Advocare Cleanse - My Journey

kris · Guru

RE: Advocare Cleanse - My Journey

CoffeeQueen · Guru

kris wrote:
Day 5
There really isn't much difference. It seems really easy! My family is looking at me sideways though because I can make them dinner and not eat a bite of it and stick to my fish and steamed veggies.
There was lots of talk in the office yesterday about candy and there is about a ton of candy bars sitting by me right now . . . but yesterday I had a banana with a bit of all natural, organic Smucker's peanut butter on it and it was perfect for the sweet tooth. And that surprised me b/c I tried that organic pb the first day I got it and let me tell you this, it is not jiff! There really isn't anything sweet to it! But I think my taste buds are changing and mixing it a bit with the banana really made it a nice treat.
I was hungry on day 3 at different times during the day . . . but days 4, 5 and now the start of 6 I'm not really hungry.
I think the jump up to 3 spark per day was good for me through the cleanse. I will go back down to 2 when I start the meal shakes for breakfast next week.
My water intake has been insane - I'm pretty sure I've had more water in the last 4 weeks than I've had in the last 2 years combined (and I'm really not kidding!). I'm getting I would guess between 70-85 oz per day.

lol, I think the same thing, Kris. I was getting really bad with not drinking water. In just one day my skin looks better, no joke. I think I was dehydrated.

I took a half a banana this morning and mushed it up with oatmeal. I am not susppose to eat whole wheat, but I am this week because I needed something a bit more this morning opted for the whole grain oats.

why was I thinking we could not do vinegar? ok, that is easy then. That is what I do anyway. I thought I could not use vinegar.

Picture-Perfect · Guru

Good morning ladies :)

Day 4 starting over here. Just took the probiotic pills and I am drinking mandarin orange spark. I think I was adding too much water, I toned it down a bit this morning and I like it more.

I am doing well. Had some cravings yesterday evening but I got through. I think I need to eat more veggies. I am doing good on fruit but definitely need more veggies. I don't feel like I am eating a ton, and I am not really hungry much at all. I'm really enjoying blueberries and bananas. Lots of eggs and some chicken, string cheese here and there and some pecans(which saved me from cravings last night!)and walnuts. I am using the meal replacement shakes at breakfast sometimes. I really like the chocolate, I haven't tried the other two flavors. I use my magic bullet and add some ice too.

I HAVE to get to the gym or get out and exercise! Definitely my weakness. Goal today is to get to the gym because the weather is going to be nasty so I won't be outside.

Kris, I know it's not the point but are you losing any weight? I've lost 3 pounds and feel different it's a nice side effect. I feel like my horrible belly bloat is a little better. Small steps.

I am drinking a lot of water too, around 100oz. I drink the kirkland water bottles all day long, easy way for me to keep up with how much. I have noticed I sometimes feel like I overdose on water hard to explain but literally the thought of taking another sip makes me feel like puking lol. Usually at the end of the day, waterlogged I suppose.

Can you girls tell me what veggies you are eating and how you are preparing them? I am awful in the kitchen, embarrasing but true and I am not good at putting things together but I am trying.

Toughest part for me so far is swallowing those big ole cleanse pills at night, not sure why but it takes effort for me ;)

Oh Kris if I order spark from you what is the cost?

Picture-Perfect · Guru

CoffeeQueen wrote:
kris wrote:
Day 5
There really isn't much difference. It seems really easy! My family is looking at me sideways though because I can make them dinner and not eat a bite of it and stick to my fish and steamed veggies.
There was lots of talk in the office yesterday about candy and there is about a ton of candy bars sitting by me right now . . . but yesterday I had a banana with a bit of all natural, organic Smucker's peanut butter on it and it was perfect for the sweet tooth. And that surprised me b/c I tried that organic pb the first day I got it and let me tell you this, it is not jiff! There really isn't anything sweet to it! But I think my taste buds are changing and mixing it a bit with the banana really made it a nice treat.
I was hungry on day 3 at different times during the day . . . but days 4, 5 and now the start of 6 I'm not really hungry.
I think the jump up to 3 spark per day was good for me through the cleanse. I will go back down to 2 when I start the meal shakes for breakfast next week.
My water intake has been insane - I'm pretty sure I've had more water in the last 4 weeks than I've had in the last 2 years combined (and I'm really not kidding!). I'm getting I would guess between 70-85 oz per day.
lol, I think the same thing, Kris. I was getting really bad with not drinking water. In just one day my skin looks better, no joke. I think I was dehydrated.
I took a half a banana this morning and mushed it up with oatmeal. I am not susppose to eat whole wheat, but I am this week because I needed something a bit more this morning opted for the whole grain oats.
why was I thinking we could not do vinegar? ok, that is easy then. That is what I do anyway. I thought I could not use vinegar.

I like the banana in oatmeal idea. I got some steel cut oats and I want to make them more palatable. I think I need to cook them longer they were a little chewy my first try.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

Amber - I think you cannot eat any dairy on this. I just noticed you were doing string cheese.

Far as veggies - right now I am eating just steamed. after this week I kick up a notch in my normal life. I love to roast veggies. I take fresh veggies of any kind - cauliflower, eggplant, zuccini, squash, etc. I toss in olive oil and then season with some garlic and bake on a tray in oven. It is easy and yum. often I take those veggies and add to quinoa.

Amber, you can also the the steel cut oats in a crock pot overnight. Then you can just portion and reheat in am if that is easier. I just used the all natural whole wheat quick oats this am. I do not have time sometimes in morning. Adding the mushed banana to it gives it the sweetness.

kris · Guru

Picture-Perfect wrote:
Good morning ladies :)

Day 4 starting over here. Just took the probiotic pills and I am drinking mandarin orange spark. I think I was adding too much water, I toned it down a bit this morning and I like it more.

I am doing well. Had some cravings yesterday evening but I got through. I think I need to eat more veggies. I am doing good on fruit but definitely need more veggies. I don't feel like I am eating a ton, and I am not really hungry much at all. I'm really enjoying blueberries and bananas. Lots of eggs and some chicken, string cheese here and there and some pecans(which saved me from cravings last night!)and walnuts. I am using the meal replacement shakes at breakfast sometimes. I really like the chocolate, I haven't tried the other two flavors. I use my magic bullet and add some ice too.

I HAVE to get to the gym or get out and exercise! Definitely my weakness. Goal today is to get to the gym because the weather is going to be nasty so I won't be outside.

Kris, I know it's not the point but are you losing any weight? I've lost 3 pounds and feel different it's a nice side effect. I feel like my horrible belly bloat is a little better. Small steps.

I am drinking a lot of water too, around 100oz. I drink the kirkland water bottles all day long, easy way for me to keep up with how much. I have noticed I sometimes feel like I overdose on water hard to explain but literally the thought of taking another sip makes me feel like puking lol. Usually at the end of the day, waterlogged I suppose.

Can you girls tell me what veggies you are eating and how you are preparing them? I am awful in the kitchen, embarrasing but true and I am not good at putting things together but I am trying.

Toughest part for me so far is swallowing those big ole cleanse pills at night, not sure why but it takes effort for me ;)

Oh Kris if I order spark from you what is the cost?

Amber - I felt like day 3 was the day that I was hungry or wanted more or was struggling most (I ate an apple with some peanut butter at bedtime). Since then I have been fine.

I have really started checking out produce sections at different stores. I am buying the organic carrots with the long, fluffy stems still on them. They are delicious. Carrots are limited so you can only have 1 large one. I'm eating tons of salad cucumbers (they are free). I also picked up a variet of red, orange and yellow peppers and they are the crunch I need. Tomatoes - I'm having a handful of grape tomatoes. I got a bunch of fresh spinach and different kinds of lettuce to make my salad.

For dinner - I've been buying the bunch of fresh broccoli and lightly steaming that with another carrot in the microwave for just a few minutes. Last night I added in cauliflower. I also got a bag of fresh green beans one night and lightly steamed them in the microwave with a pinch of salt.

You should eat the raw veggies in a salad for lunch and the lightly steamed veggies for dinner. I've learned the lightly steamed at night help scrub your system.

I have not officially weighed but I stepped on the scale yesterday am and it was down 5 pounds. I'm trying to hold off until I'm totally done. I also have not exercised - I really need to at least get out and walk or something!

The spark prices are on the website and I can't remember off the top of my head exactly what they are. I remember I averaged it out to $1.64 a drink if you do the box of individual packets or $1.24 a drink if you do the canister. I've done both and I think for the most part I'm going with the canister because its cheaper and I can easily put a scoopful into a plastic bowl to take along with me.

Do you like the spark?

Picture-Perfect · Guru

CoffeeQueen wrote:
Amber - I think you cannot eat any dairy on this. I just noticed you were doing string cheese.

Far as veggies - right now I am eating just steamed. after this week I kick up a notch in my normal life. I love to roast veggies. I take fresh veggies of any kind - cauliflower, eggplant, zuccini, squash, etc. I toss in olive oil and then season with some garlic and bake on a tray in oven. It is easy and yum. often I take those veggies and add to quinoa.

Amber, you can also the the steel cut oats in a crock pot overnight. Then you can just portion and reheat in am if that is easier. I just used the all natural whole wheat quick oats this am. I do not have time sometimes in morning. Adding the mushed banana to it gives it the sweetness.

Ah ok. I thought I had read that string cheese was ok as a protein source. Good news is I have only eaten 2 lol.

I have to try roasting veggies for sure. What temp should I have the oven on and for how long? Regular olive oil?

I did read some recipe for crockpot oats and i'm going to try those too. I need to go to Costco and get their big bag, those ones are really good.

Picture-Perfect · Guru

Kris- so far day 3 was the toughest and it wasn't really tough just the evening cravings and it's when I usually lose it. I am so proud that I didn't cave. I feel like I can do anything this morning, hence why i'm going to the gym when Kent wakes up. Strike while the iron is hot or something like that.

I will keep my eyes open at the different stores. Feels like i'm always at the grocery store anyways. I have been eating the mini carrots. I will look for some of the ones you are having. I need to eat salad, good and easy. Thank you for the suggestions! What is the best way to steam the veggies? Like I said i'm not very good at these things

I do like the spark, I am not missing soda at all. I will check out the prices. My sister is going to let me try her mango strawberry and my friend is going to let me try the pink lemonade. Branching out a little. I think I will try the fruit punch you sent me this afternoon! Thanks again smile

kris · Guru

Picture-Perfect wrote:
Kris- so far day 3 was the toughest and it wasn't really tough just the evening cravings and it's when I usually lose it. I am so proud that I didn't cave. I feel like I can do anything this morning, hence why i'm going to the gym when Kent wakes up. Strike while the iron is hot or something like that.

I will keep my eyes open at the different stores. Feels like i'm always at the grocery store anyways. I have been eating the mini carrots. I will look for some of the ones you are having. I need to eat salad, good and easy. Thank you for the suggestions! What is the best way to steam the veggies? Like I said i'm not very good at these things
I do like the spark, I am not missing soda at all. I will check out the prices. My sister is going to let me try her mango strawberry and my friend is going to let me try the pink lemonade. Branching out a little. I think I will try the fruit punch you sent me this afternoon! Thanks again

red: that is how I felt and I didn't even want to say it was tough. It wasn't. I just felt most hungry that day. and I saw my husband eating a handful of saltine crackers and then cheez its and I was like OMMMMMMgosh give me some cheez its! so I had an apple w/ pb and was fine!

I think as the days go on cravings might diminish. I'm feeling that way.

I have this veggie steamer I got years ago. it is a plastic bowl with a vented lid that clamps onto it. I just put the veggies in and microwave for 3 minutes. You don't want to micro too long - you only want "lightly" steamed.

I think the spark is what is making me not miss the coke. I have not missed it at all. I gave it up I think almost 3 months ago (I wanted to prepare slowly for the cleanse!). I've only had 3 (and that was 3 weeks ago) but I was drinking 1 a day and looked SO forward to lunch when I could get it so I knew I was a bit addicted whether I wanted to admit it or not. Let me know what you think of the fruit punch - one of my friends loves it, to me it was ok. I like the strawberry mango (I have one of those almost every day).

Juanita · Guru

Picture-Perfect wrote:
CoffeeQueen wrote:
Amber - I think you cannot eat any dairy on this. I just noticed you were doing string cheese.

Far as veggies - right now I am eating just steamed. after this week I kick up a notch in my normal life. I love to roast veggies. I take fresh veggies of any kind - cauliflower, eggplant, zuccini, squash, etc. I toss in olive oil and then season with some garlic and bake on a tray in oven. It is easy and yum. often I take those veggies and add to quinoa.

Amber, you can also the the steel cut oats in a crock pot overnight. Then you can just portion and reheat in am if that is easier. I just used the all natural whole wheat quick oats this am. I do not have time sometimes in morning. Adding the mushed banana to it gives it the sweetness.
Ah ok. I thought I had read that string cheese was ok as a protein source. Good news is I have only eaten 2 lol.
I have to try roasting veggies for sure. What temp should I have the oven on and for how long? Regular olive oil?
I did read some recipe for crockpot oats and i'm going to try those too. I need to go to Costco and get their big bag, those ones are really good.

Since Melissa does this she may know the correct answer, but it seems like on the cooking shows, the oven is at 400 degrees and they roast about 30 minutes?

Is that right, Melissa?

CoffeeQueen · Guru

400 is good and it varies on the time cooked depending on the veggies. Things like zuccini and squash cook quicker. It all depends how you cut them too. I do cubes or big chucks and not thin slices. I put them all in a big zip lock bag with virgin olive oil and toss around to coat and the add seasoning again, shake and then place on the tray.

It is very good. You just need to eyeball the time, but 30 min is usually good.

Juanita · Guru

CoffeeQueen wrote:
400 is good and it varies on the time cooked depending on the veggies. Things like zuccini and squash cook quicker. It all depends how you cut them too. I do cubes or big chucks and not thin slices. I put them all in a big zip lock bag with virgin olive oil and toss around to coat and the add seasoning again, shake and then place on the tray.

It is very good. You just need to eyeball the time, but 30 min is usually good.

I thought that was what I remembered

One of the shows I was watching was roasting cauliflower and tomatillas (sp?)

They looked so YUMMY!

Picture-Perfect · Guru

Thank you both! I'm excited. I have to grocery shop in a bit here and I will be getting some stuff to roast.

Lucy · Senior Member

I'm enjoying reading all this but have a question. Is oatmeal not just oats? Melissa you keep refering to whole wheat oatmeal but I always just thought oats were oats.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

Sorry, no oats are oats. They are a whole grain and just depends how they are processed, groats, steel cut or old fashioned one.

I was just meaning I typically do not do wheat and oatmeal is a wheat.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

I meant to type whole grain. The more nutients come out of oats in the more natural form. That is why steel cut are somewhat better then rolled oats.

Lucy · Senior Member

CoffeeQueen wrote:
Sorry, no oats are oats. They are a whole grain and just depends how they are processed, groats, steel cut or old fashioned one.

I was just meaning I typically do not do wheat and oatmeal is a wheat.

I'm still confused about why if you don't do wheat then you don't do oats as if they are the same thing, especially if it is gluten that is your problem, as far as I know there is no gluten in oats. Oats and wheat are two different kinds of grain. I understand that there are different nutritional qualities to oats depending on how it has been processed though and get that there are certain kinds you don't have.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

You are right Lucy. Oatmeal was on my do not eat list. I just googled and it is stupid controversy if you can eat oats on gluten free diet. Come to find out it is only because of cross contamination. Most oats are grown with or near wheat and processed. So you are right.

kris · Guru

Day 6 down (and did not get out of my bed for the first 1/2 of day 7 so it was a breeze too wink )

Tons of water. Tons of peeing. harboiled eggs + an apple for breakfast.

chicken breast and raw carrots and cucumbers for lunch.

peanut butter w/ banana for snack.

scrambled eggs and a plum for dinner.

cravings non-existent.

i believe my eating habits in the past have been created out of laziness and just wanting to eat quick so I grabbed whatever. A bit of planning and actually thinking about what I'm eating has made it super easy to make better choices.

how's everyone else doing?

Picture-Perfect · Guru

Great job Kris!

I'm doing just fine. I was up quite a bit later last night which created a bit of a challenge only because I felt like I needed to eat something. I was actually hungry so I ate a banana. Much better then choices I might have made 5 days ago. I had mandarin orange spark when I woke up and now I am eating the rest of my steel cut oats from yesterday with banana mashed in. I need to hard boil more eggs today. I made it to the gym yesterday and put in a good effort. I put 15 new songs on my ipod and plan on going to the gym today. I am such a habitual eater, just eating certain things while I am doing certain things if that makes sense. And I am also lazy with my habits. I am trying really hard and it feels good, accomplished. Each day I make it through I feel stronger :)