May 31, 2013- Fifth Day of the 24 Day Challenge- Picture and Measure Update!

 Weight:

Left Arm: 10 3/4inches
Left Arm Flexed: 12 inches
Right Arm: 10 3/4 inches
Right Arm Flexed: 12 inches
Left Thigh: 22 1/2inches
Left Leg: 13 inches
Right Thigh: 23 inches
Right Leg: 13 inches
Waist: 28 1/2inches

Hips: 34 1/2

How many Push ups in 24 seconds: 16

Waking up this morning at 5:45am SUCKED, but we did it. We woke up- I had my Spark, probiotic pills and Catalyst- then started stretching. We did our Couch to 5k run and went home to do 200 crunches. I then did 6 regular push ups, 6 diamond push ups, then 6 regular push ups. After getting ready for work, I had my breakfast.

I ate:

1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
3oz tune with 1 tsp olive oil mayo (put it on top of the rice cake)
I then ate 2 strawberries.

for a snack i had 1 tbsp of peanut butter

I then had a Spark and took my Catalyst.

For lunch I made a lettuce wrap-
4 butter lettuce leaves
3oz chicken (boneless, skinless)

3/4 cup vegetables (avocado mushed with onions and lime juice, then added tomatoes and spread on lettuce)- added cucumber- chopped and added onto wrap
1/4 cup Brown rice- seasoned with cumin and red pepper

For a snack, I ate 1tbsp Peanut butter

I drank 7 glasses of water

Overall energy, I'm feeling pretty great- I haven't had dinner yet, when I do- I will post more!

May 30, 2013- Fourth Day of the 24 Day Challenge

     Sleep has still been a difficult thing for me. Luckily, I have the day off! I will keep this post short and simple. I woke up and had my Spark, along with the probiotics they have me take, along with Catalyst. I ate breakfast an hour and a half later.

I ate:
5 egg white scramble
3/4 cup of mixed veggies: fresh yellow and green peppers, fresh zucchini, fresh broccoli
dashed cumin and garlic powder on the scramble
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake (ate the seperately, of course)

For a snack I ate:
1 tbsp peanut butter

Half hour after, I drank my Spark and took my Catalyst.

An hour later, I had lunch.For lunch, I ate:
3oz Tuna with 1tsp olive oil mayo
1 Lundberg Brown Rice 
2 Celery Sticks

For a snack I ate:
1 tbsp peanut butter


For Dinner I had:
4 Green Leaf Lettuce (huge)
3/4 cup mixed veggies: mixed avocado, onion and celery with lime juice- mushed it together and spread it on the lettuce. On top of spread, I did diced cucumber (all totaled 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup Brown Rice (when cooked, was dashed with cumin and red pepper)
3 oz of tuna.

I added the rice and tuna on the vegetable spread, and cucumber- I then folded the lettuce to make a wrap. I sprinkled  the wrap with a little lemon juice. YUM! I then took my omega.

For a snack before bed, I had:
Peanut Butter
1/2 piece of sourdough bread


For my workout I did: 3 sets of regular push ups and 200 varied crunches. I took my herbal cleanse packets and went to bed

As for overall health, I am noticing an increase of steady energy. Nothing really BOOMS yet, but I'm not having the "highs" and "lows" of energy like I used to. I was either too tired, or too wired for really anything. Now I am able to stay steady, be more patient and sustain energy throughout the day.

May 29, 2013- Third Day of the 24 Day Challenge

     I still woke up this morning exhausted. My night consisted again of my son waking  up and in between, nightmares/anxiety dreams. Once the clock hit 5:45am, I smacked the snooze button and that was that. My boyfriend and I decided we would do the run after work.

     I drank my spark- I love my Spark....Then took my catalyst. After a few minutes I drank my Herbal Cleanse like I normally do- 1/2 the packet with my 12oz glass  3/4 full, then do it again. I followed this with another glass of water.

     My breakfast dragged out because I was running later for work. I made my lunch and breakfast at the same time and scrambled out the door. In the car and at work---

I ate:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
3oz Chicken (boneless, skinless)
1/2 an apple

     Around 11:30 I became a little hungry

I ate:
1tbsp of peanut butter

     Around 12:30 I was planning on eating lunch soon, so I drank my Spark (YUM!) and took my catalyst.

     At 1:30 I ate my lunch.

I ate:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
3oz Chicken (boneless, skinless)
3/4 cup of celery (I cut it up into small sticks and measure. It's about 2 sticks)

 For my snack, I ate:
1/2 apple

For Dinner I ate:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice  Cake
1/2 piece of sour dough bread
3 oztuna
3/4 cup of greens with celery

      After I ate, I took my Omega

For my after dinner snack, I ate:
1 tbsp peanut butter

Stupidly, my boyfriend and I started running AFTER DINNER! DOH! We were so sore from stomach cramps.... never again! At least we finished our Couch to 5k this time! We then did 200 crunches and 150 varies butt and thigh exercises. After I took my herbal cleanse packets, I was off to bed!

May 28, 2013- Second Day of the 24 Day Challenge

     This morning was a little more tough getting up. I still have nightmares and my son woke up a few times. I really needed my Spark this morning- I did not hesitate. I also took my catalyst--

    After I, once again, enjoyed my Spark, I drank the Herbal Cleanse Fiber drink- same way I drank it yesterday. I knew I would be extremely bored with the limited selection of what I am able to eat- so, I got creative. Last night I made chicken marinated in a little bit of extra virgin olive oil, garlic and cilantro- baked it and refrigerated it for the morning. I also made brown rice- but added cumin and red pepper to it (just a dash). I was running late this morning, so I had to get something quick.

I ate:
3oz of garlic cilantro chicken (boneless, skinless)
2 strawberries (2oz)
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake


      Once it approached snack time- I did the same cucumber and avacado  mix I had done last night.


      A half an hour before lunch, I took my Catalyst and drank my Spark.

For lunch I ate:

3oz of garlic cilantro chicken (boneless, skinless)
3 Lettuce Leaves (sprinkled lemon juice from a lemon for flavor)
1/8  cup of Brown Rice seasoned with cumin and red pepper
1/8 cup of Black Beans

(I am only allotted 1/4 cup of Complex carbs- so, for flavor, I did a1/8 cup of beans and rice so that I could more thoroughly enjoy my meal)

I then stuffed the lettuce with the chicken, beans and rice. It was- DELICIOUS! Way better than eating everything separate with minimal flavor.

     As the middle of the afternoon approached, I was still quite hungry. So I had my snack

Same avocado and cucumber mix I did yesterday.

     When I went home, my boyfriend and I checked the Couch to 5k app and it said we had to rest today... I guess we had plenty of time to do the dishes! Once dinner time approached I ate what I had for lunch earlier today. I also took the omega I was supposed to take.

     Then I got pale. Not just a little washed out- like, no color in my skin tone. I had NO ENERGY, i had a headache, light  headed, dizzy and I could barely even hold a conversation. I had my snack early because I was really starting to crash.

I ate:
1 tbsp of Peanut Butter

A half and hour later- I was still dizzy and tired so--

I ate:
1/4 piece of sour dough bread.

My boyfriend and I decided to at least do our crunches and push ups today. I did my 200 varied crunch exercises. I then did 6 regular push ups, 6 diamond push ups, then 6 regular push ups. I felt fine once I had a little more to eat. I eat A LOT. Not always  "unhealthy"- but my metabolism is already pretty high, I figured this would happen.


Afterwards I took my herbal cleanse packets...and went to bed. I was asleep by 10:30

I drank 8 glasses of water throughout the day

May 27, 2013- First Day of the 24 Day Challenge

Measurements:
Left Arm: 11 inches
Left Arm Flexed: 12  inches
Right Arm: 10 1/2 inches
Right Arm Flexed: 12 inches

Left Thigh: 24 inches
Left Leg: 14 inches
Right Thigh: 24 inches
Right Leg: 14 inches
Hips: 35 inches
Waist: 29 inches

How many pushups in 24 seconds: 12

Weight: 134.5

*I also bought Catalyst along with the Cleanse- it does not come with Catalyst)*


     I woke up and the first thing I had to drink was my Spark (variety pack is included in the kit). I love Spark- well most flavors. I can say that I HATE grape with a passion- the citrus flavors are okay.  But you know what flavor I LOVE? Tropical Punch. It tastes exactly like Crystal Light Tropical Punch. I would drink it all day if I were allowed to. Though, I just drink my spark and if I want "more", I just drink the Crystal Light. Point being- delicious. I bought the giant canister of the Tropical Punch because I didn't desire any other flavor and I knew even after the

cleanse, I would want it. It is more expensive, but it's cheaper than buying two things of spark. I didn't take my catalyst like I should have because I knew that I wasn't going to be able to work out until the later afternoon. After enjoying my Spark (in other words, I didn't chug it)- I had the yucky part... The herbal cleanse. I decided to get the Citrus flavor... considering that this thing gets chunky and flaky- I'm rather Citurs than Peaches and Creme- or whatever flavor the other was... Luckily, my nose was stuffed up! I couldn't taste a thing. What I did notice however, was that the consistency was that of orange juice with a ridiculous amount of pulp. I decided, because the powder expands in the water so fast, to pour half of the mix in and pour water in about 3/4 full- then slam in down. After, I do it again (the other half of the packet). To make sure I got it all, I poured just a little more water in the glass and swished it around until I got the remaining bit in the glass and drank it. Definitely made me feel a pretty full right then. My goal was to wait 40 min or so just so that the herbal stuff would begin digesting... I did not make that goal.

     My first big mistake- I didn't eat breakfast until 10:30-11am- about 1.5-2 hours after the herbal drink. I couldn't because I was editing/working- so it was postponed until early morning. I eat according to the Small Advocare eating chart. Portion size varies to your size and overall goal.

I ate:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
2 strawberries (2oz)
3oz of  Tuna

     Unfortunately, I was still hungry and borderline low blood sugaring because I waited to long. I drank a few glasses of water to distract my stomach for a while.

For a snack I ate 2 strawberries (2oz).

By the time I had "lunch" it was 4:30-5pm. Once again- not the way to go. I'm supposed to be eating about every 2 hours or so... I was really tired and crashing. They suggest a half an hour before lunch to have Spark if your crashing- I should have taken the advice. Instead, I just ate and took my Omega Vitamin (included in kit)

I had:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
3oz Chicken (skinless, boneless)
3 Lettuce Leaves (sprinkled lemon juice on it for flavor)

     About a half hour after lunch, I had my snack- what could I do? I was STARVING! By my own fault of course. My boyfriend and I then took catalyst and started stretching for our run. We did our beginning of week 2 on Couch to 5K app on my IPhone (I got that app thanks to my Sponsor David Watkin. It really helps those out of shape or just beginning to take up running). Week 2 has a five minute warm up (faced pace walk). It then progresses to six runs of a minute and a half each- in between each run there is a two minute break where you walk fast paced. Afterwards  we came home and did our crunches/situps/pushups. I did 200 crunches- varied based on 8 min abs. I then did 12 pushups and 10 sit ups.

     After, it was time to relax. We decided to watch a movie and eat dinner. I kept it simple- being day 1 and all.

I ate:
1 Lundberg Brown Rice Cake
3oz Chicken  (skinless, boneless)
3 Lettuce Leaves (sprinkled lemon juice on it for flavor)

     With dinner, I took my Omega. Since I was STILL HUNGRY half way through the movie--- I had a snack.

      For snacks- I did something a little different. I like FLAVOR when I eat- so I mashed half of an avocado (healthy fat you can have at your snack time) and added a sprinkle of lime-did HALF of what I am allowed for snack... then on the other half of the snack I cut up half of the the amount of my portion size I am allotted of Cucumber. I put the avocado and lime on top of the cucumber and ate it- delicious.

     I also bought a free app for my phone that reminds me to drink water as well as track how much I drink. Since having this app- I have had the 8-9 glasses (8oz each) that I need a day.

    From six weeks of studying my sleep patterns before this project, I have determined (as well as other factors) that I need at least nine hours of sleep... this means I have to start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier in order to get all these workouts in and being able to make my meals for the day. Unfortunately, I didn't go to bed until almost 11pm- though, I remembered to take the herbal pills! Oh  well, hopefully day 2 will be better!

Today, I drank 8 glasses of water.

My previous lifestyle

Before the 24 Day Challenge (May 27, 2013)

      I am a single mother of a two year old. My days normally consist of waking up two or more times at night and nightmare/night terrors that keep me from a restful nights sleep. I wake up (between 7:30am and 8am), get ready for work- get my son ready for daycare and head on my way.
  
      I woke only 4-5 days a week, because daycare is too expensive and my sons father alternates weekends with me. I get off at 5 so that I can pick up my son in time. We head home, which at least once a week I can't help but stop at Krispy Kreme for a little "deserved" treat. I clean my house and wait for my boyfriend to come home. We make a relatively healthy dinner, get Jaden in bed, watch a movie- then turn in for the night. Usually we fall asleep between 10:30pm and 11:30pm.

     I started working out at the gym a month ago. I go to Zumba on Mondays and Core Yoga on Thursdays. A week ago, but boyfriend and I have started the Couch to 5k run. We runabout a mile total. The app on my phone has us walk for 5 min (warm up), then run for 1 min (8 time), then walk for 1.5 min (6 times), and end with a 5 min walk. Every two days I do about 200 crunches and 100-120 random leg and thigh exercises (both crunches and leg workouts stemmed from 8 Min Abs and 8 Min Buns). Working out and cardio has been an issue with me. I have a small lung capacity which makes working out much harder to do. I can do 12 pushups right now before I really start shaking.

     My normal diet consisted cereal in the morning.. for lunch, it would consist of eating out- I would pick the "healthy choice" on occasion. Usually it would be taco bell burritos or Spiteris Sandwiches- the sometimes Mountain Mikes Hot Wings would come into play being that I work next door to them. I also wouldn't start my day without coffee from work or a Dutch Bros. Iced White Zombie (would get it 1-2 times a week). For dinner, it was usually whatever my boyfriend would like. Sometimes we would eat at home- but mostly we would eat out. I would have a soda usually once a meal- I barely drank water. Maybe a glass of water- Total- a day
.

Before-

 Rate 1-10 (1 being lowest and 10 being highest)

• Overall Wellness: 5

•  Overall Energy in the morning: 6

                             middle of the day: 4.5-5

                                 

                                           evening: 4

• Lung capacity: 4

 Current weight: 134.5

     Goals: My goal is to be healthy. I want to get my body back in shape so that I can be able to play with me son without getting tired so quickly. I want to feel good and look good. Right now, I just do not feel like myself. Right now I feel chunky and on the inside I just feel gross. I want to be able to contain my sweet tooth and not have it control me. I want to love natural sugars more than artificial. I am fine with my weight as long as I start losing the fat on my belly and my hips. The muffin top has got to go!