MY FIRST LEAN IN 13, I MAY BUY MYSELF A TROPHY WHEN THIS IS OVER

I will have been with AdvoCare for two years as of April 23, 2014. I have read about Lean in 13 so many times. Printed out the checklist, watched the training videos, asked questions. I had never been brave enough to try it until March 22, 2014.

Today's post is about days 1-6. Why Lean in 13 and not a challenge? Well, I just finished a challenge. I do an AdvoCare 24 day Challenge every 90 days. This is great for your gastrointestinal tract and a great way to jumpstart your metabolism. I am on a mission right now to get back to "where I was" this time last year. One thing I have discovered about myself from reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst is that I keep sabotaging myself by working really hard, eating the right foods, not drinking sodas for momentary weight loss and satisfaction then I re-vert back to my old ways and gain. I start relying on food for comfort. I lose my will-power to resist past a bite or a treat. I need to wear a sign that bounces up and slaps me in the face every day that says "Kellie you are not naturally skinny, you have to work for this, you were made for more." Made for more than temporary satisfaction in a clothing size. Made for more than a certain number on the scale. Made for more than just half-hearted workouts. More than whining about the scales not moving.  Which brings me to Lean in 13. For me, I can't just challenge every 90 days and abuse my body in between. I have fought this viscious cycle over and over for two years. Now let me say this. I don't want to discredit what I have done. There were a ton of tears, blood, and lots of sweat into those pounds I lost. But just like we allow sin to creep back in our lives when we aren't focused on God and what He has for our lives so does food, empty calories, cravings, and defeat. I have to have something to keep me focused. Even when I reach maintenance I will apply these principles or I will end up right back where I started.

Lean in 13 uses the zig-zag method of burn for three days, refuel day, repeat this process for the 13 day duration. Then on day 14 you get a free day. Which means you can eat without a pattern. That does not mean you can go mow the door of GiGi's Cupcakes down. You can have a "treat" if you want but not overeat.

I am really really not wanting to post these pics. I mean the weight, ah, that don't bother me. I've told you before that I don't whisper my weight or hide it. The "all up in dem blue jeans" photo and measurements however are another story. Nothing like seeing it plastered in black and teal. I have to though. It motivates me to know that I have people that will check back here next Thursday to see what I have done on and off the scales.

STARTING WEIGHT MARCH 22, 2014

BEFORE PICTURES

DAY 1

DAY 1 SATURDAY

BURN DAY

I packed and planned in order to avoid disaster. Not pictured is my shake. Yes, that is a 74.4 oz water jug. Yes, I have toted it with me each day. Yes, I have managed to drink that plus a 16 oz glass at breakfast and another 16 oz glass at supper. I had a full day out of the house planned and I knew I would fail miserably if I didn't. 

I started the day with my MNS Max 3 before breakfast pack. Thirty minutes later I had an AdvoCare chocolate meal replacement shake. I then took the two after meal (two bottom packs) packets of MNS Max 3. 

About an hour after breakfast I had my morning Spark. This was at the beginning of my son's High School Archery meet. Roll Tornadoes, GO PATE!

TORNADO FANS!

Around 10:30 I had three catalyst. Mid-morning I had natural almonds for a snack. I love them. To me they taste like pecans. Ok, maybe I am just making that up but whatever works right? Thirty minutes prior to lunch I had my before lunch MNS Max 3 packet. For lunch I had grilled chicken breast and an individual green bean from KFC. Ok, don't start bashing me here. I did what I had to do. I was in town and it was my best option. I peeled the skin back and didn't use ketchup. We then went to Neshoba Lake and fished the entire afternoon with our boys. Normally I would have loaded up on sweet and salty snacks and tons of soda. Not this time. I took my protein shake, afternoon spark, water, and one extra pack of almonds (day one people I needed them for security) with me as we walked out to the island area. 

Good Day
Neshoba Lake

Around 3:00 p.m. I had three catalyst. I had my first ever AdvoCare Muscle Gain Protein Shake around 3:00 p.m. To be honest I was ready to chug because I had no idea what in the world it was gonna taste like. All I can say is wow. Chocolatey goodness just in time! Around 5:00 I had my afternoon spark and about 15 minutes later broke down and ate the "extra" almonds. I was hungry. Not exact to the plan but on the plan so I say for day one that is a win for me. For supper I had grilled tilapia with a dash of olive oil and seasoning and steamed broccoli. One of my favorite clean meals. I didn't exercise on Saturday, I had been up helping at the meet, while fishing, and walked a good bit while at the lake.  I went to bed a little hungry and a lot tired but a good tired. 

DAY 2 SUNDAY

BURN DAY

Sunday is my first run day of the week. I get up, run, study my lesson for Sunday School and then get ready for church. No, they are not as simple as that sounds. Here is more what our Sunday mornings look like most of the time. 

MORE LIKE A TYPICAL SUNDAY MORNING

I did however manage to get all of that in and only make myself late this past Sunday, my husband and kids were actually on time. 

Same products/snacks as day one for breakfast to lunch. For lunch I had chicken breast strips grilled on the George Foreman grill and the left over steamed broccoli. 

Again, three catalyst mid-afternoon. Protein shake around 3:00. Afternoon Spark around 4:30. I have choir on Sunday afternoons so I made my supper ahead of time before going to choir so I could make sure I had something "on the plan" and not fall off due to getting in late, getting ready for school the next day etc. I made rotel egg muffins with ground turkey. Top with a little salsa, yum! I added a little cheese to the top for the hubs and one kid. One kid wouldn't touch these with a ten-foot pole cheese or no cheese. 

Recipe can be found under What's for Supper tab.

DAY 3 MONDAY

BURN DAY

Mondays are my sculpt/shred/cardio days. I try to alternate workouts so that my body doesn't get used to the same thing. This day I chose Sculpt from the Can You 24 Level 2 Workout Series. It incorporated the resistance band and exercise ball. Tough 36 minute workout, but it was so good. 

Same products/snacks as day one for breakfast to lunch. For lunch I had leftover grilled chicken breast strips that I shredded up and put on top of the rest of the leftover steamed broccoli. My family doesn't always eat what I eat and I have to be okay with that. We are all different and it's not their responsibility to make me eat healthy foods. So I seal an store my leftovers and eat them until they are gone. 

Again, three catalyst mid-afternoon. Protein shake around 3:00. Afternoon Spark around 4:30.  I had the "egg" muffins again for supper to finish them up.

DAY 4 TUESDAY

REFUEL DAY

I built this day up in my head big time. Yay me I could have clean carbs. It was run day. I literally cried on the treadmill. I know, such a girl. Then Toby Mac's Eye On It came on. Here are the lyrics that stood out to me:

I set my eyes to the west, walkin' away from it all
Reachin' for what lies ahead, I got my eye on it
I see my sweat hit the ground
I put my foot in the block
This is the race of my life
And I can't wait for this shot

I sucked it up and quit crying. Kind of hard to when that song is on. Highly recommend some Toby Mac for running!

Same breakfast routine as days 1-3 but at mid morning snack time I had an apple and almonds. Then for lunch I had an AdvoBar. I have never been more happy to have an AdvoBar as I was today at lunch, chewy, yummy, clean-carb goodness. Again, three catalyst mid-afternoon. Protein shake around 3:00. Afternoon Spark around 4:30. 

I have never been so excited about a sweet potato as I was about the one I had for supper with my turkey burger (no bun), and brussel sprouts. I did add Carb-Ease here just because I had more carbs this day.

DAY 5

WEDNESDAY

Same products/snacks as day one for breakfast to lunch. I wasn't feeling well this day. I am not sure if I had a bug or just sinus headache, maybe a little of both. Apparently whatever is blooming in Mississippi is not liked by my allergies. 

My mid-afternoon I was feeling some better and went ahead and worked out. It would normally be YOGA-DAYYYYYY since it was HUMP-DAYYYYYY but I had three Catalyst and a Spark about 15 minutes prior to my workout. I decided to go ahead with a Shred Total workout from the Can You 24 Level 2 series with Ja'Warren Hooker and trade my yoga day for Friday morning. Shred is the perfect word to describe this workout. It incorporated the resistance band and the exercise ball. I did manage to stay on the ball (which is a win for me) and only almost pop myself in the face with the resistance band once (another win). I also found a new favorite exercise in this video. Pop-up push ups. You start with hands in center then pop out to a push up then pop back to center. I did the modified or "girl" version to this but I can't wait to do a "real boy" version of these. Welcome to the gun show baby! One new exercise on this video I did not care for was reverse Burpees. Not sure why I thought I would like reverse ones I DESPISE the regular ones. I did them anyway, not perfectly, but they job was done. Followed my workout with a Muscle Gain Shake.

For supper I had fajita chicken. This awesome recipe can be found on the "What's for Supper" tab. I had it with a side of steamed brussel sprouts and no wrap. I fixed myself about a cup of chicken and about a cup and a half of sprouts. I was a little hungry so I had another 1/2 cup of the fajita chicken. Lean in 13 tells you that if you are still hungry eat a few more bites of protein until satisfied. That did the trick.

DAY 6

THURSDAY

Today was run day 3 for me. It wasn't a bad run. I only got in about 2 miles but it was a solid two miles. Each day it gets a little easier. 

Same products/snacks as day one for breakfast to lunch. For lunch I had KFC grilled chicken breast and I ordered green beans. However this is what they put in my box:

Are you kidding me? Mashed potatoes and gravy...Seriously.  I don't normally even really like mashed potatoes and gravy but oh my word this looked and smelled good.  So what did I do? I put them back in the box and luckily caught the school cafeteria before they closed and they happened to have green beans. Wooooo!

 Again, three catalyst mid-afternoon. Protein shake around 3:00. Afternoon Spark around 4:00. Peyton had his first track meet of the season in Meridian so I had to bump some things up in order to get my products mixed up before driving. Peyton did an amazing job. There is nothing like seeing your kid work for something. He improved his time from last year by almost 4 minutes! A couple times this week every member of the Penson family ran. That is something that has become a "happy place" for me. Even though its hard, it's a release. I love that my healthy/active lifestyle is filtering over to my sweet kiddos. A love for running is something that has to be learned. Landon has been very inquisitive about calorie burn etc. They both have learned to love baked Tilapia and brown rice has now replaced white rice. For supper we went to Captain D's. It is Peyton and Landon's favorite place to eat. I chose the grilled shrimp and beef skewers with steamed broccoli. It was served over a bed of rice but I let Landon have that. 

So this was to the half-way point pretty much. I will talk to you guys on day 13 to fill you in on my final results. I just wanted to go ahead and show you what I am doing, tell you why, and make myself accountable to finish this. I have been 39 days without a diet coke. As some of you saw on facebook yes I will take my medal now. Seriously this is a very hard thing for me. Water, water, water, more water, Spark, and a little OJ here and there is all I have had. Tomorrow is yoga day and Friday! I am actually excited to get up and do this workout. Power Yoga Flow with Mia Finnegin on the Can You 24 Level 2 Workout series is one of my favorites! I am also on week 5 of Couch to 5K in preparation for my first ever 5K in May. I am doing the Color Run. I plan on having a pretty cool #OOTD for that and of course and entire blog post about it.

I also want to give a shout out to the hubs here. For several weeks he has been getting up working out, making healthy choices, and struggling just like me. I have always said it's easier for men. I have changed my mind. I have watched him work hard and be defeated too. Because they are tough they just handle their defeat differently than we do. Another small win for me has been finally convincing him to use the AdvoCare products to supplement his nutrition. He is now Sparking, Omegaplexing, and Coreplexing. My house isn't always clean and he has to treasure hunt for socks in the basket that haven't been folded some days but he does not complain. He has been so supportive of my efforts in AdvoCare and I appreciate that more than he will ever know. But having him doing this with me is super exciting. 

If having a partner in crime is better than going at it solo then this should be a piece of cake. No, not cake, how about a piece of freshly sliced apple. But only on refuel day. 

Prayers are appreciated.

John 16:33

 (KJV)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

If it was easy it wouldn't be worth having. He overcame death, hell, and the grave for us. Surely we can overcome our struggles through Him that overcame the world.

I REFUSE TO BE DEVOURED

Needed to share this. It's what is on my heart today. 

1 Peter 5:8 (KJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Two words: Spiritual Warfare.

It is alive, well, and all around us, "seeking whom he may devour". You can rest assure that the second you start cleaning out the junk and wrapping your heart with God's Word being "sober, viligant" the devil is going to be after you. 

Every single fiber of my being was begging and pleading with me to either visit the local donut shop or order the largest, cheesiest, stuffed crusted pepperoni pizza ever made almost every day this week. Why? Just not been a good week. Really the why doesn't deserve another minute of my time. However, not by own power, I refused. Most of you know I am reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst. In the very first few lessons I had to write down how food made me feel and reasons I choose food over turning to God, like triggers. I knew that I was an emotional eater. "Oh girl you know me I'm an emotional eater". Like that is a totally ok excuse for throwing months or work out the window. Excuse me Kellie, food is temporary. God is Eternal. I am talking about the living breathing God of all creation that gave His very Son, Jesus Christ for me to be able to stand here and say, "I've had a bad day, but I am an emotional eater." No, no, no. 

I refused to drown my sadness, my defeat, my anger in food. I refuse to be devoured. I refuse to allow SATAN to take one more second of the life my God has planned for me, my husband, or my children away from us. Is it easy? Of course not. Is it hard? Yep. Is it gonna get easier? I am pretty sure it's not. That's what this verse means. Be sober, be viligant. He (the devil) is waiting on us to take a breath. To think we are sailing calm waters. So he (the devil) can prey on our weaknesses. 

Not mine, not today. Today I choose to remember that He made me for more. That He is made stronger in our weakness, in our struggles, in our storms. At times He allows things to happen in our lives so that He may be glorified. He also reminds us in His Word that He controls our past, present, and future. Our failures and our successes. Our crime and our punishment. Our near misses and our right on target's. There is not one single thing about us He doesn't know, control, and love unconditionally. 

With that being said, sin is sin. He does forgive us and redeem us. But that doesn't mean it's a free ticket to do whatever we want. There are consequences to our actions. What He will do in our sin is love us through the storm. The lyrics to Oceans by Hillsong are a perfect explanation:

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

He won't fail me. He is always to be praised, no matter the circumstance because He will bring a blessing from whatever it is. Maybe not the one we expected or planned for. But what He planned for us and those are always immeasurably more than we could have ever hoped for.

I don't have to continually use food to fill a void, a sadness, the aftermath of a mistake. He wants me to come to Him, depend on Him, love Him more than anything this world has to offer. True repentance comes when sin is acknowledged and turned away from and you remove yourself from temptation by filling your time with His word. Guarding your heart. Which is why the devil is trying to pounce. See the cycle. This has never been more true to me than right now. 

A sweet friend that God laid on my heart to contact yesterday sent me this...I thought I was contacting her to give an encouraging word about the amazing things she is doing for other but really He had other reasons in mind. Yet another reminder that He is in control. She told me she had just finished reading this devotional. 

God's love, redemption, defying-the-odds, restoration, and more than you could ever imagine in life.... It's different than what you thought it would be but so much greater...

You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result. Genesis 50:20 (NASB) Joseph’s life was anything but peaceful. He was sold into slavery by jealous brothers and thrown into prison on false charges. Yet, he remained free of bitterness or regret and saw God as the “Great Engineer” behind even the worst of circumstances. In a final confrontation with his brothers, he graciously noted, “You meant it for bad; God meant it for good.” “God meant it for good” says: You can accept the past. No sin, no action, no choice on your part is too big for God to handle or too big to be worked out for good (Romans 8:28). Just ask Joseph! Better yet, ask his brothers who ended up relying on him for their survival. You can embrace the present. There’s no need to play the “what if” game. The past is forgiven and gone, and the future is in God’s omnipotent hands; so you’re free to focus on the present: “Wherever you are, be all there,” says Jim Elliot. God wants you in the present because that’s where his grace will flow. You can look expectantly toward the future. Even if you make mistakes today, God still controls your future. Walking in the Spirit, you can live life to the fullest, without fear of making mistakes that take you out of God’s control. Even when things appear to be terrible, you can trust that God is still working out his divine plan for your life. This devotional is by Jon Walker, editor of the Daily Hope Devotionals and author of Costly Grace.

No matter your weakness, your struggle. Sweet friends, be vigilant, in all things. Stand in the gap for your children. Pray without ceasing. He will keep your eyes above the waves.

SHINING SILVER

During February I was able to "pin" Silver with AdvoCare. Reaching the silver level opened up a whole new window of opportunity for me. I need to say here that I reached this level because of the help of my Advisor Jill, my entire team, and two very special Advisors on my team, Stacey and Tara you guys rock!  Being at silver pin level during this time frame meant eligibility to go to AdvoCare's first ever Leadership School in Fort Worth, TX. I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew my Advisor Jill had been preaching, you gotta get to Success School, you gotta get to Success School. To be honest, I was still a little hesitant. I mean yeah, I wanted to go. Who wouldn't like to take a trip? But I didn't get it. Boy do I now. This post is about the trip, funny's along the way, what I ate while traveling and challenging. I am going to share alot of info. Not everything, I know this is me talking right? Seriously, some of the info I gained at Leadership School is for AdvoCare Leadership. You can be a part of it too, it's open to anyone. So, if you are that interested in what I don't say get plugged in today! Just keep reading....This is a long one so you might want to sit down.

WELCOME TO TEXAS
"WHERE EVERYTHING IS BIGGER...
BUT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE!"
#ADVOCARE ~ Chad Penson

Thursday was travel day. I was blessed enough to get to travel with Dr. A and Jill instead of having to drive myself. My friend (whom I met through AdvoCare) Monette was my back seat buddy. She is a new mommy and has a precious little "Advo Champion" baby boy. It was a full 8 hour drive. I was a little worried about food. Ha, that's typical me isn't it? I was on day 11 of the AdvoCare 24 day challenge the day we left. We stopped at Wendy's. I ordered Chili and a side salad with against my better judgment pomegranate vinaigrette dressing. I tried yall honest I did. I would rather eat dry plain lettuce than that stuff! So I got a pack of the light lemon Cesar (I know no cream based but I couldn't help it) and only occasionally dipped my fork in it. We stopped at the Texas welcome center and I let Chad know where we were. He sent me a funny text (see the pic with his quote underneath).

Each day I was gone I maintained my product regimen of MNS MAX 3, Catalyst, Spark, Thermoplus, Leptilean, and Carb-Ease. Sounds like alot, but it's nothing to handle for me. I have a tiny tackle box that organizes it all very nicely and fits in my purse.

Add caption

On the way Jill gave me a special journal to take notes in. This journal is the first of many that I hope to collect over the years with AdvoCare. For training calls, Success Schools, and meetings. One day I will be able to look back through them and read all about my AdvoCare journey...Where I started and how far I know I am going to go.

Dallas Skyline...just because it was stunning!

Side note to keep in mind for this segment: I get car sick, I read two chapters of my Made to Crave book, got dizzy put it down and ate a snack. The snack was Jiff natural peanut butter to go packs, they were a perfect portion controlled traveling companion snack. We arrived in Fort Worth around 8:00 p.m. and at that point we were all starving!

We ate at Chipotle Grill. If you have never eaten there I highly recommend it. It was delicious. I ordered the bowl instead of the burrito. Then you build your own. Brown rice, black beans, grilled chicken, pi co de galo, and fresh guacamole. It was divine! We then went to the hotel. While checking in I felt like I was going to hit the floor. So picture this in your mind...me in a strange hotel in Texas feeling fainty, sweaty, and clueless as to where the restroom was. I got the room key from Monette and all but broke and ran for the elevator. I like to have lost it in the elevator. Like literally lost it. I went to fourth floor because I only had the key, not the sleeve with the room number (that should tell you how frantically I had to get out of there) and couldn't remember what floor the key sleeve had written on it. Ran to the door thinking please Kellie do not throw up in this elevator. Oh thank goodness there's the door. Insert key...Red light. Insert key...red light. Oh you have, insert key...red light got tot be kidding me. Carpet on the floors, I'm gonna be sick, insert key....red light. The only thing I could think was maybe it said third floor. I knew I could not get back on the elevator so I ran to the stair case. I said out loud all the way down, "don't throw up, don't throw up". Luckily I didn't run into any strangers in the stairwell. Got to third floor ran in the pitch black dark room and nothing. Just nausea. It took almost 3 hours to finally get to sleep and not be nauseous. Woke up the next morning totally fine. Whew, thank goodness. I will NEVER EVER read a book in the car again! Poor Dr. A, Jill, and Monette had to bring all my luggage up.

Thursday Monette and I rode with Dr. A and Jill to the convention center since they had meetings and it was a beautiful day. We went in just thrown on clothes and no make-up. Yes, I said no make-up. They wanted us to sight see. We saw some sights that was for sure! On the way back she drove I navigated. Now, I am usually really good at this. I had my phone GPS, problem was it kept dropping signal. So we took a wrong turn. So much so that I encouraged Monette to run the stop sign and just go for fear of us not returning home in one piece! It was an extremely shady looking neighborhood. Oh who am I kidding, shady doesn't even begin to cover it. She stopped very quickly, lol and we got out of their fast! We ended up missing breakfast at the hotel due to our "detour" so we totally planned driving by a Subway (shear luck) and ate there. I had a flat bread turkey wrap with egg white and spinach. Delicious! I was so hungry I really didn't care who saw me. We went back to the hotel and took our time getting ready talking and sharing stories. One of the things I love the most about AdvoCare is the people it has brought into my life. Truly a blessing to have these wonderful people in my life. We ate lunch before heading to the convention center. I had the grilled chicken wrap and fruit cup at Chik-Fil-A for lunch. I kinda felt like I had way to many carbs this day but I stuck to the plan as much as possible.

Outside the Convention Center

Really cool seeing all the AdvoCare signage around the Convention Center.

Convention Center foyer...LOVED this Star made of Cowboy (and Girl) hats.

Ran into this sweet lady in line at the
"ADVO GEAR" store. Maria Tanner.
She and I connected on facebook right after
I joined AdvoCare. We recognized each
other and hugged it out. She has is such
an inspiration to me. She is a mom, military
wife, and fitness leader. #champion

We arrived at the convention center around 2:00 so that we could "shop" (ha...ya'll do know this is me we are talking about right?) and find a seat. While waiting on product training to start we took a little break. Ron Reynolds happened to walk by. Dr. A scored us a pic with him! You will see him on the AdvoCare big stage photos later in this post. He introduced all of the Rising Star award winners. He is an AdvoCare Vice President, Distributor Development , Creator of Award-Winning DebtBuster® System, and author.

We had product training at 3:00. I loved hearing the physicians explain products and their benefits. We have a shield with the AdvoCare company and it is that Med/Sci board. Practicing Doctors and Scientist that work diligently with AdvoCare to make sure that we are producing and distributing some of the safest, highest quality products available. And that they work! One of them said, what good does a good product do if it doesn't work? Here are just a few of the tips I picked up from the product training:

• Schedule and time management are key to weight management.
• Protein should be a part of every meal.
• Lack of sleep increases stress hormones which increase carb cravings.
• Bad bacteria in the "gut" causes us to gain weight.
• Processed foods are low in fiber and when we lack fiber we fluster bad bacteria.
• The source of calories can dictate body composition.
• To lose fat you gain muscle.
• The Body will: 
• Gain Fat when Calories Increased and Protein Decreased
• Gain Muscle when Calories Increased and Protein Increased (increased calories from healthy foods.)
• Spark is not just energy it is FOCUSED energy.
• Amplify AT (one of my favs) is liquid soluble antioxidants that battle damage.

There were many more but these really stood out to me and made sense for me in my battle.

Has anyone else noticed how I look like The Jolly Green Giant...no wait let's say Zena Warrior Princess next to all of these people?  Geez!

These are just a couple pics of down town Fort Worth. I think it is beautiful there at night. It reminded me a lot of the Gas Lamp District in San Diego, which I also love.

On Friday night we ate dinner at Cabo Grande with Mark and Pam Rushmore and several other members of our team. Pam asked me to be part of an impromptu training video. I had to give just a 30-60 sec blip of my story for a training video they are working on. Mark and Pam are both very important people to me. I met Pam the very first night I was introduced to AdvoCare and her sincerity and passion helped me to make a decision that would change my life forever. I'm so grateful to her for that. I met Mark at a mixer later. I love that they do this together and appreciate their dedication to our team. It was buffet style fajitas. I chose to only eat a half of a shell. I chose grilled chicken, black beans, pico de galo, fresh guac and salsa. It was amazing. The flavors were out of this world.


I had two Sparks this day. One mid morning and one mid afternoon with my Catalyst.

One of my biggest inspirations was also there Heather Hodges. My trip was made at this point, yes even before seeing Drew. She probably thinks I am crazy, I was giddy with excitement. Why? Heather is a mom, just like me. She found herself in a place she wanted to change and realized she was capable of more, and DID IT! She makes me want to work for what my body is capable of, for what I am capable of because I was made for more. While making this picture she told me "If you can make it to silver, you can make it to gold. If you can make it gold, you can make it to gold 3 star, ruby." She does not know this, but I will never forget that. What an encourager, example, leader, Champion in my book.

Check out her blog, she's beast y'all.  Heather Hodges

The first pic is us waiting on Opening Session to start...My Advisor, Coach and Friend Jill Acosta, my sweet friend and encourager Monette, and I. The second pic is a #silverselfies pic! 

Opening session began with an amazing guitar rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by one of the band members. Reminded me that I am free to be a part of AdvoCare (an AMERICAN company) because of the men and women that have sacrificed their lives for us.










Drew was first! Wooo hoo! He has been using AdvoCare products for 13 years. Even though I have met him, hugged him, and smelled him, no wait that was Chad smelling him, ha, before it was very cool getting to hear him talk about these products! Here are a few of the treasures I walked away with from Drew:

• Get up at whatever time it takes you to be the best you you can be (I am NOT a morning person, at all but I'm trying Drew I'm trying.)
• Have a routine, the basics. Set goals.
• Get the hardest part of your day over with first.
• Be focused and present with whatever task is at hand.
• It is okay to have personal goal but make sure those goals align with the "team" goals.
• If you do things the right way good things will happen to you. It may not be today.
• Adversity moulds you into who you are.
• Trust your coach, your teachings, fundamentals.
• Always continue to work. 
• Being a champion means being able to accomplish something that is consistently great.
• Win the day.
• Have the mindset of "What's the next challenge".
• You are either getting better or worse, you never stay the same.
• Leave the "game" better than you found it.

Next was an array of AdvoCare Distributors, Leaders. Here are a few things they said:

• Have courage to take action in the case of fear. ~ Brandon and Jen LaRue
• Fight for the kids attached to your yes! ~Charlotte Valenzaela (FYI she had a rocking outfit on: Kelly Green chiffon strapless romper with a white blazer and heels ...HOT!)

Emmitt Smith took the stage next. Emmitt (even though I have never been, nor will I ever be a Dallas Cowboys fan) was amazing. He was a phenomenal motivational speaker. are a few of the amazing things he said:

• People are intimidated by change because they don't know whats on the other side of change.
• If you don't change things get stale.
• You have to have the proper attitude to step into your destiny.
• Don't run from intimidation, run towards it. Get your mind set in the direction you want to go.
• There has to be a vision that everybody can buy into.
• Look in the mirror everyday. Am I doing everything in my power to help this "team" become successful?
• What can I learn to make myself better?
• PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE.
• Begin with humility.
• Always acknowledge your team in success.
• YOU MUST MAKE SACRIFICES TO BE DIFFERENT, UNIQUE, A BETTER YOU. (wow that is #truth)
• You get better when you surround yourself with the right people.
• We were made to last.
• Do what it takes. 
• When you get the hardest thing over with first the rest of the day will be like riding a bike down hill.
• Success is not reserved for the elite.
• Don't compare. Want it for yourself and work for it.
• Stepping out of your comfort zone takes courage and confidence. (Emmitt Smith was not raised a ballroom dancer, ha!)
• When you make your work look easy you have done a good job.
• "The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards."~ Bear Bryant (See I knew I had to have a reason to like him, he ended with a Bear quote!)

Danny McDaniel spoke and gave an amazing illustration using a baseball. How our core values are 85% developed by 18. How people and things wrap around us that make us hard like the threads around a baseball core. How just like that baseball we keep rolling after being thrown around, batted around. How we have to cut away those threads to be a champion at life not just a champion at heart.

Saturday morning we got up and went to breakfast. I had three boiled eggs  (two with yolk, one without) and a bowl of oatmeal.

Richard and Sherri Wright AdvoCare, President and CEO of Advo








 Dr. Redman and other members of the Med/Sci Board

The morning session opened with the Product Development panel discussion. Here are a few things I learned at this session.

• The main goal to improve health is a state of balance.
• If supplements are not delivered in the proper way the "gut" will destroy them.
• Know the difference in "Hard-Science" and "Social-Media Science" when researching product information.
• Only 1% if the nation has actual diagnosed "Celiac Disease" and should be on a gluten free diet. These diets are usually high in fat and are not suitable for everyone.
• Individuals in families could have the same strains of microbes in their "gut".
• Probiotic is an excellent tool to improve over all health and weight management.
• Informed choice process AdvoCare uses is not mandated it is volunteer.
• After 30 we lose 3-5% of our muscle tissue each decade.
• Joint inflammation can be a window into inflammation at a deeper source. Your heart works in conjunction with your muscle and skeletal system, its all integrated.
• Vascular complications have been linked to cognitive health.

We heard from several other AdvoCare leaders for different types of distributor trainings. One tip I thought was really cute about commitment, probably because I have just recently signed up for my first 5K.

• The 5 K Example: You talk about doing a 5K. You tell others your doing a 5K. Then you sign up, actually pay, and hit submit, OH CRAP! I better make a plan to make this happen! It's called the power of the "SUBMIT" button!
• Quote about commitment: "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to drawback, always ineffectiveness."~William H. Murray

We walked a few blocks to Subway for lunch. I had the turkey flat bread with extra spinach and a little vinegar. At about 3:00 I had an Advo Breakfast Bar. The apple cinnomin bar is crunchy and so good! Again I had two Sparks. One mid morning and one mid afternoon with my Catalyst.

Then the testimonials began. All of them were great. Liz and Jessie Cort said that "there is more to life than AdvoCare but a little bit of AdvoCare in your life can change a whole lot of it." Kayla Schneider said she was thankful for AdvoCare because before she was "Thicka than a Snicka".

We got to hear Deb Fisser speak on word choices. Sooooo much of this training, I believe, applied to many aspects of my life. Things like:

• Listening is intentional.
• Walk into fear, it is false.
• What are your word choices to yourself? What are you speaking to your children? Your spouse?
• Your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, and your habits become your destiny. (This reminded me another reason to be in God's Word every day. Filling my thoughts with Him instead of things of this world).

We had training from Joel and Jackie Holcomb on team building. It was great! They broke it down and made it make sense. They talked about having a plan but making sure it involved action. Also that it had a purpose. A dream you don't have to fight for is not a dream, it's a nap.

One common trend that the most successful people in AdvoCare that we heard from had was that they were all couples. They are doing this together. The one that touched my heart the most was Brookes Reid from Tennesee. She trained us on the phases of a mixer. What she talked about that was a blessing to me was about trusting and respecting her husband. How doing this business together took the respect she had for her husband or "Big Daddy" as she called him to a whole new level. Trusting the decisions that they made together but that she allowed him to lead in with their business.

I also had never really thought about exactly how much responsibility men feel when it comes to providing for their family. My daddy has worked hard his whole life to make sure we were provided for. He did without, so did my mama, so that we could have the things we needed and wanted at times. That is a burden yall. Of course it's easy when your the "Princess" to say my daddy worked hard and appreciate him for that, which I do, love you mama and daddy. When its the hubs your talking about and you are in this thing called life together its not as easy. Chad is a by the booker. He works hard and plays very little. I'm the dreamer, and imagine this, the spender. This has not been an easy dynamic at times because of my inability to see what Chad was looking at. I am blessed and have more than I could ever ask for but I have never stopped to think about about how when "mama WANTS a new pair of shoes, not needs" that "daddy", a.k.a. Chad, is the one wanting to give me all the red high heels my little heart desires but he has two boys to put through college and a house to pay for etc. It's not that he is saying no, it's just that he has the discernment to say wait or maybe that's not what you need when I don't and I need to be okay with that. R-E-S-P-E-C-T YALL.  EYE OPENER! Shout out to my husband. He gives absolutely everything he does 110% including being a great daddy and husband. He is an amazing man that I am blessed to share my life with. I won't go into details because he would probably hack my blog and delete it for all eternity (he's also very private and a techie...and I am..well I am not). When I came home I wanted to share it all with him. Every detail. Things that I had not wanted to go there with him about because it was MY business (hence my independence and he-woman abilities). Not any more. It is ours. I know that we can do this together. I want us to do this together. He is one of the reasons attached to my "yes". So one day soon, he can let his hair down too.

At one point one of the speakers asked for anyone in the room that had because of AdvoCare paid off 50,000.00 or more in debt to stand up. You would not believe the people that stood up. Then he asked for any mom's that had been able to quit work and not send their children to daycare because of AdvoCare to stand up. Again, in awe. Then he asked all the dad's that had been able to come home to be with their families because of AdvoCare to stand up. Okay, at this point, tears were rolling. Then he said the reason we have "Leadership School or Success School is because there are still people sitting in this room and we want you to be able to stand up." Chills, pure chills. That is what AdvoCare is about. Now don't get me wrong, I love my job. Chad and I don't have any crazy plans to quit our jobs and run off into the sunset with our shaker bottles. We just want more for our family and AdvoCare can help us do that. It also reminded me of my goals to help others in this never ending journey I am on for health and wellness. That this is an opportunity to encourage and help. To pour into the lives of others because God has blessed me with this opportunity that allows me to share my story, my struggles, my wins, my losses, my faith, and my victory through Him.

AdvoCare Hall of Fame 

Top 10 Awards

 Benji Parr 

Live Chat with the AdvoCare Nascar Driver (Endorser), Trevor Bayne

AdvoCare Endorsers

This guy is our newest endorser. For all of you Cross Fit buffs out there. He will be at Success School in August. World's Fittest Man 3-time Champion Rich Froning. He is also the star of the new AdvoCare commercial. I'm good with that! 

On the way home we stopped at Arby's. I had the roasted turkey market fresh sandwich with lettuce an tomato only. I had a peanut butter to-go pack about half-way home. 

I know this was a long one. I just had so much to say. I am sure there are tons of grammatical errors. It wasn't all dream big, feel good. We sat through extensive business building training as well. (That's the stuff that you gotta become a party of the AdvoCare family to learn about!)

At first I was worried about being on a "challenge" while traveling. I've been extremely hard on myself about not being "where I was this time last year". I proved to myself that I could "travel" and maintain a healthy diet. I did eat a few more carbs than I would have liked but I made the best of it and stuck to the "plan" as much as possible.




This experience was exactly what I needed to be motivated in this journey again. AdvoCare stands for Advocates Caring for people. That in itself is another reminder to me why I choose to be a part of this amazing company. It was something I will never forget.

If you are interested in becoming a part of the AdvoCare Family or if you just want to look, feel, and perform better take a moment to check out my site. You won't ever regret the choice to "Be A Champion". Kellie Penson, AdvoCare Advisor

Special Thanks to Dr. Joe and Jill Acosta for an amazing trip. I appreciate the love and support both of you have extended to me. 

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." ~John Wooden