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.

This company is the BEST!!

This company is the best, not only are there lots of people around to coach (I have people helping and motivating me and I am doing the same for other people) but the company has a tremendous amount of information to help people get the best results from the products.

Our own Cepeda Team has a Tuesday product call-in at 8am. Not to mention that I can pick up the phone at any time and reach Dr J, his mom (Rosemary), his Dad (Joe), Dale (the local ingredient guru), Andrea (a unbelievable woman I just met who lives in Woodstock) and too many more people to mention. What other nutritional product company or any consumer products company can say that?

Not to mention that I have messaged John Anderson (the genius who founded the company) through his FaceBook page and he has answered - unbelievable!!

Now the company is hosting daily IsaProduct Coaching calls with Dr Ina Nozek (pictured here - she has a Master's Degree in Nutrition) and specializes in weight loss. The call-in is Monday-Friday 11 a.m. EST and Monday-Thursday 9:30 p.m. EST. Ask me for the call-in number - it is free to all Isagenix associates!

This is hands down the best company I've ever been involved with and those who know me know that I've worked for/with many Fortune 500  as well as smaller privately owned companies.  I am so proud to be part of Isagenix!

YIKES - the IsaBody Challenge Deadline is 6 Weeks Away!!!

I got a little bit of a shock when I checked on the status of my 2010 IsaBody Challenge entry - I was thinking I had until April 17th but (correctly) they define 6 months as 24 weeks so my deadline is April 6. That is only 6 weeks away!!!

I have to take my "after" photos on or before April 6. My actual "before" photo is not the one on this site, I have on the black leggings and a sports bra so it doesn't disguise the fat like this one.

My goal was to get to 75lbs by the challenge but now that I only have 6 weeks left I am not sure if that's doable. I have lost 55 as of yesterday so I would need another 20 in the remaining 6 weeks (that's 3lbs/week and I don't know if I can do that). However, I feel I can do 15lbs in the 6 weeks which would make a total of 70. 

Joe Beury, pictured here, is Dr J's dad and he was a 2008 IsaBody Challenge winner in the 60+ age category.  I ate dinner last night with Joe, his wife Rosemary and some others after an Isagenix seminar we attended in Albany. Joe and his wife are great inspirations and such good people.  Joe has been very encoraging to me in my quest to win the IsaBody Challenge.  Click here to see results/stories from last year's winners.

4 Month Isagenix Progress - 54 pounds and 47.5 inches gone for good!

Today is the 120 day/four month mark as I started using Isagenix on Oct. 17, 2009.  I am making good progress towards shedding 100 pounds (which I hope to accomplish by Aug. 17, 2010).  My first goal is to reach 75 pounds by April 17th (the end of my six-month time period in the IsaBody Challenge).  That means I have to lose 10 more pounds in each of the next two months - I think that's doable.

I went to Dr. J's office tonight for a presentation and had my photo taken with him.  He has been a great coach and has also helped the people I am coaching. Too bad I look like I am half asleep in the photo, I always close my eyes when I get my photo taken :(. 

David Zabrowski was there (part of our Albany team - he is something like #58 in money earnings with the company!)   He has a fascinating story - he and his wife are school teachers and although he is only 37 he was able to retire early and help people full time with Isagenix. He is willing to help anyone on this team and that means you and I!

Blogging 100 Pounds

I started this blog right after I met with Dr. J to find out about Isagenix - at that time I had a feeling that this would be "it" - now I know I was right!  Anyway, I wanted to start a blog to be accountable to myself and to let my friends and family see my progress (the majority of whom live out of state).

Well, I just found out that I wasn't supposed to use the Isagenix name in the url of the blog (I should have known that) but at the time I had no inclination I would be coaching other people and that this blog would be seen by anyone but me, my mother, my sister and a few friends.

As I searched for a new name for my blog I was surprised to see that so many of the names I thought of were taken (i.e. bloggingmyweightloss, 100poundstolose, 100poundstogo, myweightlossstory, etc.).  The sad part is that I didn't see any blogs where people actually had a "final" photo or post of their success. Many people only had a few posts or even one!  I guess that isn't really a surprise as I found myself in that situation many times.

One of the things I love about Isagenix is that there are so many people supporting each other and so many great success stories across the country and right here in Albany.  One of the best things I did was go to some of Dr. J's meetings and connect with other supportive people. I also get constant inspiration and am learning something new everyday from coaching people.

Going to meet with my coach today!

A week has gone by since I met with Dr J and learned about Isagenix. My products were delivered on Wed and Dr J and I are meeting today so he can take me through the program (reviewing the schedules they have for using the products). That is invaluable as I wouldn't know where to begin (haven't even opened the box yet).

So I am going to officially start the program tomorrow!! Have to get my "before" photo taken.