What I've been eating lately.

TGIF hot mamas! It's been a hell of a week and I am ready for some down time. Since I've started my new job, it's non stop all day then after work, S and I go straight to the gym for an hour and 45 minutes or so, come home to make and eat dinner, shower, watch one show then go to bed. I have to admit, as nonstop as it is, I love it.

Saturday I am going get my caterpillar eye brows waxed, running a mile or two with Elle Noel, yes I will eat her dust, and then spending the day with S's niece. She is going prom shopping and asked her cool aunt Kassie to go with her. Sunday my plans are to do as very little as possible.

Now, on to the food. I don't want to be annoying and blog about how everyone needs to do the Advocare cleanse, even though I think you should. I can't make you though. But, I can tell you that on day 3 I am not feeling deprived, I still feel full, and I've only had a few short moments bummed about something I couldn't eat. I don't think this cleanse is hard at all, because I've already been eating pretty clean before I started. Here's a look at yesterday and today's eats:

Thursday
Breakfast-Advocare Chocolate meal replacement shake with half a banana and blended with water
Snack-two boiled eggs (I even ate the yolks! Oh my!)
Lunch-Spark (30 minutes before) turkey meatballs, no sugar added sauce and spaghetti squash
Snack-pineapple, one tbsp of natural pb
Dinner-Skinny Taste Santa Fe Chicken over lettuce

Friday
Breakfast-Apple, plain rice cake and natural pb
Snack-boiled eggs
Lunch-Spark (30 minutes before) Not sure yet! I have to go to a luncheon but I know for a fact their are grilled protein options and veggies (i will bring leftover Santa Fe Chicken for after if there's nothing I can eat there.
Snack-pineapple, raw almonds
Dinner-grilled shrimp, broccoli and roasted cabbage

Kelly sent me a couple of flavors of Spark to try and so far I've had Fruit Punch and Grape. I liked them both but the Fruit Punch is the bomb! I love it. It doesn't make me shaky or jittery at all. To be honest, it doesn't do anything other than make me feel full. Score!

I won't say anything about inches or pounds lost until the end but I will say I'm already seeing a loss! The main purpose of the cleanse is not a quick, easy weight loss fix. It's to CLEANSE out the toxins, obviously, which is a good thing. You should try it atleast once! I am thinking about doing the cleanse again with Keyona once she has her sweet baby girl.

In other news, I shattered the screen of my iPhone last night :( I knew it would happen eventually but boy does it suck. El-Cheapo over here would normally keep using it but it's so bad it gives me a headache if I look at the screen too long. Ridiculous! So I will go to AT&T today to offer up my first born and get a new phone. No new sunglasses for me like I planned. Womp womp.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and for those of you doing the cleanse on Monday, don't go all crazy this weekend! You will only lose all the crap you gained eating like an animal. :) I speak the truth. Love ya, bye!

My Love Story.

Today I'm linking up with Erin at Homemade Happenings! I haven't done a non-fitness/health related post in a while and I figured I could retell the story of my love muffin for all the new folks around here.

  

My husband and I met 5 summers ago while he was on leave from the Air Force. I had a friend in college who used to talk about him (they were from the same town and talked online while he was away). Truthfully, I thought she was crazy for talking to someone who lived all the way in Italy. Her brother was engaged to his sister, so she knew he'd be around when he came home and we'd all hang out. The first time I met him, my friend  (We'll call her J) and I were at the mall and he came to meet us. To this day he swears he can remember exactly what I was wearing. Player hahah.

A few days later she took him to my birthday dinner and for the first time I noticed I felt a strange feeling of jealousy when I saw them walking hand in hand. A few days after that she invited me to her brother's house for a game night and I didn't feel like going. He called me to convince me and I felt butterflies all jumbled in my stomach the whole time I talked to him on the phone. I knew this would be a BIG problem.

Fast forward to a few months later, J decides she doesn't have feelings for him at all. By this point we had become "Myspace friends" hahaha! And we began exchanging messages.  We talked occasionally and the big mouth that I am, confessed I had some feelings for him. We continued talking and decided when he came home in November, we'd hang out. We did, and while it was kind of awkward, I still liked him.  We decided to do wayyyy long distance, knowing he'd be home again in April for his sister's wedding. He came home then and we spent almost every day together. Before he left he told me he loved me for the first time and I do believe I said "no you don't!". Smooth move, Kassie.

More emails, messages, IMing and phone calls later, I traveled to Italy for 3 and a half weeks to spend with him. That was interesting. We had not spent more than a few days at a time together so it was an adjustment. 

I knew he'd be home for good sometime at the end of the year. After a lot of issues getting  released, he finally came home in September. It was a rough transition. We broke up twice for a week then a month. I was devastated. We got back together, though, and learned how to be in a non-long distance relationship. 

Two summers ago, we got engaged at the beach and I could not have been happier. We were married in April of 2012 and plan to start a family in 3 years or so. I can truly be the cheeseball that I am and say I married my very best friend. We just fit. 

Advocare Cleanse: Day One

Morning ladies.  I am starting the Advocare cleanse everyone and their mama is doing. I know a ton of you are starting on Monday but I have a huge event next Saturday and I didn't want to set myself up for failure, so this way my cleanse ends the day before. I'll still watch what I eat that day, work out like Richard Simmons on speed and just have one glass of wine. Plus, I got the package from Kelly in yesterday, and I didn't want to wait to start!

I decided to try it when I read about Mel's amazing results. I already eat relatively clean most of the time but I have had weak moments lately and  I know I'm back in my 'gain two, lose two' downward spiral. This was just the boost I needed. I got Spark in fruit punch flavor and Kelly let me try a few other samples of some different flavors! I will drink the Spark later but I can tell you that the fiber drink ain't nothin' nice. I've heard mixing with Trop 50 helps or just manning up and doing the drink like a shot.

Today my menu will look like this:
Breakfast-fiber drink, rice cake, natural pb and an apple
Mid Morning snack- two boiled eggs
Lunch-salad and a small orange
Snack-Spark, banana and natural pb
Dinner-homemade turkey meatballs, no sugar added tomato sauce and spaghetti squash

Today I will do some more meal planning because I know that will be key. I did all my reading on the cleanse last night. (I already read the approved and non-approved food previously so my kitchen was stocked appropriately.) I will also be checking out my girl Megan's link up for cleanse-approved recipes!

Tonight I'll be putting chicken and other deliciousness in the crockpot to make Santa Fe Chicken overnight for lunches the rest of the week.

For those interested in ordering Advocare and losing a few more pounds (or those last few!) and really just gaining tons of energy and feeling like a million bucks, contact my girl Kelly and let me know how you do!

Monday Funday: NSV's all ova this place

Happy Monday, ya'll! I no longer dread Mondays because I finally have a job that I love going to. Life is good! Other than that, things have been business as usual.

A quick recap of this weekend in pictures:

 Yeah, we eat crawfish alot. Cajun through and through! I always have the calories for it so I'm good:)

 I think I'm shrinking! Left photo taken a few months ago. I encourage everyone to take progress photos!  Sometimes you don't see changes unless you see a side by side comparison.

S and I have been working out like mad people and it's paying off! I have two non-scale victories from the weekend/today to talk about. First off, yesterday after a baby shower for a friend, I did a little shopping, looking for some pants for work. You know how the harsh lights and mirrors of a dressing room always make you feel 10x worse about your body? For the first time in a long time ever, I didn't feel like crap undressing in a dressing room. I have a long way to go but I am finally noticing my progress and I am satisfied with the rate I'm going. I'm also down two pants sizes from when I was at my highest weight! Next stop, size 6. I feel like it is so within reach. A few months ago, I would've laughed at the thought. Even my spandex work out capris are getting loose. Holla for a dolla skinny boo boos!

Next NSV, my favorite dessert. Ya'll know "dirt cake"? Or cookies 'n cream? Basically every grocery store around here has some variation. It's basically a white fluffy pudding/whipped cream mix with crushed up oreos and unicorns and glitter. Amazing. It's my favorite and I could eat that shit in bulk. Today, I went to buy a bag of lettuce at a store near work (Yes, for real. The bag I bought yesterday was already bad. F!). Sitting right there was a large tub of cookies n cream goodness. I would never buy a pint size container and sit and eat it at work even though I'd love nothing more, but they also had small, single serving sizes. Normally, I'd have snatched up one of these suckers and shoved it down my throat. But guess what? I didn't. And I lived. I felt glorious and my ass and Beyonce booty (wishful thinking) are thanking me currently.

In other news, today we worked out chest and tris and I  am exhausted. My supa fly leopard print lifting gloves are so cute, and I'm not afraid to push myself anymore because it "hurts". Gym life is good these days! The scale is moving slow but I am seeing major changes in my body so I'll take it. I am still not running outdoors since my injury but I will be getting fitted for new running shoes this week and starting back very soon.

Operation Red Bikini in full effect. It's gonna happen.  I'm finally sure of it!

Total Randomness, Imagine that

Happy Thursday, yall! One more day till party time! (Ok I am exaggerating, I don't party but it sounded fun).

Today's post will be a random listing of all the things I've been wanting to blog about but haven't made the time for. I also need to apologize for lack of commenting on all my favorite girls' blogs. I'm about to catch up on that too so hold tight! My life has been a whole lot of this:

 

(meal prep: grilled chicken, fruit, veggies, hummus, etc. etc.)

And this:

(livin' in the gym)

This week is the week of that would have been my first half marathon (really, how many times will I talk about this shit?..) I just want to say, receiving daily emails for Rock n Roll half Marathon is like getting an e-vite to the wedding of the guy who just dumped you. Leave me alone you awesome marathon I wanted to run! On a happy note, ya'll go wish Leigh Ann good luck on Sunday. I know how truly excited she is to run her first half and I KNOW she will rock it. So happy for her and one day I know we'll run one together:)

On another note, every part of my body feels like it's been run over by a semi truck. Like I said a few posts back, I've been working out with my husband after work so I'm going a little harder than usual. Tuesday was leg day:

I usually love leg day as much as the creepy little girl above, but today I am hating it because it hurts. And my booty hurts. But I guess that's the point, right? I am excited to start seeing progress. My legs are my problem area and I'm determined to wear shorts and look like Beyonce in them this summer. I dream big okay? Also since I've been eating smaller meals more often, I find myself doing way better and not eating back all my calories burned like I used to. Please Mr. Scale, reflect this tomorrow for weigh in day!

I'm still going strong on the no cheat meals for Lent, too. With 98 days left of Operation Red Bikini (thanks to Ashley for pointing that out!), there is no time to cheat and hover over the same two pounds. I am also jumping on the Advocare bandwagon to get it right, get it tight, so look forward to details of that soon too. Kelly contacted me asking if I'd try it out and talk to you ladies about it and I am pretty pumped to start! For more information or to order your Advocare, check out Kelly's site here: https://www.advocare.com/13023675/default.aspx

Before I go, I want to share this little gem. Well, big if we're getting technical. I have always worn a regular bra to the gym, with a tank top with a built in bra on top, then a looser shirt on top of all that. I finally found a sports bra I love that provides enough support and doesn't have straps hanging out and all that other noise. And where did I find this bad boy? Walmart! For 11 bucks! I even had to return it because I hadn't tried it on and apparently I'm a 36 now, not a 38 anymore. Hollaaaaa.

 

That's all for now girls. Miss you all!

Clean-ish Eating and Passing a Plateau

Good morning lovelies! I am hoping this post even happens, as my eyes keep closing because it’s really Sunday at 9pm (A. I am a maw maw B. I have to plan this shit out.)

I am already seeing results from giving up cheat meals for Lent! I hadn’t had a loss in weeks or I’d lose less than a pound then gain more back. I knew I had to do something or I’d keep gaining and never wear that bikini. If this is going to happen, I have to take control. So I decided to eat smaller meals more often and go harder in the gym. I am losing slowly, but surely, and not gaining every ounce back. I am 15 pounds away from my high school weight and I have decided that will be my numerical goal for Operation Red Bikini. 

Below are today and tomorrow’s meals. Yes, I eat all the time. Gotta keep that metabolism going!

M1: 1 packet instant grits, 3 egg whites, coffee

M2: clementine, string cheese

M3: ½ C. quinoa, 3 oz. chicken, 1 cup green beans (cooked plain, added a little pepper after cooking)

M4: low fat cottage cheese with no sugar added peaches

M5: almonds

M6: ½ C. unsweetened almond milk, 1/3 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 tbsp. PB2

M7: 4 oz. grilled chicken, 1 cup cauliflower, side salad with salsa for dressing

M1: 3 egg whites, 1 wheat tortilla, salsa

M2: clementine

M3: 3 oz. chicken, lettuce mix, 1/2 sliced cucumber, 1 oz. goat cheese, salsa for dressing

M4: Think Thin bar

M5: ½ C. unsweetened almond milk, 1/3 scoop chocolate protein powder, 1 tbsp. PB2

M6: 4 oz. grilled chicken, 1 cup vegetable, side salad with salsa for dressing

A few things. I eat immediately after waking up. My mid morning snack is around 9:30 and I eat M3 or lunch at 12:00. I have an afternoon snack around 3, workout around 4:30, then have a protein shake after. I only have a shake when I do strength training, not when I’m just doing cardio. I also need to stress that I am not a nutritionist (I wouldn’t be in this position if I were lol) but this is just what works for me. 

I am also the type of person who has to switch things up or I get burnt out. That’s why some days I have a salad, some days I have quinoa or rice with chicken and veggies. I am full of ideas, so if anyone is in need, feel free to comment or email me at kassiemromero@gmail.com. Make sure if your email isn’t attached to your comment, to leave your email address so I can respond! Also, check out my skinny girl food board on Pinterest for over 250 ideas! Hope everyone has a fab week and I’ll be back before Friday, promise!

Operation Red Bikini: Are your current actions getting you closer to your goal?

Happy Thursday (or Friday if you're reading) lovebirds! 

I haven’t done a post again this week due to just a sheer lack of what to say. I did want to touch on Operation Red Bikini today, though, so here I am, in all my “not ready to wear a bikini” glory.

I know so many of you are pinning and hashtagging and tweeting and blogging about your ORB efforts and I couldn’t be prouder. I try to show my love and support to every single picture. There are over 800 pictures with #operationredbikini on Instagram. How freakin’ amazing!

Here is where I stand:

Weight-My weight has been at a standstill the past few weeks, due to poor choices for Mardi Gras and “cheating” on weekends.

This is why I have committed to giving up cheat meals for Lent. No fried food, no cream sauce, cheese-covered anything, no ice cream, no cake, no candy for 40 days. I can do it. I won’t go cold turkey on everything but lettuce and rabbit food though. I will stay within my calorie allowance for the day, every day, and I will use my judgement on snacking. I am currently working on eating a little less protein because I think that also is a small factor in my lack of a loss. More on that in another post.

Work outs-I’ve been working out with my husband on a schedule, which is what I needed. With better work hours, we get off around the same time and have time for the gym and dinner. He works two body parts per day and rarely does cardio, so I’ve been working out with him then doing my cardio after. I feel like I’m actually making progress so I’ll continue working out with him for the time being. 

Half Marathon Training/Foot Injury- Well, I’m currently at a place where I can run like hell on the treadmill with zero pain during or after, but I run less than half a mile outside and I’m in pain for 2-3 days. It’s very frustrating. I officially cancelled our hotel on Wednesday and I’ve pretty much come to terms with the fact that I won’t finish that half with my group. It is sad and expensive and I learned to not register for another race till about a week before. No refunds-not fun. Training and registration has cost me a small fortune and I haven’t even been able to participate. Lesson learned, and I’ll start back running outside again soon enough. I’m just proud I didn’t give up on other workouts because the old me would’ve. 

Red Bikini-I tried it on the other day. While I see an improvement, I’m still not where I want to be, and May will be here before we know it. Time to buckle down girls!

Have you not been tracking your food as much as you used to? Have you skipped the gym a few times this week? Well if so, here is your kick in the ass to get it back in gear and remember your goals. Will your current actions get you closer to your goal? If not, you must change it up! We can and will do this! 

P.S. Be on the lookout for another Operation Red Bikini giveaway very soon!