Will you Join the Movement

On March 24th, 2014 I started something that would completely change my outlook on health and fitness. I was very skeptical of AdvoCare. Actually ALL pyramid businesses. I know that these days, businesses promise you that if you buy into their company you will get rich quick, earn this amazing car in 2 weeks, a romantic getaway for 2, loose 20 pounds in 5 days.. How tempting right? I have to be honest and say that I have been that crying lady at a Mary Kay meeting because" Yeah, I'm in debt, the lady talking trippled her income in 2 weeks and I love the that it's 'God First'." I'm not dumbing down Mary Kay, I use their products sometimes, but what they and all the other businesses out there don't tell you, that we forget to tell ourselves is, YOU  HAVE TO WORK AT IT. You will only get out of it, what you put into it.
When I bought the 24 Day Challenge from AdvoCare, I had absolutely no interest in becoming a member. I was just interested and curious to see if I could loose some weight. What I realized out shortly after beginning my challenge was how great I felt. I have done other weight loss programs, and the one thing I remember is how tired and nauscious I felt at the beginning. When you take away all that not so great for you food, your body craves it and crashes in a way, and the effects of that can be quite bothersome. However, I never reached that point on the challenge. I actually had MORE energy and I wasn't wanting to eat the finish off my desk. This in turn, only motivated me even more to keep going. I saw results the first week. REAL results. I know that I would have been super pumped if I lost 10 pounds during the first week, but the truth is, 1) I don't have that much weight to loose, so that's just unrealistic and 2) Most people aren't supposed to loose 20 pounds in 5 days. Healthy weight loss is not a get thin quick game, it's a slow learning process. Because as we all know, in order to keep a healthy body you must make it a lifestyle.
After the 24 Days, it didn't take me long to know that AdvoCare was definitely something I wanted to keep taking. So I signed up as a member. Mainly for the discount I'd get, but once I posted my last blog about the results I had with the challenge, I had so many friends and family show interest in sharing the same journey. That is when I decided, I wanted to do this. If AdvoCare can make me feel this motivated, inspired and awesome, how can I NOT share this with others? And thus, I am now and AdvoCare Distributor. And I am PUMPED! This isn't a business where I have to keep stock. I don't have to sell a certain amount in a certain time. This is a business that will keep me active and living a healthy lifestyle, so I can be a real example for others! I believe in the products, I believe in the results I have personally experienced, and if you have read any of my other posts, you know that I have struggled with loosing these pesky 20 pounds.
I am officially down 10 pounds and still going. I have no doubt in my mind that I can loose these last 10 pounds by the time bathing suit season comes around. That is why I am inviting YOU to join this wonderful challenge and see the real, awesome results for yourself.

Email me for details on how to get started or if you have any questions!!! you will have absolutely no regrets and you have nothing to loose.. But weight!!! Join the movement!
DropinPoundage@yahoo.com

24 Day Challenge: Results

Well, Today is officially my last day. Technically I should be posting these results tomorrow since the challenge will be officially over, and I could still drop a few ounces today, but unfortunately my Grandpa has passed away and we are traveling to Colorado today for the weekend. So here I am, and am I ever excited to share my results.
Let me begin with saying, Advocare does not promise FAST results. They do not promise some magical pill or supplement that will have you dropping 10 pounds your first week like some of the other fads out there. That is because Advocare is NOT a 'fad'. What they do promise that with proper nutrition, exercise in conjunction with their vitamins, you will be able to reach the goals you set for yourself in a realistic time frame. Basically, as with most everything else in life, you will get out of it what you put in it. Of course, you can loose the weight, build muscle, or maintain without their vitamins and other products, but I swear you will be amazed at how much better you will feel, and how much they ease the process. I'm sold just after 24 days of using them. And you will see my results are real and were achieved by eating 3 healthy meals and 3 snacks a day. Not fasting for 2 days, not adding water to a powdered soup packet, and not being overly restrictive. It has helped me train my brain and stomach to eat healthier foods and crave good things in place of the empty calories I used to crave. This is how I know I am not setting myself up for failure. I have truly begun a lifestyle change that I CAN stick to, without feeling alone and deprived. Losing weight and getting healthy is a LIFESTYLE that must be made and kept. So if you are not happy with the journey you take to achieve that lifestyle, how can you expect to stick with it?
OK off my high horse. I am so just excited to have finally jumped on this movement! I am excited to see what more Advocare can do for my personal fitness and share these products with others who want a healthier lifestyle.SO EXCITED!!!
OK results time. My regimen has been the same as I posted before. I can not lie and say that I was 100% angel this whole time, so imagine what my results would have been if I was! I have also been nursing a sad messed up knee. I haven't run in over a week, which is driving me crazy. I was able to take a body pump class last night and my knee seems to be on the mend, but I know I will have to take it slow and really listen to my body. I'm anxious to get back out on the pavement and keep training for that half marathon, and build more muscle. Alright, I will just let my pictures talk for themselves. In a nut shell, I lost 8 pounds and 2 inches in my waist and 2 inches in my hips. 8 POUNDS and 4 INCHES!!! Holy Cow!!! I will apologize for the bathroom mirror selfie's. My before's were taken post workout, the battery in my camera was dead and I was home alone.. So I figured it would be easier to compare the after's if they were taken in the same context. My afters were taken at 3 am this morning, so again I apologize :-)  I am so pumped about what lies ahead.

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Well, I decided to take the leap. I am not sure if I will push this as a business or not, or if I will just use this as a personal gain. I am having such a wonderful experience and success with Advocare, that yesterday I decided to sign on as a member/distributor. There are many great benefits to this decision. The number one reason is because I want to continue using their vitamins and by signing up I get a great discount.PLUS, there is that added bonus for the opportunity to share this wonderful product with others, enhance their lives like it has mine and maybe make a few extra dollars.
So I did it. I signed up, already ordered my first replacement shipment of the products I have fallen in love with over the past 16 days and excited to continue to loose weight. Get healthy and maintain. I'm even going to get my hubby to try some of their stuff that I know he will love.
I have less than a week left in my 24 day challenge. I have lost almost 7 pounds and 3 inches. This is the most progress I have made in ANY attempt to change my life since 2006! if that's not a testimony, I don't know what is. Wish me luck on this new endeavor. If you are interested in trying this for yourself let me know! I would LOVE for you to share in this with me. I still strive to reach my goal of loosing 10 pounds by the end of this challenge. How are you doing on your life changes? Thanks for reading and Happy Dropin'

Seeing Results Feeling AWESOME

I "cheated". Yes it's true. I didn't over do it, and I didn't splurge. But I ate 4 SMALL pieces of pizza Saturday night. It was partly due to convenience and part I just wanted pizza. I felt a tad of remorse after eating the spinach and feta slices, but I also told myself that if I can't teach myself to enjoy pleasures like that in moderation, I am setting myself up for failure. I know it's only 24 days, I could have gone without fast food, but this is where the lesson comes in. I ate it out of convenience.I ran a race earlier that day, and spent the remainder of the day playing outside and doing chores. Completely neglecting to plan ahead for supper, and before I knew it, it was 6:00 and I had 2 hungry kids. I don't think it was enough to completely ruin the work I have done the past 14 days, but will I do it again?.. NO!
I've said it before, weekends are TOUGH! But here is something I learned. If I don't plan, don't eat on schedule and don't keep up with the journal provided, I EAT PIZZA! So a recommendation if you do this, Plan, Follow The Schedule and Keep Track.
Other than this realization, not much has changed. My diet and daily routine are the same. I ran 8 miles yesterday. My farthest distance EVER! Aside from extremely sore knees and an aching body, I feel pretty good! I am now in the 140's!! the last time I was in my 140's was 6 years ago! WHOOP WHOOP!!!
I am officially half way through. I will leave you with my stats:
Day 1                                Day 5                      Day 8                                Day 15
155.8 lb                            154 lb                     151.8 lb                             149 lb
H- 37"                              H-36"                                                                H- 35"
W-33"                              W-33"                                                               W- 32.5"
I'm seeing results!!! you will too! If you're on the fence, JUMP!!! I'm convinced I will stick with Advocare for sure!! I can't wait to see where I am on day 24!!! Thanks for reading and Happy Dropin'!
        

On to Phase 2

Let it be shouted from the mountain tops. THE CLEANSE PHASE IS OVER! Now, it wasn't that bad. I was actually surprised ( and thankful) that it wasn't too restrictive. I was able to eat a protein, fruit/vegetable and complex carb at almost every meal with 3 snacks worked in. Honestly, it was more food than I was consuming during my pre-challenge days. So if I have learned anything the past 10 days, Less is not always more effective. I have read time and time again that we should be eating 6-8 small meals a day. So much food. How can anyone loose weight eating that often? Well 10 days later and 4 lbs down, I can honestly say I am a believer! It just has to be healthy choices with the right balance. And thanks to Advocare so far, I'm beginning to understand what those choices can be. I am still working out the kinks in my healthy cooking. Poor Terrance. He has been so gracious to me and what I place in front of him. Ladies, if you want to know if your man loves you, see if he eats what you cook even when you know it's bad, and still thanks you for it. I think I found a keeper :)
This next phase is called " The Max Phase" The first thing I noticed is, there is a lot of vitamins to take. So, this is something to consider if you struggle with taking pills. I don't know if there is a way around it, I would guess not, but if you are still interested I would definitely ask a consultant. This is how my typical day will be:
30 minuets before breakfast: MNS color pack, Spark. The Color pack had about 4 pills in it. Not all were horse pills, but they ARE vitamins. You also have the option to purchase additional vitamins for this challenge. I did not buy any extras, but if YOU do, then you would also take those. 
Breakfast: Meal Replacement Shake. This is AWESOME! I chose the chocolate flavor. I blended it with 3 ice cubs and 1/2 of a banana. SO YUMMY!!! Filling and easy too!
Snack: As I stated in previous posts, make sure you pack sustainable snacks. I think my stomach is a bit smaller now, and getting used to smaller portions. However, you still need good healthy sustainable snacks to keep you from feeling hungry and wanting to splurge and ruin your progress.
30 minuets before lunch: MNS Color Pack and Spark. Again, 4 pills in the color pack. You would also take the additional vitamins if you bought extras. And the spark is optional, but I find it helps me refocus and brings my energy back.
Lunch: MNS White Pack, Protein, Veggie, Complex Carb. The "white pack" is actually 2 pouches. Here is the description straight from my Advocare adviser friend." The packet with the 3 that are the same, that is our coreplex. it's a multi-vitamin. The 2nd pack has omegaplex. our omega-3 fatty acids and something called Amplify A.T. which helps with our blood pressure levels, our immune system and even our joints. It's good stuff"

So, at this time you will be taking a total of 6 pills. Tomorrow I will post pictures for each phase so you can see for yourself. 
Snack
Dinner:OmegaPlex, Protein, Veggie, Complex Carb: The OmegaPlex is 2 gel capsules, and the carb is an "if needed". Sometimes I have it, sometimes I omit it based on what I have for supper. 
Snack

So as you can see the meal plan is basically the same, I am just now incorporating more essential vitamins to my day. You swallow a total 14 pills in a day. That is a lot. I will have a better analysis how this many vitamins affect me after a full day. I will do a daily log one day so you can see what all is entailed.  I've said it before, and I still say, I would recommend this to anyone who is wanting a boost in their weight loss journey. My goal is to loose 10 pounds at the end, but I do know that any weight lost is a success, so I won't get myself down if I don't reach that goal. I also have been given access to a great Facebook support page, where I can ask questions or get encouragement.
As for the exercise, I am still training for my Half Marathon. After my 7 miler last weekend, my right knee decided to swell up. It feels like I have fluid in there, and it hurts to bend at extreme angles. Going up and down stairs are a bit awkward too. I have been icing it and trying new stretches, but I have taken some time off from running this week. My daughter and I are 'running' a 5K Saturday, and then I am supposed to run 8 miles. I hope my knee feels better by then. I will just have to incorporate more weight lifting and other types of cardio. If I am sure of one thing, is I DO NOT want to get out of the habit of exercising.
I hope this post has been helpful to you. feel free to comment. Thanks for reading and Happy Dropin'.