It's been a YEAR since my jouney began

Looking back, the last year has been one of the most challenging, scary, fun and rewarding experiences I've ever had. I totally changed my life, my health my WARDROBE (omg, you have no idea how much fun that is) .
At the risk of sounding superficial, which I am most decidedly NOT, (I just was not in a space in my head where I felt very pretty) For a long time I wouldn't even look at pictures of myself, before this all started. I would even cut myself out of pictures at family events if I thought they made me look a certain way. Now I'm like.. hey, you have a camera? check out this smile! Last week at my daughters I saw a  cringe-worthy picture of me at the Alamo with my Husband and Daughter in what should have been a cute, touristy photo from about five years earlier. I couldn't believe it was me. I looked so unhealthy and dare I say it, fat! In that body, it took me a while to realize exactly what I really looked like. Whereas a year ago I would have ripped that picture up, I stared at it a long while, amazed at image of me then, and excited for that "person" and who she would become, and focusing instead on the memories of the fun we had that day. It is only in retrospect that I can see it. Why didn't I do something about my weight or health back then? I didn't change anything until I was physically tired of it all, and really began feeling like I wanted to Feel different. I guess you sort of get comfortable with the aches and pains and addiction to food and that becomes your new normal, so I didn't see a problem for a LONG time. I had no idea back then what I was really doing to myself, I just knew I needed a change, and had no idea how to get there. I guess it's true what they say, you have to be ready. Now, yall better be ready for ME! :)
So ... fast forward one year and this is what you get... (below is me with my sons Sean and Nick on mother's day)

Sean and me and Nick on Mother's Day 2012

Am I still using Advocare? YES! since I'm not reducing calories anymore, I just take The Coreplex multivitamin, my Catalyst when I work out and drink my Spark. I do take Thermoplus if I'm going to a party or something, it gives me a feeling of fullness so I don't over indulge, but mostly now I am able with counting calories and watching portions to stay on track. And thanks to Advocare giving me energy, and my own motivation I am still feeling so great!!! I went from no activity at all to speak of to doing ZUMBA, bike riding, (8 miles a day) and bellydancing. My newest passion is hooping. (remember hula hoops) I am teaching myself all kinds of tricks. I eat a normal diet, cut out soda, do NOT do the aspartame/splenda/crap. I use stevia but not even very much of that. I watch my dairy, Drink LOTS of water, eat complex carbs, and stay away from chips and over processed foods.I eat lots of veggies, watch my portions and have been maintaining my weight without much effort because I still do my yoga/pilates workout in addition to my other activities. I don't go crazy about it. I just make sure I do SOMETHING every day, even if it's for 15 minutes. My goal is 300 minutes of exercise a week, and I stick to that. So have I eaten cookies, cake, ice cream? Sure, sometimes, but I find that I don't really need it. So here I am, today, at 109 pounds! I don't care what the scale says though. You can see the sparkle of life came back to my eyes!!

It's October and I've long since reached my goal weight and I'm still going strong! I work out about 3 times a week to maintain and I have been doing kickboxing with my sons, which is hilarious and scary at the same time. I'm enjoying the time with them though. Not too many grown men hang with their Moms. Or teach them how to KILL. So, I'm lucky.

Happy Happy Happy

My blessings are not lost on me, that's for sure. I know how fortunate I am to have a wonderful life, a loving family and all my dear friends. I have great co-workers (especially the other teachers I work with in our class) and I love my job. I've always been pretty happy. But now that I've been doing Advocare's MNS all summer, I have realized how much happier and more positive I've become. I had never realized how much I was missing out on being unfit. I never knew I could be so active and have so much fun getting out of my comfort zone, my living room and my HEAD.. long enough to really start living. It took me a while to learn that I am in "control" of my energy. I can now put it where I want to, when I want to, and it just gets easier and more fun all the time.
 I am losing weight like nobody's business. Nine pounds to go and I'm there. Easy Peasy. So let me ask you this, are you convinced yet? I am not saying Advocare is for everyone, but living your best life, that is something we all want, right? Where do you see yourself in say, six months if you do nothing to change how you feel right now?  In April I would have said you were nuts if you told me I could feel and look this great in 2 1/2 months. Now I wonder why I didn't do it years ago. Just think of all the time I wasted. Take my advice. If you have been wanting to make changes in your life, no matter what they pertain to, don't wait. I wish you all the happiness your heart can hold!
LOVE !!!

New Month- New Me!

Well it's true what they say about things becoming a habit after 28 days, but luckily I had a lot of motivation for the change and pretty much kicked that 28 days in the ass. I am feeling so good about all of this. It's summer, and though I go back to work in a few weeks I thought, I should establish a daily routine and can change it as I need to to fit my work schedule later... I'm posting it here for you to see, but also to keep myself on track.
the first thing I did this week was join the website
http://caloriecount.about.com which is free and helps log your food,  provides analysis of your nutrition and gives tips, exercises, helps goal setting, its amazing. If you join, my name on there is mermiehug. friend me and we can support each other!!
So, my day goes something like this...
First thing in the morning I get up, do some stretching and take my MNS before breakfast pack which is about 4 pills, *the max 3 is really knocking of the pounds!  I am consistently losing 2-3 pounds a week and hope to reach my goal by My birthday in October but probably before, at the rate I am going! Max 3 is better for me than the max e (haven't tried c yet) I drink 1 to 2 eight ounce glasses of water at that time, shower, dress and get ready for the day. I drink 1 spark throughout the morning *wooo energy!
I eat 30 min later, (400 calories, give or take)and take my vitamins then and my catalyst, (amino acid supplement) which is litterally carving out my  body like a giant potato peeler of gorgeous. It tells your body to use the fat for energy thereby leaving muscle and helping your workouts tone it better. It's the best!  MY tummy is  almost actually flat! ME!!! still in shock there! My rear end is lifting up!! my 45 year old butt still has some hope for a shape that is actually butt-shaped !
Anyway, so I do household things or bills and maybe check facebook and log my foods on caloriecounter, go to the pool and chill and then do my workout, which is about 45 minutes of pilates and yoga. Its a CRUNCH brand workout I watch on Netflix called "super slim down" and I look forward to it every day. ME! Mrs. Ican'tdothatcuzIgotasthma. LOVE IT
So after that I do regular stuff, you know, snuggle the hubby, visit with my kids, turn on pandora and bust a move and do laundry, etc. and drink 2 glasses of water. 30 min. before lunch I take my MNS again.
I eat lunch which is usually about 400 calories or so, and I eat lots of fruit and veggies with it. I actually have to make myself eat that much food. I thought I'd be starving but I am finding I have a good appetite and that cravings are almost gone. I don't add sugar to anything anymore and I don't miss it!
So, afternoon comes, where I used to go grab a soda or eat a handful of jellybeans. Instead I make myself an Advocare Muscle Gain shake and go for a 3.8 mile bike ride. And we haul ass, let me tell you. And I can set a pace where my fit husband isn't riding irritatingly slow. He actually says "slow down and pace yourself" I love him. When we ride I call him my boyfriend and we flirt. It's so fun, "I hope my husband doesn't find out I am riding with you, you are awfully cute.." and  I think I have to look up what a MILF is, cuz he called me that a few times..anyway, it's fun. and after 26 years of marriage, that's saying something that we do it together every day. (I mean the bike riding.)
After we get back I log my daily activities on caloriecounter and see how much I burned doing what.
I also log my meals, and see how I am doing nutritionally. Dinner is usually around 7 and it's about 4-500 calories, though I usually eat less than that and later have a handfull of almonds and some raisins or some fruit before bed. I always do some yoga in the evening, and I sleep a lot better. Nothing strenuous, just some stretching. And that's pretty much my day. I will be posting some pics as soon as I fix my camera. I dropped it! it still works but needs some love. I'll post more when I can

LOVE!!
see ya soon~

it's been six days since the challenge ended

 I feel really good and I am getting stronger and leaner every day. Thanks to the max E from advocare my appetite is being controlled nicely!! I am starting the Max 3's tomorrow, a little less on energy and appetite control, just wanna try it and see how it works. I'm planning on posting more pics soon. Just wanted to let yall know.. I'm not done!!!  I am working out daily and bike riding every night with my husband up some pretty knarly trails, and I have a lot of energy and drive to see this through!
LOVE!!!
ttyl

Day 24- I've lost so much, and gained so much more

So, 24 Days ago, I was an out of shape, wheezing, shortwaisted Grandmother with high blood sugar and missing clavicles!! look at me now!! I still have a ways to go, but I am loving the new me!!
My blood sugar is way more consistent, often 125 or lower! (no more "prediabetes" readings, but time will tell!)
I've Lost 11 pounds! (148-11=137!!)
I am now in a size 10 instead of 14! (pants) and wearing MEDIUM to SMALL depending on the cut of the shirt
My waist is 31 (down 4.5 inches)
My hips are 39 (4  inches)

My arms and legs are more toned, and I think I at least LOOK taller!! the distance btw my chest and waist seems longer and more toned, at least to me.
In conclusion...this is NOT the end!
As I said, I've loved what's happening to my body so much I am now a distributor for ADVOCARE. The products work and I worked too, and together with sensible changes in my life which were really easy, surprisingly enough, I ACTUALLY did what I set out to do. I know it sounds cliche' but if I can do this in 24 days, IMAGINE what you could do, too!
I will be keeping the blog up, and probably posting weekly until I reach my goal weight, then who knows? Thank you so much for supporting me on this journey. It means the world to me!!
LOVE!!!
see ya soon! (but you'll have to catch me, first...)

Before (May 22) After(June 14)