24 day advocare challenge – the RESULTS

Welp.

Travis survived our first 24 Day Advocare Challenge!!

And “survived” is a drastic overstatement.  This was BY FAR the easiest and most straightforward challenge that either of us have ever done!  Before I jump right in to our results, I want to remind you of the reasons behind our decision to take on this 24 day journey.

For me:

Wanted to improve my digestion.

Wanted to get out of a sugar/junk food funk.

Wanted to have more energy.

For Travis:

Wanted to detox from coffee (he was drinking 4-5 cups a day!).

Wanted to lose a few pounds.

Wanted to break his nightly-bowl-of-ice-cream habit.

 Overall, we just wanted to FEEL better!!  And I can say that without a doubt – WE DO!!  We both accomplished the goals we set for ourselves AND found a few additional perks that we hadn’t expected.

The RESULTS – Aesthetics (The OUTSIDE)

Here are our Before & After shots:

BEFORE

AFTER

I lost 4 1/2 pounds and took nearly 2 inches off my waistline!  I can see more muscle definition, especially in my arms and shoulders!

BEFORE

 

AFTER

Travis lost 7 pounds!  We didn’t measure his waist but he clearly lost some inches.  Travis had some body acne that cleared up nicely (we think this has more a lot to do with cutting out dairy for the 24 days.)  The muscle definition in his back looks AMAZING!  #sexybeardedbeastman

The RESULTS – Habits/Health (The INSIDE)

Aesthetics are nice and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t care about the improvement in our LOOKS, but the way we FEEL now that we’ve completed the 24 days is night and day better.  Like I said before, most of what prompted the desire for change was being STUCK IN A FOOD RUT!  I was making (and eating) a pan of brownies at least once a week.  We would sit down to nightly bowls of ice cream AFTER eating cereal.  It was just not healthy.  I’m all for sweets and comfort foods but when you take it to a place outside “moderation,” it becomes unhealthy.  Having supplements and a PLAN that helped to tame those sugar cravings was exactly what we both needed.

Some changes we’ve experienced on the inside:

Me – Improved digestion (!!!), increased energy levels, decreased sugar cravings, a decrease in mindless snacking, a focus on WHOLE foods instead of processed, packaged snacks.

Travis – Improved digestion, improved skin, an increase in energy, an improvement in athletic performance (Travis was able to complete two Trackstars workouts and a mud run EASILY.  He credits Spark and Catalyst).

Moving Forward

What’s the plan moving forward?

Like any good human, I had to break the challenge with a cup of coffee!  It was AMAZING and I don’t see myself cutting out that daily cup (and especially now that it’s fall and there are Pumpkin Spice kcups to be had).  I also ate a BIG piece of pumpkin pie dessert bars that I made for a family get-together.  You guys – I was so SICK like 30 minutes after that.  TOO MUCH SUGAR.  For the first time in a very long time, I just don’t have that urge to keep something sweet in the house at all times.  It doesn’t make me feel my best.  I’d rather get the same amount of calories each day by focusing on treats that pack more nutritional punch.  Bananas and almond butter are where it’s at.  I’ll never live a life of restriction again (EVER) but I’m happy to be in a place where food is 80% FUEL and 20% PLEASURE!

Would I do it again?

Absolutely!  You can take the 24 Day Challenge once every 90 days so we’ll revisit it for sure! 

Any tips for others interested in doing the Challenge?

• Do it with someone! 
• Start on a Saturday (much easier willpower-wise). 
• Take the add-on products (such as Catalyst and ThermoPlus).  They’re not very expensive and help with the process.  (If you’re nursing, however, you cannot take ThermoPlus!)
• Choose a Spark flavor that you love!  For me, that’s Mango Strawberry! 
• Clear out all the junk in your cupboards before you begin.  It’s only 24 days!  Take away all the temptation!
• If 24 days seems daunting, try the 10 Day Cleanse pack!  It’s only $31.50 and comes with everything you need to detox your body!  (oh, and get the Peaches & Cream Fiber Drink!)

If you’re interested in getting started, click here!  Feel free to email me any questions you might have to lindsayslist@gmail.com!

———-

QUESTION:  What’s your biggest food weakness (sweets, pizza, carbs, etc)??  Have you ever done the Advocare Challenge??

splendid…lindsay