Advocare 24 Day Challenge

I've been meaning to write about the struggles I have had losing the baby weight after Hudson. But...I think it was just too frustrating for me. I have been doing all the things I did after I had Hunter and dropped a ton a weight...but with no change to the scale. I was eating Paleo and working out. But, nope. As of the day we got back from Dallas, I was still hanging onto almost 16 pounds.

Granted, I did start the pregnancy at a fairly low weight and I'm not saying that I was at an "unhealthy" weight. But, I just haven't felt confident. My clothes don't fit and I'm just unhappy when I look in the mirror, like I don't recognize myself.

I'd seen people get amazing results doing the 24 Day Challenge. Jesse and I got hooked on Advocare's energy drink, Spark, about 3 months ago. I think seeing how great I felt with drinking Spark made me believe in their products a little bit more and I was ready to commit to 24 days.

The first 10 days are a cleanse period. Eating "clean" and taking some herbal cleanse pills, probiotics, fiber drink, and a OmegaPlex capsule. I lost 6lbs during those 10 days and felt awesome.

I am now on day 5 of the max phase. I feel good, lots of energy, and just overall more healthy. The scale is down a couple more pounds, bringing me to 8lbs lost...in two weeks. This is weight that would not budge. I'm also down an entire pant size.

AdvoCare products work. I am convinced and Jesse is, too. He's going to be taking the challenge soon. We are both using Spark and Catalyst (ah-mazing!!) and I'm taking a series of vitamins and supplements along with it. It's my plan to continue on this routine until I get these last 8lbs off my body.

Here are my 12 day progress pics:

 

 I love this stuff so much that I signed up to sell it. I'd love to help other people reach their goals. On average, people who do the challenge lose between 10 and 20lbs and 10 inches off their body! If you are interested in these products, whether you want to tone up or lose weight, let me know. I also have a plan for pregnant or nursing moms. If you sign up for the challenge with me, I will be right there encouraging you and supporting you along the way. I will make a meal/snack plan specifically adapted to your goals and your food preferences. You also get access to my amazing and very knowledgeable team. 

E-mail me at turnersa@gmail.com and go check out my AdvoCare site

 

Order by October 3rd, in time to drop a "pumpkin" off your body by Halloween, and I'll send ya an extra box of Spark for FREE!

Don't want to do the challenge? There are a lot of great other products. Like I said, Spark is awesome!! It's a sugar-free energy drink full of vitamins. Catalyst is a miracle supplement, especially if you are working out, it protects your muscles and helps get the toned look your are trying for!

Meal Planning

I am finally feeling back to my old self, no more throwing up and I have tons more energy. So, I figured it was time for the new stay at home mom to get to work with some meal planning! I've never really mastered this and usually end up just having the basics on hand to make simple dinners like stir fry, curries, and baked chicken and veggies. BORING. Well, Jesse likes it because that means it's usually Paleo diet friendly, but this pregnant lady is craving some good old carbs and comfort food these days.

So, I got to work this morning while Hunter slept in until 10am! I pulled out my "Joy of Cooking" cookbook and did some meal planning for the next week or so. Here is what I came up with:

Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas (even with homemade sauce, I'm kind of a snob about this, I don't like canned enchilada sauce)

Friday: Corned beef and cabbage with red potatoes (Gotta celebrate Jesse's Irish heritage, right?!)

Saturday: My oldest brother and his fiancé have informed us this week that they are having a spur of the moment wedding on Saturday evening! So, no cooking for me, but I did volunteer to make my yummy red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. (Want the recipe? It's over there on the recipes tab!)

Sunday: Beef Stew

Monday: Spaghetti Pie

Sometime during the week I also plan to make some chocolate chip cookies and some apple muffins to snack on. All these recipes I found in the Joy of Cooking cookbook (expect the cupcakes, I leave that to Martha).

You guys have any luck with meal planning? I'm hoping I stick with it, but I just don't know if I can keep up with it every week. Any tips for me? I'd love to hear them.