Day 10 - What's Next?

Today is my final day of the Advocare 10 Day Cleanse.  Day 10 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. 14 days to go!  If followed correctly, the cleanse promised to be a "highly effectively way to help you look better and feel better".  I do feel great!  The cleanse is intended to prepare my body for the next 11-24 days of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  Apparently, now that I have gone through the cleanse, my body will better absorb vitamins, minerals and nutrients from food.

So, I am ready for days 11-24!  Wahoo!  I know I tend to stray a bit from the actual program topic, so I thought I would bring in the professional...my friend, Nutrition Coach and Advocare expert, Liz Blom.  Liz is on vacation and has been checking in on me to make sure I am on track.  When I had asked Liz to tell me what was next and what to expect, she sent me the following answer.  I love her passion and enthusiam for health and wellness.  Once you read her response, I am sure you will agree.

Liz's response (while on vacation) ~

Hi Cathy,

Days 11-24 include Metabolic Nutrition System (MNS) like the program breakdown says, this is 14 days (strip packs) of nutrition supplementation that includes probiotics, appetite control, energy, core nutrition and omega's.  The MNS comes in three different "strengths" based on an individuals needs and goals. Based on your goals we chose the MNS MAX 3 to start, which is wellness focused.  If someone is looking for more energy, I may put them on Max E.  If someone is looking for more appetite control, I would put them on Max C.

Combined with the MNS, days 11-24 will include Spark and Meal Replacement Shakes.  Again, the Spark is a great replacement for Diet Coke and coffee, providing energy and mental focus.  The Meal Replacement Shakes are an easy and balanced substitute for a meal or snack with 24 grams carbohydrate and 24 grams protein. They make an ideal breakfast supporting a healthy metabolism.  Spark and Meal Replacements are to be mixed with water.

When you have completed the cleanse you will readily absorb the nutrition from the MNS, Spark, Meal Replacements and of course your continued healthy diet.  You will take the packets as instructed.  One packet will read "take 30 minutes prior to breakfast", another will read "take 30 minutes prior to lunch" and the remaining to packets will read "take with breakfast or lunch." Again, because you will readily metabolize the nutrients, it is important to pay attention to the timing of eating as instructed.

What you should expect - added sustained energy and better appetite/craving control.  Honestly, I cannot explain it in better terms; you should feel great!

There are optional Add-ons like Catalyst, additional Omegaplex and performance products that can benefit and enhance results. However, during this time I want people to focus on what is manageable for them.  Committing to the MNS for the 14 days is the most important aspect to determine if this is the right system for you.  In addition to the energy and appetite control, this 14 days will help establish a continued increased awareness of healthier habits including scheduled eating and increased water consumption.

You will continue to receive support throughout this phase, especially the first 3 days.  As the first week comes to an end we will have a good idea if you plan to continue on products and which ones.

I personally continue on the Spark, Meal Replacements for breakfast and the MNS Max 3.  I also use some of the performance products for re-hydration and recovery.  Had you asked me last February if I believed supplementation could have such an impact I would have told you I was skeptical at best and that I looked at nutritional supplementation as an insurance policy to cover what was missing.  I now believe there is much more to it and have the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge to thank for opening my eyes to a better, happier, healthier more energetic me.  I now know that there is a large nutritional gap that is wreaking havoc on what we are trying to accomplish even with the best of intentions.  This is why I also chose to share it.  I want everyone to have the opportunity to feel as good as I do and to feel as good about themselves as I know they can.

Liz


I hope you enjoyed her direction and explanation!  I know I look forward to experiencing it first hand and will be happy to bring you along on my journey.  I will be back on Saturday with an update of Days 11 and 12.

During Days 11-24, I will really start to incorporate a balanced excercise routine.  This is my biggest challenge, as I love to run.  Often times, I run too much.  Over the next 14 days, along with this nutrition program, I will cross train with yoga, walking, light weights and slowly begin a running routine. I will need Liz's direction on what to eat after exercise, so I don't binge later in the day.  My biggest goal and hope is to tone up and continue feeling great!

For more information on my friend, Nutrition Coach and Advocare consultant, Liz Blom please visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 9 - The Salich

My daughter just came inside to get a snack to share with her friend Camryn.  She loves Camryn.  Camryn is a few years older than my daughter.  They are very much alike.  They both have big imaginations, they are both singer/dancer/songwriters and they are both the youngest in their families.  They are both complex and simple, all at the same time?  On one hand, they are used to get anything they want because they are the babies OR they are used to making the scraps work because often times that is all that is left.

Anyway, Molly came inside to get a snack for her and her friend Camryn.  I asked if they were still doing sidewalk chalk and she said not anymore.  She told me that they were now playing kickball.  She seemed really proud about this.  I am pretty sure she was proud because she has never played kickball before, so this is kind of a big deal.  I asked if she was having fun and she said she was, but they didn't have any other friends to make teams....and they didn't have a ball.  And, with that, she took her snack and headed back outside to continue playing "kickball" with Camryn.  If Molly is this proud and happy now with the state of her game, I am real excited to see her reaction when players and a ball are brought into her world.  I kind of want to know what the score is.

Which brings me to lunch.  I can't eat another salad.  Yes, you could say that day 9 of the 10 Day Advocare Cleanse has me beat down or you could choose to say that I am just sick of salads today.  I decided I wasn't going to eat the recommended salad for lunch.  Have I been beat?  Do I give up?  No.  In fact, in the very wise words of my cousin Nikki, "just like Madonna, I've got to always be re-inventing the game". 

So, here's what I had...I had a chicken salad sandwich - or, as my brother and I call it, a "salich".  (I know I swore off chicken...but this is my husband's grilled chicken and it is always fantastic).  I mixed grilled chicken breast, sliced strawberries, diced apples, onions, sliced almonds and a little bit of light mayo. This is a mix between my Mom's chicken salad and my friend Liz's recipe.  Simple turned complex...and delicious. I toasted two pieces of Ezekial Raisin Bread (this is flourless Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Bread) and stacked it with quite a bit of lettuce and my chicken salad.  HEAVEN!

Here is where Camryn and Molly tie in.  Basically, for the most part, they are happy with what life gives them.  They use their imagination to play "kickball" and seem extremely happy with the results.  So, I have a grocery list of items that I can work with on this Cleanse. Today, I just physically and mentally couldn't eat the recommended salad.  I have loved it for the past 8 days.  Today, I needed something different.  So, instead of calling it quits and pigging out (on something like the pictured bucket of frosting I saw at Super Target), I just decided to work with what I had. It was basically a salad, but when you put it between two pieces of Ezekial Raisin bread (wheat and white aren't allowed on the cleanse), it now becomes a sandwich/salich...and it was GOOD.  I love apples, strawberries, my husband's grilled chicken, lettuce and now, thanks to Liz's recommedation, Ezekial Raisin Bread.   So, work with what you got.

I asked Molly how her kickball game turned out.  Apparently, she learned how to recruit.  A few more neighborhood kids joined in.  Somebody got mad, quit and left in the middle of the game, so she doesn't know who won.  She told me that it was more fun without the ball.

Day 8 - Right Out the Window

When we were teenagers, my brother and I used to drive around.  We loved it.  We would just show up at people's homes and hang out for a few minutes or sometimes for hours.  Often times, we had no destination in mind.  We we would just drive around and talk and laugh.  Lots of laughing. 

One day in particular, he was driving and I was in the passenger's seat.  I was eating a cheeseburger from McDonald's.  I had just unwrapped it.  I am not sure if he had already eaten his food or if I was the only one hungry at the time of the drive thru.  I can't remember.  Anyway, I was eating a cheeseburger.  He started asking me for a bite. I said no several times until he wore me down.  If you know him, you know he is talented in the art of persuasion.  I think he had me laughing at something he said, so I handed it over.  He took one big bite and threw the rest out the window.  He would do stuff like that quite a bit. He could get away with it because of his delivery.  BUT, if he would have warned me, I could have taken one more bite and mentally prepared that THAT was it.  But, no...a perfectly good cheeseburger gone before its time.

Well, I had that same feeling yesterday.  I had made a gigantic, beautiful salad.  It had all kinds of stuff on it.  I had even mixed up a salad dressing recipe that I found in Real Simple Magazine.  It was made with Olive Oil, Shallots and Lemon Juice.  I had made a special trip to Super Target to get the Shallots.  It was so fresh and delicious.  So, I was about to love up my big salad.  I had leftover chicken breast in the fridge, so I cut it up and added it to the salad.  One bite and it was over!  The chicken breast had that leftover chicken funk taste to it.  It grossed me out.  There was no way I was going to waste the salad, so I dodged the chicken most of the way through.  But, one minute...beautiful salad...the next minute, gone...tainted by weird chicken taste.

I am on Day 8 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  I have 2 days left of the Herbal Cleanse. I hate chicken, which I used to love.  I love Vanilla Soy Milk, which I used to hate.  It seems as if things are getting kind of crazy!

And, as far as my brother goes...I still seek my revenge.  One day, when he leasts expects it, I will be there.  I am pretty sure I have evened the score many times over, but it keeps things fresh for him to think I am still on the hunt.

Side notes
My husband told me that my skin looks nice.  He already knows that his kind words will serve him well over the next few days. He didn't know that improved skin was a part of the plan, so this was confirmation that it is working. I had heard that this would be another side effect of the healthy livin' business on this Advocare program.

Two friends have asked about my willpower.  I have never excelled at willpower before.  I have gone into this as sort of an experiment, so I guess I find it interesting, as to what is happening. I heard quite a bit about what to expect and am fascinated to find out that by following the program, many things are true.  Plus, I have found some snacks that I love and truly help me avoid eating unhealthy. 

My friend sent me a text today that said she was attacked by Easter Candy at the store.  I hear you loud and clear, sister.  I had to run out of Trader Joe's today. I innocently went in to get brown rice, egg whites and veggies and became extremely aware of the wonderful organic chocolate treats and bakery items they carry...not to mention the wine shop on my way out the door.

I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge one week ago today.  I have lost 3.5 pounds.

For more information on Advocare or my friend and Nutrition Coach, Liz Blom visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 7 - Eat Up!

Today is Day 7 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  I have 3 days left of my herbal cleanse.  It is also Day 1 of my children's Spring Break. Today has been nothing short of an absolute freakshow.

I work from home, we are moving in 3 weeks and my kids are home for a week with me.  Everything moved so fast today that I didn't have time to think about what I might be missing out on.  What I did notice though was that when everyone is home with me, I don't take the time to eat on a regular basis, so I was much hungrier today than the past few days.  By the time I get everyone breakfast and lunch and then have time to make my own meal, I am starving.  In my real life, I would have eaten whatever I was making them and then made a regular lunch of my own (already sort of full).  I need to make sure to work in healthy snacks to fight off those urges to grab something convenient and often times unhealthy.

I can see how we get so busy coming home from work, getting dinner or grabbing dinner on the go that we go for convenience over healthy.  I HAVE to prepare better for the next few days and/or the rest of my life.  I need to have things on hand that are healthy and that I like, that are easy to put together or else make a healthy snack while I am making my family meals.

It seems that the better I can plan things out, the easier this challenge seems to be.  So today, my biggest challenge (besides trying to work while my singer/song writer 5 year old sang newly crafted songs directly into my eyes...sometimes in fake Spanish) would be to remember to eat healthy snacks throughout the day, so that I don't grab things like Doritos or cupcakes or Robins Eggs or jelly beans.

On a side note, I picked up Vanilla Soy Milk today.  I tried it with Hot Green Tea.  I had some right after lunch.  It was exactly what I have been looking for.  I have tried Vanilla Soy before and not been a huge fan, but I think that eating extremely basic these days may have changed the way it tastes to me. 

And that's it for today. I guess I could have talked about how Doritos might be my one true love or how I will never eat chicken again, but that would take hours to explain.  So, that is that.  Sort of boring for such a crazy day!

For more information on Advocare or my friend and Nutrition Coach, Liz Blom, please visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 6 - Walking on Sunshine

It is Day 6 of The Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  I have 4 days left until the herbal cleanse is over.  So far, so good.  After that I am on to 14 days of eating healthy (not as strict as the cleanse) and taking what looks to be like quite a few vitamins.  I am not sure yet, but will offer more once I hit that part of the program.

I had heard that with Advocare products I would feel renewed energy.  I have to admit that I feel it.  I really started to notice it yesterday.  I swear that it is down right euphoric and seems to last all day without a sluggish crash.

Since I am easing back into an exercise routine, after 7 weeks of rest, I headed out for a walk.  Today it is about 30 degrees and sunny.  It is one of those days in Minneapolis that if you walk fast enough and you are in the sun, you can almost smell summer in the air.  A great song came on my ipod and I truly felt like I was going to explode.  A car drove by with a man and a woman inside and I couldn't help but give them a Forrest Gump type wave.  That wave where Forrest Gump is really excited to see Lt. Dan.  They waved back.  I am not sure that I would have cared if they didn't.

So, it is beautiful outside and I feel great on the inside. Along with eating basic, fresh foods, I have been drinking two Advocare beverages.  I have a Coffecino in the morning and a Spark in the afternoon.  They both promise to sustain energy and help with mental focus.  I would say it is working.  To be quite honest, I have no clue as to what is making me feel this good.  Is it the healthy eating?  Is it the Advocare?  Or, is it the good old sunshine?   A combination of all it?  Probably, but  I guess it is not a coincidence that I feel this good after being on the program for 6 days.

I can honestly say that I am really happy that I chose to do this program.  I feel like I am accomplishing something that I have put off for so long.  I feel so good about eating healthy, that it seems to be outweighing the challenge of eating unhealthier alternatives (my Mom said I shouldn't say crap anymore).

So, I hope that your day is filled with sunshine!  Slap on a little Banana Boat and put your face toward the sun.  Just that coconutty smell should soothe the soul a little. :)

For more information on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge or my friend and Nutrition Coach Liz Blom, go to her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 5 - Enough about me and what I eat....tell me about you.

We move in 3 weeks.  We have started packing and cleaning.  I have packed all morning and now I am sitting at my dining room table looking out the window at our tree in the front yard.  Up in the top of the tree are a set of balls. They have the Iowa Hawkeye logo on them. They belong to a game set that my parents bought my kids.  They are two golf balls connected by a string. It is a fun game that we usually play in our backyard.  My son Calvin somehow got the string caught around a branch and there the balls sit, at the top of the tree.  I am sure it was his goal.

So, as I sit and look at the balls stuck up at the top of the tree, I am thinking about Day 5 of my 24 Day Challenge and what has really been going on.  It has become clear to me that my challenge in the first 5 days is not what I expected.  It isn't giving up Diet Coke.  I have substituted that with an H20 fizzy drink that seems to be doing the trick.  For an extra kick, I will have an Advocare Spark drink. Yesterday during "happy hour", I mixed the two together just to be crazy.

It isn't the coffee in the morning.  I have hot tea or an Advocare Coffecino and that works out perfectly.

It isn't a glass of wine with my husband on a Friday night.  Ok, that one was tough.  A definite plus is that my Scrabble game is a little smarter without wine.  Yes, I still lost..again, but the score was closer this time.

No, what is really killing me is the sugar.  I have noticed that in my regular life, if I eat a healthy lunch, I usually reward myself with something sweet.  It occured to me yesterday that after each meal, I crave something sugary.  Thinking back before I started this cleanse, I am certain that when I eat a healthy meal or go for a long run, I don't feel as bad eating candy or a cookie.  I have always thought that it balanced out. But, I have to admit that it isn't always A cookie or some candy...if I eat healthy or work out I REALLY reward myself with something bad.

So, what do I eat on this 24 Day Challenge you ask?  No one has really asked me that question yet, but when my other friends did this challenge, I did wonder what they were eating. 

So, instead of some random story about Byerly's or Tator Tots, I am going to talk about what I eat.  I completely understand if this seems boring.  But, let me say that while you are on the 24 Day Challenge, it is pretty interesting.  So, if you are thinking of healthy options and are interested, I can share some things.  If you have some menu ideas (LIZ - I know you do).  Share them.  I would love to learn more.  The more options I have, the easier this challenge is for me.  If I had no idea what to eat, I am pretty sure I would get frustrated, hungry and eat jelly beans.

So, here goes...for breakfast today, I had egg whites with spinach and mushrooms and a side of strawberries. I think separating the egg white is gross, so I buy the Trader Joe's egg whites that are ready to go in the carton.  This is usually what I have for breakfast even in my real life, so that isn't a stretch for me.  Plus, getting the ready-to-go egg whites seems to be easier and less mess.

For lunch yesterday and today, I had a salad with mixed greens, a protein (yesterday it was chicken, today tuna), veggies, sometimes I add fruit, some sliced almonds, boiled egg whites, some red beans.  For a dressing, I just mix Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar.  The last two salads have been incredible because I have been adding a little bit of everything and it is so tasty and fresh.  Sometimes I add a little brown rice to my salad to bulk it up.  This is a "clean, complex carb" and completely legal on the 10 Day Cleanse.

For a salty snack I have had the Lightly Salted Rice Cakes with Reduced Fat Hummus.  Today I was starving and I could tell I was craving something sweet, like my face in a bag of sugar.  So, for a sweet snack, I had a slice of Ezekial Raisin Bread with Almond Butter, topped with sliced strawberries.  This was sort of a big snack, but I was HUNGRY and I didn't want to cave, so I thought better to eat a big, yummy snack than eat the rest of Molly's cupcake from yesterday.  Last night I wanted both, so for sweet and salty, I mixed a little bowl of sliced strawberries and raw almonds.  This was by far one of my favorites.  It reminded me of my love for Candy Corn and peanuts...except fresh and good for me.  And although I love me a good sugar buzz, I didn't have to deal with my head spinning. I also really like like sliced apples with almond butter or a little dash of Sea Salt.

Last night for dinner, my husband grilled Tilapia, red peppers, mushrooms and zucchini.  We had a little side of brown rice. Trader Joe's has a frozen brown rice that heats up in 3 minutes.  It felt like a normal Friday night grilling out, hanging out and eating delicious food.  Instead of marinating everything in high sodium marinate, we used Olive Oil, Sea Salt and pepper.  It truly was so good!  We usually grill chicken, steak or shrimp.  While I was at Byerly's yesterday (just before the cupcake incident), I talked with the butcher.  He let me know that Tilapia does not contain mercury.  Byerly's partners with a specific farm that raises their Tilapia.  So, I can eat Tilapia every day if I want.  Other fish such as Swordfish, Mahi Mahi and Tuna can only be eaten once a week due to their mercury level.  And, the reason I decided to pick up fish to grill (besides Lent) is that fish is high in protein and low in calories and "feed muscle and reduce appetite". 

My friend Liz did tell me to make sure to eat during this cleanse, so I do.  I just keep it fresh and basic.  AND, I try to limit myself to a serving....instead of several servings in one sitting. I also keep a food log to keep me in check.  I am a big fan of "all you can eat", so keeping a food journal helps.  And, since my big focus these days is what I am eating, it doesn't seem to be as painful and boring as I imagined it to be.

So, as I ponder how I went from drinking Diet Cokes and eating Robins Eggs until my heart was content, to signing up for this 24 Day Challenge, one thing sticks in my mind that I just can't seem to shake.... "how am I going to get those balls out of the tree before we move?"

For more information on my friend and Nutrition Coach, Liz Blom please visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 4 - Hey Cupcake

Today I was at Byerly's.  I stopped by to pick up a fresh salad from their salad bar.  I made a beautiful salad with so many healthy and fresh things.  As I was adding a few last items, something shiny caught me eye.  I think it was frosting from the bakery.

Knowing that I am truly into healthy livin', I walked over to the bakery and literally sniffed around.  I decided that because I could handle it, I picked out three cupcakes from behind the glass display window.  One for each of my kids.  A surprise for the kick off of Spring Break.  They were huge and stacked with frosting.  Just the way I like 'em.  I mean, my kids like them.

I took my salad up to the cashier.  Apparently, one of the deli wokers was going on break.  She was in line in front of me.  She complimented me on my beautiful salad.  I said thank you and then let her know I designed it myself.  She said she knew (since she works there and she was aware that you have to build your own salad).  She still thought it was funny and wanted to talk some more about my salad.  The cashier got in on it too.  Now, they were on to my delicious cupcakes.  We discussed the cupcakes for a few more seconds and then the deli lady was done with me and sat down in the cafe for her break.

Just when I thought my day in the sun was over and I had turned my attention back to the cashier to pay, two ladies pull up in back of me.  They wanted to discuss my purchases as well, but they noticed my cupcakes first.   "Look at the size of those cupcakes!" the first lady said.  They didn't wait for me to reply.  "Oh, and look she has a salad to go with it".  I couldn't take it anymore.  I joined right in with them.  We were hootin' and hollerin' in line at Byerly's about my salad and cupcakes.  I decided that instead of bringing the party down by telling them "No, those cupcakes aren't for me.  Today is Day 4 of my Advocare Herbal Cleanse.  I took a Probiotic Restore Pack instead of my fiber drink, which supports healthy intestinal function and is supposed to relieve symptoms of occasional constipation"...I just added, "I will just lick the top off of each of those cupcakes".  More laughing and fun. 

As I was walking out the door with my cupcakes and salad,  I hear a voice off in the distance, "Enjoy your salad!".  It was the deli lady, still on her break.  She was waving at me.

So, I've learned three very important things today.  #1 - Fresh food is not only delicious, but is also beautiful.  #2 I can handle buying treats without eating them.  #3 The people at Byerly's sure like to party.

Happy Spring Break to us.  I think the real challenge just started! :)

For more information on Advocare or my friend and Nutrition Coach, Liz Blom, please visit her Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 3 - The Tator Tot

It is Thursday, Day 3 of my 24 Day Challenge...Day 3 of my 10 Day Cleanse.  From early this morning, I have had it in my head that tomorrow will be the biggest challenge of my 10 Day Cleanse.  It will be Friday, the start of Spring Break.  My husband will come home from work.  The weather will be nice (for Minnesota).  On nights like this, we like to grill out, share some wine and let our kids play with their neighborhood friends.  My 3 children will be home for a week with me, while I try and work from home.

AND I HAVE CHOSEN TO BE ON THE 10 DAY CLEANSE.  No comfort food.  No evening glass of wine to unwind.  No chocolate to make the hurt go away.  I am ready for it.  Mentally focused and prepared.

Why not get ready and be totally prepared? So, when my kids got off the bus today, we headed to the store.  I was so proud of myself when my son ran up to me with a bag of sweet, delicious jelly beans and I only sort of screamed "GET IT AWAY...PUT IT BACK".  Jelly beans are a weakness, in addition to candy corn, Robin Eggs and candy hearts.   The jelly beans were not on my radar, but I survived.  We left the store and headed home to get dinner ready.

I started making dinner.  Everything was fine.  The boys were leaving for practice, I had to hurry to get them dinner before they left.  I turned and that is when I was blindsided.  I came face to face with the Tator Tot.  I was so focued on tomorrow being challenging that I didn't even think about the glorious Tator Tot.  I love them.  LOVE THEM.  Although this was the first time I really felt challenged in the last 3 days, I made it through just fine.  But, what I took from all of this crazy Tator love is that had I not been aware of what I was doing, I would have knocked off about 15 of those things before we ever sat down to dinner.  As ladylike as I would appear at dinner with a small serving of whatever we were having, secretly I would be full already on the Tator Tot.

So, yes today is Day 3 and as the name promised, I have been challenged.  I have survived and felt a little crabby, but am choosing to try and remember why I wanted to do this in the first place.  I truly am starting to see eating habits that I was not really aware of before this whole thing started.  It is pretty interesting.

I have also found out that I like hot tea in the morning.  I love coffee and I didn't even miss it today because of hot tea and a sweet little thing called Truvia. 

So, let me raise my glass of fiber drink to Spring Break, Tator Tots wild kids and Jelly Beans....I am up for the Challenge, so bring it.

Day 2 - What Was I Thinking?

It is Day 2.  My hair and skin look great, I have lost inches and have never felt better. 

Just kidding.

I started the morning again with the fiber drink.  I will drink that unique beverage until my 10 day cleanse is over.  Since today has started off so similar to Day 1, I didn't think I should bore you with the details of my day.  Quick recap.  Don't eat crap.  Put things down that I usually put into my mouth without thinking and choose raw or fresh foods.  It isn't that hard, since I enjoy egg whites, salads, lean meats, etc.  I did find myself craving chocolate last night.

So, instead of going into detail of my day (oh, I already did that), I thought I would tell you exactly what this 24 Day Challenge is and why I am choosing to do this.  My one loyal reader (my Mom) gave me some critical feedback.  She told me that she understood that I was giving some favorite treats up, but why?  What IS the program?  What is my goal?

What was I thinking when I signed up?  Well, my goal is stated at the top of my Advocare handout.  It says "Lean Out and Tone Up".  Yep, that is why I am doing this. 

The first 10 days of this 24 Day Challenge consist of an Herbal Cleanse.  I am to avoid or mimimize my intake of wheat products, dairy, fried foods, coffee, soda, alcohol, refined sugars, corn, white starches or bread.  Some of the goals and benefits of this cleanse - better digestion, better absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from our food, improved skin tone, increased overall health and vitality.

The next 11-24 days, after the cleanse, consists of a Metabolic Nutrition System.  From what I can see, it includes vitamins and a nutrition plan to keep me on track and suggested activity.  I will know more once I start this.

In the end, my goal is to get on track with healthier eating by going back to the basics.  Learning again how to choose natural or raw foods compared to foods that are packed with unhealthy alternatives....as tasty as they may seem.  I want to feel good, get lean and be ready for the summer to keep up with my very active kids.

If you, like my Mom was unsure of my goal, I hope this helps.  If not, well....my Mom will let me know.  :)

For more information on Liz Blom, Nutrition Coach and very nice lady, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Day 1 - Chug It

Day 1 has been good.  I started the day with the recommended fiber drink.  Honestly, the consistency was kind of thick and odd, but I put on my best college game face and chugged it.  That was about as exciting as the day got.

The biggest challenge might have been that my daughter is home sick with Strep.  When "we" are home sick, we often times indulge in comfort foods.  Her day was filled with whatever she wanted.  My day was filled with the usual, but just a little more intense.  I think I might snack more than I know.  I had to put things down (quite a bit) and pick up things that were of the fruit and veggie variety.

Oh, and I do like a drink called Coffecino.  It is yummy.  This might could be a good friend of mine for the next, oh say....23 days.

More tomorrow.

Fat Monday

Ok, so I start my Advocare 24 Day Challenge tomorrow.  I can't help it, but today feels like Fat Tuesday does every year right before Lent starts.  This year for Lent, instead of giving something up, I chose to work on being a better person.  When Lent started, I had pictured "better" as nicer (that is still my intent).  But, when Liz and I discussed the 24 Day Challenge, I guess "better" could translate to a better me as well.  Eating better, feeling better and hopefully balancing life better. 

SO, today Liz stopped by and reviewed the 24 Day Challenge with me.  She gave me my products, took my measurements and gave me a checklist of what to do for the first 10 days.

The first 10 days will consist of an Herbal Cleanse.  I need to avoid or minimize fried foods, sugar, alcohol, coffee, DIET COKE, dairy, wheat and white starches.  I need to concentrate on eating healthy and natural. It all seems pretty straight forward.  Liz also promised to send me a grocery list before tomorrow.  I am also hoping for menu ideas and snacks for when I usually like to sneak chocolate.

I think my biggest challenge though will be avoiding Diet Coke.  I hate to love it.  It is a comfort drink for me.  It is a habit to have one in the afternoon.  I crave the fizzy goodness, yet once I drink it, I usually feel kind of crabby and gross.  It is a crazy cycle, but one that I am ready to break.

Liz also promises to check in every few days by whatever form of communication I am most comfortable with.  Since it won't be splitting a bottle of wine, I have chosen email.  I have heard she is very good with her follow up. 

Wish me luck!  I will let you know how it goes.  I look forward to kick starting a healthy nutrition plan.

For more information on Liz Blom, Nutrition Coach and Advocare Representative, visit her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

Sign Me Up

So, here's my story.  I am a wife and a mother.  I love coffee and Diet Coke.  It is a toss up which one I love more.  I eat healthy and exercise, but by no means make an effort to lose weight. For years, I have talked about losing 10 pounds. I like to go out with friends, have drinks and laugh.  I am just a normal lady who tries to lead a healthy and balanced life.

I have been a runner for years and have sort of maintained my weight by running.  I have finished two marathons....and I emphasize the word "finished" because, although I didn't break any speed records, I did indeed finish.  In fact, throughout my marathon journeys you might just find me taking a little break in the chair of a spectator, crying a little bit and continually complaining about how much my body hurts. Once I ran for the challenge, once I ran to raise money for my brother-in-law who was fighting ALS.  In fact, without my running partner Nancy talking me through each mile, I quite possibly would have turned my ALS t-shirt inside out, exited the route and grabbed a cab home.  I am 100% sure my brother-in-law would have approved of that move.

So, we have established that I love Diet Coke, I exercise to eat and am usually up for a good challenge.  In enters my friend Liz.  Liz and I have been friends for years.  Liz is a Nutrition Coach, who enjoys a healthy lifestyle and also enjoys exercise.  In the last year, Liz has started selling Advocare.  I have witnessed Liz's amazing results and renewed energy.  Stubbonly, I decided Advocare just wasn't for me.  I watched as other friends tested the products and like Liz, starting losing weight, talking about amazing energy, leaner bodies, better skin and healthy hair.  Still no interest.  Ok, a little interest.

Yesterday, I found myself at Liz's Advocare lunch party.  Many of my favorite friends were there.  Add drinks, snacks and dice and it could have been Bunco night.  Liz served a healthy lunch and a delicous lemony Advocare drink.  Honestly, my first reaction was "I bet this would be good with vodka".  After comparing notes, I wasn't the only who thought that.  I could feel a presentation coming on.  I am not a fan of presentations, Power Points or product reviews.  I found myself engaged and inspired.  What is happening?

I repeat, I like a good challenge.  So, what caught my attention?  Apparently, it is called The 24 Day Challenge.  What is The 24 Day Challenge, you ask?  I have a vague idea of what is going to happen, but I don't know all of the details yet.  I find out on Monday exactly what I have signed up for.  Stay tuned and you can take the journey with me.  I promise to be honest, post results and describe how the process works.

In the meantime, if you are interested in finding more about Liz, you can visit her Nutrition and Wellness Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness

More to come on Monday.....