ADVOCARE worthy YUMMY-ness!

Spark Slushies
Blend together:
6oz water
1 scoop of spark or rehydrate
Your fav frozen fruit (we like berries and pineapple with pink lemonade spark)
A cup of ice cubes

Blend til smooth and frosty!! Deeeeelicious!

Cilantro-Lime Jumbo Shrimp

Raw jumbo shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 tsp olive oil
2 fresh limes quartered
fresh cilantro
fresh garlic
marinate jumbo shrimp in a baggie with 2 limes squeezed and then thrown in the bag, chopped fresh cilantro, olive oil, fresh chopped garlic. Let sit in fridge for 2-3 hours.
Grill shrimp on a skewer with lime quarters.

Serve with grilled veggies, brown rice or a salad.

Avocado Egg Salad

Mash up 1 avocado with a fork to desired consistency, add juice of 1/2 a lime, grated or minced garlic, salt and pepper.
Chop 4 boiled eggs including yolks, Dice red onion really small.
Gently mix in egg and red onion. Makes 2 portions.

Can be eaten on 100% whole wheat bread…

24 Day Challenge with my Fiance!

We started our 24 day challenge today! I completed my first 24 day challenge in May and I had such great results that I wanted to do it again! My fiancé is doing it with me this time and we are gonna OWN it! I cant wait to watch my body change, and start to feel better and gain more energy! I had really changed my eating habits last time I did this, and the benefits have lasted up until recently. The last month of summer was a bit of a challenge for me, because we have gone to lots of barbeques, and I have been eating pretty much whatever I want, whenever I want. Oops!

Steve and I weighed ourselves last night and we are going to take our starting measurements today! This morning we woke up, ate breakfast: eggs, oatmeal with blueberries and almonds, and an apple. We had our fiber drink. I warned Steve about how awful this was. I have to mix mine with applesauce and eat it, because otherwise I don’t think I could keep it down. Despite the warning, I suggested and he wanted to try to drink it. I think his biggest mistake was that he mixed it with more water than it suggests. All this means is that there is MORE to drink of it. I think he was trying to dilute it and make it not as thick, but UGH – its GROSS. He chugged it like a champ, I was really impressed. UNTIL at the end, some came back up! I think he will probably be joining me in my applesauce trick tomorrow J

I have to say that doing this with your boyfriend, spouse, best friend, or someone that you spend a lot of time with is WAY easier and more motivating. I think we are both going to see awesome results!

MORE SOON! 

Love at first SPARK!

Why Spark instead of Coffee or Soda?

I get a lot of questions about why to eliminate coffee on the Herbal Cleanse if Spark has caffeine.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance found in over 60 plant species worldwide. It has proven benefits for increased energy, mental alertness and has an aid in weight management.  It is provided in AdvoCare products as a purified ingredient or as a component of an herbal extract.  With Spark you do not have the acidity of coffee.

I personally have never been to into coffee, but I have always been a soda drinker. I must admit that when I did my first Herbal Cleanse, I worried about giving up my soda habit and getting headaches.    Well, I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the fresh taste of Advocare Spark Energy Drink, and never got a headache or any negative effects.  In fact, I found that I was able to concentrate better, and didn't have the “ups and downs” that I used to get when drinking soda.  In fact, I liked Spark so much, that I have gave up soda completely, and that is pretty amazing given that I was choking down a soda or more daily. I have personally spoken to many people who have had the same experience with coffee.

Here is some additional information about how AdvoCare Spark® Energy Drink compares with Starbucks® coffee, Coca-Cola® and Red Bull® in terms of content and nutritional composition.

The comparison between AdvoCare Spark Energy Drink with Starbucks Grande Iced Café Mocha, Coca-Cola and Red Bull is presented in the table below. AdvoCare Spark products contain over 20 ingredients designed to support mental energy and focus. AdvoCare Spark contains no free sugar or fat. Starbucks coffee delivers large amounts of calories in the form of carbohydrates and fat as well as large amounts of caffeine. Coca-Cola is primarily a carbohydrate and caffeine delivery system while Red Bull is high in carbohydrates and taurine with moderate amounts of caffeine. The more complex AdvoCare Spark formula is designed to meet a broad range of physiological functions necessary for mental processing and energy as compared to the other products.

	ADVOCARE® SPARK™	Starbucks® Grande Iced Café Mocha	Coca-Cola®	Red Bull®
Calories	45	330	146	110
Total Carbohydrates	11 g	38 g	41 g	28 g
Sugars	0	28 g	41 g	27 g
Total Fat	0	19 g	0	0
Sodium	0	85 mg	50 mg	200 mg
Vitamin C	300%	0	0	0
Vitamin E	100%	0	0	0
Thiamine & Riboflavin	200% each	0	0	0
Niacin	300%	0	0	100%
Vitamins B-6 & B-12	750% each	0	0	250% & 83%
Pantothenic acid	500%	0	0	50%
L-Tyrosine	500 mg	0	0	0%
Choline	500 mg	0	0	0%
Taurine	200 mg	0	0	1000 mg
GABA	50 mg	0	0	0%
Total Caffeine	120 mg	175 mg	35 mg	80 mg

Try Spark if you haven’t already, especially the newest flavor, Watermelon (yum!)

www.SparkMeEmily.com

ABSolutely unbelievable challenge & Advocare Cleanse! DAY ONE!

Its DAY ONE of our Advocare Herbal Cleanse and AB Challenge. My friend Jen & I started this challenge with a group of women in our Zumba class. (Zumba w/ Jill Torrey at OnSilverlake) BEST CLASS EVER, just in case you ever want to try it out! I am SO pumped for this. Its always motivating to do things in a group for some motivation, and some accountability, and also so that you are not the only one with sore muscles and a fruit and veggie overload.

WHY CLEANSE!?  There are a number of reasons! Maybe you want to detoxify your system. People often times want to boost their overall general health, or want a fresh start on their diet & exercise regimen, or to improve their weight management system. The cleanse helps rid the body of toxins and waste, supports improved digestion and internal cleansing. It provides 10 grams of fiber per day, helps remove impurities from the body, and supports healthy weight loss. A cleanse is recommended every 90 days.

Day one of our cleanse consists of:

Spark (Advocare energy drink, YUM) – This is how I have been starting ALL of my days. Better than coffee, cheaper than coffee, and loaded with vitamins

Fiber drink – Pretty gross. But I feel great when I drink this. Luckily, you only have to drink the Fiber drink the first 3 days and last 3 days of the cleanse. Every day I drink it, I do a countdown. Its usually a whole production of me plugging my nose and chugging QUICKLY. However, I found a secret to mix it with applesauce. This option is much easier for me.

3 Healthy Balanced Meals – Protein, complex carb, fruit/veggie. I drink an Advocare Meal Replacement shake for breakfast. They are super yummy, 220 calories, and surprisingly extremely filling.

2 Healthy Snacks -  Fruit, nuts, smoothie…. Who doesn’t love some mid-day snacks!?

Herbal Cleanse caplets – The Herbal Cleanse tablet rounds out the system by providing herbal extracts needed to help rid your body of the impurities that may be obstacles to achieving better health.

Day one of our AB workout: Day one looks like a breeze compared to what’s coming!

15 sit ups

5 crunches

5 leg raises

And a 10s plank

AND Jen & I are going to Zumba!

Tonight Jen & I are taking before pictures, measurements, and body fat measurements! I will have to update this at the end of our challenge with our results!

If you are interested in joining us, please let me know. Below is some more detail on the cleanse. The cleanse can be purchased here, and with Add-ons here. The cleanse with add-ons includes Spark and Omega 3 vitamins (OMEGAPLEX).

Below is some further information about why cleansing is SO important! This information comes directly from Advocares website.

THE ISSUE:
Toxins are everywhere – in the foods we eat, the air we breathe and the ground we walk on. These toxins build up in our body and may contribute to weight gain, loss of overall energy and poor skin tone, among other detrimental effects. In recent years, more attention has been given to detoxification or cleansing, and for good reason. Contaminants such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, radiation and carbon monoxide found in our everyday environment greatly influence our health and well-being. Furthermore, since the typical American diet is filled with processed foods, which are more often bought at the nearest fast food restaurant rather than made at home, what we eat also adds to our concerns.

Over time, these toxins may affect our health and digestion. In the long term, the ability to absorb the foods and nutrients we consume daily can become diminished. When this happens, individuals no longer receive the full benefit of their daily diet. Every day, a person's diet should provide essential nutrients to keep that individual performing at peak effectiveness. Proper absorption of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals is essential to maintaining a healthy body. However, periodic lifestyle changes may generate the need for a “fresh start” to regain a healthy balanced nutrition routine with a solution that will also help other AdvoCare products you take once again reach their full potential.

THE SOLUTION: Herbal Cleanse System
The AdvoCare Herbal Cleanse system can help rid your body of toxins and waste with its unique blend of herbal ingredients.* Using a systematic approach, this 10-day system guides you day by day through the steps for thorough internal cleansing and improved digestion.* Herbal Cleanse supports the body's metabolic systems and general health during the detoxification process by helping keep energy levels up, aiding in removing impurities, and supporting the immune  system.* Some people who use Herbal Cleanse for the first time experience an encouraging reduction in pounds and/or inches when they pair the system with the recommended diet and exercise. Each Herbal Cleanse system includes these three key products:

Goals, Goals, Goals!

AH, I haven’t blogged in a while. First let me just say that I finished my 24 day challenge in May, and I had such great results from it. Because of the great results I had, I made the decision that I would become a distributor. When I first started Advocare, and even expressed interest in it, immediately I was contacted about the business opportunity with it. I am the type of person who is very skeptical of things like this, and my answer was always “Let me see how I do on the challenge first”. And let me just say, I was blown away! I have gotten motivated a few times to really “buckle down” and go all in trying to get healthy a few times. I eat healthy, work out, and I feel like I do everything right. This lasts about 2 weeks before I have always reverted back to my old ways. Usually, this is because I have never enjoyed it. Living, and being healthy was always a chore for me. On top of it, I wasn’t seeing results. I would always get to a point that it was like, “why am I doing this?”. Then, I would give up, and go back to the same thing. Consuming empty calories, and not worrying about making a change. I finally decided I had enough of being a hostage in my own body. I had enough of going shopping for clothes and not liking anything, because I didn’t like ME. Finally, I decided to make a change, and I decided that Advocare was going to be my answer. I took the challenge on, and it was the first time in my life I saw results, instantly.  I lost 20 pounds, I had more energy, and I felt confidence I haven’t felt in a long time. Needless to say, when I was done, I was hooked. I signed up to be a distributor immediately after going to an Advocare Ladies Night with my fiance’s cousin Chelsea. Could I have used that $79.00 towards something else? Yes. I didn’t really “have the money” to sign up, but I decided that I was motivated, and it was something that I needed to do, so I did it.

Since then, I have already made my sign up fee back in profit, and MORE. I became an Advocare advisor in two pay periods (4 weeks) which meant that I went from a 20% discount, to a 40% discount which means even more of an opportunity to make money and share this tool with other people. I am not very comfortable being a “product pusher” but what is so great about this, is you don’t have to. When I was losing weight, I was constantly being asked, “how did you do that?” “What is working for you?” That’s why I knew, I could share this with other people, because it works. You can BE a product of your product.

In all the times I have felt determined to put my health, and my body first, I have never succeeded. The only difference in my life these past few months has been Advocare. This absolutely can be ANYONE.

I could go on and on about the results that I have heard and seen. Real people, with busy lives, who have lost hope, have seriously changed their life, and changed their body with this and it is amazing.

My short term goal, was to sell enough to become an Advisor. To be honest, I doubted myself. I shouldn’t have, but I did. My fiancé told me that if I got close enough that I only needed to sell one more challenge, that he would be my last customer to meet my first goal. I had 3 pay periods to meet my goal, and I did it in 2. I actually exceeded my goal, and Steve wasn’t even my last customer.

He was a skeptic of this product. The fact he even agreed to take on the challenge as a way to motivate me was a shock. At the beginning of this, I couldn’t even convince him to drink a spark. To be honest, I don’t even think he was crazy about me signing up to sell this stuff. He is the love of my life, and I love him to pieces for always supporting me no matter what, which he did, but I could tell he was “eh” about this. HOWEVER, he saw my results. He was proud of me, and he noticed the difference. Id be lying if I said that it wasn’t super exciting to feel like he was liking the results. Although he has always made me feel beautiful, its an added feeling when you yourself TRULY believe it too. Then, a few weeks after my challenge, we were at a housewarming party at my friend Corinnes house. Steve was tired, practically falling asleep. Corinne (like my good salesman friend) suggested he drink a Spark. He finally tried it. He ended up staying up later than me that night! The next day, he said to me, “That “Spark Stuff” actually works”. UMM HELLO! This is what I have been trying to tell you!

Steve ordered a challenge from me. We are going to start one on September 1^st together. I will be posting our progress. JOIN US!

Next week, on Wednesday, I am going to be starting an AB challenge with my Zumba class. My Zumba teacher is also an Advocare Lover/Believer/Distributor. She is putting together an Advocare 10-Day Cleanse, AB challenge. I will be posting about that too! JOIN ME!

Cheers to being healthy!

EXCITING things to come!

Life is all about little goals. Take things one step at a time. All the small steps eventually lead you to something great. Looking back you will always wish that you started today!

https://www.advocare.com/130628878

All about the 24 day challenge!

I completed the Advocare 24 day challenge in May. I have continued to remain on some Advocare products, as I did the challenge and loved it. If you have NO idea what you the challenge is, but *might* want in, I’ll go over a few questions.

What is the Advocare 24-Day Challenge?
The 24-Day Challenge™ is a comprehensive supplementation and nutrition program. It’s designed to give your body the jumpstart it needs to help you reach your goals. And it’s not just for weight loss. Nope, it’s for weight management, energy, overall body composition OR  overall wellness. Whatever your goal is, there is a challenge for you. Basically, at the end of the 24-Day Challenge, you are going to feel and look good. And since it promotes clean eating, when you are done with the Challenge, you will be down the right road to keep doing what you’ve been doing. I believe studies show that it takes between 21-28 days to make something (like eating clean, cutting soda, etc) “stick”, so this is totally in line, and probably no coincidence that is 24 days long.

What do I need to buy? How much is it?

The 24-Day Challenge comes in a bundle from Advocare and is $190.25. In the bundle you will receive the following:
~One box of Herbal Cleanse-Citrus ($31.50)
~One bottle of OmegaPlex® ($21.95)
~One box of AdvoCare Spark®-Mandarin Orange ($22.95)
~One box of AdvoCare Spark®-Fruit Punch ($22.95)
~Your choice of one box of Meal Replacement Shakes – Chocolate Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla, Berry or Non-Dairy Dark Chocolate ($44.95)
~Your choice of one box of MNS® Max 3, C, or E ($45.95)

If purchased separately, it’s the exact same price, but you get a handy little booklet (which you can also print here) with the bundle and it’s all put together for you. However, if you want to do different Spark flavors or get the Peaches and Cream Fiber drink instead of the Citrus, you totally can purchase them separate and just print the booklet.

Do I need to buy any special foods from Advocare?
Nope! You are going to eat normal foods you can buy at the grocery store.  Clean foods.  Nothing processed.  Nothing fried.  You’ll eat well-balanced diet of lean proteins, vegetables, complex carbohydrates and other snack items such as healthy fats, fruits, dairy.  You can substitute meal replacement shakes for breakfasts or lunch if you want, but you do NOT have to.  Sometimes I don’t want to drink a meal.  I want to eat it.  But they work great when you are in a pinch.

So what is the Challenge?  What exactly do I do?
Well the Challenge is broken down into two phases.  The Cleanse Phase (Days 1-10) and  the Max Phase (Days 11-24). Both combine clean eating with Advocare products.  You can exercise like normal and continue with your normal daily activities.

What is the Cleanse Phase?
The cleanse phase is designed exercise help to rid your body of toxins and prepare your body to better absorb nutrients. This isn’t the kind of cleanse where you drastically reduce calories or consume only liquids.  Nope.  You will eat real foods and be able to go about your daily life.  You DO NOT need to stay near a bathroom 24-7.  I know people worry about that and I was a bit concerned myself.  It’s not like that.  During the Cleanse Phase you will use the Herbal Cleanse Kit, Spark and Omegaplex.  NO alcohol, coffee or dairy are to be consumed during the 10-Day Cleanse.  Average weight loss during the cleanse is 5-10 pounds.

What is this “Fiber Drink” you are referencing?

Umm, I’m not gonna lie.  The citrus fiber drink is quite nasty.  But oddly filling.  I hear the Peaches and Cream is better than the Citrus.  I don’t know even know how to describe it.  My tip on the fiber drink is to drink it FAST!  Because the longer it sits, the thicker it gets.  No joke.  Chug that thing. OR eat it with applesauce. It has a thick, grainy texture (the texture for me was the hard part) so I mixed the powder with a little water and combined it with sugar free applesauce. I found that was SO much easier for me.

What is the Max Phase?
The Max Phase is about fueling your body in order to achieve maximum results.  You’ll use the MNS Kit, Spark and the Meal Replacement Shakes during the Max Phase.  You’ll eat clean meals + snacks, plus the guidelines loosen up a little.  MNS stands for Metabolic Nutrition System and you can select from the following packs when you buy your kit:
MNS E -  Geared towards keeping your energy up and revving your metabolism as you continue to lose weight.
MNS 3-   Geared towards overall wellness, energy, and appetite control.
MNS C-   Geared towards maximum appetite control. (I get this one)

How much total weight can I / will lose?
Average weight loss on the Advocare 24-Day Challenge is 12lbs and 10 inches.  I lost more. I have heard of people losing more, and I have heard of people losing weight. Obviously if you don’t have a lot of weight to lose, you won’t. People who do have weight to lose, usually lose a lot more. Its proportioned based on your size, and obviously how well you stick to the challenge!

Where can I go to learn more?
Advocare has a whole website on the 24-Day Challenge that has tons of information.   They have videos and other information. I am developing a Facebook group of people doing the Challenges, with tips, meal ideas, shopping lists, etc. has you can join if you want when you do your Challenge!

What about add-ons?  Do I need to get anything else?
I like catalyst and ThermoPlus, but they are totally optional.  Read more about them and decide for yourself!

Where do I go to buy it?
You can go here to buy the full kit.  If you just want to do the 10 Day Cleanse part because you aren’t sure or think it’s too expensive, that’s cool too.  Pick up the Herbal Cleanse Kit and some Spark and join in for the 1st 10 Days!!!

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me.  If I don’t know the answer, I’ll get it for you!  

Peace, Love, & Advocare!

Wild about THERMOPLUS!

What is this crazy Thermoplus thing!?

If you exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, you will lose weight, right? Theoretically, this is true. But what often happens is we lose weight for a little while, and we plateau. We’re practicing the same good habits (for the most part), but the weight just stops coming off. This is because our metabolisms adjust to the new regimen. It’s called “going into starvation mode”. Our bodies know they are getting fewer calories, so they use less energy in order to conserve. And we hit a plateau. One way to jump start our fat burning mechanisms is to supplement with a fat burner like Advocare Thermoplus.

Unlike many hardcore stimulant fat burners that give you jitters and keep you up at night, Advocare Thermoplus contains natural herbal supplements meant to gently enhance your body’s fat burning processes. The primary ingredient in Thermoplus is sage extract. With its antioxidant properties, it helps boost energy levels and increase fat oxidation, the way our bodies convert fat cells into energy. It also works on brain cell receptors to reduce appetite so you eat less without feeling deprived. A second ingredient is oolong tea extract which releases catechins, the same antioxidants found in black and green teas. They stimulate metabolism to burn more calories. Thirdly, Thermoplus contains guarana extract for the proven stimulant and thermogenic effects of caffeine. It also contains B vitamins niacin and thiamine.

One capsule, taken twice daily 30 minutes before meals,

Advocare Thermoplus is said to give you a sustained increase in energy while revving up your metabolism so you can eat less, work out more efficiently, and better burn the calories you take in.

Thermoplus is sold on my website. You can purchase 90 capsules, which should last about 6 weeks, for $31.50

https://www.advocare.com/130628878/default.aspx

Summer bikini challenge!

I don't know about you, but I absolutely dread that moment in the springtime where I walk into target, and see that swimsuits are on the shelf. I hate this because every summer for the last few years I make a promise to myself that NEXT summer I am going to look hott in a bikini. Funny how I make that promise to myself every summer, meaning that it hasn't happened. This is the last summer I am allowing it, and I am only allowing it this summer because this is the summer I am actually going to make the change. I think I finally got serious because I am getting married next summer. I am less worried about what I will look like in a wedding dress, and more worried about what I am going to look like on my honeymoon, on a beach, in a bikini. I plan on spending my entire honeymoon with as close to nothing on as possible (sorry for the tmi but it's so true).

I just completed my 24 day advocare challenge 2 weeks ago. I would be lying if I said that I havent celebrated the last 2 weeks (a little too much maybe) and have definitly slacked a little in the eating healthy department. I lost 20 lbs doing my challenge, and I haven't lost a single pound since. However, I haven't gained either, so that's good. Still, I am not where I want to be. I have never been obsessed with my weight as a NUMBER. When I make comments about wanting to lose 15 pounds, or twenty pounds, I really just totally pull that number out of nowhere. The truth is I don't care what the scale tells me, or other people. My goal is to look in the mirror and not just like what I see but LOVE it. It is so freeing to feel confident and feel beautiful.

Since finishing the challenge I have been researching more advocare products, and how to continue my journey. I am ready to get serious again. I have been reading blogs about other peoples journey on advocare, talking to people who use it, and been asking what people's favorite products are. I described where I am at, stuck again. I want to lose more weight. I need some structure and I need some accountability. So here is what I came up with.

It has been suggested to me to repeat the Max Phase. The Max Phase is technically the 2nd part of the infamous 24 day challenge. I have chosen to do the Max Phase that concentrates on weight loss and appetite control. During my challenge I chose the phase which helped with weight loss, and energy. As suggested also, I am going to combine my max phase with Thermoplus, and with Catalyst.

Thermoplus: Thermoplus helps support your body's ability to convert fat into energy. It boosts and promotes a healthy appetite and it helps suppress your appetite. It also contains Oolong Tea and Sage Extracts to support weight loss.

Catalyst: Cataylyst helps maintain muscle mass during excercise and helps you burn FAT instead of lean muscle.

Those 3 products I have on my website as "The Summer Bikini" Challenge option. This is the BASIC bundle.

I have another option which is more expensive, but is what I am going to be doing. That is also on my website and comes with the everything the basic bundle comes with, but also includes a box of Meal Replacement Shakes (which are actually yummy) and a container of Spark.

The Meal replacement shakes are AWESOME. Like I said, they are GOOD. I blend mine with ice & water in the blender, and they taste like a milkshake. My personal flavor is chocolate, but they have Mocha, Berry, and Vanilla as well. They are 220 calories, and are a balanced meal for balanced nutrition and weight management. They are high in fiber and calcium and contain 26 vitamins and minerals. I have already bought more shakes, because I am so in love with them as a breakfast on the go option.

Lastly, Spark! Spark is my FAVORITE. First of all, its SO affordable. It is MUCH cheaper than Red Bull, Energy Drinks, and Coffee. It is WAY healthier, and gives you tons of energy with no crash. It doesnt make you jittery like alot of other energy drinks do. Spark comes in many flavors, I have tried all of them and they are all really good. Spark is available in Mango Strawberry, Pink Lemonade, Mandarin Orange, Fruit Punch, Grape, Citrus and Cherry. It is the most nutritionally advanced energy drink on the market. It is SUGAR - FREE! It contains 45 calories and contains 21 vitamins, minerals and nurients designed to synergistically promote a healthy and balanced source of energy.

Find both of these options on my website:
https://www.advocare.com/130628878

Contact me with any questions you have!!
425-273-1099
Advocare.Emily@outlook.com

I am going to start MY challenge on July 7th. WHO'S WITH ME?!

MY SAVING GRACE! (Also known as the Advocare 24-day challenge)….

I don’t know how many people have heard of Advocare, but it seems to be the new craze. A while ago, I caught wind of it, and put it on the back burner. Then, it popped up again and again. I heard lots of people talking about it, and saw many people have amazing results with their health while using the product. A lot of people, me included, are drawn to advocare for their claim to fame, their 24 day challenge. This 24 day challenge promises to help you lose weight, and inches, in just 24 days. This promise, comes at a price of a whopping $190.00.

Let me first say that I am a TOTAL skeptic. I do not believe in fad diets. You can go to book stores and find books on ANY and EVERY diet out there. Cut out sugar, cut out carbs, cut out fruits, cut out veggies. Weight watchers, south beach, etc. etc. etc…. I have never tried any of these diets. I have always believed that the good old fashioned style of eating a healthy, lean, well balanced diet and exercise. I think people’s biggest problem is that they don’t want to admit that they have to work hard to get results. People want INSTANT results. We live in a world, where there are pills, surgeries, drops, etc. etc. that promise fast results that claim that you can practically live on the couch watching tv eating potato chips, take a pill, and be skinny. Trust me, if that was at all a reality, I would take it. I LOVE food, I LOVE going to happy hour, I LOVE wine. Eating clean and healthy has never been easy for me. I wish I was one of those people that it came easy for, but I am not. I also HATE working out. I always claimed that I “didn’t have time to work out” among dozens of other excuses. Its funny because, I have plenty of time to go to happy hour with a friend, or watch a 2 hour episode of The Bachelorette. Yet I sit and say that I don’t have time to put my health first, because I commute to work, and work 40 hours a week. We will get to this part a little later. I apologize already because I tend to jump around all over the place and lose track of my point.

Back to Advocare—the more I SAW the change in people the more I wanted to know more about this whole Advocare thing. I finally gave in. I did the 24 day challenge. The 24 day challenge is basically products that aid you in making a lifestyle change. It is not a fad diet, and it does not END after the 24 days. It is a jumpstart to help you get on the right track. If you are like me, you have tried the whole diet and exercise thing, and after about 2 weeks, you see no results, and think to yourself, why the heck am I doing this? Advocare changed that for me. It gave me INSTANT results. I bought a scale, and weighed myself. I weighed myself every morning. Day 1, I was down 2 pounds. Day 2, another pound and a half. Little by little, I was watching the pounds just fall off. I was eating clean, taking care of my body, and following the simple steps that Advocare was teaching me, and sure enough, I saw results. I went to the store to buy some new jeans, grabbed my regular size, and headed to the dressing room. This was on day 12. I got in the dressing room and put on the jeans, THEY WERE TOO BIG. Talk about a HUGE self esteem booster! There is nothing better than finding out you are a size smaller. At this point, I was a believer! I completed the challenge, and I lost 20 pounds. I didn’t take measurements at the start of my challenge, but I really wish that I did. I have heard that a lot of other people lose more inches than pounds. Either way, I had FANTASTIC results.

Aside from the weight loss, I felt AMAZING. I have never felt better in my life. I have more energy, I am happier, and I feel so much more drive for my life. I am excited for everyday. I put a bikini on and actually felt more confident than I have felt in a long time.

Yes, its $190 dollars. If you are like me, that’s a chunk of change. Especcially to spend on something you aren’t sure about. It’s a commitment, but its SO worth it. How often do you go to the mall, and splurge on clothes that you aren’t even happy wearing because you are unhappy with what they are covering up. How often do you go to the bar and buy ridiculously over-priced drinks? How often do you go out to dinner, and fill your body with LARGE portions that are drenched in grease? Add up all these little expenses, and invest in your health. You only get ONE body, and ONE chance at your life. Shouldn’t this be your NUMBER 1 priority?

For me, I looked at the BIG problem. I looked at the end result. I looked at the fact I wanted to lose 30 pounds. Thinking about losing 30 pounds was exhausting. The moment I thought of that, all I could think about was “how am I ever going to find the time to exercise for that long?” “I don’t have time to prepare healthy food” “30 pounds is going to take MONTHS to lose”. Finally, even with the help of advocare, I began to understand that conquering the BIG goal isn’t something that happens in one day, and is WAY to exhausting to try to think about at once. I have already lost 20 pounds, and I can tell you it didn’t happen in one day. Like I said before, I lost one pound, and then I lost another. Some days, I didn’t lose anything, but I didn’t gain anything either. One pound at a time, got me to 5 pounds. Then I hit eight pounds, eventually, I hit twenty! This made me realize that all I have to do is concentrate on NOW. What am I going to eat for THIS meal? How am I going to fit exercise into my day today? Taking it one day at a time, is so much easier.

Another common problem that I hear is that people cant find a good time to start eating healthy and taking care of their body, or committing to the challenge. I was this person. “Well I have a birthday party this weekend, so I will probably eat really bad.” “I am going on vacation, so maybe when I get back.” “I have a happy hour to go to tomorrow, and I will probably want to have a drink.” Do any of these sound familiar? Trust me, if you allow things like this to get in your way, you will NEVER do it. There is never a convenient time.

I didn’t stop my life. My fiancé decided that he didn’t want to do the challenge with me, although I wanted him to. I recognize that this is a commitment and personal choice that you have to make, or it wont work, so I didn’t push it. I also did not let him not wanting to participate in it get in my way. It shouldn’t. This is about YOU. There were times that he wanted to go out to dinner places. I didn’t whine, I didn’t say that I didn’t want to go. Instead, I went. I ordered water. I started realizing that there are so many healthy options.  So many restaurants offer “500 calories or less” options, or smaller portioned appetizers that are still PLENTY of food. Even kids meals at a lot of places are much more portion and calorie friendly. I didn’t let my choice stop me from my social life, or from doing things. I just figured out that I could still make a healthy choice regardless of what the people with me are doing.

The 24 day challenge has impacted and changed my life in SO many ways that I have made a decision to start selling it. I am not a product pusher, and I am not into pressuring people. I am not trying to sell something that I haven’t personally done. I believe in advocare, and I believe in the change it has done on my body. I want other people to experience what I have experienced and want to share success with others, in hopes that they will overcome whatever obstacle that is holding them back in order to put their health first.

If you have any desire to try the 24 day challenge, and have ANY questions, please let me know and I would be thrilled to help you!

Below is my advocare site!

www.advocare.com/130628878

How this started.....

Recently I feel like my purpose in life is to help people live a healthy and happy life, full of laughter, and optimism. I recently made a promise to myself to concentrate on living in the NOW, and stop making excuses for myself. Too often, I make promises to myself that I will start things later, or tomorrow. Now has never seemed like a good time. Because of this, days go by, months go by, and eventually I am going to watch years go by in front of my eyes and I am never going to live out my purpose if I can't grasp that NOW is as good a time as any to start. This year, I have put myself first. I have gotten a hold over my insecurities, my health, my life. I am trying to overcome fears, and step out of my comfort zone. I am trying to take baby steps to accomplish the bigger vision that I see for my life.

As part of this self-discovery process, I have found my purpose. It took really loving myself, finding myself, and listening to my heart to understand that I feel like my purpose in life is to help people. Not to brag, but I have always considered myself an optimist. I can almost always find the "silver lining" in things. Yes, I have moments where things get hard. Yes, I have times where even I feel like there is no possible GOOD thing that can be associated with some of my hardships, but for the most part I feel like I can almost always look at situations with a glass half full kind of attitude. I also feel like I have figured out how to really grasp making a change. I want to help people overcome things that are holding them down.

This blog is more for me than for anybody else. I find that sometimes writing is a release for emotions, and sometimes can motivate me and solve my problems just by writing things down on paper. "Internet paper" in this case. Hopefully, SOMEONE will take something from my "venting", my experiences, or my advice.