I wanted to make a change. I wanted to increase my endurance, my strength and my confidence. I wanted to stop making excuses.
Do you ever struggle with these thoughts but don’t know where to begin?
I don’t believe there is a “one plan fits all” when it comes to health and fitness. But I do believe that it shouldn’t be complicated. The simpler the plan, the more likely you are to succeed. The more it can fit into your already busy life, the more likely you are to stick to it and have lasting results. When it came to making a change, I wasn’t interested in a fad diet that calorically restricted me or required me to somehow fit in a gym work out seven days a week. That simply wasn’t going to happen.
I learned about a program called Advocare from some friends who had success on it. After over a year of tossing it around in my head and being envious of the results that they were seeing, I decided to take the plunge. The biggest reason I decided to on Advocare specifically is because it is not a fad diet. It is about eating real food that nourishes you and gives you energy. If I was going to have success, I felt like this plan fit best to meet my goals in an actually achievable way. Find out more about the challenge I’m on here and here. You can start any time!
I’ve struggled a bit. I’ve had moments where I wanted to quit. I’ve also had moments where I feel and see results and it continues to drive me towards my goals.
So, here are my confessions and my honest ups and downs from the past 10 days:
Day One: I was excited and ready to be on board. I followed the plan, my health coach, Angela, checked in with me to answer questions and I felt ready to be on my way with the challenge. I was so proud of myself for all the meal prep I had done that I didn’t notice that it was vastly different than my normal meals (think protein and veggies versus a Jimmy John’s sandwich)
Day Two: This day was hard. I planned my meals but didn’t properly pack enough calories. By the end of my work day, I was tired and couldn’t seem to gain my energy back. My health coach checked in and taught me that calorie restriction is not the “Advocare way”. I should be eating calories, only in healthy foods.
Day Three: This day was also a struggle. I have big workouts on Wednesday evenings and I had not prepped my body enough for what was ahead. This was day two of not fueling my body with enough calories. Lesson learned.
Day Four: I prepped lots of food this day. All healthy, nutritious food that would give me energy and strength. It worked! I felt satisfied after each meal and was not hungry until it was time to eat again. With the Advocare plan, you eat every 2-3 hours so you are not depriving your body. That is probably my favorite part.
Day Five: I had cravings on this day. I was thinking about tortilla chips and jelly beans. I couldn’t get it out of my head. I stuck with the food I had prepped the day before but it wasn’t hitting the “spot” for me. I worked out in the evening and while I had the energy to get through my workout, I still wanted something to eat what wasn’t perhaps “cleanse approved”. I checked in with Angela and she recommended sugar free jello. That’s what I needed! Craving satisfied.
Day Six: This day was a turning point for me. I think it took five full days for my body to adjust from the way I was use to eating to the way I started eating on this plan. Day six was the first day I started craving the good nutritious food instead of having thoughts of other food.
Day Seven: I missed coffee. This was a Sunday and I always have coffee at church on Sundays. I had herbal tea instead which was ok but I really wanted coffee. Other than that, I was satisfied with the food I had during the day.
Day Eight: Another big workout this day and it was my first workout where I had energy coming out my ears it seemed. I was satisfied from my food and fueled properly to hit the gym hard.
Day Nine: Results! I re-took measurements and my weight! I saw lower numbers on both. This was extremely motivating for me!
Day Ten: (Wednesday). I teach a fitness class on Wednesdays. Not only did I have enough energy to teach the hour long class, I also stayed for the class following it. I was full of energy. Have you ever heard people say how good they feel from eating clean? I honestly was always so skeptical. I thought I felt just fine doing what I was doing. But after making this change, by only day 10, I have more energy and I feel stronger. I never knew what it felt like and now I do! I am in shape but my body is now on a whole new path when it comes to the energy I have.
Fourteen days to go and I honestly think I can get there. I am also looking beyond the 24 day challenge as this has made me change some habits such as trading a morning scone for a breakfast that will actually fuel me for the day. Advocare is about a lifestyle. It’s about learning what to put in our bodies to help give us energy to get through each meal, each workout and each day. Will I ever eat a blueberry scone or nachos again? Absolutely! But I have now learned more about moderation and what truly fuels my body.
I will share my favorite meals and snacks so far on this challenge with you soon! I’d love to hear ideas you have as well! Have you started an Advocare journey? What are your “confessions”? Let’s chat!
