20 Pounds Down!

Down 20 Pounds and 24 overall inches in 8 weeks! I'm so excited! I have done dieting for the majority of my teen/adult years so far and haven't ever stuck with it to get to this point at one time. A couple weeks ago I got to purchase a smaller size pair of jeans because mine were falling off..literally. Now, the ones I have are starting to get a little loose. Maybe in a couple I can go back and purchase the next size down.

My husband's band is playing a youth retreat at the beach June 1-4. I have such a long way to go to reach my goal, and I know I'm not going to be completely comfortable in a bathing suit by then, but I'm working my tail off this month. I'm DETERMINED to be a little closer to my goal and a little less "flabby" by then. Which brings me to my next news...Check out this little beauty I recently purchased for myself :)

 I had this necklace custom stamped by Debbie at The Run Home on Etsy. She did a fabulous job and it was exactly what I wanted. The large pendant displays three statements that perfectly define my weight loss efforts. PATIENCE. DETERMINATION. NO EXCUSES. I have come to the realization that weight loss is not a fast track thing. There will be those days/weeks where is seems like I am going no where. However, I know that if I stick to the healthy lifestyle/diet/workouts, there will be a better number on the scale soon. I am determined to reach my weight loss goals. There are so many reasons, which I will list in a later post, for wanting to be healthy. I know that I have to be committed to my goals and efforts to see the results I know. Lastly, I'm accepting no excuses from myself to miss a workout or slip on my diet. I know there will be those rare occasions in which I will "slip" or not have time for a workout in my day (which hasn't happened yet). I am just trying to learn and embrace that excuses are what got me to where I am in the first place.

Most importantly though, I can tell a major difference in the way I feel. I am eating clean to the most part which has up-ed my energy so much (in conjunction with my Advocare products of course). I've always heard "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Well, I'm definitely not skinny yet, but I'm on the right road, and I can relate to that expression now. AND IT FEELS GOOD!!

Stay Blessed!

For more information about the AMAZING Advocare products, please check out my aunt's website HERE (she is an consultant). I promise, you will not be disappointed in any order. If you are looking to jumpstart your weight loss journey, definitely consider the Advocare 24 Day Challenge pack! It WORKS!!

I've come far...

On Monday, March 5, 2012, my daddy and I started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. I had heard great things from people who had great results while doing the challenge. So, we started it. It was tough at first to stick to such a strict diet, but slowly, each day got easier. I completed the challenge (with no cheating might I add!) and my results were -11 pounds and -16 inches all over. With such motivation, I have continued my weight loss journey with success. After a total of 6 weeks since March 5th, I have lost 18.6 pounds and 23 overall inches! I still have a long way to go, but I'm well on my way. I am now going to gym at 6am 3 days a week to work out, along with some arm and ab work a few evenings a week. Tomorrow I am starting myself with a new challenge. On top of my 6am workouts 3 days a week, I am challenging myself with the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!! I have attempted with before and it was HARD!!! However, this time around I'm much more motivated to be a healthier and happier me! Check back often and watch for my posts..I'll be blogging periodically through this journey.

Now answer me this (I'm now on the hunt to a challenge to start when this is over):
What health/fitness challenges do you give yourself to stay motivated and keep a short term goal in place to pursue??

What to know more about Advocare? My aunt sells it and you can check out her website HERE! It is a health and wellness company offering world-class energy, weight-loss, nutrition, and sports performance products along with a rewarding business opportunity. My most recommended products are SPARK, MNS, THERMOPLUS, and CATALYST :) However, I hear you will love them all!

Fab in Feb :)

Yes, I'm doing it again. 

Another challenge.

I know I have started these before and never finished, 

but this time is GOING to be different. 

I'm going to join Julie's 28 Day Challenge for February. 

It's not thirty days, but simply 28 days; just a mere 4 weeks. 

Yesterday, I walked. 

So far today, I have walked 3 miles, 

but Zumba is on the agenda. 

It is my goal and promise to myself to do some form of exercise each and every day for this short, sweet month of February. 

After all, I want to look more fit in the 

Bahamas in April than I do right now :) 

Want to join me? 

Make a post on your blog,

your pledge to join the challenge,

and leave me a comment so that I can visit your post.

We can motivate each other.

Come on now, get moving :)

Be Blessed Bloggers!!

4 Simple Goals

Brianna, a fellow blogger, 

did this post a few days ago, 

and idea which she found HERE, 

and you can read about it and the way to do it.

I thought this was a really super cute idea. 

It's a great way to verbalize things 

we want to get accomplished and 

keep each other encouraged and motivated.

Here are my 4 Simple Goals

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ONE: Take more Pictures! 

I love, love, love pictures.

Everyone says that 

a picture is worth a thousand words. 

TWO: Walk Daily!

Exercise is good for the soul. 

Although, I am trying to lose some weight, 

I love to walk and want to take 

more time for myself to do it daily.

THREE: Write More Handwritten Notes!

With everyone so wrapped up in the 

blog world, emails, and Facebook, 

we often loose the intimate touch 

of a handwritten note. 

I love sending cards in the mail.

I love leaving little notes around 

for my husband to find. 

This is an act that I plan to make a habit.

FOUR: Eat More Fruit!

Apples, Bananas, Oranges, Grapefruit, Kiwi, 

Peaches, Watermelon, Grapes, Plums, Peaches

and so many, many more!

I just love fruit and want to take the time to 

enjoy more of it on a regular basis.

--------------------------------------------------------------- 

There you have it.

My Four Simple Goals

All in a Nutshell.

What are your simple goals?

I challenge you to join me in verbalizing your goals.

Leave me a comment and link to your post. 

Can't wait to see what your goals are!

Have a very blessed day, Bloggers!

90 Days of Kindess

While viewing the giveaway and reading the guest post from Pure Joy, I went to the blog of the guest blogger. On her page, she has a 90 Day Kindness Challenge. 

I mentioned in a previous blog that I struggle with kindness and patience, especially with people. I am join in her 90 Day challenge and the idea is to pick on person or area of your life to focus on during these 90 days. 

My focus is my husband. He is wonderful and we have a great relationship, yet I get aggravated if things don't go my way. It's not that I mean to, sometimes it just happens. 

My goal is to show him at least one kind gesture each day for the next 90 days. 


Read her blog and be inspired to be kind to someone special that you sometimes neglect to show kindness to on a regular basis. 

I'll post a weekly blog to keep you up to date on my kindness challenge. I welcome and encourage your comments in response to your own kindness challenge as well as mine. 

I'm hoping that by starting with my husband, I am expand my kindness to others to share the love of Christ with others through my actions. 

I challenge you to do the same.