Weekend Check-In

So it's been a few days since my last post...I've been working to stick to the clean eating, and  drinking lots of water, and I've sold off the rest of the Advocare crack pills.  I'm not knocking their products, don't get me wrong...they are just not for me.  I think I've been doing pretty good, and I've found myself really putting effort into making sure I'm eating better.  I also find that when I eat this better, wholesome food, I feel fuller longer...which is amazing.  I am also not having extreme cravings for anything.  I've decided that I'm not going to totally deprive myself of certain things (slippery slope I know), but I'm going to make damn sure I'm not being a gross pig about it either.  

For example, today after BMX races, we decided to get pizza for lunch.  I was scared I would over indulge...something takes over me and I end up eating seven pieces of pizza normally...but that didn't happen.  I'm so proud...here's why:  normally we buy a large all-meat pizza for our little family of three.  We generally eat half of it, then take the rest home, then snack on it over the next day or two.  Today I convinced my husband that we should only buy a SMALL and I ate 2.5 pieces of that.  That's it.  I was so full from that and my 2 salads (no croutons, with oil and vinegar for dressing only), that I couldn't imagine eating more than that.  I left there satisfied, not feeling guilty or depressed, and proud of myself.

I have broken my promise and have gotten on the scale.  As of this morning I am down 12.2 pounds!!!

I've made up a big batch of garden vegetable soup made from a chicken I had in the freezer...so good, and rather low cal but full of delicious nutrients!  That will be my dinner, and probably lunch for a couple of days.  I've been fighting a cold off, so this type of food is right up my alley.  I'm making sure to have a healthy service of fruit each day, and started a B-12 supplement today.  I figure it can't hurt to have the B-12 supplement, it will only help me have a little more energy which lets face it, who couldn't?  I just don't need so much extra energy that I want to paint the house while vacuuming my car at the same time.  You know?

Anywho, I'll check in again in a few days.  I'm right now 30.8 pounds away from my Disneyland goal with about twice that in days to get there.  I know I can do it.  Especially if I watch my protein intake and not overdo it, get some working out in (which I am taking a Zumba class each Monday in May, and then plan on making Wednesdays my workout/sauna day at the gym...you know, me time).

I'm trying to decide if I want to buy myself a 25 pound treat when I get there.  Last time I lost 25 pounds I bought a cute necklace and charm...but rarely wear it. I'm not a big jewelry fan.  Maybe I'll get my nails done...

Advocare is done...

As you could tell from my previous post detailing my last day of the 10 (11) day Herbal Cleanse, I'm pretty much off the Advocare.  I debated trying to do the Max Phase, but couldn't bring myself to take supplements that could possibly make me feel terrible.  Getting healthy is supposed to make you feel good, and if it makes you feel bad, then why proceed?

 

Today and tomorrow are the last two of the meal replacement shakes that I got with the program. I  really like them, and want to find something like them.  They are a bit too expensive for the only 14 servings you get in the box.  The chocolate mocha flavor is amazing though...

 

Anyway, I'm going to eat clean.  I'm going to try to avoid dairy (except for my protein shakes, which I'm sure I could make dairy free), breads/cereals, fried foods, processed foods, sugars, etc. My mind still wants them...like a big fat juicy burger, but at the same time, I know I would feel so sick if I ate that.  I'd rather have an awesome chicken salad or make the burger myself at home, and wrap it in some lettuce leaves. 

 

I'm trying not to weigh myself every day, because I know I'll have days where I barely lose anything, and that will be discouraging, though weighing myself once a week I get antsy. 

I'm going to set a goal now...I won't weigh myself again until Monday morning. Once I weigh in Monday morning, I won't weigh myself again except for weekly on Mondays.  I think that makes sense...we'll see!

 

I can tell you that as of this morning I'm down 11.2 pounds, and am 31.4 pounds away from my first "mini" goal.  This is the realistic goal I set for myself for our Disney trip, however, anything past that by then will be amazing!

Stick with me, and you'll get to enjoy the journey...

 

You know, someday I would love to do that thing at Disneyworld in Florida:

day 1 is a 5k

day 2 is a 10 k

day 3 is a half marathon

day 4 is a full marathon

Someday...hopefully by my 40th birthday I can get there...

Oh God, seriously...saying "by the time I'm 40" makes me have anxiety!!!

Advocare Day 11

Day 11.

To start, I thought I'd give my measurements after my first 10 days, even though today is technically my last day of the cleanse phase...oh, by the way, down 10.6 pounds this morning!!!!

 

Calf:   21"  --  20.75  =  .25" loss

Thigh:   34.5"  --  34.5"  =  What?  No change??? Um...I don't know.

Hips:   66"  --  64  =  2" loss

Waist:   64"  --  62  =  2" loss!

Chest:   60"  --  58.5  =  1.5" loss

Forearm:  13"  --  12.75  =  .25" loss

Bicep:   17"  --  16.25  =  1.25" loss

Neck:   17.25"  --  16.75  =  .50" loss

So according to these numbers after 10 full days, I've lost 7.75 inches!  I'm excited, but I feel like it might not be totally true, since I feel like I can measure myself six times in a row and come up with six different numbers.  Allow me to believe I actually shrank a little...please?
Well, we'll see.  I'm going to do it again at the end of the Max Phase, and we'll see how that goes, then I'll start measuring myself the morning of the 1st of each month just to keep on it.  I've been told that's a much better way to measure progress than the scale.  I like how the numbers on the scale are dropping though!  
I also think I need to stop weighing myself every day.  It's not so much that I get obsessive over it, it's that I get discouraged if I don't have a significant loss each day.  So, I think the next time I weigh in will be the morning of day 8, so I can have followed the Max Phase for a full 7 days before weighing in again.
One of my partners-in-crime started Max Phase today, and says she feels good! (Insert bouncing up and down and eyes bugged out here).  I'm a bit worried.  I'm going to try to figure out exactly which packet did it to her, and try and halve it.  There's no way I can handle that. 
Later: After further discussion, we decided we knew that it was a probably she waited an hour before eating after taking her supplements that should have been taken 30 minutes before eating.  Also, I think I'll be taking only half of the packet to see how it affects me before jumping in headfirst.
I also found this cool graphic about Spark and other energy drinks...very cool to see it all side by side like this.  After reading, I think a Sugar Free Redbull is just right for my energy needs.  Not during exercise, just when I need a kick in the pants...
http://www.healthbymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Spark-Comparison-Energy-1024x620.jpeg
 

Pre-Breakfast:  java java java java java...yes, had a cup of black coffee before my shower, and it was so good.  I missed you so, Joe.

Breakfast:  Meal replacement shake.  I only have 3 left after today, and I'm too cheap to order 14 days worth at $42.  I'm going to go back to my Premier Protein Shakes, and start mixing in coffee in some way, or check out the Chocolate Mocha protein shake mix at Monarch.

Snack:  Mix of strawberries, almonds, and baby carrots...a couple rogue grapes in there too.

Pre-Lunch:  Water.  Lots of it.  I'm off the Spark.  I definitely feel like my energy level has come down a little, but still feel nothing like I did before I started the program.  Again, I'm going to try to get some sublingual b vitamins to use.

Lunch:  1 whole wheat pita thin with 2 packets of tuna.  One for each side.  Lots of protein to wash away those carbs.  I also had a half a tomato and a peeled cucumber.  Used spicy brown mustard for the "sammies". 

Snack:  3 hardboiled eggs.

Dinner:  Southwest Chicken salad (made at home): Arugula, black beans (rinsed well), rotisserie chicken (chopped, about 1 cup), cherry tomatoes, 1 medium avocado (diced), green Herdez salsa for dressing.  So delicious!!!  Was perfect too.  I really am starting to see myself eat LESS food to get full and satisfied and nourished.  I have much more energy too.  I am so happy.

Snack:  Bowl of steamed Edamame pods with some Netflix to end the day!

Advocare Day 10/9

Day 10 (9).

  

Well, here we are.  Kinda Day 10. but kinda my day 9.  I have one more Fiber Drink and one more packet of the probiotics for tomorrow morning (so that would be the official day 10).

Woke up and weighed in today.... DOWN 9 POUNDS!  So proud of myself!

I gotta say, I don't even really crave junk food.  Just protein.  Not even really missing dairy at all either, except Greek Yogurt mixed with Bran cereal and frozen blueberries.  
That combo is the beezneez. 

I have been considering buying some more Advocare products, however, I know there are similar products at the local Monarch Medical office where I live, where they are a bit cheaper, and I can browse, and not worry about shipping.  I think I'll swing by there and see what I can get.  Day after tomorrow I start the Max phase of the 24 Day Challenge.  I'm a little nervous, as the packet of pills say something like equivalent to 2.5 cups of coffee or something, and you eat them with lunch...that might be a problem for me, sleep wise.  Not sure how it will go but I will try it.  If it doesn't work out, then I still have clean eating and green tea to fall back on, right?

I'm abandoning the Spark entirely after today.  I've finished up the half-used packets I had, but this stuff isn't right for me. 

Do I sound like a hypochondriac baby yet? No?  Yes?  I can't tell.  All I know is when something makes me feel shitty, I aint gonna take any more.  I am very thankful I started this program, so I could really get back into things, and I really feel like I'm on a great path.  I have really put effort into eating healthier foods...I also have so much more energy, don't feel bloated and swollen, and don't feel so depressed and down.  I just can't get used to the super cracky feeling...my head feels like it's literally buzzing in my brain when I'm all jacked up on that stuff, and I do not like it.
I loved the 10 day cleanse, and will probably do it again later down the road in a couple months...Probably right before I go on my vacation.
 Today I was pretty tired and stressed at work.  Decided I want to keep up on the no dairy as much as possible save something here or there...like not drinking that International Delight Creamer anymore...I'm going to transfer to a soy or coconut creamer, but I'm gonna have me some coffee in the morning since I'm giving up the Spark.  I will be buying some B-12 sub-lingual tabs for the extra energy, but not drinking it all day long...I can grab a RedBull if I really need it.
I was really stressed today at work, but not once did I ever feel like I needed to eat to make it better.  No chocolate craving, no "screw this, I'm eating a huge burger".  I feel proud. 
Tomorrow is the last day of the cleanse for me, then it's on to the Max Phase (which I'm sort of scared of by the way.  I'm scared it will make me feel all cracky).  Trust me, you'll hear all about that too.  Keep in mind, I'm overly sensitive and a hypochondriac. If you would like to read the official stuff about this phase, here's a link http://www.advocare.com/products/trim/T1131.aspx
No, I'm not an Advocare Rep, and I was not paid or compensated in any way.

Pre-Breakfast:  Started a Spark to take to work and sip throughout the day.

Breakfast:  Citrus Fiber Drink/Meal Replacement Shake

Snack:  Mixture of baby carrots, strawberries, grapes, and plain almonds.

Pre-Lunch:  NA

Lunch:  leftover dinner from last night:  chicken breast, Normandy veggies, and mashed sweet potatoes (I ate way too much...I feel like I have a brick in my throat).

Snack:  3 Hardboiled eggs/Black tea with sugar free raspberry syrup from Dutch Bros (this was a splurge in my opinion).

Dinner:  Baja Fresh: Baja Ensalada with chicken and Cilantro ranch dressing.  7 chips, and lots of green salsa...now I'm burphing chips.  Blegh.  I think I'll skip on the fried stuff from here on out entirely.  Not gonna hurt me, just help me.

Snack:  Strawberries...I think.

Photo by me.

Advocare Day 9

Day 9 (but sort of day 8).

Woke up and weighed myself this morning.  I am down 8 pounds!  I am down 1.4 pounds since Friday.  I am so glad I was still able to lose after this weekend, though I don't know why I worried because I didn't go all balls out, and quite frankly, I did a ton of standing and walking.

I've drank at least 5 bottles of water today.  32 oz bottles of water.  I couldn't get enough water in me while we were out of town, so it was awesome to just chug-a-lug all day...

One thing I've been thinking about is how much I miss my coffee...I read the packet again, and it doesn't appear in the avoid list, or the moderation list.  I figure why can't I have one or two cups a day with a non-dairy natural creamer like coconut milk or something?  We will see.  So far, I'm seeing great success, and feel like I can stick with this clean eating in the long run, and my energy is okay even without the Spark because I'm not eating crappy food all day...

Pre-Breakfast:  Half a Spark mixed with 24 ounces of water that I'll be sipping on throughout the day.  I love that it gives me some focus, and some energy, but it's too much for me I think.  The increased energy has started to give me anxiety, and after the full-blown panic attack I had last Thursday, there is no f-ing way I'm drinking a whole Spark again anytime soon.  Also took a Probiotic, followed with the not-so-delicious Citrus Fiber Drink. Mmm Mmm BLEGH!

Breakfast:  Blended meal replacement shake.  I seriously love these.  Wish they were a tad less sweet, but thinking in the long run, they would be awesome mixed with black coffee instead of water.

Snack:  Grapes and strawberries and baby carrots.

Pre-Lunch:  NA

Lunch:  Baked chicken breast and tomato and arugula salad with vinaigrette with 2 hard-boiled eggs and a peeled and sliced cucumber.

Snack:  Just grazed on the strawberries and grapes that were in the fridge.

Dinner:  Leftover chicken breast with mashed sweet potato (no additions), Normandy veggies (broccoli, cauli, green and yellow squashes, and carrots).  It was deelish!

Snack:  Banana and strawberries and peanut butter.

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse pills.

Advocare Days 6-7-8

Days 6-7-8

Day 6:
I took my probiotic in the AM, grabbed a half Spark (we were gonna be in the car, so I wouldn't have a way to expend the energy it gives me, which then causes severe anxiety, so why go there?), and drank my meal replacement shake and we were off.  I was armed with gallons of water, and a case of water for the weekend so I could stay hydrated.  I didn't consider the face that we were going to the high desert.  I feel like beef jerky within hours of arriving.  I had shopped the day before we left and bought bananas, natural almonds, and was armed with my meal replacement shakes.  I also knew we had an Applebee's restaurant right next to our hotel where we would eat our main meals.  What a disaster...ish.  So, the first day we decide we better catch some lunch before the boys go to practice.  Their salads are all like 800-1500 calories, because they are all totally loaded down with crap.  I ended up picking the Fiesta Chicken Chopped Salad, dressing on the side (which I didn't eat any of). The worst part was the salad had little strips of chips, and shredded cheese on it.  Still, I figured it wouldn't be the worst thing I could have had.  My kiddo got a chicken strip kids meal but hated it, so I ate the extra grilled chicken breast...more protein!

For dinner later that night, we were back at Applebee's, but for dinner I had a 7oz sirloin steak, with steamed veggies, and a plain baked potato.  It wasn't the amazing burger my hubby ate, but I was really trying to stick to protein and veggies, and still felt bad about my chips and cheese on the salad.  To make up for my guilt, I ate 3 fries from my kiddos plate.  So lame right?  I still felt like I was winning because I opted to NOT eat the quesadilla burger. 

Took my Herbal Cleanse pills, drank a gallon of water, and went to bed.

Day 7:

Took my probiotic in the morning, drank my meal replacement shake for breakfast, and grabbed an apple and orange from the continental breakfast at the hotel.  Watched hubby and kiddo eat Belgian waffles, biscuits and gravy, and drink OJ and Apple juice.  No protein at all on the menu.  Lame!

Off to the track we went.  I had my backpack loaded down with beef jerky (I know, not "clean" eating, however, it was better than the concessions options at the track I thought), bananas, nuts, and water.  Also drank a Spark throughout the day to help keep total starvation at bay.  My biggest issue throughout the day was feeling like I hadn't had enough protein.  Another issue was it was so dry there, that no matter what I was chugging water and still needed more.  So I couldn't really tell if I was hungry, or thirsty.  

We didn't leave the track for lunch, so hubby had a hot dog, kiddo had a deep fried chicken strip meal with fries, and I had my banana and beef jerky and lots of water.  I did sneak a small chicken tender and a handful of fries from the kiddo.  Man, my stomach was feeling that grease.

After racing we met up with some of the other team at a local pizza place.  I was grateful in a way as they had an all you can eat salad bar, so I had 2 heaping plates of salad with had carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, onions, and pepperoncinis.  I only used the oil and vinegar for dressing.

BUT...then I fell victim to 3 small pieces of taco pizza.  If you know me, you know I love pizza.  And we just had pizza at work on Wednesday and I toughed it out.  But at work it wasn't right in my face staring at me...it is what it is.  

Forgot to take my Herbal Cleanse pills...dammit. 

Day 8:

Probiotic and Meal Replacement shake.  I was supposed to start the Fiber Drink again today, but figured since I forgot to take the Herbal Cleanse the night  before, and we would be at the event center all day then the car for hours, probably it was better to take the cleanse pills tonight and drink the drink tomorrow.

At the hotel breakfast they had hard-boiled eggs this time, so I ate 2 of those for extra protein.  Was so grateful to see them.  Headed to the track.  Didn't take any food with us into the event center.  Hubby and kiddo and I ended up each eating an all beef hot dog.  I felt guilty for eating the bread, but we skipped french fries, skipped soda (though kiddo did get a sno cone and I had 2 bites of it), and drank a lot more water.  On our way back home, we were planning on stopping and eating lunch somewhere, but ended up deciding against it.  So I snacked on a banana and almonds.  That's a super yummy combo.  Seriously.  I did cheat and got a plain iced tea from McD's (just pulled through for drinks), because I had zero Spark today again, knowing we were going to be in the car for hours.

Got home, and I decided I was making dinner.  Ended up having baked chicken breast, steamed rainbow chard, and a plain baked potato.  I know I should probably skip the potato, or at least eat a baked sweet potato, but I didn't. I really needed the hearty, home-cooked meal.  I had 2 tablespoons of shredded cheese on it.  Which was good, but not worth it I'm sure.  I've been pretty proud that I've been dairy free...missing my coffee and creamer for sure though...

Anyway, I bought strawberries and grapes for dessert tonight.  Then Herbal Cleanse pills, and back to my Fiber drink for 3 more days starting tomorrow.  Tomorrow is a new day, and I'm totally back at it all the way.  Will weigh in tomorrow in the AM.  Have no clue what the scale will say, 

but I hope it's kind to me.

Advocare Day 5

Day 5.

Day 5, feelin alive.  LOL.  I feel good.  Last night when I went to bed though, I was freezing!!!  It was a bit chillier than normal, but even in my normally warm bed, I couldn't get warm!  I had to get an extra blanket.  Weird. Anyway, things are back on track today, and I'm very excited.  I weighed in again today, and now I'm down a total of 6 pounds.  Love it!  

I am also considering signing up to be a distributor.  I really believe in these products so far, and feel like I can really get somewhere in the long run.  I know its only the 5th day and all, but I want to reach my goal someday, and quite frankly, I'm headed in the right direction!

First goal is to squeeze my (hopefully less by then) wide ass into an airplane seat without getting asked to buy an extra seat.  Disneyland is in June, and that's coming FAST!  Plus, I want to be able to ride as many of the rides as possible, feel better in my bathing suit at the pool, and keep up with my energetic family!  I want them to have to keep up with me!

On a more serious note, I really wish I could have weight loss surgery.  My insurance unfortunately doesn't cover any weight loss related services.  None.  It seems so silly to me.  I know that I could greatly benefit from it, and would be so motivated and gain back all my energy.  In a heartbeat. 

Pre-Breakfast:  Mango Strawberry Spark and Probiotic.

Breakfast:  Chocolate Mocha meal replacement shake.

Snack:  Edamame (This would be good instead of popcorn for a movie...takes an hour and a half to eat!

Pre-Lunch:  Watermelon Spark.  By the way, I've peed about 16 times already, which by the way, when it's "that time" is super LAME!

Lunch:  Lunch was late again since I left work early, and then had to go shopping for weekend supplies and lady things.  Ugh.  Anyways I had a Pita Thin split in half, with a Boca burger in each side, with mustard, pickles, tomato, and a huge handful of arugula in each side.  So good.

Snack:  I had 2 hardboiled eggs, and apples with natural peanut butter.

Event:  I was driving to the track and had a MAJOR panic attack.  I think I was still pretty energized from the Spark I finished off at about 2...I started feeling discomfort in my jaw, then started thinking I was having a heart attack, then was thinking my pulse was too high, which then causes uneven breathing and lack of oxygen to the brain, which then makes you think you are going to pass out, all of which happened while I was driving down the freeway.  This is not awesome.  I seriously wondered if I was going to have to wave the cop down that was next to me at the light.  I literally pulled into the 1st parking lot I could find, yanked the e-brake, jumped out of my car, and was doubled over taking huge deep breaths, and trying to calm myself.  It was not fun.  No crushing pain in my chest, no back pain, no sharp pains, no nausea, nothing like that.  Just felt like the darkness was coming...Worst thing I've experienced since about 2002 when I had my very first panic attack.  I want to blame the Spark, but I know I have untreated anxiety.  We'll see. Sucks.

Dinner:  I'm sitting here wondering what it will be...

Snack:  Not quite sure yet.

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse pills.  Gulp.  Goodnight!

*Note:  I will be unavailable for updates for days 6-7-8, but will have a day 9 recap for you, I promise*

Advocare Day 4

Day 4.

This is the amazing salad I had for lunch!!!

Today I'm a little off as I had fasting blood work done this morning at about 9am.  So I wasn't able to have my early morning Spark, and then I forgot to take my first course of Probiotics.  Doh!  I'm going to pretend all is well, and keep on keepin on, you know?  I still feel really good.  Aunt Flo showed up yesterday afternoon, and seriously normally by now I would be doubled over in a heap of hateful crampiness.  So far, so good.  I mean, as well as can be expected, so far. 

I am a cheater and have been weighing myself every day.  This morning, beginning day 4 of the plan, I weighed myself and was down 5 pounds even.  So crazy!  I know it's not that much, but my hope was to lose 20 this 24 days, and I plan on really keeping up with this. Some might think that's too much weight to lose, but I've spoken with medical professionals about how fast I can lose weight, and since I am bigger than the average big person (lets keep it real here), I can lose more, faster, safely.

On another note, I spoke with my medical professional about doing Advocare today, and she told me she was confident it was safe, there isn't anything in it that is going to hurt me per say.  I let her know in the long run I'm going to just eat healthier and exercise more, but this is a chance to get back into the swing of things, get my energy and will back, and then full steam ahead.

I still haven't started a regular workout routine back up, however, I've been doing all kinds of stuff around the house, and that's seriously been keeping me moving...any movement is more than just sitting on the couch, right? Tomorrow I'm off work early so I can get my house cleaned.  We've had to replace the water heater, flooring around and under the water heater, and then we covered it all with new laminate.  Mind you, this is the kiddo's room, so now he has the nicest digs in the house!  

Pre-Breakfast:  Sort of combined pre-breakfast and breakfast today, due to the dr appt.  So I shook up my Spark, and had a few gulps of it, then started right in with my breakfast.

Breakfast:  Went to the Dr appt prepared with a shaker bottle of ice water for my meal replacement shake.  As soon as I got in the car I mixed it up and chugged it.  I was hungry!!!

Snack:  Had carrots and hummus.  MMMM!  WAS STARVING at this point.  It was my normal lunch time when I was having snack!

Pre-Lunch:  Because of the delay in everything today, I ended up mixing up my 2nd Spark about the time I went to lunch, but that will carry me through the afternoon, and give me some good energy to get some stuff done at home.  More cleanup and getting ready for the weekend.

Lunch:  Today as a fundraiser, our office bought pizza, but since a couple of my coworkers and I are following this plan, we asked for salad instead.  So we got lettuce, rotisserie chicken, salsa, black beans, cilantro, lime, green onions, avocado, and tomato, and had these awesome salads.  SO DELICIOUS!  The salsa is amazing!

Snack:  1.5 hardboiled eggs.  My kiddo stole the other part.

Dinner:  Black rice and frozen stir fry veggies tossed in Braggs Liquid Aminos and some Sweet Chili sauce.

Snack:  Fruit smoothie with coconut water...almost like a virgin daquiri!

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse pills...P-p-p-p-p-ooopppies!

Advocare Day 3

Day 3.

This is what the Citrus Fiber Drink looks like before you add water.

This is the Citrus Fiber Drink after you add 9oz of water (stick with the 9oz of water!!!)

And this is what you look like after you drink it.

Today I cheated and got on the scale again.  So far I'm down 3 pounds even.  I was hoping to be down at least 5 by now, but the looming Aunt Flo is affecting things I think.  I was able to sleep last night and OMG that was nice.  I was exhausted from my spark deficit yesterday, and so I was good and tired when I fell asleep.  Woke up and headed straight for the bathroom. LOL!  Healthy poop x 2 today!

I'm not feeling like I'm starving.  I think a lot of people assume the cleanse phase is super calorie restrictive.  Seriously it's not.  Between the Spark which helps with appetite, and the TONS of fruits and veggies and protein, you can't be hungry.  What you have are cravings.  However, for me, my cravings are not there.  I'm about to get my Aunt Flo visit, and I don't crave chocolate, or salt.  I'm good.  It's awesome! 

I read in another blog about the challenge that day 2 was hard...and it was.  Day 3 so far has been great!  I feel good, I took the stairs at work today, and I'm looking forward to going home and working around the house.  ENERGY!  I love it!  I even swung my kettlebell for a little whilte.

Pre-Breakfast:  Today I had a full Spark in the morning, however, this time I mixed it with 24oz of water, and drank it over about a 45 minute period.  MUCH BETTER!  Seriously, the Mango Strawberry are soooo good!  Watermelon is okay (definitely has a vitamin-y taste), but definitely into that Mango Strawberry.  I'll definitely be buying this again just to have for day to day life. 

Breakfast:  For breakfast I had the Chocolate Mocha meal replacement shake blended with ice and water again.  I'm starting to feel like these are toooooo sweet!  Not a natural sweet like with fruit.  The taste overall is really pleasing to me, and they fill me up for sure.  Love that coffee flavor. 

Snack:  Snack #1 was a bag of frozen edamame pods sprinkled with salt.  THIS IS SOOO GOOD!
It takes a long time to eat it, and it's soooo yummy!

Pre-Lunch:  Spark number 2 mixed with 24oz of water again.  So perfect.  This time I had watermelon as I shared my other Mango Strawberry one with a coworker to try it. This second one lasted me from noon to 3pm and really was just enough to keep me going and focused.  So much better than yesterday.

Lunch:  100% Whole wheat pita thin, with 1 peeled cucumber, and tomato stuffed in it.  Arugula salad with lime juice.

Snack:  I pretty much skipped snack because eating lunch took me about 2 hours.  It was a lot of arugula! LOL! 

Dinner:  Dinner was pretty much a hot mess.  My hubby and a friend have been working to replace the water heater which is located in my sons bedroom closet, and so his whole room is gutted, we didn't have hot water for 2 days, and my house is a construction zone.  Well they finally got the new water heater in, and filled about 6:30pm, so I was running around boiling water for baths and starting laundry and trying to get stuff ready for the next day.  I ended up having plain black rice, black beans, and ground turkey mixed together with Sriracha on it.  This was so good, and I didn't finish it until about 8:30pm, and at that point, couldn't eat anything else for the day because I had fasting bloodwork scheduled for the next morning. 
Poop:  Took a poop.  It was amazing.  It was so amazing, I literally sat down, and basked in the glory of how great I felt.  I didn't feel stopped up before or anything, but the cleanse, is helping immensely! 

Snack:  Nada

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse pills.  Down the hatch!  Slept like a champ!

Advocare Day 2

Day 2.

 By the time I'm posting this, I've drank 120 oz of water, have had a headache since about 10am, and am pretty sure I'm more bloated than yesterday.  I have been using a 32oz bottle for water.  Yesterday I drank 5 of them.  This is on top of the water for my Spark drinks, the Fiber drink, the water I chugged after the fiber drink, and the meal replacement shake.  Today I learned I am supposed to count those toward my water goal. LOL.  I'm about to get a visit from Aunt Flo, and historically I've retained about 5-7 pounds of water during that week.  Yeah, isn't that a lot?  No matter how much water I drink.  Ugh.  

Pre-Breakfast:  1/2 Mango Strawberry Spark (we'll see how it goes today)
*note:  as of 9:45am I'm wishing I had drank the other half.  Tomorrow I'll make sure to bring more with me to work just in case.  I'm just not as energetic, though it's probably because I was awake until 1am!

Breakfast: Citrus fiber drink (gagged over it today), and Chocolate Mocha meal replacement shake.  Today I blended it with water and ice and it was SOOO yummy! 

Snack:  2 Oatfit Oatmeal packets.

Pre-Lunch:  Other half of Mango Strawberry Spark.

Lunch:  My lunch bowl: 1/2 can of black beans, 1/2 mini meatloaf, 1 3/4 cups of quinoa, 1/2 bag of steamed frozen veggies.  So tasty!  Sorta plain but it was still good.

Snack:  2 cups of baby carrots and a single serving pack of hummus

Dinner:  Since our house is sort of a war zone, I ended up eating my other lunch bowl.  This time I added 1/2 of an avocado.  This is a huge feat for me since I totally LOVE avocado, and saving half for hubby for his awesome looking burritos was a feat.  I actually feel guilty for having this twice in a day. Tomorrow I'll be having much more veggies...thinking cucumber salad and lime tossed arugula in a 100% whole wheat pita.  Mmm...

Snack:  I decided to make a smoothie with some frozen tropical fruit I had in the freezer and coconut water. Healthy and satisfying.  Win!

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse pills.  They are huge, and taste like hay.  Please note:  They have SENNA in them, which is a stimulant laxative. Same stuff in ExLax and Senekot.  So yeah, don't be too creeped out, but they will help you poop in the AM.  Does anyone want to read about poop?  LOL.  I was very curious myself.  Anyway, it just makes you regular, not have explosive diarrhea.  It all depends on how regular you are already I think.  I already eat a lot of veggies so I've not been stopped up or anything.  3 successful trips to the restroom before I left for work.  Yeah, I went there.  Shit just got real...Literally. Anyway, Lord help me to please fall asleep before 1am.

Additional note.  I've been reading some other blogs about the challenge, and sounds like day 2 is sorta crappy for a lot of people.  The body is detoxing, I haven't had coffee (yes, the Spark has caffeine, but drinking coffee is a habit too), and so I'm hoping tomorrow is just better all around.

Advocare Day 1

DAY 1:

Front View Day 1

Side View Day 1

I just have to say...that Spark is something else.
I am pretty much a paranoid hypochondriac, and like to think I'm pretty in tune with my body.  So when I try something new, I know I totally over-analyze everything.  So let me just start by telling you, Spark is akin to crack.  I do not know that I should have more than one in a day...Now I'm really worried about taking the MNS Max 3 pills (those come in days 11-24).  I'm also a little worried about the Omega pills...they have fish oil, and in the past when I've taken fish oil...I projectile vomit.  I'll try them tonight...if that happens, they are in the trash and I will buy flax oil capsules...those I can take.

I read we shouldn't drink coffee while on this plan, so I cleaned the coffee pot, and put it away.  I honestly thought I would be missing it, but quite frankly, the only thing holding me back from really cleaning my house from top to bottom is the fact that my back has a pinched nerve.  I'm in too much pain.  But I can easily tell you the laundry and dishes are done, the kitchen is clean, and I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed.  Fo sho.
The Fiber drink is freaking atrocious.  Good God.  No.  Freaking.  Joke.  SO GROSS!!!
If you ever do this plan, I recommend straws to drink everything.  It's just easier, faster, and your taste buds will thank you.

Right after the fiber drink you are supposed to drink water, and have breakfast.  I decided for the first 14 days to use the shakes that came with the plan as don't normally eat solid food for breakfast.  For the last 10 days I'll drink my strawberry Premier Protein shakes.
I gotta say...by the time you are done with the Spark, then Fiber Drink and a bunch of water, then the shake...you feel like you are going to float away...I'm peeing my brains out!

Measurements 

Please God kill me now...this is humiliating beyond anyone's imagination...I hope you don't love me less when you read this.  I can easily tell you, I'll never put my actual weight on here until I'm within 75 pounds of my goal-because this is mortifying!
But I wanted to be honest...just not honest enough to list my actual weight yet...

Calf:   21"

Thigh:   34.5"

Hips:   66"

Waist:   64"

Chest:   60"

Forearm:  13"

Bicep:   17"

Neck:   17.25"

Pre-Breakfast:  Watermelon Spark mixed with 8 oz cold water.  This actually smells like watermelon jolly-ranchers, however, doesn't have the full taste you would think went with the smell.  I pounded it down pretty fast just to get it over with because it has the aftertaste of vitamins.  Really not the worst stuff I've drank in my quest for health, so it seems like a win.

Breakfast:   Citrus Fiber Drink mixed with 9 oz cold water, and Chocolate Mocha meal replacement shake mixed with about 10 oz cold water.  Let's first talk about the Fiber Drink.  Now this was something I was really afraid of.  I read review after review about how this stuff is essentially vomit in a cup.  Yeah...pretty f'ing close, I'd say.  Imagine taking a big chunk of tree bark, blending it up with about a teaspoon of Tang, and some plain gelatin...Yeah.  Gross.  I read that it does thicken if you don't drink it fast enough.  I chugged it like it was going out of style.  Again with the straw.  Helps you not have to get it all in your mouth, just straight down the throat instead.  Directions say to follow with 8 oz of water, but I have a fear of psyllium, and instead drank about 20 oz of water after it.

Snack:  2 packets of Cinnamon Oat Fit Instant Oatmeal with Flax. Yum.  I didn't think I was hungry, but I did think about having some food (truth be told I was thinking about gorging myself on all kinds of stuff in the kitchen, then remembered I was doing Advocare).  At this point, I'm already scared to have another Spark...that jacked me up!

Pre-Lunch:  Mango Strawberry Spark...good Lord I'm going to go run a marathon...how the hell am I going to stand still at work while not talking people's ears off?  I do have to say, tomorrow I'll be just splitting them up into 2 servings each packet.  I can't be this hyped...unless I start to adjust and can deal with it better.  Says 120 mg of caffeine, but didn't take into consideration the B-vitamins, etc.  Wheeeee!!!!!!
I gotta say, this one wasn't as bad because I decided to help reorganize the storage shed, and that killed some time.  I've had about 75 oz of water at this point.

Lunch:  2 cups of mixed greens, fresh cilantro, small tomato and lime juice salad.  1 whole wheat (100 cal) pita pocket, 2 Boca veggie burgers, 1/2 cucumber, mustard.  Very yummy!

Snack:  For snack I had a medium green apple and an Atkins protein bar.  I'm sure the bar isn't technically approved, however, I wanted it.

Dinner:  Dinner consisted of 1 cup of wild black rice (forbidden rice), a personal turkey meatloaf with a fat dollop of avocado mash, and 2 cups of roasted broccoli.  Yes, roasted broccoli.  Drizzle with olive oil, bake at 425 for 20ish minutes.  Deelish.  Best dinner I've had in a while actually.

Snack: Baby Carrots and Hummus.  Pretty tired by this point, ready to just lounge and watch some TV.

Bedtime:  Herbal Cleanse caplets and water.  Had a cup of peppermint tea before this and after snack.  It's a routine for me.

***UPDATE, next morning***
I didn't get to sleep until 1AM!!!  Seriously, I know I'm paranoid about taking new things but holy crap, I couldn't sleep!