Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I couldn’t wait to walk the dogs, make some coffee, and start blogging this morning. I love writing my recap posts and this one is filled with yummy food, fun workouts, and some other random things. I think I’m going to start doing two recaps a week instead of one large one. What do you guys think? I love writing long posts, but maybe it’s too much? 
As soon as I make my coffee and set up my little spot for blogging, I get couch robbed by little Leo. He always knows when I’m about to sit down, because he dives right into my spot. He’s easily bribed by treats though, so you better believe he’s on the floor right now.
This week, I blended Caribou Coffee Dark Roast Mahogany with Peet’s Major Dickason’s Coffee.
I always add 1/2 cup of grounds to the coffee pot with 6 cups of water. I add 1 1/2 tablespoons of light cream to my coffee cup with my coffee. Sometimes I’ll add 1/2 packet of Stevia.
A lot of you have been asking about what kind of coffee I’ve been drinking, so I’ll try to share my blends every time I change it up!
They were so cute after our walk this morning. I have to walk them a couple of miles, or they’ll never let me sit down to work.
Monday Morning breakfast: gluten free granola, mixed berries, mixed nuts, and yogurt.
Time to take this recap all the way back to last Sunday.
Kyle and I got back from the mountains later in the afternoon. I had a walking date planned with Meighan, so I bundled up and we took off. Our walks are so fun because we literally word babble the entire time. The miles go by so fast. It was so windy, but we were bundled up and ready to power through it.
We walked a little over eleven miles! 
I stopped at the Fresh Market to pick up some ingredients for dinner. I wanted to make salmon and delicious veggies!
I made roasted carrots, honey garlic green beans, sautéed radishes, and orange ginger salmon.
I am in love with sautéed radishes and I cannot believe it took me so long to try them. They almost taste like potatoes. I cook them up in olive oil, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
My salmon is seasoned with my special orange ginger sauce!
Sauce: 1/2 freshly squeezed orange juice, 4-5 tablespoons low sodium gluten free soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/4 tsp ground ginger.
You can find my roasted carrot & green bean recipe here!
Leo always making his appearance in my food pics.
We enjoyed this delicious meal while watching Miss Universe! My favorites were the U.S., Canada, & France!
I headed over to my parents house with the pups on Monday morning. My mom asked if I could help her workout, so I put together a fun circuit for the both of us.
I added a couple more workouts in with this list, but this is the one I scribbled up real fast. We did this X2!
I was so impressed with my mom. She killed it and we were both very very sore.
I brought over dinner leftovers for our post-workout lunch. We had carrots, green beans, salmon, guacamole, radishes, and chicken salad.
I decided to stay out at my parents house on Monday night so the dogs could have fun playing in the backyard while I worked a bit.
I popped my popcorn around eight and plopped on the couch to watch The Bachelor! If Corrine doesn’t go home tonight, I’ll be so annoyed.
I woke up on Tuesday morning and BAM, I was 26 years old…YIKES.
& you’re never too old to have your mom make you breakfast in bed. She made me bacon, fresh fruit, and a vegetable omelet. If you would have asked me how I felt about turning 26 last year, I’d be depressed and sad, but I’m loving 26. I’m so happy where I’m at in life right now and age is just a number. It’s a day to celebrate!
I got some things done around the house on Tuesday. I hung up more decor on the walls and shopped around for new drapes. I’m having ZERO luck finding curtains that I like. I think I need to finish painting all of the walls before I go out and get new curtains.
I went out to dinner for my birthday on Tuesday night with my best friends!
And we went to our favorite place in Charlotte…Burtons. I would have never tried this place out if it weren’t for a reader! I owe her everything 🙂
We started with some delicious appetizers. We had Gluten Free General Tso Cauliflower and Almond Chickpea Hummus.
I ordered the superfood salad (quinoa, brussels sprouts, kale, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese, cranberries,mustard vinaigrette) and medium rare steak on top.
Birthday dessert: Dessert trio! One was chocolate fudge, berry cheesecake, and pecan!
Kyle made my birthday so special this year. I’m so grateful for him and the happiness he brings to my life.
We ended my birthday off the right way…with coffee!
I was so excited for Wednesday morning. I had my homemade breakfast cookie with coffee, and then made a game plan for my yard work. 
I headed to Home Depot and picked up some stones and bricks. I had to make three trips! Luckily, I’m only four miles from he HD.
I absolutely hate pine straw. It gets caught in the pups fur, it’s a good home for little critters, and it’s messy! I decided to dump it all into the woods and replace it with rocks and cute little stones. It made a huge difference.
The rocks look so much cleaner. I can’t wait to add more decorative pebbles and lights to the stones.
The pups were out after our afternoon walk!
I headed to the gym late Wednesday for a gym session with Becca. We did a quick twenty minute ab circuit and then sat in the sauna for 30 minutes.
I picked up dinner at Whole Foods because I didn’t feel like cooking. I had their garlic green beans and grilled chicken.
Morning cuddles ♥
I headed to my parents house on Thursday to drop the pups off and head to my hair appointment.
My mom has been raving about her hairstylist, Candice, from Petrvs Salon, in York, SC for months! I’ve lived in the Carolinas for three years, and I still didn’t have a stylist, so I couldn’t wait to try her out!
I was blown away by my experience and I wasn’t expecting this glamorous salon hidden away in small town York! Candace paid attention to every detail and spent hours making sure my hair was exactly how I wanted it. I have a hair post scheduled for tomorrow, so I’ll be posting some before and afters! Not only is Candace an incredible hair stylist, but she’s a talented artist, and you’ll surely leave inspired by all of her travels and life experiences. See the horse in the photograph above? She painted that! She also has a farm with rescue horses. There is literally nothing she can’t do. If you live near the Charlotte area, I highly recommend her! She is so much fun.
How fun is the new color!?
Kyle and I spent Thursday night catching up on more of The Killing. We are so addicted it’s unhealthy! It was rainy and the perfect night to watch Netflix!
New level of begging.
I woke up early Friday to work, eat breakfast, and walk Grumples before I met up with Meighan and one of her best friends, who was visiting from New Jersey, for a hike. I made an egg and cheese omelet and a side of fruit!
Since I took Grumples on a three mile walk early morning, I knew he’d be too tired to hike. I decided to take Leo on his first hiking experience. Crowder’s mountains is only 1.8 up and 1.8 down, so it’s an easy path for Leo. Leo LOVED every minute of the hike. I didn’t have to put him on a leash until we got to the top. He’s so good at staying near me without a leash and he comes when I say his name. I was so proud of him.
What a happy pup!
I was supposed to go out on Friday night, but I had no energy. We had a great hike, but I was feeling lethargic all day. I picked up food, got in my pajamas, and Kyle and I got back to our Netflix show! 
And yes…I picked up Burtons for dinner!
In my polka dot pajamas and in bed by 8pm on a Friday night! No shame 🙂 These photos were taken so I could show Becca the new pajamas, but I got a little overdramatic.
I made blueberry pancakes with cinnamon for breakfast on Saturday morning. 
I love when my pancakes are loaded with blueberries! I used King Arthur Mix + a couple scoops of vanilla whey protein powder.
I met up with Becca at the gym on Saturday afternoon for a two hour workout. I’m still feeling sore today! Also, I’m so damn proud of this girl and her progress!
I wrote up a fun circuit that incorporated strength training and cardio. It’s kind of hard to write it all out and explain it without tutorial, but I’ll try!
SUPER INTENSE SATURDAY CARDIO + STRENGTH CIRCUIT!
*2 Sprints, 5 push ups X 10
*2 Sprints, 3 jump squats X 10
*2 Walking lunges, 2 squats X 3 + W/10LB WEIGHTS IN HAND.
*Bear Crawls a couple feet, two left leg raises, bear crawl a couple feet, two right leg raises X 15
*2 Forward Squat Hops, 1 Backward Squat Hop X 20 (holding 10 lb weight in hand)
*2 Backward Squat Hop, 1 Forward Squat Hop X 20 (holding 10 lb weight in hand)
*2 Side Shuffle Sprints, 3 Jump Squats X 10
*10 Quick Sprints
*20 Left Leg Step-Ups 20 Right Leg Step Ups
*20 Dead Lifts (20lbs)
*20 Left Leg Step-Ups 20 Right Leg Step Ups
*20 Dead Lifts (20lbs)
*15 Left Leg Step-Ups 15 Right Leg Step Ups
*15 Dead Lifts (20lbs)
*10 Quick Sprints
*10 Left side crunches, 10 center crunches, 10 right side crunches
*30 left leg raises, 30 right leg raises
*10 Left side crunches, 10 center crunches, 10 right side crunches
*30 Forward leg raises
*10 Left side crunches, 10 center crunches, 10 right side crunches
*30 Back left leg raises, 30 back right leg raises
*10 Left side crunches, 10 center crunches, 10 right side crunches
*15 Left leg hydrant raises, 15 right leg hydrant raises
*10 Left side crunches, 10 center crunches, 10 right side crunches
*10 Quick sprints
We ended our workout with a 30 minute sauna session.
We decided to stop at Berry Brooks Farm for post-workout juices. I had a juice with cucumber, ginger, lemon, celery, kale, spinach, apple, and parsley.
I really needed coffee after the workout, so we stopped at Lady M Cakes Boutique in Southend. 
I couldn’t believe how pretty and classy this place was. So much inspiration for my house!
Their cappuccinos were so good and they had cake made with almond flour. This is definitely going on my Charlotte MUST list!
I had garlic green beans, paleo rice, broccoli and chicken from Whole Foods for dinner. Kyle and I spent Saturday night watching a couple movies!
Meighan and I went for a run on Sunday afternoon at the four mile creek Greenway.
We had more miles planned, but my new shoes totally sucked. The arches were not made for my feet and I was landing on the wrong side. My foot was in so much pain, so we walked two miles back. I am keeping those shoes for walking and getting new running shoes this week. I was so excited for the shoes too 🙁 
We picked up wings from Whole Foods for the Super Bowl. I couldn’t believe how cheap their wings were and the were so tasty!! Last night’s Super Bowl was so good and my team wasn’t even playing. I was so proud of Tom Brady and Lady Gaga killed it!
Above is a workout I’ve been doing twice a day! It’s so easy and you can literally do it on your bedroom floor. I am going to continue doing this as long as I can because I feel like it’s making a difference and summer is right around the corner! I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m slowly getting there and getting rid of the winter fluff.
Questions for you!
- What is your favorite super bowl food?
- Do you love or hate circuit workouts?
- Do you have any February goals?
What is your favorite super bowl food? I don’t love football so i don’t have a favorite super bowl food 🙁 but if i had to make one i’d say vegan mac and cheese.
Do you love or hate circuit workouts? I LOVE LOVE circuit workouts. I’ve been doing the Kayla Itsines BBG circuits since May and its the first workout program I’ve ever stuck with. If you haven’t heard of her I would check her stuff out!
Do you have any February goals? Keep working out 5-6 x a week and watch my sweet tooth.
Also Leo in those hike photos are so so adorable…i can’t even
Vegan Mac & Cheese? What do you put in yours!
Yes I love her workout too! She’s great.
Amazing goals 🙂
Thank you! HE LOVED every minute of it and it made me so happy.
Ugh, why does your food always look SO good?
We don’t celebrate the Super Bowl here, but it’s always to interesting to read about the celebrations in the US!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Lol thank you Charmaine!
The superbowl is very fun, but also can get a little overrated for sure! I’m sure the hype is laughable to other countries.
xo have a good week
Still so glad I recommended Burtons!!! Glad your’re just as obsessed as I am! What has been your favorite thing you’ve had there?
& I love your hair! Looks so bright and sunny since it’s basically spring already here!
You have me HOOOOOKED.
I really love the cauliflower!! I mean, everything I’ve had there has been incredible.
Thank you for the compliment. I think it’ll be fun for the summer!
Your recaps are my favorite excuse to sit down with a fresh cup of coffee! So the more the merrier is my vote! Leo and Grumples are the most adorable duo! I love that your recaps are sprinkled with pictures of them!
Your hair looks amazing! I have a long over due appointment on Thursday and I can’t wait! I also love the flower painting/ frame in the hallway btw!
I can not wait to visit Charlotte one day, half for the adventures to about 50 places you’ve mentioned on your blog but half to eat at Burtons! It looks SO good!
We didn’t do much for the super bowl this year (we’re a house full of Broncos fans). But I do love a good veggie platter at most Super Bowl parties… an assortment of vegetables washed and cut that I didn’t have to prep! sign me up! ha! I also love guacamole to go with said veggies!
I LOVE circuit work outs! I always find new ones online to try, or go to classes that are described as circuit work outs. In my head I find them easier because I can survive anything for 30 seconds, or 25 reps etc! By the end of it I’m usually so much more tired because every minute or so my thought process resets to ‘this isn’t so hard its only a minute’.
I’ve been trying to eat cleaner and add more protein to my diet for February! I’m heading to Mexico for a few days with my sister in law so my bikini will hopefully thank me for my cleaner diet efforts!
Thank you Carly!!
I feel so bad flooding my blogs with photos of them, but I just can’t help it!!!
Thank you so much 🙂 The hair is a fun change and will look cool once it lightens up even more in the summer! What are you doing with your hair?
That photos was originally bought for inspiration for my guest bedroom decor, but I loved it in the hall!
LOL you will LOVE Charlotte!!
You and I are on the same page! Guacamole and Veggies for the win!!!
That is an awesome mindset to have. Circuits are fun to try out and create too!
I bet you’ll look awesome in Mexico!!! & how much fun!!!!
xo xo
My hair is long and simple and really just has too many split ends! I actually am loving your hair cut! I guess that makes you my hair-inspiration for my appointment! Totally going to bring the picture of your cut to my stylist! 😉
awwwww that makes me so happy. Let me know how it turns out!!! xo xo
i love that you stay so active on weekends and cook – it motivates me to do the same! and happy belated bday 🙂
as much as kind of hate circuit workouts, they do the job and they do it well. plus it’s nice to switch it up sometimes, i get bored of my usual cardio every few days! my february goals include cutting back on sweets (i crave dessert EVERY night and it’s not great…) and trying to be more active with friends. i had a coffee date with one of my best friends on saturday and we walked for an hour and a half along the beach. it was amazing!
hi Jordan!
I look forward to all the cooking and activities with friends.
I love circuits for that reason, because they don’t get boring!
I also crave dessert every night! so normal. I allow myself something sweet every night as a treat:) Usually little chocolate chips.
Sounds like the perfect Saturday!!! I would LOVE that.
This may sound creepy, but you are glowing! Your blog is so positive and I have never seen you so happy. I can feel it through your writing and I’ve been reading your blog for the past seven years. You and Kyle seem so perfect and comfortable together. I like how you have a balance. All of my girlfriends cling to their boyfriends and they never hang out with the group. This makes me so sad and I like that you still hang out with your best friends, workout, travel, and eat healthy. You are a real inspiration. Happy 26!
That is so sweet of you! Kyle is one of the best guys I know and he truly makes me so happy. I also have the greatest friends who I can’t live without! Balance is so so so important! Thank you for the kind words and for reading my blog 🙂 Means a lot to me!
Hi Taralynn!
So glad to hear that you had an amazing birthday week! Your pictures are absolutely breathtaking. At the beginning of your post you asked about 1 long recap vs. 2 shorter ones throughout the week and I think 2 shorter ones would be perfect! I always get so motivated while reading about your active lifestyle — and I think having a second recap in the middle of the week would be wonderful!
For your questions, can I answer all the food at Super Bowl parties?? Haha, I love trying everyone’s recipes at the parties and end up eating WAY too much.
I love circuits workouts, but need a workout buddy to do them with — they can be quite challenging and I love having someone to push/compete with during the circuits. It allows you to forget the pain for a bit.
My goal for February is running the same amount or more miles than I did in January — 35+ miles for the month.
Thank you Jordan!
I think on busier weeks, I’ll do two posts and on less busy, I’ll do one! (recap posts) otherwise I’ll have nothing to blog about lol so thank you for your input!
I love trying new recipes too! Glad we stuck to the couch this year 🙂
I totally agree. I LOVE working out with friends and I stick to them much better than doing them alone.
That is an AWESOME GOAL!
XO
Love recap posts!
1. I love all super bowl foods but my fav is spinach artichoke dip!!!
2. I like circuits! I feel so good after them so I’m happy you post simple ones I can do at home!
3. February goals are definitely to start feeling better about mysel again! I deal with a lot of emotional issues and I was doing so well with eating right and working out then it all stopped because I have been celebrating my birthday (25) all weekend!
Question for you: did you recently go gluten free? Or try to lessen the amount of gluten you’re eating? Wondering how it’s making you feel!!
<3
Thanks Kristen!
YUM! I haven’t had a S&A dip in so long.
It’s ok to take a break now and then! That’s what a healthy lifestyle is all about and I’m glad you’re working on you this month! so important!
I went gluten free two and a half months ago!
You can read a little about it here!
http://simplytaralynn.com/2017/01/10/call-snow-fitness-coffee-pups/
It definitely made a difference in cramping, but it’s too soon to tell otherwise!
Leo is adorable! His personality just shines through!
I love love love chips and salsa. For the Super Bowl for an afternoon snack for whenever. So good!
I wish I loved working out. I see others and I envy them. 2017 is my year to hopefully change that.
January was a rough start to eating cleaner and running. So February’s goal is to kick it up a notch. Stop snacking on junk and actually pushing myself to begin running a couple days a week.
Ps. Happy belated birthday!
Hi Shannen!!
Leo is so silly and LOVES attention. He’ll do anything to get it.
Chips and salsa are always delicious. I dug into the Terra chips + Whole foods peach salsa over the weekend! yum!
I used to hate it too, but once you get into the groove of it, you’ll start to love it.
February is much better for starting clean! Almost spring and the motivation is hot!!!
& thank you xoxo
I know have the biggest craving for green beans after all the green beans in this post!
And that general tso cauliflower looks divine, yum!!
I can’t wait to read your hair post tomorrow!
Becca looks awesome, her progress is such an inspiration 🙂
http://www.justbeingbrooklyn.com
I’m a green bean junkie! My boyfriend, who doesn’t like them, will even eat mine! Makes me happy!
& omg that cauliflower…….yum.
She has lost 100 lbs!!!
100 lbs?! GREAT JOB BECCA!!!
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like youve had a great few days with some delicious foods!
I would be so happy if I found a restaurant with GF general tso’s cauliflower!!
Thank you Heather!!
Burtons is just amazing!:) I’m so happy that they’re in Charlotte now!
& yes what a great week!!
hope you have a great one too!
xo
You look so amazing Tara! And so does Becca! Both of you are so inspirational!
1. My favorite superbowl food is chips and salsa
2. I love circuit workouts but I need to do them with someone else or it’s difficult for me to find the motivation to finish them.
3. My February goals are to work out at least 4x per week, to snack less, to not give into my late night cravings, to work hard in my classes and keep job hunting! I’m excited to graduate in May!
You and Kyle are so cute together! I hope you write a post about him/how you met! You seem so great together!
Thanks for the endless inspiration! I so love your blog!
Thank you Lauren! That is so sweet.
CHIPS & SALSA + GUAC & QUESO.
I love doing circuits with friends, or I end up wanting to quit.
oh…those late night snacks. I feel ya.
I think I’ll do a valentines day post about him. I simply adore him!!!
Thank you for commenting and reading my blog!!
Happy belated birthday! Looks like a lot of fun celebrations. Leo is the freaking cutest pup ever goodness gracious!
1. I don’t actually watch the Super Bowl, I always try to run my errands during the game because everywhere is so empty!
2. I love circuit workouts but I am TERRIBLE at making them for myself, I so appreciate you posting them because I enjoy using them!
3. I have a number of goals, but one of them is to get more sleep! I’ve been staying up way too late recently so I’m trying to stick to a bed time.
Thank you Jenny! Leo is a heartbreaker. & he knows it.
hahaha that is actually brilliant.
Thank you for letting me know you use mine! I think I will make a blog post with them all together.
I feel ya. I try to go to bed at 10-11 and wake up 6-7 but this new netflix show is making it hard!! haha
Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like you had a super fun week. I think two recaps a week is a great idea… mainly because it gives me more to read throughout the week! Also, I LOVE how fluffy Leo is!! His hair looks soooo soft.
I’ve never actually really done anything for the super bowl… I watched it alone last night because I FINALLY started a new job today and didn’t want to over-do it the night before! Plus… I was waiting for 24: Legacy to come on.
I love circuit workouts! They make workouts more fun.
My goal for February is to keep up with my year-long goal which was to lose 5 lbs/month. I feel like that’s a healthy amount per month and is still attainable if you slip up or plateau! Like you said.. summer is right around the corner! Since I started working again, I do want to finish the 22 minute Hard Corps videos since they’re so short and I know I’ll be tired all month long. Haha!
Have a fabulous week!
Thank you Jennifer!
Leo is a giant fluff ball! & I am thinking about doing two on busy weeks and one of boring weeks, and yes I have boring weeks too 😉
CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW JOB!!!!!!!!!!!I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m so happy for you and wish you all the best.
5lbs a month is a great goal!
HAVE A GREAT WEEK!
XO
My favorite super bowl food would have to be salsa with the multi-grain tortilla scoops. I feel like they are crunchier than just the regular white corn ones!
I enjoy circuit workouts because I feel like they go by faster and don’t drag on like running on a treadmill. At college, I enjoy going to HIIT classes with fun music. It keeps me motivated seeing others pushing themselves. I’ll be graduating in the May so I need to find a workout buddy to keep me going.
In February, I’d like to stop mindless snacking and do more ab exercises.
Oh, yum!
HIIT classes are great! & so are workout buddies. I swear they need an app for that!
I’m a mindless snacker too!
Hi Taralynn,
Favorite super bowl food is crab dip
Love circuit training
My birthday is on the 28th. I would love to lose another 5 pounds
How did you cook the salmon? It looks yummy
OH, YUM! Have you had the spicy cajun crab dip??? soooo good. I like to eat it with cucumbers and carrots.
Good luck on your goals! xo
Your photos are beautiful! I am going to try one of your circuits tomorrow! Thanks for the inspiration! My favorite Super Bowl food are my neighbors spring rolls. My goal for February is to stay away from the sweets….(it’s hard Mardigras season is approaching in Louisiana!)
Thanks Peggy!
Oh yum! Those sound delicious. UHHH Sweets are so hard to stay away from, so I do the whole moderation thing or I’d go crazzzzy without them lol
Good luck on the circuits and let me know what you think!
Happy Birthday! I’m glad you had such a great day! That picture of Grumples begging is so cute! My dog does that too, but he will put his head on your knee. It’s pretty pathetic, but super cute! Your circuit workouts are so intense and I love them! I keep trying them when you post, so keep them coming! I’m going to try your ab workout tonight. Your abs look awesome!
Thanks Tara!
Lol Grumples does the knee thing too! They know how cute they are. So glad you like to try my circuits! I just wrote up a crazy one last night! I’ll share it soon 🙂 xo
You and Kyle are goals!
Awwwww 🙂
How cool that you live in Charlotte now! I’ve been following you forever and just found your blog again and you are in my hometown. Welcome! Hopefully you love it!
Favorite super bowl food is probably guacamole if I am feeling healthy…I love Trader Joe’s reduced-guilt which is made lighter because it is mixed with high-protein greek yogurt. If I’m not feeling healthy, I love those gross little sausages in the crock pot lol.
I personally love circuit training workouts. I like that it keeps me engaged because its not the exact thing the entire class. Also the fact that you can focus on your form and getting through it because you know this move will be over soon and on to the next lol.
Fitness goals is to get back to the gym on a regular basis, just like everyone else. I was in great shape, working out daily when I got a severe case of planters fasciatis which is pretty common. It is better now (after many nights of rest and stretching, steroid shots, and orthopedic shoes), but now I am out of my routine and always worried about re-injuring myself. This time I want to make sure I am working in flexibility classes along with the high-impact aerobic and strength classes which should help with my plantars and heel spurs. I made a schedule of classes I like at the Y and will try to goal myself to go at least 3 times a week, starting slow is better than not starting at all!
My second goal is to build my business (making soap on Etsy) and participating in more local events. I lost my job a few days before Christmas unexpectedly, and I am going to try to make a go out of this entrepreneurial work from home thing. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade they say!
Hi Sophie!
Where the heck have you been? I’ve been here almost 3 1/2 years lol 😉 but thank you! I have grown to love this city so much.
HAHAHA Little smokies? yummy. I also LOVE guacamole.
That is a great way to look at circuits! Love it.
Sounds like you have great goals and I totally know how it feels to fall off a bit! I do it every January for some reason.
That is so cool! Let me know when you get your soaps made, would love to try them out and support your business! You may have lost your job, but it may be for a good reason! When one door closes, another BETTER one opens. It’s all how you look at it.
xo
Nice workouts!
Thanks!
You and Becca are so inspiring! Love your transformations. HOT GIRLS! I will have to try your ab routine.
Thanks Hannah!!!!
1. My favorite superbowl food is taco dip! Any excuse to eat taco dip lol.
2. I like knowing what to expect with circut workouts, but they get so difficult!
3. February goals…hmm…probably to get back to a healthier routine again. I did so well in January and then started majorly slacking when things got crazy and I was stressed out. It’s also my birthday month, so I want to find healthy ways to treat myself as well!
I’m curious, why do you and Becca use the sauna? I don’t know much about the benefits, or if it just feels good after a workout or what? 🙂
ohhhh yes. I like taco dip with carrots and celery! I haven’t had in a while, but you can totally make healthy version! + they have gluten free taco seasoning now.
They can be so difficult and the pain the next day hurts so good!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MONTH!!!!!:)
We love to just relax after our workout in the sauna. Also, the sauna is INCREDIBLE for getting toxins out of your body. It’s where we chug our post-workout water.
love your pictures and your blog
Thank you Nora!
I’ve fallen in love with circuit workout/plyometrics! Since I was sidelined from running a while, thanks to a hip flexor injury, I added in a bunch of circuits to my workouts. I’ve seen so much progress with my body and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve realized that changing up routines/circuits and workouts really helps build muscle and tone up! Yay!
Also, I love your idea of doing two recap posts per week. I love reading your recaps (with my coffee, of course) and would love to have two to read per week!
Have a great day!
Oh, no! But circuits are great too. I always see way more progress when I’m doing circuits. I will totally do two on busy weeks and one of boring weeks! I love that you read my blog with coffee 🙂 I write them with coffee! xo & cheers.
When I found The Killing on Netflix I was completely addicted too! It’s sooooooo good
Glad I’m not the only one! We are at the end of season three!!!
1. QUESO is my favorite. But that’s true of any party I go to. Like, if you can’t find me at a party, just look for the queso, I’ll be there holding a bag of chips continuously dipping them in.
2. I hate circuit workouts while I’m doing them, but I know that overall they’re good for me, and I should do more of them, but I’m bad at making them up, because I know things like burpees suck, so I’ll never add them in.
3. I have all sorts of February goals. I’ve already crushed a few of them (like booking the rest of our honeymoon hotels!) – but I’m starting my HM training plan next week & my goal is to give it 110%, not miss any running workouts. I’m trying a totally new type of plan versus making my own like I usually do. 10 weeks of hard work is nothing, so I’m excited to see if I can set a new PR with this plan.
I’m all for more recap posts. I love reading them, but sometimes have to delay starting since I know they’ll be long & I won’t have time to finish.
YES QUESO! Meighan literally makes it every time we watch sports. Hers is BOMB. I dip my carrots into it.
Hahaha that is funny that you don’t add them in there! I know they suck, but the harder the workouts, the stronger you’ll be! I find that doing them with a friend is so fun and you push each other better.
Nice job on booking the hotels and getting all ready 🙂 Planning would stress me out! You do it so well. I have no doubt you’ll set a PR!
Lol love your honesty! I am going to try to make them shorter by blogging once a week on slow weeks and twice a week on busy ones!
Hi!
I really like your recaps, you are a very positive and inspiring person.
1. What is your favorite super bowl food?
We don’t celebrate Super Bowl in my country but when I watch some sport on TV I love to eat some homemade guacamole (okay, a huge bowl of guacamole ^^) with tortilla chips. And pizzas, if I’m not in a “healthy” mood 😀
2. Do you love or hate circuit workouts?
I like them! My colleague just decided to be my personal coach for a professional examination I really want to succeed and we do some abs and arms circuits after our long runs in the hills, I feel sore but it’s very nice of him to train me!
3. Do you have any February goals?
Find my inner warrior for the examination, maybe? I also want to put yoga in my daily routine.
Thank you Nina!
YUMMY I LOVE GUACAMOLE! putting it on your pizza is a game changer.
That is awesome to have someone train you!
I have wanted to do yoga more this year, but still slacking. 10 more months left? lol
1. Gotta admit I’m not into the Super Bowl and we don’t personally partake in it! Odd I know! Just not really into football and don’t really go out of our way to do anything.
2. I’ve learned to love circuits through your fitchallenges!!! I remember I was hesitant and even asked you if they really make a difference. Now I’m a believer! Your circuits always crack me up though, they’re so long that my husband is usually crying about it especially when it’s like x4 or something!
3. My February goals are to seriously step up my runs and gain more confidence in my game. Also to work on my abs. They’re there somewhere… I think? ?
Not odd at all! I just like watching the commercials and the halftime show.
hahaha so funny your husband struggles during them! He’ll get better! 🙂 He’s lucky to have you to push him through!!!!
Those are great goals! I took a couple weeks off from running long distance to do a little reset and i’m getting back out there on Saturday!
I wish I loved cooking as much as you do! Your food looks delicious! And your pups too. I love finding inspiration to decorate my apartment – I’m currently trying to re-decorate!
Thanks Ciara!!
I love cooking, but sometimes I hate it. It really depends on the mood I am in. I call myself a “half-ass” cook sometimes.
I love decorating, but it can get SO OVERWHELMING!
Have a great week.
I love your recap posts!
1.What is your favorite super bowl food? Queso dip! I don’t have it often so it is a treat when I do. And go pats!! I am the biggest fan so what an exciting game it was for me!! 🙂
2.Do you love or hate circuit workouts? I enjoy circuit workouts because they allow you to change things up. It can get very boring doing the same workouts every day.
3.Do you have any February goals? My goal for the month is to continue working out 5-6 times a week and maintaining my healthy diet.
This is totally unrelated to the post, but I know you have blogged about both Savannah and Charleston before. I am heading on a long weekend vacation at the end of the month and will be visiting both places. Any suggestions on must see places/restaurants? I also am always open for coffee shop suggestions (love trying new coffee shops on vacation) 🙂
Thank you!!
Lol we totally love queso! My friend, Meighan, is OBSESSED and she makes the best!! She adds sausage, cheese, and all kinds of yummy ingredients.
Congrats on your team winning. They totally deserved it!
You’re so right!!
Nice job maintaining your fitness! 5-6 times a week is impressive.
If you go through my Charleston and Savannah posts, I have them all in there 🙂 You can find them under all my travels http://simplytaralynn.com/category/mylife/traveling-mylife/
🙂
Hi Taralynn! I stumbled across your blog, well what seems like forever ago, and have been following your story ever since. You’re such an inspiration! You get to travel and move so much it seems like. I would love that because I literally LIVE to travel. I love it <3 I was wondering, what line of work do you do that allows you so much travel? Are you a full time blogger at this point? Thanks for being an inspiration to people like me ? Keep killing it!
Hi Megan!
Love hearing that 🙂 & thank you for reading my blog for all of these years. The blog may make it look like I move so much, but I’ve been in Charlotte for three years 🙂 I am a full-time blogger and do some side photography work 🙂 It allows me to pay the bills and live a comfortable & happy life. Life is too short to be unhappy and everyone should do what they love, even if it’s not for a job! xo xo
Hi Taralynn! Happy belated birthday 🙂 I love all your recap posts – I’m moving to Charlotte in a few months and your blog posts are helping me put together a list of places to go and things to do! Plus you give me lots of workout motivation, I’ve gotten into circuit workouts lately and am loving them! I’ll have to try yours out too, the strength and cardio one looks KILLER 🙂
Hi Alice!
Thanks so much 🙂 You are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE Charlotte.
Circuits are the best. I have a new one coming up soon and it’s going to be KILLER.
Damn.
I took your circuit to the gym last night and almost died. You should really consider becoming a trainer!
Hi Haden! Glad you loved the workout!!
& that sure would be fun!
xo
What type of Salmon did you buy and how long did you cook it in the oven for?
Hi Katie!
I bought Wild Alaskan Salmon from the Fresh Market.
I cooked it for 18 minutes, but salmon cooks differently in all ovens and it really depends on the size of the fillet. You just have to watch it and not overcook/undercook it.
What is your favorite super bowl food? Wings or chips and salsa!
Do you love or hate circuit workouts? I don’t love or hate them. Some days I just prefer other workouts to circuit workouts.
Do you have any February goals? My February goals include getting to 300 followers on Instagram and finishing off the current round of classes I am in with all A’s.
Fair answer 😉
So awesome you’re doing well in school! Proud of you and good luck!
xo
Love when you have fitness included in your posts! Totally going to try your ab workout.
ALSO, Becca looks really great! I’m really inspired!
My question to you…and maybe you can address this in a future post, how do you stay motivated when you don’t see results right away? I’m pretty healthy and fit but I still have a tiny belly that I just can’t seem to get rid of. It’s really getting me down.
Thanks! 🙂 And happy belated birthday!
Hi!
Thank you so much. I love including my fitness 🙂 & YES, so proud & inspired by Becca.
I think you have to be happy and accept your body first, and then work towards SLOW results. I don’t believe in “results right away” and I never go in with that mindset. You can’t let it get you down, you just have to keep living a healthy lifestyle and eating right and eventually you’ll see a change. You don’t want quick change because that’s usually never permanent. I do notice change when I do circuits, drink lots of water, and eat less added sugars!
I love the longer posts!
Thank you!!!
I love the long posts, but I wouldn’t mind them more frequently either! Your posts make my commute to/from work suck less 🙂 I’m glad your birthday was amazing!!!
Also, Becca is looking amazing! Congrats to her!
1. My favorite Super Bowl food — well, really, one of my favorite foods — has got to be wings! They’re so delicious and quick/easy to make. I recently started making my own Whole 30-compliant buffalo wings with Frank’s Red Hot and ghee and they’re heavenly!
2. I have a love/hate relationship with circuit workouts. Repetition gets boring for me very quickly, but at the same time, I love the quick little blast that a circuit gets me.
3. My February goals are just to nail down my fitness regime! My old roomie is now a personal trainer, and I have a meeting with her to revamp my workout plan soon. My sister asked me to be a bridesmaid in her wedding this October — preceded by the bachelorette party in Vegas this summer — and I’ve gotta look smokin’ for that! 😉
Hi Melissa!
Thanks so much. I love hearing that you read my blog on your way to work. I always wonder what people are doing while reading my blog!
& I will definitely pass that information along to her! I am so proud of her progress and success.
YES WINGS!!!!
I think the reps are fun when you’re doing the workouts with someone!
That is so great you have someone to help you with training. I have no doubt you’ll look GREAT in Vegas!! xo xo
I love the idea of splitting up your posts. They are so fun to read, but yes getting long!
Where are your polka dot PJ’s from?!
True:) They are from Target!
I have a love/relationship with circuit lol. I like to make sure I do weights/circuits for about 35-45 mins and then I finish with about 20 minutes of cardio!
Your dogs are SO cute!! I have an embarrassing amount of pictures of my dog on my phone lol. I never feed my dog human food (besides peanut butter and chicken), but my dog still sits there begging like yours!
Your tv stand is also really cute! I keep looking for some on overstock or joss and main but they’re so pricey ?. Where did you get yours?
Happy belated bday!
Hi Meg!
That is the perfect exercise balance! 🙂
& THANK YOU. I am very OBSESSED with my pups! My dogs LOVE pb & chicken.
I actually got it at Home Goods for $499! I love it.
XO
HI Meg. Your comment was the first one as I was scrolling through so I happened to see your question. I got a TV stand that looks very similar to Taralynn’s from Target! The only downside was that it had to be assembled, but it was not as expensive as most of the other ones I looked at.
Hi Taralynn! I just wanted to say that I love your blog; your fitness progress is so inspiring! I don’t know if you mentioned this already, but I was just wondering how Kyle and you met. Y’all are so cute!
Thank you Anna!:)
I will make a post with kyle soon 🙂
I’m not a huge football fan and so I didnt watch the superbowl, but Lad gaga’s performance was prett slay, is what I’ve heard! I liked Beyonce’s performance last year more 🙂
My february goal is to stress manage better by starting m evening routine around 7pm whenever possible on days Im not working.
Lol I hated Beyonces performance. Anyone who disrespects the police does not have my vote.
Stress control is a great goal 🙂 More relaxing in the works!
Agreed!
Hi Taralynn! Can I ask what app you use to track where you run and distance?
Runkeeper!
Where did you find the arrow key holder you have on your wall?
A store called “AT HOME”
LEO AND GRUMPLES ARE SO CUTE!
I AGREE 😀
Love the new hair, Taralynn
Thanks!
Your blog <3
thank you xo xo
When is your half?
April.
Cute boyfriend!
haha I agree!
I love your green top!
Thank you!
1. I don’t really have a favorite super bowl food! 😛
2. I love/hate circuits! I love the results I see from them and the way they make me sweat, but circuit training is HARD! It’s sometimes difficult to feel motivated enough to do it.
3. My February goals are to avoid sugar as much as possible too, and to have more self-control with the amount of food that I eat.
Thanks for your encouragement! Your blog posts (along with social media posts) are very motivating!
It’s hard to stick to it when you’re by yourself I feel like! I love circuits with friends or living room circuits while I’m watching my favorite shows!
January and February are my worst months for sugar! I crave them so much and I’m trying to stick to more natural sugars! It’s so hard.
xo xo xo & thank you!
I’m sure this was a great post, but all I got out of it is that you are able to do yard work in February? I’m so jealous!
Love the hair!
Becca does look awesome!
My daughter was sick on Super Bowl Sunday so we stayed home and I made chicken noodle soup. Most bizarre super bowl of my life.
lol it’s SO SO SO NICE HERE!!!!
Poor baby 🙁 lucky she has you to nurse her back to health!
I try to post them as I go 🙂 xo You can follow my fitness instgram for more! /simplytaralynnfitchallenge