Why I chose the 24 Day Challenge

While I was writing my reflection post of turning 25, I realized that a top area where I was falling short was in my life was my health. I feel accomplished in my career (for my age), I have graduated from a top University, bought a home, but all this came at the cost of letting my health slip. So, naturally, like the other 90% of Americans, one of my 2015 new years goals was to get back in shape and eat healthy.

Personally, I like to workout, but I wouldn't say it was something I naturally love. I was in my best shape in high school, then in 2013 before my wedding. After we bought the house, between construction, work and attempting to rest, fast food became my best friend. I hit my highest weight in October 2014 and felt like I was at the point of no return. Thankfully I had found the Tone It Up community at the beginning of 2014, and decided to go back and start the Love Your Body series. If you are a woman who has not yet discovered this community.. check it out!!! It is seriously an amazing way to organize your workouts and find supportive, motivated women who want a healthy life and empower each other. I found my love of exercise there last year, and it is sparked back in me this year and there is no stopping me!

 Through this community I have had the privilege of learning more about other health and fitness programs out there, such as the 24 Day Challenge by Advocare. Funny story: Advocare is the health company that makes a product called Spark. Now Spark.. let me tell you.. is AWESOME! My husband used it in college while he was both going to school and working full time, and it was the only thing that kept him going. Well, 2 years later we find a Spark  distributor  who tells us about the 24 Day Challenge, the potential to lose 12-15 pounds on it, the energy you gain, and just the overall health benefits of rebooting your system. After hearing that, WE WERE IN ... to do some research of course! So, logically we go online to see the benefits, the products, and the credibility of the Company. As most people, we were skeptics! We came to realize that Advocare has been around for 22 years, has many professional athlete endorsers (unpaid!) who are able to pass their medical test and truly enjoy the product! We even learned that Advocare has signed a contract with major league soccer and will be replacing Gatorade on their fields. Above all, their medical advisory board has highly recognized and admired doctors, that are trustworthy and known in their field.

So, after all this excitement of getting to learn more about the products, 3 days passed, and we heard NOTHING back from the distributor. On the fourth day, I was on a Tone it Up page and found that one of the girls had just finished a Challenge and had AMAZING results! I reached out to her, she got my husband and I talking to her friend who is very versed in the product, and we ordered our kits. Not only did we order our kits, but after learning even more about the Company, we signed up to be distributors because we saw how great of an impact the Challenge can have on someone's life and self-esteem, and we want to allow others to have that by telling them about the product. Not only do we help others get healthy, but we are also able to make additional income and we will earn $500-$1,000 per month by the end of this year. I was added to Advocare Facebook groups where I saw so many people who were losing incheS and pounds, and motivating each other to succeed through the challenge. This is what really pushed me over the edge and both my husband and I knew that this was something that we wanted to be a part of and that would really help us achieve our resolutions to live a healthier, leaner lifestyle. 

Our first day on the challenge was February 2nd, so we got our kits in by January 30th, which gave us 3 days to prepare our meals, and get our system down. We didn't realize how easy it was to be successful on the challenge because you are able to EAT (yes, you eat food) 6 times a day, all meals of which come with suggestions on what to eat, a Tmblr page on recipes. If you are like me and already have a meal guide from Tone it Up, most of their lean, clean and green recipes can be used for this plan. 

Come Sunday, I had the options memorized and worked on a meal plan for the next 7 days. Here is what I have some up with so far (I can share more if you are interested to get more ideas). 

I color coded what type of food was in every meal. I also prefer to use Google Docs so that I can access the file form anywhere and reuse my recipes. 

My shopping list was:

• Fruits & Veggies
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • Cucumber
  • Peppers
  • Cilantro
  • Tomato
  • Strawberries
  • Grapes
  • Kale
  • Brussel Sprouts
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Potato 
  • Broccoli
  • Frozen veggie mix
  • Asparagus
  • Pear
  • Banana
  • Premade pico de gallo
• Protein
  • Tuna 
  • Salmon (Costco has great options!)
  • Ground Turkey (Costco has great options!)
  • Chicken (Costco has great options!)
  • Eggs
• Other
  • Veggie broth
  • Hummus
  • Mixed Nuts, unsalted (Costco has great options!)
• Carb 
  • Brown rice
  • Quinoa (Costco has great options!)
  • 90 calorie wheat sandwich bread
  • Whole wheat pasta
  • Black beans

Today is day 3 on the challenge, and I do not feel hungry at all, rather am satisfied after every meal. I feel light, withe energy and focus that allows me to pull through the day. I need to get better at going to be earlier, but with the cleanse I am able to focus at work and get things done! My husband and I are working out 6 days a week, 3 of them are "two-a-days", although the challenge only requires 30 minutes, 5 times a week. We are feeling really strong and proud of where we are on our third day!

My favorite part of the challenge so far has been the app because I can track everything and I'm a freak on tracking! Every meal, exercise and even tips, recipes and portions can be found there. Of course it isn't required, but it's a nice reminder to keep you engaged with what you are doing. 

I am super excited to keep you updated on the progress of the 10 day cleanse phase! :) My next post will be about how I plan my week with personal, professional and now 24 Day Challenge goals!

To get started with Advocare, email me at: ginajarias@gmail.com or check out my website directly at: https://www.advocare.com/150130205/default.aspx

Feeling Alive at 25

On my 25th birthday I look back at my quarter century of life with gratitude to God, first and foremost, and reflect on what has gotten me where I am. Throughout my 25 years of life I have a few lessons learned, and believe in the following:

1. Be genuine: always act and express yourself in a way that is true to your core. Sometimes we have to make a poker face, and hold back, but always try your best to be genuine.
2. Always set high goals: With planning skills, determination, and a support system, never stop setting high goals to reach.
3. Be kind: several of my family members are the perfect example of this. While I was growing up, I wasn't the kindest, nicest or most approachable person. I considered myself "too cool" for others that weren't my friend, or hadn't already received that status from high school society. As I look back, I  know I made some people feel bad about themselves and I didn't realize that until now that I am older. Since then, I have committed to be a more kind person who recognizes the need to treat individual with kindness.
4. Be thankful: This year I had all of my family come and help me with my home remodeling/ reconstruction. I was so impressed, thankful and felt so loved when they came to help me. This three month renovation was such a blessing that I still do not know how to express my gratitude. This is an extreme example of gratitude, but I continue to be thankful for the small things in life.
5. Play your part; things don't work on a one-way street: Being in a marriage I have realized how much being part of a team really matters to success. Sometimes I need to put my pride aside and compromise.
6. Smile.. A LOT!
7. Laugh.. A LOT!
8. Forgive: This continues to be a point of improvement, but forgiveness is a big part of everyone's life, and necessary. I've realized you don't forgive for the other person, but forgive for yourself.
9. Exercise regularly: This helps me with stress relief and of course to look good!
10. Time is precious: Everyday it seems that my days get shorter. As I look into every week and every day, I try to plan everything so that I can maximize my time. The more I plan my week, the more I accomplish and feel proud. I share my personal Google Calendar, Evernote and use Wunderlist to help me get organized. These are also great tools for Favio and I to share tasks and plan social commitments.
11. Take risks!: This has been one that I continue to make a priority because I prefer to have things done "safely". My biggest risk was taking on my current role at work. When I accepted, I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. With my leadership team's trust and support I have been able to manage my job on my own for over a year. Today, the biggest risk I am taking is sharing my blog out with the world.
12. Surround yourself with people who believe in you!
13. Experiences last longer than things: As I've gotten older, my taste has gotten simpler, but my curiosity more and more complex. I have realized that memories, experiences, and relationships are a more valuable place to invest my money.
14. It's ok to fail: This one was tough, especially since I am a perfectionist. Hearing "no" and "you should reconsider" are tough phrases for me. Over time I have realized that these phrases are actually something I am grateful for. When time goes by and all you hear is "everything is great", I feel like I am not learning. I now see "failure" as an opportunity to grow and learn.
15. Trust God's timing: I always want things my way, when I want them and how I want them. As I've gotten older I've realized that things happen for a reason, at a certain time. I've been working on being patient and recognizing that certain things are out of my control. Those that are in my control, I can worry about. Those that are not, are in God's hands, and his timing will take care of the resolution.
16. Put your family first: This year I have gotten even closer to all of my family members. I have realized that they are there for me at any point in my life to help me out and make me happy. 
17. Make a positive impact: Anything that you do in life should be done with a positive outcome in mind, that will both benefit you and others; think win-win.
18. Admit your are wrong: I am still working on this one, but it is important to admit you are wrong and take responsibility and accountability even when it is negative and you are wrong.
19. Stay true to the moment of choice: As described by Dr. Covey, if you decide to accomplish a task, spend time with someone, or do anything else with your time, stay true to what you choose. With a society that moves so quickly, focus is an acquired skill. 
20. Always kiss your spouse hello and goodbye: Always let your significant other know that you love them and appreciate them. What better way than a kiss before you leave them, and when you see them. A little affection goes a long way.
21. Share your knowledge: We are in a social society where it is essential to share information with others in order to be successful. I believe that, the more that people know, the farther we can get in life as a society.
22. Be an overachiever: I believe that you need to work harder and accomplish more than is expected of you.  If you push your skillset further, you will advance even if it is by small increments.
23. Find a job you love: I have always wanted to have a job where I can help people and have found that in my current field- I help people enjoy their jobs and businesses solve problems by capitalizing on people's skills. These are things that make me happy and excited to continue to learn about my field.
24. Dance: This is not only for fun, but for stress relief, expression and because you can't just stand around when you hear that beat!
25. Explore!: I love to travel, be outdoors and explore different areas in life. This is what keeps me curious and fulfills me. 

As I move into my last 5 years of my 20's I plan to continue to learn, explore and LIVE!

Giving our home personality

When I think of someone's personality, who they are, what they love, who they love, what is important to them, I think about the experiences they have had. Most people remember experiences by taking pictures, taking a video or even holding keepsakeswith them that remind them of that moment. Unfortunately, my home doesn't reflect any people or experiences at this point and that is something I am committed to improving on.

One of the most important moments in my life was my wedding, last year, which I have A TON of pictures of! I have been wanting to display them in my home, but hanging pictures has been SUCH a chore because I am a bit of a perfectionist. It has to be the perfect frame, the perfect color and the perfect size. Not to mention that it is a chore to go get my pictures printed. The best option is to send your pictures to be developed through a store's website.

Anyways! I finally got my giant wedding picture framed at Michael's. Their framing services are expensive, but offer warranty, security, and very professional services, so I would recommend them. After going through several options of frames, I chose a frame that was on sale. I then looked at options for an inside frame and noticed that it gave the picture more depth, so added a light beige colored internal frame and chose a custom, super awesome glass  (Conservation Masterpiece) where you can't even tell it is covering the photo.  With all of these upgrades, thankfully they had a sale and I ended up paying $250.

When they told me the price, I almost backed out! I thought the price was ridiculous. Favio and I were at Michael's staring at the picture and talked about possibly taking it elsewhere. We talked about the importance of displaying our special day in our home, what it meant to us, and what we wanted to share with those who walked in. We decided to make the jump and get it framed. A few weeks later, we had the picture back in our hands and it was worth every penny!

The tricky part was actually getting to hang the photo, yet another obstacle and decision in the process. I decided to share some tips with you on how to hang your pictures.

Hanging pictures 101

Step 1:  Decide where the picture goes

This is the most important piece of hanging your photo. Going back to the premise of this post, you want to make sure that you are giving the right impression of your personality, and what is important to you. In our case, our marriage represents commitment, love and eternal friendship and partnership. Our special day is something that we want very present and visible in our home, so we chose to hang it on the wall you see as soon as you open the front door. When choosing your frame, think about your house colors and location of the frame. Of course it needs to look good with the photo, but also needs to fit with your home.

Step 2: Get the right tools! 

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Step ladder, drill, stud finder, screws and measuring tape. Considering my wall is small, I chose not to use a level and judge level by eye's view.

Step 2: Measure your picture dimensions

In order to even know if your picture is going to fit on the designated wall, you need to measure it's dimensions.

Step 3: Measure the frame's dimensions in relationship to the spacing of the wall

When you have decided on the wall that you want to hang your photo, you need to decide the spacing on the wall. We decided that we wanted it centered on our small wall, so measured the length of it and marked the center spot.

Step 4: Mark your screws!

In order to get the frame centered both horizontally and vertically, measure where the string is in relationship to the frame. In my case, the string was 6 inches from the top, so I knew that I needed to get the screws in the wall horizontally, and vertically.

Step 5: Find a STUD! (my husband says I'm really good at this... since I found him)

In order to ensure that your picture is going to hang properly, you should use your stud finder to find a stud to support your photo. If your experience was like ours, and you weren't able to find a stud directly in the center of the picture, go to Plan B.

Step 5: Find a STUD! - Plan B

So, we were on a mission to find a stud in the middle of the wall but weren't successful, so we realized that our frame had a string in the back the length of the frame. We drilled the holes directly horizontal to each other so that the frame can hang from two spots, and also be secure on the stud.

Step 6: Photo Hanging Party!

Once you have your screws in, you can mount the photo and double check the spacing and level. Hopefully you have a successful looking photo and have added some personality to your home. 

I will continue to add some love, and personalization to our home and will keep you posted! :)

About Me

Hi, my name is Gina and I live in Sunny San Diego, CA with my handsome husband Favio and adorable boxer pup Oreo. 

We are 25 and have known each since Sophomore year in high school. I was his high school crush, and he did everything to make me his sweetheart. Slowly we grew older together, through teen growing pains, puppy love, college, career changes, all the way up through becoming the best of lovers and friends and getting married in September 2013. This year we were blessed to celebrate our one year marriage anniversary, and couldn't be happier. 

As we journeyed on through our first year of marriage, we bought our first property (and fully re-built it), changed jobs, traveled, adopted a brand new puppy and established new friendships. Needless to say, it has been a busy year! 

Aside from these life-changing events, there are core things that have remained constant. I am the eldest of 7 siblings, and Favio is the eldest of 4. Our families are very united, so we get a chance to spend time with them often. Our siblings range from ages 2-22, so our activities are varied from Disneyland trips to applying for colleges. We try to be there with our families and siblings every step of the way. Not only do we have 9 siblings combined, but a total of 6 families we cater to. I have two step-parents, so we do our best to try and keep up with all the fun.

I wanted to start this blog,  "young love equals..", to share the adventures of our young married life, raising a pup and anything else it can equal at this point in our lives. 

Contact me directly for any questions, comments or to learn more about Advocare! 

ginajarias@gmail.com
livelikeachampion.net