wow been a few days...

I've been having a lot of issues getting my antique of a computer started and for some reason I can't log into here from the laptop to post.  Frustrating!

So I did a before and during photo today.  I'm so happy with what I saw.  Thanks to Becky for suggesting it.  :)

I'm feeling wonderful today!  I had day 2 of my MNS C, it really isn't suppressing my appetite like I had hoped, it does calm it alot though.  I had my spark this morning, hot of course.  For breakfast I had a breakfast bar, and lunch was some pasta salad...it tasted horrible!  Oh well.  I didn't eat much but I think it was enough, if not I'll make a MRS. lol  I know that would be good. :P

Here is my before and during photo (I still have the dress obviously and will be doing more progression photos in it.)

Thursday...

Got up this morning, things were great, had my spark, probiotics then it went down hill for a while.  So frustrating!  Things are better now other than I'm not happy with my weight loss.  A little is better than none but still I think I could be doing much better.  14lbs total since I started.  I haven't been eating quite as well as I should have been either, or working out as hard.  Gotta change that!

Ooops missed a day!

I missed posting yesterday!  Naughty me!

I did behave yesterday other than that burger I had with Becky at lunch.  Supper last night was a small and I mean VERY small piece of chicken with salad. :D  Breakfast was a MRS, I did have a snack that was a breakfast bar (before lunch) and a handful of peanuts after supper.

Today, Breakfast was a Berry MRS, morning snack was a handful of peanuts.  Lunch was really late, I had 3 small pieces of Branden's totinos pizza that I made for an after school snack for him.  Supper... not sure yet and it is 6pm!  Ana called so I don't have to do chores.  No big deal as Angel isn't there anyway.  So I'm thinking I might make a quick supper or run Branden to Mc Donalds then go workout.  I need to lift again...

I went and worked out for about 45 minutes tonight, wow that felt AWESOME!  I walked on the treadmill and lifted the weights.  My back still isn't feeling up to par but it felt better after sitting in the massage chair at the nail salon getting a pedicure today.  I was able to wiggle just right in the chair that it was hitting the ouchie parts of my back and I think the knots were worked out.

Supper for me tonight was a bowl of fruit after I worked out.  Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, apples, tangerines and bananas.  It was really nummy!  I wanted a 'crunch' after though so I had a couple handfuls of peanuts.  With a large glass of ice water to drink.  I'm now ready for bed and going to take my Herbal Cleanse.  I wish tomorrow as another Fiber drink day...I really like those!  NUM!

The days slip past...

How is it that it is almost Easter already?!  I'm spazzing out this morning.  I want to get Angel up to the breeding barn to be bred to Orca this week, with the snow coming (5 inches tonight) I'd like to get her up there today.  ARGH!  At this rate we won't have a baby coming next spring... :(

I'm feeling rather weird too.  Really warm, flushed, just not feeling up to par.  I had my fiber drink, a berry MRS and a hot cherry spark.  Not sure what is going on other than my Fiber drink tasted nasty this morning.  Not a typical thing, they are usually really nummy.  Something is just "off".  I'm going to keep an eye out on how I'm feeling and might be putting this on hold.  We'll see.

Okay I'm feeling better, worn out but better.  I got Angel up to the breeding barn, that was a fiasco!  She is up there and HOPEFULLY going to take this time!  I didn't get home till late, which I was not expecting.  No lunch for me.  I did however have a burger for supper.  It was REALLY good!

Yes I know that is not what I'm supposed to eat but it was super good and I was starving!  I did also have a small spoonfull of Jill's supper.  That was nummy too.

Drinking water then going to bed.

What a beautiful morning!

Day 2 of back to back cleanses... My goal is to stop smoking!  I will NOT ever recommend this to ANYONE.  I heard it works, and I'm my guinea pig...
I sure hope it gets warmer out today, it is a bitter 35 degrees out there but it is beautiful!  The sun is shining, birds are chirping.  :)

This morning I had my fiber drink and a hot Orange Spark (last of my orange...).
Maggie is heading over this morning for me to do her before picture and measurements. She started her 24 day challenge yesterday. Then I'll be heading to Zumba with Becky!  YAY!

Lunch... I had a breakfast bar for lunch.

Supper was grilled chicken marinated in lime juice (squeezed) and Lemon juice (also freshly squeezed) a little garlic(I diced it), pepper, sea salt and about 2 tablespoons of EVOO.  Potatoes were done with some EVOO, sea salt and pepper also on the grill and I made fresh steamed broccoli.  With water to drink except I put a couple slices of fresh Lime in there too for some flavor.  However then I ruined my wonderful day with having a 'slice' ummm scoop of pie.  It tasted good but didn't set.  UGH!  It was a very thin slice of lemon pie, also had lemon juice squeezed in it.

For giggles tonight, I decided to measure myself again, just in a couple spots initially... Just in the few days I've been doing the cleanse again, I've lost 5 inches so far!  Ofcourse my they haven't been exactly where I've wanted to lose but it is a start!  Not bad for only a few days. LOL!

On the smoking front, which is my whole point behind doing this.  I'm finding myself still smoking but 1 pack lasted me 3 days which is a big switch from smoking a pack and a half a day.  I did finish a pack tonight so I'm going to try hard not to buy another...EVER.  However due to keeping my son sane and happy I might break down and buy 1.  My plan is not to have any withdrawls from the smoking such as attitude (my biggest issue), weight gain (my most frightening thought), or going back to unhealthy eating.

Back to back cleanse

I was up at 6 am this morning, on a SATURDAY!  How insane is that???  I feel really well rested so it must be all good. LOL

I got up and drank my Fiber drink, had a Berry MRS (nummy)!  I did have a bowl of simply harvest apple Cinnamon oatmeal too.

(I'm getting horrible at updating this! ugh!) It is now Sunday and I'm trying to remember what I had to eat yesterday.  I knew I should have updated throughout the day...
Lunch... I made Branden some burritos, I wasn't hungry, I had a MRS.
Supper... I took Branden to Famous Daves, we were out bumming around and that worked.  I had a steak citrus meal less than 600 calories.  It was really good. We did eat pretty early, we went to a movie, got popcorn and a soda.  Branden ate most of the popcorn and drank most of the soda, I did have my carb ease and catalyst though for back up. LOL  Even though I'm doing this to quit smoking (it is helping!) I'd like to lose more weight too.

After the challenge...

I'm feeling so GREAT!  Even with the weather being icky out.  My allergies have been flaring... I've had a lot of reasons to not feel so great.  Today (day2 after challenge) I'm feeling a bit maybe out of it? Not sure a good way to put it, I'm really feeling like that seasonal depression is sneaking up on me.

So what am I going to do to kick it in the butt?  I started another Herbal Cleanse today.  So far my Spark (a morning must have) and Peaches Fiber drink has been drank.

This is TOTALLY AGAINST what the recommendations are!  I will NOT advise anyone to do this.  I'm doing this because I am a smoker.  I've been a smoker for 21 years.  I spoke with someone in both the medical field and AdvoCare (not on the S&MA board).  There have been reports of doing a cleanse back to back will help you quit smoking as it does flush toxins out.  Previously on the cleanse I did almost quit.  I probably would have if my husband wouldn't have come home.  He is also a smoker.  Being that his job will keep him away from home for at least 6 weeks (from what we know right now) but could be longer, it is the perfect time to do this and QUIT for good!    I was going to wait to do this until the 1st of May but you know what?!  My health is more important right now and I need to do this.  I think it is part of that depression that is sneaking up on me, I've been down on myself for not quitting.  When I get back on the MNS I'm going to do the C.  My carb ease should be here soon too.

Day 24!

This is my last day of the challenge.  I'm not sure I'm happy about that.  I want to start another right away.  LOL!
Kinda thinking I should anyway due to the way my belly has been hollering at me this morning, not for food either.  :(  I really shouldn't have "splurged" last night and ate what I did.  I'm really paying for it.  It tasted really good at the time... We'll see what I am able to do today if I can stay out of the bathroom.  I might need to start another Herbal Cleanse to flush this out better.

My Spark this morning is gone, I wish all my retail orders would get here so I could figure out what I have.  I need to open a new Spark canister soon.  My Orange is almost gone, I think I have Cherry left though.  Oh yeah I have to take my MNS yet but waiting my 1/2 hour after taking my Thyroid meds.  I'm starting to get hungry...

So this morning I had 2 cups of hot Spark.  One was Orange and the other was Cherry.  Still like the Orange better hot and cold both.  lol  That is my personal preference.

Lunch was a Berry MRS with my MNS packets.  Supper was rushed yet again...Subway.  Then tonight Bran and I were both hungry so I cooked up one of his Totinos pizzas... those tiny things,  anyway I had one super small slice and it was NUMMY!  Naughty... that is me!

I didn't start feeling better till about 3 today, I even laid down in bed for a while this afternoon and just watched tv.  I tried to nap but no one wanted to leave my phone number alone.  I ignored 4 calls and a few texts.  If I ignored your call, sorry but wasn't wanting to talk to anyone, just took some time for me. :P

I'm all happy and doing well but getting tired again.  I'm going to work out tomorrow AND go ride Angel again. :D

Day 23

Spark is gone, think I need another, it tastes so good!  I'm loving it hot.
MNS and MRS for breakfast, hopefully going to work out.  I also am going to try to go ride Angel.  We'll see.

I rode Angel today, not long just until I felt comfortable and confident and ended on a really good note.  Since my accident I've been a very nervous rider, that mixed with a young horse can be a bad combination.

Lunch was a ham sandwich from Kwik Trip on the way out to the barn.  I went straight from the gym right to Pete's then off to the barn.  I did have my MNS packet before and with.  Along with Catalyst (have some in my car just in case ;)).  I had lots of water too...

Supper was really naughty but it was more of a treat for Branden, he's been so patient with my altered meals for the 24 day challenge, I feel like I'm starving the poor kid.  He isn't but he sure likes his fats and carbs.  lol

More Catalyst before bed.  I did lift today as well as did a little on the tread.  Was hoping to go back and do more but that didn't work out.  I will tomorrow.  I did weigh myself today and I've lost a total of 11.4 lbs I think it was, I forget what the exact number was but not much over the 11.  I'm pretty pleased with it.  I'm planning on another challenge soon!  For now I'm going to be just taking the MNS after tomorrow of course which is my last day.    Here is a picture from today of Angel and I, my 10 yr old got this picture that I just LOVE!

Day 22

Finally got my desktop working.

This morning was my MRS and MNS.  Lots of water, catalyst...
No work out but I did work on putting my house together with my mom. :) She came up to help.  Thanks Mom!
Lunch was a taco salad after my MNS.  Water to drink.
No snack but tons of water drank today and more Catalyst.
Supper was a macaroni cheeseburger stuff that was on my spaghetti sauce can so I made it.  I put Whole Wheat Penne Pasta in there instead of the macaroni.  I made half with cheese for Branden and I had some without.  Wasn't too thrilled but it was ok.

Tonight after the pin earners call WOOHOOO I will be taking Catalyst and Nighttime Recovery... workout with weight tomorrow I promise!

Day 21

Wow what a morning!  I've had my Spark, thank goodness!
I ended up with my 8 month old niece and 4 yr old nephew last night, not much sleep in this house!  Little Megan has been so fussy, her mom and dad were needing a good nights sleep.  The two have been up for quite a while and Megan is fussy again.  So glad my baby oven is broken...but I LOVE spending time with the two.  Cousin Branden is letting me take 5 to write this, he's trying to keep them occupied. :)
MNS will be taken in a few minutes, then hopefully a MRS...

Workout with Becky today!  YAY!

Day 20

This morning is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Drinking my Spark, listening to the birds sing their songs, the squirrels are chattering, spring is alive!  The cardinals and blue jays have made their presence known.  Their brilliant colors flying into the dark depths of the pine trees, flying with such precision.  All the buds on the trees, the flowers sprouting from their winter slumber.  The world is awakening. Mother Nature is bringing back her glorious work to brighten the world into marvelous colors once again.  We are lucky enough if we stop and take the time to witness the new birth of each and everyone of these beings every spring.  Soon we will have glorious flowers that fill the air with the natural aromas to brighten our days.  It all is so beautiful, always in its own way.  When you are with AdvoCare, you have the ability and the tools to take the time out of  that fast paced rush of life that we humans have made for ourselves over the last fifty years or more.  You must stop, smell the spring in the air, feel the rush it gives your veins.  Be calm and sensitive to those things around you.  So many say they don't have time, you need to make the time for you.   AdvoCare has given me the chance to seize my day and take the time to enjoy everything new around me.  I am feeling so much better, from what I hear I'm looking better, I'm losing weight, my attitude has changed, I'm still me but I feel ALIVE!

Now back to our regular scheduled programming. :P  MNS before breakfast is gone, waiting on my 1/2 hour then have a MRS for Breakfast. :)
Lunch was a MRS and supper was chinese at about 9:30 last night.  Way late but it was good.  I took my Catalyst, MNS and ThermoPlus too... Mixer was a HUGE success!

Day 19

I think I slept wrong on my neck... I have a headache this morning. :(

Spark is currently being drank, haven't anything else yet.

I did my MNS today with MRS for breakfast and lunch.  I did not get a workout in, today was just "not a good day".  It was but it wasn't.  I have a new retail customer which is awesome but the rest of the day went down hill fast.  From slamming my thumb and breaking my newly done nail.  OUCH!  It is broken all the way down and there is a blood blister under my nail and another one from where my artificial nail was poking the top of my thumb where it broke.  Anyway, so not going to turn this into a whole vent session...
Supper was really naughty I had pizza...  I'm going to be MIA for the night and hiding.  Maybe a bath in my near future.  Tomorrow is the tack sale at 8 am, Branden's soccer game at noon then my mixer at 6.  Somewhere in there I have to get my house clean for tomorrow night.  LOL!

With that is a good night...

Day 18

GOOD MORNING WORLD! Yes this night person is being rather obnoxious this morning.  I've been up since 6, got my son off to school with breakfast even.  He is LOVING the difference in Mom this way, normally I'd try to sleep in till about 10 then be a bum till about noon then complain that I haven't gotten anything done.  So far he has been getting breakfast before school, even if it is just a bowl of cereal.  He gets his Purple Champs, they are AdvoCare's Omega 3s for kids, sometimes I make him a Spark or a V16 depending on how he wakes up.  Especially if he didn't sleep well and is really crabby.  I try to send him off on a good foot to school.

Right now I'm drinking my Spark, I've taken my morning pills, Catalyst and MNS.  I'm waiting for the clock to tell me I can have my Berry MRS.

Plan is to go workout.  I really wish I could find my ear things to my Ipod, it would make working out more fun to jam to my music.  My new fav is the Burlesque soundtrack.  I find it so incredibly uplifting!  I blare my Itunes while cleaning and you could find me dancing around my house jamming to it almost daily. LOL  Now NO peeping toms to watch me...

So far my plan to workout has not happened, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything going on around me.  It is a lot to take in.  So far so good though!  I'm having lunch, I've had my MNS, eating the remainder of my left over pasta salad.  My business with AdvoCare is taking off like a bullet and my head is spinning!  So wonderful, I wouldn't trade any of it for a second.  I have a few errands to run and hopefully will at least to the hip hop abs dvd I have borrowed from a friend to get some sort of workout in.  High impact stuff but I HAVE to do something.

Lunch was a MRS with MNS packet and Catalyst.  I did work out for an hour today too at Snap.
Supper was Subway... again... on the way out to meet with a new distributor (as of tonight) :).  We went straight from practice out to meet with her, then out to do chores.  BUSY!

Now.. water and soon ... bed, catalyst and nighttime recovery. :P

Day 17...

I'm feeling... WOW!
Catalyst and MNS (30 min before) packet taken, I have had 2 yes 2 Mandarin Orange Sparks (hot) this morning.  YUM!  I'm waiting for the dishwasher to get done, my blender bottle is in there.  I'll then have my MRS for the morning and my breakfast packet.  My plan is to go workout about 9 or 10 this morning.  Then I'll be at home ALL day putting stuff away.  I'm going to hide my car keys from myself (not too bad ofcourse lol) so I don't go anywhere.  :P

I'm so incredibly naughty!  I didn't go anywhere but I got side tracked from unpacking.  Though I did get a few more boxes unpacked, the people that did some work on the house for the landlord are moving too so they took some boxes with them.  WOOHOO oh and they took some Spark the other day with them too. :P LOL!

Oh yeah updating what I ate and what not...  I NEED A SPARK TO FOCUS! :P  Anyway, Lunch was a 1/2 cup of the left over pasta salad I made last night.  I had my Catalyst, ThermoPlus and MNS packet with it (appropriate times of course).  I've been drinking water like it is going out of style.  Sorry if anyone was on the phone with me today and heard me munch on my ice. Bad habit I know...

Supper was grilled chicken with a grilled baked potato and frozen mixed veggies.  I did put about a 1/4 of a tablespoon of butter on the veggies to nuke them.  I had some ground sea salt and pepper on my tater, no butter and no sour cream (killing me there!) but it was really good. lol  No seasonings on my chicken either.  Sounds bland but it wasn't it was really very good.  I did have my Catalyst before supper too.

In case anyone is wondering, I've been taking 9 to 12 Catalyst a day.  I'm determined to get LEAN AGAIN!
On the plus side, I had to go buy new undies and a new bra today.  The others were getting to big and not staying on very well.  TMI?  Yep that is me, I'm always saying too much.  But it is the honest to goodness truth!  I will keep the rest of the comments to myself or to those I talk with directly. Part of my 'different' sense of humor that some people just don't find funny but I do! HA!

That is it for tonight, have a beautiful night.  I'm going to finish my water, take 2 Catalyst and my Nighttime Recovery and go to bed after I put in my workout for today...
Walked on the tread for about 20 min at 4 mph and an up hill of 5.
Leg Press 190, took it easy, don't want to over do it as my hubby keeps telling me I'm doing... ugh MEN!
Ab and Back the usual.
Jogged on the tread for 15 min then went home. :)

Day 16

Apparently my body does NOT like to lift weights, run on the tread AND do Zumba all in one day.  Thank goodness for my Nighttime Recovery or I'd be in so much pain I couldn't move.  Just a bit of tenderness when moving certain ways this morning.  I kinda wish there was Zumba at Snap every day so I could do it on top of my other workouts. :P

I'm drinking my Spark, I'll take my MNS packet on the way out the door to the barn.  I have to be there early because the vet will be there to do shots.  (I just found out late last night)  I'll take my MRS with me too.  :)  Hopefully stop and work out on the way home.

I had lunch with Jill today, worked out some more, only just over a half hour today so far as I'm freakin exhausted!  My body is screaming at me, I do chores tonight and helped Jill with saddle issues.  Tomorrow I plan on hitting the machines pretty hard again.  *edited to add* My workout today consisted of Leg Press, 250 lbs (backed off a bit) 2 sets, Ab and back exercises with weight, 100 lbs with back and 70 with abs 3 sets each, low row with 50 lbs 3 sets.  I started with the bike for about 15 minutes then after lifting I ran on the tread for 15 min to get my heart rate going. :)

Supper tonight, I made some pasta salad, instead of using the oil for the seasoning mix I used 1/2 the oil so 1 tablespoon vs the 2 and added an extra water.  Tasted great!  I could only eat about a cup though.  I do need to start taking the Leptilean however I'm feeling hungry again.  Which shows how my unhealthy relationship with food works, I see it and I have to eat it.  *sigh*  On the positive side of that however, I've been craving fruit and healthy food.

Currently I'm drinking my ice water, I'll be taking my Catalyst and Nighttime Recovery before bed, I'm still super sore.  My shoulders and back are the worst.

Day 15

I have not taken my morning MNS packet yet, I'm not interested in food or anything just yet.  Had my Spark, in fact I've been drinking my cherry Spark, well this morning my eyes were itchy (woke up with allergies) and I wasn't paying attention but I made my Orange Spark hot this morning.  lol  It was pretty good!

I'm NOT sore at all from Becky's rigorous Zumba workout yesterday.  She really kicked my butt, I feel Amazing!  Honestly I wish our schedules meshed and I would do that with her everyday.  It was FUN and felt GREAT (afterwards, during the workout I wanted to collapse).  I do have to give my nonsoreness credit to AdvoCare's Nighttime Recovery though, I also had taken O2 Gold.  I took some Catalyst before bed last night as well, I'm sure between the three is the reason I'm not walking around like I'm 100 yrs old this morning. :D

Just got back from my workout and I took the plunge and got on the scale there.  I've lost 8 lbs!  That is just since I started at Snap Fitness!  I didn't work out there for 3 days but one of those days I did work out with Becky (yesterday).  I took my 30 min before lunch packet a couple minutes ago, so I'll have a MRS in a half hour.  I did the 25 minute weight loss program on the treadmill and lifted weights, really working on my abs and back.  I did work on my legs but what I'm most proud of it doing the leg press at 275 lbs at 20 reps 3 times.  Gotta keep my legs going too!

Heading out tonight to do another Zumba session with Becky, I don't think she is teaching it but that is okay, I love to do Zumba with my 1 friend that does it, besides now I have to work off what I ate tonight. :P
Supper was 2 ThermoPlus pills and 2 sloppy joes (hanging head in shame, yes I ate the buns too).  I had a couple cheetos with it.  I wanted a crunch and I had over cooked the green peppers in my meat mix so they weren't crunchy. :(
I worked my ARSE off tonight!  It didn't help that I wore way to heavy of clothing.  LOL @ ME!  Got a cramp in the side during the work out but I pushed through it.  I did take 3 Catalyst before working out. ;)  I'm going for a loss of 10 lbs this week.

Day 14 of 24

I got up later than normal, 9:30, wow it felt good to sleep but now I feel panicked to get stuff done before leaving to work out.  I'm having a Spark now, already had my MNS before breakfast packet, I'll have a MRS in a little bit.  Then off to go work out with Becky!  I know she is going to KICK MY A$$ with these workouts. But it will be FUN!

I think I'll bring a MRS for lunch and a snack bar or breakfast bar, just in case for after or in between workouts. I will also take my Catalyst and Thermoplus too.  Lunch was 2 slices of 100% whole grain/wheat toast plain with some Spark to drink.  I did have some Rehydrate thanks to Becky for bringing it, I spaced it off.

After reading the comments I realized I didn't finish this one yesterday.  OOPS.

Supper last night was a MRS.

Day 13

Day 13 of my 24 day challenge!
Today my parents are coming up from Madison, they want to see the 'new to us' house.  I'm just looking forward to spending some time with them.  Unfortunately I'm not getting much unpacking done in the last couple days, I've been so busy!

Currently drinking my Spark, my 30 min before breakfast MNS packet went down the hatch already along with 3 Catalyst.  I'm planning on a MRS for breakfast and a banana.  (Does this surprise anyone? lol) I had my Vanilla MRS with Orange Spark...NUM!  I also had a Breakfast bar with my Catalyst and Thermoplus. :)

Lunch was at the Arterial with Mom and Dad, I had 3/4 of my patty melt and just a couple fries, it was really NUMMY!  However I did have a glass of water and my MNS packets as well as my Catalyst and ThermoPlus before I ate.  I was NOT going to go have a "bar burger" without it!  My belly was upset with me after I got home but after a 20 min power nap and a lot of water I'm better.
I did have some more catalyst about 5 pm just because with another glass of water.

Supper is going to be cooked on the grill because it is BEAUTIFUL out there!  Supper was grilled chicken and grilled potatoes.  I did have a glass of milk with it.  But after supper all I had was water.

Day 12 of 24

Half done...really??
This morning I got up at 5, got in the shower, made sure I had all my stuff together and was on my way to Madison.  The darn white stuff falling from the sky started when I was getting ready to walk out of the house.  HUGE flakes!
This morning I had my hot Spark, my MNS, a MRS, a banana and a breakfast bar.  I also had an Oasis today.
Lunch was a Sweet Onion Chicken sub from Subway, I did put Pepper Jack cheese on it, otherwise it would've been in their 6 grams program.  I drank water on the way home.
So far I'm drinking more water, and I think I'm going to make Pancakes for supper, I know not real 'healthy' but better than getting a pizza which is what the kid wants. LOL