I don’t know about you, but after having a baby, it takes time to get back to feeling like yourself. You have a tiny human who is 100% dependent on you for everything: feeding, changing, bathing, and sleeping.
Postpartum life feels like a real rollercoaster of ups and downs and emotions and hormones. Thinking about my own health (beyond staying well and illness-free) was the last thing on my mind.
However, I came to a certain point where I was just ready. I wanted to make a change because I was feeling kind of “blah” and running low on energy to keep up with my baby and toddler.
We recently celebrated my daughter’s first birthday and it felt like the stars had aligned to jumpstart things in the wellness department. I was given the opportunity to try out the AdvoCare 24-Day JumpStart, and it was the perfect reset button for my health and nutrition.
24-Day JumpStart:: Cleanse Phase
The first 10 days of the 24-Day JumpStart is called the “Cleanse Phase”. It’s just what the name suggests, a cleanse. However, you do get to eat food! You start the day off with Spark, a vitamin and amino acid energy drink (without the jitters), and a probiotic. You wait 30 minutes, then you eat breakfast and take a Fiber Drink.
I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous about the Fiber Drink. I wasn’t sure if it was going to taste bad or have a weird texture. I’m pleased to report that the Fiber Drink, while definitely full of fiber, is not nearly as bad as I expected. I recommend shaking it up with cold water and chugging it right away. If you let it sit, it will thicken, making it harder to drink.
My favorite supplement from the 24-Day JumpStart lineup is Spark. It is a vitamin and amino acid energy drink that you take first thing in the morning throughout the reset. I went with the Cherry and Fruit Punch flavors and would recommend both.
The workbook that is included in the kit has daily checklists for all 24 days. It’s helpful to make sure you took the right supplements at the right time. It also has breakfast, lunch, and dinner sections as well as snack sections to log your food.
You go about your day after breakfast with a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and after-dinner snack. There is no shortage of food if they fit your calorie goals.
I used the MyFitnessPal app to log my food and calories, which was really helpful. I know that it’s what helped me the most during this jumpstart.
Before bed, you take the Cleanse caplets. You follow this “schedule” for the first 10 days.
So, let me just say that the Cleanse phase lives up to its name. It’s gentle and did not cause me any stomach upset, but let’s just say that the Fiber Drink…worked. After a day or so, you feel like your insides are clean.
24-Day JumpStart :: Max Phase
Following the Cleanse Phase is the Max Phase, for the remainder of the 24-Day JumpStart.
Again, you start off the day with Spark and an MNS pack (Omni or Delta, depending on your goals). Then you wait 30 minutes, followed by breakfast, which is a Meal Replacement Shake.
I’ve tried a lot of nutrition and meal replacement shakes, and AdvoCare’s Meal Replacement Shake is good. It is chocolate flavored and I felt sated for a few hours. I’ve tried other brands before that claim to be a “meal replacement” but I would feel hungry less than an hour later.
After that, you have a mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and after-dinner snack. Depending on if you’re taking the Omni pack or the Delta pack, determines when you take the second set of supplements. I took the Delta MNS pack and you take the second pack 1-2 hours after lunch.
It is recommended to drink at least half your body weight in water during these 24 days. It’s also a great recommendation in general as so many of us do not get enough water!
My Thoughts on the 24-Day JumpStart as a Busy Mom
As a mom of a toddler and baby, my time is not my own. I’m usually last on the list (moms, you know what I’m talking about!) and my health and fitness have taken a backseat in this season. I finally felt like enough was enough and I needed to make a change for myself.
AdvoCare’s 24-Day JumpStart was a great way to press the “reset button” on my health and wellness. It’s manageable to do even when you’re chasing around two kids. It’s all about making it a priority and penciling yourself into your own to-do list.
Honestly, this JumpStart was a good CHALLENGE for me. There were moments when I wanted to cheat. My son’s preschool Spirit Night was at Chick-Fil-A and I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and only had like two waffle fries.
What I liked about this reset is that you don’t have to restrict yourself like crazy. Once you know your caloric needs, you can tailor your meals to hit those goals. You have guideposts and guardrails to keep you on track.
My Tips for the 24-Day JumpStart
Choose a time frame of when you can really commit to the program
As busy moms, I know that’s hard, but look at your calendar, even if it’s a couple of months in the future, and find a time when you won’t be tempted to cheat or give yourself a reason to give up (so maybe don’t do this in November or December when there’s too much going on).
Tell your family what you’re doing
It’s easier to stick to a program when you have the support and understanding of those in your household. My husband told me that he would eat whatever I was planning for my meals.
Use the daily workbook
I really liked that the 24-Day JumpStart included a daily checklist workbook so that I could make sure that I took all the supplements and got all my meals in.
Set reminders for yourself
This jumpstart is a supplement driven and the supplements should be taken at certain times of the day.
Set realistic goals for a 24-day timeframe
So, obviously, setting a goal like “lose 20 pounds” in a 24-day span is probably unrealistic. I’d recommend setting a goal that is more attainable for YOU. It could be a goal of, drink 80 ounces of water every day for 24 days or incorporate 30 minutes of exercise or reduce stress.
Log your food and calories
Use an app like MyFitnessPal to keep track of your macros and stay within your caloric goals.
Meal planning is key
For me, I thrive in routine and repeatable steps, particularly for breakfast. Meal planning was key for buying the ingredients I needed and ordering online to cut any impulse purchases.
Give yourself grace
If you forget to take a supplement, don’t throw in the towel! You can always start over the next day. If you consume more than the calories you need during a meal, course correct the next meal.
My Results from the 24-Day JumpStart
At the end of the JumpStart, I lost a total of eight pounds, which was more than I expected. I feel better with more energy to wrangle my children. I feel like I’ve set a good foundation to move forward and continue eating well to nourish my body. Everyone’s results will vary based on their goals.
During the 24-Day JumpStart, I also attended Burn Boot Camp classes, where I am a member. This helped support my results.
Moms, if you’re looking for a reset button on your health, AdvoCare’s 24-Day JumpStart is a great option.
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