24 day challenge results and disclaimer! :)

Okay, so my 24 day challenge took more than 24 days with night shifts, missing days, and now a hospital stay.  Eli was overnight in the hospital on Saturday to Sunday with essentially an asthma attack which turned things upside down, messed up my exercising and definitely screwed the diet!  Burgers and fries for meals tasted yummy but definitely skewed my results.  It's weird how when you do the "pinch test" on the fat on your belly how a few meals can make that fat roll at least feel bigger.  So here's my results for the whole 24 days...
    Weight- down 6 lbs
    Belly- down 1 inch
    Hips- down 2 inches
    Chest- down 3 inches
So, overall I had good results!  It's just the moral of the story is if you want bigger results you need to really commit, because most of this was during the first 10 days of the challenge when I was doing really well and not cheating much. 
Also, after all this is done, I really recommend the Can You 24 DVDs.  I get bored with DVDs and still may eventually, but so far these are effective, not so hard that you feel like you're killing yourself right away, and have different levels worked into them.  At less than $30, compared to products like Insanity and Zumba it's a really good investment and can prepare you to tackle harder things like Insanity. If you're interested in any products you can order at http://www.advocare.com/130346245
If you don't think the 24 day challenge is for you the 10 day herbal cleanse is what I lost 30 lbs with last year and is a good, and more affordable starting point :)
Sometime this week I'll try to take an after picture to see if I can see the difference in my muscles, which are definitely more there than before! :)  So we'll see what the picture shows and see if it can be counted as a bigger success than the numbers show.

My goal for the next two weeks is to get eating better, and to figure out what rate each of my songs are on the treadmill so I know how fast I'm running or walking if I go with the beat since I've been running outside a little more than normal.  This way I can use my playlist to figure out approximately how fast I'm running and the calories burnt.  I'll probably organize the songs in a way to build up and down in speed and time out the calories on the treadmill. 
If I can get my butt back in gear for the next two weeks, then I get to reward myself on vacation on not worrying about desert and enjoying my meals at Disney World! :)  A treat indeed!

Missing days

I've lost a few days again!  Not sure where they went but I think I'm supposed to be done with my 24 day Advocare challenge and I still have 5 days left!  Oops.  Had a busy weekend and haven't exercised since Thursday, but I totally kicked butt today to make up for it.  3.5 miles on treadmill running, then the Advocare Melt video, then walked another 2 miles while reading my book, then mowed the yard, then did the Advocare Core Stretch workout!  Feels righteous to kick butt after not being able to or feeling good enough for several days! 
So a few more days then we'll see my results!  Feeling stronger and happy that I can kick butt! :)
Happy Tuesday!

Challenge update

So....a day has gone missing. 

Did anyone else notice it?  :)

Somehow while working overtime on nights this long weekend I missed a day, I got a day off on my workouts and missed a day of the challenge supplements.  No big deal, I'm still going. Apparently it's my 25 day challenge :)
I haven't done measurements again, I want to wait until I am done with the supplements but I do want to say that the MNS appetite control supplements (Days 11-24) really work for appetite control!  While I can still eat food that sounds good, I'm not craving and wondering to the kitchen all the time because I'm hungry!  This is good.  Now I just need to stop thinking about how good a nice hot pizza is so I stay on healthy food!  I'm also feeling stronger, which is good since the biggest reason for this challenge is to tone up.  I actually have biceps you can see, I can really feel my leg muscles, and abs....well I did carry two children so I don't expect miracles.  :)

Have a happy day and I'll keep updating :)

Advocare Day 10 Results

So today is day 10 of the Advocare 24 day challenge for me, and I took my weight and measurements.
Results are.........

*Down 5 lbs*

*Lost 1 inch off of waist*

*Lost 1 inch off of hips*

*Lost 1/2 inch off of chest line*

On top of this, my muscles are sore and I still sweat it out when working out!  Toning up is the major goal so I really hope pictures at 24 days will be AWESOME.  I want to be fit and firmed up for our vacation in 7 weeks!  :)

One day until new measurements!

My 10 day cleanse portion of the 24 day challenge is almost over!  Tomorrow is day 10 and I'll see what my weight and measurements are then!  Then I start the Max Phase of the challenge and continue with the workouts.  To be honest it's been a little rough to workout because of the overtime I've been working since I do night shift.  By the time I'm really awake enough to exercise the family is all around and I want to spend family time, then after they go to sleep but before I go to work I could exercise but the treadmill is so loud.  Last night I did the DVD then went on a run outside under the stars!  It was beautiful!  Maybe it won't be raining tonight and I can do a repeat?  :) See you tomorrow!

Cheating- I need a new word!

This post about cheating, because I kind of did that last night and today.  Last night I ate about 7 cheez-it crackers.  Totally not on my diet but so salty and yummy!  Today, I didn't feel like following my workout calender and running on the treadmill- with my muscles so sore from the new workout and the little cold I have brewing it wouldn't be fun at all.  So instead Eli and I took a bike ride (probably more work though because going against the wind with his buggy was a lot of resistance). 
Were these things going against the plan?  Yes.  Was it "cheating"?  Yes.  But I think I need a better word and so does everyone else with a fitness and diet program. 
There's a difference between creating a new lifestyle and killing yourself for results.  Are those 7 cheez-it crackers going to make a difference?  No.  Did I stop at 7?  Yes.  if this is you, give yourself a break.  Moderation was the key for me for maintaining my weight loss and extreme moderate is the key to this challenge.  Having a plan is key for being able to get results but be flexible. 
Are you too tired today to do a full workout?  If you have the Advocare DVDs you can do the core stretch workout which is pretty easy and feel okay that you did something.  The next time you're pumped up- make yourself do an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill or whatever. 
When you eat food you shouldn't- workout extra to burn off the calories. 
Losing weight is essentially an in and out process- you take calories in, you burn them off.  You don't burn off then you don't loose.  You take in more than you burn you gain.  Simple.  Keep it simple and know those high carb, sweet, salty, fatty yummy foods work against you because it takes more burning to get it off.  Is it worth it for the extra 10 minutes on the treadmill to burn it?  As long as the answer is yes and you're going to do the work, just eat whatever you're dying for!  That said, if you are going the Advocare Cleanse you probably shouldn't eat much fatty foods or you might be spending extra bathroom time ;)
Not sure what new word I'm going to use, but I think I'm going to take cheating out of my vocabulary!

Day 1

Today is the magic day number 1 of my 24 day challenge!  When I got home from work, I did my exercise and then took measurements so I can track my results! I did learn to do the treadmill before doing the Advocare Can You 24 DVDs because my legs were tired and I couldn't keep up a good run!
Dinner tonight was baked chicken, steamed asparagus and strawberries!  Yummy!  One of the great things is that when you eat simple, fresh foods they are also usually allergy friendly!

I also went to the store to get lots of fresh fruits and veggies.  A tip is when you bring things home, cut and wash them right away if they will keep.  For example, I washed, cut, and baggied celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and washed grapes.  It's easier to eat healthy if it's right there waiting for you!

Here's my new "before" pictures!

I'll try to keep updates coming!

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