June 24, 2015
48 Weeks Old
My Wonderful Blessed Life
Friday, June 26, 2015
~My Weightloss Journey-Results #7~
The last time I updated you, I had just finished another 14 day maintenance phase in which I gained .4oz. Total weight loss at that point since February 1st was 24 pounds!
After that phase, I decided to do another 24 day challenge, which includes a 10 day cleanse phase and another 14 day max phase! The program recommends a cleanse every 3 months, so it was time for one. During these 24 days, which I actually had to extend a bit due to moving and some other things that came up...my total weight loss was another 6.6 pounds, bringing my total weight loss since February 1st to 30.6 pounds!
Although I am very pleased with another 6+ pounds and definitely liking that 30 number...I still feel that over the past month I could have done better. I started the challenge off with a bang, losing almost 10 pounds within the 10 day cleanse phase...but then went to the beach, got stressed with my classes and moving, and just didn't follow the program as closely as I should have, so I put 4 back on, but again, overall pleased.
I love Advocare and am very pleased with the results and the program in general, but it is also a bit challenging to keep up with everything. Here is an example of one day...
30 mins before breakfast-take MNS Color Packet/Catalyst/ThermoPlus/Crave Check (8 pills)
Drink Breakfast Shake
Morning Snack
30 mins before lunch-take MNS Color Pack/Catalyst/ThermoPlus (6 pills)
Eat Lunch
Afternoon Snack
Take Second Crave Check (1 pill)
Drink Spark Drink at some point during the day
Eat Dinner
Take OmegaPlex (2 pills)
So you can see how complicated this can get, and is almost 20 pills a day. Although these pills are great and are all herbal and make me feel wonderful, it's hard to keep up with, especially with my crazy schedule lately.
Long story short, I looked into some other programs that would/could possibly require a little more flexibility, and I found Le-Vel's Thrive. I know several people on this program, and they ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
You seriously wake up, take 2 capsules on an empty stomach with water, 20 mins later drink a shake (every other day), slap on the Thrive patch, and go! That's it for a day! This was definitely a perk for me. Also ordering all of pills and shakes from Advocare can get quite expensive, and Thrive is quite a bit cheaper...so another perk!
If I don't like Thrive, I'll definitely be going back to Advocare...I just thought it might be good for a change!
Advocare has definitely taught me a lot, which I think is why I feel so strongly about defending it, even though I am taking a break from it right now.
1. I do believe it is definitely important to cleanse your body in some way every 3 months.
2. It taught me the importance of drinking mostly water. Before I started the program, I NEVER drank water. Now I drink over 9 bottles of water every day!
3. It taught me the importance in calorie counting. Before Advocare, I couldn't even begin to tell you how many calories I ate during a given day...now, I know exactly how many calories I eat and how many I need to eat.
4. It taught me the importance of healthy foods and really watching the unhealthy ones. Before Advocare, when I would cook, I would rarely have vegetables for dinner, and would usually end up cooking 2 starches. Now, we rarely have starches for dinner EVER, and for the most part only have vegetables. For example, last night we had baked ribs, boiled okra, and green beans for dinner. Before it would have been baked ribs, potatoes, and probably rice. If we do have a starch for dinner, it is usually a healthier version...so for example, boiled/grilled corn, or roasted potatoes...not baked ones.
5. It taught me the importance of the RIGHT foods and which ones to cut out or minimize. Before Advocare, I would load up my salads with cheese, and fatty dressings. Now, I usually skip the cheese and go with the lighter version of dressing.
6. It taught me the importance of eating little things throughout the day. Before Advocare, I think I would try and minimize what I ate thinking it would help me lose weight. But what I learned is that eating small things throughout the day actually helps with the weight loss process. So now, I have those 2 really important snacks...one in the morning and one during the afternoon.
7. It taught me the importance of the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time make great healthy eating choices, and 20% of the time you can splurge (within reason). I always try to live by this rule. I have learned that I shouldn't splurge on a Friday night just because, but my last night on Wilmington Island at a wonderful Italian restaurant...it's okay to splurge! (And Warren and I definitely did...but it was totally worth it!)
8. I learned never to deprive myself. If I want a piece of cake, I can have it. BUT, not all the time, and not a gigantic piece! Life is too short to deprive yourself!
I'll keep you posted with my new program and how it is working out for me. I still have a long way to go in my weight loss journey, but seeing the progress I have made so far is definitely exciting!
After that phase, I decided to do another 24 day challenge, which includes a 10 day cleanse phase and another 14 day max phase! The program recommends a cleanse every 3 months, so it was time for one. During these 24 days, which I actually had to extend a bit due to moving and some other things that came up...my total weight loss was another 6.6 pounds, bringing my total weight loss since February 1st to 30.6 pounds!
Although I am very pleased with another 6+ pounds and definitely liking that 30 number...I still feel that over the past month I could have done better. I started the challenge off with a bang, losing almost 10 pounds within the 10 day cleanse phase...but then went to the beach, got stressed with my classes and moving, and just didn't follow the program as closely as I should have, so I put 4 back on, but again, overall pleased.
I love Advocare and am very pleased with the results and the program in general, but it is also a bit challenging to keep up with everything. Here is an example of one day...
30 mins before breakfast-take MNS Color Packet/Catalyst/ThermoPlus/Crave Check (8 pills)
Drink Breakfast Shake
Morning Snack
30 mins before lunch-take MNS Color Pack/Catalyst/ThermoPlus (6 pills)
Eat Lunch
Afternoon Snack
Take Second Crave Check (1 pill)
Drink Spark Drink at some point during the day
Eat Dinner
Take OmegaPlex (2 pills)
So you can see how complicated this can get, and is almost 20 pills a day. Although these pills are great and are all herbal and make me feel wonderful, it's hard to keep up with, especially with my crazy schedule lately.
Long story short, I looked into some other programs that would/could possibly require a little more flexibility, and I found Le-Vel's Thrive. I know several people on this program, and they ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!
You seriously wake up, take 2 capsules on an empty stomach with water, 20 mins later drink a shake (every other day), slap on the Thrive patch, and go! That's it for a day! This was definitely a perk for me. Also ordering all of pills and shakes from Advocare can get quite expensive, and Thrive is quite a bit cheaper...so another perk!
If I don't like Thrive, I'll definitely be going back to Advocare...I just thought it might be good for a change!
Advocare has definitely taught me a lot, which I think is why I feel so strongly about defending it, even though I am taking a break from it right now.
1. I do believe it is definitely important to cleanse your body in some way every 3 months.
2. It taught me the importance of drinking mostly water. Before I started the program, I NEVER drank water. Now I drink over 9 bottles of water every day!
3. It taught me the importance in calorie counting. Before Advocare, I couldn't even begin to tell you how many calories I ate during a given day...now, I know exactly how many calories I eat and how many I need to eat.
4. It taught me the importance of healthy foods and really watching the unhealthy ones. Before Advocare, when I would cook, I would rarely have vegetables for dinner, and would usually end up cooking 2 starches. Now, we rarely have starches for dinner EVER, and for the most part only have vegetables. For example, last night we had baked ribs, boiled okra, and green beans for dinner. Before it would have been baked ribs, potatoes, and probably rice. If we do have a starch for dinner, it is usually a healthier version...so for example, boiled/grilled corn, or roasted potatoes...not baked ones.
5. It taught me the importance of the RIGHT foods and which ones to cut out or minimize. Before Advocare, I would load up my salads with cheese, and fatty dressings. Now, I usually skip the cheese and go with the lighter version of dressing.
6. It taught me the importance of eating little things throughout the day. Before Advocare, I think I would try and minimize what I ate thinking it would help me lose weight. But what I learned is that eating small things throughout the day actually helps with the weight loss process. So now, I have those 2 really important snacks...one in the morning and one during the afternoon.
7. It taught me the importance of the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time make great healthy eating choices, and 20% of the time you can splurge (within reason). I always try to live by this rule. I have learned that I shouldn't splurge on a Friday night just because, but my last night on Wilmington Island at a wonderful Italian restaurant...it's okay to splurge! (And Warren and I definitely did...but it was totally worth it!)
8. I learned never to deprive myself. If I want a piece of cake, I can have it. BUT, not all the time, and not a gigantic piece! Life is too short to deprive yourself!
I'll keep you posted with my new program and how it is working out for me. I still have a long way to go in my weight loss journey, but seeing the progress I have made so far is definitely exciting!
Thursday, June 25, 2015
~Dear Bowdre-11 Months Old~
Dear Bowdre,
I can't believe that you are almost a year old...where has the time gone? You are such a joy in our lives, and definitely keep us entertained everyday! It really is and has been so much fun watching you grow and learn to do things. You have changed so much!
At 11 months, you have 4 teeth (2 top and 2 bottom), are crawling all over the place (and quite quickly I might add), are pulling up on anything, and are a busy little bee. You love people, being help, and you love spending time outside...that is where you prefer to be! Every person that you see gets a wave and a kiss blown to them...you love doing that, and you think it is funny.
You babble all the time, and I can tell you are going to have lots to say. Here are your words so far:
Ma-Ma
Da-Da
Hey
Bye
Pop
Ehhhhhhhh (which I'm pretty sure is Elle', at least you do that everytime you see her or want her to come to you)
You are really starting to pay attention to words too and can locate quite a few things like noses and fans, and a few other things too!
This past month has been a crazy one with the move, but you have been so great these past 6 months living in 2 places. Most babies would be fussy and moody, but you are so pleasant. As long as you can crawl, pull up, eat and speak...you are happy! You are really walking with your walker now and can push it all over the room!
We took our first girls weekend to the beach, and you had a blast playing in the sand...oh yeah, and eating it too!
We got to celebrate Daddy's first Father's Day!
And Pop's first Pop Day!
Here are some things you love...
Elle'...
Being outside...
Riding in the boat...
Going grocery shopping (because you get to wave and blow kisses to a thousand people)...
Going to restaurants...
Your daddy...
And taking baths...
Everything with you is just so much fun! You bring so much happiness, laughter and love to our family, and we love you oh so much! Here are a couple more of my favorites from this past month!
We love you sweet baby girl!
Mommy and Daddy
I can't believe that you are almost a year old...where has the time gone? You are such a joy in our lives, and definitely keep us entertained everyday! It really is and has been so much fun watching you grow and learn to do things. You have changed so much!
At 11 months, you have 4 teeth (2 top and 2 bottom), are crawling all over the place (and quite quickly I might add), are pulling up on anything, and are a busy little bee. You love people, being help, and you love spending time outside...that is where you prefer to be! Every person that you see gets a wave and a kiss blown to them...you love doing that, and you think it is funny.
You babble all the time, and I can tell you are going to have lots to say. Here are your words so far:
Ma-Ma
Da-Da
Hey
Bye
Pop
Ehhhhhhhh (which I'm pretty sure is Elle', at least you do that everytime you see her or want her to come to you)
You are really starting to pay attention to words too and can locate quite a few things like noses and fans, and a few other things too!
This past month has been a crazy one with the move, but you have been so great these past 6 months living in 2 places. Most babies would be fussy and moody, but you are so pleasant. As long as you can crawl, pull up, eat and speak...you are happy! You are really walking with your walker now and can push it all over the room!
We took our first girls weekend to the beach, and you had a blast playing in the sand...oh yeah, and eating it too!
Elle'...
Being outside...
Everything with you is just so much fun! You bring so much happiness, laughter and love to our family, and we love you oh so much! Here are a couple more of my favorites from this past month!
We love you sweet baby girl!
Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
~Father's Day 2015/The Big Move~
This past weekend was Father's Day and was also moving weekend for us. We closed on the house back on June 8th, but we worked out a deal with the buyers that enabled us to be in the house until the 22nd, which meant that Father's Day weekend was packed with moving boxes and little time to spare. It was definitely an emotional time as well. Warren and I love our house, neighbors, neighborhood, Church, community, and friends in Wilmington Island, so we definitely feel like we are leaving behind a part of us. It's our first home that we bought together, the home where we brought our sweet baby home from the hospital, and the home where so many memories were made. I'm so glad that God put Wilmington Island in our life, but I'm also excited for what lies ahead for my family. Here is a picture from the day we bought the house back in July 2013.
We wanted to try and make the weekend as special as possible, while also getting alot done. Let me tell you...with an almost 11 month old, that is tough. On Saturday, packing boxes was in full force. My uncle has a large enclosed horse trailor that he let us use for moving, and the past weekend we had already taken 2 loads to our storage units in Statesboro and a couple of car loads to my parent's house in Millen...so we felt totally prepared for the weekend ahead. Boy were we wrong and boy did we underestimate the amount of stuff we had...and for the most part it's WEDDING PRESENTS! When am I ever going to use 30 serving platters? Wow. My parent's had a wedding this weekend and couldn't watch Bowdre on Saturday, so Warren's sweet Aunt Joan came to save the day and watch Bowdre for us while we packed. Thank goodness! She kept Bowdre occupied for the day, and Warren and I were able to get a lot accomplished. So thankful for her!
Aunt Joan headed back to Jacksonville about 6:30, and Warren and I had dinner reservations at Little Italy, a new Italian restaurant on the island that we definitely wanted to try before we left! Here is our last dinner picture on the island.
By the way...the food was delicious! After coming back home, and putting Bowdre to bed, Warren and I crashed. Father's Day arrived! I felt really bad for Warren having to share his 1st Father's Day with moving...but he didn't mind! He was so sweet about it, and trust me...it was a VERY stressful day. Even with all that we had left to do, we still wanted to go to Church, especially since it was our last Sunday at Bible Baptist, where we have called our Church home for the past 2 years. I'm so glad we went...it was truly a blessing to hear Dr. Hubbard speak that morning.We also heard the Imani Milele Uganda Choir sing, and they were wonderful. Imani Milele is a non-profit organization based in Florida that helps to rescue, educate, and teach the Word of God to orphaned children in Africa. It is a wonderful program. The choir, made up of about 20 or so children ranging from age 8 to 18, are here in the United States until December touring and singing in different states. To see how you can help this organization, click on the following: Imani Milele. It really is a wonderful cause! After Church, of course we had to get a family Father's Day picture!
After a quick trip to Sam's and lunch at Zaxby's, we headed back home to finish packing and loading the trailor. Thankfully, my parents were coming to help us. Mainly for my dad to help Warren with the big pieces of furniture, and my mom to watch Bowdre. Once they got there, moving was in full force, but everything was taking longer than expected. We honestly had more furniture than we thought...more boxes that we thought...and so on and so forth. The day was very quickly going by, and we were running out of time. Once we got all the big furniture loaded, I told my parents to go ahead and take Bowdre to Millen with them so that we could finish things up.Our neighbors, Don and Debra Tomberlin, came over to say goodbye around 6:00, right as my parents were leaving, and they saw the panic that we were in. They said they were going to change clothes and would be back to help us. I am so thankful for them! They stayed and helped us pack boxes, load the trailor, load the vehicles, sweep, and so many other things. Around midnight, the last boxes were loaded and it was time to say goodbye and Don and Debra were still there. What amazing friends and neighbors! I am so thankful for everyone who helped us this weekend, and also has been praying for us these past few months. It hasn't always been easy living in 2 places, but God has provided. We know that we made the best decision for our family, and Warren's work is really doing great! I'm so excited to see what's next for us! Until we can find a house and decide exactly where we want to be...we will be taking up residence at Quinney Oaks Plantation! So blessed to have wonderful parents who don't mind us living with them, who keep our baby full time, and who is always there when we need them!
Goodbye Wilmington Island!
By the way...the food was delicious! After coming back home, and putting Bowdre to bed, Warren and I crashed. Father's Day arrived! I felt really bad for Warren having to share his 1st Father's Day with moving...but he didn't mind! He was so sweet about it, and trust me...it was a VERY stressful day. Even with all that we had left to do, we still wanted to go to Church, especially since it was our last Sunday at Bible Baptist, where we have called our Church home for the past 2 years. I'm so glad we went...it was truly a blessing to hear Dr. Hubbard speak that morning.We also heard the Imani Milele Uganda Choir sing, and they were wonderful. Imani Milele is a non-profit organization based in Florida that helps to rescue, educate, and teach the Word of God to orphaned children in Africa. It is a wonderful program. The choir, made up of about 20 or so children ranging from age 8 to 18, are here in the United States until December touring and singing in different states. To see how you can help this organization, click on the following: Imani Milele. It really is a wonderful cause! After Church, of course we had to get a family Father's Day picture!
Goodbye Wilmington Island!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
~To My Wonderful Husband~
Happy 1st Father's Day to the love of my life! You are an amazing
husband and friend, but your role as "daddy" is your best yet! Thank you
for all you do for our little family and for being our backbone! You
are definitely loved and appreciated very much! You really are a great
role model in Bowdre's life and are such a wonderful daddy to her. She
is so blessed to have you, and I am too! We love you!
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