Max Phase!

I finished the cleanse phase yesterday.  I lost 2 lbs and 3 inches.  Not bad for 10 days. 😍  My goal was to lose 10 lbs during this jumpstart.  8 more to go!   I start the 14 day Max Phase now.  Pictured below are the products for it.  Love the Salted Caramel Meal Replacement Shake!  And still loving my Spark!

Day 9

I have almost completed the 10 Day Cleanse Phase of the Advocare 24 Day JumpStart. I can tell that my jeans fit a bit more loose. My stomach doesn't look as bloated. I will weigh and measure on day 11 and 25 to compare to my before stats.

Weekend!

FACE TO FACE FRIDAY

AdvoCare Cleanse...Day 5

DAY 4 of 24

I have a slight headache this morning.  It may be from sugar withdrawl...or maybe allergies lol.  Otherwise, I feel pretty good.  I feel less bloated and my pants don't feel as tight. 6 more days and then on to the Max Phase!

24 Day JumpStart Days 2&3

Yesterday was day 2.  I kept meaning to get on here and update, but I was just so darn busy.  Anyway, day 2 was good.  I had a small slip up at supper...I went back for seconds.  I made taco soup and I love it.  I need to focus on just having one serving.

Today is day 3.  So far so good.  I'm not having any sugar cravings, which is good.  Today's menu was grapes and yogurt for breakfast, a chicken salad for lunch and tonight is chicken stirfry.

 I'm finding it hard to stay off the scale.  You are encouraged to only weigh yourself before and after the cleanse.  The fiber can bulk you up at first and may show a slight gain.  Which can be unencouraging.  I am focusing on getting 70 oz of water in today and walking 8,000 steps.  Walking a lot makes my lower back sore.  I just had a spinal fusion a month and a half ago, so I have to take it slow for a while.

Here are some of my food pics from the last couple of days.

Nothing fancy, just clean and simple.  

Obviously, this is not all I have eaten in the last 3 days...just what I remembered to take pics of Lol

For more info on the 24 Day JumpStart go to ADVOCARE

 

Today is Day 1 of the 24 Day Jumpstart! 
Here is my morning regimen.   Btw, the Salted Caramel Meal Replacement Shake is Yummy!  I had a banana for my mid morning snack and a grilled chicken salad for lunch.  Supper is going to be baked fish, grilled herb baby potatoes and steamed broccoli.  I am trying to get 70 ounces of water down today.  It is important to drink lots of water while on the cleanse phase.  It helps rid the body of toxins.   I have to say that the fiber drink followed by the meal replacement shake this morning really gave me a full feeling that lasted for hours.  I love that!

Time to start blogging...again.

I haven't blogged in a while.  Years, actually.   My life is finally at a place where I have time to sit down and write something .  I am currently recovering from back surgery.  I had a spinal fusion a month ago.  So, I am off work on medical leave for the next couple of months.  I suffered from debilitating back and leg pain that made any sort of activity difficult for the last couple of years...and I regained 20 lbs of the weight I had lost.  I currently have 40 lbs to lose until I reach my goal.  I am starting an AdvoCare 24 Day Jumpstart tomorrow morning.  I will be posting my progress and updates here.  My goal is to lose 10 lbs.  I have done the Jumpstart twice before.  I lost 14 lbs the first time and 10 lbs the second time.

Here is where I am right now

STAY TUNED!

On a mission....

Just wanted to share that I have now lost 52 lbs.  I feel so much better!  I have 38 more to go to reach my goal.  I am on a mission and NOTHING is going to stop me.

Update...

Still working hard.  Eating clean, exercising and taking Advocare supplements. 34 lbs. lost.

24 Day Challenge Results...

I finished my Advocare 24 Day Challenge yesterday. I lost 14 lbs and 19.5 inches. :) I really am glad I did the challenge. I needed something to get be back on track and jumpstart my weight loss. I am eating better and exercising now. I still drink the Advocare SPARK ( which I love!) and take some of the supplements. But, the biggest change has been in my mind. I know I can do this! I am hoping to reach my goal by the end of this year. I have 66 more lbs to lose.   I didn't starve myself.  I ate 6 meals a day.  The 24 Day Challenge is a healthy way to Jumpstart your weight loss or help you break through a plateau.  Here are my BEFORE (day 1) and AFTER (day 25).

Go to  ADVOCARE  for more info on Advocare Products and the 24 Day Challenge

Starting Over After Tragedy...

I honestly don't know where to start. I haven't blogged here in almost 2 years. A lot has happened in that time. But, the life changer is that my husband committed suicide on Oct.4, 2013. It was his birthday. He had bipolar disorder. My son and I were not there when he did it. We were in another state staying with my parents. To say that we are still struggling to understand his actions is an understatement. He went to his sister's house and shot himself on her front porch. I know that it wasn't my fault. I know that, now. But, I struggled with it. Life with him was hell. I loved him with all my heart...but, he was a hard man to live with. He had demons that he was dealing with on a daily basis and there was nothing I could do to help him. He wouldn't let me. He was emotionally and mentally abusive to me and our 8 year old son. He would take his meds and he was fine. Then, he would start drinking with his meds. Then, he would just stop the meds and drink more often. He was a monster when he wasn't on meds. He was worse than that when he drank. This pattern went on for 9 years. He just found out that he had bipolar disorder 4 years before he died. He hated that he lost so many years to the disease he didn't know he had. He used to say that if he had been on meds years before he was... his life would have been so much better. He felt like he was cheated by the bipolar disorder. Cheated out of who he could have been as opposed to who he ended up being. I am sorry that I am rambling. I haven't written about this before. Not really. Just a few words on FB about his death. I keep hearing that it will take time to "get over" his death. But, I am not so sure that I will ever get over it. He called me and wanted me and our son to come back home after we got to my parent's house. I told him that I couldn't go back to the life we had. And that I wouldn't bring our son back into it, either. He was so angry. He was used to me doing whatever he said. But, I had made my mind up. I wasn't going back. He realized that, I guess. The last time I talked to him was by email. It was 2 hours before he shot himself. He said that I better read my bible. He said God didn't want us to divorce. Then, I got a call from his sister saying that he had come to her house and killed himself on her front porch. It's been almost 4 months since his death. Christmas was so hard. He loved the holidays. But, we are moving forward. My family has been so supportive and have helped my son and I so much. We have been living with my parents since The end of Sept. 2013. But, we are moving into our own apartment in 7 days. As far as weight loss... which is what this blog is supposed to be about...I am on day 21 of the Advocare 24 day challenge and have lost 13 lbs. I am eating right again and exercising. In spite of the tragedy of losing my husband... I am finally finding myself under the fat. Each day is a gift from God.

Hello...I'm Not Dead.

Guess Who?  I have had one interesting year.  It has been over a year since I posted.  I am currently on a leave of absence from one of my jobs due to carpal tunnel surgery on both hands.  Just had the stitches taken out of the last one 2 days ago.  I have vertigo and my doctors can't find out why.  I have numbness in my feet and toes.  My memory is horrible.  My primary doctor seems to think that I may have MS.  But, the MRI showed no lesions.  Oh, and last Saturday night, I was walking down my stairs and failed to see my black cat... I stepped on her and ended up falling down the last 6 steps.  My ankle started to swell immediately.  So, DH took me to the ER.  I have a pulled ligament and am having to wear an aircast and use crutches.  I am a walking disaster.  lol.

Now, on the the weight side of things... I have been out of work for 2 months and have gained 7 lbs.  UGH!  It is so much harder to control my portions when I am home all day.  I am not currently following WW.  My weight loss started to stall.  So, I thought I could handle things on my own.  NOT!  I know some folks can... but, not me.  I need a plan to follow.  So, I am currently deciding how to go about getting myself on track again.  It will help so much when I go back to work.  Which is the first of May.  Of course being laid up in bed with my ankle isn't helping either.

So much for the pity party!  I am actually doing very well...considering.  My husband and I started a business.  (Like I need another job, lol).  We have a booth in the local flea market.  He is selling fishing rods and tackle and I am selling baby things.  I am having a blast!  I love all of the little clothes and shoes.  I sold a crib today. I love having the extra money that this brings.  Especially since I am not working at Walmart right now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter!  And not to get too preachy, but... HE IS RISEN!  :)

Sherry

Still going DOWN!

My weigh in this week is 197.8.  That's a 1.2 lb. loss.  What am I doing differently?  I am paying attention to portion sizes, getting lots of walking in and tracking my points.  I am also allowing myself a weekly splurge.  I have 49 weekly points that I can use whenever I want during the week.  I have been using every one of them.  lol.  It works for me.  I am not losing too fast.  I feel that I am being consistent.  The only drawback that I have found so far is the extra belly skin.  UGH!  Now that my stomach doesn't look like I am about to give birth any minute... my skin is all bumpy and saggy.  Oh well... Maybe in time it will get better.  A girl can hope... can't she??


Oh, and I am also drinking lots more water.  It's all I am allowed to drink while I am working.  So, it started out as a sort of "have to" situation.  But, now I really like it.

Have a great day!
Sherry

Weight Watchers etools

I have a bad habit where if I eat something that I think may be totally off the charts in points (or calories)...I tend to screw up  my whole eating plan for the rest of the day.  I think to myself..."well, I have already screwed today up.  I might as well eat this piece of candy.  Or I might as well eat anything I want now.  I know... BAD!  This is why I am FAT!  I rationalize with myself.  I am so trying to break that habit.

Well, weight watchers etools are coming in handy in that area.  I made some spanish rice with cheese, sour cream and salsa last night.  I was hungry and it was what was leftover in the fridge.  Anyway.... I thought to myself,  "this is going to be 15 points or more."  But, when I put it into my tracker... it was just 7 points.  Granted that was a lot of points at once.  But, I had the extra points to use.  I was amazed at the difference in  how many points I thought it was and how many it actually was.  That taught me a lesson.  Instead of just guessing at how many points things are and screwing up my plan for the day...I need to put EVERYTHING into my tracker.  It may be more than I think it is or it may be less.  But, I am no longer going to be guessing.  Or just using excuses so that I can eat whatever and how much I want.

I have a lot of rethinking and relearning to do about eating.  And about food in general.  As of right now... I am not in control of my eating.  I am taking baby steps one meal at a time.  But, I am learning with every step.  I am making mistakes and I am learning from them.  But, I am also making progress.  This is just a moment in a long journey ahead of me.  And I know that the journey doesn't end when I meet my goal.  It just continues in a different direction. 

Thanks to all of you who read my ramblings and post such encouraging comments.  I appreciate them so much!

Sherry

Weigh in...Friday!

I lost more weight!   lol.  I lost 1.4 lbs. this week.  Not breaking any records...but, still losing.  I am happy with that.  :)  I am now at 199.0  I am in Onederland!  I just got my foot in the door...but, I am there!  49 more lbs to goal. 

Had a long hard night at work last night.  I just wanna go to sleep.  lol. 

Later,
Sherry

P.S. I am thinking about getting a bicycle.  I found one that I like.  But, I have to find a place to ride it.  There aren't any bike trails or parks close.  Hmmm.  Joshua just rides his in the yard.  Guess I could ride with him.  lol.

Weigh In... Friday!

I am so excited.  I weighed in this morning and I am now 200.4!  I will be in onederland soon!  I love PointsPlus!  I haven't been starving on this plan.  I still eat foods I love.  And I am losing weight.   I just got in from work and I am worn out.  I gotta get to bed.

Have a great weekend!
Sherry

New Scale

I got my new scale on Friday.  I love it.  So far, it has been my friend.  lol.  I weigh 3 lbs less than I thought I did.  My official weigh in isn't until Friday.  So, I won't post my weight now.  I am loving PointsPlus.  I also like WW online.  It makes it so easy to track my food and points.  I am eating foods that are so much better for me.  Veggies, fruit and lean protein.  I am eating more "good for me carbs" and less processed foods.  I really think I made a good choice when I decided to sign up for Weight Watchers.  There are so many good recipes all over the internet that are low in points. 

I bought a new pair of shorts for summer today.  lol.  They were on the clearance rack.  I got them a size smaller than I am wearing now.  I only paid $3 for them.  They fit....snugly.  I am gonna be able to wear them comfortably by summer.  Or maybe earlier.  ;)  I am bloated right now.  It's almost "that time of the month."  UGH!  Bloated and moody.  Being a woman isn't as easy as it looks.  lol.

We got our income tax refund back last Thursday.  I bought a food scale, a weight scale, measuring cups, measuring spoons and a 3 month sub. to ww online.  I am not going to be guessing about the amount of food I am eating.  Joshua needed clothes.  So, we got him fixed up.   He is  growing like a weed. 

I am off the next 2 nights.  Thank goodness!  I am pooped!

Talk to you all later,
Sherry

It's Broken! UGH!

My darn scale is broken.  Every time I get on it... it gives me a different weight.  I don't mean it's off by a lb. or so... no, it changes by 10 lbs or more each time I get on it.  I am getting a new one on Friday.  Until then... no weigh ins.  Weight Watchers is going well.  I think I have lost.   Just not able to document it until I get another scale. 

Does anyone have a suggestion about the type of scale I should get?  Which one is the best??

My new friend is string cheese.  It is satisfying and it's only 2 PointPlus.  Love it!  Of course I love the 0 PointPlus fruit.  But, I am trying not to reach for an apple or a banana every time I have an urge to snack.  They are good for me...but too much of anything is not good.  I also found some flat bread crackers.  They are made by Town House.  I got the Italian Herb flavor.  There was also Sea Salt and Olive Oil flavor.  I may try that next time.  I get 6 crackers (pretty good sized) for 2 PP.  They are so flavorful.  And sometimes I just need something crunchy.  KWIM?  I am trying to stop my diet coke habit.  IT IS SO HARD!!  I have been reading about BPA in the news.  It is a harmful toxin that mimics hormones.  Or something like that.  lol.  I am still researching it.  But, I did find out that it is in soda cans and canned goods.  Such as canned veggies, fruits and tomatoes.  It has been linked to cancer and PCOS.  I am going to start buying my diet coke in bottles.  They cost more and will eventually help me quit all together.  I have been buying the "sam's choice" diet drinks because I can get them   pretty cheap.  But, they don't have that in a bottle.  I will have to go for the real thing.  And they are expensive.  I hate to spend a lot of money on myself... so, I know I will wean myself off of the nasty buggers. 

I am loving the Weight Watchers online site.  It is so easy to use and it keeps track of everything.  My favorite part of it is the recipe builder.  I can take any recipe and plug in the ingredients...and I get the points per serving.  For me that is worth the money.  I signed up for the 3 month plan.  We will see if I can still afford it after that.   lol. 

My baby lost his first tooth today!  He is such a big boy.  He is asleep right now with it under his pillow.  lol.  He wanted to go to bed when it was still daylight so the tooth fairy could come.  I had to make him wait until dark.  lol.  I usually have a hard time getting him to bed.  Maybe he should lose a tooth every day.  He was so cute!  Now he talks with a whistle. 

Okay... I have rambled long enough.  I will check back in a few days...when I get my new scale!

Sherry