Week 1 - DONE!

Sis and I passed week 1 with flying colors.  We are also almost finished with the cleanse portion of the 24 Day Challenge and have seen amazing results.

And now for the numbers. . .

Dawn - 7 lbs.

Holly - 10 lbs.


YAY!!!

Weekend - winning!

Wow!

I'm super excited to have made it a whole weekend on this strict diet.  My weekends are normally filled with high calorie meals out, sugary pancakes for breakfast, and 3 plates at a random buffet after church.

I planned my meals and even went prepared for a short shopping trip with girls.  Shake in hand, check.  Water, check. Snack, check.  It feels good to make good choices.

I actually did hit a buffet on Friday night with my in-laws.  I enjoyed a salad without the piles of dressing and toppings and grilled tilapia.  It wasn't what I wanted, but I was satisfied and it tasted good.

I am already starting to see the results from the Advocare products.  My face is even clearer!  I count this weekend as a huge victory.  Learning to take this journey one day at a time is a huge help.  My goal weight seems like an unattainable mountain to climb if I really think about it too hard, but just thinking about how much I've changed my life in 6 days encourages me that I can stick to it.  It's been a very long time since I've made it a week without fast food and soft drinks!

"We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." Richard G. Scott

Honesty

Truly, honestly...I've never made it to Day 5 of any diet, health plan, or new eating habit without cheating. Until now. Despite things still lying around the house that I can't have, I haven't touched anything or passed anything across these lips that I'm not supposed to have. 5 days shouldn't be a big deal, but it's really huge for me. I'm getting some recipes down and getting better at my planning. I've got this. :)

I think I love you, so what am I so afraid of?

Oh, David Cassidy. Were you talking about lentils in that song?

It's true.  I kind of love lentils. Who knew?! They are tasty and a great source of protein and fiber.  I think I can be totally fine with having them in my diet.  And while we're on that subject, I hate the word diet in its normal context.  This cannot be a "diet" for me.  When you look up diet in the dictionary, you get the following results.  See there at #3?  No pie for me, I'm on a diet.  No thank you.  This cannot be temporary for me. I am excited to add lots of natural, healthy choices to my meals.  Some are familiar favorites, but many things I haven't even tried in my 30 years and that's kind of sad.  Oh, and that fiber drink Sis mentioned yesterday? Day 2 was much better.  I am also on track with my vitamin and water consumption.  Over all, I think I can mark this day a success as 2/3 of my eating is complete. Go, herbal cleanse!

di·et

¹  [dahy-it]  Show IPA noun, verb, di·et·ed, di·et·ing, adjective

noun

1.

food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health: Milk is a wholesome article of diet.

2.

a particular selection of food, especially as designed or prescribed to improve a person's physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease: a diet low in sugar.

3.

such a selection or a limitation on the amount a person eats for reducing weight: No pie for me, I'm on a diet.

4.

the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group: The native diet consists of fish and fruit.

5.

food or feed habitually eaten or provided: The rabbits were fed a diet of carrots and lettuce.

Aside from wanting to look good, Sis and I made a commitment to eat other as a team to take control of our health together.  As I look at this picture, I'm encouraged more knowing that so many things we're both suffering from can be easily resolved with a brand new lifestyle.  It doesn't require doctors or surgery, it just demands consistency and time.  That we can do.

I lived.

I lived through Day One. I'm an emotional eater, and today was a very emotional day as we said goodbye to Uncle Steve. Thankfully I didn't do anything stupid.

Sis and I sat down with a bowl of Lima beans at the family gathering tonight. It was quite comical. But, we've excused ourselves out of things for too long.

I should be asleep, but my brain is on overtime. Day two approaches. Hopefully I can get that fiber drink down in the morning without sounding like a choking cat. And yes, you are welcome for that visual. :)

And so it begins

Tomorrow is day 1. A challenge. A goal. A need. .... 10:26 PM - Evening before cleanse Text from Sis: "I'm sitting here on my couch with a sack of lite bread, container of butter, and a knife. I'm not ready to say goodbye yet." Follow our journey here.