Back... on a MISSION!

HI THERE AND HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!

 

It's been too long since I've posted and it's time to get real!  The next 24 days are going to be challenging and I will definitely need an outlet to express my thoughts and possibly frustrations.  What better place than here? 

This Friday, after Thanksgiving, myself and two others will be starting Advocare's 24 Day Challenge!  My boyfriend, Mike, recently became an Advocare distributor and swears by their products.  Being a personal trainer, he understands peoples goals of leading an active and healthy lifestyle.  While exercise is a crucial component in the equation, what you put in your body and do outside of the gym is even more important. 

My weight has fluctuated between 115 and 135 since college. I am guilty of extreme dieting and sometimes exercising in excess.  While I haven't gone to any extremes lately, I must say that I have not been treating my body as well as I should be.  I still workout 3-4x a week, but I have been indulging in less healthy foods and probably a little too much beer and wine.  What can I say?  We are all guilty of overindulging at some point in our lives. 

With that being said, what's a better time to start to get back on track than after Thanksgiving--the holiday built on FOOD!  Andddddddd it'll be over right before Christmas :)  The 24 Day Challenge isn't a "drastic", "unhealthy" or "extreme" program.  The program focuses on vitamins, supplements, meal replacements and an herbal cleanse.  While I have never actually followed a specific program, I am excited to start and have a regime.  I really believe this will get me back in a "rhythm" of being more conscious of what I put in my body and give me a better overall feeling of health and wellness. 

On the program, we will need to eliminate alcohol, dairy (THIS IS GOING TO BE HELL-I LIVE OFF OF CHEESE!!!!), fried fatty foods, refined carbs and sugars amongst other items.  It's not going to be easy, but I've already set a meal plan for the first 10 days (the cleanse phase) so that I don't get off track.  I'll update you on our status every few days.  We're going to be taking before and after photos for accountability also (yikes!). 

While I would like to shed close to 10 pounds, I am not going to get hung up with the number on the scale.  If I see improvement in my before/after photos, feel tighter and more energized after the 24 days, I will consider it a success and keep on working towards my health and fitness goals.  

Sooooo... with all this starting in just 2 days, I'm going out tonight (the biggest drinking night of the year) to celebrate life, love and happiness.. and hopefully not a hangover tomorrow.  I'll have my last few drinks and last huge meal before really buckling down!  It's only 24 days but right now it seems like an eternity!

Comment/Email me if you're interested in seeing what my 10 day meal plan looks like!

Also, if you're looking for advice related to any Advocare products including the 24 Day Challenge, feel free to contact Mike Brizzolara, who's an extremely knowledgeable Distributor and personal trainer who can work with you to achieve your goals.

Contact Mike (Select I already know a distributor, select name and state, type Michael Brizzolara, NJ)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! 

Happy Friday! (& Happy Birthday Mommy!)

Good Afternoon Fellow Bloggers/Followers! Are you as happy as I am that today is Friday!?  I just wanted to share a quick afternoon snack that I am currently having at work which is a sliced banana drizzled with Natural Roasted Creamy Almond Butter and sprinkled with cinnamon. 

This snack is great because not only is it super tasty, the components are packed with vitamins, nutrients and overall health benefits.  Bananas are filled with dietary fiber (which aids digestion and curbs overeating), Vitamin B6 (which acts as an anti-inflammatory decreasing chances of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity) and potassium (which aids in bone health and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels).  As you can see, there are many benefits to eating bananas.  

The Almond Butter has many of the same benefits as bananas plus more! It's good for your heart, can help lower blood pressure, contains antioxidants, and can help you maintain a healthy weight because of its high protein content which makes you feel full longer.  

Last but not least, you can't forget about the cinnamon!  Many people are surprised to find that incorporating a little cinnamon into your diet daily can add some great benefits.  A few of the benefits of cinnamon include it's ability to regulate blood sugar, reduce LDL cholesterol levels,  reduce pain linked to arthritis, lessen menstrual pain, increase fertility, and studies have also shown it may reduce chronic inflammation linked with various neurological disorders.

So why wouldn't you want to eat this delicious snack? I mean, if you're like my good friend Pete who's allergic to both bananas AND tree nuts (eh hem, ALMONDS)...well then you just suck!  Don't worry, I'll feature a great snack idea for any of you who are like my friend in the near future.

Anyways, I hope you all have a good weekend and Mother's Day, the weather looks very promising!  I will be off to happy hour in less than two hours which I am very excited about :)

Remember to make healthy choices this weekend! I'll be back towards the end of the weekend with some more yummy recipes and/or health tips.  Adios for now! 

"Being weak is a choice, so is being strong!" -Apply this to any goals you set, mentally or physically.  Whether it's running an extra mile or turning down that chocolate chip cookie, remember it's your choice, challenge your will power and you will appreciate the results.

 

Sources:

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/8-health-beneits-of-bananas.html

http://healthmad.com/nutrition/the-phenomenal-health-benefits-of-almond-butter/

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-cinnamon.html?page=1