Wow! You all sure get riled up about round-about compliments and just straight up are-you-kidding-me???? comments too. I loved reading all your thoughts. And, like many of you mentioned, I strive to remember the premise of such comments usually comes from a kind, albeit misguided, place. Join the discussion if you haven’t yet!

I had a most excellent lunch today. I have had a hankering for Mexican lately, so we had taco night for dinner last night. Taco night for dinner always equates to taco leftover lunch the next day. I certainly don’t mind! I piled up a whole grain wrap with some shredded cheese, a huge pile of black beans, corn, and salsa.

Those four components are my taco essentials. Avocado is always nice too…when it fits in the grocery budget. Because mango on sale clearly takes precedence over the avocado. And carrots because they are simply a must have in this household.

My almost Chipotle sized taco wrap and I had a jolly ole time over lunch. I snuggled him tightly so he could keep all his goodies wrapped inside, yet he thought a party of flying beans and corn sounded more fun.

We made quite the mess. I must admit I actually ate most of the taco by bringing my mouth to the plate to eat because it would not stay together and I would not give in to a fork. You simply mustn’t use utensils with tacos!!

I also must admit that I did something slightly stupid yesterday.

Typically my workout plan has me complete a short, easy run on Monday along with a cycle class. Since I was basically a walking zombie on Monday, I skipped out on spin. Yesterday afternoon I felt great and kind of had a niggling to make up that workout I missed. Plus, I kind of just wanted to get out of the house and a workout makes a great excuse. Despite all those things, in my gut I knew tacking spin on to a day that already included a tough tempo run would not be a wise choice. I went anyway.

And I really did feel great before, during, and immediately following the class. I patted myself on the back for making up my workout and spent the evening with an endorphin high. Then, this morning came and my right quad and IT band felt a little off and tight. That meant calling off my 2 mile easy run for the day and instead doing some light elliptical for cardio, which I probably could have done without as well. I plan to take tomorrow as an extra rest day to stretch and make certain my slightly tight IT band doesn’t become an injury.

I made a mistake and pushed too hard. Yet again – the body is smart and I should have listened. I don’t want my body falling apart on me. Note to self: sometimes it pays to take it easy…and not just in the kitchen.

• What are your essential ingredients in a taco?
• What is the last fitness mistake you made?

Gooooood morning! I hope you all started this morning out on the bright side. If not, consider yourself virtually hugged by moi. And slap on a smile!

I attacked another great workout this morning. I’m still loving on the circuit routines. I usually love to switch it up with different training layouts, but time is precious and the circuits really do help me get through strength training faster. Especially considering I only have two days to work my body well during half marathon training.

This morning went like this:

I went through each circuit three times for 8-15 reps depending on the exercise before moving on to the next circuit. I did something similar on Tuesday and both days left my body quivering from the challenge.

PS: If you’re looking for a fun challenge, check out my guest post for Courtney where I share a ton of great plyometric moves to intensify my workouts!

While at the gym, I received a comment from another lady saying that she can tell I work hard and she finds it motivating. Awwww, thanks! I appreciate greatly when someone recognizes and credits hard work. It was nice to hear after some different comments I seem to repeatedly receive from those who don’t know me and my affinity for fitness/healthy living personally. Some of my “favorites” -

"”You must have been born skinny!” – Actually, no. If I don’t stay on top of eating a balanced diet and regular workouts, my body errs naturally to the slightly chubby side. And besides – I don’t want to be “skinny”. I want to be FIT!

“You’re lucky you can breastfeed so you can lose the baby weight.” – I have discussed that whole misconception before. Breastfeeding does NOT equal some magic weight loss pill. Sure, my body uses more fuel (aka calories) to produce milk, but breastfeeding also makes me very hungry and tired. Which that combo can easily equal an overeating scenario for me if I don’t consciously control it.

“I wish I liked healthy food as much as you do.” – I love sugar, sugar, and more sugar as much as the next person! You all know that. I simply took the time to try a variety of foods and find healthy stuff I do like. There’s something out there for everyone if you give it enough time.

Lady One: “Look at you already so small after Braedon, Tina.” Then, Lady Two: “I know. Look at her. It makes me sick.” <--- because apparently I’m invisible???  WHY oh WHY get angry or comment like that about someone else’s healthy body? Talk about an awkward moment to have to laugh off!

“How do you get the weight to just fall off of you?” – I work at it. HARD.So, it doesn’t just fall off. I put in the time and energy to train my body physically and push out of my comfort zone at times to keep progressing. I honor my body with adequate fuel and sometimes say no to things that I  know aren’t worth the consumption.

“It must be nice to not have to work so you can spend all day in the gym.” (followed by little giggle) – Perhaps said in jest? Either way…my jaw dropped when I received this statement from someone a couple of months ago. If they only knew how much I worked. And that my workouts are an hour average six times a week. Barely what I would call spending all day in the gym. I just make the most of my time.

While I know these comments are simply round-about ways of giving compliments, I just had to vent and also say how much a kind, supportive, and realistic compliment makes an impact. I wish everyone could see that healthy living isn’t a breeze…but is still possible for everyone as well. That’s probably why I love you all so much. You get it!

• What comments/statements make you cringe? How do you handle them?