...and breathe.

So I found this quote the other day.

It coincided with the kind of day I had had so I decided to post it to my FB page.

 

 

Enjoy :)

 

-TTT

Thank you.

Dear Mom, 

How do I begin to thank you. For 26 years you've been my tour guide, my inspiration, my cheerleader and my rock. 

You've talked me off the ledge, yet given me the confidence and strength to not fear heights. 

You've held my hand while crossing busy streets and through messy breakups.

You've helped shape who I am today. The choices I've made and paths I've taken. 

Never once have you questioned my life passions, simply wanting me to be happy, healthy and true to myself. 

For all of our 5 times a day phone conversations, thank you. 

For each time I call and ask for a recipe to bring to a party (that night), thank you. 

For every family dinner, article clipping and taxi service to and from games, thank you. 

Most importantly, as I get older, thank you for giving me the tools to one day be a great mom. You've instilled in me countless traits that I hope to teach to my children. 

You are loved more than you know. 

Thank you for being everything I've ever needed and more than I could ever ask for. 

I love you, 
Caroline 

A weekend full of B's.

This weekend was full of...

bourbon.

Mixed with lots of mint. That I accidentally chopped up and then got in trouble for by my sister. I guess picking pieces of mint out of your teeth isn't part of a Mint Julep.

I also had some 7-Up in mine. No shame.

baxter.

My first Vine!!

babies.

Well, a gender reveal party. Which had some babies at it.

bbq-ing.

delish.


What kinds of fun things were YOU up to this weekend?

-TTT

How I Roll.

Just like a story has it's characters, the bloggers I follow have a part in my play. From a career motivator to my best friend next door, each one has this imaginary place in my life.

Now let's get to the program... (in alphabetical order):

Beautifully Nutty: A realistic RD who loves yummy food and staying active. I view her as my best friend next door, whom I can always run to for a cup of sugar or a shoulder to cry on. (But in reality, we are good friends. Just not neighbors... yet. Maybe someday Mel?)

Beauty Lies in Strength: Jen gives me strength and confidence daily. Whether it be new or old posts, I constantly find myself looking back on videos and cyber-ly picking her brain about barbell complexes.

Eat, Lift and Be Happy: Neghar. Is. Awesome. From being a mom to lifting a ridiculous amount of weight, she shows me that you must make yourself a priority.

How Sweet It Is: Jessica is who I would always have over for girls night. Her bright neon nail color and ooey-gooey recipes put her at the top of my must read list. The amount of times I made one of her recipes and people have literally been drooling about it... numerous.

Lemmonex: Where comedic literature is supported by realistic events. With some of her posts being password protected, you can only imagine the truth behind her words. She is blunt and she is real and she is the friend that would call me out on overplucking my eyebrows.

Marc and Angel Hack Life: In essence, my bible. This writing by M & A is absolutely brilliant. Most Some days I will spend hours reading back on older posts and re-reading quotes. I have found inspiration from them. I have had moments of guidance from them (well, their wording).

Meals and Miles: This is my Tampa blog. After graduating University of Tampa in '09 I moved north to be closer to my family. Reading Meghann's blog takes me back to living in one of my most favorite cities. Not to mention she is that swift kick in the bum that I need when I don't want to run.

Studio Eats: Let's just curl up, grab a bottle of wine and chat. That's how I feel when I read Jamie's blog, Studio Eats. Not only is she a fantastic writer, but she's let us into her world one post at a time. Each time I scroll through my google reader Feedly, I feel as if I am pulling up a chair to one of her urban family dinner parties in NYC. (PS- met this awesome lady at HLS12. Friends for life.)

Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life: Saw this Momma-to-be at HLS as one of their fantastic speakers, so of course I followed her immediately. I've always read Courtney's blog as this older sister type character. She is married, about to be a mom and seemingly has her sh*t together.

The Fitnessista: The Mecca. The first blog I ever started following about 3 years ago. Talk about feeling like you know someone. She has inspired me by her ability to juggle motherhood, teaching classes and training, being a military wife as well as focusing on herself. I have to admit she was one of the main reasons I began blogging.

The Lunchbox Diaries: I. Am. So. Happy. I. Read. This.  Blog. If you could follow one singular person that could make you laugh out loud and could relate some insane daily happens, would you? Duh. Colleen is hilarious. My first post I read was this one. After reading it to about 1,243,354 of my closest friends, I was hooked.

Then Heather Said: I love her lists. I love her post-its. I love her organization. I love her Simple Saturdays. Enough said. She is unbelievably talented and helps run HLB. She's magic.

So there's the breakdown. My IMDB of blogs. Some write daily, others a few times a week. This is not what makes them good. It is their content. Their ability to make me feel like I am their friend, neighbor, sister or mentee. This is why I read them.

Do YOU read any blogs? If so, please list them!! I'd love to get some more on my Feedly... which I am loving BTW :)

-TTT

The harsh reality of non-spandex pants.

It's that time of year again.

The buds start blooming, birds have a more prominent chirp and everyone is out enjoying the gorgeous transition into spring.

And oh ya, my pants feel snug. 

Let me begin by saying I never weigh myself. I honestly think the last time I did was in September. And I think I was disappointed then too. As my best friend put is so fittingly, "I just go by how my jeans feel." Welp, since 99.9% of the time I am sporting yoga pants, I never seem to face the harsh reality of non-spandex pants.

I’ll chalk that up as a pro and con to my profession.

I believe I am a relatively healthy eater and avid exerciser. I teach multiple spin classes a week and strength train as well. But, just because I am in the fitness industry doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a glass of wine (or sometimes more). It also doesn’t mean I push myself in the gym as much as I push my clients.

Nutrition and exercise; these are two very important parts to fitting into those jeans. It’s so important to recognize that you must change it up! If you’ve been doing the same exercise routine for months and are not seeing results, change it up! If you’ve been cooking, grilling or steaming the same foods, change it up!

After I read that both of my good friends, Jamie and Melanie, were facing the same post winter weight that I did, I felt inspired. So I took to my calendar; documented my workouts for the week at the bottom of my At-A-Glance. As for nutrition I am trying to keep it to gluten-free (for my belly), limited weekday drinking (unnecessary!) and limited sweets. All the while I am trying to log it into My Fitness Pal.

Please keep in mind I am in no way beating myself up over this. I am choosing to eat clean and train harder and differently.

Because I really want to feel good.

And also, I really like my jeans.

 Did you experience any winter weight gain? How do you take it off for summer? 
-TTT

Outdoor WOD.

I realize this picture is from the winter.  

 

Don't mind the snow. Just do the workout.

 



 

-TTT

A dedication.

This week has definitely been unlike any other. Living in the city where all these events are taking place is surreal. I feel anxious and scared. Yet under it all there is a sense of strength. This city faced fear head on and through it became a united front. Neighbors checking in on each other, children setting up lemonade stands with profits going to The One Fund.

Next weekend I am doing my part by running in a 5k in South Boston to raise money for victims involved in this unthinkable tragedy. The course is gorgeous and wraps around Castle Island; a perfect place to reflect and be thankful.

Before all of the chaos on Monday I was actually up at the 13.1 mile marker in Wellsley. I was able to capture some amazing moments that I have yet to share...

Those signs were amazing!!
"Run now, beer later"
"Your perspiration is my inspiration"
"GO random stranger"

                                 

As Monday approaches and we strive for normalcy and routine, we remember those who were injured, lost their lives and all the families affected.

To our men and women in uniform, I thank you.

You are our heroes, our angels, our brick walls.

You allow us to feel safe in this city we call home.

And for that, I am eternally grateful.

-TTT