Putting a Stop to the Muffin Top

Ok, so here we go... In one week, we will kickoff a journey to healthy eating.  With the help of my AdvoCare super friend, Liz Blom, I (and some friends) will begin the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge on Tuesday, March 3rd.  I am choosing to challenge myself to eat whole and clean for 24 days. My goal will be to ultimately lose weight, but to also create healthy habits and kick a few bad ones. 

I eat healthy and exercise, but lately have noticed a tendency to indulge.  I trick myself into thinking this is balance.  I exercise, so that gives me a green light to eat treats.  While I eat very healthy, I also love Diet Coke, Doritos, candy, red wine, French bread, pizza, cheese, and much, much more.  I run quite a bit, but funny enough this does not make me slight of frame, just really hungry. In fact, when I trained for the Chicago Marathon this past fall, I gained weight.  I have punched through the walls of my weight comfort zone and a bit of muffin top is squeezing through.  I think it is the perfect time to hang up the Doritos, tune up my diet and get ready for the warm weather to come. 

Want to join in the fun?  Fun? ;) Ok, so it will be a challenge, but I promise we will feel really good. What does this involve, you ask?

Ok, players - here are the rules.  This isn't a cayenne pepper mixed with maple syrup and lemons type of cleanse.  It isn't a starve yourself silly type of deal. This is a eat whole, clean foods and learn how to say no to a few things.  Here's is what we will eliminate from our diets - Pop/Soda, all fried foods, coffee, butter and alcohol.  Here is what we will reduce or eliminate - dairy.  Oh, how I love cheese.  For the most part, I stick to all of the rules.  With that in mind, this way of thinking and eating is something that I intend to continue after the 24 days, so I do bend the rules a bit.  For instance, when I am craving chocolate at night, from time to time I make a low fat hot chocolate with almond milk.  As my friend Liz says, if this is the worst thing that I do, I am doing pretty good.  Plus, will I continue to have this as a snack in my life outside of the this challenge, oh you better believe it.

Here are some options to keep you on track...
#1 - The AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge  - learn more here
#2 - The AdvoCare 10 Day Cleanse - learn more here
#3 - Just follow along for the health of it - shopping list and meal ideas to come
Side note - The first 10 days of the 24 Day Challenge is the 10 Day Cleanse, so we can all start together and will be one big happy group just chugging along for healthy results.  When I say chug, I say this because during the first 10 days there is a fiber drink that we will chug first thing in the morning. 

Some of the friends we will get to know a little better - lean meats, veggies, fruits, almonds, almond butter, almond milk, rice cakes, hummus, whole wheat breads and pitas.

If you are planning to join in, you will need to order your 24 Day Challenge or 10 Day Cleanse by tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb 24th).  If you are just planning on following along and eating healthy, well you are all set.  I will post a shopping list by the weekend, so you can prepare for healthy eating.

If you are interested in learning more about AdvoCare, you can contact my friend Liz Blom (AdvoCare Distributor) by visiting her Nutrition and Wellness Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/lizblom.nutritionandwellness or contact your Advocare Independent Distributor. More to come...