Advocare?

When I began this blog, I really did not intend for it to be a weight loss blog.  I wanted it to document my efforts in becoming healthier and being a better example for my young daughter.  Weightloss is a part of that journey and I will talk about it from time to time but ultimately, it's not the driving force of the blog.  I'm not sure that this counts as a confession, but I think that we are all pretty aware that over the past few months, I have not been the greatest role model in healthy eating and exercise.  It's true, I have gained around twenty pounds.  

Anyway, it's been a struggle trying to get back into a really good exercise routine and making healthy food choices.  I'm slowly getting back into the routine of early morning workouts but the food is still a struggle.  A couple of months ago, Patrice called me up and told me about a new product that she thought I might be interested in.  Once I realized that this was a new business venture for her as well, I was turned off and I told her that I would think about it.  Since that phone call, many of Alex and my friends have tried the product and have had good results from it. 

The product that she is selling is Advocare.  Like I said, many of our friends have done the 24-day challenge and have seen results with it.  Apparently, these products are supposed to help me increase lean muscle mass and decrease body fat.  I decided to give it a try and I am currently in day 4 of the cleanse.  Just for fun (and mostly for myself to see if I wasted my time and money), I have posted some before shots:

Yay, ugly bathroom photos



Good thing the flash covers up my face
so you can't tell if I was sucking in or not ;)

At the very least, I'm hoping that the next twenty four days will help me to reset my eating habits.  Twenty more days to go!

Do you know of anyone that has done the 24 day challenge?  


Do you think the word gullible starts with ME?

I should spank you!

Yeah, that's what she said!  Really!

Patrice was in a bit of shock at my measurements today.  She literally said she should spank me.  On more than one occasion, I have been disappointed with my progress and Patrice and I have talked about not being so focused on the scale.  I must have given her the wrong impression about my progress and she was borderline mad when she saw the progress I made. 

There was only time enough to take my body circumference and body fat measurements.  We are planning on meeting on Saturday for the other metrics.  Let's get down to the interesting stuff:

	June 22, 2011	November 10, 2011
Weight	200.6 lbs	171.8 lbs
Calf	15.5”	15”
Thigh	24.75”	22.75”
Gluteal Fold	28.5”	26.5”
Hips	47”	42.75”
Smallest part of Waist	37.5”	33.375”
Navel	44.75”	39”
Biceps	13.5”	12.5”

I have lost a total of 28.8 pounds and 19.625" in under five months.  It's not Biggest Loser style but I also don't have twelve hours a day to devote to working out so I will take it!  The best part of it all was the body fat percentage....dun dun dun dun.....I started at 36.9% and am now 27.1% !!!  I have now moved from "very poor" to "poor."  Woo!  In all seriousness, my goal was 32% and I killed it. 

The three things that I am thankful for today?  Patrice, goals, and killing goals.

Tell me about a goal that you killed :)

A Moment of Reflection

As the gloomy days of Fall are settling in, I am reminded of what happened last year around this time.  I was training for the Disney Wine and Dine half marathon and my right calf started hurting.  I was pushing through it for a while but the pain just got worse.  I still don't know what was going on but I was definitely in a lot of pain.  So I went to physical therapy and an orthopedic surgeon and no one could tell me what the issue was or how to fix it.  So I decided to rest.  I rested for about six months.  Not only was I resting but I was also feeding my boredom and SAD.  Not  a good combo.  I gained thirty-five pounds.

I have now lost almost all thirty-five pounds (again...) and I'm starting to get nervous about the winter.  So I thought I would post a before and after picture as a reminder to myself of how far I have come. 

2008

2011

Let me be cliche for a moment and say that knowing my weaknesses is half of the battle.  I'm excited to continue training for the 15k in December and I truly feel that I am capable of continuing on my path to better health.  I have three more pounds to lose to be back at the place I was last summer.  I plan to be there by October 8th.  It's going to be tough but I can do it!

It's my day off tomorrow so I get to run my four miles outside!  Yeah!

~Andrea