24 day challenge

Alright bloggy friends, I am a foodie and honestly enjoy most foods and especially yummy-unhealthy foods in moderation.  My weight can fluctuates accordingly based on how lenient I'm feeling, but thank goodness for crossfit to allow a few more slips that are burned off quickly :)  

After so much traveling in December and falling out of my routines (I think it was the multiple Taco Bueno and Chick Fil A outings in TX!!), I committed to a 24-day challenge with a few friends.  Have ya'll heard of Advocare?  I was anxious posting about my journey prior to me starting it as I didn't want to jinx it, and I knew it would be tough living with a human garbage disposal who eats and breathes cheeseburgers, pizza, and sugary cereal.    But, I am happy to report that I completed one of the hardest things I have ever set my mind to doing.

The 24 Day Advocare Challenge consists of day 1-10 cleansing your body of toxins and preparing for optimal nutrient absorption, and then a 11-24 was a burn and refuel phase.  I have to admit, it was sooooooo soooooo soooooo hard, but I am beyond proud of myself for completing it.  

From portion controlled meals to drinking a gallon plus of water a day, I was eating super clean, cooking 5-6 meals a day, and sticking 100% to my meal plan.  I only ate out 1x during entire challenge, and I learned it is WAY easier to stay on track eating my own foods and knowing what I am fueling my body with.  Thank goodness for sugar free Extra Desserts gum, green tea, and sugar free jello.  

Gabe told me, "I feel like you are either eating or in the kitchen cooking!"  

HAHA it's so true as I eat every 3 hours and that takes a LOT of prep work!

*Gabe and I didn't eat ONE meal together in 24 days, lol

For best results, I followed their nutrition plan to a tee and am actually continuing with their nutrition plan now that the challenge is over because I feel it was a good fit for myself and I want to maintain my results.  

My takeaways - 

1.) One can not consume enough water.  128oz is a lot ya'll!

2.) Eating protein, fats, veggies, etc at certain time of day is key.

2.) And appropriate portions is a must.

A month without coffee, cheese, and carbs (I did get sweet potatoes) was totally do-able.  This challenge made me rethink how I view food and instead of gorging on crap, I viewed it was fuel to function.  Also, it's amazing when you are hungry and can only have certain foods, how phenomenal they taste.  

Clean eating feels good, and I am so thankful my taste buds did a 180!