Wow, guys. Thank you sooooo much for all of your wonderful and supportive comments on my last blog post. Holy moly! I’m definitely feeling the love! 
As I was reading each of your comments, I started to feel so much better. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only one dealing with these same struggles. And, THANK YOU for all of your words of wisdom. The comments were all over the place in regard to counting calories, and I loved hearing everyone’s different perspectives. You guys are really the BEST!
[rewind to this afternoon]
Snack
This afternoon, while working away at NuVal, I made myself a mug of Rooibos Rising Sun tea from Caftea, who sent me a few of their teas to sample.
Along with their teas, they sent me a bunch of small tea filters to brew my own loose leaf tea right in my mug. I had never used tea filters before, so I thought they were pretty cool! š
I love Rooibos teas. This one had a mellow vanilla flavor. Mmm!
It smelled so good! š
And tasted great, too!
When I got home from work, a special treat was waiting for me on my doorstep: Jer’s Gourmet Chocolates! š Holy yum! MANY thanks to the Jer’s folks for sending me these to try!
I added a Chocolate Covered Peanut Brittle Bite to my bowl of Greek yogurt. I also sprinkled a little cinnamon on top to fancy-it-up. š Excellent snack! Sweet and filling!
Workout
After I ate my snack and took Murphy for a walk, I hopped on the bus to Healthworks to take a Body Pump class.
I LOVED tonight’s class. The instructor, Tara B., is one of the best at the Back Bay club. I always love taking her classes. She has a no-nonsense attitude and makes you work hard! My muscles were totally exhausted (in a good way) by the end of the class. I love that “pump” feeling!
While at the gym, I scored someĀ Olivia’s Organics spring mix! Sweet!
I love free stuff, especially when it’s good for you! And, I really enjoy the Olivia’s Organics products. They’re always so fresh.
I also got a bunch of coupons!
Tonight’s trip to the gym was definitely worth it! š
Dinner
The Olivia’s spring mix made an excellent dinner. I added a bunch of veggies, sliced almonds, and balsamic vinegar to them. Spring mix is definitely my favorite salad base. It’s so delicious and gourmet!
I also had a bowl of Italian-Style Vegetable soup from Progresso for dinner.
Dessert
Mal broke out the Jer’s for dessert, so I indulged in a couple. Come on, I can’t turn down peanut butter-based chocolates!
Man, they were amazing!Ā Think gourmet Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, but a lot better!
I tried the Original IncrediBall and the Prezto Change-O. Both delicious!
Inside the Jer’s box was a nice quote, which I hung behind my laptop.
I’ll announce the “Keep Calm” giveaway winner in the morning.
Chilling with M & M tonight and then hitting the hay early!
Good night!
45 Comments
There is nothing better than scoring a free sample or food item after a long and sweaty workout, I love when that happens to me! Last weekend after a run my gym was giving away protein shake samples, it was perfect timing. š
Keep up the positive attitude with your Lose the Dough challenge. You have such a healthy perspective on exercise and healthy eating, keep up the great work!
I wish my gym handed out free mixed greens! š And good quote from Jer’s!
Free AND coupons. Total score!!
I had the same Progresso soup tonight! Those delicious looking chocolates make me think of my bro. His name is Jer š
All that chocolate looks scrumptious!
I’m glad you are feeling better! those chocolates look delish!
The chocolate looks delish! I want a piece now š
Awwww, my bf’s name is Jer. š Looks like I should’ve gone to HW tonight, I missed out on free greens! I’m proud of you making little adjustments here and there. I joined WW recently to help me towards me Lose the Dough for 30 goal, but 30 pounds is a lot more serious, and needs a little more help! You look GREAT! š
Sometimes a good sweat is all you need to get back on track mentally! How can a girl turn down anything peanut butter is a mystery to me!
OMG. Things I learned from this blog entry: 1) You can make your own tea bags?! 2) you come home to FREE chocolate?!? 3) you get FRESH produce at your gym??? I learned that you live a fun free foodie life!
Wow, I wish my gym gave away free stuff and coupons. Those chocolates look amazing! You’re one lucky gal to score all that swag!
Ooo you got tons of goodies today!! Those chocolates look divine! Whoever melded together peanut butter and chocolate was a genious!
WOW– that is so cool that your gym has free giveaways! That is super nice!
Glad to see that your day turned around– you are beautiful, inside and out!
And apparently I’m not because I spelt genius wrong. LOL
Hi Tina,
I just started reading your blog and think it is fabulous. I am a registered dietitian, and can I just tell you I think your honesty is so inspiring. So many women, including myself, struggle with finding balance. No one can be perfect all of the time, and I have had some of those same cereal experiences. š I personally find that counting calories is the best way for me to lose those few extra pounds, but am careful to not obsess about it (which I have done in the past). Don’t feel bad about counting calories if that is what you need to do. I write mine in a journal that I leave in my kitchen, and don’t think about it again until the next time I eat. Good luck to you! I love your blog and your 1 minute oats cookies! Haha, ever since I saw that recipe I knew I was going to be a follower of your blog! They are delicious!
That’s a perfect quote, and so true! People so often focus on the future and forget to enjoy TODAY, because in reality, that is all we KNOW we have so we might as well make the most of it! š Glad you seem to have perked up!
Pump is my favorite. Glad you are feeling better. Try not to stress-enjoy the journey. It is ok to splurge and enjoy life! Everyone struggles, but don’t beat yourself up about it. I also have a weakness for cereal-I don’t eat it for breakfast cause I eat oatmeal, but I love it for dessert at night. I eat it in a coffee mug for portion control:) You are doing awesome!
Ahhh I can never turned down peanut butter-chocolate either!!!
Your gym is awesome, and so are you.
That is all.
Love Tara B. I take her body defined class every monday night at HW in Cambridge. It is always a good work out!
Your body pump class sounds awesome! Love a great workout!
Olivia’s Salad Mixes are my favorite – organic and local – so jealous of your coupons!
I love body pump!
And what I’ve learned (I’ve lost over 100lbs) is not to buy my “trigger” foods. I should be able to stop when I’m full,etc but I know if there is a certain food I crave and I can’t stop eating then I don’t buy it or I immediately portion it out into individual portions.
If you feel the need to count calories (do what you need to do) sparkpeople.com has a great counter. You can enter your current weight and your goal weight by your goal date. You can record all your food via their database. What’s nice is you can track nutrients for the day. I track my calories, fat, and protein because I never eat enough fat or protein. So you can really customize your food (and analyze how you are eating).
And don’t worry! No one is perfect š and life is too short not to indulge every once in a while!
wow i wish my gym had such lovely freebies!
Be kind to yourself, things happen. You’re becoming a published author, moving and loving Mal and Murphy. I’m a personal trainer of body and soul and this is a time for your soul; the rest will fall into place, dont force it.
What a great day of freebies! š I’ve never even seen tea filters and I’m a HUGE tea drinker — I love my tea emulsifier.
I love that you don’t deprive yourself of chocolate š
Veggies + dessert are my 2 favorite things!
Free samples at the gym! I’m so jealous!
I had a treat tonight too! Despite the calorie counting I made almond butter chocolate chip cookies and enjoyed two!
Yum!
Those chocolates look delicious. I love peanut butter and chocolate … the perfect combination!
Those chocolates look DE-LISH! As does the tea. Can you describe how those tea filters work? I usually use a tea strainer and the filters look much less messy!
whaaaat, i was at healthworks from 1 to 4 pm and did NOT see any free salads! i feel a bit gypped. you go to the back bay club?
lucky you to be able to get all these goodies for free…
Your gym sounds awesome. I can’t wait to get back to my new rec center at school =)
Free salad at the gym? That’s so awesome!
I never understand tea drinkers – I think it just tastes like dirty water lol š
Oh and those PB chocolates look incredible..
Wow those chocolates look amazing! Such a pretty box. Can’t believe your gym gives you free stuff! Brilliant! Also, the quote is so true. Think I might use it to keep me motivated.
I love spring mix! Dh says that it looks like weeds but it is so sweet.
That chocolate looks amazing!
I’m jealous about the free Olivia’s and coupons. I think they have the freshest salad mixes at the grocery store.
Chocolate is always delicious š The free spring mix + coupons sounds awesome!
I got the free sample at healthworks last night too and TOTALLY incorporated it into my dinner! love love love free samples š I recently discovered your blog and was so excited to see that you are in boston too!
I love that quote! It’s basically why I named my blog “This Winding Road,” because I believe any experience or learning we have in life is more about the journey than the destination. Journey’s are where we are able to learn and see the most important things.
wow that chocolate looks fabulous!! :)Glad you had a great time at the gym š hee hee!!
Glad you had a great workout! And I love that quote š
i love that quote “happiness is not a destination…” as though you’ll only be happy once you get to a certain point. thanks for the reminder š
Wow!!! Those Desserts look sooo yummy!
Jer’s has amazing chocolate! I went to the Chocolate Show in NYC a few years ago and discovered them. Everything they make is so tasty!
Love love love that quote and those chocolates sound out of this world good!