Exciting Day At The Doctor!

I've been waiting on my bloodwork and .........drumroll........... my liver enzymes are normal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I cannot tell you how happy these results make me as it seems the normal has been years of highly elevated numbers.  Even my inflammation number has reduced.   Changing the entire way that I look at food and exercise is paying off!!  It is wonderful to have the mental and physical energy to make the change!

Getting With The Program

My 50th birthday came and went like the wind on February 19th.  My daughter, Shelby, and I had just got back from the Advocare Success School in Fort Worth and the day was pretty much uneventful.  I will say that the day before my birthday, she and I visited "The King's Home", Graceland.  Yep, I finally went to Graceland, and may I say that the Jungle Room was everything I had ever dreamed of.   You see, somehow I had never taken the opportunity to visit Graceland.  I believe it was meant for Shelby, who has the same birthday as Elvis,  and I to experience together.   Loved it!

Well, I got off track.   It was my 50th that brought me some realization that I needed to get my "house" in order.  My mind and my body needed a good kick in the butt.  It was Shelby that introduced me to Advocare which has now changed my life and has given me the opportunity to help others begin the change their lives.  I LOVE IT!!  The whole experience so far has been phenomenal!  And now, I have signed back up at the YMCA today, and am starting there tomorrow.    I can't thank Shelby enough for listening deep into her soul to not only help herself, but her sick and crazy mom!  

Let's Play Catch Up

Day 49 of my life change.  I'm 18 pounds down and I measure 20 inches smaller!!!   I can't believe how much better I feel.  I may have shared that I have some elevated numbers when it comes to my liver, but I don't think that I mentioned about the  horrible pain that I felt under my ribs where my liver is - -  well, that pain is gone!  Just gone!

My sweetie started his life-change 24 days ago, and he is 26 pounds down and measures 16.5 inches smaller.  I love that we are doing this together.  Heck, the whole family is doing this together - - I love it!!
Big Daddy and I met 32 years ago next month, and after 1 daughter, 1 son, 1 son-in-law, and 2 twin grandsons, we will be married 32 years in November.  He is so supportive and loving.  God really gave me someone special!    Here's a pic of Big Daddy and myself with our two precious grandsons.  This was made some time ago, and our smiles have only gotten broader and brighter as time has gone along.   My family gives me so much joy!!!

Big Daddy, Grammy, Connor, & Clayton

Busy Bee!

Yep, I'm a busy bee.  Got back from  Fort Worth and strapped on my work boots.  This diet is amazing.  I cheated so much while I was away.   Day 24 of the challenge came and I had lost 8.8 lbs. total.  That was great but today's figure is better.  I'm down 11.4 lbs. and this is day 29.  I weigh less than I have in over a year.  In the past year, I have worked with a dietitian, a nutritionist,  and a trainer.  None of it worked!!!
I know it sounds crazy, but the weight just seems to fall off.  My stomach is not bloated anymore, and I have more energy than I've had in a long while!

BAD, BAD GIRL!

Well, I gained a pound.  I got 8 lbs. down and now it's 7.  I know that I've been soooooooo busy that I didn't eat all the food I am suppose to and I didn't drink all my water.  BAD GIRL!   BAD, BAD GIRL!!!!!

OK, so let's do this measurement thing again.  Maybe that's where I'm winning!!!

Nope - -  still the same.   Hmmmmmmmmm.   Well, I'm OK with it.  I feel pretty good - -  that's a plus+ !!!!

I'm going to Fort Worth to the Advocare Success School.  I'm excited about what knowledge I'll gain.
I'll post about it when I get back.  

The End of A Cleanse !

The first 10 days are behind me and 6 whole pounds are off of me !!!   I couldn't be any happier.  I imagine that it is so easy, not only because I was ready physically, but, I was really ready mentally.   With all the medical stuff affecting me, I want to be around for a while longer and I really don't want to be a bother to my family.  I started visualizing myself laid up in bed and someone having to care for me.  And, as big as I am, that wouldn't be easy for anyone!   So, here's to the first 10 days of the rest of my long, fit, healthier life !!

Did You Say Cauliflower??

Yep, I'm loving me some cauliflower.   I'm still cleansing, but I'm playing around with veggies.   I keep finding new and awesome ways to fix veggies.    I reduced the oil, salt, and butter.   I also reduced the amount of hot sauce........well, I actually used Moore's wing sauce.   And, it needs no dip.  I tried it, and it's great on its own.   This cauliflower is delicious !!  

Here's the original recipe that I found on-line:

Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 1 tablespoon oil or butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Franks RedHot)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted (optional)
• blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping (optional)
• celery stick on the side (optional)

Directions

1. Toss the cauliflower florets in the oil, salt and pepper, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet, and roast in a preheated 400F oven until lightly golden brown, about 20-30 minutes.
2. Toss cauliflower in a mixture of the hot sauce and butter and enjoy warm with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping and celery sticks on the side.

Oh What A Difference A Week Makes

7 Days Gone.

5 Pounds Gone.

5 1/2 Inches Gone.

Well, that was easy!

That 5 pounds =  1/2 of the weight that I gained during Christmas !!! 

I can't say enough about how easy this is going to be.  I've got more energy than I've had in a really, really long time.    I even seem more focused than usual.    I've got 3 more days to cleanse, and then day 11 starts another stage in the 24 day challenge.    VERY EXCITED !!   

New measurements -   arm 16", chest 42", waist 44", hips 50", legs 28", neck 16"

New weight  230 !  

Y A Y !! 

Oh Yeah ! Bring It On !!

Day 1 is over and it was sooooooooo easy.  I'm half-way into day 2 and still doing great.  Loving the product and 2.6 lbs down.

                   Started at 235.4 lbs. and here I am at 232.8 lbs. after the 1st day.

I measured today and I couldn't believe how big I am.  How could I be a  42/ 46/ 52 ?  Or how about a 16 inch upper arm with a 29 inch upper leg and a 16 1/2 inch neck!  What happened to that 115 pound girl ??  She's in here somewhere.   Clearly,  even with the illness(es), I've been in complete denial.  Plus, on top of all this, I'm letting my hair turn it's natural color.  Have I lost my mind? NO!!!   I'm just keeping it real!!

Waiting..............

Am I still excited about changing it up?  ABSOLUTELY !

I've decided that I'm going to start on the day that I have my next "blood-letting" !  Seriously, I have a ton of tests on my blood about every 30 days.   It includes something called a CBC with Differential, some kind of Sedimentation Rate, a C-Reactive Protein, and a little thing called a Metabolic Panel.  I'm due to have it done somewhere around  January 28th.  It's strange to be saying that  "I can't wait to have my blood drawn".   I'm already excited about what my results will be when I have it drawn 30 more days ahead in February.  I am hoping for a huge improvement.  This is going to make "blood-letting" fun !!  

Cheers to the 28th !

Susan

You is Kind. You is Smart. YOU IS IMPORTANT.

I'm important?   Yes, I am.

To see why I even question whether I am  important, check out the section About Me .
Additionally, I'm depressed, and I look like it.  I've decided that I'm not going down without a fight.  I'm headed into my 50's kicking and screaming.   Yes, it may be surprising that I have not yet reached age 50 since I resemble someone older.  I'm changing it up!  I've decided that there will be no  picture of me in the dictionary (if we still have those) under the word "sick."   I will NOT be the poster child for Fibromyalgia or Psoriatic Arthritis.

I DID IT!!  I signed up for the Advocare  24-day Challenge.  As I try the products, I plan to review them in the section Advocare Reviews.    My daughter, Shelby, has already started the Challenge and has shown great results.  My products were delivered today, and I am extremely excited!!!

My plan is to blog about my progress, menu-planning, how I like and react to the products, weight loss, and whatever else lays on my mind.  So Beware!

Days 1 - 10 :  Cleanse Phase.....................being full to the brim with toxins, this should be interesting!

I can't wait to get started!

Susan