Joys of Being a Runner...

Apparently, I think I am completely capable of running 5 miles a day without icing/heating my knees.  I learned differently the hard way, today at the gym.  I was on the treadmill, feeling good hitting mile 2, and BOOM out of no where my right knee gave out.  I got off immediately, in fear of making myself worse, and hopped on the elliptical.  Got off that machine after about 2 minutes, because my knee was screaming, "NO" at me.  Been icing/heating it ever since, so hopefully I'll be ready for my 5 am run in the morning.

Sore feet, red/cracked heels, swelling, etc..

Thanks to a certain someone, these new Asics running shoes came in the mail today.  Hopefully, this is just what I'll need to get my feet back on track (literally).  Can't wait to put some mileage on these bad boys. 

Put Down The Can!

That's right, you heard it! Put down a can of soup and MAKE YOUR OWN! 

 

Why is fresh soup better than canned?

YOU are in charge of what goes in your soup.  How much vegetables, chicken, and sodium!
YOU also aren't going to add any chemicals to preserve the soup and make it last longer.

Alternative to canned soup: Caitlin's Chicken Soup! (NO noodles necessary)

 

Sure, I may sound biased, but this is honestly one of the best chicken soups I've ever had -- and SUPER easy to make.

-2 chicken thighs

-2 cups of carrots

-handful of celery, chopped

-white onion cut in half

-one brown russet potato

-one cup of brown rice

-halved ear of corn

-12 garlic cloves

Put all ingredients covered in water (fill water in large pot about half way to 3/4ths of the way) until chicken meat is falling off the bone.  Remove chicken from pot and pulverize.  Add chicken back, bones and all, and continue to boil after all ingredients are soft.  Should take around 30-45 minutes, just stab at the food until it feels right! 

It's as simple as that! NO noodles, No chicken broth, and NO chemicals.  Add a teaspoon of garlic salt, LOTS of pepper for a smokey taste, and ENJOY! 

Running progress...

Don't know how much longer I'll be able to wear 28's! :-D

My awesome photoshop skills at its finest -- blurring out the mess

I've worked VERY hard for these legs. Still can't wait to add more muscle!

A Very Delayed Valentines Day Part 2

Love yourself.

I have noticed with so many people, including myself, that we spend so much time loving/caring for other people that we forget to love and care for ourselves.

Exercising and a healthy diet can only get you so far, if you don't believe in yourself, it won't even be worth it.

I had a really rough, emotional week last week.  I took a few days off, ate my feelings, and sulked in my own sorrows.  I saw myself as "Gina" from this season's The Biggest Loser in last weeks episode.  She was having a really rough week and let herself give up temporarily.  Although I was frustrated with her and confused on how she was giving up so "easily" after all of her hard work, it finally made sense to me that sometimes, WE FALL DOWN!

Guess what? That's okay.

You know how the saying goes friends:

FALL DOWN 7, STAND UP 8! 

Life and our emotions are constantly in our faces.  It's up to us to have the courage to work through those issues and to get your butt up anyway.

Sure, I may have struggled, but I got back on my feet and continued on with this journey.  In fact, I think those struggles have definitely made me a stronger person, both physically and emotionally.

So, like I said, LOVE YOURSELF! Treat yourself!! I am currently addicted to my New Zella's (running tights) and my new Nike dry-fit shirts! 

I realized that in order to keep ME motivated, I buy myself new workout gear.  Like any other items of clothing, the first thing I do when I buy something is wear it as soon as possible! I keep the same mindset with running shoes or workout clothes.  I just want to show them off immediately and feel hot in them!

Always remember that whenever you go through a slump you will always come out of it and probably as a stronger person than you were before.  Take a listen to "Shake It Out" by Florence and the Machine.  It helps get me back on my feet :-)

After my hard week I started at 2 miles Thursday, 3 Friday and Saturday, 4 Sunday and today (Monday).  I know in no time at all I will be back at 5 a day.  I believe in myself.  I am now focusing on taking this healthy lifestyle day by day, instead of only seeing myself with a Ronda Rousey body the day of the marathon ;-D (although I still hope to have that!)

Remember that each day will be a new workout, new run, new ideas, new goals, and new emotions.  Take each day by storm and be excited when you reach your goals, but don't let that be your sole focus - stay excited about each and every day.  Happy Monday my friends.  Make it a great week.

Stay Encouraged! ;-)

-C


PS-
I had some complications with my last Pinterest account, so I decided to make a new one! It'll be pretty blank at first, but I'll be pinning away in no time again.

pinterest.com/caitlinrbryant

username: caitylately

GREEN MACHINE! (Valentine's Day part 1)

With Valentine's Day Approaching...

Men and women are racing to the store for last minute flowers, chocolates, and jewelry.  

What does my man get me?

A JUICER!!! 

Boy, am I happy!

I have wanted a juicer for quite some time and my time has finally arrived.  

I was so excited that I ran to the grocery store and spent about $30 on fruits and veggies alone.  

I spent a lot of time on the internet looking for different recipes for the healthiest juices.  I decided to make my own recipe instead of following one off the internet and WOW was it delicious -- and super healthy! 

I made this "Green Machine" with a cup of kale, cup of spinach, 2 kiwis, one green apple (cored), one pear (cored), one peach, half a cucumber, half a lemon, and 2 celery stalks.

   Thanks to the "Fitness and Nutrition" twitter account, I found a great way to put use to the leftover fruit remains: 

I know it doesn't look very appealing, but scrape the fruit out and mix it with nonfat Greek yogurt! Gives your yogurt lots of flavor and makes it very sweet.

 I have decided that I will juice twice a week from now on.  Prepare your fruits and veggies that you will be using for your juicing on Monday.  Store them in the fridge in containers to save you time 

 when you're ready to juice! 

Many of you may be "Blenders" instead of "Juicers" 

That's okay! I blended before I juiced, too. 

According to this "RateYourBurn" website, there are benefits that come out of both juicing and blending, so don't feel discouraged! Blend or juice away.  

Stay fruitful! ;-)

-C

GET INSPIRED!

Everyone, meet Taryn.

Taryn is one of the most beautiful girls I know, both on the inside, and out.  She started her weight loss journey a year ago and has made incredible changes to her lifestyle.  I asked her a few questions on how she's changed her every day routine and she gave some inspiring advice.  

 

1). What made you want to change your lifestyle? Did you have some kind of epiphany, or did you just want to lose 5 lbs at first?

When I first started this journey I honestly had no idea where it would take me. All I knew was that I needed a change... I wanted to feel better in my own skin and I knew that my current lifestyle was never going to get me where I wanted and hoped I would one day be. I had no goal weight loss in mind, I just wanted to be a healthier and happier version of myself.

2). How has your eating habits/routine changed?

The way I eat now is completely different than the way I used to eat, lets say a year ago. I would literally eat whatever I want. And when I say whatever, I literally mean WHATEVER I wanted. I had no idea that what I was doing was wrong, and I didn't know any better. I am now a lot more conscious of what I am putting into my body. A lot more protein, fruits, and vegetables and a lot less sugar and carbs. I had always heard that saying "you are what you eat", and now I completely agree. 

3). Do you still let yourself cheat sometimes? What's your favorite cheat food?

 

Honestly, cheating is what keeps me going. Every Saturday I allow myself a cheat. I can eat whatever I want, and trust me I do. If I didn't have my cheat days I wouldn't have anything to look forward to. When I am struggling on Wednesday, I just think "only a couple more days until Saturday, I CAN DO THIS!" My all time favorite cheat food are pancakes...breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I can't stop myself when it comes to them!

4). Have you completely eliminated alcohol? If you do drink, what's the "healthiest" drink to have?

As far as alcohol, I have never really been a big fan of the taste of it, so that in itself has kind of kept me away from it. BUT, when I do, I usually stick to vodka with a sugar free Red Bull, thats my favorite and really low in calories! 

5). Describe your average workout routine.

 

My average workout routine consists of at least 20-30 minutes of cardio. My favorite form of cardio is the stair master, it really helps build that booty! Other than that, it depends on the day of the week. Depending on the day, I have a certain muscle group that I work on; legs, triceps, biceps, shoulders, back, abs. Weight training has been a huge part of my workout success. I have learned a lot, and honestly that comes with being in the gym so often. I have learned a lot from watching other people, or just asking. You can never ask enough questions when it comes to working out, the more you know, the more you will be able to change your body. So don't be afraid to ask! 

6). What kind of music pumps you up for your workouts? Any good/new workout songs?

Honestly, the only music I ever listen to when I'm working out is R&B. It's my favorite type of music, so it really keeps me going in the gym! That's my advice when it comes to music, listen to something that makes you feel good. That way you can associate your love for music with your growing love for working out and being at the gym.

7). How often are you working out? Do you give yourself rest days?

I give myself 1-2 rest days a week. It honestly just depends on what is happening that week. But it always falls on either Saturday or Sunday. Like my cheat day, it gives me something to look forward to! And plus, your body needs a good rest. If 5-6 days is too much for you, 3-4 will work as well! Anything is better than nothing.

8). Any other advice for new "gym-aholics" or tips on how to stay consistent?

My biggest advice that I ever give someone when it comes to maintaining this lifestyle is to not take it too serious! Just because you are making time for the gym or giving up your favorite foods doesn't mean that it's all you should consume your life with. Having a cheat day and a couple days off from the gym will allow you something to look forward to, and having that will make you never want to stop. It's like I can achieve the body I've always wanted and still eat my pancakes! Never give up, and realize that this isn't a diet or a temporary thing...it's a LIFESTYLE, and you have forever to perfect it. Don't get discouraged, because all good things take time! 

For more progress pictures, keep up with this amazing girl on Instagram: tarynnicole

Stay optimistic! ;-) 

-C

TEA-TIME!

David's Tea

 Let's Talk Tea...

 Tea is the healthiest addiction a person can have.

Dr. Oz - one of TV's greatest blessings, has talked about tea on his show, and the health benefits that come from it.  click here for some of the health benefits of tea that is listed on Dr. Oz's website. 

I used to be a huge "TAZO" tea fan, but now that I live in the bay, I am 110%, crazily infatuated with an undying love for DAVID's TEA. Everything from their Red Velvet Cake to Forever Nuts is absolutely delicious.

David's tea is so amazing because it has the same fantastic flavors as all of our favorite cheat foods! This brand has some of the best organic teas I have ever had.  The best part about David's?  Even if you don't live around the bay, you can order it online! (Although the in-store experience is fun, because you get to smell them all!). 

Tea is fun, delicious, and makes people happy.  It's also great for your metabolism and can keep you energized.  For example, Matcha green tea not only gives you more energy than a cup of coffee, but one cup of Matcha is equivalent to that of TEN cups of tea.  Say goodbye to expensive Starbucks and energy drinks, because Matcha has got you covered!  At David's Tea, I love to get my hot Matcha with soy milk and agave. MMMM!!

Stay Energized! ;-)

-C