Not to keep throwing out there ‘my time in LA’, but it truly was a learning experience for me. I started my Masters in Nutrition while I was living there, and man, what a great place to get crazy on fad diets. I studied every crazy diet under the sun; Madonna’s Macrobiotic diet; No grains; No fruit; Only grapefruit...how about the 40 day lemonade diet? Yeah, that's healthy! All my studies left me confused and mostly terrified to eat anything at all. Going to the grocery store was a fearful and frustrating experience. I was convinced that I was bloated because I was lactose and gluten intolerant, and therefore had to cut everything out! I alternated that response with just not caring and eating anything I wanted, then over-exercising to compensate for my lack of ‘commitment’. It was enough to make a girl crazy! These days, I don't have the time, even if I wanted to over-train. I am sometimes overwhelmed with running my business, taking care of my clients, my two children, and my home, and I'm usually the last person that gets tended to.
When I learned there was a program out there that actually made nutritional sense and met normal criteria for eating, I was all over trying it out! With the AdvoCare program, I love that you can eat any fruit, whole grains, any vegetables, and lean protein. During the cleanse phase, alcohol and caramel colored beverages (coffee, black tea and sodas) are prohibited, and nothing bleached, so no white rice or white pasta because it's important that your food consists of clean nutrients. You use common sense as far as portion control and your metabolism gets a boost through eating three meals and two snacks every day. Then, AdvoCare has these amazing products to help cleanse,
Cleanse Phase:
On Days 1-10 of the 24-Day Challenge, you will take three products.
Herbal Cleanse System:
The AdvoCare Herbal Cleanse system can help rid your body of waste and prepare the body for optimal nutrient absorption with its unique blend of herbal ingredients.* Using a systematic approach, this 10-day system guides you through the daily steps for thorough internal cleansing and improved digestion.*
Each Herbal Cleanse box includes these two key products: ProBiotic Restore™ capsules and Herbal Cleanse tablets.
For the complete system, use these two products as well as AdvoCare Fiber for the duration of the 10 days.
OmegaPlex:
The second product you will use in the Cleanse Phase is OmegaPlex®, which is a high-quality blend of essential Omega-3 fatty acids for overall wellness.* Omega-3 fatty acids are essential components of heart, nerve, muscle, skin, bone and immune health. As with all of the AdvoCare products, OmegaPlex® meets high standards for safety and efficacy so you can be sure you are getting some of the purest Omega-3 fatty acids on the market.*
AdvoCare Spark:
AdvoCare Spark® is a unique multi-nutrient system that was developed as a nutritional source of energy and enhanced mental focus.* It's sugar free with more than 20 vitamins, minerals and nutrients that work synergistically to provide a healthy, balanced and effective source of energy that won't overburden or over stimulate your body.*
These three products work to cleanse and prepare your body for the Max Phase, days 11-24.
Note: Do not take thermogenic products (MNS® color packets, ThermoPlus™ and AdvoCare® Slim) while in the Cleanse Phase.
Other AdvoCare supplements may be continued, although they should be taken at least a couple of hours after the AdvoCare Fiber.
Max Phase:
After completing the Cleanse Phase, it’s time to move into days 11-24: The Max Phase. The Max Phase is about fueling your body in order to achieve maximum results. During this phase you will take three products that work together to provide you with sustained energy, appetite control, core nutrition and overall wellness.
Metabolic Nutrition System™ - MNS®
During the Max Phase, you can choose from three Metabolic Nutrition Systems which all provide sustained energy, appetite control, core nutrition and overall wellness.*
If you’re not sure which system to use, AdvoCare recommends beginning with MNS® 3, which provides you with a foundational level of appetite control and energy.* For a higher level of appetite control you can choose MNS® C†, and for more energy you can choose MNS® E†*.
All three formulations include: CorePlex® (our multivitamin), OmegaPlex®, ProBiotic Restore™ , thermogenic components and additional wellness supplements.
Meal Replacement Shake:
Skipping meals is a common mistake people make in weight-management or wellness programs. The Meal Replacement Shake is a healthy, delicious solution. Each shake includes 22-24 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrates, 5-6 grams of fiber, 26 vitamins and minerals, and 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium. They come in several great-tasting flavors.
AdvoCare Spark® (An additional box of AdvoCare Spark® completes the Max Phase.)
Companion products can be used in conjunction with the products that come with your 24-Day Challenge Bundle. Although not officially part of the 24-Day Challenge, these products are fantastic complements to the program and can help target your specific needs.*
Catalyst:
Catalyst provides a blend of essential branched-chain amino acids and L-glutamine to fuel your body with the muscle-building components it needs.* Catalyst helps repair and protect muscle, and provides the essential amino acids needed to maintain and promote lean body mass, endurance and strength.* Catalyst helps rid the fat and retain muscle when used in combination with a healthy diet, exercise, and other AdvoCare products such as Meal Replacement Shakes or Muscle Gain™.
ThermoPlus:
ThermoPlus® is an innovative weight-loss enhancer that contains key botanical extracts to help support efficient metabolism and suppress appetite.* Together, they provide powerful support for stimulating fat oxidation and healthy metabolism when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.*
Carb-Ease® Plus:
Carb-Ease® Plus is a full-spectrum product that helps support weight management and body composition.* Carb-Ease Plus contains ingredients that help inhibit the breakdown of fats and particular carbohydrate molecules so that the body is less likely to absorb them.* It also helps maintain weight and healthy blood glucose levels by reducing the negative effects of excessive carbohydrate consumption.*
After the 24 Day Challenge:
Generally, I try to stay healthy by eating right and exercising but stress prevails and I don’t make all the best choices so I do the cleanse every three months and it easy and effective to help me lose those extra pounds and rebalance my system.
* Featured image courtesy of Advocare
