Today I had someone email me and ask, "What do you mean it makes you feel amazing?" "Can you make your own meals instead of taking the food replacement products?" And finally, "How long have I been doing it now?"
I am happy to answer all of these! I realized that I do keep saying, "I feel amazing!" but I haven't really explained what "amazing" feels like, for me. Let's see...for the first time in about a year and a half I am okay with showing my arms (wearing a tank top). My arms have lost inches and I can definitely see and feel the difference when I look in the mirror. My thighs aren't "rubbing" together as much (they still do, but it's not as uncomfortable). My face has lost weight (that's the first thing people said they have noticed). Hmmm what else...on Saturday I wore a swimsuit and I wasn't TOTALLY upset. I rocked it because I am now doing something about changing my body, and that has boosted my confidence.
For the first time in a while, when my boyfriend is just looking at me, I'm not uncomfortable wondering what he's thinking...because now I know he thinks I'm looking better every day. I know that he is proud of me because he tells me so, and that right there makes me feel AMAZING.
My stomach doesn't hurt anymore, and for me that is a miracle. I feel amazing when there is unhealthy foods in front of me and I don't dig right in and help myself. Self-control has become a new phenomenon to me, and I love it. I feel amazing when I hop on the scale and continue to see my beginning number get further and further away. I feel amazing when I stopped wearing those undershirts that are designed to basically suck you in and make you feel thinner than you really are. I feel amazing when my friends and family encourage me and tell me that they can see changes in me. I feel amazing when I look in the mirror and like what I see.
I hope that sums up some of the "AMAZING" feelings I've had since I started this challenge. For future posts I will try to explain what I mean when I use words like that. :)
Let's see...what's next...YES, you can make your own meals! I almost always have the meal replacement shake for breakfast because it fills me up perfectly to start my day and I'm also usually in a hurry in the mornings so it is VERY convinient for me. If I'm feeling fancy I blend it with ice and a couple pieces of fruit. Chocolate is by FAR my favorite, and I also REALLY like the berry! I haven't tried vanilla yet, but I'm sure it's good too. But YES, you can prepare your own meals. The diet is basically LEAN proteins, fruits, and vegetables. You are allowed minimal starches, but I made the choice to avoid them completely. I have also completely cut dairy. I eat a LOT of eggs, fish, turkey, and some chicken. I have stayed away from red meats (although I do loveeee steak...). It's all about moderation. I'm a pasta lover, and that has been the most challengeing to give up. When I'm feeling down, my comfort food has always been noodles and tomato juice...I'm realizing how bad those choices were for me and once I reach my goals I will be able to enjoy the foods I love, but like I said, in moderation.
If you look at the advocare website and look up how the program works, then you can plan out different meals and snacks you want for the day. I try to pre-cut everything and put them in baggies in my fridge so all I have to do is pack up my cooler for the day. I have also taken advantage of my job at McGlinn's (I get 50% off every time I go in to eat there, and 75% when I'm working)...so it's been very helpful for me to go eat a quick piece of salmon, or a fresh salad. You can play with different foods to make them more fun. I like to add different spices, etc. to whatever I'm making to mix it up! Last night I got hungry so I scrambled up some eggs and I put cinnamon in the mix, which kind of made me feel like I was eating french toast! It helped me not want the bread. As you go through the program you kind of figure out what works for you. I highly recommend the shakes because they are full of goodness and keep you full. We live in a world that is always on the go and sometimes it is unrealistic to be able to prepare all our meals every single day...Advocare provides solutions to help us with our busy lives and to ensure we are putting the right ingredients into our bodies.
Finally...I have not been doing this very long. I started on June 19th of this year. I am the first to admit that this is ALL so new to me and I am still learning. However, I also know that these products will be a part of my life for a long time while I am on this weight-loss journey. Advocare has several lines that focus on specific needs. The products I have mainly been using come from the "TRIM" line, obviously because I'm trying to lose weight. I encourage those interested to do some research and look up these products and figure out if it's something you could do.
Here's what I take every day>>>
Omegaplex--Omega 3 fatty acid supplement
Spark--energy! keeps me away from soda and coffee
Thermoplus--helps convert fat into energy
Leptilean--promotes feelings of fullness and satiety
Meal Replacement Shakes--protein, fiber, 50% of the daily value of calcium, and 26 vitamins and minerals (only 220 calories)
Catalyst--helps maintain muscle mass during exercise and weight management
MNS-MAX C--helps me with appetite control
I want to also try Coffeccino to help me get that "coffee" taste that I miss.
Like I said, check out the website and look at all the ingredients more in depth yourself. Depending on what you're trying to do, there is something out there for everyone!
I think that in a couple months or so I will host a "mixer" so anyone who wants to learn more, or try some of these products can come over and learn more :) By then I will also be more knowledgeable with these products...and hopefully my body will be where I've wanted it to be so I'm not just "talking", but "showing" you how they have worked for me! I might even feel comfortable enough to show before and after pictures...but we'll see. I'm not very proud of the before shots...
I'd love to get some feedback if anyone would be interested in coming to a mixer that I would host.
I hope for anyone who has been reading my blog and still kind of confused that this helped clear things up...if not, feel free to ask me anything! This whole journey is definitely a learning process, but I'm loving how I feel and I know this is only the beginning!
Anyway, I'm off to yoga & then home to spend a much needed evening with just my man! <3
Hope everyone is having a great day!
Emma
Recent Comments