OPERATION GET HEALTHY: Cumulative Summary Through Day 24 & What's NEXT....

Apologies for not blogging. Life got pretty hectic....finalizing paperwork from one auction...only to hit the road to South Texas for another & then back to Brenham for another the next night. Traveling...& trying to finish up my 24-day challenge. I'm gonna be honest...the last couple of days of the 24-day challenge were tough. I usually don't like to eat much before I call an auction. The shakes were a life-saver, but there are times where I don't eat lunch OR Dinner....or very little. I remember WHY I'm doing this:

If any of you are on Pinterest you should start following The Daniel Plan. They have recipes, inspirational quotes, Bible Verses & SO MUCH MORE!! I give them credit for this pic!

Look at these results from our 24 day challenge:

Down 11 lbs & 14.5 inches!

Down 9lbs & 16 inches!

Down 5 lbs & 10.5 inches!

8lbs & 3inches!

From a person who has NEVER tried a program like this at all....I NEED IT! I honestly don't know how to stop myself from eating what I want to UNLESS I'm given a structured PLAN & I SEE results. The last 14 days of the challenge I only lost 3 pounds, but my inches melted away. I mean I lost 4 in my hips alone. After Valentine's day I am going to do the 14 day phase again....otherwise I will not hold myself accountable. I don't know why it is harder for me on my own...it just is & OBVIOUSLY...this worked. I think I NEED it MORE for keeping my eating cleaner.

Again...apologies for not being able to post daily posts, but as I can post I will!! I hope these posts have encouraged some of you to take baby steps towards getting healthier. I have been ENCOURAGED by those of you that have reached out to me...not just for your SUCCESSES, but for your strugGLES, because I had either experienced them myself or was currently experiencing. It REALLY makes the journey easier to have someone walk it with you. I've also picked up a few awesome tips...one of which I LOVE.

FAVORITE TIP FROM OTHERS..so far: Drink a TALL GLASS OF WATER every morning BEFORE you put ANYTHING else in your body. This will help your organs wake up and start functioning properly. The way I look at it now (because I REALLY struggle with consuming enough water for my body) is almost like I'm talking to it & telling it GOOD MORNING. If I STRUGGLE & mess up during the day at least I started out giving it the opportunity to better handle everything that comes at it.

If you & some of your friends want to BEGIN this journey to better health & educating yourself on what we put in our bodies (because that just kind of naturally happens along the way) private message me or my coach: Ashley Farris: ashley_farris@hotmail.com.

Stay tuned for my next blog...it was a little much to share today, but is probably the CORE reason on WHY I see this REAL importance of how we take care of our bodies.

God Bless!! I ENCOURAGE you to take that next step, IF you are ready!!

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!