Whether you’re refueling after at tough workout or looking for a greens & protein packed breakfast, this simple post workout green smoothie will hit the spot.
This spinach-packed, surprisingly delicious, post-workout green smoothie has been a serious staple for the past month. If you follow along on Instagram, you might have seen that I’ve been doing Kayla Itsines guides using the Sweat with Kayla app. They consist of 3 resistance workouts which are high intensity intervals using mostly body weight for 28 minutes, then 3-4 low intensity steady state workouts a week. They’ve been quite challenging but also really rewarding.
Typically after one of the resistance workouts, I’ll make myself this dank green drank to help supplement my protein and greens intake for the day. Bonus, it’s totally delicious. Doing these workouts have had me thinking a lot about why I workout. And it comes down to this: I am trying to be the best version Georgie. As Gretchen Rubin points out in her fantastic book “The Happiness Project,” a huge part of happiness comes from simultaneously loving and accepting yourself, while at the same time you’re challenging and pushing yourself.
So I wanted to talk about this idea of embracing progress and process over focusing solely on an ideal achievement.
Whether it’s fitness, work, relationships, passion projects, you name it, humans crave growth. As ambitious people, we strive towards ideals that we set ourselves. However the joy we feel results less from actually achieving that ideal, but instead it comes from the process and forward motion towards that ideal.
Imagine this: You’re a brand new runner and you set a goal to run 4 days a week and at the end of 12 weeks you plan on running your first 5k. Each week, you get out there and run. Some days you feel great while others you’re discouraged and want to quit. But you don’t. You stick with it and on race day you finish the 5k at a faster pace than you had run in any of your training.
Crossing that finish line is far more rewarding than if you’re an endurance athlete who competes regularly and on a whim decides to run that same 5k and finishes much faster. The destination is the same. You’re running the same race but it’s a completely different experience because one of the runners had to push, challenge and extend themselves, while the other stayed in their comfort zone.
This is important for a couple reasons. It’s important because you realize that the ideal is far less important than the process itself. For so many of us, myself most definitely included, we get this backwards. We get hung up on thinking that being a certain weight will bring us joy or that making a certain salary a year or being in a certain relationship or having a certain number of followers on Instagram is the thing that will bring us happiness.
But then we get there and we feel lost.
There’s a momentary rush and then we feel kind of empty. We neglected to enjoy the process and savor the growth.
It’s funny, I look back at some of what I consider my greatest “achievements” and usually it’s not the final performance, race or result that I remember fondly. It’s the moments when I pushed myself in training, broke through a writer’s block, stayed up late finishing a design or the times that I got to collaborate with a partner who challenged me, that I felt the most joy.
It’s clear in retrospect, that these were the same moments I was growing. I was becoming more Georgie. In you’re case, you were becoming more of who you are meant to be.
So when you’re feeling that inevitable frustration and funk that comes with doing hard stuff, that comes from pushing yourself. Remember – this is the important work. These are the times that bring you closer to the best version of you. Don’t be afraid to have fun with the process. To celebrate the little wins, they can be just as satisfying as the “big wins.”
And while you’re at it, you can celebrate by refueling with this simple post workout green smoothie. See what I did there 😉
[Tweet “Can’t wait to refuel with this green smoothie after my next workout”]
- 1 Frozen Banana
- 3 Cups of Spinach
- 1 Scoop of Vanilla Protein Powder (2 Tablespoons)*
- 1 1/2 Cups of Almond Milk
- 1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
- In a blender add all ingredients with the liquid being added so it’s closest to the blades
- Blend until smooth
- Enjoy
Your Turn:
- Do you have any highlights from the process of your last achievement? I’d love to hear your stories <3
I remember in college I really wanted this one job at our big campus gym. I applied and was denied an interview a couple times, then I applied again and scored an interview – got rejected. I was about to give up when I finally applied one more time and finally got the job. I feel like there have been many times in my life where I have had to push through obstacles and rejections and it has been extremely frustrating, but I am very grateful for those times because they each have taught me a lesson. This smoothie is exactly how I make my green smoothies!! What is that cup?! Its awesome!
Hell yes! It’s slowly hitting me that life IS the process so I might as well enjoy it and embrace the tough stuff
First, that is my all-time favorite green smoothie combo. The cinnamon makes it. Second, I’m learning so much about embracing the process/the hustle/the hard work…and that’s coming from someone who always wants to just “get through” the hard stuff. Without it, the success doesn’t feel as earned. I feel that way with college…after a rough adjustment freshman year it made the outcome and eventual success even sweeter. And I’m feeling that way with slowly building my blog. There are so many lessons I need to learn, and I should see that as a good thing!
I can so relate. So often I’ll shut down during the hard parts of life instead of acknowledging how I feel and embracing it.
This smoothie looks great, Georgie, but I especially love your words! It’s just so true that you can’t compare yourself to anyone and that you can’t just keep looking for the next milestone, but to enjoy your own journey and live in the present. There’s a runners low that comes right after the runners high because so many of us put too much significance in the finish of the race and don’t have anything after or aren’t just happy about the process that it took to get there! Great post!
Yup! That’s one of the hardest parts of running for me is the post-race blues. I always feel like all the wind gets knocked out of my sails because I’ve been pushing so hard to one day and it’s over. Just trying to learn to embrace the middle more.
Your analogy between the 2 people running the 5k got me! So grateful to have your influence Georgie …& now I’ll make myself a delicious ‘pre’ workout green smoothie
<3 We're all running different races even if they look the same from the outside
This was the perfect post to read on a Monday morning! It’s SO easy to just think about the end goal— with fitness and with life-stuff— especially when we have social media at our finger tips to constantly compare ourselves with others. I think sometimes I forget that everyone is going through the process and that success doesn’t come instantaneously for anyone. I’ve been trying to take my time and enjoy the milestones lately, especially with my yoga practice, and I feel like it’s made all the difference in how much I’m enjoying my time on the mat. Thanks so much for this post! Oh, and the beautiful smoothie too 🙂
Thank you so much Liz, so glad it resonated. It’s slowly hitting me that life IS the process not the end.
I love this reminder of enjoying the process instead of focusing on the outcome. Too many times I get caught up in how “great” life will be when I reach my potential for something and then I forget to enjoy the little things in life. That seems to happen a lot with blogging for me. It’s so true that the outcome is not totally enjoyable unless we celebrate the little triumphs too. Also, that smoothie looks bangin’ too! Thanks for the reminder <3
Girl, I feel you 100% – I always have those “when I get xyz, I’ll be happy” and it really is the small moments that make me happiest in the long run.
This is my favorite green smoothie combo! So good! I have been working on embracing the process rather than just getting to the finish line. It can be tough to try to enjoy the process when all I can think about is getting to the finish line, but I always feel so much more accomplished when I do embrace the process– it makes getting that end goal 10x sweeter.
I can totally relate. The process can feel so frustrating when you’re striving but that IS life. The everyday.
Love this post. So true. We have hard days so we can appreciate the good days. Everything is shaping us and it all happens for a reason. This smoothie is so simple but so delish <3 Happy Monday! xoxo
Oh 100% those bad days are necessary.
I love your words when you allude to going through the process and reaching our “said” goals, only to later feel empty. This totally speaks to the metaphor of life being a journey, not a destination. Oh, and the green smoothie recipe looks pretty fantastic too 🙂
100% I’ve heard it all my life but it slowly sinks in every day that the everyday is my life and I should enjoy it!
I think this is something we can all relate to. It is easy to focus so much on an end goal that we just keep raising the bar thinking that new end state is the golden ticket. I love your message on finding fulfillment from the process. It is so true!
Oh totally – it’s always on to the next in my world and I’m slowly learning to enjoy the middle part because that’s 95% of life.
I’ve done a few of Kayla’s workouts and they are killer! I don’t know if I could commit to her entire program because it would wipe me out. Haha.
My greatest achievement recently was finishing my first novel, and I think the biggest highlight from it was actually killing off one of my characters. I did not sit down that morning with the intention of killing said person, but as the story progressed, I realized it had to be done. I sat there at my desk crying over my laptop, writing this person’s last breath. Then I took a moment and I was like, “what the heck am i doing?” I was overwhelmed at how attached I’d become to the character. It was one of the best moments because it just made me even more aware of how writing is 100% my passion in this world. <3
That’s incredible Julia! Those are the moments that you’ll always remember and it’s amazing to be able to enjoy the process versus trying to rush through it.
You could not have written this post at a more perfect time. I’m kind of in a workout limbo…I achieved my half marathon goal and just finished all 12 weeks of Kayla Itsines’s Bikini Body Guide and now am totally lost. This post reminded me that it’s ok to feel that way and it’s about the process of becoming the best version of you 🙂
I can totally relate. I love having goals but I realized that I always get down after a race so I’m looking for more routines that don’t have an “end date” or final goal.
This smoothie looks like the easiest thing to make and I love it. I also love and agree with your words on appreciating the process instead of focusing on the destination. One example that this just made me think of was during college working with Dance Marathon. It’s an organization that fundraises year-long for the local children’s hospital and there’s a big 12 hour event/celebration at the end in the spring. Looking back, it wasn’t just the big events that made this experience meaningful. It was the hours spent working on everything, the friendships I made throughout the way, the skills I picked up on, and all the awesome families we were able to meet. It’s so true that the process and journey is so much more meaningful and important than the final destination.
Wow! That sounds like an incredible experience. Plus I love that you bring up the people that you connected with along the way because that can make an experience so special.
I definitely relate to this, but I think everyone can. As soon as I see the “end” of something, I want to be there. I want to graduate right now. I want to magically turn my blog into my vision for it. I also know that when I focus less on the end goal and more on mini-goals/the process, I’m significantly happier and less stressed. This is an amazing reminder! (Also, that smoothie sounds delicious.)
Oh totally – it’s human nature to want to “achieve the goal” and it’s so funny that it’s embracing the process that makes us happiest.
I love the addition of cinnamon to this! I haven;t made a smoothie in forever, I think it’s just because of the cold I haven’t really been in the mood for them.
That’s totally understandable in the middle of winter
You are such a light! I love your perspective and writing. I couldn’t agree more – sometimes the journey is the best part. This looks amazing by they way. I never freeze my ‘nanas for smoothies. Then I have to use extra ice (which is annoying). Game changer…
Oh once you go frozen nanners you’ll never go back! Also, thank you so much for you kind words <3
Wow, Georgie – this post hit me hard. You really know how to cut to the core. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and general awesomeness <3 So much love for you!
Aww Alexa, thank YOU <3 Let's keep embracing that process together
Hells to the yeah! I love smoothies to get my fuel on. And I totally agree with everything here – some of my proudest moments were the times I stayed up a little later to get something awesome done or pushed myself a little further toward my goal. Love this and you lady <3333
Thank you so much Em! Yes those extra pushes when you really go all out feel amazing. And sometimes it takes the opposite experience to remind you of how much they matter.
This is SO SO true.
Looking back on both marathon’s I’ve run – I was most proud of the long months of training – more so than the time I crossed the finished line.
Now, whenever people ask me about running a marathon – I tell them that they should only register or start training if they love the PROCESS of training for a marathon.
There are so many things that can go wrong on race day – to put all your energy into a certain time on a certain day is likely to end in disappointment. But if you love the training (of course, you don’t love it every day) – then that is what makes a marathon worth it. Looking back and being proud of the early mornings, the endless hours spent foam-rolling, the nights you shook your head at the beer because you had a long run in the morning.
That’s why I haven’t signed up for another marathon yet. Sure, I want to cross the finish line – but I know that mentally I’m not at a place where I’m ready to enjoy the process.
Thanks 🙂 Definitely need to try this green smoothie. Still looking for one that I love!
Lauren this is such a great story and great piece of advice for runners looking to go into that big race. It really is such a time commitment so you need to have your whole heart in it. <3
This is my fave smoothie recipe ever. Simple and so easy. Also, I slacked on Kayla Itsines for the past few weeks – gotta get back on that BBG train. Thanks Georgie!
I’m happy to be an accountability buddy if you’re ever interested. Right now I’m on week 7!