cleanse results

Hi friends! If you've been keeping up with me on instagram, I've been pretty busy with addressing all our wedding invites and taste testing red wine. Now I'm pretty under the weather, but what better time to post, right?

My cleanse with Sami ended on Friday (go read about her results!) so I got up early on Saturday and took measurements before heading out to my 10K race. I stupidly forgot to take pictures but at least I stepped on the scale and measured.  The rest of my weekend was basically a blur of mimosa brunches and holiday parties so the pictures you're about to see are from yesterday (Tuesday). 

L: before, R: after. Same outfit except that sweater was in the wash.

Can definitely see a change in the side view. All that bloat is gone!

What these pictures don't capture (since I don't have a nice camera) is how baggy the jeans are around my thighs and upper/under butt area.  That's a pretty nice feeling!

In all, I lost 6 lbs on the cleanse.  My starting weight was 140.4, I got down to 134.6 about 6 days in but then had a massive binge eating day.  Well, I was able to get back down to 134.6 by sticking to my clean eating and focusing on my workouts. 

Currently, I've hovering around 136 with the holidays parties and such wine tasting. But hey, I'm sick today! The only thing I want to consume are throat lozenges and orange juice so this just may work in my favor.

Back to bed for me. Hope you're enjoying this Wednesday more than I am!

xoxo,

Cait

amazing dinner

I've really been slacking on posting what I've been eating on this cleanse, so get ready for an update. 

First up, I have to share this super simple and delicious dinner I made tonight:

Sorry the picture isn't great - I'm not a food photographer!

I wasn't sure what I wanted and I knew that going out to the store wasn't an option - there was too much food in my fridge (that will spoil at some point) and it was cold freezing. The temps here dropped 40 degrees today!  That means Texas is practically in an ice age.

When I saw the ground turkey I was planning for my eggs cups I decided to use a little to make some burgers as well.  Searching around my fridge also led me to an avocado, some turkey bacon, an onion, and romaine lettuce.  The best part? I made two burgers and sauteed extra onions so I have lunch tomorrow planned out already!

Since I was already making the kitchen a mess, I went ahead and made my egg cups as well. In a large mixing bowl I combined 12 eggs, cooked ground turkey, and sauteed onions.  I then poured my mix into muffin tins sprayed with Pam.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

I store them in the fridge and pop them into the microwave for 15-30 seconds!

Other meals and snacks I've been eating while on the Cleanse?

• breakfast smoothies
• edamame hummus with cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas
• hard boiled eggs
• gluten-free cereal, banana and almond milk
• gluten-free bread, toasted, smeared with avocado and topped with turkey
• almonds
• grilled chicken, black beans, and steamed veggies
• dessert smoothies - almond milk, vanilla protein powder, banana, chia seeds, ice 

The hardest part so far? I am CRAVING some Starbucks.  I've been drinking it so frequently, and especially while studying, that it makes it hard to start any reading or assignments without getting my fix first. I sound like an addict. But I know that my first post-cleanse Starbucks will taste that much sweeter for having waited for it and not giving in to my temptations!

I've got a few other things hanging around my fridge just waiting to be made into a delicious meal. And I'm dying to make this Almond Butter detox shake from Jesi, though I'll probably substitute the soy milk with almond milk. Keep an eye out on IG for more meal updates!

xoxo,

Cait

aka the Bottle Lady

I leave my house with these every morning: Spark, smoothie, fiber drink.

 

stats and cyber monday

Before I get into the nitty gritty (aka the good stuff), I want to share a few Cyber Monday deals I've come across.  I'm sure everyone's inbox was flooded with sale emails this morning and if you're anything like me, I tend to get overwhelmed and just delete all the emails.  I don't have the willpower to sift through 50 websites for something I might like that I didn't even know I needed just to save some money.  But here are a few items I purchased recently and LOVE so you might as well get them today with the deals.  Easy peasy!

Old Navy: 30% with CYBER

Old Navy: studded | snakeskin | glitter

I originally bought these flats in the snakeskin print a few weeks ago. I've already worn them a handful of times and they are actually comfortable - which is huge! I find that flats are the worst for being comfy in the store before turning into weapons of torture just 30 minutes into wearing them. When I saw the other prints last night, I knew I had to have them and that I'd feel good wearing them. The honeycomb infinity scarf is a new staple of mine, as it comes in great neutrals and is unbelievably cozy. I can't find it online anymore but there were still a lot in my local stores. And you can't go wrong with this sweater!

J. Crew Factory: 50% everything, free shipping and extra 10% off with FCM733C2B

I spied this jacket a few weeks ago and immediately texted my mom, "IGNORE PREVIOUS WISHLISTS! This item supersedes everything else!" with a barrage of photos.  Well, I got the jacket this week and it does not disappoint. The color is fabulous and it is warm without being too heavy.  It is called the Factory Skirted Dress Coat and I saw it online but now the website is updating or something.  Too much Cyber Monday traffic!

Francesca's: 30% off sitewide and free shipping

Roxy just got the most adorable faux leather skirt there at a blogger event (damn you, clinicals for making me miss that!) and I'm dying to order it.  I can already envision the countless holiday events where I would wear it: B's work party? Check. Family Xmas dinner? Yup. Sister's rehearsal dinner? You bet.  New Year's Eve? Duh.

Add to the fact that my fox sweater IG post today was a little too similar to her earlier fox sweater post and I look like a stalker.  Good thing I know her IRL and pre-blog because that makes it less creepy, right?

Also lusting over this sequined number and this entire outfit, especially the moto jacket.
 

@grrfeisty wearing the Quinn Faux Leather Skirt

Old Navy fox sweater

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Sorry for not changing into workout gear but I was short on time. And I promise I don't have scoliosis, I was just twisted oddly to get a pic of my back in the mirror.

I'm not really keen on putting these numbers out there but it will keep me more accountable.  My goal is to get below 135 lbs. And stay there! For the last year I've floated between 135-141 and I'm just ready to get out of those numbers. 

Who else is joining us?  Make your purchase from me by tonight to be entered for the FREE SPARK!

xoxo,

Cait

monday morning quickie

Happy Cyber Monday!  I'm in Austin but getting ready to head back to Houston, so my schedule is off a bit.  The Holiday Clean Up starts today with Sami and me! Sami already posted her before pics and stats, as did Kristen, so go check these amazing ladies out! And yesterday I shared an easy shopping list to help you get ready for the cleanse.

I had not originally planned to stay in Austin until this morning, but it ended up that way so I officially can't start my cleanse until I get to Houston where it is waiting for me.  Which means no weigh-in or stats yet either, because what good is it to weigh-in on my mom's scale when I won't be back for a 3 weeks? Plus, the damn thing weighs in like 4 lbs light so I'd be all happy for no reason.  Wah wah.

You still have time to join us! If you order from me by tonight, you'll be entered to win the FREE box of Spark! Plus, I'll be posting my daily meal plans the day after I eat them so you can always just use those posts as a guide.  Personally I cannot wait for this bloated feeling to leave! As if Thanksgiving wasn't enough, we celebrated my brother's birthday last night so I ate all the mexican food and drank all the vodka tonics. Sorry I'm not sorry.

True sibling love.  Happy birthday, Ben!

What does the fox say?

Most adorable niece EVER. Plus, she loved the fox sweater!

Then we came home where my mom and I sat down to drink wine (because there wasn't enough drinking at dinner) and order wedding invitations!! Seriously, that has been the hardest part of wedding planning for me  Pretty much everything else - dress, venue, bridesmaid dresses, food - was super easy. I recognized that I had found "the one" pretty early on in the process and that was it. No more looking, not more need to look. This invitation stuff though? UGH! There are so many gorgeous options out there but none that felt right. And it's just a piece of paper! Why the stress?

Long story short, we bit the bullet and bought the pricey ones that I kept coming back to. They're gorgeous and I'll share them when they come in.  But don't you know what popped up in my email this morning??

25% off ALL wedding products with MON25

You better believe I'll be calling when their office opens (at 8am PACIFIC TIME???) so they can apply that 25% off to my order.  Or cancelling and then reordering with the code.  That's way too much money to be saved spent on other things!

Hope you're all having a great day back after the holidays! Stats and pics will be up later today!

xoxo,

Cait

Shopping List

The Thanksgiving break has been wonderful so far (yep, my break isn't over until Monday morning when I head back to Houston!) but I am actually looking forward to getting back to a routine.  Don't get me wrong, if I could stay in Austin just to visit old friends and lounge around my mom's house while eating and drinking to my heart's content I would. But it isn't realistic and I'm certainly not feeling my best.

As soon as little Milli get dropped off at home Monday morning, I'll be heading to the grocery store for the #HolidayCleanUp cleanse that Sami and I are doing.  Have you bought yours yet? There's still time and you could win a free box of crack Spark!

*disclaimer: I try to eat gluten-free and dairy-free but that isn't required on the cleanse! You should moderate your diary intake and eat only complex carb while on the cleanse though.

Be sure to check out my 5 easy breakfast ideas and a recipe for Stuffed Peppers to help you get going.  I'll be tagging IG photos with #HolidayCleanUp throughout the cleanse so be sure to do the same and we can all share ideas.

Before pics and stats coming soon!

xoxo,

Cait

Spark and the ICU

Just wrapped up my LAST clinical of the semester and I am thrilled! Being in the ICU was an awesome experience.  I'm fairly certain that I want to be an ICU nurse after my experiences there, though I'm keeping my options open until I've gone through Pediatrics (still thinking I'd love the NICU too!) and Maternal/OB.  Just a few of the things I saw/did during this rotation: someone's eyeball popped out, patients crashing/coding, ventilator patients, female circumcision, and limb amputation.  Crazy, right? I loved every second!

Now that I'm home from what I hope will be my last night shift ever for a while, I'm going to nap hard before B and I head to Austin for Thanksgiving.  We'll be packing up the pups and spending a few days in my parents' house which is currently under renovations. Cross your fingers that the crew is hard at work putting in baseboards and a toilet today! Otherwise, B and I will each be on a couch and we'll be using my parents' master bathroom for all our necessary business. 

PLEASE let us have more than one toilet in the house!

Before I slip away to La La Land, I am giving away a FREE box of Spark!  Yup, a whole box of Spark, in whatever flavor the winner wants.  All you have to do is join up with Sami and I for our Holiday Clean Up AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse!  Your entry for the giveaway is your purchase of the Herbal Cleanse. When you buy from me, I'll automatically have your name put in the drawing.  Purchase by Monday, December 2nd to be eligible.  Winner will be announced Tuesday! If you buy a whole 24 Day Challenge then I'll have to come up with an even better giveaway - maybe Spark and some Slam? We'll see!

Sami and I will be starting the cleanse on Monday, but you can always start a day or two late and just follow along. Use #HolidayCleanUp to join in on the fun!

Happy Pre-Turkey Day! Get your sweatpants ready!

xoxo,

Cait 

PS - The giveaway for $40 cash is still going on at JustJacq. There are just over 100 entries which means you've got a great chance at winning it just in time to spend it on some cute holiday accessories!

I did it! And some other exciting news!

First, I have to say THANK YOU for the love and the kind words of support this weekend when I ran my first half marathon! I plan on writing a full recap later this week but I cannot say enough about how much it meant to me to see your messages, your texts, your "likes" and the support on the blog, Facebook and IG.  I never would have had the balls to attempt this if it weren't for the blogging community that helped me believe I could do this.

I have never been happier or colder!

This week is going to be a busy one for me, just like it will be for many of you.  It started with the half marathon, continued on Sunday with a family dinner to celebrate my birthday, and now I'm about to get ready for the first of two consecutive night shifts before we head to Austin on Thursday for Thanksgiving.

To say I'm worried about slacking off now that my BIG GOAL is over and done with combined with the holidays and holiday drinking that is right around the corner would be an underestimate.  I just work better and feel more balanced when I have something I am working towards.  I haven't pinned down the next race or event yet so instead I'm focusing on my diet.  I love enjoying the holidays, which means feasting and drinking to my heart's content with my friends and family. But just on the holiday.  Not for the four weeks between holidays, Cait!

To combat the holiday weight gain, Sami and I are hosting another round of the AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse.  We'll be starting it on Monday, December 2nd so you still have plenty of time to order! (Order by Wednesday with 2 day shipping and it should arrive Saturday.  I've found that 2 day shipping, for whatever reason, is usually only $1 more than regular with AdvoCare!)  I'll be posting a shopping list and some meal plans over the weekend so you can plan accordingly. On instagram, tag all things cleanse related with #holidaycleanup so we can all see what each other is doing to be successful!

If you're interested in doing the entire 24 Day Challenge, you would finish that on Christmas Day (or a day early, if you'd like!).  The 24 Day Challenge starts with the 10 Day Cleanse which means there is always time to decide that later.

Basics for the 10 Day Cleanse:
- Comes in Citrus or Peaches and Cream
- Drink the fiber shake the first 3 mornings and the last 3 mornings
- Take the Probiotic Pills on mornings 4-10
- Take the Herbal Cleanse Pills at bedtime for days 1-7
- Cut out alcohol, soda, creamy sauces, sugar, candy, fried foods, processed foods, white flour, and partially hydrogenated oils (personally, I cut out all daily and gluten since it just agrees more with my system!)

The cleanse is NOT a starvation diet or a crazy juicing plan.  You eat real food! Just not crap food!  I always work out on the cleanse and I'm typically eating more food than I usually do, just making better choices about that food.

I'd love to answer any questions or concerns you have about the cleanse! Leave me a comment or shoot me an email: yfgblog@gmail.com.

Hope you'll join us for the cleanse! Time to clean up our holidays, ladies!

xoxo,

Cait

PS - I'm part of a CASH giveaway over at Just Jacq! Enter below or on her post. Ends Nov. 30th!

$40 Paypal cash straight to you! 

 

To enter, simply enter through Rafflecopter. a Rafflecopter giveaway

some good news

I mentioned yesterday that Thursday's night shift was less than stellar, which is putting it lightly.  After sleeping the day away I had a slightly better outlook and then some good things came my way.  Doesn't life have a funny way of working out?  Just when you think things are down and out, some good comes your way.

It made me step back and realize that even in the struggles I am incredibly blessed and these challenges are just part of the journey.

So on to the good news...

(1) I made the Dean's List for the summer semester!

Don't judge - I study in my Beats and without makeup.

This wasn't on my radar at all and it just showed up in the mail last week.  It reminded me that the hard work does pay off and now I'm more determined than ever to keep it up.  Plus, I'm halfway done with the fall semester which means I'm also halfway through the program! CRAZY!

(2) My loans were forgiven!

After wrapping up my last year of teaching, I found out that I was eligible to have my undergraduate loans forgiven in exchange for completing 5 years at a Title 1 school.  The amount varies based on grade level and content, but teaching 8th grade science put me in the highest category. I submitted my forms this summer, had them returned because they were expired, resubmitted the forms, and then basically didn't hear anything.  I assumed that I would have to start paying on them again come graduation and I had accepted that being in crazy debt was my reality.

Then I got an email on Friday saying something about "thank you for your payment." I panicked thinking that my automatic payments had started back up and I wasn't prepared for that - they've been in deferment since starting nursing school.  However, when I opened the email I saw this instead:

I actually spit out my Spark when I saw the amount.  That's more money than I've ever had at one time.

And my heart almost stopped.  It took me a few hours of checking the email and logging into my account to actually believe it.  I'm still in shock a little bit!

Yup, those loans are actually paid off! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted.

(3) The giveaway I won from Kaara and Jacquelyn arrived yesterday!

During September, Kaara and Jacquelyn hosted the Move It Challenge and for each week you linked up with your fitness you were entered to win an Advocare Cleanse.  And I won! I didn't realize that I would be getting so many amazing goodies so I'll let the pictures do the talking.

How cute are these messages Kaara wrote around the box? Made me even more excited to open it!

Advocare Slam, Bowl Game Berry

Advocare Herbal Cleanse, peaches & cream

blogilates blender bottle

crocheted coasters

Advocare Spark, pink lemonade

Advocare Coffeccino, mocha

bracelet

earrings

crocheted head wrap

adorable card

I've never tried the Coffeccino and I love mocha flavor so I'm really excited about that.  And the Slams are perfect for my night shifts at the hospital.  Plus, I'm dying over the crocheted items. They are so soft!  I love it all and I am so excited about it! Please stop by Kaara and Jacquelyn's blogs to show them some love - they are wonderful girls that I'm so lucky to have found!

I'd love to hear what good things have come your way lately! And I know it's cheesy, but thinking positively about the things that are challenging us really does make a difference. I encourage you to try next time something has got you feeling down.

xoxo,

Cait

PS - that blender bottle is perfect for the Fiber Drink that comes in the 10 Day Cleanse. I'm starting on Tuesday with Mel and Holly.  It's not too late to order yours!

(Half) Marathon Monday #1

If you missed the big announcement this weekend.... I'M RUNNING A HALF MARATHON!

Even if I look like this, I'll be crossing that damn finish line.  Best believe that! [via]

The lovely JustJacq had me guest post on Saturday so you can read about my decision to run here.  And as promised, I'm going to do a weekly update on my trainings called (half) Marathon Mondays!

I'm following the Hal Higdon Novice 1 training plan which expects the runner to have built up to 3 miles. I've been running that distance pretty regularly the last few weeks to build up my endurance but that doesn't mean that it's been easy.  This 100 degree weather is no joke.

My first training run was yesterday and I went 3 miles around Rice.

People - If you live in Houston, you need to run here! It's gorgeous and shaded and there are the right amount of people - not so many that the trail is crowded and you spend the whole time dodging strollers and dogs, but not so few that you feel like a murderer would jump out of the bushes and it could be a few days until someone found your body Law and Order: SVU style.  You feel me?

Anyways, on to the run.
I went before my Pure Barre class so I my legs were fresh and it was early enough to not be sweltering hot. I walked about 1/4 mile during the second mile and had to stop for water around the start of the 3rd mile. 
Time: 38:02
Average Pace:11:52

I ate 2 Cliff Shot Bloks before the run, then refueled with an Rehydrate Gel before Pure Barre and drank a Spark during Pure Barre.

Strawberry Shot Bloks, Lemon Rehydrate, Pink Lemonade Spark

Anyone else training for a big race? Any tips or suggestions?

xoxo,
Cait

PS - Come join me in the #SEPTx22 Challenge at Social Workout! Search for Cait R. and look for this pic:

Nov. 2011, birthday dinner. I thought that dress successfully camouflaged my weight gain. Yikes!

day 2 and starting stats

If you're anything like me, you're reading this post from the comfort of your bed where you haven't had to fully open both eyes yet.  At least, trolling Bloglovin from the warmth of my bed is how I like to wake up on a Saturday morning!

As promised, I've got my starting stats below but first you'll have to get through my update for Day 2.

Day 2 Updates

Well Day 2 didn't quite get off to the start that I had hoped for.  I planned on waking up early, getting a run in, studying, yada yada yada.  

Instead, I slept in until 10am, skipped my early workout, went to the DMV and then a movie.  But there was (and still is!) a lot of studying!

Okay, on to the food -

10am - egg cup and fiber drink
10:30am - banana and spark
12:30pm - deli turkey, hummus, carrots and celery
2:00pm - movie theater popcorn (very small amount), Think Thin bar
7:00pm - classic turkey club (no cheese!) and sweet potato fries

Probably have averaged around 80 oz of water... much better than Day 1, so I'll take that small victory!

And because I skipped my morning run I was going to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred before climbing into bed but instead read almost all the posts on yesterday's wedding link up. Oops!

Starting Stats

When I did the cleanse for the first time in March, I recorded my info on a note in my phone at the beginning and at the end.  For comparison's sake, here you go:

I must have not updated the weight loss because clearly I lost 12 lbs... oops! I think the 7 lbs was during the "cleanse phase".

In the two months since the cleanse, I've basically yo-yo'ed within a 4-lb range.  I've been stuck between 135 and 139 pretty consistently.  I blame a few things: weddings, end of school celebrations, lack of grocery shopping, fast food, inconsistent workouts.  But despite this I'm actually pretty proud that I kept a lid on my weight.  That's the longest I've been at a "healthy" weight since high school probably.  Usually I just get serious about losing, reach a goal, and then it all goes out the window!

Without further ado, here are my stats as of Thursday morning when I started:

Weight 137.4 lb

Left Arm 11

Right Arm 11

Bust 33

Waist 28

Hips 35.5

Left Thigh 23

Right Thigh 23.5

Left Calf 15

Right Calf 15

And here are the before pics:

L-O-V-E LOVE LOVE these shorts from Walmart.  And only $5.  Can't be that with a stick!

Please ignore the dirty mirror. And my sunburn. Apparently 23 minutes in the sun without sunscreen does that to me but the pictures honestly make it MUCH worse! I do NOT match that swimsuit hanging off to the left - PROMISE!!

All in all, pretty consistent from 2 months ago.  By the end of this challenge I would like to be in the 120's (even if it is just 129.9) and have lost 5 inches total.  Since I'm adding in workouts this time around, I think it's possible!

Any suggestions along the way to stay motivated?

xoxo,

YFG

PS - If you made it this far, you're probably reading this while I'm at my first day of clinicals.  Please consider sending me some good nurse vibes!! 

cleanse & weddings & kimye, oh my!

Let's just get something out of the way first. Reports are coming in that Kimye's baby finally has a name and that name is...

North West.

Seriously? Is that a joke? Was Kim so delirious on meds and hormones that she actually went along with Kanye's cockamamie idea? Do they think they've got the next Blue Ivy on their hands??  Hopefully this is another faulty media report (much like Kaidence) but I've got a feeling that this is the real deal.

Kim, when she comes to her senses about the name choice. I hope E! captures it all on camera for us!

Alright, on to other things!

I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge again yesterday! Feeling pretty good about Day 1 but not fabulous.  Here's the breakdown:

5:30a - chug the fiber drink while getting ready

6:15a - drink Spark and eat an egg cup while on the road to school (drive takes about 1.5 hours with traffic)

7:00a - banana

11:30a - spark and Think Thin bar on the road back to Houston

12:30p - hummus, baby carrots, celery slices

6:30p - Starbucks protein bistro box (minus the cheese) and a tall unsweetened passion tea lemonade

I drank about 60 oz of water throughout the day.  Based on my weight, I should drink closer to 70 oz.

I went to Pure Barre yesterday afternoon as well. That's one thing I'm focusing on doing differently this time around - exercise.  The first time I did the cleanse it was right after my wreck and I couldn't work out with my broken hand.  Now I'd like to actually eat more and work out.

check out my keek from PB today (caitmregan)

Today should be an easy day to stay on track because I don't have to go to school or clinicals.  But Saturday will be a different story.  It's my first day at clinicals and it will be a long one - 7a to 7p.  I'm not sure what the policy is about drinks on the floor so I'm anticipating struggling with my water intake too.

That's a lot of cleanse talk, so I'll post my starting stats later on.  I'm trying to blog everyday during the cleanse even if it's a super short post!

Wedding link up!

I've hesitated to post much about our wedding because I a) am still in the planning phases and b) sort of want things to be a surprise for our guests.  Not that we're planning anything crazy, but I'm only having one of these things so it takes the fun out of it if my guests know all the details prior to the day, right?  Of course, that's assuming that any of my friends/family actually read this little ole' blog...

But two blog ladies that I adore are doing a link up and I love a good link up!

[go visit Mel and Holly! Tell them I sent you!]

Here's my wedding problem - B and I are planning on having different numbers of people in our wedding parties.  I think it's weird but I also can't find a solution so I'm trying to accept it.  I'll have 5 people on my side and B will have 8.  I think 8 is A LOT for anyone, but especially a guy. I know, I know - stereotype. And if those people mean something to him then it matters to me. But I'm struggling with how to make it not look weird.

Do we have the guys lined up at the front from the start and the bridesmaids all walk down solo?

Do we have 3 of the 5 bridemaids walk down with 2 groomsmen each?

Do the guys all walk up together and then the girls all together?

Do 3 guys walk up alone and then the remaining guys pair up with bridesmaids for the walk?

Seriously, any advice you have for me is good advice at this point.  Except suggesting that we change our numbers.  I don't have any more close girlfriends I feel comfortable asking and B's only suggestion to cut his list down is to eliminate my 2 brothers from his side.  Um, not an option.

at least my friends can make me laugh - look at those emoji!!

Hopefully there are some good ideas floating around out there cause I'm in serious need of help!

xoxo,

YFG 

PS - It would make my day if you followed me on Bloglovin!  You know, if you liked what you read and are interested in more of the same :)