Trim in 24

That's my goal. I have realized that for the past week I've been walking aroung in stretch pants and a big shirt - a sure sign that things need to change!

Great weather today, too. So I have no excuse for not at least taking a walk around the block.
Of course Advocare is going to help me do this. I need to be sure that I get good nutrition in my body so that it works more efficiently.

Here's the plan -I do a 10 day Herbal Cleanse and then Lean in 13. Lean In 13 focuses on eating clean protein, from lean meats and Muscle Gain, as well as fruits and vegetables in a "zig zag" kind of combination that helps you burn fat, cut cravings and get over that plateau.

After that I get back to the everyday routine that I learned with Commit2Fit. You know, 5 small meals, lots of water, etc.

I am doing the Citrus Herbal Cleanse. I like the "scrub ya clean" type of fiber. It's Old School, you have to stir it up & drink it fast - not for everyone. Peaches & Cream Herbal Cleanse is smoother and may be a better choice for most.

I have to remember what the Herbal Cleanse is all about - CLEANSE. So the only other supplements I will be taking are OmegaPlex and Catalyst. Of course I also will drink Spark or Slam and have a Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast.

As for what to eat, pretty simple really, just stay away from alot of fat and don't eat anything white (rice, sugar, flour). And drink lots of water.

It's just a couple of weeks, and a great way to get back to healthier eating, drop a few pounds and have more energy.

MyFitnessPal.com is an excellent free website to use to keep track of your daily foods, calories, protein & carbs.

This is a good time to get started. Advocare Success School is coming up Feb 20, I don't want to be wearing stretch pants that weekend.

A Very Happy Day

It's Black Friday, and the only shopping I'd planned on doing is online.

I have a list of things I want to get done today. So I need to start early with my Spark, Max Energy and a Meal Replacement Shake.

My Little Sidekick has a playdate this afternoon. I'll be on my own once I drop her off. I had fully intended to come straight home to finish my list - and pick up, do laundry, clean the house. But as I was driving past the Mall ...

There was absolutely no parking space at the Mall. But I went across to Michaels to pick up a few things. And my girlfriend had called earlier to let me know that Talbot's was having a BIG sale. So I stopped in there to see what I could find.

Now, I really like Talbot's, especially when they have a sale, but it's tough to find something that looks right on me. Their clothes just are not made for women built like me. I'm kinda long waisted and a little more curvey. And I wasn't really ready for shopping - ponytail, no make up, sneakers. But I do have a Snack Bar & a Jingle Slam. Recharge. I am determined to find everyday wear from someplace other than Academy.

So I pick a few things off the rack - hmm, too big. Next size - still kinda loose. I am down 2 dress sizes?!

I'm really suprised and this is rather significant, because I have not lost alot of weight. I haven't been dieting or exercising like a fiend either. Of course I pay attention to what I eat, and I stay active but it's nothing special.

I believe that being able to trim down is because I've continued with my daily habits that I learned during Commit2Fit. The most important of those habits has been eating 5 small 200 - 300 calorie meals across the day, each including at least 20 grams of protein. The Meal Replacement Shakes for breakfast and an afternoon snack of Vanilla Muscle Gain and Peaches & Cream fiber drink really have been helpful. Of course CorePlex and Probiotic Restore in my MNS are fundamental. But all that protein really has kept my muscles strong and upped my metabolism while the Catalyst has helped me keep the muscle while I burn fat. I'm sure that's why I have lost dress sizes but not really lost weight.

Hey, I don't care what the scale says, 'cuz I am walking out of a clothing store lookin' good in something other than sweatpants.

Of course we all know the products work, you just need to figure out what combination works best for you. Bonus, the money that I make wth the Advocare opportunity is the reason I am able to spend 3 hours shopping in the middle of a weekday afternoon.

Today is a very happy day.

Trying new things

It's just like Christmas when I come home and see an Advocare box sitting on my doorstep!

Today, I got just a few very important products - a cannister of Cherry Spark, cannister of Chocolate Muscle Gain, a box of Chocolate Meal Replacement Shakes, and my first box of MNS Max 3!

Meal Replacement Shakes and Spark are a given. For us it's just part of our everyday groceries.

Muscle Gain is a product that at first I did not think I would be buying. I saw that it was in the Performance Elite line and figured I needed to be some super workout athlete to need to drink protein shakes. But it has become one of the most important products that we use in our home. That big ol' cannister lasts a long time! We have both Vanilla and Chocolate flavors sitting on the counter next to the blender. I add Vanilla Muscle Gain to pancakes, cookies, oatmeal, mac & cheese, whatever I think needs a good nutritious protein boost. I've mentioned before how great it would have been while I was pregnant. And with 25 grams of easily digestible protein per serving, Muscle Gain has been great for helping to boost my metabolism and get over the weight loss plateau. Vanilla Muscle Gain mixed with Peaches & Cream Fiber Drink is a perfectly balanced low cal snack.

The Chocolate Muscle Gain is a great snack as well. It makes way more sense than mixing up chocolate milk with Hershey's or even Ovaltine. My Husband & I both like Muscle Gain before we go to the gym.

Now, this last box that I am about to open is MNS Max 3. It's very cool looking with 2 weeks worth of convenient, easy to use strip packs.

I usually go back and forth on the different Metabolic Nutrition Systems. During my Commit2Fit program, I learned that I have high sugar cravings, and the MNS Max Apetite Control helps keep that in check. But, alot of times I want more energy. On those days I add ThermoPlus or take MNS Max Energy. I am looking forward to seeing how the new MNS Max 3 sustained release formula works.

The ActoTherm SR provides both an energy component and an apetite suppressant. So altogether in the MNS Max 3 daily packets I get the ActoTherm SR, CorePlex Multi, ProBiotic Restore and now added Calcium Plus, Amplify AT and an additional OmegaPlex. I take all those additional products anyway, so this will be fewer bottles on my shelf.

I'll start on the new MNS Max 3 Friday. This will be a good test drive, because with First Friday in Groves and The Oak Tree Festival in Clear Lake, I have a pretty full weekend ahead of me.

Counting Down to Success School

I can't believe it is almost August already. We have been having a fantastic Summer. Good thing we did Commit2Fit before Summer really got started. It was a great way to drop a few pounds and pick up some good habits to keep fit during beach season.

To be honest, I have not been as consistent as I would like to have been about getting to the gym. And all that great Summertime food. We have enjoyed quite a bit of birthday cake and ice cream, and I already am on my second frequent flyer card from SnoBiz snow cone stand. The MNS Max Apetite Control and Carb Ease have really helped me to control my sugar. A couple of Crave Check before a party is always helpful, too.

I still drink plenty of water. My Meal Replacement Shake for breakfast and Muscle Gain, Snack Bars and Catalyst have helped to get lots of protein in several small meals throughout the day. I am getting my good fats with up to 3 OmegaPlex 3 times a day for a total of 9 each day. I am really paying attention to ingredient labels and, except for the occaisional piece of birthday cake, I have been staying away from enriched bleached flour.

Still, after listening to Jenny Donnelly on the team call , I realize that this really would be a great time to get started with the Lean in 13. Commit2Fit is a great way to learn some healthy habits that I will always keep with me, but Lean in 13 sounds like a good quick, healthy fix.

Lose 5 - 10 pounds or even more in the next 13 days? Sounds good to me! And I would be just finishing up during the weekend at Success School.

What a great story to share with everyone at the AdvoBeach party Saturday night in Dallas.

In case you missed it

Of course there is nothing like being right there in the room to hear Danny McDaniel talk about the Advocare Business Opportunity. But in case you were not able to attend tonight's meeting in Houston, you can catch this new online presentation.

Now I am back here at the computer - looking through blog widgets and posting tools. I have been trying to figure out how I can put up the entire Muscle Gain special right here - meantime, you will just have to follow the link.

Muscle Gain has become one of my favorite products. It's part of the Advocare Performance Elite line, but it really is fantastic for anyone needing to supplement protein.

Of course Muscle Gain is great for athletes wanting to feed their muscles. So many times I hear people trying to figure out whether or not to eat before they work out. Well, you gotta put fuel in the engine! But you don't want a bloated full feeling while you are exercising either. That's why Muscle Gain is perfect during the 30 minutes or so before your workout. I also like to Muscle Fuel for added nutrition and energy prior to exercising. Dr Hackman describes it as rocket fuel for your muscles!

It's also a great snack for anyone trying to lose weight. With 25 grams of protein and just 135 calories, Muscle Gain is an excellent lean protein source to help boost your energy and keep your metabolism burning.

Dr Judith Smith of the Advocare Sci/Med Board has talked about the importance of proper nutrition and supplementation for women during pregnancy. Protein is important for fetal development, and Muscle Gain provides that protein and is easy on your tummy and safe to take during pregnancy.

Dr Bob Ward, a member of the Advocare Sports Advisory Council, has mentioned Muscle Gain and Post Workout Recovery as beneficial to Seniors to prevent sarcopenia. Did you know that we start losing lean muscle at about 35 years old?

I just like the way Muscle Gain tastes. And it mixes easily in a shaker. I already have mentioned in my Commit2Fit food diary one of my favorite on the go snacks is Vanilla Muscle Gain with Peaches & Cream Fiber drink. I also like to get creative and add Muscle Gain to boost the protein in other foods. There quite a few recipes on the Advocare website. I add Muscle Gain to pancake mix, sprinkle it on oatmeal, make a creamy sauce to pour over fresh fruit. When my daughter wants chocolate milk, I just mix up a chocolate Muscle Gain shake for her.

I already have stocked up on Muscle Gain. This month's special is really a great deal! I have canisters of both Chocolate and Vanilla sitting on my kitchen counter right next to the blender, and packets ready to take with me when I leave the house.

Commit2Fit Day 56

Today wraps up Commit2Fit. I am excited about all that I have learned and the great results that I have achieved.

I have been on vacation and even though I have a laptop now, I am not always able to pick up a wireless signal. That is why there has been a lapse in Commit2Fit entries.

Funny, the strongest signal that I got was while we were at the lakehouse in New Braunfels.

I did keep a journal the old fashioned way, pen & paper, and I will be updating my Commit2Fit progress over the next several days.

Bear with me, I also am unpacking, doing laundry, balancing the checkbook and catching up with Advocare business.

Keep checking back. I will be posting details about an upcoming event in Houston, and our product spotlight Muscle Gain.

Commit2Fit Day 32

Today was an incredibly long day - for me and especially for my little ballerina. I did MNS Max Ap with a couple of ThermoPlus today. I made sure that my daughter took her CorePlex Chewables.

She was really well behaved. I made sure to pack good snacks for us. I knew there would be snacks at the rehearsal, but just as I expected, it was skittles and chips and sodas. I brought water, ReHydrate, Spark and protein snacks like Advocare Snack Bars and Muscle Gain.

I did eat every couple of hours, and got protein in each snack/meal, but I don't think I got enough calories. My Food Diary. I drank all my water - 12 cups!

We were at the Julie Rogers Theater from 11AM til about 230PM. There were a couple of meltdowns, but those little 4 year olds recovered and made it through their final dress rehearsal and then the photographer said, "OK - let's get a group photo"

What? Could we have done that like 3 hours ago?

Life lesson learned - "Honey, when you get married, be sure to take your photos BEFORE the ceremony. When everyone is still fresh."

She was asleep on the drive home, and I joined her for a quick snooze once we got there.

We only had a couple of hours on the turn around. I made sure she got some fish and rice for dinner, and I fixed up a Spark for her sippee cup. I mixed up a Spark/ReHydrate for myself and we were on our way.

The kids had a great program - from Baby Ballet all the way up through High School with a few College kids.

My daughter's first Ballet Recital - and this is just the beginning!

I think I will take a couple of Nighttime Recovery and a Zzz and call it a day.

Commit2Fit Day 31

It is interesting how I am learning about my habits during this time of Commit2Fit. I thought it would be pretty easy, - pick up a new habit, keep My Food Diary, exercise ...

Well, life gets in the way and if you don't have a plan to stay on track it can be tough. But I think that has always been me - no plan. These past few weeks really have helped me to realize that and to get more organized.

Now, I haven't reached organizational nirvana, but I am closer.

I prefer to think of myself as spontaneous and flexible.

Today, for example, I had to make an unplanned visit to the Eye Doctor. I thought I had scratched my eye and was getting an infection, but the Doctor told me I was wearing my contacts for too long - 2 days is all I will admit to. At least they could get me in right away, but it still took up most of the afternoon.

So now I am wearing my glasses and it is really throwing me off - it feels like I am walking downhill all the time, and my eyes are still scratchy and sensitive to light. I'm not supposed to wear my contacts until they get better, but ...

My daughter's dance recital is tomorrow and this is how vain I am, I know there will be pictures, so ... No - I can't - besides, it's her day - it's not about me.

Still trying to keep my food in order. I seem to have a tendency to get busy and then want to grab a high carb snack like a candy bar or something. But then I remember that I am supposed to be "dieting" so I just skip it. Then I get tired and cranky. This is where it is handy to have something like Advocare Fruit & Fiber Bar or Advocare Snack Bar on hand. And they're tasty - I pack them in my daughter's lunch kit to snack on during rehearsal. Even Advocare Muscle Gain, just shake it up and it's ready to go. I can't be sure what they will have for her in the Green Room and it is just as important for her to keep her energy level consistent.

OK, snacks are planned, got extra Spark, camera batteries are charging, costumes and make up bag are ready.

Tomorrow really will be a test for me. I have 2 pages of recital notes to follow and a little ballerina who is counting on me.

Drinking all my water is easy, 12 cups today plus a Rehydrate (my eyes are watering, I thought I might need it)

Commit2Fit Day 29

My Food Diary

I have had the most incredible headache the past couple of days. I think it is a sinus headache. My whole body is achy, especially my neck and shoulders. So I have been laying on the sofa quite a bit this weekend.

I had my Advocare tent up on Crockett Street Friday night and Saturday morning. I donated a gift basket as a door prize for the Spindletop Spin. So I was there during registration and for the ride. I'm sure that standing up on concrete in the heat didn't help my achy body either.

So, bear with me, I will catch up over the next couple of days.

I didn't drink all my water today, but I did have alot of Spark!

By the way, for those of you following along with Commit2Fit, today we begin Life Habit 6.

Commit2Fit Day 25

Another busy day.

That's a good thing, means I made some money. I got a call from an Ad agency to come in and do a Voice Over.

You know, this is something that I appreciate about living in a smaller city - the distance and time it takes to get anywhere. If I lived in Dallas, I would have to get on the Toll road to get Downtown, no way would I be able to park at the front door. Then after I recorded the spot, turn around and get back to pick up my daughter by Noon! The producer knew what he wanted, so it was pretty quick.

After I picked up my daughter, we ran a few errands. Post Office, gas station (Oh my gawd!), and the health food store for some Nordic Naturals Children's chewable Omegas, and I wanted to look for Hemp Tortillas. I saw them on Jenny's Commit2Fit Journal.

Anything that's made from Hemp, I think is pretty cool - Hemp tortillas, Hemp Milk, Hemps shoes & socks, Hemp clothing ... It's just fun to say, "Hey, this made out of Hemp".

I did not find the Hemp tortillas, but I did get some Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain tortillas. Of course they are more expensive than the tortillas at Kroger, but nutritionally better for you and just one will fill you up! Oh yeah, also got some too expensive snickerdoodles.

Had just enough time for a quick dip in the pool, a short rest then off to ballet, then out to tumbling.

We ate the Ezekiel quesadillas in the car in between classes. With these extra rehearsals, things will be hectic until after the recital.

So I did not get all my points today. My Food Diary. I went way too long in between snacks, which may be why I was a bit edgy at the gas station ( see next post). And I did not get enough calories. But I am doing better on my junk carbs.

Drank all my water, 12 cups.

Commit2Fit Day 23 more

My Food Diary I really am thinking more about overhauling my groceries. I even talked to my Husband about it. He says he will participate and help to make better food choices at the grocery store.

My afternoon snack could have been better, take out the marshmallows and add a scoop of Vanilla Muscle Gain. But we were visiting and it wasn't my kitchen. I am surprised that nutritionally, Cool Whip really isn't that bad

I need some ideas. I signed up for SparkPeople.com because the site aloows you to input your recipe ingredients and it figures per serving nutrition info. It's a good site, I get emailed newsletters everyday, but it is a bit overwhelming for me. It's almost like it's TOO much information. I think that is why I like MyFitnessPal.com - that site has just what I need without alot of fluff.

Anyway, SparkPeople.com also lets you search recipes. So I searched low-carb, and bean and other high protein recipes. Alot of good ones, but I still have to watch the calories per serving.

I did find a good blog site, The Lighter Side of Low Carb.

Jenny Donnelly, the dietician who created Commit2Fit, journaled her days when she first did the program. I am going to take a look at some of the meals she was preparing.

Drank all my water, 12 cups, and had a couple of ReHydrates. I usually take an additional Probiotic Restore during these days. Still feeling bloated. I'll be over it soon.

Commit2Fit Day 23

I sure am good with the advice, just not very good at sticking to it. I am looking at my pantry and I can see that I probably should just clear it out and start over.

Really, the Ramen noodles, Campbells condensed soups, all that pasta, Jiffy corn muffins, Fruit Loops, instant oatmeal, Ranch dressing ... I need to just donate that stuff to the Food Bank.

Here's my excuse - if I don't have that food in my house, my daughter will be missing out on the fun foods of childhood.

What? So she can struggle with food choices when she gets older? Like I do?

I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. I must be PMS-ing.

Commit2Fit Day 22

I think I am getting my days and nights mixed up. I am staying up pretty late, doing paperwork, while everyone else is sleeping and it is quiet. Then it is really tough getting up in the morning. That makes getting all my food right kinda difficult. I can see myself slipping back into old habits of grabbing quick foods on the run.

Take this morning for example, I did not get up in time for the 9:30 Service. No problem, we can go to Church at 11:30.

But then it'll be after Noon when we get out so I gotta get something for breakfast and that's when I hit the drive thru donut shop. I had to have 2! You can see the results in My Food Diary. No problem drinking all my water.

I had hoped to get some work done while Brian took my daughter swimming. But instead, I took advantage of the quiet time to take a nap.

Then I was invited to a Barbie tea party. The Kellys were performing at the castle with my daughter accompanying on the princess keyboard - how could I turn that down?

And I wanted to catch a new show on TV, "In Plain Sight". I spent almost an hour and a half just sitting on the sofa in front of the TV - sans the bag o' chips. It was pretty good.

But now here it is almost 1:30 in the morning and I am on the computer.

A Spark in the morning with my Meal Replacement Shake and CorePlex and then Muscle Fuel and Catalyst before I go to the gym should help. I'll have plenty to keep me busy with my daughter's theater class in the morning and ballet in the afternoon. If I can avoid the nap and get to bed earlier, hopefully things will get back to normal.

Commit2Fit Day 21

Saturday - we just kinda hung out in bed this morning, watching cartoons and playing with Barbies.

The day started late so I did not have time to get all of my meals in. Sure got all the calories though! Blame it on the pizza for lunch. I only had one piece! And the Ranch dressing - it really makes a difference when you log it all in and see the whole day's worth of calories and fat and sugar laid out like it is in My Food Diary. Lots of salt, too. I drank all my water, 12 cups.

I experimented with making some cookies this afternoon. Hoping for a more healthy snack, I used a box of cake mix, an Advocare Meal Replacement Shake, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 3 tbs water and baked them in a 350 oven for 10-12 minutes. They taste pretty good, have less fat and more fiber & protein than other cookies but I still have to be careful not to eat too many.

When I started with the Advocare Metabolic Nutrition System, I thought I wanted the Max Energy. But since I cut back on carhs (really, it was worse) and caffeine and eat more protein and fiber, I think my energy is fine. After looking at my eating habits, I think I really need the Max Appetite to keep my sugar cravings under control. I can take Thermo Plus whenever I need an extra boost to my metabolism. And I will consider Carb Ease.

As I read over this post again, I realize that I need to change more than my supplements. I still believe they are important - I mean, I have cut back my food intake, which cuts my calories (energy) and nutrition. So I still need a good Multi vitamin, Omegas, Probiotics, and metabolic regulators.

But I really need to adjust my groceries, too. Even brown rice and whole wheat pasta.

Hmm, this is going to take some thinking.

Tomorrow we begin Commit2Fit Life Habit 4 - do not eat right before bedtime to be sure to be in the fat burning mode.

That's pretty much common sense, but how many of us really do it? How much time should I leave in there between eating and goimg t sleep? What are the benefits? Those are the details that we find out at the Commit2Fit meetings. Or you can email me for more info.

I came across a really good explanation on why this is so important. I will share it in tomorrow's post.

Commit2Fit Day 20

OK, again I blew it. I spent most of the day at the pool with my daughter. We had such a good time, but it was a total snack day.

It was hot, so very easy to get all 12 cups of water. But take a look at My Food Diary, and you will see what I mean about the snacks. My calories are OK, just too much sugar.

I did skip the popsicles, though. And it was a fun day!

Commit2Fit Day 19

My Food Diary

Commit2Fit Day 18

My Food Diary

Commit2Fit Day 17

My Food Diary

Commit2Fit Day 16

My Food Diary

Commit2Fit Day 15

My Food Diary