So Zach and I just completed AdvoCare’s 24-day Challenge and thought it was great! I happened to see a college friend’s post on FB talking about the challenge. The words that stuck out to me were energy and weight-loss, therefore I was interested.

Now, Zach and I had a rough Fall and Spring, I had my 1st miscarriage and my grandfather found out he had cancer and took his own life. I went into an epic funk after Thanksgiving, that made me appreciate that I didn’t have to live with that kind of sadness on a daily basis. This Spring my mom went into the hospital with a bowel obstruction and got very sick, very quickly. We had our 2nd miscarriage and my mom had to have surgery that was more involved than originally expected. Of course, mixed in with all that are 3 amazing boys  and A LOT of good times but it had zapped me. I had put on a few pounds and my energy was in the tank.

I researched (googled) the heck out of the Challenge and I kept seeing nothing but great reviews. I liked the philosophy behind the company and the medical board behind the products. Full disclosure, I love this kind of stuff. If I could go back in college, I would Iove to study nutrition and I’m fascinated about how our bodies use food and nutrients to heal itself. I’ve taught fitness classes, which I loved doing because I enjoy encouraging other women, but my real passion is this kind of thing. Naturally, you would think that I eat really healthy because I’ve read most the books and watched every documentary produced about our bodies and food, but no, I would still give my right arm for a Krispy Kreme donut. So I’m a work-in-progress for sure, especially when my energy is low. I know what I “should” eat but I’m reaching for chocolate for a quick fix. That’s why this program was appealing to me because it wasn’t trying to be a quick fix, it encourages clean eating & exercise combined with their vitamins and supplements to live your best life physically.

I was on board, so I talked to Zach who wanted to be on board too and we both ended up taking the challenge. The first 10 days are a cleanse and the next 14 days is called the Max phase.  Zach went completely off coffee which is unheard of, I’m surprised the Starbuck near us didn’t close-up shop. He also lost 9lbs. and was able to step things up at the gym. I lost about 6lbs. and gained a TON of energy, which was my main goal. I think I got more accomplished around my house in the last 24 days then in the last 6 months. I’m not falling asleep in the car taking the kids to preschool and I’m less grouchy at Jackson during homework time.

I know it’s good because things are going much smoother around my house but I’m not embarrassed to tell my friends. I told myself if this was a bust, nobody would be the wiser, except for Zach. But I actually want to tell people because I think a lot of us, especially Moms, are dragging ourselves through the day and it doesn’t have to be that way.