But What Happens When the Challenge is Over?

   Just a heads up, this is going to be mostly Aimee writing. I am sure Glen echos a lot of the thoughts in it, but it's mostly me. Glen and I were talking last night about how when this challenge started we were not necessarily one hundred percent excited; we were excited about the possibility but we were sure that these 24 days would last forever. Now we're sitting here thinking "holy smokes! our challenge is done on Thursday. This Thursday!" I cannot even believe how fast it's gone and how much my results have surpassed not only my expectations, but even what I heard everyone else saying.
   When we've posted the last few times about our results it has been pretty number focused, which is fine but numbers aren't the only measure of success. Plus, if there is a huge emphasis on numbers others may only judge their success based on the numbers and I don't want that! I know what it is like to work your butt off and be so careful about what you eat then to get on the scale and see I've lost .3 pounds or even sometimes gained pounds. It makes you heart sick. It makes you feel like all your efforts aren't even worth it so why bother trying? I get it. But this challenge has been different than anything I have ever tried.
   The numbers are cool to see and they definitely make me excited but even more than that I am very aware of the difference in how I feel. I am not tired all the time; I have more energy than I have in a long time. When I am tired it is because it is the end of the day and I have worked hard; it's not because I have sat still for 20 minutes or longer and just passed out. I used to hate looking in the mirror because I felt just so entirely unattractive. I stuck to: "Is my hair crazy? Is there something in my teeth? Do my clothes match?" Now I don't mind because I can actually see a difference in my body. You have no idea how big of a deal that is for me. I want to go to the gym. I have more endurance and I am stronger than before and I can see that in my performance at the gym. I can go longer and I can lift more. I only had one pair of shorts so I went to get another pair on my lunch break and for the first time in about four years I did not have to get a size up-I had to get a size down! For the first time in forever I got to say to Glen "they didn't fit...I need to get a smaller size." It was cool to see the smile on his face because he knew how much that meant to me too.
   I feel comfortable in my own skin; I don't just feel "gross" anymore. I know that sounds vague but I think you probably get what I am saying. Before even when I was doing things right there would be that time where I saw a Dairy Queen advertisement and was like "I'm getting me some ice cream!" Sure there are times that I am like "a brownie would taste good right now" or something like that but then I think about how I feel and I don't want to mess that up. Am I saying that I will never have another treat again or anything else? No, because that isn't realistic but I can say that it won't be like before. Before it wasn't an occasional treat, it was a daily treat. A large daily treat.
   Which is why I have found myself anxious about what happens come day 25. The inner organization freak in me has loved having everything laid out for me with that lovely guide book and that same organization freak is worried about what happens when the book is over. I know of course to keep eating healthy with the portion sizes and everything but what else? I kind of feel like I am reaching the end of a rehab program because I am leaving the security of planned and regimented which I work really well with.
   Those who know me well know that I am a lot like my Grandpa Friday in that I am not an easy sell. I am that obnoxious person who will ask 15,000 questions about why I should get something that you're selling me and usually even if you answer them I still won't do anything until I have done my own research and weighed my options. That being said, these products have made such a difference to me and my husband that I want to share that with others. If you have questions about AdvoCare or you're curious but have budgetary concerns please contact me! You can message me on Facebook, email me, or text me. If you want to try something, let me know and we will figure it out. It's worth taking the risk, I promise! I will be nothing but honest with you, and if I can't answer your questions I will get us in touch with someone who can.
   This has gotten long enough, so I will end it here. Tomorrow or Saturday we will post some more results. But I really wanted to show that these products have made a difference for me. A difference that I haven't felt from anything else. Until then...later!