Hard work eventually pays off ... right?

My challenge ends on Saturday, so I will post the final results on Sunday. It seems crazy that its been nearly 24 days. I weighed myself last Wednesday and haven't had a second to post the results. I weighed today and the scale hadn't changed. I'm feeling a little disappointed that I hadn't lost more. With that being said, last week I was sick (again!) seriously that needs to stop right flipping NOW! On Thursday when I started to feel much better I continued on at the gym. Really the only thing I quit doing was working out (but really who works out when they feel horrible?) That is why I was so disappointed that the scale stayed the same.

I weighed in at 147.2! I've hit the 30 pound mark for this blog! I am pretty excited. I can't believe overall I am 33 pounds lighter than when I started this journey. It feels so surreal that I was as big as I was. It feels crazy that I don't feel "lighter".... I know I look and feel healthier, but I thought I'd feel less baggage and lighter. Does that make sense? Probably not.

Anyways, my goal was to be at 145 at the end of the 24 Day Challenge. I am so close to getting there. It's hard. I keep telling myself that even though this is hard it will be rewarding. It's the working hard over and over and over again and the scale not wanting to cooperate that makes this journey so freaking tough!

Speaking of tough...my life just got busier!

I am now working full time.... why? Mainly because I am awesome and my boss doesn't want to hire a third MA. So besides the fact that I am feeling extremely overwhelmed I kinda feel like SuperMan. Hubby works out of state, which means I am a single, married woman, raising two kids, working full time, maid, taxi driver, and accountant all while trying to focus an hour and a half of time I don't feel like I have to better myself and be healthier for me, my kids and my husband. If I can do it ANYONE can do it. True story guys!
So if by chance you are to come to my house, don't mind the mess. If something in my crazy life gets forgotten about its gonna be the house. I have come to realize that I can't do it all. Maybe one day, but for now the house is where my attention is lacking. My OCD is actually telling me right now to get off this computer and pick up the toys....if you personally know me, you know how bad those toys are driving me crazy just laying on my floor, making the house look soooo dirty. I don't like messes and I am pretty uptight when it comes to my house..... hmmm maybe I'll hire a maid?

Thought this picture says it all. 

Make it happen! 

24 Day Challenge- Half way there!

Today is day 11 of the 24 day challenge. Cleanse phase is officially over and the Max phase begins.
Guys, let me just tell you that weight loss is not easy and is easily the hardest thing I have ever done! It's a mind game and I suck at those. ;) But really. It's all about feeding your body the right tools and getting back up when you fall.
With that being said- I'm proud to say I have RESULTS!
On day one of the challenge I weighed in at 154.2, my inches were Chest: 36 Waist: 33 Hips: 41 and Thighs: 22
Today is day 11 and I weighed in at 149.2, for a total of 5 lbs down. My inches were Chest: 34 Waist: 33 Hips: 38 Thighs: 19. An overall inch loss of 8 inches!

I feel good. I posted a little bit ago about still feeling negative towards myself after loosing some weight. I'm proud to say that some of those feelings are gone. I no longer have so much hatred for myself. I'm proud of what I am doing to better my life and my health. I'm surprised? maybe that I have actually stuck with this for so long... I just knew deep in my soul that if I continued to live and eat how I was that I would eventually lose everything that was important to me because of my attitude. 

I have amazing family support as well. Encouraging me to keep on keeping on and always giving me positive feedback. I also have an amazing bestie that also helps to remind me to continue to do better; pushing me at the gym, helping with my mentality and understands how I feel at times...okay actually she understands MOST of the time. 

I'm healthier than I think I've ever been. I can feel the difference. I can see the difference and it is so rewarding that I have come this far! 

No matter what it is your trying to accomplish; if you put forth the effort you can achieve it. 

Anger, Acceptance and finally action.

Recently I read a blog post by MamaLaughlin (super love her blog...it is real and I like real!) 
Early this week before I read her post I was feeling the same way....
Anger: 
After having my first child and gaining 30 pounds in two months, I couldn't believe what was happening to me.... I was so angry that I had gained weight and wasn't even sure how that had happened. I was so angry that I turned to food to comfort me and would think "oh well...what's done is done."
I had tried numerous attempts to lose weight but I'd slip one day and then I would say "well everything that I've worked for has gone out the window..... better luck next time" and continue on with the habits and comfort that I was so used to.
After having my son, I lost 19 pounds within the first two weeks. I thought to myself that I was never going to get to the weight that I was when I delivered him. Boy was I wrong! February 2013 I stepped on that scale and saw a big 180! Um hi....I didn't even weigh 180 when I delivered little Ledge!!
I thought and thought and thought a little more and once I realized that this weight gain was because of ME I knew that it was up to ME to make a change.
Yes I was still angry with "letting myself go" but I had come to terms with what I had done and finally accepted the damage.
Acceptance:
Once I accepted that this began with me and the end result would be because of me and my hard work, it made making the right choices slightly easier. I finally stopped being angry about my weight gain, accepted it with um slightly open arms? Ha maybe not, but anyways I had accepted what IIIII had done and knew what I had to do to change it.
Action:
I took control, I took baby steps (I am still taking baby steps) and I take it one day at a time. I used to slip up once a day and then get right back on track. Now that I have been working so diligently on this I rarely slip up. PROGRESS BABY!!
Yes, weight loss, eating the right foods and exercise is on my mind ALL THE TIME. Sounds exhausting? I find it motivational. Keeps me accountable. I always have the voice in the back of my head helping me push through those negative thoughts that creep up daily.
For me, AdvoCare has given me the tools (yes I already knew what they were) but the motivation and the added supplements that I knew my body was lacking to help push me along in my day to day journey. AdvoCare has pushed me to make healthy choices daily and to keep on keeping on.

So for those of you that struggle to lose the weight or are just needing something to give you that push, I feel like acceptance of where your at will help you decide to take positive action to make yourself, and your lifestyle much healthier. But that change needs to be YOUR desire, no one else can make this decision for you.

Here's something I've been dying to post...
Day 9 on the AdvoCare's 24 day challenge and I am down 4 pounds from my last weigh in. (Insert drumroll here please) This morning I weighed in at 150.8!!!!! Oh how close am I from breaking free of the 150's!?
I will post my day 11 results on Sunday before I start the Max Phase of the challenge.
Things just got real and I'm pretty much amazing! (not quite, but I feel amazing and it's kinda the same thing right?) :))
Motivation baby....motivation!