OPERATION GET HEALTHY: Day 10 & 11

So I'm just gonna skip right on ahead for ya'll! Today is day 11...the day after the Advocare cleanse. I went to bed last night....kind of exhausted...and a itty bitty bit bummed because I was expecting my typical results from trying to eat a little healthier & exercising....you know lose 3 pounds initially and gain one back....while your husband loses 15.

So I get up this morning....get on the scale...& do a double-take, look back at my initial weight...step off the scale & step back on....DOWN 8 POUNDS....with NO exercise. I'm on the phone with Ashley my coach/long-time friend askin': "When are you comin' to get my measurements?" That scale made me pay attention....Down 8.75 inches....2 in my waist alone. So then I think to myself...I'm pretty happy where I'm at. I can't wait to see what Day 24 looks like, but didn't really think people would be able to notice yet.

I called an auction for the Red HOT Round Top Chili Cook-Off that benefits the Round Top Family Library. I had more people commenting on my appearance than normal: "What are you doing? You look great." "Heather, your always beautiful, but you look really good today." "You are just radiating!" "Have you lost weight?" Yes PEOPLE! YES! All those things because I'm eating healthier and am on the Advocare 24-day challenge! Obviously I had some room for improvement. Apologies for tootin' my own horn a little bit here... It will still be a challenge for me to stick with it, but man..... I mean...I wasn't prepared for all that, but I WILL TAKE IT!! It makes it quite encouraging to keep going!!

Below are my results so far & I'm also sharing the results of 2 other friends that are doing the challenge right now also.

8 lbs. - 8.75 inches down. 

3 lbs - 10 inches down. 

6.4lbs - not sure on inches. 

The Daniel Plan Journal has a 10 day check-in also & then asks you to assess your journey. Here are my responses to their questions:

What Essentials have you been focusing on, and why?: Food - because I was unhealthy eater overall & the Advocare Plan pushes you to change that.

What progress have you made?: (My results listed above).

Is something still standing in your way? If so, what will you do differently to overcome it?: I need to work on better fitness, so I'll do that.

What is something new you have learned about yourself?: I can do this!

Based on what you have learned, what will you change next week?: More exercise

Already achieved your goals? Congratulations! It's time to set some new goals: Lose 20 more pounds.

What is a new Essential(s) to focus on for the next 10 days?: FITNESS

Now set your SMART Goals & share them with a friend!: AT LEAST: 50 jumping jacks a day, 50 sit ups, & arm workouts with weights

Buck Up Baby & Ride With Jesus!! He WILL get you to your better self!! God Bless!

OPERATION GET HEALTHY: Day 9

Something The Daniel Plan Journal said today was: "our brains aren't computers; they can't run different programs simultaneously." I'm pretty sure I operate thinking they can. I'm serious. You can probably ask almost anyone that talks to me even, semi-regularly....I TOGGLE back & forth and too & fro from "one program" to the next. Then I wonder why I lose my train of thought.... I mean... Here's a screenshot of me... RIGHT NOW. I've got LOTS of programs running.

That is 13 programs & 2 images. I'm OBVIOUSLY not working on ALL of them right now...

This journal entry tells us how important it is for us to learn to FOCUS & be MINDFUL of what we are putting into our body....& I have learned....that NEEDS to carry over in ALL aspects of your life for you to get any real PURPOSEFUL success out of them. I bet it EXHAUSTS some of you...just looking at this picture. 

Surprisingly (all those programs open or not) I have learned to hone focus in some areas of my life. I have to REMIND myself quite regularly, but....BIG strides from where I used to be, Now...I just have to work on my FOCUS on what I put in my body...

Today I had a lunch meeting....at a MEXICAN Restaurant of all places & I TOTALLY stuck it! I ordered chicken fajitas for one, told them to keep the tortillas & ate grilled chicken strips and onions and peppers...right off the skillet. It was pretty stinkin' good honestly. It probably helped that I finished my meal replacement shake (that was supposed to be for breakfast) like... 30 minutes before I got there. It's tough for me to get those down. In fact...I felt like I consumed SO MUCH stuff before 2:00 that I didn't have room for much more....and I skipped a snack (between breakfast and lunch). I am looking forward to life after this cleanse...just to see how I'll actually be when I don't have a guideline of what to do. 

My prayer for everyone (including myself) tonight is: Dear Heavenly Father, Allow The Holy Spirit to guide us to a more focused, mindful, and purposeful life. We are here to do the work of Christ Jesus, using the gifts and talents you've given us. Help us to FOCUS as much of our energy on that....in all areas of our lives. We can not do it without your DIVINE guidance. Thank you. I ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.