My Brother's Amazing Success with Advocare Products!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I guess these pictures need no explanation!  Long story short, my brother Eric began to take Advocare's MNS Max 3, Catalyst, and Meal Replacement Shakes in late April.  He did this until taking the 24 Day Challenge with Lindsey and I a little over a month ago...during which he lost another 9 pounds and 12 inches!  Total weight loss to date: 62 pounds!!!   He is working on about 8 or 9 more pounds to get back down to his High School weight of 185 pounds! 

Eric started out at 255 pounds and by the end of the Challenge in late July, he was down to 193 pounds!  Even more importantly, Eric has had the energy to get moving and has taken up running with Lindsey and I.  He ran his 1st 5k on the 4th of July with us and plans to run another one this year!  He also has been doing a lot of biking with his kids.  Eric is so happy with his results.  He is healthier and happier than he has been for a long time.  After many discussions with him over the past few months I have found that he had a lot of the same feelings that I had when I was so overweight.  What Eric has found is that we can find the time to get healthy!  It begins with little things like changing our diet a little, and getting just a little extra exercise.  Once the ball gets rolling it motivates you to do more.

I am so PROUD of my big brother... just look at how much healthier and happier he is about himself!  And what a GREAT role model he is being for his kids!  They feel like they have their Dad back.  They now go biking and boating and a lot of fun things that had been put off in the past.  It was an interesting family trip to Okoboji this year.  Eric, Lindsey and I were watching what we ate, and snacking on roasted almonds, hard boiled eggs, and rice snacks rather than the usual cookies, chips, and bars.  And let me tell you, we were all much more exited about hanging out in our bathing suits all week!  Between the 3 of us, we were 150 pounds lighter than when we were at Okoboji last year!!!  What a great change!  I am so proud of my family, how fun to be a part of such a healthy group of people!

Way to go Eric!  Now, if you are starting to see a trend here, there is no question.  The products work!  The new lifestyle of health and fitness works!  We are much healthier and happier.  Please contact me if you would like to begin your journey to a healthier, happier you!  If we can do it, you can do it!

Michael

Vacation = Weight loss (Who knew?)

Arnold's Park - August 4th, 2010

I sit here this morning with a "to do" list a mile long and the energy to tackle one that is two miles long! I can't even begin to tell you all how great I have felt this past month and how much energy I have now! I thank God every day that I was introduced to the AdvoCare products - they were just the answer that I had been so desperately looking for. I was ready for a change. Ready NOT to feel fatigued and exhausted and like my brain had turned to mush! Ready to have the desire to play with my kids. Ready to have the energy to work-out at night. Ready for a better life. AdvoCare has given me just that! Had I not found these products and nutritional supplements I can tell you that my next step would have been a trip to the doctor and no doubt a prescription for meds. I have seen SO MANY moms just like me that end up on expensive medications that don't always do what they were intended to do. With AdvoCare and the 24 Day Challenge I've been able to gain energy and feel alive again, lose TEN unwanted pounds (mostly around my tummy), and tone up my body like it's never been toned up before!

I know it seems almost unbelievable but it is true: I actually LOST weight while on vacation! Who can say that they've done that before huh? My husband and I stuck to our 24 Day Challenge, ate sensibly and went on a couple of 4 or 5 mile runs during the week but that's it! We didn't deprive ourselves of anything! I enjoyed my mother-in-law's to-die-for steak and veggie k-bobs, had two scoops of vanilla ice cream at Arnold's Park and even indulged in THREE pieces of my favorite pizza! I stuck to the recommended eating plan for the majority of the week and stuck to my Catalyst, MNS strip packs and Spark to maintain energy and focus and to help curb cravings and maintain my metabolism! AdvoCare works. It was the answer to our prayers and it has changed our lives.

I sit here today, exactly ten pounds thinner than I was just one month ago and I have never felt better, looked better or had more energy than I do right now. I pray that all of you can find your answer to health and wellness and TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK! If Michael or I can help you in any way, please let us know. We have a great meal plan that we can share as well as numerous AdvoCare products and programs that you can follow to help you "jump start" your journey!

Lindsey

OMG I haven't seen this in over 15 years!!!

Woke up this morning feeling a little guilty that I hadn't gotten my run in last night.  We had company and it just didn't work out to get out and get my training in.  I knew I was really close to breaking another HUGE barrier in my weight loss goals, but since I hadn't exercised since the 5k last Saturday I didn't expect what I woke up to today!  After stepping on the scale and watching it blink a few times, it popped up at 228.4!!!  WOW!  I am officially in the 220's!  The last time I saw that on a scale I was 17 years old!

I have now lost 85 pounds and am rapidly approaching my goal weight of 213 pounds!  Only 15 more pounds to go!!!  I am so EXCITED!!!  I can't tell you how much better I feel.  I can't express in words the self confidence that I am gaining.  I have such a sense of purpose in my life.  My drive is simple, but it is strong.  My mission is to set a good example for my children and help them to live a healthy lifestyle.  My mission is to help others accomplish the fitness goals that I have accomplished.  If you are reading this today and you feel compelled to do something to improve your health, or to lose weight, or to start working out, please contact me.  Yeah, I will tell you about the amazing Advocare products that are helping me to attain my personal goals, I might even tell you how Advocare has changed my family's outlook on life and on our financial freedom ( how about the $4,000 Rookie Bonus check we received yesterday (life changing));  but it is more than that to me.  I realize that Advocare might not be right for everyone, I want to help you regardless.  I can share Lindsey and I's experience in running, or eating healthy, or working out.  We have learned so much since last October and I feel like it is my purpose to share our story.  I feel that by sharing what we have done, I can help change lives.  What a blessing this has become for me.  I am so humbled to hear others that are following this blog and are motivated to get moving and get into shape!  It makes it all worth while!

Now, here is what is coming... we have a ton of friends and family that are currently taking the 24 Day Challenge and I intend on sharing their stories with all of you.  We are hearing some AMAZING results!  If you are one of our 24 Day Challenger's please email or call me with your progress, and if you are willing I would love to share your story!  I already have a few to share and even a few unbelievable pictures of those who have had tremendous success!  Stay tuned and check it out for yourself!

Michael

Back from Vacation and ready to ROCK!!!

I have missed you guys.  Sorry about the week long hiatus, Lindsey and I were in Okoboji this past week with my family.  We had a great time and are rejuvenated and ready to get fired up about our fitness goals!  I was pleasantly surprised and very excited to step on the scale this morning and see that I was at 231.0 pounds! 

Seriously? I was on vacation for a week!  Then this past weekend came back to celebrate with my classmates of '95 at Dike New Hartford High School!  It was our 15 year reunion, and the Dike Watermelon Days.  We had a blast and spent the weekend catching up and having a few to many cold ones!  And still I managed to lose 0.8 pounds!!!  This new lifestyle ROCKS! 

I had told myself to enjoy the vacation and the festivities of the reunion... and I did.  I just did it using my new eating habits and tried to abstain from anything too horrible.  There was no greasy food or donuts, but there was certainly steak, pizza, ice cream at Arnold's Park, etc.  Everything was in moderation and I enjoyed every minute of it!

Now it is time to get after it again.  I have completed my 24 Day Challenge and now plan to continue with a few of the Advocare products to help me reach my goal of 213 pounds!  Only 18 pounds left, and I will have lost 100 pounds!!!  Lindsey and I also are planning our 2nd 1/2 marathon this September, so between being busy at work, spending time with our 4 little kids, training for the 1/2, and continuing to share our story it is going to be a very hectic and interesting end of summer!  One thing is for sure, I know where I am going, and I hope you all stay plugged in and watch me get there!  It will be absolutely overwhelming to step on that scale in another month or so and see the numbers 213!

I can't put into words what losing 100 pounds will mean to me.  To become the healthy husband that my beautiful wife deserves.  To be a positive influence and role model for my 4 little kids!  To continue to work with friends and family on achieving their weight loss and healthy lifestyle goals!  What a Blessing this whole journey has turned out to be for me!  I thank God everyday for guiding me to a healthy lifestyle, and to help influence others to follow in my footsteps.  I just want to thank you all for following this blog, and for all the kind emails and phone calls that I have received from so many of you!  I can't imagine life without this new found purpose that is driving me to continue on this journey.

Michael

What a difference a year can make!

Ok, so as I have told all of you, on October 21st 2009 I took my life back.  I was tired of being overweight and out of shape.  I was not happy.  I was depressed about my weight, and about my overall fitness.  Thank God, I hadn't had any health or medical issues, but at 313 pounds it was just a matter of time!  After finishing up my Advocare 24 Day Challenge yesterday, I weighed in at 231 pounds!  That is a total weight loss of 82 pounds since last October!!!  I feel great.  I am so happy with my progress, but I still have 18 pounds to go.  I will hit 100 pounds total loss before I quit losing weight.  I am so excited with my progress and can't wait to hit my goal!

In the meantime, it was about time for some new clothes.  I had already drilled 8 new holes in my belt, and have been wearing my old size 40 or size 42 shorts and jeans.  Today Lindsey and I went shopping (thanks to Grandma & Grandpa, it was just the 2 of us!).  I was blown away when I realized I am now a size 36!  I found a couple of new shorts, and then we decided to go to the Buckle.  I hadn't shopped there since I was 17!  For fun I tried on some jeans...guess what?  I couldn't resist.  I came home with 2 new pair!  Lindsey also picked out some new jeans at the Buckle...size 27!!!  She told me she has never worn size 27, and let me tell you, she looks GOOD in them!

Yeah, we probably spent a little more on new clothes than we should have, but it has been years since I enjoyed shopping for clothes.  For at least the past 10 years I have always dreaded shopping.  I was always so disappointed with the sizes that I would have to settle for.  I hated that I was a size 40 or 42!  It took all the joy out of it when a XXL shirt didn't hardly fit!  I avoided shopping at all costs, so I guess I probably was due.  I also really enjoyed watching Lindsey try on sizes that she had never dreamed of!  So fun.

Anyway, I found a picture from about one year ago of me with the boys.  As you can see by the look on my face, I was unhappy and uncomfortable in my own skin.  I also have included a picture of me tonight trying on my new clothes!  I LOVE that I can wear cool clothes!  I had so much fun today!  My wish is that all of you will get to go shopping soon because your clothes are all way to big!  Believe me, it is a GREAT problem to have!

THERE IT IS!!!  Starting weight was 255.8 pounds.  I was able to LOSE 24.0 POUNDS in 24 DAYS on the Advocare 24 Day Challenge!!!

If you are willing to follow the recommended diet and exercise, you can write your own story just like I did.  If I can do it, YOU can do it!!!

Not only was I able to lose 24 pounds, but I also lost 15 3/4 inches as well!!!

Lindsey was able to lose 8.8 pounds and 12 1/4 inches!!!  She is in a size 4 for the first time of her life and couldn't be more excited!

These products work.  If you are ready to begin your journey, contact me for more info.  I can't wait to help our friends and family change their lives like we have changed ours!

I will continue to post my results as I work toward my goal of 213 pounds.  This next week will be tough as we will be on vacation at Lake Okoboji.  I will let you know how it turns out!  One thing is for sure, there is no turning back.  I am a living example of a CHANGED LIFE, and I WILL continue to work toward my goal all while living my new healthy lifestyle.  Only 18 pounds to go!!!

Michael

DAY 24!

It is here!  Day 24 of the Advocare 24 Day Challenge!  I can't believe how fast the time flew by.  It was an exciting journey, with lots of great results along the way.  Please check in tonight to see how well I did!  Lindsey and I will be posting our results this evening at the end of Day 24!  We will also have the results for my brother Eric, so make sure to check in tonight to see how the 3 of us did.


Also, just to let you know.  I plan to continue with the blog even after the 24 Day Challenge is over.  I will see this thing through until I hit my goal weight of 213 pounds!  To get there, I need to stay accountable to all of you.  It inspires me to reach my goals when I know that others are on the same path.   It is very motivating to hear from some of you, not to mention, we will be posting success stories of all willing 24 Day Challenge participants along the way!  Keep up the good work!


Michael