AdvoCare

Several folks have asked me what I use on AdvoCare and how I like it. I've used the products on and off for about three years now. Over those three years, I've lost, and kept off over 20 lbs (without a lot of effort).

Currently, I'm on the ten day cleanse and 14 day maintenance plan (the 24 Day Challenge). I do sell AdvoCare to people who want to buy (see my link in the sidebar), I'm not a salesman and don't make much money doing it either. I use Spark on a regular basis, Catalyst, O2 Gold, and most recently Muscle Recovery products.  My goal for the 24 days is to lose an additional 15-20 pounds. By October, I'd like to feel good, and look amazing, in a bathing suit.

I look and feel better when I use the products on a regular basis and can tell when I need to get back to them. These are not magic diet pills. They help control your hunger, give you energy without the crash, and help promote general well-being

If you would like more detailed information about AdvoCare, just send me a message or leave a comment and I'll get right back to you.

Finding Me: blogs, FB, and pinterest

Just a list of favorites:

Boot Camp

My Imperfect Journey to Find My Face

My recipe board (some not so healthy foods on here too)

My AdvoCare board (healthier foods and menus)

Mama Laughlin (great diet, exercise, and fashion blog)

Finding Me: Bootcamp

I just started going to Better Body Bootcamp and I absolutely love it. I do find it strange that I enjoy someone taking me to my breaking point and pushing me more than I thought I could ever do. And that's after only four classes. There's something different about BBB. All the people working out are pushing you to go farther, to do more without making you feel like you are giving up. You are your own competition here (even if you try to beat the person next to you in sprints or push ups).

I could work out every day at the Y (I love their boot camp and kickboxing classes), and not see or feel the results I know I'm going to have at boot camp.

I found Boot Camp by chance. My sister commented on a friend of her's progress. I checked the page and signed up that day. I did miss the last two classes because I was a wimp and didn't want to work out in the rain one day and went out of town the other. I'm ready to hit it this week at least three days!!

Eric is so wonderful to give me the hour a day I need to workout without having to fight with the kids about going to the Y. We are having to eat a little later, and more goes into planning what we are going to eat, but it is worth it.

Finding Me: Food

I LOVE food. Any type of food--healthy food, fried food, ice cream food, anything. I love to eat. I think that's why I have such a hard time with watching what I eat and choosing the best options. I know I feel better when I have better-for-me foods, but hot wings and ice cream (not necessarily together) are so good. I've never been a "dieter"but I have gone through phases of trying to eat better. Those "phases" usually last a month or so, then I go back to the bad-for-me stuff for a couple months and then get back on track with my better for me meals.

Today, I went shopping for our weekly meals (again getting back on track). I felt like I'm spending so much time and effort and money on bootcamp that I need to get the full benefits and watch my meals. I'll try to document what I'm eating here (and maybe on instagram, if you are one of my followers), but here's the plan for the week (maybe we won't have too many surprises that keep me from our plans). Days may change, but the meals are set, kind of.

Monday: Fish (salmon or tilapia), asparagus, and cumin carrots
Tuesday: buffalo turkey burger (no bun) and a salad
Wednesday: pineapple chicken, sugar snap peas, brown rice
Thursday: chicken, steak and vegetable skewers on the grill
Friday: date night with my hubby

I'm home with the kiddos all summer and we have to eat lunch too. Plans are a little more lax for the lunch. I'm planning on leftovers, salads (lettuce and a cucumber, tomato, onion, egg salad). The kids are also starting the healthy kick too. We bought lots of fruits and veggies that they wanted to try. Of course we have chicken nuggets and pizza for a couple days of lunch too (I'm far from a dietician saint and health freak).

Finding Me: the Whole She-bang

I decided to journal my new journey to finding me. For the past couple of months, I've struggled with who I am--who am I as a Christian, wife, mother, teacher, person. I've prayed. I've cried. I've laid in bed and done nothing but sleep and watch useless TV (just throwing it out there and keeping it honest). I haven't been a great person to anyone lately.  I haven't done anything to find myself. Then, I decided to make a change.

First up, trying boot camp. I saw a post on facebook from a friend of my sister and her transformation was AMAZING in just four short weeks. If she could have results like that, maybe there's a chance for me. I signed up for the very next class, a Saturday bleacher class. As I emailed Brandee, she told me I could do it, but it would be intense and difficult. I went anyway and LOVED it. More on Boot Camp later.

My next step, a cleanse (AdvoCare's 24 day challenge). I'm starting either this weekend or Monday; just whenever I can get to the grocery store to stock up on good, whole foods and commit 100% to the challenge.

My goal is to find myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I have a ways to go for the transformation of me, but I'm excited about the outcome to be.

Here's my before picture, the one where I said, "Holy crap! Is that really what I look like?"

Click here to view these pictures larger