Let me introduce you to a gal. Her name is Meredith. She is a rather tired-looking 35. Most of her clothes can physically be wrangled onto her body, but fit remains a negligible qualifier. She has two young kids and this blog thing to tend to, so she’s allowed it to slide.
Except, then she could no longer poop. TMI, I know, but it was a pitifully ugly, ugly scene on the homefront. A lot of desperate whining and feeling unjustly persecuted by bodily functions around these parts.
So Meredith, to the outcry of her husband, purchased an OTC cleanse. And then she posted on Facebook about it. And then, a very, very cool soul on this earth, Char Ackerman, came to the rescue. She contacted Meredith, “Promise I’m not spammy! But professional cleansing is what I do. Let me help you.” Let me help you.
Meredith swoons a little whenever anyone offers help, so Char basically had her at hello. Also, her bowels really hurt. So Meredith met the 24 Day Advocare Challenge and her life has never again been the same.
It’s been awesome.
What is the Advocare 24 Day Challenge?
It’s not a diet system. It’s not diet pills.
It is a comprehensive meal plan.
It is loads of vitamin and fiber supplements.
It maintains the goal of maximizing your calorie-reduction and exercise efforts. i.e. if you slug it out with Jillian for 30 minutes, make it worth your while.
Basically, I stuck pretty closely to the suggested meal plan (because this was easier for me than trying to figure it out on my own), and took all the recommended supplements when directed, and then lost 14 inches in 24 days and said goodbye to my digestive issues.
This worked. This worked for me. My clothes fit better, but moreover, I feel better about myself. As a bonus, I also finally kicked my Diet Coke habit. I do believe in Diet Coke’s power to push us through impossible days, but it was giving me headaches and migraines. As much as I loathed to let go, it was time to bid adieu to my sweet bev.
So I did. I committed to the 24 Day Challenge, of which the first 10 days are a very intensive cleanse. I fell in love with the Spark amino-acid/vitamin supplement drink, and I did not pick up my beloved Diet Coke.
And I ate. I ate all the time. The 24 Day Challenge is entirely food-based. If you follow the plan, you eat six times per day, with protein and fiber at every meal. I was almost never hungry. And if I was? It was time to eat again.
Char (charack@verizon.net) was incredibly supportive with answering all my tedious questions ( is Splenda okay? How do I best take the fiber supplement?). She would remind me of upcoming changes and worked hard to keep me on track (“Remember, tomorrow you switch over to the Max phase. Do A, B, and C…). Many of her messages were just sweet encouragement too to “keep going!”, which I so appreciated.
While you can fully complete the challenge without spending additional money, there are some cool post-challenge products available to continue your efforts. I also plan to stick with the meal plans. They not only encourage weight-loss, but do wonders to maintain my energy level throughout the day.
The inches-lost feel wonderful (My husband long-ago threw out our scale [due to my tenedency to get “worked up” every time I weighed in], so I don’t have a report on pounds lost). My belt adores their good-riddance, but the primary reason I was drawn to this challenge remains: I needed to reset my digestive tract. And I did.
Praise God.
I’ve completely fallen for Advocare’s 24 Day Challenge. It works well for so many (head over and read more testimonials, but from my personal experience…A mom of young ones? A gal who’s “let it go” in the interest of her kids? It’s for you. YOU can do this. Go say hello to Char and say goodbye to sluggish digestion or unwanted pounds or whatever is setting you back.
She’s really nice–and she’s got the solution 🙂
First image credit: depositphotos.com, ID:44261079, copyright:habovka
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Cynthia Gabriele Sprouts Consignment Boutique says
Great job!
Meredith says
Thanks, Cindy!
Jen says
Great results mama!
Meredith says
Strive to be like you, love!
Chris Carter says
Gosh- I really do need something like this!! My stomach has been a MESS for months…and my bowels are constantly stuck too!!! Hmm… not sure I can change my diet- or at least my coffee and diet coke intake. But I’m sure it would be worth it, yes?
I am SO glad you feel better and have lost so much weight!!! (Inches, who cares about pounds?- it’s all about looking good and feeling good!!)
Meredith says
The regularity is crazy amazing, Chris. I feel good for the first time in forever! Hope you find a solution that works for you too!
Kenya G. Johnson says
Good job! I stopped drinking coffee back in April so at least I’d have the no caffeine behind me. I noticed your fitbit 😉
Meredith says
Love the fitbit! Are you on too, Kendra? And congrats on kicking the caffeine–that’s huge!
WhenCrazyMeetsExhaustion says
Okay, I have serious questions:
1. Did you start pooping ALL the time?
2. Was there a “detox” period that had you running to the bathroom?
3. Is it super expensive?
My digestive track is a hot mess and I’m starting a new exercise routine/challenge next week. If you vouch for this (and I won’t poop myself whilst at the grocery store), I’ll give this a go!
Anonymous says
Those seem to be the same questions everyone asks 🙂 You will be okay, we like to say its a calm and uneventful cleanse. You won’t need poop 24/7 😉 If you want more info, check out my link at the top of the article. You really won’t be disappointed!
Char says
We actually get those questions a lot! We like to call the cleanse phase quick and uneventful. You shouldn’t be running to the bathroom, I haven’t known anyone who has done the challenge not making it there. Most people don’t have any issues with pooping, you should be going atleast once a day 🙂 Click on the link to check out my website for pricing. Advocare gets your body in fat burning mode! You will love how it makes you feel.
WhenCrazyMeetsExhaustion says
Thanks, gals!
Meredith says
No, Steph, I was worried too, but really, no bathroom running. I went once/day and that was perfect for me. It really was just a step back to regularity for me–a huge blessing! We definitely talk more–ask away with questions!
Stacey @nursemommylaughs says
Congrats on the bowel progression! You looked fabulous before so that wasn’t an issue. But no No2? No-No!
Meredith says
Stacey, you are too sweet and too encouraging. Thank you. MWAH!
Sisterhood of the Sensible Moms says
So happy for you. I am more than intrigued. Ellen
Meredith says
We can chat any time, Ellen! Very out of my element, but a very cool experience!
Leslie says
WOW – those are great results! So happy for you that you’re feeling better and fitting in your clothes again…I know that before feeling and it sucks.
Meredith says
It really made a difference–a very cool one!