24 Day Challenge Complete!!

It's official, I have finished my 24 Day Challenge!!  I really loved everything about the challenge, and I have already ordered my next set of products to continue on this same road.  They should be at my doorstep today or tomorrow!!

During my max phase, I got pretty busy with the baby and a lot of stuff going on at work.  So, I got in a pretty good routine.  Almost every day, I had my meal replacement for breakfast, banana for snack, salad with chicken and carb (sweet potato, mashed potatoes with tofu sour cream, or black beans), apple or almonds for snack, salad with chicken for supper, and nut butter (plain or with half of a banana) for snack.  I rarely changed any of my meals because this was so convenient.  Hopefully, when work and life starts to slow down, I will have time to add a little variety!

I still feel like I have tons of energy compared to before my challenge.  It is amazing how clean my house is on top of raising a 6 month old, working a full time job, and going to the gym almost everyday!  I'm not bragging (really, I'm not).  Honestly, I am AMAZED that my house is clean (just ask my husband how often I usually do the dishes).

Anyway, I'm sure everybody already scrolled down to get my results, so here they are:

Day #1 Stats:

• Weight: 165
• Jeans: 12-10
• Neck: 13.75 inches
• Shoulders: 41 inches
• Chest: 34 inches
• Arms: 12 inches
• Waist: 30.5 inches
• Hips: 40.5 inches
• Thighs: 24.5 inches
• Calves: 15 inches

Day #25 Stats (after 24 day challenge:

• Weight: my dang scale isn't working so I have no clue, most recent weight was 158 (-7 lbs)
• Jeans: 8-10
• Neck: 13.5 inches (-.25)
• Shoulders: 41 inches
• Chest: 33 inches (-1, ugh)
• Arms: 12 inches
• Waist: 28.5 inches (-2)
• Hips: 38.5 inches (-2 inches) Wahoo
• Thighs: 22 inches (-2.5 inches each and -5 inches total)
• Calves: 14.5 (-.5 inch each and -1 inch total)

Total changes: 7 (ish) pounds lost and 11.25 inches lost (I posted 10.75 inches earlier, but I keep forgetting to count each leg separate)

So, I may not have lost my goal of 15 pounds, but I have to admit that 15 pounds in 24 days was a pretty tough goal.  I'm ok with 7 (+/- 1) pounds!  I feel great and am so more confident than I was!  I did this whole challenge because I had become extremely self conscious.  I was only wearing very baggy clothes, and I didn't even want to take my son swimming in a kiddy pool in our own backyard without a t-shirt and shorts on.  I hated the way I looked and felt.  Despite wanting to lose weight, I continued to eat candy, Starbucks, Chick-fil-a, and tons of other junk food.  I didn't just need a diet; I needed a lifestyle change.

Now, fast-forward 24 days....I feel great!  I am proud of my accomplishments.  I may not have a washboard stomach (and probably never will).  My legs still jiggle when I walk.  But, I am going down the right road.  I plan to continue with this new, healthy, happy lifestyle!  I CANNOT WAIT on my next shipment of Advocare to arrive today!! 

Post Cleanse

Ok, I have actually been done with my cleanse for a little over a week.  But, work and baby has been keeping me busy!  Give me some slack here!

Cleanse Pros:

• Lots of energy
• Healthier lifestyle
• Losing weight and inches
• Stayed on my diet even on vacation
• Not craving sweets or carbs
• Love, Love, Love my Spark drink!!!

Cleanse Cons:

• The fiber drink isn't my favorite (although not horrible)
• Wasting 15 minutes of my precious time trying to come up with more cons (does that count?)

I think it is pretty self-explanatory that I loved the cleanse!!  I am currently in the max-phase of my 24 day challenge, and I really don't want these 24 days to end!

Time for some stats:
Day 1
Weight: 165 lbs
Jean size: 12-10
Neck: 13.75 in
Shoulders: 41 in
Chest: 34 in
Arms: 12 in
Waist: 30.5 in
Hips: 40.5 in
Thighs: 24.5 in
Calves: 15 in

Day 10 (cleanse done)
Weight: 161 lbs
Jean size: 10 (mostly)
Neck: Forgot to measure
Shoulders: Forgot to measure
Chest: 34 in
Arms: 12 in
Waist: 29.5 in
Hips: 39.5 in
Thighs: 24 in
Calves: 15 in


Day 18 (my latest measurements)
Weight: 159 lbs
Jean size: 10-8 (some pre-pregnancy jeans)
Neck: Forgot to measure
Shoulders: Forgot to measure
Chest: 33 in
Arms: 12 in
Waist: 28.5 in
Hips: 39 in
Thighs: 24 in
Calves: 14.5 in


Summary:
Day 10: -4 pounds and -2.5 inches 
Day 18: -6 pounds and -5.5 inches loss!! 

Sounds pretty good to me!  I was a little disappointed at only 6 pounds loss, so that is why I measured a little early.  It is nice to see the actual numbers!  Also, all of my pants bought post-pregnancy are HUGE.  My belts are also all on the very last hole (and some are too big on the last hole).  So, screw the scale.  I am very happy with my results so far!  No picture yet (that is going to wait until the end). 

The max phase is similar to the cleans as far as food goes.  The main difference is that now I am taking all kinds of supplements that help with energy, appetite control, and weight loss.  I don't feel much different energy-wise than on the cleanse.  I'm continuing to work out 5-6 days per week.