Day 1: Feeling SPARKED!

It's day 1 of our 24 Day Challenge, and I'm so excited!

I had a major grocery haul this weekend.  I cleaned out my fridge, and it's now jam packed with all sorts of healthy yumminess!  Check it out!

Not pictured: pineapple, 3 lbs chicken, 1 lb sliced turkey, 2 lbs ground turkey, 1.5 lbs salmon, 1.5 lbs tilapia, and 8 oz shrimp.

New things we are trying this week: swiss chard, kale (we are late for that boat!), liquid aminos, coconut milk, and almond milk.

Initially I was going to set up our 24DC supplements in individual baggies for each day.  Then I realized that we are going to be home for most of it, so the only thing Kevin and I really need to take with us is a Spark and a Catalyst.  The best way for me to set everything up would be a "grab and go" station where we can just take what we need, when we need it.  So I set up a basket.

I set aside everything that is for the Max phase.  The meal replacement shakes, the MNS, and the ThermoPlus.  I also put away the duplicates.  For example, I only have one bottle of OmegaPlex (labeled OP in the photo), and Catalyst (labled CAT in the photo).  I also divided the Herbal Cleanse into two boxes.  The ProBiotic Restore and Herbal Cleanse come in individual packets that are attached to each other.  So, I split them up and labeled one box AM (ProBiotic Restore), and one box PM (Herbal Cleanse).  This made everything super easy to manage this morning.

I'm about halfway through the day, and I'm feeling good.  My Spark gave me plenty of energy to start the day.  I was really concerned about how I would feel not having coffee, but I'm feeling good.  I had the mango strawberry Spark, which was awesome, and Kevin had the pink lemonade.  I had a sip of his, too, and it was delicious!

I've heard mixed reviews about the Fiber.  We took everyone's advice and chugged it fast.  It didn't taste gross.  It really didn't taste like anything.  Pretty much like the water it was mixed with, just a little bit chalkier.

We also took our before pictures, measurements, and weight this morning.  We used the Fitness Assessment that our sponsor shared with us.  This is part of it:

I won't give you Kevin's measurements, as I'll let him decide if he wants to share.  I'll reserve my before pictures for when I take my after and I'll share them together.  We will probably measure again on Day 11, which is the first day of the Max Phase.  This will help gauge the changes that occurred during the Cleanse.  Here are my current stats.

Weight:   161.8 lbs
Chest:      40.5 in
Waist:      40 in
Hips:        41 in
Thigh:      23.5 in

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11

What's in our Advocare 24 Day Challenge Kit?

Could you tell I was excited yesterday?  No?  Well, I was.

So here's what we got!

Our shipment came in two boxes, because we signed up to be distributors.  We got our distributor welcome kit, and our 24DC kits.  Can you read what that box says?  It says "Transformation!"  Woohoo!

Kevin was still at work when I got home, so he didn't get to open the boxes with me.  That's right.  I left him in the dust!  So what did we get?

Woah!  Lots of goodies!  I think the one thing I'm really digging is the Daily Guide.  I'm a notebook/planner person, so I love that it's in booklet format.  That bad boy will be with me in my suitcase purse wherever I go.  You can see the whole guide online, but I love it in booklet format.

It has little check boxes next to each step for every day, water intake bubbles, and activity logs.  Of course, you can use an app on your phone if you wanted, but there's something satisfying about filling in a little bubble that makes me feel like I've accomplished something.

Look at all this fabulous stuff!

With the 24DC kit, you get two boxes of Spark.  I'm told this stuff is miracle mix.  Better than coffee, better than an energy drink, better than life itself!  I picked fruit punch and mango strawberry.  Kev picked two boxes of pink lemonade.  And because we signed up to be distributors, we got three extra boxes (a $69 value!).  They sent us another fruit punch, another mango strawberry, and green apple.  I can't wait to try all of them!

The OmegaPlex comes with the kit, and we added on a bottle of Catalyst for each of us.  This is packed with amino acids, which helps your body burn fat while preserving muscle, and maintain energy and focus.  I also added on a bottle of ThermoPlus.  This little gem helps aid in weight loss, turn fat into energy, and control those cravings.  I can't wait to give that a shot.

We also got our Herbal Cleanse System, which includes the Fiber, and our Meal Replacement Shakes.  I ordered the chocolate peanut butter, and Kev got plain chocolate.  I'm sure we will share the flavors.  I hear these are ridiculously delicious.  Have you seen all the recipes for things you can make with these?  I was blown away!

We also got our MNS,  These are basically multi-vitamin packs that are tailored for your needs.  There are three to choose from.  MNS C, which helps with appetite and craving control, MNS E, which helps boost your energy, and MNS 3, which is a blend of the two.  I went with the MNS C, because I need all the help I can get!  Kevin needs that extra boost, but also wants the help with the appetite control, so he went the the MNS 3.

So that's what we got.  I'll be doing more meal planning today, and grocery shopping this weekend.  The countdown is on!

I've added links to all the products, in case you want to read more about them.

Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

Delivery Day!

Today's the day!  We got our kits today!  I'm so excited!

Of course, we are both at work all day, so I've been staring at my helpless boxes, sitting on our front porch, all lonely and begging to be opened.  *sob!*

Please ignore unfinished painting.  It's a work in progress.

I've been meal planning, too.  This is the part that is going to take the most time and focus, for me.  Ideally, Kevin and I would be able to prep every meal, as planned, and follow everything perfectly.  But our lives aren't perfect, and we don't always have the luxury of time.  So what I decided to do was plan out all of our meals throughout the course of the 24DC.  I'll start with the 10 day Cleanse, and then towards the end of the first week, I'll start working on the 14 day Max.  My goal is to chose as many "pre-prep" meals as I can.  I've done freezer menu planning before, and I've always loved how easy it made my life.  It just takes a lot of planning and prep, so that's what I'm working on.

I'm using this menu planning printable.  I like it because it has space for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus an extra line, so I can squeeze a snack in there, too.  It also starts on Monday, which I like.  Our weeks feel like they are pretty much Monday through Sunday, so starting my weekly planning on Mondays just makes things a little easier on me.  Plus, I can jot down my shopping list as I add meals to the calendar.  I'm still working on filling it out, but we're getting there.

True to my statement in my previous post, most of the items on my list so far are from the perimeter of the grocery store.

Lunches will be mostly leftovers from dinner.  We both work, so taking dinner from the night before will be easier, cheaper, and more healthful than ordering out.

Oh man, I can't wait to get home!

See something on our menu that piques your interest?  Check out our Pinterest board for our 24DC for tips and recipes!

And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Prepping for the Challenge

Kevin and I have been discussing this Challenge quite a bit.  It became apparent pretty quickly for us that preparation is going to be the most important part of this equation.  Not just meal prep, but lifestyle prep.  Our kits will arrive on Thursday, and we will start the Challenge on Monday.

This week, we're doing what we can to prepare ourselves for the next few weeks ahead.  How?  Well, I'm so glad you asked!

1.  I'm weaning myself off coffee.  Kevin will continue to drink his, but he likes it black.  I'm a cream-and-sugar girl, and if I can get my hands on flavored creamer, I'm all over it.  But that's going to be a no-go on the Challenge.  So I'm drinking less coffee in the morning, and I'm putting less and less creamer in it every day.  

2.  We are drinking LOTS of water!  The Challenge instructions tell you to divide your body weight in half, and the number you get is how many ounces of water you should be drinking every day.  Let me tell you, this is tough!  Kevin is a fish.  He drinks water like it's his job.  I'm actually impressed.  But I am not a fan.  I don't particularly care for water.  Normally I put something in it, like Crystal Light.  Our sponsors (shout-out to Ashley and Jeremy!) don't recommend it.  Ashley suggested Mio Fit, which I picked up the other day.  It's delicious, but it's not my Crystal Light Lemon Iced Tea.  So, today I'm trying to chug down the water.

I picked up these Rubbermaid water bottles the other day.  They are 32 oz, so I just need to drink 3 of them to be over my requirement for each day.  Kevin needs about 3 1/2.  Notice mine is only half empty?  Yes, well, it's 11:00 AM and I've only had half of one bottle.  I need to get moving.

3.  We will be cleaning out the fridge.  And the cabinets.  And the secret hiding places.  If it's there, it will be a temptation.  Kevin is pretty good at avoiding all the yummy things that I bring home.  Are you noticing a trend here?  I have a feeling this will be much easier for him than it will be for me.  I'm impulsive.  If I see something yummy looking, I will snatch it up and feed it to my face.  And if I get a craving for chocolate, I'll sniff it out and devour it.  No chocolate is safe.  And grocery shopping... forget it.

I'll be taking the common advice of shopping the perimeter.  I can't even handle the rest.

4.  I'm setting reminders.  It may seem a bit excessive, but I have a full time job, two kids, a house to maintain, after-school activities... I could go on.  Kevin's commitments are just as intense.  So I've set up all of my reminders as alarms in my phone.  Yes.  My phone will be going off at an alarming rate (see what I did there? :)).  But it's the best way to keep me on track.  I've changed the name of the alarm to reflect what I need at that particular time.  The only alarm that isn't set for the weekend is my wake-up, but the rest of my schedule is the same.  On the weekends, I plan to get up when my next alarm goes off.  One of my goals is that with this challenge, I will become more productive in other areas of my life.  If I can get up at 6:00 on the weekends and have a little down time before the kids get up, then BONUS!  Plus, Kevin works on Saturdays, so I can spend a little time with him in the morning before he heads off to work.

5.  We are discussing it.  If you are doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge with a partner (and I certainly hope you are), I cannot stress this enough.  Talk about it.  It's so important to us that Kevin and I are in this together.  That our commitment is the same, and that we hold each other accountable.  We've talked about portions, about workouts, about schedules.  Sometimes I worry that he's getting sick of me talking about it, but I know it's important to him, too.  Talk, talk, talk!

6.  I'm praying.  I can't do this on my own.  That's why I'm doing it with Kevin.  But I can't do anything without God.  So, I pray for strength, to avoid temptation, and to follow through with my commitment.

Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

We did what?!?

Well, here we are...

Two days ago, Kevin and I decided to jump feet-first into the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  What does that mean?  Well, it means a whole lifestyle change for us.

A (very) brief history:

We used to be fit.  We used to be healthy.  We were gym rats, I was a runner, and Kevin was a cyclist.  We ate healthy food, and were in good shape.  We even ran a Spartan Race together.

Then life happened.  You know, that thing that creeps up on you when you're least expecting it and screams "Boo!"  Before we knew it, we were back to crappy eating habits and forgot what exercise was.  

Then we found Advocare.  After talking to a friend of ours, who is also a distributor, we decided to give this a shot.  This blog will become our story.  We will start our 24 Day Challenge on March 14, 2016.  Our goal is to transform our habits, increase our energy, and alter our lifestyle so that we are as healthy as God intended us to be.

If you want more information about Advocare, please send us an email.

We hope you'll follow along!

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  Philippians 4:13