"Spark" your Matabolism

I am 3 weeks into my journey to loose weight, eat better, and changing my life! I have lost 9 lbs and feel great. Because I am just getting the hang of things, I didn't do everything exactly the way I was supposed to and I'm trying to intertwine it into my daily BUSY life. But I may do another 24 day challenge to get a better grasp of it and be able to share more about how and when to do everything.

I had whole wheat noodles, WOW! That is a change for sure. I tried a coke the other day just to see if it would indeed taste different and it did! I took a few sips and had to trade it in for a water! I wasn't even that addicted to it. I look forward to remeasuring my body to see how many inches I've lost.

I can honestly say it feels good to step on the scale and see the number decrease. I actually weigh less than my husband. Not only that I usually don't say anything about my weight till it stays at a certain number for 3-5 days so that I know it isn't just for the day! It hasn't gone back up which is amazing!!! I weigh myself at night and in the morning...not going away! I can see a difference in my face...and others can too!

You know that it feels good when before you could only get to the very end hole on your belt (except the end hole wasn't the intended hole to be used...it was just a flower decoration made out of holes) and now I can use the proper hole...2nd hole to the end!!! Yeah for me!!!

I share this not to brag or make anyone feel bad about themselves for where they may or may not be. But to say I'm excited that I feel great and I'm seeing results. If your down in the dumps do something about it. Gain your self confidence and self esteem back.

Women's bodies go through so much having kids and the fact we are wired and made so differently than men. I know that men suffer too but we can all agree women suffer from weight gain, depression, low metabolism, and bad eating habits more than men do. I hope today you get encouraged to do something about your circumstance...even if it's to make a healthier meal, drink more water, or go for a walk!

Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Thank you Lord for giving me this faith on this journey!!!

1 Week Later

Today marks one week from being on Advocare and beginning my journey to shedding the inches, loosing weight, and making lifestyle changes! By the way, I would not recommend you begin something new the day you go on a camping trip that's for sure! You have to miss out on smores and more.

So I made it through the weekend but realized when I came back that I didn't do a few things exactly the way I was supposed to. I read the first 3 pages to guide me through when to take everything but didn't go through the other pages giving you suggestions for what to eat and not to eat during those times. There is a really neat color coded chart to see when to do everything that I failed to see, with a seperate page for those who like it all spelled in words instead.

After seeing it upon my return Monday night I followed it to a T and today...results are better than ever! 5 lbs in 1 week...gone! I have been at a plateau since a week after I had Evan. I weighed 213-215 when I gave birth on June 11, 2011. Then lost 30 lbs. and began this 24 day challenge at 185-186. Let me tell you, that is hard to admit to the world. But this morning I got on the scale and weight 180!!!!! Oh my goodness, I know that i'ts not about the pounds and more so about the inches but if that doesn't get you fired up about something I don't know what else will!

If I can say even if a person does not get results (which I don't see happening), I can admit that it teaches you know what and when you put things into your body. Every 2-4 hours we should be putting something in our bodies in order for it to work the way its supposed to. Not only that but build our matabolism and energy. Of course, it needs to be something that is good for you rather than all the junk in the world. Something like nuts, fruit, carrots, and granola bars for example in between meals.

It also makes me aware of my water intake. I gladly drink more than whats required of water. "A Gallon a Day keeps the Doctor Away!" is my new motto. By adding your spark to my bottle or glass of water twice a day makes it easily to drink 2-4 of my eight 8 ounces of water. That leaves only 4-6 more and I found if I drink a bottle of water for lunch, another for dinner, and one before bed I'm good to go. A 16oz bottle of water is 2 8oz so this is what I carry with me throughout my day. This doesn't account for what I drink in between which makes it well over the required amount.

You see, we know these things but for some reason we make it difficult for ourselves. I never thought about how important it is to eat and drink every 2.5-4 hours throughout my day in order to do my body good and allow it to regulate the way it is supposed to. Now it's just a matter of retraining myself and building a habit of thinking and doing it. I hope that by sharing all of this will be helpful to someone.

I am going to get my family on board soon too! I have figured out a schedule for us to follow that will be perfect based on when I take my vitamins, cleanse, and more. I will think for my family! What I mean by this is...I will make an extra energy drink or snack for them as well. Encouraging good habits for them to follow in the future.

What a wonderful thing to pass along to my children...good health and eating habits....just by leading by example. Thank you Lord for bringing this to my attention!

No More Pizza...

Ever eat all the junk food and worst things for ya before starting a diet or challenge within yourself to eat and do things differently? Well, that was me yesterday...ice cream, pudding, pizza, cookies! But today, say goodbye to those things for now until I get my body on a better eating schedule.

I started the day with my Spark, ate oatmeal with nuts and fruit from Starbucks, drank my peach fiber drink and took my Omega vitamins. I am on the road to exercising, eating right, and getting rid of all the toxins I have put into my body so that I can feel good again!

You see the Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 & 31 that "Everything is permissible" ----but not everything is beneficial...So whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.

I'm also reminded as I start my 24 day challenge with Advocare and lifestyle change of a Proverb ~ Whatever you do, do in moderation!" So after my 10 cleanse it's ok to have pizza, something sweet, or whatever we desire as long as its in moderation.

When we take care of our body it does a domino effect to other things within our lives. We eat right and exercise, which then gives us more energy, then we feel better physically and emotionally about ourselves. This trickles down to our daily attitude and how we treat people. We have the energy to do more around the house which makes our spouses happy for sure! We'll desire to get up early to spend time with the Lord rather than roll over because we feel we need that extra hour of sleep. Then actually feel like washing the laundry and putting it up in the same day! Overall this creates happiness within ourselves and the lives of others.

So for now, no more pizza and junk food for me!!! How about you? What simple alteration to you life and/or body can you do today to help yourself feel better? Time with your loved ones, eat something good for you rather than junk? Clean the house? Spend time with our Creator and ask Him for guidance in your life?