Path to a Healthy Life

I dont like to call this a "weight loss journey" because my story is so much more than the pounds I've shed.  It's a new lifestyle that I've chosen.  One that I love and am so happy with.  I hope you'll be inspired by my story and join me on this path to a healthy life!
I've always struggled with my weight.  I've always been chunky- self conscious of my double chin, muffin top/love handles and thunder thighs (even though my legs are my favorite feature!).  I can honestly say that more times than not I was trying to suck it in- worried about the rolls or bulges that might form under clothing.

Obesity tends to run in my family and though I never considered myself to be obese, I refused to let that be an option for me.  During high school and college I didn't have enough self control or motivation to make a lifestyle change since binge drinking and late night pizza were a higher priority.  I looked at members of my family and knew I didn't want that to be me.  I was determined to take control because I knew I was the only one who could make the change and be proactive about my health for later in life.  Enter AdvoCare.

When I left Louisiana I was the heaviest I'd ever been- and I was probably the heaviest I'd been when I got there too.  I needed a change.  My life was finally heading in a direction I'd been wanting and working for since I was, like, 20.  I was following my dreams- for me.  Finding happiness- for me.  I know I needed to make a health change- for me too.  I had success and felt great with the 24 Day Challenge before but just wasn't in a good place in my life to make it a permanent change.

I knew now was a better time.  I ordered the products, meal prepped and started following the meal plan.  I started the challenge on the Monday after 4th of July.  I lost 7.5 lbs and 11 inches after the 10-day cleanse phase and felt GREAT!!!  I continued through the burn phase for the next 14 days and wound up losing a total of 14.5 lbs and 18 inches in 24 days!!!!

I was sooo excited, felt great, and loved the results I saw throughout the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge, which I completed at the beginning of August.  I was still not near my goal weight and was looking forward to more results.  I have continued on to the 72 Day Challenge and I'm currently down a total of 19 lbs and I'm sure a bunch more inches (I haven't measured).

I'm not going to lie, since finishing the 24 Day Challenge I have had a few "cheat meals".  But I love that this program is easy to get back on track with.  If I have a slip up, I don't lose too much sleep over it and just keep going as planned the next day!  It's a lifestyle change, not a diet.  I'm changing my lifestyle and I'm completely happy with having 1-2 cheats a week.  I don't feel deprived at all.

I've bought a few things that are 1-2 sizes smaller than usual (I'm sometimes between 2 sizes).  But don't plan to do too much shopping until I hit my goal!  The pants I have that usually give me a little muffin top are loose even after they've just been washed!

An added boost of motivation came last week when I realized a noticeable difference in my face... before and after pictures don't lie.  But this isn't an after picture, it's a progress picture! :)  (And let me tell you, it has taken a lot of convincing to post this picture on the internet!!! yikes!)

But seriously guys, I FEEL GREAT!!!  There's no other way to put it.  I'm exercising, eating right/healthy/delicious meals and seeing great results.  If you're intrigued by my story I'd love to help you feel as great as I do and find your way to a healthy lifestyle.  I can provide lots of information about AdvoCare and the 24 Day Challenge Program as well as a complete grocery list and meal plan (complete with day-to-day schedules) and even personal coaching!  :)

Join me on my path to a healthy life!

Let's Talk Healthy Lifestyle!

As you know, this year has already been full of changes for me- from starting a new job and graduate school in Louisiana to now moving on to The University of Georgia.  I'm also making it a priority to live a healthy lifestyle.  I am embarking on a new journey with AdvoCare- a premier health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products along with a rewarding business opportunity". I did my first 24-Day Challenge last year and lost about 12 lbs and 18 inches in that time, but most importantly I felt more energized and over all healthy.  I was excited to continue on the path of a healthy life style.  I fell off the wagon a bit when I moved to Louisiana.  This time I'm determined to make it a permanent change and I want to share it with others.

If you're looking to lose weight, build lean muscle, enhance your energy or improve your over all health, let me talk to you about AdvoCare and the many avenues this wonderful company provides for a healthy life style.  There's something for everyone! I especially love Spark! and Rehydrate!- the perfect alternative to energy and sports drinks (great for kids too!).

My mom, sisters and I are currently doing the 24 Day Challenge, feeling great, and already seeing results- it's a great way to kick start the life change you always wanted.  The key to success is meal prep.  I'll provide you with a full menu, schedule and access to tons of recipes and support.

 

You can check out my site and browse through the products at>> https://www.advocare.com/130430745

Let's kick start the rest of your healthy life! 

And please feel free to send anyone my way who may be interested, I'm eager to help!!  :)

Jersey Girl Triathlon

This Sunday I completed my second Jersey Girl Triathlon.  This Triathlon is a sprint with a 300 yard swim, 11 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run.  The Jersey Girl Triathlon takes place in Long Branch, New Jersey with the swim in the ocean, bike along the streets of the beach town, passing beautiful beach mansions, and running on the boardwalk.  

I signed up back in January/ February with my 2 sisters (Kaylee & Kristine), 2 cousins (Kate & Audrey) and aunt (Linda).  Kate, another cousin (Jackie), Aunt Linda and I had done it together 2 years ago and when we decided to do it again we were so excited to have our group grow.  Unfortunately, Jackie tore her ACL in the spring and was unable to do it with us this time.  She was a wonderful cheerleader and helped us tremendously on race day!  

As I've mentioned, this year marked the 10th Anniversary of my Grandmother's passing.  She always wore a vibrant shade of pink lipstick, called "Naked Pink".  We wanted to honor her during the race and know she would have been so proud of us.  We all wore the same shirt, though the color didn't totally match her shade of lipstick, and decided to call ourselves, "Team Naked Pink".  

 Everyone is split into age groups to start the swim, which is the first step to the Triathlon.  Kate, Kaylee, Kristine, and I were all in the same heat because of our age.  Audrey and Aunt Linda were in separate age groups.  The swim was about 100 yards out into the ocean, 100 yards across, and then 100 yards back in.  When we did this 2 years ago, it had just stormed or a storm was coming, so the waters were extremely rough.  They had cut the swim down to just out and back.  This made a big difference.  Naturally, the swim was much harder this time than I remember it being.

After the swim, we run up the beach to the transition area to quickly dry off and get on our bikes.  Our family was cheering for us as we got out of the water and started biking, which was fun!  Kate, Kaylee, Kristine and I started together because we were in the same heat.  Kristine and I started to fall a little behind and all of the sudden came across Kaylee off her bike on the side of the path.  Her pedal fell off her bike.  We told her to just cut across and head in the other direction, which would have cut off probably 2 miles.  She refused to do that, continuing to the turn around point and finishing the race with one pedal.  Kristine and I stayed with her the whole time and kept offering to take turns with her, but she kept saying no.  She could pedal normally with the left foot and tried to put her foot on basically nothing to pedal on the other side, but it was a struggle.  We even stopped at the "bike repair man" and he said that she was missing a part and there was nothing he could do.  She probably pedaled a good 5-6 miles of the race with one pedal (we don't know for sure because there were no mile markers).  Could you imagine?  I would have cut across and headed back to complete the run, for sure.

This obviously messed up our times because it took us so long to complete the bike.  But I wasn't worried about time, I just wanted to do it.  My mom said she started to get worried that something happened because we came in a good 20 minutes after Kate.  They all couldn't believe what had happened.  

We completed the run a little staggered.  And when we saw Aunt Linda coming towards the finish line, we all got back on the track and ran the last little bit with her to cross the finish line together!  She had told us she wanted us to do that before the race and it was so fun!!

I love my family and the fact that we do these crazy "Forced Family Fun" things together.  It was so much fun to push each other in training and plan the "activity"!  I'm so proud of us! Can't wait to see the next "Forced Family Fun" adventure we come up with!  :)

No Sweets During Lent

We are well into the new year and to be honest, I haven't been doing well on my New Year's Resolutions.  I'm conscious of my goals and haven't been completely negligent, but haven't been tackling them like I had hoped, either.

Since January, I have been sick a few times, which leaves me wanting to lay on the couch/in bed watching TV or sleeping in the time that I'm not working.  Working at least 6 days a week, with long hours has nothing to do with me getting sick, right?  Either way, my immune system better get used to it or mother nature can stop having mood swings with this weather, whichever.

The season of Lent has helped me get my healthy eating in gear.  I've always enjoyed sweets and since moving home in June sweets have been much more available to me.  In college I didn't really deprive myself of things that I wanted to eat, but I also didn't buy an excessive amount of snacks or unhealthy food.  Living at home and not grocery shopping/cooking for myself has been an adjustment for me.  My family keeps tons of snacks and treats in the house that I sometimes can't resist.  I severely lack self control.  I've noticed myself gaining weight and attributed it to my increase in sweets and decrease in exercise due to long work hours of sitting at a desk.  So for Lent I decided to give up sweets all together.  No ice cream, no cookies, no cake, no candy, etc.  So far, so good.

My self control was tested one night.  It was my friend's birthday and we had gone to The Cheesecake Factory.  Without even thinking twice about it I ordered my favorite cheesecake to-go.  It wasn't until we were in the car that I remembered that I couldn't eat the cheesecake that I had just bought.  I'm proud to say that I did not cheat with the cheesecake and instead watched my family enjoy it! 

As a substitute for my sweet tooth I have been making smoothies.  In college I made smoothies all. the. time.  I would have a smoothie for lunch or as a late afternoon snack probably 3x a week.  I usually bought fresh fruit, but would also freeze it if I wasn't using it fast enough.  Raspberries are my favorite and they tend to go bad quickly so I often froze them or would buy the already frozen ones.  I came up with my own, random smoothie recipes or would find them on Pinterest.  My roommates always loved trying the new concoctions I made with the blender.

Here are some of my favorite smoothie recipes that I've made recently:

1 Banana (fresh or frozen)

Handful of Raspberries

Vanilla or Plain Non-Fat Yogurt

Small handful of Walnuts

4-5 Strawberries

1 Banana

Half a package of Oatmeal

Vanilla or Plain Non-Fat Yogurt

2 Bananas

Handful of Almonds

1 package of Oatmeal

Plain Non-Fat Yogurt

Ice should be added to each smoothie.  If you use frozen fruit, there is no need to add ice.  In fact, I sometimes recommend frozen fruit over fresh fruit because ice tends to make the smoothie less thick due to the water component.

Enjoy! :)

I'm interested in trying this smoothie, but I'm a little skeptical about mixing spinach and pineapple or having spinach in a smoothie at all.  What is your take on it?

Are you into juicing? I don't know much about it, but I'm also interested in trying that.  

What's it like?  What kinds of produce do you use? What machine do you use?

In the mean time, I'm very interested in this Aqua Zinger Flavored Water Maker to add flavor to my water with natural fruit juices.