AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge!

Days 1-10, Herbal Cleanse COMPLETE! 10 pounds gone! Nate, 11 pound gone!

And how did we do it...it's simple really...and we didn't starve. 

AdvoCare's 24 Day Challenge is the easiest, simplest, most natural way to lose weight, get over a plateau, break bad eating habits, or just improve your well being! And you get to eat real food! 

The first phase is called the CLEANSE PHASE.  

10 Days..That's all it takes. You ride the body of toxins so that you can absorb the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that you need. But don't be concerned with the word CLEANSE. It really is not what it implies...you are not running to the bathroom, you do not need to take 10 days off work. Trust me. I am used to running to the bathroom; I don't run now, I walk. It regulates you. And not painfully. It is very gentle. 

The second phase is the MAX PHASE.

Days 11-24...In this phase we will add a vitamin strip which contains OmegaPlex, Fat Burners, Multivitamin, Calcium, Pro-Biotic and a Natural Olive Oil (for your skin and hair!) And it's easily pre-portioned out so you don't even have to think about it!  I also add in Catalyst, which maintains my muscle mass during exercise. See, when you start eating healthier and restricting your calorie intake, your body needs fuel, so it automatically goes for the muscles. We don't want that. We want to maintain our lean muscle. Catalyst is an amino acid that shields your muscles so your body attacks fat...think of Pac-Man when he is all protected from the ghosts chasing him. It also preserves your energy levels and is taken during the Cleanse Phase as well. 

Oh and a few other products that are OUTSTANDING!!!

• SPARK!  It's an energy drink, but it's sugar free! It provides sustained energy and mental focus! It really gets me going in the morning and provides that extra boost in the afternoon! 
• Meal Replacement Shakes (MRS). I love my MRS's! Especially the chocolate! It's a powdered drink that you shake with water! I put mine in my bullet with some ice! It comes out like a frosty. And who doesn't love frosties!!! It has an ideal protein to carb ratio...24 grams of both...which is an equal balance of nutrition! And at 220 calories and only 2-3 grams of fat, try and find me something that tastes that delicious and is healthy! 
• ThermoPlus. Yeah, this stuff rocks! It fires up your metabolism & controls your appetite!

There are so many more products that AdvoCare makes, but these are the essentials on the 24 Day Challenge! These are my go-to's! These products helped me lose 40 pounds...until last week...and now I am down a total of 50 pounds! But it's not just the weight loss, it's how I feel overall.  My energy, my focus, the muscle definition I have. 

So what did we eat? Vegetables (all of them!), lean protein (fish, chicken, pork chops, lean ground beef, turkey), fruit (all of it!), and even some CARBS! Dare I say it??? Yep, we sure did...brown rice, beans, quinoa, sweet potatoes oh my!! We could also have had whole grain pasta and oatmeal, but I opted not to as I really needed to break free from the carbs for a little but.  WE. DID. NOT. STARVE!  Not even Nate, and we all know how a 12 year old eats! Yes, even a 12 year old can do this! You can give most all of AdvoCare's products to children 4 and up. 

This challenge has really improved the mother/son relationship too. Sounds crazy, I know. But when you are packing the lunches together, and discussing what we can and cannot eat, actually sitting at the table and enjoying dinner together, what would make this taste even more delicious, you really develop a stronger bond with your kid. And my kid is pretty super!

Nate's mood has improved. I think seeing the change in his appearance and how he feels overall is making the most impact on him. And he sees that difference in me. I love that he gets excited about this challenge. He has even told his friends and teachers what he is doing! He is amazing!

I am not going to try and sell you the product. It does it on it's own. There are pro-athletes that use it. Olympians use it. And they get paid nothing to do it. The product is that good.

I honestly can credit the 24 Day Challenge for my weight loss and my running journey. And it continues to be a big part in my life and my running goals. And it has become a part of my son's life and his goals. And that makes it all worth it!

Run. Strong.

-t-

Wanted 8...

Boss Lady and I set out this morning at 10:30am to get 8 miles in. She wanted to see how she felt during/after a long run gearing up for the Hot Chocolate 15k on November 18th. See, Boss Lady is PREGNANT!!!! I am so excited! Another little bambino to run with! Boss Lady is a BOSS too! I mean, who runs a 15k 17 weeks pregnant...but even better than that...she ran a 1/2 MARATHON pregnant with her first baby! She rocks. Which also means, I have no excuses to not keep up with her at the 15k! Oh. What. Have. I. Gotten. Myself. Into???

So we started out this morning on a NEW ROUTE! I love new routes. Something new and exciting to see. Different things to look at and talk about. "Oh, that's a pretty house." "I like that land."  "Wait till you see the last hill." Again. What. Have. I. Gotten. Myself. Into???   I jest. It's not that bad.  Even though we were supposed to run at my pace...you know my 12:30/mile pace. But it was more like an 11:00/mile Which was fine. It was feeling good. But I wasn't sure I was gonna keep up with that pace for the whole 8 miles. But I was gonna try!

The first few miles were good. We had to stop and walk a couple of times. Boss Lady is pregnant and I was getting tired. If you recall from last weeks post, I started the 24 Day Challenge last Sunday....10 days cleanse, 14 days of super clean eating. But see with this cleanse means no carbs. Well, at least not the kind of carbs I am used to eating before I do a long run. Pizza, pasta, baked potato, you see what I mean? So, my energy level was kinda low. I am not complaining though. I have lost, I think about, 8 pounds this week. Sure, some may be water, but really, clean eating is the way to go. But that is for another post...I know, I know...I said I would write it and I will.
 
But we continue on. We get down to the bike path and hot guys are running. So, of course, I pick up my "best running form" and carry on strong! I think I look skinny and beautiful and just fit and fabulous...when in fact I am sure I look like a basset hound running with his tongue hanging out. Okay, maybe not that bad...  Turns out they have wedding bands on.  O-well it was fun conversation! :)

And now comes the hill part. Holy cow. Up the back way behind the golf course.  What a hill. I like FARRELL ROAD MUCH BETTER! But then we go thru the Falls housing plat. Those are some pretty houses. Out and back around to Cassel Road, I think. I have no idea where I am. But I see my car and know we are done. 

We didn't get 8 miles in. We wanted 8. We didn't get it. We couldn't even get 6 in. For a variety of reasons too. 
1. Boss Lady is pregnant. And no, I am not blaming this on her. 
2. I am on the 24 day challenge...and on day of 8 of no "heavy" carbs. I need energy.
3. The time change. I know, sounds lame. But it was 10:30 according to the clocks, but our bodies thought it was 11:30. 
4. It was now lunch time. Boss Lady needs to eat. So do I. My body is telling me so. 

Regardless, the run was nice. The weather was perfect. The company was even better. I love running with people who love to run too. And Boss Lady, well, she loves to run. Even if it as a snail pace when she runs with me. That's what friends do. 

P.S....Nate has lost 9 pounds!! He is my CHAMPION!



Run. Strong. CONGRATS TO BOSS LADY!!!!
-t-