Hey all you women out there . . . want to hear something I just realized???

Hey everyone,

Do you know what I just realized?  My hot flashes are gone.  My sleepless nights are gone.  I obviously don't miss them, but it also didn't even dawn on me that they were gone.

I happened to be talking about "said symptoms" with someone at the gym today and I'm sure I had that deer in the head lights look as it dawned on me that my menopause symptoms have gone away!

WOW!  Just another thing to add to my list of things I'm thankful for!

That's it for my 24 day Challenge Blog!  It has been a fun journey . . . and now, what should I blog about?

Cindy

24 DAY CHALLENGE RESULTS ARE IN!

Well friends,

It has been a great 24 days!!  I loved every minute of the 24 Day Challenge!!  My results . . . drum roll please . . .

Total pounds lost:  5 lbs
Total inches lost:  13 inches

Although I don't like "selfies", I have to show a visual of what 5 lbs and 13 inches looks like!!

Can I just say that although I love the fact that I lost inches and my clothes fit better, I love even more the way I feel.  I have so much energy, I am working out harder, I have a zest for life because I have purged the toxins from my body and filled it with nothing but healthy foods and supplements.

Best 24 days I have had in a long time!

Do you want to change your life?  Do you want to feel hope again?  Contact me!  This is the real deal guys!!!  Look at my before and after pictures!!!   I would love to help you transform!  Send me an email at:  cindysims@fuse.net.

What's next for me?  I'm continuing on this healthy path . . . clean eating and loving life to it's fullest!

The Home Stretch

I'm rounding 3rd and heading for home . . . Day 20 of my 24 Day Challenge!  I am so happy I decided to do the challenge.  At first, the thought of doing something this extreme (or so I thought) was overwhelming.  Can I go without my piece of Dove Chocolate after dinner?  Can I go without wine when others around me are drinking?  Can I eat clean for 24 days straight?  Those were all questions I pondered and my answer was, YES!  I can do this!

Well, I am feeling amazing, energetic and loving life!  I even did a double workout class today.  Started off with Pilates, followed by Zumba.  To be honest, I could have kept going! 

I haven't weighed myself or taken my measurements since Day 10, when the cleanse phase was complete.  And incase you missed those results, I lost 9 inches and 3 lbs.   I am really excited to tell you this:  I'm wearing jeans that I haven't been able to wear for a couple of years!!!  I feel like I'm a different person . . . filled with joy and feeling proud of my accomplishments!  Even though the inches and weight loss are great, it is how I feel that has me sold on the 24 Day Challenge!

 

Interested in changing your life?  Email me - cindysims@fuse.net

Well it's been a week since my last post, but not much to report.  I am in the midst of the 24 Day Challenge and still doing well.  I haven't weighed myself or taken measurements . . . I'm saving that for the last day.

I love feeling energetic and in control of what I eat.  That's the best feeling . . . being in control of the food I eat, instead of letting food control me!  I've been on both sides of that fence and I like this side better!

I'm excited for some of my friends who will be starting the 24 Day Challenge soon.  Interested in being a part of the group who are starting the 24 Day Challenge on 11/1? 

 

www.health-4-life.org

 

Short and Sweet Today!

It's Day 10 of the cleanse and I couldn't wait to take my measurements and weigh myself.  I guess I should have waited till tomorrow (once the whole 10 days were complete), but I feel so good, I feel lighter, firmer, and just couldn't wait another day!!

Results:

Down - 3 lbs.
Inches - Lost 9 inches

Now onto Days 11 - 24 and from what I hear, it gets even better!! 

YAY Me!!!!

Check out the products at www.health-4-life.org

Day 9 and I'm going to brag so be forewarned!

I really didn't expect to have anyone notice anything different about me after 9 days on this cleanse, but it is happening.

My first day on this challenge was the day my husband left for a business trip.  He returned on my 8th day and he said he could tell I had lost weight.  I was surprised because I know I feel amazing, but I didn't expect it to be noticeable to others. 

The other compliment was at the gym this morning.  Let me start by saying, I was a beast today!!  I picked up my normal weights and started lifting and realized they felt light and I was doing way too many reps, too easily.  So I actually bumped up my weights today.  It's been a long time since I've pushed myself and even felt like lifting heavier weights!!!

So back to the best part.  I was on a Cybex Arc Trainer because that doesn't hurt my knee to do it.  A woman, who I have seen at the gym but don't personally know, gets on the Arc Trainer next to me and starts complimenting me on how hard I'm working out.  She asked me what my secret was so I told her I was doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge and felt amazing!  She said and I quote . . .  "I knew something was different because you look radiant".  Really?  Radiant?  I love that!!!! 

So, last day of the cleanse is tomorrow!!  Yippee!!!  Bring on the Max Phase!

Day 7 - Started my day with Spark, Probiotics and a yummy Meal Replacement Shake.  I opted for the Berry flavor today.  Now I don't know which flavor I like!!  I thought Chocolate was my favorite, but wow, was this one good!

I had to go for my MRI this morning, that was uneventful, but I'm thankful I'll find out the results on Tuesday.

So, I was feeling sorry for myself a bit this afternoon, because here I am on this amazing 24 Day Challenge and I can't work out like I want too.  I mean, I feel amazing, I have lots of energy, but because of my knee I'm not able too do much.  I am proud to say, my pity party did not last very long.  I went to the gym this afternoon and had a great work out with weights!  It felt good to get out and do something!

I'm still going strong . . . cleanse phase is on the down home stretch now!

Cindy

Day 6 - Clothes are fitting better already!!!

I decided posting everyday was probably overkill and extremely boring for anyone reading these.  So I am going to just post occasionally and keep it short and sweet unless there is something special I want to share.

So today is Day 6 and I'm still going strong.  I feel thinner and believe it or not, my clothes are a little looser on me!  I'm shocked and unbelievably thrilled about that!  I am not going to weigh myself nor will I take my measurements until after day 10 when the cleanse is complete and the Max Phase starts.

So today I'll leave you with this:

It is awesome when you are in control and eating healthy!  I am gaining my life back one day at a time!  Look for me out and about . . . I'm the one with the spring in my step!  (oh and the limp cause of my injured knee!) 

Till the next post guys . . . have an amazing, fun-filled weekend!

Cindy
www.health-4-life.org

Day 4 -

Day 4 and I'm still going strong!  I feel empowered by this cleanse and by the fact that I am purging toxins and only putting healthy stuff in my body!

I'm a little bummed though, because I can't work out like I want to now.  Last night, as I was leaving a meeting, there were some boys hiding outside of the building.  As I walked out of the building, they jumped out and screamed.  It scared me to death and I jerked, which somehow tweaked my knee and it popped.  Now a pop in a knee isn't a big deal most of the time, especially at my age :), but the issue I have is, this is my knee that I baby!!  This is my knee that has been operated on 8 times and it has been doing amazingly well for the past 4 years!  I tried to take my dogs for a walk but that was not a smart move.  So, I went to the gym and thankfully I was able to lift weights.  I rode a bike for a little while as well, but that didn't feel so good either.  Here's hoping it is just something minor and I don't have to add another surgery on that same knee.

So back to the 24 Day Challenge . . . my meals today - I had the high protein pancakes again with a fruit salad on the side.  Lunch was on the go so I had a Chocolate Mocha Meal Replacement Shake.  When I got home at 3:30, carrots and hummus for a snack.  Then for dinner, veggie salad, quinoa and chicken breast.

Another day down . . . see ya tomorrow!

Feels good to be in control!

Well here it is Day 3 and the cleanse phase is going well.  I had a slight headache today but I know that's a good sign.  The liver, kidneys and stomach toxins are dumped into the blood stream and can cause headaches.  Let's face it, with pesticides on produce, pollution, antibiotics through the year, stress, processed foods, alcohol . . . they all build toxins up in the body.  So, I'll gladly embrace this minor headache today as the toxins flush from my body.

One thing I realized today is, I am in control of what I put in my body!  Isn't it crazy how we can go day after day, saying I need to eat better, I need to lose weight, but repeat the same bad habits over and over?  Well, the hardest part, for me, is making the decision to do something about it.  Sunday, I did that and it feels amazing to be in control of what I eat, instead of food controlling me!! 

Oh and just one last thing for today.   I love that by making the decision to do the 24 Day Challenge, I am not focused on food.  (I have spent way too much of my life focused on food.)   It is freeing to know what I can eat each day and plan my menus around the "eat clean foods".  It is simple, healthy eating and I am not getting hungry in between meals. 

So let me sum this all up by say, this plan ROCKS!!!!

Day 2 #energy

Today I have to post early because I just had an incredible workout.  Is it me or does this really work this quickly?  I'm so excited that I am getting some of my energy back. With everything I've been dealing recently (aging parents and being their sole caretaker), I have been walking around like a zombie.  I feel more like my old self, with a spring in my step today!

So, started my day with Spark, followed by the fiber drink, then one of my favorite breakfast, protein pancakes and fruit.  Pancakes you ask?  Yes, they are totally legal on an eat clean plan plus you get your complex carbs and protein in same food.  I'll share my recipe below.

I went to the gym and decided to do something different.  I got on the Stair Stepper (which is my least favorite cardio workout).  I'm telling you what . . . I buzzed through 40 minutes in what seemed like 15 minutes.  I was shocked!  Typically, I'm having a conflict with myself to stay on the Stair Stepper for longer than 10 minutes. 

For anyone interested in a great breakfast:

Protein Pancakes
3 large egg whites
1\/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup of oatmeal
1 teas of cinnamon
1 teas of vanilla
splash of almond milk (or skim if you prefer) to make desired thickness

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into skillet

variations:  you can add fruit and walnuts to these as well.

That's it for now . . . I'm loving this 24 Day Challenge.

Day One - What is the 24 Day Challenge? 

The 24 Day Challenge has 2 phases.  The first phase lasts for 10 days and is called the Cleanse Days.  This phase helps remove waste and toxins, preparing your body for optimal nutrient absorption. 

This morning I started a Spark 30 minutes before breakfast and then the fiber drink.  You mix a citrus flavored powder (from a pre-measured package) into 8 oz of water.  I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor.  It was a little gritty, but it didn't bother me at all. 

I had an egg white omelet, 1 piece of Ezekiel (sprouted grain bread) and an orange for breakfast.  I was plenty satisfied with that big breakfast.

At lunch, I had a veggie salad, and a turkey wrap (the wrap was whole grain, low carb) - yum!

Dinner will be sautéed veggies, chicken and quinoa and my OmegaPlex.

Tonight, I will be taking an herbal cleanse supplement packet before bed.

So, Day 1 - successful!  I felt good, I worked out this morning, went to church, spent the whole afternoon cooking meals for my parents, delivered the meals to my parents and then had dinner at home.

My main reason for doing this challenge is to purge toxins from my body.  I would LOVE to drop 10 lbs . . . (what girl wouldn't, huh?)  Since I typically eat clean and have been off sugar for a while, it will be interesting to see if I can drop any weight and/or inches during this 24 day period. A girl can hope, right?  I know several people who have lost over 20 lbs. doing this very challenge so I know it works and I know it is a great way to get your body on the right track.

Well friends, that's it for Day 1.  Stop by tomorrow for day 2 . . .

Cindy
www.health-4-life.org

24 Day Challenge Starts Tomorrow

It may sound crazy, but I'm so excited to get out of this rut I'm in and start my 24 Day Challenge.  Tomorrow, 10/6/13 is the day I am giving my body a much needed cleanse from the stress and toxins it has endured recently.

If you know me, you know that I am a health conscience person.  I work out, eat healthy most of the time and pride myself on taking good care of myself.  Well stress has gotten the best of me over the past year.  I have added the above picture because this picture reminds me of how bad my stress had gotten.  Bret and I were so excited to spend the week with Caleb and Meg in Denver in early September.  We had not seen them since Christmas.  Would you believe, on our first day in Denver, my dad was rushed to the hospital and we had to come home from our trip early.  Although I'm smiling in this picture, I was beyond stressed because I had just gotten the call about my dad.

For background, I retired almost a year ago and was so excited to work out more, take care of myself better, spending time with my grand daughter, find some volunteering opportunities and take care of my aging parents.  Unfortunately, my parents health rapidly declined around the time I retired so the past 10 months I have been focused on caring for them, rather than anything else.  I have neglected myself and have experienced so many stressful, sleepless nights, unhealthy meals because there is no time to cook and exercise . . . that was the furthest thing from my mind during this difficult time.

I was recently introduced to Advocare products and am really excited to start this 24 Day Challenge.  What do I hope to accomplish during the next 24 days?  My goals are:

1. I want to purge the toxins from my body.  Toxins come from pollution, processed foods, unhealthy eating, stress, alcohol. 

2. Energy - I want to get back the spring in my step, having the energy to work out every day, looking forward to my workouts instead of feeling guilty because I'm so run down I have no energy to go to the gym.

3. Doing something for myself - I've been so focused on my mom and dad, I have put myself, my health, my diet, my routines on the back burner.  I want to move myself up in priority.

Join me on this journey!  I don't know if this will be hard at first, or if I will feel amazing right off the bat, but figured it would be a great thing for me to blog about.  Want to join me on my 24 Day Challenge?

www.health-4-life.org

Until tomorrow friends . . .