Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Day 5, 6, & 7

I've decided to blog my weekend posts (Friday-Sunday) as one post in order to be able to spend more time with my family. The weekend posts may be a bit less detailed since it will include 3 days of information.

Weekends are always hardest for me when I'm watching what I eat (which is always now) mainly because we are out an about running errands or taking the kids somewhere and there are always get togethers, birthdays, other special events... This weekend alone we had two birthday parties and my husband was baptized this morning at church so we ate out for lunch for that occasion.

So here is how my weekend (Day 5, 6, and 7) went:

DAY 5

Woke up and drank my Spark and took my catalyst and my probiotics. Grabbed a banana on the way out of the door to boot camp because I was running late. Bananas are my go to when I don't have a lot of time. They really seem to get me through a short time when I can't seem to get a meal together.

Boot camp was awesome as usual. I was a bit sore from all the walking I had done last week but I pushed through it and it felt awesome.

Came home and made a very delicious breakfast. I have been craving breakfast food you don't normally associate with healthy - you know, the stuff your mom used to make you on Saturday morning! So I made a healthy version of French Toast and it was AH-MAZ-ING! It has a few ingredients (Ezekial Bread and Flaxseed) that aren't really things you think about buying but do it! SO worth it. I'm making it for the family tomorrow before they leave for work and school. Finished my first 25 oz of water.

Breakfast: 420 Calories
Spark - 45 calories
Banana - 110 calories
French toast with Berries - 265 (Recipe on my blog!)

For lunch I had the same sandwich (Turkey) I've been having mainly because I just need to eat it up before it goes bad.

Lunch: 420 calories
Turkey sandwich with Munster cheese on whole wheat sugar free bread: 320 calories
Red peppers with roasted red pepper hummus: 100 calories

We had some left over steak from the start of the week so for dinner I made fajitas. I will post my fajita recipe soon when I make it with meat that I usually do (I usually use flank steak) and can accurately add up the calories. Finished my 2nd 25 oz of water.

Dinner: 555 Calories
Steak Fajitas with veggies - 470 calories
1/2 Cup brown rice - 85 Calories

Later that night I did have a cup of strawberries on a caramel corn rice cake and a bit of whip cream which was about 100-120 calories.

Finished up my last 25 oz of water taking my herbal cleanse and my omegaplex.

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE: 1,515 CALORIES

My daily goal is 1,420 so I was over a bit which isn't a big deal considering I had bootcamp in the morning.

Not a bad day at all!

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DAY 6

Saturday morning we had the color run so we were up fairly early trying to get everyone ready. We originally had not planned to bring the kids but we ended up with them which I'm actually really glad we did! They had a lot of fun!

In the morning I made a spark and a meal replacement shake because I didn't have time to fix breakfast and I wanted something I could eat in the car. Took my probiotic and catalyst.

Breakfast: 265 Calories
Advocare Meal Replacement Shake - 220 Calories
Spark - 45 Calories

Made it to the color run and I actually ran the whole race. I wasn't sure I could do it. It's been a really long time since I've run that far and I did it, pushing both kids. I'm glad I did because now I know I can.

 

 

As much as I hate running - running the color run has inspired me to make an effort to run instead of walk once a week. Couldn't hurt. I may actually learn to enjoy it... or not. :)

 

Matt and the kids ate at chick-fila on the way home (Matt later on said he did not enjoy it as much as he thought he would!) I withheld and when I got home I fixed myself a healthy lunch that made me feel awesome. The steamed edemame is a great source of protein! Finished first 25oz of water.

Lunch: 540 Calories
Turkey Sandwich with munster cheese on sugar free whole wheat: 320 Calories
Steamed edemame: 110 Calories

That evening we had plans to go to a friends house for a get together. Get together are hard for me because I watch everyone else eating for pleasure and I have to do my best to make good choices so I don't regret it later. We were asked to pick up the pizzas for the party so when we did we stopped by Dominos and ordered one of their gluten free crusts to avoid the white flour that hurts my stomach now. We ordered the chicken spinach feta. It was awesome... did not taste any different than a normal crust pizza! At the party they had salad and I brought my own dressing, fruit salad, and chips, dip and cake. (SO HARD!!!) I did have a few chips lightly dipped in dip and I had a sliver of cake since I've heard wonderful things about the woman who makes these cakes. It wasn't much - not enough to make me feel gross. I told myself I wasn't going to cheat at all on the cleanse, however, socially sometimes you have to. The need to feel normal. Thank goodness all of my friends are health conscious and understand why I'm eating the way I do. Drank 2nd and 3rd round of 25oz of water at party. Took my omegaplex and herbal cleanse when I got home.

Dinner: 618 Calories
1/2 of a 10" Gluten Free Chicken Feta Spinach Pizza: 435 Calories
Spinach Salad with Ginger Dressing: 73 Calories
1 Cup of fruit salad: 110 Calories

Snacks at the party:
Chips and dip: 270 calories
Cake: 115 Calories

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE: 1,800 CALORIES

Even though this was high, it will still within what I would be allowed to eat. I have a 1,420 calorie goal but I also ran 3 miles which would burn about 300 calories. 1,420 plus 300 burned is 1,720. So I was about 80 over my total goal. But you also have to remember my goal is 1,420 to lose. Infact, I would still lose, just slowly, on how I ate today! Remember this when you are beating yourself by eating over your goal a bit.

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DAY 7

Today was also challenging because we had plans to eat out and had a birthday party to attend. I also did used today as a rest day (first one in 7 days!)

This morning I took my probiotic and my catalyst and once again chose a protein shake for time sakes. Matt was baptized today at church (HOORAY!) and we had to be there earlier than normal. I skipped the spark this morning.

Breakfast:
Advocare Meal Replacement Shake: 220 Calories

After church we headed over to Abuelos with my parents which is my favorite Mexican restaurant. I skipped the chips and had a hard time choosing off the menu as they don't list their nutritional information online. I'm not usually one to go for soup, however I found a calorie listed for the soup and figured I would make up the calories at dinner. Finished first 25 oz of water.

Lunch:
Bowl of tortilla soup: 250 Calories

Following lunch we had to immediately head to a birthday party for Evie's school friend. LOTS of great looking food! Pizza, homemade snacks, cupcakes, chips! Before "this life" I would have loaded up a plate and not thought twice. I didn't completely deprive myself. I had some fruit and if there was something I wanted to try, I allowed it - but only one piece of that thing. Finished 2nd 25oz of water.

Snacks:
Various - I estimated that I probably ate 300 Calories.

Dinner time was easy. We made quesadillas.

Dinner:
Chicken quesadilla on whole wheat with veggies and low fat cheese - 346 Calories
1 tbsp light sour cream - 20 Calories

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE: 1,136 CALORIES... however I do plan on having a light snack (probably fruit) before bed so it will probably be closer to 1,350. And I will be taking my omegaplex and herbal cleanse with my last 25oz of water.

SO while I didn't stick to the cleanse 100% I still feel really good here at the end of the weekend. I've enjoyed spending time with my friends and family as well as sticking to my diet for most of the time. Seeing as though before I would have just eaten whatever I wanted, this is still MUCH better than how I ate before.

I know this post was much less detailed but spending time with the kids this weekend has been so great! Thank you for understanding!

This week will be super interesting as we have plans to go out of town on Thursday... so we will see how that will work out with eating well!

Recipe: Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Serving Size: 1

Calories per serving: 265

Bit of a carb heavy breakfast, however this is an awesome healthy alternative to making traditional French toast and it's wonderful. This is also gluten free!

Ingredients:

2 Slices of Ezekial Cinnamon Raisin Bread (found in freezer section of health food area) - 160 calories

3 tbsp of Egg Beaters egg whites - 25 calories

1/8 cup of Silk Almond Milk Light - 5 calories

1/2 tbsp 100% whole ground flaxseed meal - 15 calories

Pinch or two of ground cinnamon

No stick spray for the pan

3/4 cup mixed berries of choice

Directions:

Heat your pan on medium and coat pan with non stick spray.

Combine your egg white, milk, flaxseed, and cinnamon and mix well. Pour over your bread slices evenly front and back and allow to sit and absorb all of mixture. Place bread in pan and allow to brown on each side until edges are crispy. 

Top with mixed berries and enjoy!!

Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Day 4

Well today did not go that great. While usually that would mean I over indulged, today I got so wrapped up that I didn't eat enough. Eating less once in awhile isn't going to hurt you but making a habit of it will. It can actually work against any efforts you are making to lose weight as your body hits starvation mode and pulls it's resources. Don't get me wrong, today was a really good day... I just wish I had set a better example for you all!

Here's how day 4 went:

8:00am: Woke up. Took a shower. Got ready... Took the boy downstairs. 

9:00am: Made my Spark. Took my Catalyst and Probiotic. Fiber is done with until the end of the first 10 days so I get a break from that.

Had an awesome breakfast planned to show you guys but wrote down the wrong time for Stones speech therapy and didn't think I would have time. Opted for a meal replacement shake. This is an option they give you on the challenge... To drink a meal replacement shake instead of breakfast. Of course, you'd have to order more shakes to do this. They are actually very very good. I like berry and vanilla. 

I did try the Chocolate Mocha today and enjoyed the coffee flavor! They are packed with protein so you aren't left feeling hungry. 

Breakfast Breakdown: 265 calories

Spark - 45 calories

Chocolate Mocha Meal Replacement Shake - 220 calories

Matt drinks a shake every morning. He says he loves that he knows exactly how he will feel following it. No guess work to his morning.

10:00am: Played with Stone letting him color and pretend. 

11:00am: Stone had speech therapy. 

Noon: The sun came out and it was so nice out I decided to walk the neighborhood before putting him down for a nap. Walked 1.75 miles at a 3.0mph pace. Finished first 25oz of water.

2:00pm:  Finally got around to eating lunch. Those shakes really sustain if you can't tell. Lunch was a variation of yesterday's lunch.

Lunch Breakdown: 421 Calories

Honey smoked turkey breast 4oz - 140 calories

Munster Cheese - 80 calories

Deli style mustard- 0 calories

Dry roasted wasabi edemama (1/4 cup) - 130 calories

Broccoli, tomatoes, red peppers- 51 calories

1 tbsp of Ginger dressing for veggies- 40 calories

4:30pm: Momma called wanting to walk and that we did! Another 1.75 miles at 3.0mph.

6:00pm: By the time everyone got home and ready Matt and I actually needed to leave. We met friends tonight to see Gods Not Dead. So rather than cook the meal I prepared we decided to grab a bite before the movie.

6:45pm: Our typical go to place when we eat out is Panera. They have a hidden menu that is awesome. I wasn't hungry since I ate lunch so late so I opted for a small cup of soup. Matt had the better option- a Power Steak Wrap Salad with double meat. Finished 2nd round of 25oz of water.

Dinner breakdown: 270 calories

Turkey Chili in Cup- 190 calories

Apple - 80 calories

They were selling these rings at Panera for a dollar to support our local autism center so of course we got them...

7:30pm: Went to a movie. Matt once again tempted me as he got a small popcorn but I withheld and drank my liter of water! Last 25+ ounces for the day!

10:30pm: Knew I should probably have a light snack before bed so I went ahead and had my Caramel Strawberry Crunch (recipe: http://tinyurl.com/lhxfmb6) but added some extra strawberries and used a whole rice cake. I guess maybe it was around 150 calories. Took my herbal cleanse and my omegaplex.

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE FOR THE DAY: 1,105 CALORIES

So I did not meet my 1,400 calorie a day goal. I did do well with my pie chart:

I think today is a good time to talk about "messing up." Most people would call today a win because I was significantly under my calories but to me it's not. This is about being healthy. I want to be healthy... Not skinny. If you mess up in either direction don't go fill your calories or feel bad about going over. It happens! We can't be perfect! Pick yourself up and start fresh tomorrow.

Okay folks, I'm tired! Until tomorrow...

God's Not Dead. :)

Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Day 3

Today was BEUTIFUL!!! 80 some degrees. Full sunshine! LOVE!!! Today marks 2 months since I began my life changing journey to become healthier! I posted earlier about taking photos before you start your challenge. Here is why....

 

You really see results. I even look tired and worn down. I was. I had let myself go! Never again.

Here is how I recommend taking photos - full body.. front, back, and both sides. Weigh and measure!

Can't wait to see a difference in 24 days!!

Here is how Day 3 went....

8am: Woke up and drank the Spark my husband brought to me. :)

8:45: After my shower I fixed breakfast and drank my fiber/OJ and took my catalyst. I love oatmeal so once or twice a week I allow myself maple and brown sugar oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is allowed on the challenge and while it would be best to eat plain oatmeal and add some honey to sweeten, I love my instant oatmeal and it hasn't affected my healthy eating so I go ahead and have it. I mix in almond milk which my daughter drinks since regular milk upsets her tummy. I haven't tried drinking almond milk but I love it in my oatmeal!

Breakfast Breakdown: 387 Calories
Spark - 45 Calories
Fiber mixed with Trop 50 OJ - 95 calories
Pack of Maple and Brown Sugar instant oatmeal - 160 calories
3/4 cup Light Almond Milk - 30 calories
2 hardboiled egg whites - 34 calories
1/2 cup of strawberries - 23


9:30am: BOOTCAMP!! We had boot camp outside which was great! Combination of running and strength training. I was actually the last one to finish which stinks - until I remember - I'm still better off than if I had not done it at all! Stone had a great time running around outside playing with kids and watching trucks! Finished my 1st 25 ounces of water.

11:30am: Lunch... I opted out of a bread during lunch since I planned rice for dinner. I took lunch meat and wrapped a slice of cheese in it. Dipped it in my hummus although it would have been great dipped in mustard too. It was a very filling lunch!

Lunch Breakdown: 398 Calories
4oz of Boars Head Honey Maple Turkey - 140 calories
1 slice of Private Select Munster Cheese - 80 calories
1/2 sliced red pepper - 23 calories
2tbsp Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus - 70 calories
14 roasted salted almonds- 85 calories

12noon: Ran errands. Finished second 25oz of water.

5:30pm: Dinner. We tried a new dish and it was excellent. It's a combination of typical Mediterranean seasonings on chicken skewers. Yum! We also had some brown rice. Kids ate it! Love that warm weather means we get to fire up the grill!

Dinner Breakdown: 516 Calories
Mediterranean Chicken Skewers with Veggies and Feta -  431 calories (Recipe: http://tinyurl.com/mo2p6fu)
1/2 Cup brown rice - 85 calories

6:30pm: Played outside with the kids. Can't keep them in on a day like this!

These kids love to swing!

Charlie loves running around the yard with the family! He's an awesome dog!

I cleaned up some grapes for the kids to eat outside and enjoyed 1/2 a cup of grapes as a snack myself (31 calories).

7:30pm: Took my herbal cleanse and my Omegaplex.

Matt and I are getting ready to sit down and watch a movie from Redbox. I'm having another snack during the movie. A banana (105 calories) for when I feel munchy while watching the movie. Matt will have popcorn (100 calorie pack) which is fine - but on the cleanse I try to avoid those types of snacks. I haven't finished my 3rd 25oz of water yet but I will before we even start the movie.

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE FOR THE DAY: 1,437 CALORIES!

My goal is 1,420 so I'm right on today! Plus I had boot camp which burns several hundred calories.

Again, I'd like to see better protein % with my chart but I'm happy that my protein is as high as it is!

Every day gets better and better and my ability to with hold from cravings does as well. I could totally have a 100 calorie bag of popcorn but I know if I do the salt may bloat me up and make feel sluggish in the AM. So I'm choosing a healthier option instead. And I'm happy I can make that decision and feel good about it!

SO we've decided that those of you who order the 24 Day Challenge from us will be invited to a private Facebook group with others who are taking the challenge around the same time as yourself. This will be a support group where you can post updates, photos, how you feel, ask questions and gain support not only from Matt and I but also others going through it too! If you are interested in starting a 24 Day Challenge visit https://www.advocare.com/140247668/Store/24Wizard/ and order yours today! If you do let us know and we will match you with a group! :)

Until tomorrow! :)

 

Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs with Veggies

Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs with Veggies
Servings: 3
Calories per serving: 431 calories

Ingredients:
1lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - cut into chunks
2 Bell Peppers cut into large chunks
1 pint of cherry tomato's
2 zucchini sliced in thick chunks
1 red onion cut into chunks
3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
3 tsp minced garlic
4 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
 2 tsp rosemary
reduced fat feta cheese
salt and pepper


Directions:
Marinade: Combine  2tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, rosemary, salt, pepper, and 3tbsp lemon juice. Coat chicken with marinade and allow to sit covered in fridge for 30-45 min. Combine remaining olive oil, lemon juice, and some salt and pepper and set to the side. (This will be used to brush vegetables while grilling.

Skewer all vegetables (we always skewer them separately to allow them to cook evenly.) Skewer chicken. Place on grill. While the vegetables cook brush them with the lemon/oil marinade. Check chicken for doneness. Vegetables should be browned and soft.

Sprinkle 1/8 cup of feta on each serving of Chicken Skewers/Veggies.

This dish is excellent with brown rice!


Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Day 2

I usually luck out at least one week day and Matt let's me sleep in until Stone gets up by taking care of getting Evie up and on the bus... And today was that day. Evelyn doesn't sleep so we don't usually get to bed until late and one of us is always up early. Always a good day when I get an extra hour!

So this is how Day 2 went following my glorious morning of sleeping in:

9am: Told myself I wouldn't weigh until day 10 but I was feeling less bloated from the weekend so I did. Down 2lbs worth of a bad weekend. It's amazing how quickly your body can change just by one day of doing it right. Had mySpark! I had the lemonade flavor this morning and it was yummy! Tasted like country time!

9:30: Took my Catalyst and drank my fiber/OJ mix. Made breakfast and got ready for the day!

Breakfast Breakdown: 400 calories

Spark (Lemonade) - 45 calories

Fiber/OJ- 95

Medium Banana- 105

Whole wheat (sugar free) toast with 1tbsp of creamy peanut butter- 155 calories

10:30am: Stone and I headed to the grocery store to get groceries for the week and to the fabric store for supplies to make our shirts for the Color Run 5K which is on Saturday... Yes the girl who hates running will be running on Saturday. Finished my first 25 oz of water before getting home.

12:30am: Ate lunch. I'm big on repeating lunches because a) saves money b) makes it easy. So I made enough of my chicken salad to have it again. 

Lunch Breakdown: 358 calories

My crunchy chicken salad (6oz) on a piece of sugar free whole wheat bread (open faced) - 257 (Recipe: http://tiny.cc/qm4ldx)

Cup of iceberg lettuce, 1/2 slicer tomato, and two tablespoons of my favorite dressing - 101 calories

(This dressing is 80 calls per two tablespoons and is found in the produce section. If you are local and have eaten at Kabuki it taste like their Ginger dressing! I always make my salad and chill it in the freezer for a few minutes to make it crispy!)

2:30pm: Met my friend Kelly and her little girl for a walk on the greenway with the kids. We walked for about an hour and a half at a 3.0mph. 

4:40pm: Momma called, wanted to walk. It's beautiful out and I will not pass up a chance to walk! We walked for about 30 minutes at 3.0mph. (Finished second round of 25oz of water)

6:30pm: Ate dinner with the family! One of Matts favorites!

Dinner Breakdown: 473 calories

6 oz of New York Strip (sprayed with a light amount of olive oil and seasoned with season salt, natures seasoning, and garlic salt) - 322

Roasted broccoli - 60 calories (recipe to come!)

Squash - 91 calories (recipe to come!)

7:30pm: Walked with the family up to the convenience store to buy kids a Popsicle. They had fruit Popsicles that seem safe for Stone so we let him try it. He wasn't really a fan... I think it was the cold. 

8:30pm: Took my omegaplex and herbal cleanse. Ate my snack and finished my last 25oz of water! Onto another!

Snack Breakdown - 145 calories

Granny Smith Apple - 100 calories

PB2 Chocolate - 45 calories

PB2 and PB2 chocolate is awesome! It's powdered peanut butter you mix with water. Low calorie and high protien. I love the chocolate on fruit. Wasn't sure if I would like it at first but now it's one of my favorite snacks! You can find it in the peanut butter aisle or health food section.

TOTAL CALORIC INTAKE FOR THE DAY: 1,375 Calories

Again, I could have more since I probably burned between 300-400 calories walking and I still have 45 left over for my goal. But I feel full and content. And my nutrition pie chart isn't bad at all. Would like to see my protien increased a bit but it's fine.

In closing...

I still feel great! My bloat from the weekend is gone and I'm feeling much better than I did on Sunday. It's hard when the weather is warm like this to resist ice cream with the kids or a beer with dinner but once you learn to say no and just get through the urge, you are glad you did! 

So excited to see that a few more people have ordered their challenges and will be starting their journey along side of us. I hope that my experiences allow others to feel comfortable asking questions and posting results to our page... And most importantly, feeling comfortable in their own skin.

Off to get ready for tomorrow and get to bed! Nite everyone!