. So far I’ve committed to using my reusable bottle for water, travel coffee mug, no plastic straws, eating less meat, and using reusable grocery bags. This week I’m going to eliminate using any disposable utensils + watch one documentary to expand my knowledge of the environment and sustainability. Are you in?! If not (yet!), I encourage you to pick ONE thing this you can do to impact our planet. Our little efforts add up to make a big difference, even if we don’t always see/feel it... just like I know my daily PT exercises are making an impact, even if I don’t see/feel the process yet! 🌎 💙🏃🏼‍♀️

No running? No problem! This week I will be taking a break from my usual high intensity/impact workouts (spin classes, stair master, F45, etc.). Instead, I will be focusing on low intensity cardio, prioritizing my sleep and eating clean. Why? So glad you asked! The concept of a deload / taper week is incorporated in most training cycles to let your body recover from previous workouts. By giving your body a chance to rest, you are setting yourself up to come back stronger and faster. This concept is actually V HARD for me to implement, but I know it’s what my body needs after a few weeks of high intensity workouts, busy days at work, and not enough sleep! My plan: At least 7 hours of sleep every night 1-2 yoga or Pilates classes 1-2 low intensity steady state swims PT exercises 100% clean eating — basically no processed sugars or packaged foods. I’ve got tomato soup, salmon + roasted veggies, and a @pressedjuicery juice cleanse planned for my meals this week. What’s your week look like?? Busy? Not busy? High mileage? Low intensity? I wanna hear how you’re planning ahead to set your week up for success! 💗

I’ve been running around this lake for YEARS — all the way back to training for the 2013 Chicago marathon (my first marathon!). Every time I’m back here, I run to it and run around it. But never once have I walked around it with my folks. Until today. Yes, I would have loved to run around it, but then this wouldn’t have happened. And this was just as good. #squintysmiles

Until I’m on the track running laps with my @runarete teammates, I’ll be swimming my laps in the pool! Working out is essentially putting our bodies into a state of stress — it’s a good kind of stress, but still a stressor. And when you add any other kinds of stress you have going on in your life (work, finance, relationships, etc.), it’s important to remember that we need B A L A N C E. Balance in nutrition: eat your pancakes and pizza, but make sure you’re still getting your veggies and healthy fats. Balance in rest: work hard and be focused while you’re awake, but don’t sacrifice the 7-8 hours of sleep your body needs. Balance in workouts: high intensity training is important, but there is such a thing as too much high intensity! Get your sweaty circuits and heavy weights in, but incorporate stretching, yoga and low intensity cardio into your routine too. I’ve been much more intentional lately about balance, specifically with my workouts. I love a good interval workout on the stair-master and my classes at @f45_training_northsunnyvale, but I’m realizing the benefits, both mentally AND physically, of slowing down. 1. Longer walks with Sydney - without my phone 2. Yoga and/or Pilates 3. Low intensity steady state cardio - like my swim this morning There is a lot of things in our life that we can’t control… so why not minimize stress of what we CAN control!

Sooo tomorrow I’ll be seeing my folks for the first time since Christmas. They are v anti-tattoo have no idea I got this after I ruptured my Achilles.... what would you do?? TELL THEM OR HIDE IT?!

When you really want something, you’ll find a way. When you don’t really want something, you’ll find an excuse. #mondaymotivation

Wooooo it’s been a minute since I’ve designed and done my own workout (thanks to @f45_training_northsunnyvale) — but when @jadexiaoyoga’s yoga class that I was planning on taking tonight got cancelled, making up my own was my only option. And it was too good not to share! Circuit 1: Lat pull down x 12 Straight arm pull down x 12 DB snatch R/L x 12 each Repeat 3X ➖ Circuit 2: Seated row x 12 DB row R/L x 12 each Cable face pull x 15 Tricep push down x 12 Repeat 3X ➖ Circuit 3 — vids in my story! High plank row + push-up x 12 KB swings x 15 Front + lateral raise x 8 each Rear delt fly x 12 ➖ Ended with an intenseeeee core circuit. Maybe I’ll share that one later this week?! I wanted to get through 3 rounds of core, but only made it through 2. Needless to say, I’ll be working on it until I get through not just 3 rounds... but 4!

How did you do for the first week of the “There is No Planet B” August challenge?? 🌎 I logged 7 charity miles for #racefortheplanet, made it an entire week of not eating meat, and used my @hydroflask for water. There are FOUR R’s we’re focusing on this month: Race for the Planet Reduce Reuse Recycle Recycling is important yes, but I’d say reusing and reducing are just as, if not more important! This upcoming week I’m going to be focusing on reusing and adding to my own challenge: 1. Use my own travel mug for coffees. 2. Wash and reuse ziplock bags and use tupperware containers/my @stasherbag for food storage and when traveling this weekend. 3. Keep a couple reusable grocery bags in my trunk for last minute errands. What are YOU committing to for next week??

Let’s spooooooon.👌🏼 My ideal Friday happy hour right here. Açaí dates with @smarik2001 to celebrate making it through a v busy/stressful week, letting go of the past, chatting about the present, and dreaming about the future. ✨ Ok, I wanna know... big spoon or little spoon?!

Blame it on my juice, blame it, blame it on my juice 🎶 Nothing like starting your Friday morning with a little @lizzobeeating and @pressedjuicery! These are my absolute fav pre and post workout juices right now. 😍 PRE WORKOUT — Roots 1: (beets, carrots, kale, spinach, parsley, cucs, celery, lemon, orange) Ever since reading the benefits of beets for endurance athletes in #runfasteatslow, I’m a big fan of beets pre workout - because I mean who doesn’t want to be like @shalaneflanagan?! (pssst check out her “cant beet me smoothie”). Drinking beetroot juice before a workout can boost performance, improve blood and oxygen flow to tired muscles, + increase endurance. The sugar and other carbohydrates in beets fuel your body with easily accessible calories for quick energy. Anddddd it’s delicious. POST WORKOUT — Strawberry Almond (strawbs, almonds, beets, coconut water) aka a perfect combo for rehydrating with the coconut water, boosting recovery with protein from the almonds, and depleting glycogen stores from the strawbs and beets. I drink about a quarter of the bottle, add a scoop of my favorite protein powder, and shake it all up it. Perf post-workout quickie. #pressedjuicery #brandambassador

Charging full speed ahead into AUGUST! This month I’m challenging you to start making small, but impactful decisions that will not only benefit you/your health, but also our planet. All you have to do is choose (at least) ONE habit per WEEK. I have about 30 ideas for you to choose from - here’s an example of some of them: Ways to REDUCE. REUSE. RECYCLE. ♻️ 1. Log charity miles for the Nature Conservatory - Athleta will donate $1/mile! 2. Ditch plastic bottles and use a water bottle. 3. Bring your own coffee mug to cafes. 4. Request no straw/use your own reusable straw. 5. Use Tupperware or @stasherbag instead of plastic ziplock bags. 6. Bring your own grocery bags to the store. 7. Buy sustainable fabric clothing. 8. Find a local garden to contribute to their compost pile. 9. Eat a plant-based meal. #meatlessmonday 10. Grocery shop prepared with a list to decrease risk of food going bad. 🌎💙💚 Click the link my bio for a complete list of ideas, and comment below whichever habit(s) you pledge to make this week! Tag a friend to do it with you!

IT’S 5’O GUAC SOMEWHERE AND NATIONAL AVOCADO DAY. 🥑 I love eating avocados. On toast. On tacos. On omelettes. In smoothies. I love floating on avocados and posing with avocados. I love all shapes and sizes of avocados. Fun facts: Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable, and contain the highest fiber content of any other fruit. If you want to slow the ripening process, store your avo in the fridge. If you want to speed it up, store it in a paper bag with a banana. Speaking of bananas, avocados have more potassium than one! Avocados lower bad (LDL) cholesterol. You can feed them to babies, but not to dogs! Nickname: alligator pear 🐊 🍐 What’s your favorite way to eat an avocado?!

August 1 is right around the corner, and we’re going to get the party started a little early! But first, can we please talk about these tights??! 👀 @athleta just released a new line of sustainable fabric activewear. Not only are they hella cute and comfortable, but they are made with recycled nylon and have already diverted enough scrap yarn from landfills to wrap around the planet.... 247x! WIN for us, WIN for the planet. My August challenge is designed around making small changes that can make a huge impact - on both our health AND the environment. I’ll be posting ways we can do this, and we’ll each choose at least one new habit per week to incorporate into our routine. Starting today, I’m challenging you to run to protect the planet. Athleta is donating $1 to @nature_.org for every mile we log now until 8/31. Im committing to 50 MILES in August... anti-gravity treadmill miles, dog-walking miles, and (fingers crossed) running miles. We can truly make a difference - through one mindful purchase, one intentional decision, and one mile at a time. Comment below if you’re in!! 🌎 💙

What I reaallllyy mean when I say, “I’m going to sit by the pool and relax for a couple of hours” is: Planned August challenge ✔️ Set monthly goals for the rest of the year ✔️ Listened to two podcasts ✔️ Painted my nails ✔️ 200 single leg calf raises in the pool ✔️ 25 single leg hops in the pool ✔️ Sitting still isn’t exactly in my vocabulary! WHO’S EXCITED FOR MY AUGUST CHALLENGE?! 🤗😏🤭

Tag: Gibson’s Steps

Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road

1,500 miles in four days- that has got to be a new road trip record for Mo and I! Over Easter weekend, we took a trip to Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road and decided to make a fun drive out of it. Overall, we were really happy with that deicion and we got to see so much […]

Read More Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road

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