day 14- working my buns off!

So today, I got a bike!! it's a KONA mountain bike and I am super excited to go riding. Got it second-hand (love craigslist) and my honey got me a sweet deal! I'm excited to get out there and get riding!
Today, I did yoga in the morning and laundry the rest of the day. I made some awesome oatmeal. Have you ever had 'steel cut oats'? you toast them in the pan first and then add the water. So filling and YUMMY!!

I am really loving the catalyst. I get an extra boost of energy and I feel like it makes me stronger. As in, I can do more reps on my exercises, without getting super pooped! I think it also is because I am now getting used to doing it, so it's a little easier. Yoga makes me feel great though. I don't have soreness in the evenings like I did before I did it every day, and I keep thinking, if it makes me feel so good and relaxed why do I skip it sometimes? I think life happens and we get side tracked and then go "oh, I'll do it later" and then later never comes. I'm so proud of myself for not doing that anymore. You know what would just be the bees knees? if after I get to my goal weight I find I grew taller. haha. I do know I'll get longer and leaner, and I can feel that happening.
I've decided when I get to my goal weight I'm getting another tattoo.  I have 2 but I want one after this. No idea what I'm getting yet. The fun part is thinking about what I want! I might have the hubster draw something, or oh, I don't know.. an anchor with MOM in it? lol. no..
But it gives me something else to work for. I am glad I took on this challenge, and I'm glad it won't be over just because the 24 days is ending. I'm trying hard to stick to good habits, and it's working!  Hope you are having a fabulous weekend!! LOVE!!! see you tomorrow!

Day 13 - can it be?

Wow, day 13 already. I am just amazed at the changes in my life in the last two weeks. I am eating better and feeling better and exercising more than I ever have. I think I'm probably in the best shape I've ever been, and it's getting more shapey all the time. I am taking a break from exercise today, and pretty much just hanging around the house, so it's not super exciting, but a regular day. I have noticed that the Max E's are doing a lot better with my system. I think my body had to get used to them a little.  I am eating well and not having cravings, and that's what they say they are supposed to do, so I'd say it's working!
Today I measured myself again. I don't really have any reason to except that I want to see if anything has changed again.
Hips- 39
Waist-32
and that my friends, is a loss of 3 inches off my hips and 2 1/2 off my waist!  wowsers!!
I am just over the moon about that!
Hope you are all having a great weekend, too!!
LOVE!!
see you tomorrow!

Day 12- I broke the 140 mark!

I am so happy ~~ dance with me, won't you ?( la-lala-la hey! ) I am now 138!! that's a loss of 5 pounds in 12 days, yall. Ok, not a huge dealie if you are one of those who fluctuate 5 pounds this way or that way, but I don't. I hit the scale a few times and even JUMPED on it, and it stayed the same. I went and got my weights and got on it again, and subtracted ten pounds for the weights, and STILL it was 138! I am really extra-super motivated to see this through!!
This kickboxing workout is just amazing, after only a few times, I can actually see my buns lifted up a little. My legs are sore but getting better. I am not having breathing problems doing it at all and haven't had to stop and use my inhaler. I think it must be because I cut dairy out almost totally. I still have yogart, but I don't really drink milk (I have been drinking almond milk..mmm) and really cut the cheese.... Wait... I don't mean "cut the cheese" like I was doing during the cleanse! haha. I mean like as in not eating cheese. I should have said cut OUT the cheese. But anyway..
So I added Catalyst (from Advocare) today to my supplements. I am supposed to take 3 a day before I work out for fat munching amino acids to activate and help preserve muscle when I work out. I took them today, and I'm getting ready to go do my workout now. I feel like a super hero, "fat munching power, ACTIVATE!" if I WAS a superhero, I would totally say that every time I take the catalyst. I think I may just do it anyway.
Today was the last day of school for students at the school where I work. They provided us with a baked potato bar where we could put barbeque beef and cheese and onions and sour cream on the potatoes. I was not really into that. I did have one for lunch, but I put on a little of the bbq beef, on it and that was it. It didn't really fill me up because I didn't finish it. I probably ate less than a 3rd of it. It was a huge potato, but I could tell it wasn't enough of the right foods to get me through the day. I ended up having a meal replacement shake with it, but I don't like having to do that, since I like actual food as much as I can. But it's nice to know when you are stuck somewhere and want to eat, you can have a nice little meal in a cup and not feel like you are missing out. It got me thorough the day.
Well I'm sure you've had enough of my ramblings. ... so, I see you tomorrow! huge LOVE!!! Thanks for all your support. I love hearing from you!! comment!!!
Beth

Day-11 to the MAX!

Hey yall! I did it! Day 11 rocked. Not only did I start the Metabolic Nutrition System - (E-for energy) but I felt really good all day and had good amounts of energy. I did notice the appetite control might be a bit too much for me, since I really didn't get hungry until dinner time, and that's when I usually like to eat the least, since it's the last meal. I may try these for a few more days and if they seem too much, (at least for me, right now) I'll try the max 3's instead. I did eat, but a lot less than usually, which might be good, but I don't want to under-eat either. It helps to be aware of your body when you're doing this sort of thing. Everyone is different and have different issues. So we'll see in a few days if the E ones are the ones I need. Gotta start somewhere, right? So I'm gonna give a bit of time and see.  I can't say they don't WORK, that's for sure, I wasn't hungry, and had no cravings, but I also didn't really want to eat much of anything. Could have had to do with me not getting much sleep last night, and not the MNS at all though. Our air conditioner is on the fritz. Kept turning on last night then saying, "yah know what? hmm, I think I'll turn on and not blow anything". (I could make a that's what she said joke there but I won't :P)
Anyway back to ME! lol Hubster and I went out to dinner tonight to a really good sub place called "thundercloud subs" which I guess is a Texas thing, (you poor yankees.) Got a gluten free bun! and turkey avacado and alfalfa sprouts with tomato and a teeny slice of bacon. YUMMA WUMMA> good stuff. I am not gonna push a workout tonight, since I've been really going at it for days now, so I'll do some relaxing yoga tonight and get to bed fairly early. I am so excited summer is coming! This weekend we are starting on building my bike, and hub has said we are going to go riding every night after dinner. I know I will... he's gonna have to pedal fast to catch me!
LOVE!!! See you tomorrow

Day 10- clean as a whistle

YAY!!!! I made it to day 10 and I am so glad! I have completed the cleanse portion of the Advocare 24 Day challenge! Tomorrow, I am going to be off and running in phase 2.

Basically, now that I've completed the cleanse my body is working at optimal efficiency. Digestion and absorbing nutrients are improved and I can just tell by the way I feel I'm a bit healthier already.  14 days to go ! I believe that once I've committed myself to something, I have to finish it. Which may explain why I married the only boyfriend I ever had, and never use temporary hair dye. I'm an all or nothing kinda girl.
 As a person who's suffered IBS most of my life, I have to say, I am feeling oh-so-regular right now,  and that is worth a million bucks right there. I just feel better. which ALSO makes me want to work out. So, I WIN!! :)
So exactly what is this "phase 2" business I've been talking about anyway? Huh? Don't get all anxious. I'll explain it. Advocare, as you may know is a company that used to only market to professional athletes, but in the last 18 years or so has expanded and we can now reap the benefits of the science behind what they do.. So, the  MSN  (Metabolic nutrition system) is what I'll be doing for the next 14 days, and beyond that I'll be fine tuning and tweaking it, But for now it includes vitamins, amino acids, appetite suppressants (herbal ones, like cinnamon!) and probiotics, which will help to even out my metabolism and help me continue to drop the poundage my body has been so fond of hanging on to. I will also have more energy, but in a good way, not in a "is she on speed?" kind of way. There are 3 types of the MSN. "E" gives you more energy than appetite control, C is more appetite control and a bit less on the energy, and Max 3 is sort of even on both fronts. I'm doing the max E and I'll see how that works for me if I need to change or tweak it in the coming weeks!
So, my lovelies, I will see you tomorrow!  I'm off to do my weights!

Day 9- Getting easier all the time

Making good choices about what I do and what goes into my body sounds easy until you try to make it a habit. But it is true what they say... The more you do it the easier it gets. Take today for instance. I went back to work after a 3 day weekend and in the lunch room were 3 plates. 2 of cookies and one of brownie bites. A few weeks ago, you would have found me with napkin in my purse, with 2 or three cookies I'd be saving for later. It's really easy to say "no" now and it sorta freaks me out how easy it really is. Maybe it's the fact that I do not want to be getting diabetes and giving myself injections, but I really don't think about that part all that much. I think it's just that I'm not HUNGRY hungry. Does that make sense? I'm not urgently needing sugar like NOW! or I'm gonna kill somebody. My needs are being met through high volume, low fat foods and vitamins I wasn't getting before. Now since I'm not feeling those huge dips in bloodsugar that make me want to get chips, soda, a bag (I kid you not) of JELLY BEANS or whatever fast fix I can get, I am able to objectively sit back and say, wow they look yummy, but I'm not hungry so I'm not gonna eat it. Now I would be lying if I said I'm never eating cake or cookies or brownies again. I just don't feel the need to eat the whole pan of brownies or 3 slices of cake anymore. My absolute favorite all time sweet is baklava. If you've never had it, you are missing out. But I was thinking about that today and I could imagine what it tasted like, and that was enough, for now. Is that weird? I think it's pretty cool. I'm starting to mature with my impulse control issues, I think.
As for the cleanse, tomorrow is the last day of the fiber drink! then I'll be starting the advocare MNS pack of vitamins. It sorta seems like a lot of pills but I'm told I'll get used to them. These little magic beauties are supposed to aid in appetite control, boost my energy and fill in the gaps where I may need help nutritionally. The weight will really start melting off then. For tonight, I'm taking a much deserved break from excersize and relaxing with the hubster. LOVE !!! see you tomorrow!!

Day 8- the medium

(insert ethereal voice..)I see a even smaller size in my future......
I went shopping with the hubster today. Tried on some tops, just for kicks, and size MEDIUM FITS!! I used to be a large, so yay!! I bought a few little cuties and cannot wait to go get more clothes in a few months when I'm down to my goal weight. I'm noticing that my arms are firmer and fit into armholes better. I have a set of dumbells I've been using and now when I wave to someone, only a teensy little bit of my arm keeps waving when I stop, instead of a giant flap of "bye bye arm".
Anyway, Day 8, oh how I love thee! Back with the fiber drink, and probiotics in the AM, no more of the 3 herbal cleanse pills, and it'll be like this till day 10, and then the cleanse part will be over and the challenge of taking a strip of the Max E vitamins. Then the absorbing! OH how I look forward to that! Get in there, you little nutrients! Make me gorgeous-er.
I lost another pound, so the next one will put me UNDER 140!! squeeeee!! that's me, excited. That hasn't happend in 18 years. In fact I was 140 when I had my youngest son, and it sorta just hung on...
I've just started a pilates workout that I found on netflix! did you know you can watch streaming workouts? My favorite is Crunch Candlelight Yoga, it's a relaxing one. But today kicked butt!  it was called "crunch fat burning pilates" and I can totally see sticking with that! Super fun, and my asthma didn't act up, so that was a real plus. I will eventually coordinate my feet with what they are doing. It's  always hard the first few times, especially when they want you to contract this muscle, extend your leg, clench your butt, breathe when they tell you to, and stand tall. But, I'll get there!
That "thing" happened again, This time it was my son's friend who said I looked like I had lost some weight. This time I didn't start laughing, or thinking he was crazy,and I was actually happy to say that yes, indeedy, I am smaller than I used to be! I do want to speak to something though. With all the negative body image things and unobtainable bodies we all have to deal with from advertising and the media, I do not buy into that garbage, and neither should you. I am not trying to knock anyone's self image, and I can only speak for me. I am not trying to get to a size 2 or be unrealistic. I just want to be healthy and more toned.  I had gone through a period in my teens when I tried to starve myself because I didn't think I was pretty, or good enough or 100 other reasons that don't matter a hoot anymore at all. I think that might be why I never really went whole hog trying to really lose weight in my adult life. I always ran out of steam and gave up. I think I was scared I would go too far again. But now, with age I guess comes wisdom (and an egg roll?) I'm trying to be healthy, and I am not trying to be anybody else but me. If I end up looking the same, I don't care, as long as I'm healthy. I do see lots of changes in myself, and my attitude especially. I'm making better choices for myself, and trying to not go to extremes, and be sensible and stay centered. I really appreciate all your support and all of you who read my blog, so I do want to extend a heartfelt "thank you" to you. Keep Reading! I am excited to see how this turns out! LOVE!!! see you tomorrow!