Yesterday marked one month from the day Gary and I and our friends started the Advocare 24 Day Challenge {now affectionately known as the #PatwellAdvocareChallenge2015}.  Although we finished the challenge last Wednesday, it was and has been a great tool for us to help get our eating back on track and even prepare our bodies for our trip to Madagascar!

I had heard and read about the Advocare 24 Day Challenge {A24DC} for a few years and was always intrigued, but was ultimately never interested because of the cost.  When one of our friends said she wanted to try it, I told her I would do it with her – because I’m much more likely to do something with someone else.  Then we told convinced our husbands to join in on the fun challenge.  While it was an investment to do the A24DC, I think that made us more committed to staying as close to plan as possible.

So what is it?  Well for us, it was a better way of eating as well as taking assigned supplements and vitamins.  The “diet” allows you to eat whole foods, and recommends eliminating dairy, bread, sugar, and coffee.  There are two phases of the challenge – the first 10 days {the cleanse} and the last 14 days {the max phase}.  The website above explains more about both of the phases.

Overall I learned it’s called a challenge for a reason.  It wasn’t easy.  I missed cheese and bread alot.  Eating out was almost impossible. And being in a group setting with food limitations is not fun.

But I did feel better.  I found that a few days in, getting out of bed in the morning was easier.  I decreased my 5K time and was able to push myself harder in cardio.  I was happy giving my husband good and nutritious food versus easy foods. And I felt good about not having processed sugar in my diet.

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Here are some of the notes I took during the challenge!

Tips

     Before

• Clean out your refrigerator and pantry of off plan items (if we didn’t throw something out, we hid it so we weren’t tempted).
• Have a plan for all meals and snacks. – We did this weekly and it was definitely a must! 
• Research what you can and can’t have during the challenge, as well as what supplements to take. – The app was helpful!
• Take before measurements and pictures. – While we didn’t do the challenge to lose weight, I definitely didn’t mind if I lost inches and weight.  We took our measurements, weight, and pictures the night before we began.

     During 

• If you’re doing the challenge with someone, be in communication to see how they’re doing. – This was one of the funniest things about the challenge. I think I laughed everytime I got a text.

• Stay off pinterest and out of stores. – When you’re trying to avoid processed foods, its better to stay away. Trust me.
• Take notes along the way about what you’re learning, new foods you’re trying, things that work, things that don’t.
• Wash and store fruit and veggies in your refrigerator for easy snacking.

     After

• Create a plan to implement your changes that you’ve learned.
• Reward yourself for completing the challenge! But don’t go crazy…

• Take after measurements and pictures. – We took final measurements, weight, and pictures the morning after we finished.

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Here are some of the things we ate during the challenge!

     Breakfast

• Egg Muffins with Veggies
• Egg Whites with Chili Powder or Baked Zucchini, Tomato and Spinach, or Black Beans and Avocado
• Meal Replacement Shake {in the max phase}
• Spinach Smoothie with Banana and Strawberries

     Lunch

• Baked Chicken with Rice and Beggies
• Leftovers from Dinners
• Tuna or Chicken with Avocado and Lime

     Dinner

• Baked Salmon with Mash Cauliflower
• Chicken and Black Bean Bowl
• Chicken Enchilada Soup
• Chicken, Rice, Edamame 
• Chicken, Rice, Guacamole
• Frittata
• Grilled Chicken Breasts and Fruit
• Grilled Chicken Salads
• Grilled Salmon and Zuchinni and Squash
• “Pizza”
• Spaghetti Squash and Chicken
• Taco Salads
• Thai lettuce wraps (peppers/onions)
• Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
• Turkey Meat Loaf

     Snacks and Desserts

• Almonds
• Apples
• Banana “Ice Cream”
• Berries
• Cashews
• Frozen Bananas with Peanut Butter
• Grapes
• Peanut Butter
• Rice Cake with Peanut Butter
• Smoothies

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Finally, here are some we learned during the challenge!

Realizations 

• What would it be like if my health depended on this challenge?  Don’t ever get to that point. 
• I never knew cheese was such a big part of my diet until I took it away. 
• Allergy sufferers have it hard!  It’s hard being around food that you can’t eat.
• I eat mindlessly.
• I make poor choices when I eat mindlessly.
• You spend alot more time cooking and doing dishes when you’re eating better.
• From G – “I didn’t realize how much sugar I was eating.”  Ditto, babe!

Takeaways

• One treat per week. – Dessert does not need to be all the time.
• One “cheat” meal per week. – Ours will usually be pizza.
• Limit bread in diet. – No more sandwiches for work.
• Shop meat and produce first. – Allow a bigger portion of our grocery bill to be dedicated to these areas.
• Prep breakfast and lunch. – Don’t just go for convenience, go for whole foods that are fueling your body. 
• Avoid from chips, cereals, bread, and sweets. – Try to keep them out of our pantry if possible. 
• When eating out, be mindful of what you’re eating.
• Dishes. – You’ll do alot more of them, but you’ll have the energy to do them because you’re eating better. 🙂
• Containers. – Invest in good stackable tupperware for your refrigerator.  You’ll be buying alot of produce and this will help you keep it for longer, as well as prep it so it will be go to food.

So that’s my review of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge?  Have you ever done the challenge?  Comment below with any questions!