Sunday, December 26, 2010

Milestone approaching...

My 50th birthday is fast approaching - Feb. 1st.  I AM going to reach my goal of losing 100lbs by this milestone, then I still have an additional goal of 20-25 more lbs to go!  Posting it here brings me that much closer to accomplishing it (the reason I started this blog) because putting something in writing/saying it out loud/committing to it makes it more likely to happen - "what you think about you bring about."

Yesterday was Christmas and I didn't have a shake all day (we had a special "waffle Santa" breakfast) - how did I feel at the end of the day? Yuk, my body was not smiling inside.  Luckily today is a new day and I have everything I need to continue on... 

I have the New Year's Resolution "Solution" with Isagenix but I need to commit to a few other things...
1. going to bed no later than 11:30pm to ensure I am getting at least 7 hrs of sleep (as simple as this sounds in comparison to eating healthy, it's the hardest for me)
2. getting at least 8 of my 20oz water bottles each day - this is close to my body weight in ounces (relatively easy for me, I always get at least 1/2 my body weight in ounces but want to get more)
3. watching my snacks (make them more frequent and lower in calories)

Other things I am trying are mixing IsaPro with the regular shake and taking the IsaPro with IsaCalcium at night before (the later is not something I've been able to do - don't like the taste of the strawberry taste of the calcium, too sweet) but that has been reported to be a boost in stubborn fat loss.

I am also going to do the Peak 8 workout - I heard about this from a few places and my friend Dale's son (a personal trainer) told us about it. It's only 20 minutes 3x per week but it will get you in top shape - click above to view a video that makes it easy to understand.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Weight Watchers practically invented accountability... but Isagenix has personalized it

I had a few more thoughts on Weight Watchers - in my last post I talked about why it didn't work for me and why it really wasn't a sound nutrition-based weight loss plan.

Today I started thinking about what I believe to be the BEST thing that WW has done over the years that has proven successful:

She doesn't look like anyone I ever saw at a WW meeting.


Accountability - WW invented the concept of people going to weekly meetings to weigh in. While it embarrasses some people (thankfully I always had non-judgmental WW counselors), it works to keep people on track! WW also made a point of applauding those who got results and supporting those who needed extra encouragement. The meetings, more than the points, I feel is what has made WW the most popular weight loss plan.  I also did the WW plan online as others do but that also has it's own built-in accountability.

It's probably no coincidence that one of the reasons people love Isagenix is because there is so much accountability and support. It is purposely NOT sold at retail because people do best when they are helped by someone who wants them to succeed (like WW). Personally I was accountable to Dr J (my "coach") then I got tremendous support from his parents, Dale and others I met when I went to some local meetings. I was applauded at meetings for losing weight (who doesn't like that) then of course I won 2nd place in the IsaBody Challenge. Right now I find a lot of support and encouragement from Isagenix people all across the country... I am friends with many on FaceBook, belong to the FB IsaBody Accountability Group and enjoy Jean Faber's Call for Hope each Wed. 9:30pm 218-862-1300 Access Code 98421. Jean has lost over 200lbs and came in 1st in the IsaBody Challenge for women age 50+. 

There is a lot of personal accountability and support within the Isagenix community IF you choose it. There are people who've suffered personal loss and tragedies that led to weight gain, others who are athletes trying to perfect their bodies, others who are emotional eaters like me - there are many tribes of Isagenix people out there who connect and support each other.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Weight Watchers Changes Point System

I have been on the Weight Watchers system many times in my past and it did work temporarily but all the fat free WW muffins, desserts and fat free cool whip just kept me addicted to sweets. And now I know that all the chemicals and preservatives in all that processed food were not doing my body any good.  Plus, in my opinion as a professional dieter, I have seen that cleansing is the missing link in the weight loss mystery!

Anyone who has been on WW (and who hasn't) knows that things like almonds and olive oil (extremely healthy) are not encouraged because the points are too high (due to the fat). The world of WW is basically lots of artificial sweeteners and with high points for fats like nuts and olive oil.

So news that they have updated their point system to address this was encouraging. An article in today's NYT talks about the changes, they are "based on scientific findings about how the body processes different foods," in other words, processed, fake foods are not as good and therefore are higher in points.

On the old point system, they would consider a large apple (2 points) = to an Oreo(R) pak (2 points).  Under the new point system the apple is 0 points and the cookies are 3 points.

No wonder a lot of people embraced the WW program (including me) - we could eat lots of sugar free pudding with fat free whipped cream, cookies and muffins and think we were in diet heaven.Yes, we lost weight but did it teach us to eat healthy food?  It sure tasted good but had little or NO NUTRITIONAL value.


WW now acknowledges that the type of food you eat will affect energy and feelings of hunger and fullness.  

I have to admit when I was on WW that I thought eating their muffins, cakes, frozen dinners and snacks was too good to be true, I think they have addressed some of this now with the point changes although they still produce lots of processed foods.

Friday, November 26, 2010

What I'm Thankful For...

I am of course thankful for my family and loved ones, for the comforts of a warm and dry house (and grateful to my husband who was able to put a new roof on the back room when it started leaking last week).

This past year my health has improved tremendously and I feel younger now at 49 than I was 20 years ago. So a big thanks to Isagenix for that.  GOOD NEWS! I lost 90lbs as of Tuesday and weighed myself again this am (post Thanksgiving) and maintained so I am determined NOT to see that scale go up again - I need to reach my 100lb goal!

So beyond those basic things I am most grateful for... here is my top 10 list:
  1. $10/month at Planet Fitness (no contract - can't beat that -- today I stayed 1 hour on the elliptical machine and skipped the weights so I could watch the lost footage of the Atlanta Housewives :-) 
  2. Black Champion brand yoga pants from Target - they look good at the gym and are comfortable and stylish enough to wear around town (stretchy so still fit as I lose weight) and under $20
  3. Friends who thank me (sometimes with tears in their eyes) for introducing them to Isagenix - it solidifies my decision to keep sharing this with people
  4. DVRs - there are shows I really like to watch and rarely get to see them in real time so the DVR comes to the rescue and I can watch my shows later and fast forward through the commercials
  5. Internet - although sometimes a big time-waster, it has allowed me to connect with old friends and make new ones across the miles. A college roommate just found me on FaceBook - she is a specialty costumer in Hollywood. Because of the Internet I got to see her resume and all the movies she has worked on - pretty cool.
  6. This may sound crazy but I am really thankful for good clean filtered water to drink everyday that comes from my own well!
  7. I am thankful that my kids are getting more self-sufficient and allowing me more time- freedom. It was a hard adjustment to have kids at age 38 and 40 because I had led such an independent life.
  8. I know I already said I was thankful for family and loved ones but my mom deserves an extra shout-out - she is the best role model I could ask for and I am eternally grateful for her love and support!
  9. My Isagenix Citibank VISA card is convenient and has come in handy to pay for things that I wouldn't necessarily be able to justify. The company loads the card each Monday as commissions are earned and an email shows up in my inbox to notify me.
  10. Finally, I am grateful to have the opportunity to earn an unlimited stream of additional income while working from home at my own pace while helping other people get healthy! I can't really call it "work."

Thursday, November 18, 2010

13 Month Progress: 85 pounds and 86.6 inches

I have to take a new photo - this is from last month!
This month FLEW by!! I lost a few pounds but have basically been hovering from 80-89lbs lost.  Although I've been working out religiously 3x per week (strength training and cardio) I have only lost 1 inch (from the locations where I am measuring). 

My body is comfortable here but maybe it doesn't realize that I'm not stopping here - I have other plans. I have to keep remembering that it's been a long 22 years since my body has been this size.  

So it seems that all this working out would lead to pounds/inches LOST, right? I would think so.  I have to assume it's the non-Isagenix food I'm eating. 

I know I have gotten off track a little with grabbing chips (even healthier cracker versions) because it's about 150 calories for 12 chips and I usually have more than that. Plus a few Sunday nights that I just went crazy on carbs (English muffins, bread, bagels - stuff I never crave all week). I definitely have to be more mindful of what I'm snacking on.  The IsaDelight chocolates are a LIFESAVER - they are the ONLY chocolate I can eat one of and be satisfied -really!

I have ordered the Accelerators again (didn't have them for a while but in the past it didn't seem to tilt the scale either way but other people swear by them and I did use them religiously in the beginning) plus I am going to use the IsaPro more regularly. I do sprinkle some in my shakes everyday but now I am going to always do 1 scoop IsaLean and 1 scoop IsaPro (the extra protein is supposed to help stubborn weight loss - hello).  I've also heard lots of people say they use the IsaCalcium (I have some of that but don't love the taste - a little too sweet). I will figure out a way to incorporate it.  From what I've learned, there is some nutritional component that people find that gives them that extra boost. For my last plateau it was the IsaOmegas. I still take them. 

Will I STOP TAKING ISAGENIX because I am not losing weight?  Absolutely not - if I stop what has worked it's obvious what would happen. TEMPORARY EFFORTS GET TEMPORARY RESULTS no matter what you do.  I will always have to be mindful of what I eat - especially when I get to my goal weight. The great thing is that I have a low calorie - but super nutritious - food with Isagenix.  Your body doesn't mind fewer calories as long as it's getting the nutrition it wants.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Headache on Isagenix Cleanse

I can count on two fingers the number of headaches I ever have in any given year so I guess I am lucky because lots of my friends/relatives complain of headaches. So when I started using Isagenix it was no different - not one headache.

Of course everyone is different but 90% of everyone I've coached through cleansing has been fine. Some have extra energy from the B vitamins (like me), some are more tired as their body is working hard to cleanse and some do have headaches during the Isagenix cleanse.

A friend of a friend is doing her first cleanse today and I heard she has a headache... so it prompted me to write this blog about Isagenix Cleanse Symptoms. The body is releasing toxins at a much quicker rate than normal and is going through withdrawal (especially if you had a diet which included caffeine, sugar). As with any addictive substance when you stop putting it in your body, your body reacts in ways that aren't always positive.  I don't think anyone has every had headaches when they stopped eating broccoli (haha).  Unfortunately, the more junk that's in your body, the worse you may feel.  The good news is that any unpleasantness should pass within a few days and your body will thank you in the long run.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Famous People Taking Isagenix - Ashley Abbott from Young and the Restless

Our society is very interested in what "famous" people are doing - I am one of those people. I love reality so I guess that's why.  I have blogged in the past about famous people who are doing Isagenix so I started a separate label to categorize them all.

The latest is soap opera vet Eileen Davidson, best known for playing Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless.  She is quoted in an interview saying she uses the Isagenix IsaLean shakes.
LINK to article. Note: sometimes this link doesn't work - not sure why.

I get more validation of the products from my own results and the results of the hundreds of other people I've met in person and on line through Isagenix but it's always fun to see someone famous using it.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Can You Eat Just One Chip or One Cookie??

Most of us know what it feels like to fall under the spell of food - when one cookie turns into ten or a handful of chips leads to an empty bag.  It's hard to understand why we can't seem to stop eating - even when we know better. When we want so badly to say "no," why do we continue to reach for food?

We wonder why we have no willpower and blame ourselves for having no self control and being undisciplined.  The End of Overeating by David Kessler (former Commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration who also served as the Dean of the medical schools at Yale and the University of California) explains why.

Before you think to yourself that this is another way for people to avoid personal responsibility, let me tell you that this book is well documented and explains how certain foods actually override our conscious will and drive us to continue to consume them. This is a biological phenomenon that mimics alcohol or tobacco addiction. Most people are addicted to sugar, fat, and salt or any combination of two. 

It also explains why, even after months and years later we can have food relapses. Careful monitoring of the consumption of sugar/fat/salty foods is a life-long commitment.  It's no wonder that there aren't people complaining that they are compulsively eating string beans.

When I gave up sugar two years ago another (junk) food took its place - chips. You don't think of them as having sugar, but the simple sugars in the potato covered with fat and topped with salt are a deadly chemical combination that triggers an insatiable desire to consume all of the potato chips. The same thing happens with tortilla chips or bread. You can't even tell when you are satiated, because the combination of the fat, sugar, and salt overrides the ability for the body to create satiety signals to get you to stop eating. Soooo true - for me anyway, after eating chip I don't have a feeling of fullness or being satiated that I do when I have my shake.

This book opened my eyes to the powerful effect certain foods can have on my brain and that I need to be forever mindful when consuming them. What I have now that I didn't have then was a complete source of nutrition that satisfies my body and gives my willpower a fighting chance.

Monday, October 25, 2010

12 Month Progress: 83 pounds and 85.5 inches!

It's now been 1 year and a few days that I've been taking this great nutrition!  I am not at my goal of 100lbs yet (and have actually gained 6 pounds since my 11 month progress) but I have done something really important to secure my future health. I have committed to working out three days per week at the gym.

I had started walking at the track with my friend Dale last May and we continued through the summer early fall. But then we had many days of rain and cold weather and decided to join a gym. Luckily we have a Planet Fitness nearby and the cost is only $10 per month (no contract). 

Now another friend, Dawna, has joined us and her transformation in the last month is unbelievable!  She went from intense pain all over her body and having a very hard time walking to now keep up with us at the gym - pain free! She still can't believe how good she feels. And now she and I are trying to lose the last pounds together. She is a great inspiration to me and reminds me why I love what I am doing by sharing this with people!!

We had a trainer come to the gym to help us put together a routine. We do 5 min of cardio warm up on the treadmill; 30 min of strength training (he showed us various things for arms, legs, abdomen); 20 min of good cardio then final stretch.  Vinny, our trainer, actually has an elaborate computer program which can customize menus, grocery lists (including Isagenix products) with the exercise factored in to help people reach their weekly weight loss goals. I am still doing my own menu planning right now but may consider it later. He can do this in person or on the phone so anyone that wants this level of help can get it in conjunction with their Isagenix nutrition.

I am not happy about the weight fluctuation but not at all worried -- my body is settling in to the new exercise routine and I did get hungrier in the beginning. As my work-outs have increased in intensity I am less hungry.


Thursday, October 14, 2010

Question: Are You Still Taking "Those Shakes??"

Someone recently asked me this question. They knew that part of my weight loss involved shakes. And YES, I am and will thankfully be taking "those shakes" F O R E V E R!

Why will I take them forever? A very good question...
1. If you never exercised, then started working out 3-5x per week and then lost weight... what would happen if you stopped exercising all together? If you ate horrible food, then switched to more healthy food and then lost weight... what would happen if you went back to junk food?

Exactly - whatever healthy habits you employ to lose weight and get healthy HAVE TO BE MAINTAINED if you want to maintain your results!  So that's why a cabbage soup, no carb, starvation or cookie "diet" or some other extreme will have little chance of long term success.

 2. The IsaLean Shakes are not just a nutrition-packed meal replacement at 245 calories, they are the most complete food on the planet with all 90 nutrients (60 organic minerals, vitamins,  and amino acids) our bodies need for healthy cells.  So regardless of weight loss, once I understood the amazing ingredients in those shakes I knew that they would be as important to my health as brushing my teeth each day. If I had to go to the health food store and buy all the ingredients for this shake (the exact ingredients aren't even for sale but let's say they were) - I would be spending maybe 10x more than the $2.60 I spend now per shake. 

FACT: We all seem to be striving to be thin but being thin doesn't = being healthy - I know lots of thin people who are sick (anemic, tired, aches, pains, low energy and other chronic conditions). While they are "thin," they are not healthy - including that fact that EVERYONE has an overload of toxic chemicals that our body cannot cleanse out (visit the Center for Disease Control web site to see the latest report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals -- 212 chemicals were measured in blood and urine samples, only a fraction of the thousands of different toxins we are exposed to).

So dieting does not = health.  
Dependence on prescription drugs does not = health (nothing is "cured," only symptoms are lessened).  
I believe that super nutrition + cleansing toxins is the key to getting our bodies to be in balance so they can right what is wrong... so yes, me and several hundred thousand others are still happily taking those shakes!

 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Pharmer's Market on Most of Americans' Plates

Haven't posted in a while - but busy... just joined Planet Fitness with some friends (for $10/month you can't beat it).


A friend recently posted this to her facebook page and it is really funny but true as only Bill can tell it!!    I don't agree with everything Bill Maher says but this time he is soooo RIGHT!   It is hard to talk to some people about good nutrition -- many people will take any drug their Dr recommends (along with the horrible side effects which cause symptoms that require more drugs) without even checking out what they are putting into their body.  

There are enough people out there who get it.  I would guess that anyone reading this does get it. :-)   For those that put their health into the hands of big pharma, watch this then take a look at the Natural News site as well, one of my favorites!

I always thought I was fat because I didn't have willpower, now I know that it is the sugar/salt/fatty foods that take away our willpower because they are addictive. Put good nutrition in your body and you'll find your willpower again.  If you've ever had a piece of cake calling you from the kitchen then you know what I mean.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

11 Month Progress: 89 lbs and 83.25 inches!

What to do when your clothes get too big and you
have nothing to wear? I have been buying clothes at
Rotate - a local consignment shop. The tan linen pants,
brown vest and green henley only cost me $14 total! 
I don't want to spend too much on clothes because I'm
still losing weight :)  What to do with "fat" clothes?
Bring them to a consignment shop and make money!

So a lot happened in the last month - went to Celebration in San Diego, came home and immediately left on vacation to New Hampshire then enjoyed the last weeks of summer vacation before the kids started school. Lots of eating out and at other peoples' houses.

I am sad to see the summer go but am thrilled to be back on a schedule now that the kids are in school. We eat at home every night at roughly the same time (5:00-5:30) and it's just easier to eat healthy foods when I buy them vs. eating out or being at other people's houses.

I didn't lose much on the scale (although at times during the month I was down a few more pounds) but I lost inches and pants that didn't fit last month fit now. Plus I am exercising a lot more (building up muscle).

A friend and I both have about the same amount of weight to lose (35-40lbs) and we are doing it together so that is a lot of fun. We are going to weigh ourselves every Wednesday morning, which is after our Mon/Tues cleanse days (doing the modified cleanse... first day all shakes and small 50 calorie snacks in between and the second day all Cleanse for Life).

Monday, September 20, 2010

Jackie Warner Thintervention Shake

Today I rode my bike to walk on the track -  I used to love bike riding and it's a great work-out before I start my walking.  It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in the sky. Then I walked the track with friends.  Very motivating way to start the day. UNLIKE some of the shows on TV where overweight people get screamed at to the point of puking.


Jackie Warner Thintervention - Mon Night on Bravo TV
 So, although I love Jackie Warner (her energy, spirit and dedication), I was not anxious to watch her new show on Bravo TV because it was the boot camp style of the Biggest Loser. But last night I gave it a try and actually liked it. Why? 1) The people are living at home (like in real life) as they are losing weight. 2) She doesn't scream at them but does push them. 3) She gives nutrition counseling AND emotional counseling.

And on the second show she showed them how to make a healthy shake. She started with a low glycemic protein powder, added branch chain amino acids, flax seed oil and antioxidants in form of spinach and berries.  YEAH, all that stuff and MORE is ALREADY IN THE SHAKES I HAVE BEEN TAKING that have reshaped by body!!   She would love these shakes -- the whey protein is superior (from New Zealand), all the BCAA, healthly fats and much more are in there.  I'd have to buy 60+ different items at the health food store (who has the time or money for that)! She recommends that people add berries and spinach to their shake - the Fruits and Greens I take are ORGANIC with not just one but MANY, MANY servings in one little scoop of powder.

Jackie's TIP: anything with more than 5grams of sugar per serving has to be thrown out of your kitchen - our brains are addicted to sugar. Right on Jackie!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

IsaBody Challenge 2011 - Bring it On!

Just to see how far I came... here is a "before" head shot and an "after" head shot (the later has more make-up but it's amazing how my face has changed - back to the way it was)!  So I've accomplished a lot and could easily be comfortable at this weight.

However, I listened to Holly DeMott (the 2010 IsaBody Grand Prize Winner) on a "Real People, Real Results" podcast last week and heard that she started the challenge at a size 16/18 and is now a size 4. It occurred to me that I am a size 14/16 and, while I don't think I can reach a size 4 - I wasn't even a size 4 in high school - I do want to lose more than 14 more pounds (which will get me to my goal of losing 100).


Holly said something really inspirational, she said you can achieve any body you want with these products (and I do know that to be a fact). So what better way to challenge myself to go further than the 100lbs? I have decided to enter the 2011 IsaBody Challenge!  I am also coaching some friends to enter with me so that will be fun.

I really like having a goal because if you don't know where you are going then you probably won't get there (or something like that). I also like to put my goals in writing because it's a fact that we are more likely to do something if we tell people!!

So here it is, my goal is to lose an additional 40 pounds (on top of the 86 I already lost)! I will accomplish this by the close of the 2011 IsaBody Challenge next June.  I also have a goal (separate from IsaBody) of helping lots and lots of people better their health and reshape their bodies by introducing them to Isagenix nutritional rebalancing. 

Sunday, August 29, 2010

I Won 2nd Place In the 2010 IsaBody Challenge!

Celebration was FANTASTIC and not just because I was a finalist in the IsaBody Challenge!  I came in 2nd place (winning $2,000 cash plus the free trip to Celebration in San Diego). Here I am on stage when it was announced. Oralia won the $5,000 (I am happy for her, she lost 127lbs since she started the challenge, avoiding gastric bypass).

Nancy, my best friend from college, and her friend (now my friend Jeannine) all went and we had a blast. We met up with Dale, Dr J, Dave and lots of other friends from the Albany area. There were so many inspirational stories - here is one you HAVE TO WATCH, it is an amazing story about the transformation of a young woman, Angela Lovelace, with Down Syndrome. Angela was at Celebration and I was so impressed by her love of life.

I am already planning on attending the 2011 Celebration (again scheduled for San Diego) and am going to bring my whole family as there is so much to do out there (Legoland, SeaWorld, even Disney).

There is just too much to post here but I am even MORE excited about growing a business with this company. Lots of new products were introduced with some more blockbusters planned for the future!

Best of all, I got to meet and talk to John Anderson (I just couldn't believe I was standing next to him - the genius who formulated the first Isagenix products).  I am pictured here with Dale (my walking buddy and mentor) and Jeannine (my new friend from Long Island).  So much to tell, we actually sat with Dr Paul Anderson, the person who formulated my favorite IsaDelight dark chocolates (no relation to John Anderson). These people are my celebrity crushes because they are incredibly smart and have changed thousands of peoples' lives (including mine).

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Leaving tomorrow for CELEBRATION!!

I am leaving Friday morning to go to Celebration in San Diego. Should be packing right now but I was just appreciating my sister and all the beautiful clothes she let me borrow. We are the same size now (that has not happened since we were in high school and she used to steal my clothes, haha). 

God bless my wonderful husband - thanks to him my car won't blow up on the way to the airport! He asked me if there was anything he could do to help me and I mentioned that my oil light had been flickering on and off. Well, I apparently had NO oil in my car so a blown engine was imminent (how scary)!

Before and After (down 69lbs in 24 weeks)
Here is my Isagenix before and after photo that I submitted for the contest. I am glad that the IsaBody photo shoot and interview, etc. is all on Saturday because then I can just relax and enjoy myself until they announce the winners on Monday afternoon.  Here is a link to the web page with the 2010 finalists, look for me under Women 35-49 (I just made the cut-off as I am 49). A dear woman, Jean Faber, is in the 50+ group and I am rooting for her to win her category and win the $10,000!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

10 Month Progress: 86 lbs and 79 inches!

WOW, last week in Rhode Island I did my favorite (modified) two-day cleanse and the 4.5lbs that showed up on my mom's scale was confirmed once I got home.  My modified cleanse (which a friend also just tried with great results) is to do the first day with just shakes and raw foods for snacks (about 40-50 calorie snacks every two hours).  Drink 3-4 shakes (you can do 1/2 shakes and have 6-8 of those) then eat the snacks. Take 4oz of cleanse the first night and continue the next day as a regular (JA compliant cleanse - that means just IsaSnacks and IsaDelight chocolates).

I decided to do another modified two-day cleanse on Saturday and Sunday because the weekend in RI ended with lots of good food. On Friday I started with a shake then visited my old job and had lunch with friends (ordered my favorite sub with roast turkey and cheese from the local deli). Then after my daughter's performance we all went out for pizza at my favorite pizza place - Caserta's on Federal Hill in Providence. And I think I had three pieces plus my daughter's crust she didn't want - yum.  Then I went to the movies with a friend (to see Eat, Pray, Love - liked it but like the book better). Instead of popcorn I brought an IsaDelight. So I missed my second shake that day planned to do the full shake day on Saturday for my trip back.

When in Providence, try Caserta pizza (crispy crust, delicious sauce)!  Sorry no photo of the pizza, I was too busy eating it to remember to take a picture but I am with my hubby in downtown Providence.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Countdown to Celebration/IsaBody Finals - time for new lip stick

I am in RI now at my mom's house while my kids are in camp. I got back on track with a shake day on Monday (all shakes and raw food as snacks) then I did a cleanse day yesterday while I was shopping. On my mom's scale it showed I lost 4.5lbs this morning (since Monday).  I am not celebrating yet because I will have to see it on my own scale to believe it.

I am in the IsaBody Challenge Finals (click on the W 35-49 to see my before and after photos).  Isagenix is flying me and a friend (Nancy - a college friend from F.I.T. who also loves Isagenix and what it has done for her and her family) to San Diego on Aug. 20. The next day I am getting my official "after" photos taken by a photographer and filming later in the day. Since I basically just wear cherry Chapstick and no make-up I knew it was time to get some professional help.

There was only one place I even considered going for make-up advice - the MAC counter at Nordstrom.  Here is a photo of all the lipstick choices - insane, right?  Just seeing this makes me anxious - there is NO WAY I could EVER choose a lip stick on my own, much less the right shade of foundation. But I knew that 1. MAC is a company that has something for everyone; 2. MAC-trained girls love make-up and are some of the the best at what they do and 3. Nordstrom's superior customer service would mean that I was going to get the help I needed! 

Maria, my MAC make-up artist at Nordstrom
I was not disappointed! Maria, pictured here with me, was fantastic and was soooo patient with me. Whenever I put on lipstick with any color I just think I look like a clown. But she didn't give up on me and it turned out her very first choice - Viva Glam V - was right-on, all it needed was a liner. Then she helped me with a foundation. I am using the IsaDermix line now and LOVE it but my skin tone is uneven from being in the sun so I wanted some light foundation to even it out. Then she completed the look with eye make-up. I probably don't look like I have any make-up on in this photo, which is OK because I still want to look natural.

I love meeting people who are great at what they do (like Maria) - she knew her products inside and out and she wanted me to be happy with the end result!  It is clear to me that people get best results when they have caring people helping them that know and love the products. That is what Isagenix is all about (except I don't have retail space at Nordstrom).  I had knowledgeable people there to guide me along with the products and now I am doing the same. I am inspired to achieve the level of knowledge and customer service of someone like Maria. This method of buying products (be it make-up or nutritional food) from someone who is passionate about the products and likes helping people beats purchasing stuff off-the-shelf  anytime!  Now it's on to find some new clothes...

Saturday, August 7, 2010

How to Turn Around a Bad (Food) Day

Today was one of the most beautiful August days ever but not a good food day for me!  I started the day as usual with my Ionix and IsaLean Shake. Then we rushed out at 11am to go to a church picnic. I filled up my 20oz container with water as usual and grabbed an apple because I knew we'd be there for a while. Drank the 20oz on the way there and had no water left - thought I would get some there. Well, I really didn't plan well...

Once there I found out the menu was limited  to hot dogs and chips; knew we wouldn't be leaving until 2pm; remembered I only had one shake so far that day; and realized I wasn't going to be sustained with just the apple.  So I decided to have a hot dog (we don't eat them as a family anymore but once in a while I do enjoy having one).  Above is a photo of my plate (I gave away the cookie but ate the chips).  

Why are there two photos???
That wouldn't have been so bad but after that hot dog it literally felt like I hadn't eaten anything and I was still hungry! Actually, I knew my body was hungry for some real food but I impulsively took another plate (a 2nd hot dog and chips) - yikes!  The lack of water wasn't helping (they had sweetened tea but I don't drink/eat any sugar or sugar substitutes).  I had remorse after because I knew I had just wasted calories on food that wasn't healthy and wasn't even satisfying (whereas I don't mind wasting calories on something really delicious).

Believe it or not I still didn't feel full - my body knows what good nutrition is now and it was demanding something more, something better.  So I ate my green apple and had some watermelon and that stopped the cravings - thank goodness.  As soon as I left I stopped and bought a big liter of water and drank the whole thing.  Then we went to the pool and didn't get home until 4:30, at which point I was hungry again. I made myself a 1/2 shake and ate some sugar snap peas with hummus.  So I was back on track... but not for long.

Then I found out my husband wasn't going to be back from fishing until about 7pm so I held off on making dinner. Bad for me because I am used to eating dinner at 5-5:30.  So I took my mind off food by doing some work but when I realized that a brief I was working on did not get saved (lost about an hour of work) that got me anxious and drove me to the kitchen where I had some crackers with cheese, tortilla chips and two pieces of toast with butter!!  (I should have had an IsaDelight - that would have calmed me down!)  And I could have kept going - I still felt hungry.

Prior to Isagenix I would have just kept going on a binge with the notion that I ruined the day anyway but now I knew I had a surefire way to stop the madness!  I made myself a shake (1/2 IsaLean and 1/2 IsaPro with a little orange WME) and my body finally registered that it didn't need to eat anymore.  I made my family dinner (BBQ grilled chicken breast, sweet potato fries and green beans) and I sat with them but didn't eat anything - although it was healthy, I wasn't hungry and I've now learned to listen to my body. 

So that was my crazy food day and I'm glad it's over!  In the past, one bad food day lead into another, which lead into another. Now I have no more than 1/2 a bad food day.  Lesson learned: I need to eat healthy foods at regular intervals and all will be well - it's really pretty simple and sometimes just takes a little advance planning if I am going to be away from home.

Tomorrow I am going to do a shake day (which I love) - just shakes all day with healthy snacks in between and Monday I will do a cleanse day. The rest of the week I will be eating at other people's houses while visiting friends in RI so I will have to be careful with that.

Monday, August 2, 2010

4 Simple Breakfast Rules for Shedding Pounds

From Realage.com (Dr Oz and Dr Roizen's site)... more proof that the right breakfast is crucial to losing weight.  Dr. Kathleen DesMaisons (author of Potatoes, Not Prozac) has four simple rules for using breakfast to counterbalance the biochemical mechanisms behind sugar cravings, obesity, and depression. (LINK)

Dr Desmaison's Rules:
1.Do it daily. Your goal is to make it a daily, automatic habit. The reward? You can kiss late-day low blood sugar and sugary snack cravings goodbye -- permanently.

2.Do it sooner rather than later. For the best results, eat breakfast within an hour or so of waking up -- even if you're not hungry. Morning-time low blood sugar produces a brain chemical designed to mask hunger pangs -- but can cause sugar cravings later in the day.

3.Make it complex. We're talking complex carbohydrates -- the fiber keeps blood sugar on an even keel and helps you feel full longer.

4.Power it with protein. Protein slows digestion, helps prevent spikes and dips in blood sugar, and can even give you a dose of depression-fighting tryptophan. DesMaisons recommends that you get a third of your daily protein at breakfast.
 
I already know that an IsaLean shake is the BEST start to the day and it certainly supports  theses four rules.  It has 23 grams of the best protein plus healthy fats and carbs PLUS all 90 minerals and vitamins our bodies need. Add a scoop of FiberPro and/or IsaPro and get even extra fiber and/or protein! Link to product info.

Plus, knowing you have that canister of shake helps you from spiraling out of control after a "bad" day.  I really ate too much at a cook-out yesterday so I actually had a 1/2 shake later last night when I got home then decided to have shakes all day today with healthy snacks in between.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

25 Days Until Celebration!

The countdown to Celebration has started -- this will be my first (of many) big events. I attended IsaU in April but that was only about 400 people. This promises to be 6,000+ (not sure of the exact number but lots of people)!  IsaBody Challenge, here I come. What a blast this will be. I am bringing Nancy, my friend from college, who is now building a business with me.

People reading this blog know my story -- well, multiply that by thousands of similar success stories and you can't help but be in awe of what this company has accomplished with its products.  It is so inspirational and rewarding to hear person after person tell of their renewed health with Isagenix. This company has improved the health (and wealth, let's not forget) of thousands of people and I will get to meet many of them next month.  

Jean Faber - a member of the Cepeda team who lives in Minnesota and is an IsaBody finalist in the age 50+ category; Larry Fuchs, Jr. from FL - the first member of the 200 pound club; Lisa from AZ, the 200th member of the 100lb club and Dana Soto - a woman from CA who weighed 800lbs and was told she was going to die (now she has lost 323lbs on Isagenix).  I really hope John Anderson (the founder and master formulator) is there, imagine how he feels to get so much love and adoration from thousands of people whose lives he has changed (like mine)!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Cruising with Isagenix

I just came back from a 7 day cruise from Boston to Bermuda (on NCL - the company I used to work for) with my mom and sister. This was a REAL vacation because we left our kids at home with our husbands (yeah for the husbands) and also left behind the cooking, cleaning, laundry and mommy duties. I treasure that time I spent with my mother and sister!

I would never think of going a day without my Isagenix products so I brought my IsaBlender, packets of IsaLean shakes, IsaDelights, WME sticks, IsaBars, IsaOmegas, Ionix Supreme powder and Accelerators. I also knew there was a nice gym on board (floor to ceiling windows overlooking the ocean) and a walking track on the top deck so I brought my sneakers and work-out clothes. I also took the stairs whenever I could and that was a LOT of stairmaster-type action.

Here's what I did:
Upon Waking - Ionix and Accelerator with 20oz of water then off to the gym to walk for about 35-40 minutes.

Breakfast - back to the cabin to have my IsaLean Shake and IsaOmegas (photo of me on our balcony enjoying a vanilla shake), then accompany my mother and sister to the breakfast buffet. They had the delicious French toast everyday with lots of syrup.  Although I wasn't really hungry after the shake I found a little treat that was delicious - they had a yogurt bar where I had them mix plain yogurt with fresh berries and walnuts.

Lunch - the days we were at the beach I brought a packet of shake. On the ship I usually ate something from the buffet. I tried whatever looked good and relatively healthy but only took very small portions. One day I had a hamburger and it was not worth it!

Snacks - glad I brought some IsaBars - here's a silly picture of me in Hamilton, I am actually licking some chocolate off the wrapper and you can see my mother is mortified that I am doing this in public (I'm sorry but I just love those bars).

Dinner - we ate in the formal dining room each night and I had an appetizer (the healthiest choices on the menu) plus a Cesar salad and an entree' (oh yes, plus bread and butter - NOT something I usually eat at home).  One night I had tempura (fried vegetables) - mega calories!  So I could have made some better choices but, for the most part, I didn't regret them after.

Dessert - NO desserts for me because I do not eat any sugar or sugar substitutes so even their "sugar free" offerings were a no-go.  I brought an IsaDelight to the theatre each night and enjoyed that.  I went to the hugely popular 11pm chocolate buffet with my mother and sister and took photos of the pretty desserts.

Drinks - NO alcohol - a decision I made because it wasn't worth the calories to me (plus the martinis were $11.25 each!).  So I drank tons of water as usual. I carried my Isagenix 20oz shaker bottle with me everywhere. IsaFlush at night was also a lifesaver.

So the end result is that I gained 3lbs :(  BUT it will be gone by the end of this week - not a problem.  Note: my mother, who is on maintenance, and who didn't exercise; didn't take any meal replacement shakes; ate multiple desserts each day including the 11pm chocolate buffet only gained 3.4lbs. (She did take her IsaOmegas each day.)  She immediately got back home and resumed her regular routine of Ionix, Shakes and Cleansing and will also have that weight off by the end of this week - Mom's update, she just emailed me this am (Tuesday) and she is already back at her starting weight!!  My update, as of Sat (a week later) I lost that weight plus another pound - now down 81lbs!

So if you splurge make sure it is really worth it then don't dwell on feelings of guilt - just wake up the next day, have an IsaLean Shake and know that you have the solution to better health.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I AM AN ISABODY FINALIST!!!

I got the most EXCITING call today from the Isagenix Sales Team - yes the whole team!!  I am an IsaBody Finalist!!!!!  I started crying because it means so much to me to go to Celebration and meet some of the people I've heard and read about. What is IsaBody? Click to link to past IsaBody winners.

I just can't believe how much my life and the lives of others has changed since that day in my Dr's office when I mentioned I was trying to get healthier and the receptionist told me great things about Isagenix.  I've already called back that receptionist to thank her for saying something. And I've also thanked the nurse there for giving me Dr J's business card. What if they were afraid to tell me? I keep that in mind if I am ever afraid to talk to someone about it.

So when I started this blog days before I even got the products I had NO way of knowing how many great things would happen along the way besides my weight loss. While so many wonderful things have happened already, I know this whole journey with Isagenix is just beginning...

Saturday, July 3, 2010

8-1/2 Month Progress: 80 lbs!!

I had to post an interim progress report today because I hit the milestone of 80 pounds this morning!! Twenty pounds more to reach my goal of 100 pounds but I know I will eventually lose more than 100. It's not about vanity but I was born with a somewhat petite frame (5'3") so in order for my body and organs to operate at peak efficiency it is optimal for me to weigh between 125-145lbs (a normal size 8-10).

It is comforting to know that I have a game plan for life in terms of staying healthy. It is not even about weight and that is hard to communicate to people. The IsaLean shakes are supplying all the 90 nutrients the body needs (minerals, vitamins and essential fatty and amino acids) plus the world's best whey protein. Why would anyone NOT put that in their body every day - regardless of weight? 

Here is a photo of me on July 7th in my new bathing suit - trying out my cruise wear look for the vacation I am going on next week with my mother and sister.  I was so psyched to get something other than black!! These are Land's End separates, four or five sizes smaller than the Land's End suit I wore last summer (which I already gave away).

Monday, June 28, 2010

Aerial Adventure

My sister and her son came to visit me and my two children and today we went to Jiminy Peak's new Aerial Adventure Park.  We had a blast and I was so excited because in the past (76lbs ago) I would have been too big for the harnesses and probably wouldn't have attempted to walk on a tight-rope in the tree-tops.  Well today was great, I was faster and steadier than my nephew and two kids!  At one point everyone climbed down a ladder to avoid a really difficult rope tunnel. I knew I had to do it - plus, there was a fun zip line once I got through the tunnel.  I did it and I was really proud of myself and my kids were too!


Later on there was a really tricky vertical spider web for kids. All three kids were having a tough time doing it (falling repeatedly) and I really thought my son would give up (at one point he was practically in tears from frustration). Shame on me I was telling him to go try the rope ladders instead because he was good at them and I didn't want him to end the day feeling defeated after all he had accomplished.  Well, he decided to keep trying (not give up!) and I was so proud of him - they all made it up to the top.


It was a day of trying new things - somewhat scary and unfamiliar things - but this is what life is all about!  I LOVE to do things like this with my kids so they can learn that succeeding takes perseverance, overcoming obstacles/failures and never giving up!  I just kept telling them how proud I was of them for the efforts they made and I could see that the experiences today were life-changing. 
I wish they had allowed cameras on the course but we had to leave all our stuff in a locker at the base.  Thank goodness, because my sister and I go crazy with taking photos of the kids and we would have been calling them in the middle of a traverse to turn around and smile.  I went back later and took this photo of one of the cross-overs we did.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

I work with the BEST company!

HOW CAN I MAKE THAT STATEMENT???

The other day when I was walking I just starting thinking of how much I love Isagenix... the people, the products, the integrity of the company. Some people are skeptical when I tell them this and I really don't blame them.  It's a good idea to be skeptical in this day and age.  In these instances, I ask them to do their homework by listening to some Isagenix podcasts, reading the recent clinical trials, etc. and then to become an associate to see for themselves.

It recently dawned on me that my belief is not just my own experience with Isagenix but my 20+ years in working with many other brand-name companies. Here are some of the more recognizable ones...

I had to think back on all the products I marketed (either working directly for the company or being assigned the task at their ad agency).  I became intimately aware of product benefits and shortcomings as well as the business ethics of these companies (most good, some not).  The many hours, months and years I've spent with all these companies has given me keen insight into consumer product companies and this is what has helped solidify by belief that Isagenix is truly a world class company!

So if you are reading this and not sure, take my word for it and/or do the research yourself then try the products (there is a 30-day money back guarantee)! 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

CONFIRMED - Omega 3 + Exercise = Weight Loss!

In yesterday's post I surmized that my ability to finally get past my 7 week plateau was the combination of omega 3's and the more regular exercise.

Today I Googled omega 3 and weight loss and immediately found this research by the University of South Australia which corroborates my own theory:

It has now been proven scientifically that omega-3 fish oil helps you lose weight. Studies at the University of South Australia have found that taking omega-3 fish oil combined with moderate aerobic exercise boosts weight loss.  Over a period of 12 weeks, researchers gave a group of obese adult’s daily doses of omega-3 fish oil and supervised moderate aerobic exercise three times a week. The researches compared the results of this group with other groups that were not given omega-3 fish oil and exercise three times a week.  More info...

I recently found another great article from Natural News that supports this theory.
Of course Isagenix has the best quality Omega 3 supplements!  IsaOmega Supreme is the "purest and most advanced" on the market!  Link here to the facts which support that.
Thanks again to Dale for recommending this!!

Monday, June 14, 2010

8 Month Progress: 75 lbs and 70 inches!

It finally happened - my plateau is broken!!  I was stuck at the same weight and inches for about seven weeks (give or take two pounds) but I knew a few things that kept me going:
1. I hadn't been at my goal weight in 22 years so it would take time to lose it
2. my body was resting at this set point where it felt comfortable
3. I was putting the BEST nutrition in my body everyday and not starving

I tried many different things to get the weight loss going again including different Isagenix products; listenting to different people's experiences with the same problem (Jean Faber, Larry Fuchs Jr); learning tips from Dr. Ina, Dr. Ted, Susan Sly and others. No other company offers this much support and advice!!  If nothing else I think I have an arsenal of information to help other people if they get stuck at a plateau (so contact me).

So what finally did it??  I am not sure but I've narrowed it down to three factors:
1. it was just my body's time to get moving again after adjusting to the 71lb weight loss
2. the more regular, more intense walking kicked in (with Dale, my walking partner, who I love having as a friend and mentor in the business)
3. the addition of IsaOmega 3 (recommended by Dale)
Or ALL of the above!

I did try many different product routines and maybe the IsaOmega just hit at the right time but it did seem to make a difference.  Another thing NO other company offers... while I am losing weight and feeling great, I am helping other people do the same and this paid for a NEW pair of walking shoes!! 

These are Avia Toning sneakers - like the Sketchers Shape-Ups but I think less bulky looking. I really like them!