Day 2 of 10!

Well, because I'm a jacknab that forgot to look closely at the scale before starting, I have no idea what my starting weight was. My husband thinks it was 167, but I'm remembering 168.2. At any rate, they are both bad, considering have been in the low 160's for 5 months. (Slipping down to 155 for a few days in April)

Day 2 is complete and I'm feeling pretty good! I was terrified that I wouldn't enjoy the same foods, but I think at this point, I'm just excited to eat!

I'm living with Truvia. (I've never been a fan, but because that's the only thing I can have to sweeten my coffee and grapefruit, I'm just going to power through it!) 

I don't have a lot of energy right now, but it is hard for me to know if that is the diet, heat, stress, or being on the go for 2 straight weeks. I'm going to keep a mindful eye on it, because I have read about people who have gone Paleo and felt like crap for a week or two, then burst with energy. (I'm ready to be at that point). 

Mentally, I am staying tough. I know if I say "this sucks" or "I'm sick of this food", I will cave and be calling the local pizza joint for a large, greasy pizza pie. 

I'm doing the right things for my body. Yes, it's a weird to have to eat the same things for 10 days, but I'm hopeful that Jackie Warner knows what she's talking about.

I'm powering right through the 3 liters of water, like a champ! I have even consumed more than the 3 liters and probably exceeded just a hair over a gallon. 

Exercise hasn't been something I have done a lot of. Because this phase is only 950 calories of food, it is recommended that you not burn more than a few hundred calories. She does have some workouts designed specifically for this phase, but again, I have no energy. 

We did play softball Tuesday evening, but everything felt different to me. I wasn't catching well, I wasn't hitting well, and I wasn't running well. Mind you, it was 100+ degrees out, our team shirts are black, and I hadn't eaten anything since my 3:00 snack, which consisted of celery and almond butter.

Here are my scale readings, so far.

Day 1: 167 (??)

Day 2: 164.8
Day 3: 163.8 (Since I'm just starting day 3, I thought I would go ahead and record my weight.)

I do weigh myself at the same time everyday. First thing in the morning, after I pee.

Not bad for just being 2 days in!

"Lose 10 Pounds in 10 Days"

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it probably is. 

My dad always said, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is". I'm a sucker, what can I say? I'm the girl who is rooting for the underdog, hoping for the upset. The girl who is willing to try almost anything once, just to see if it does work. Work from home businesses, yes please! Now, before I start getting grief from anyone who does currently operate a successful work from home business, I truly applaud you, but I also know "timing is everything" when it comes to those types of things. (Trust me, I have tried at least 5 that I can think of right off the top of my head.)

Anyway, I'm not trying to go off on a tangent, I do have a point to make here. Okay, maybe not. But anyway...

I went to Hastings last week and picked up a copy of this book:

(Image: Google)

When I started reading this book, I was determined to really study it. And I have. However, after I studied that book, I found another book by Jackie Warner and downloaded it to my Nook.

(Image: Google)

Of course, I was intrigued and started reading it right away. After seeing the "diet plan", I decided to give it a whirl. 10 days...Schmen days...right?!?!?!?!

I'm happy to announce that I have nearly survived day 1. I only have 9 days left in this Phase, and then I'm on to Phase 2. 

Here's what today has looked like for me:

1 cup of Alfalfa Sprouts on my sandwich for lunch

Breakfast: 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 whole walnut,  and black coffee
with Truvia and a splash of Almond Milk. 

I think this is the first time in my 34 years that I have actually eaten a grapefruit! 

Lunch: 2 pieces of whole wheat bread, 1/2 spinach, 1 cup of alfalfa sprouts, mustard,  one slice
of a beefsteak tomato, and 1/4 of an Avocado. It was pretty good, considering there is no meat on it!

Coolest gadget it ever! It cuts, de-pits, and slices avocados...all in one handy tool. 

Dinner: 6 oz chicken breast, 1 cup of broccoli, and  3 new potatoes

Because, I don't always play by the "exact" rules, I did modify a few things. For lunch, I put 1/2 an avocado on my sandwich, instead of just 1/4. For dinner, my broccoli was all frozen and iced over, so once that all cleared away, I realized I didn't have even close to a cup of broccoli. I just went with what I had and threw in some onion for depth. (I'm a rebel like that). Seasoned both the chicken and the veggies with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt & pepper.

Also on the menu for the day is green tea (decaf) with a fruit herbal tea before bed and 3 liters of water throughout the day. Oh, and I almost forgot about the snacks. This a.m. snack is an apple with 8 almonds and the p.m. snack is 8 celery sticks with 1 tablespoon of Almond Butter. 

I made it through the 3 liters of water and then some! My friend was sweet and checked in on me this afternoon, to see how I was doing with my water. 

Since day one is almost to an end, and I'm still kicking, I would say I did alright. Am I looking forward to the next 9 days? Yes and no. No, because I will get tired of eating the same meals for the next 9 days, but on day 11, I get to start a whole new menu. I know this program can work, and if nothing else it's making me more disciplined and focused on clean eating. 

Since I started my job a month ago, I have become very lazy with eating right attitude and I have gained some weight because of it.  When you work with boys, you eat like boys - and the scale is definitely proving that! I just needed to get re-focused on track and this may or may not be the right way to do it, but like I said above, I'm willing to try almost anything once! 

When I get to the point that I'm happy doing this system....aka seeing results,  I will go back to the "This is Why You're Fat" book and use that program for the maintenance. 

Wish me luck!

Let's talk Advocare!

**First of all, let me point out that I am not affiliated with Advocare at all, and I am not getting paid   

   for this post. **

I was at work when I overheard someone talking about Advocare. I've heard of it before, but hadn't heard about it, so I listened. 2 girls in my office sell Advocare. One lady is in her 50's and runs on her lunch break. She is a role model to me. She's beautiful, healthy, and in total control of her body. The other lady that sells Advocare, found it because she needed help. Her body was not functioning properly and she was overweight for her size. She has lost 60 lbs with Advocare. She is making good food choices and exercising regularly. That's what it's about folks. Simple, huh?

Well you would think that it would be just that simple, but it's not. I know. I've been there. I didn't struggle with weight before or right after I had kids. 9 years ago, I started struggling with my weight. A little bit here and there, body was changing, the infamous "FUPA" appeared. It was dreadful. It seemed to happen overnight. 

A few years ago, I had enough. I was sick of being "fat" and shared my disgust with a co-worker. She turned me on to a weight doctor in OKC and I made an appt. My boss at the time, was very generous and offered to pay for my initial visit, as well as my co-workers. That was a great gift and a very nice gesture. 

I lost 17lbs in the first 6 weeks. It was coming off left and right and I felt great. I was eating all of the right things, but I wasn't exercising. About 3-4 months in, I was down 30lbs. I was exercising about once per week (playing indoor soccer), but that was it. When Spring rolled around, I was walking 3 days per week about 30 minutes each day. The weight stayed off, but it became boring, quickly. 

I couldn't eat carbs, I couldn't drink beer, I couldn't have a normal lifestyle. Carbs and beer are pretty normal in our family, especially in the summertime. Summertime rolled around and I decided I didn't want to "diet" during the summer. 10lbs were back on within 3 months. I was devastated. I thought, no big deal, I will just start again in the Fall. I just couldn't get the motivation back. I had worked so hard eating all of the right things, depriving myself at Thanksgiving time, depriving myself on NYE, to have it all wasted on a "summer break from dieting". 10 more lbs came on, and then finally the number on the scale grew to where it was at the beginning of my journey in November 2008. 

Talk about wind out of your sail...it was a blow for me. Someone who has been thin their entire life, can't control the weight as an adult. Seems so unfair. 

I tried again, visiting my weight doctor month after month. $100 after $100 visit. I just didn't have it in my heart. My motivation was gone. My mind wasn't able to focus like that again.

In December 2011, I joined Weight Watchers. That worked for me. I lost 10lbs or so just by tracking what I ate, but I hated that. I didn't want to track every bite I took every day. That's not me, not my lifestyle, and it didn't fit. I quit. Basically I would splurge on lunch or dinner and had the frame of mind that I already blew it, might as well enjoy it. 

Dieting is not easy for me. I love food. All kinds. Sweets. Soda. Beer. Wine. Cheesecake. Mexican food. Brownies, etc. All kinds - I say. I'm not racist when it comes to food. I eat it all. 

What's funny is, I love healthy food. too. Fruit, veggies, salad, chicken, etc. I love it. I'm an equal opportunity lover of food. Yep that's me, porky pig here. NOM! 

Anyway, I wanted to find something that was healthy and easy for me. Something that could work with my lifestyle and it would still be beneficial, so when I heard chatter about Advocare, I started researching. It's a wellness company and has a lot of great reviews. Everyone was talking about this 24 day challenge bizness, so I looked into that. 10 days of the herbal cleanse...uhhhhhhh. Then 14 days of a lot of pills, but you aren't required to follow a strict diet 100% of the time. It suggests 90%. In my mind, I'm like "Yeah buddy, 10% to eat what I want!"

I contemplated selling it, because I like having control of that sort of thing, but I already sell Scentsy, so I didn't want to add anything else to my plate. (on top of my cookie making business, ya know)

I texted my sister and begged her. I think my exact text was "Will you please sign up to sell Advocare, so I don't have to?" I didn't get a response back from her...until later. A few quick messages back and forth and she was signed up. I told her I "Dan misted" her into doing this. (BB14 was in full swing then). We ordered the 24 day challenge and I started mine on October 9th. Well I didn't measure myself beforehand (bad girl) and I didn't weigh myself beforehand (bad, bad, girl), but I have lost weight and inches. 

I know I have lost about 6lbs. Maybe more, but I didn't weigh the first two days of the 10 day cleanse. I know I have lost several inches. My pants are becoming looser and I'm sagging like a brother in some pants. My "FUPA" is shrinking a bit. but nowhere close to being gone.

Here's what I love...it has been fairly easy. Really. Much easier than I anticipated. I went from drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day, to zero cups. Drinking one coke zero or diet coke almost everyday, to zero. 1 glass or 2 of wine every evening, to zero.

I drink my Spark twice per day. 

I survived the 10 day cleanse. (It really wasn't bad at all...the worst part is the fiber drink. It was pretty dreadful, but it's a fiber drink, what do you expect?) 

There's a lot of pills. (A lot of big pills, but if I can tolerate them, I'm sure you could too! I'm really amazed.)

I don't crave a lot of the crap I was consuming before. (wine, bread, soda, coffee)

I eat, or try to eat, every 2-3 hours. (Breakfast - snack - lunch - snack - dinner)

If I do splurge on dinner (Chick-Fil-A or Sonic), I don't beat myself up. If I start to feel bad about it, I go for a walk

I drink a boatload of water every day. 

I pee a lot - because of said water consumption

I really do feel good. If I were to fall off the wagon, it would have happened this week. Hubby is traveling, so this is my chance to blow a diet by eating take out. Monday night, I made pizza on the grill. Tuesday night was Subway. Tonight, it was just me and my son, so we splurged on Sonic. Otherwise, it would have been BLT's. I ate chicken nuggets and a few tater tots. Felt a little guilty (as I weigh myself daily and want to see a smaller number), so I went on a walk. No biggie.

Everything is okay in moderation. That's my mantra. I don't need that crap in my body. It tastes good for a second, but then it's over and gone.....

2nd day of the challenge. This shirt fit me snug then. Now it's much more loose. 

Today. Not a great comparison, so I will see if I can get a full body pic taken soon.

Guilt is over, my stomach is still crazy full, and I'm outta here to go rescue my piggie from the backyard. 

Random Thoughts....

* My family of 4 was back together for like 1 day. Now the kids are spending the night/week with friends. 

* Found a fun little game on Facebook and Android app store. (Also in iTunes). It's called Song Pop. Get it. Now.

*Super sad to be missing out on all of the fun in Vegas this week. My Scentsy Sisters are about to have the time of their lives. (It's not too late to call in sick, I suppose. And besides, the kids ARE gone.)

*Need to step away from the totally trashy reality TV. Kendra on Top and Dance Moms were on the list tonight. I still need to catch up on the Kardashians. 

* Felt like running again tonight, but didn't. Trying to keep an every-other-day thing going.

* Since the kids were gone, Scott and I ate a cottage cheese concoction and Jalepeno Dip Starter (Tastefully Simple) w/cream cheese for dinner. Champs right here. (Cottage cheese concoction = cucumber, cherry tomatoes, cottage cheese, red onion, and salt and pepper to taste. Cut all veggies and fruit (tomatoes) and mix with one tub of cottage cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste).

* Learned how to use my camera this weekend...kind of! I do have a boatload of pictures to upload. 

(Forgot to snap photos of our delish meal tonight...doh).

* Need to deep clean this house. Having people over on Saturday!! Going to introduce our friends to our homemade Margaronas, Cerveza-ritas, Coronaritas, or whatever else you might want to call them. 

* Have to start counting calories again. Ugh! Why can't losing weight be as easy as gaining it?!?!?

* Need to start/finish the final 50 Shades of Grey book. Gah...I can't believe it's been weeks since I have read about Christian and Ana.

* 1 month ago today, I was cruising around Table Rock Lake on a Pontoon.  *sigh*

Hmmm, I don't know that I can get any more random than that! Hope you enjoyed!

Peace out, little homies! 

 

Friday's Letters

Linking up with Ashley at Adventures of Newlyweds for Friday's Letters

Dear Weekend: I am so glad you are here, so I can catch up on my rest. Thundering Up this week has been hard on this ole gal. 

This was pretty appropriate to play since it's what I am needing today!

Dear Kids: Welcome Home!

Dear Thunder: You have to change your ways or you won't be in the finals long. Please stop waiting until the 4th quarter to try to win. You have to want to win the second the game starts.

Dear Scott: I'm sorry I am kicking your a$$ in Words With Friends this week. I'm sure my lucky streak will end soon.

Dear 50 Shades: One down. Two to go. 

Dear Vacation: Wow! Only a week left until we meet. Seems like just yesterday I was counting down and was on day 42. Hopefully the time on vacation won't go as fast as the countdown did.

Dear Pool: I'm hoping to enjoy you as much as I did last weekend. I know when the kids are home, things get a little wild and crazy, but I'm willing to make that sacrifice for you.

Dear Nails: You look horrid. Let's see about getting you fixed up a little this weekend, eh?

Dear Reebok: Thanks for having a great sale at the Outlet Shoppes! I got a brand new pair of running kicks and I am kind of looking forward to taking you for a test run this weekend. 

Dear Scale: Thanks for not hating me and giving me decent readings this week considering I have made little effort to eat well. I promise I will get on the right track. 

Dear Bloggy Friends: Thanks for following! 

Weighing In.....

I grew up skinny...like bean pole skinny. I have never been one to worry about my weight, even during the fun puberty years. I grew a few curves, but never worried about "weight". 

I got married a few months after I graduated High School. I was pregnant a few months after that. (we were newlyweds, what can we say?) After I gave birth, I went right back to my pre-pregnancy weight and shape. 17 months later, I gave birth to my daughter. Again, skinny. 

It wasn't until we moved to Oklahoma that I started to notice the change in my weight. Not significant, but noticeable. That was 9 years ago. In the last night years, I have managed to gain 30lbs, lose 30lbs, and gain it all again. It's frustrating.

For the past 9 months, I have been conscious about exercising regularly. I started the Couch to 5k program and saw myself progress over the weeks. My husband was traveling quite a bit and the season was turning from Fall to Winter, so I stopped that program. For Christmas, we bought a treadmill and that allowed me to do some running while avoiding the wintery weather. When Winter turned to Spring, we were in pretty good shape and we ran our 2nd (ever) 5k. I was proud of my accomplishment and results.

My weakness is food. I tolerate working out, because I always feel good afterwards, but food is GLORIOUS! We purchased Insanity a few months ago and have been fairly committed to the workouts. We've had to miss workouts here or there, because life happens and there's not a lot you can do about that, but we have worked out more than we missed.

I can't help but get frustrated when I know I work really hard during the workouts, but don't see a lot of results on the scale. I have heard  read that I need to eat more to accommodate the high intensity workouts. It's just weird to me that when I don't workout, I lose more weight then when I do workout. I thought it was "calories in, calories out"?!?!?!?  

I'm trying to keep the faith and know I'm doing it the right way. "Slow and steady wins the race". I'm losing inches and it's noticeable, but I would be super ecstatic to lose a couple of pounds. Just a few pounds to keep me motivated and help my sanity....

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