Challenge Day 5

I am on day 5 of the Advocare 24 day challenge!  As of this morning, I had lost 4 lbs so far!  Yippie!  And, even better than that, I'm feeling FANTASTIC!  I have energy and am just feeling.....great.  Not sure how to explain it. 

I LOVE the Spark energy drink!  I had heard about it (many, many times!) from others but hadn't yet tried it until now.  It's delicious and so full of vitamins! 

I have not had issues sticking to the eating plan.  I thought maybe I would be I eat so often (every 2-3 hours) and I'm eating so healthy that I've been full and satisfied, not hungry like I was worried I would be.  We even went out to eat the other night and I was able to find something on the menu that I could eat (with some modifications).  I was even able to pass up strawberry topped cheesecake without really being tempted.  (seriously, wasn't even tempted!)  The only "challenge" I've really found is that I end up making at least two dinners every night.  Those of you who know my hubby know that there is no way I could get him to eat healthy so I make my dinner (example: grilled turkey breast and steamed asparagus) and I make his/Little M's dinner.  Oh well...such is life (for now.)

If any of you out there in blogland are interested in learning more about Advocare and their numerous health and wellness products, feel free to visit this website.    https://www.advocare.com/130519722   Or check out www.advocare.com/24daychallenge if you'd like info on the challenge. 

I can only tell you my experience so far, but as of today, I'm LOVING it and feeling FANTABULOUS!

Photo Dump

My cousin Sarah does these great, super funny, super cute blog posts that show everyday randomness in her (and her children's) life.  They are always top notch posts.  So, I hope she doesn't mind but I'm going to borrow that "theme" and show you what our past few weeks have looked like. 



Story time at the library ended in making Ant masks




Modeling her garage sale finds.  You can never have too many dress up clothes!



I'm pretty sure the neighbors think she is insane.  She "flew" around the yard pretending to be a butterfly for at least an hour!

The Barbies got to go swimming in their cruise ship pool.  (Notice she is still wearing the wings?  They have become a daily feature!)

Playing in the sprinkler

The neighbor boys came down to play in the sprinkler too.  They brought their Gator, which Little M LOVED!



Little M makes friends every where she goes.  She wanted to swim with these girls so badly, and I, of course, had forgotten her swimsuit.  So, I let her swim in her clothes.  :)  If there was ever any doubt if we were hillbillys, there's your proof! 

Since her clothes were soaked from swimming in the lake (see above) she rode home in a towel and her unders.  And slept the whole way! 

Butterfly hunting

How can you not love this face?  Was so excited to get to see her TWICE in the month of May!

So. Stinkin. Cute!



Celebrating Dad's birthday



She got her own Golf Cart (purchased because I love little old men and I couldn't say no to the one who carved this)



I love this picture.  She is growing so fast!

Are we the only ones who play fetch with our child?  We throw the ball into the water, she runs down the beach, swims out to the ball, and ....

brings it back so we can do it all over again!  Who needs a dog?!?

She loves her "tubby" boat

Sand castles

She is learning to fish and is getting really good at casting.  She has a great teacher in Dustin.  He is very patient and encouraging with her!

Judy atti-tudey!  She's cute...and she knows it!

One of many beautiful flowers on our campsite


 Happy summer, everyone! 




 

Challenge Accepted!

Tomorrow I am starting the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  Even though the challenge consists of taking a ton of pills, drinking a fiber drink that I hear is non too pleasant, eating a very strict Paleo diet, and working out.  Even though all of THAT...I'm still excited! 

I've taken the last week off of my workout routine due to a small injury.  My left hamstring and both knees just couldn't seem to get along last week with Jillian Micheals last week.  So, I took a week off to heal and hopefully, when I hit it again tomorrow, we will be back on track.  I'm guessing the fact that I work out in our barn, on cement, with no padding, doesn't help the knees/hamstring issue either, but there isn't much I can do about that. 

In preparation for the start of the challenge tomorrow, I measured myself tonight.  I also will take a day 1 picture (and a day 24 pic) so I can see them side by side.  I'm not sure how accurate the measurements will be since I did it myself but I at least have a starting point.  Dustin offered to help me with it, but I'm too ashamed for him to see the numbers.  I know, I know...I don't make any sense.  I strut around the house in nothing but my bra and underwear, not caring if he sees me.  (maybe even a little secretly proud when he looks at me!)  but there is too much honesty in the actual numbers.  I can't be that honest with him.  Or with you.  Sorry...I'm just not there yet. 

So anyhow, wish me luck as I get back to the diet hard core!  I'm hoping this will be the boost that gets me over this weight loss plateau.  I've got 40 (at least) pounds to go yet. 

On the plus side, I bought a new pair of capris this week and they are 4 sizes smaller than what I wore last year at this time.  I'm going to celebrate that small victory!

A day at the Zoo

This past week, little M and I joined our friends Lisa and Grace at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.  M had never been to the zoo before and was beside herself with excitement! 



As hard as I tried, I don't think I got one single picture where Gracie is looking at the camera.

The giraffes are my favorite!

These two are like peas in a pod.  They ran ahead of us the entire day.



Ostrich babies?



We enjoyed the ostrich, who was trying to nip thru the fencing.



Peacock on her next

Joeys

This penguin was very social

M has been asking to ride a horse.  She chose this one, named Cookie, for her first pony ride.

Petting the pigs.  She wanted to pet every single animal and couldn't understand why most were off limits.



M loved the donkey

Brushing the goats

M has really been into giving hugs and kisses lately.  Even the goats received hugs from her!

I enjoyed getting to spend my day with this girl! 

 

The zebras were M's favorites

M fed the giraffe a lettuce leaf.  Then it licked her on top of the head.  Of course I was a few seconds off on getting the picture of her getting licked.  :(  Look at that loooong tongue!

M wanted to pet the crocodile!  I told her they weren't friendly and she pointed out that he must be because "him smiying (smiling) at me."



The otters were very playful and put on a great show while we watched.

Such beautiful birds


All in all it was a fabulous spring day:  the weather was warm and breezy, the animals were very active, and the air was filled with little girls giggles!

 

Progress Photo Shoot

So...this is a hard one for me to post.  I've had several people asking to see before and after pictures so here goes nothing. 

Let me preface all this by saying I ABHOR having my picture taken!  I HATE IT!  I LOATHE IT!  And, even more than that, I severely dislike the "selfies taken in a bathroom" trend that seems to be "cool" nowadays.  How tacky!  But, for you, I will break all my rules, and will post a few nasty self pics.

Keep in mind there were taken post-workout so I look like dog doo.  My hair ain't done, I'm flushed, and workout clothes are not flattering on anyone but tall and skinnies like Barbie.  And, please pardon my messy bathroom.  We do not have a single full length mirror in our home (nor do I want one.  I do NOT want to see any more of this gaggy body than I have to!)  This bathroom mirror is the biggest/longest mirror I have so I had to use it to get a body shot.

Also, I had not planned on anyone but me seeing these pictures when I took them.  In fact, I didn't even plan on the hubby seeing them...or else I would have had him take them, which would have eliminated the whole "white-trash takes selfies in the bathroom" dilemma.

So...here goes nothin'.

        

  

     
  

So there it is.  Pictures don't lie.  This is me today.  All of me.  But less of me. 

So, there ya have it.  Pics on the top were from Day 1, the picture directly below that is 40 lbs lighter.  I've still got 45 lbs to go but, I'm getting there!  And, I know you can't see it in the picture all that well, but I am firming up and gaining muscles.  My arms are getting nicely defined for a fat girl.  When I lose the rest of the weight I will have some majorly ripped guns! 

And, because I can't leave you with those disgusting pictures scarred on your retinas, here's a before and "progress" (not "after" because I'm not done) when I'm actually dressed. 

 

 

You can't tell from these pics but my double chin is slowly disappearing.  I cannot tell you how happy that makes me!  **Just thinking about that makes me want to do a happy dance!**  The camera angles here actually make my "before" (on top) look smaller than my "progress" picture.  Go figure! 

 

So, when I get discouraged, I look at these pictures to show myself that yes, I AM making progress.  Hopefully by putting myself out there, and exposing my ugly, I encourage you to keep at your goals as well.