I cooked the kale and brussels sprouts on the stovetop with cooking spray, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. For the eggs, I scrambled five egg whites together. I also had a cup of nonfat Greek yogurt while cooking!
It’s day five of the fitness challenge, and I’m feeling the pain today. After this post, I’m heading out on my walk. I loved today’s circuit because it wasn’t high impact. It was relaxing, and I followed it up with a nice stretch. The circuit workout only took about 25 minutes.
Workouts that you can do in your living room are the best. You don’t have to waste time driving anywhere, and it’s hard to make excuses not to do them.
After my circuit, I took a bubble bath with muscle pain relieving bath salts.
Now that I have my coffee, it’s time to talk all about my week.
I didn’t have an easy week. I tried to do as many fun things as possible, but I was so stressed out. Both dogs were sick, which made me sick. But no worries, they are both doing much better! I’m praying for a relaxing and stress-free week. Going in and out of vet offices is no fun. 
Last week, I was on a lettuce wrap kick for lunches. They are quick, low carb, and high protein. This one had Applegate turkey slices, Applegate bacon, gouda, yellow mustard, and iceberg lettuce.
I had a long run planned on Tuesday because I had a crummy run week with the dogs being sick.
I dread the neighborhood run because of the hills, but I know I need to run them more because of my upcoming half marathon. The route is going to be hilly, and I want to be ready. My goal for the half is to finish. I don’t care about my time, and I don’t care if my miles end up being 11-minute ones. I just want to be able to say I ran the entire 13.1 miles. For me, having the endurance is more important than being fast.
I ended up being very proud of this run. It felt so good, and it reassured me that I could do this. I have to thank my running partner, Meighan, for inspiring me with a long “YOU CAN DO IT” text message. I had so much stress built up from the week, so I think that is what pushed me during this run. Exercise is such a great outlet, and it’s much cheaper than therapy
My mom and I took the pups for a small walk when I got back. My mom came over to watch movies with me Tuesday night, and she kept an eye on the pups while I was out on my run.
I made a protein shake for dinner. It had 2 scoops vanilla protein powder, 1 frozen banana, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 1/2 cup water. I also had Greek yogurt and a peanut butter waffle later in the night because I was so hungry. 
Post-run bath with my muscle pain relieving bath salts. 
My mom and I went out for a long walk after coffee on Wednesday morning, and then I made us some protein shakes for breakfast. She’s obsessed with my protein shakes and always asks me to make them. 
After my mom had taken off, I started working on the new fitness challenge! My lunch was pretty much a protein plate. It had scrambled eggs and ground turkey.
Sleepy boys! Poor Grumples was NOT feeling well.
I found a new iced coffee to try at the grocery store while I was picking up healthy eats for the challenge. It was good, but not as strong as I usually like my coffee.
For dinner, I made roasted brussels sprouts, carrots, and ground turkey. They were seasoned with sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and olive oil.
I headed out to run errands on Friday. It looked like fall outside.
I decided to pick up some flowers and pots for my garden! I wasn’t going to plant anything until Saturday because it was going to drop down to 32 degrees on Friday night.
After running errands, I had a late breakfast. I used some of the leftover ground turkey in my omelet with sweet potatoes and spinach.
I had coffee and fresh fruit on the side.
I met up with Becca at the gym, and we did day one and day two of the challenge’s circuits. 
I picked up Chopt for dinner. My salad had chickpea falafel, grilled chicken, cucumber, tricolor quinoa, kale, arugula, romaine, and goat cheese.
Kyle came over on Friday night so we could watch Dateline It’s our favorite thing to do on Friday nights. 
Saturday morning cuddles.
These are the Vogue cups I found at last week’s estate sale! I’m obsessed. I was supposed to go to some estate sales over the weekend, but I wanted to stick around with Grumples since he was still sick.
My shake had blueberries, banana, almond milk, ice, spinach, and vanilla protein powder.
I decided to plant all of the flowers while Kyle was at the gym.
I will most likely become a crazy flower lady by the end of the summer.
I need to make my wreath, add the new glass door, and paint the porch next, but I am so happy with the progress I’ve made. I think it looks so much better
After working outside for a bit, I made lunch and got ready for my long run with Meighan.
I had some leftover protein shake from breakfast and leftover Chopt.
We decided to drive all the way to Waxhaw for our run. We wanted a new scenery and hills. We didn’t really WANT hills, but we needed them.
I was so so so so proud of our run. I had a cramp at mile four but pushed through it, and eventually, it went away. This route was so hilly, and it was exactly what we needed for training.
I don’t think this will be the last time we run in Waxhaw. We ran the back country roads, and it was lined with gorgeous old southern homes. I was too focused on the beauty of it all to pay too much attention to the difficulty of the course. 
And you can’t go to Waxhaw without stopping at the creamery. Meighan and I split coffee ice cream on the way home!
I picked up peanut butter cup for Kyle and a couple flavors for my parents.
Kyle and I made a Blue Apron, an awesome meal kit delivery service, on Saturday night. IT WAS SO GOOD, but I’ll post that Thursday with all of our other Blue Apron meals.
Sunday morning breakfast: Gluten-free blueberry waffle with peanut butter, Applegate bacon, and scrambled eggs!
Becca and I went to get coffee on Sunday morning at Amelie’s French Bakery in Rock Hill. It had been so long since we’ve had coffee there.
I had the latte with an extra shot of espresso
Later in the day, we grabbed lunch at Zoe’s kitchen. I had their tossed Greek salad.
And then we did some shopping
When I got back from hanging out with Becca, Kyle and I went for a walk around uptown. I was feeling so stress-free because Grumples was feeling better We made another Blue Apron, and then watched the O.J. Simpson documentary. 
I ended the night with popcorn and puppy cuddles!
Kyle’s mom sent me this quote for half marathon inspiration this morning, and I had to share it with you all!
