Day 23 - The Announcement, Conclusion

Day 23 of the Rest of My Life

My Journey through the 24-Day Challenge

(Or, Why am I Doing This Crazy Thing?)

The Announcement,  Conclusion


Previously, on "As the Blog Turns"...
Duane has decided to lose 100 pounds in 2011 and things are starting to change...things that have been the same for a very long time.

Then, it happened...
Duane strode confidently into the room. "I started my blog and just posted it on Facebook.  I told everyone I'm going to lose 150 pounds by your birthday next year."  My jaw dropped. "What!?" I said. He seemed confused at my reaction, as this wasn't entirely new information. In that moment, I realized his goal had been wishful thinking in my mind, like hoping to have a beautiful dream when falling asleep.

Later we had a heart-to-heart.  Duane shared the goals he felt God had given him for this year:
1.  Lose weight and get healthier.
2.  Spend more time with the kids.
3.  Change the dynamics of our family.

I restrained myself from searching under the beds for the body snatcher pods. Who was this imposter, and what had he done with the man I'd lived with for 20 years? But knowing God's power and understanding the transformation that was taking place before me, I allowed his words to resonate with my own heart.

Duane and I weren't just speaking the same language; God was rewriting our life story through him.

I leaned forward and responded the only way I knew how.  By whispering into his ear my own dreams of growing old together and of him walking our youngest down the aisle. The thoughts were too fragile to speak out loud, and we both felt the gravity of the moment.

Since that day, 7 weeks have passed and Duane has lost more than 34 pounds. His resolve is strong, and his blog is an inspiration to many people. His example is why I started my own 24-day Challenge. We're growing healthier together.

I'm starting to believe. 

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Coming Soon: The Results of my 24-Day Challenge. Amazing!

Days 13-22 Out with the Cleanse Phase, In with the Max Phase!

Days 13-22 of the Rest of My Life

My Journey through the 24-day Challenge

(Or, Why am I Doing This Crazy Thing?)

So, it's what you've been waiting for...more about the challenge!

Out with the Cleanse Phase
Here's the bottom line on the first 10 days of the 24-day Challenge, the Cleanse Phase -
It felt great to do a reboot on my system, cleaning out the toxins and resetting my body to receive the best nutrition. I found myself sleeping deeper at night and feeling better over all. I could definitely tell it was working.

In with the Max Phase
The Max Phase is quite a bit different, because it's more about building the body up.  It's really just a focused time of eating healthy while watching the supplements change my body composition.  It's absolutely amazing, to be honest. There are no more cravings, so I can make good food choices for myself and my family.  In times past, I would really give all my effort, but my body's cravings for sugar and fatty foods wore me down. The afternoons and evenings were the worst, when I would turn into this Binge Monster, eating everything in sight..."Me. Want. Food. Now!"

Before starting the challenge, I documented my weight, basic measurements and body fat.  I'll be very interested to get my results soon. I know I'll be pleased, as I can already see changes in the mirror, in how I feel, and in how my clothes fit.
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Coming Soon:
The Announcement, Part 2
The Results

Days 10-12, The Announcement

Days 10-12 of the Rest of My Life

My Journey through the 24-day Challenge

(Or, Why am I Doing This Crazy Thing?)

The Announcement

We've all made them, only to break them...New Years Resolutions.  The desire to turn over a new leaf is strong...sometimes stronger than our will to see it through.  Who knew leaves were so heavy, anyway?

So, when my dear hubby Duane started talking weight loss at the end of last year, I took it in stride. He declared, "Next year, I want to lose 100 lbs." It's a good and lofty goal, for sure, but we've been at this crossroads before--both of us.  We start off running, but we never seem to get within sight of the finish line.

But as January approached, some things started to change. Duane began learning more about nutrition and how others have lost over 100 pounds and kept it off successfully.  He would keep me updated on new little tidbits as he found them..."Did you know that if you eat more of your calories early in the day and fewer calories at the end of the day, it's easier to lose weight?"  Yes, I did know this.  But to hear Duane say it out loud somehow made it more exciting and meaningful.  It was like discovering your true love not only speaks your secondary language (English), but also your primary language (Food).

I began to hold my head higher, ready to catch the whiff of changing winds.  I had no idea...

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Coming Up:

Out with the Cleanse Phase, In with the Max Phase!

The Announcement, Part 2

Days 7-9 The Confession, Conclusion

Days 7-9 of the Rest of My Life

My Journey through the 24-day Challenge

(Or, Why am I Doing This Crazy Thing?)

The Confession, Conclusion

So, to recap:

I was having a hard time being "single mom" to the kids while Duane was away each week, and as hard as I tried to improve the situation, I had hit a wall.

Enter Spark.

If I was to enumerate all the benefits, you probably wouldn't believe me.  But I'm going to give you the bottom line:  I feel as good as I did 10 years ago, before my last 3 pregnancies.

I'm the better version of me...a nicer and more energetic mommy, all day long. No more blow ups.

Why would I share this 3-part confession?  Because the law of averages says there are other people out there like me, and I'm all about sharing things that have changed my life.   My personal mission statement is to offer hope to people who are searching, even if it makes me uncomfortable.

Of course I want to share about how Spark has helped me, but this is about much more than that. What change are you searching for today? Do you need to "come clean" with a trusted friend?
Turn away from a nasty habit?  Or perhaps listen to a nudge that says you should try something new that could possibly change things forever?

You might just find that it's not as scary as you think.

It may be time to take a step.
I know you can do it.

With Love,
Steph
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Coming Up:
Read about the announcement that rocked my world and brought me to tears...
Also:  Out with the Cleanse Phase...in with the Max Phase!