End of the Challenge!

Ok, I totally slacked on writing the last week of the challenge. But if I'm being completely honest, it was not any different than the 18 days I did write about. =) Someone asked me how the challenge was going the other day, and I realized that I didn't feel like I was doing a challenge any more, it just feels normal now. Eating healthy (MOST of the time... I did eat dessert at a restaurant last weekend, and I did eat one piece of pizza), exercising, and taking care of myself seems more of a habit now. I thought it would be a lot harder to form that kind of habit, but I'm glad it didn't! I have NO intention of going back to the way I felt before. Sure, I got some physical results, but the change in my energy and mood has been amazing.

Ok, so if you are reading this because you are thinking about doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge, then what you are looking for is results. I won't keep you waiting any longer! Here are my results:

Weight Lost - 4.5 lbs

Waist - 2.5 inches SMALLER!

Bust - 3 inches SMALLER!!

My thigh, biceps, and calves have never been a problem, so there wasn't much there to change. All those measurements pretty much stayed the same.

Really, those results don't sound huge, but I feel comfortable in clothes I haven't worn in a long time. I can go to the pool with my girls without being self conscious the whole time. I can look at a picture of myself and actually be happy with it. I know how to feed my body the RIGHT kinds of food. These things were worth every penny of the challenge. Sure, I would still like to lose about 5 more lbs and a couple more inches in my waist, but I have no doubt I'll get there... and get there the HEALTHY way. This means getting there and staying there.

So, if you are thinking about doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge as a quick fix to lose lots of weight it may not be what you are looking for, but if you are willing to put in the work to change your life and feel and look better then I highly recommend it. But make sure you have a good Advocare rep who will actually check on you and help you through. I had a GREAT rep, who I now consider a friend, and she made a huge difference in my success. Thank you Ashley!!

Day 18 - FRIDAY!

Friday was a great day! I'm writing this post on Saturday morning. =) I went to my regular SS class and tried my hardest to keep up... I even jogged a bit. But I jogged about as fast as some of the walkers. By the end of class though I could definitely tell a difference. The rest of the day was SOOO much better than the rest of the week. Still a bit sore if one of the girls hits my legs, but I'll survive.

My mood and energy level was so much better too. I gave the girls manicures and pedicures, which they loved! And we sat down before bed and ate popcorn under our snuggies and watched a Disney princess movie. Great day!! This really isn't relevant to the challenge other than the fact that I have more energy to give to my girls.

Again, food wise, it was the same as every other day. Took lots of pills, ate lots of fruit and unprocessed foods, and had meat, potatoes and broccoli for dinner. It was yummy! Ok, now on to write about Saturday.

Day 17 - only 1 week left!

With one week left I feel focus and committed, there is no doubt I'll make it to the end of the challenge and come out better than I went in. It's neat to think that it's only take just over 2 weeks to begin living and eating different... seriously, in the scheme of your whole life, 2 weeks is nothing! I'm really excited about how great I feel and how motivated I am. I am also so surprised (pleasantly) at how much will power I have exhibited. I can honestly say I have stuck with the meal plan within 90-95% so far and it has been worth it. I feel like all of my posts are starting to sound the same. So, I've had a hard time sitting down and writing because I don't want to bore anyone. But I made a commitment to write this throughout the challenge, so I will continue. Maybe after the challenge I'll start a family blog... fun!

Really, there was nothing different about my daily routine today, so I'm not going to post the schedule. I will say though that I bought some NadaMoo ice cream... which is made with coconut milk, non dairy, and had a small bowl. I put strawberries, coconut and a tiny bit of chocolate almond butter melted and drizzled on top. VERY awesome! I'm sure the calorie count was not much less than regular ice cream, but all of those ingredients are better received by my body and will be easier to process... i guess. Plus, if I can't eat something like that occasionally, forget it!

Also, I did attempt to exercise today... it was rough!! I went to the mall class and couldn't even keep up with the mall walkers... it was sad. But I worked a bit of the soreness out so that was a good thing. I can feel myself slowly getting back to normal!

Day 16 - Wednesday

Definitely starting to get my focus back after last weekend. We had a great dinner last night, and I'm planning something similar tonight. Today we spent 3 hours at the pool, so that was tons of fun! I'm proud because we were there for a birthday party and I avoided the cupcakes pretty easily. It's becoming less and less of a challenge to walk away. Yay! I just have to remember how I felt on Day 10 of the challenge... I want that back! Today I'm definitely feeling closer to it than I have the last few days. It's definitely grocery day though, so pulling things together for snacks was a little more difficult. Who knew I would have to grocery shop SOOOO much!? We eat lots of food here... but it's the right kind of food. I think the main difference is that Mike is taking lunch and snack everyday too, so that adds up. Plus, with the girls eating the same things too, we go through food so fast. Two weeks in to the challenge though and I am very proud of our new lifestyle!

Here is day 16:

7:45 - Thyroid and first pack of pills and catalyst - The girls slept in!

8:15 - Breakfast shake - second pill pack

10:00 - Protein bar in the car on the way to the pool

12:00 - Half a roast beef sandwich with a slice if cheese and an orange

2:30 - Spark and catalyst, handful of dark chocolate chips

3:45 - eggs, sausage, cheese on a corn tortilla - kind of like a breakfast taco =) Told you I need to go to the store.

4:30 - Popsicle - homemade with chocolate almond milk, peanut butter and banana. it was awesome!

6:00 - Grilled Chicken, okra, zucchini, baked beans

9:00 - Rice cake with dark chocolate almond butter... I bought it today to use occasionally as a treat, but I had to try it! So good!

Day 16 Summary -

Today seemed better than yesterday, but I think I can do better. I think I'm just really missing exercise. My legs are soooo sore, but I'm going to go to the indoor Stroller Strides class tomorrow just to see if I can loosen up a little. I've GOT to exercise! That's it for today, off too bed.

Day 15 - Max Phase

Ok, so I'm getting back in to the swing of writing this thing... The crazy Memorial Day weekend is over and we are getting back to our regularly scheduled programming. ;-) I have to admit I don't feel as energized as I did during the cleanse. It's crazy what a difference it makes cutting out bread and sugar. And eating veggies. I was seriously lacking in the vegetable department last weekend, and was actually CRAVING them today. Kind of nice to know I can crave something like vegetables, and really don't miss sweets. I miss the idea of sweets, but I really don't crave them. Interesting. Ok, so here is day 15:

7:00 - Thyroid

7:30 - First pack of pills, spark and catalyst

8:00 - breakfast shake and 1 more pack of pills

10:00 - Orange and string cheese

12:00 - another pack of pills

12:30 - left over brisket on a corn tortilla with some baked beans and a few bites of potato salad... I need to get these left overs out of my house!! Last packet of pills.

2:30 - Spark and Catalyst

6:00 - Grilled Chicken, zucchini, squash, okra and salad... told you I missed veggies!

8:30 - rice cake, peanut butter and almond milk

9:00 - omegas

Summary -

You may have noticed I haven't had much exercise.... Friday I did an awesome Stroller Strides class, Saturday I ran 2 miles, Sunday I took a break and Monday I did a CrossFit workout with Mike. It was an intense work out that left me weak and feeling crazy out of shape. I was so sore today that I didn't work out, I could barely walk. But I'll get there!