Progress Photo - lost 17lbs since July 8th

Summer's been GREAT so sad that it's Labor Day tomorrow. You'll see from my post on July 8th I had 30lbs to go to reach my 100lb goal. I am now only 13lbs away!

From February - July I had an issue with sugar because I felt that after 2-1/2 years without it (and after losing 90lbs) that I could handle it occasionally. Well, I am still, and always will be, addicted to sugar so since July 5th I am back to being sugar free.

Like I said in previous posts, if you're someone who gets hijacked by sweets (sugar + fat) or chips (fat + salt) to the point that you can't eat just one or that these items are "calling" to you from the kitchen, then it's going to be harder to eat these while trying to lose and/or maintain weight. If you eat them in moderation (and I know a lot of people who do) then you are golden!

So I am bike riding a lot and feeling great... Oct 17 I think is my two year anniversary with Isagenix so I WILL be down 100lbs by then. 


I am the picture taker of the family so there are no photos of me, I had to crop myself out of a group photo here (no make-up, in need of hair coloring to cover up the gray). I will take a full length photo soon!

Progress: One Year, 8 Months - 70lbs maintained (30 more to go)

Wow, the time has flown by since I started this journey to lose 100lbs in Oct. 2009. I know it WILL happen (I was only 10lbs away this past Jan then proceeded to just eat too much junk food on and off through the winter/spring). So now I am 20 pounds heavier and have to back-track.

If you can just eat ONE or TWO bites of this then go ahead and indulge. If after you eat this you proceed to have another piece or feel like you ruined the day and keep eating junk then you it's best you avoid it all together if you are still trying to lose weight.

Some friends and I were talking about this habit of not being able to just have "one" of something. Just having one bite of something, one cookie or one handful of chips is not going to lead to massive weight gain, it's when one leads to another which leads to another. My friend and I are of the same mindset that we can't seem to have one (of a sugar-laden item) because it's just too literally addictive. The addictive nature of salt, sugar and fat is explained in the book The End of Overeating.

Anyway, I have kept off 70lbs for over a year now and I have Isagenix to thank for that. It gives my willpower a fighting chance because it gives me the nutrition so my body isn't craving junk. I know this would be another failed diet without this nutrition. The side benefit is that I have SUPERIOR blood work on all counts - yeah.

It's all about LESS CALORIES + MORE NUTRITION + EXERCISE. Isagenix gives me the first two, I do the rest (love bike riding with my ipod).

15 Month Progress: 92 pounds and 91.75 inches

I finally saw the scale move this month, I lost 7 lbs so I only have 8 pounds to go to get to my first goal of 100lbs!

This month I watched what I ate more carefully. Two handfuls of chips doesn't seem that bad but it's 300 calories of nothing (meaning nothing nutritious). 

Today I listened to a great podcast by the wonderful Susan Sly - it was all about getting past weight plateaus (link to listen to audio podcast).  She is a personal trainer and has been using Isagenix and coaching other people for years - this in turn has made her an IsaMillionaire.  I've met her and sat in a briefing with her (and her new baby). She is an amazing woman and mom.

Listen to this podcast if you want a good list of things to do to jump start a plateau. This is what I am doing based on her suggestions:

1. getting at least 7 hours of sleep and going to bed no later than midnight (hard for me, I'm a night owl)
2. today (Monday) I also started tracking the amount of water I am drinking. I know I'm getting 1/2 my body weight in ounces but want to get closer to full body weight in ounces.
3. making all my shakes with 1 scoop of protein + 1 scoop of IsaLean
4. having 1 scoop of greens and fruits everyday

I have to be consistent with this to see if it makes a difference. I LOVE shoveling because it's exercise that is also accomplishing something.  It's been pretty easy with the light snow we've gotten :)

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.

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.

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).

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.

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!

7 Month Progress: 71 lbs and 66.5 inches

I have remained almost exactly the same this past month.  This puts me a little off-schedule to lose 100 pounds by August 17 but I haven't been this weight in about 20 years so I can understand the need for my body to just take a break.  I now look at food differently - as nutrition vs. a "fix" to cure stress, boredom, saddness, etc.  This book I bought (see last entry) is helping with the emotions behind eating (I'm halfway through and will report on it once I finish reading).

The great news this month is that I used my Isagenix VISA card to pay for a trip to NYC to see Wicked with my daughter. It was her birthday present and something we were both looking forward to (I wouldn't have been able to justify this expense without this extra stream of income).  I have not only helped myself get healthier but helped many other people and that is deeply gratifying. But the fact that the company compensates me to do this is icing on the cake! If everyone got paid each time we recommended something (a play, a restaurant, a new movie - we'd all be rich)!

As everyone already knows, Wicked is a mega-hit musical so make plans to see it if you haven't already.  But if you are ever in the city on a Saturday you MUST get tickets to attend the Wicked - Behind the Emerald Curtain tour (10am each Sat, LINK). It was GREAT - Sean McCourt and Anthony Galde are both veterans of the theatre and of Wicked and gave a very entertaining and insightful view of what goes in to making a show (doesn't matter if you've seen Wicked) - this is a look behind the curtain at all the other talents involved in putting on shows.   We are on our way to the theatre in this photo - luckily for the driver of this bike, I am 71 pounds lighter because of Isagenix!!

6 Month Progress: Down 71lbs and 65 inches!

I had my husband take this 6 month progress photo as I was rushing out to go to Isagenix U training and just posting now, a week later.

WHY CAN"T YOU LOSE WEIGHT (and keep it off)???  So if you are feeling like you are eating relatively healthy and maybe even exercising but AREN'T LOSING WEIGHT or INCHES then call me and find out why Isagenix is different. 

• It's NOT a fad (the company has been around for 8 years and is growing steadily, now at $1 billion cumulative sales)
• It's NOT diet food (many athletes, even pro football players use the same products I use)
• You CAN eat real food (snacks during the day and regular meals you cook at home)
• Until you help your body get rid of toxins through cleansing the fat will have a hard time letting go and once gone will want to rebound back

If you lost weight on a regular diet and didn't lose a LOT of inches then you lost lean muscle along with some fat.  I just helped someone who was already thin - she lost 6.4lbs and 20.75 inches!  I am obviously happy to be off the weight roller coaster and am now earning an additional stream of income by helping other people. 

5 Month Isagenix Progress: down 62.5 pounds and 60.25 inches!!

Today is the 5 month mark and I can't believe how great I feel and how strange it is to be heading back to the weight I was before I got married and had children. I am so thankful that I was introduced to Isagenix because my efforts in healthy eating and even giving up sugar and sugar substitutes were not getting me anywhere soon.

Only 8.5 pounds lost last month but lots more inches (-12.75). That makes a big difference in how my clothes fit.
The funny thing is that even the experience of fitting into a size 14* jeans again didn't bring me to tears, but I am helping someone close to me with this program who has a lot of health issues and their results do bring me to tears as I see a way for this person to get healthy and live a long life!
* admittedly a size 14 (women's) with lycra in them but I'll take that

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!

3 Month Isagenix Progress - 44 lbs of FAT and 41 inches GONE!

I can't believe that 90 days has gone by so fast but lately (I guess as I get older) time seems to be flying at the speed of light.  At least now the quicker that time flies, the less I weigh and the healthier I am. Before Isagenix I would make a goal in June of losing weight by my wedding aniversary in Sept.... then that date would come and I would be virtually the same weight (disappointing - you might know the feeling).

I went skiing today with my son and it was a great day (and more pleasant skiing minus the 44lbs).  My daughter took a photo of me this morning before we left to ski.

2 Month Isagenix Progress - down 33 lbs and 35 inches!

I came back from my Disney trip yesterday and was anxious to get on the scale this morning to see the results. I was confident I didn't gain any weight but not sure if I lost any.  I was really happy to see the results on the scale (-3lbs for the week). I am a third of the way to my goal of losing 100lbs!

Going on vacation with Isagenix was a sure way to stay on track, I made shakes each morning for myself, my mother, mother-in-law and daughter (gave the blender a work-out). Then I packed sandwiches for the family and an Isagenix bar for myself plus apples, Slimcakes, nuts, etc.  Each night I had a big dinner with the family, often times eating out. A few nights I felt like I may have (probably did) eat more than a 600 calorie meal but I wasn't worried because I had my shake to start me off right the next morning. I also did a lot of walking and that may have helped although it wasn't the type of walking that got my heart racing.

The only bad thing was that I had old summer clothes that were really loose (practically falling off). I actually threw away one pair of linen pants the day after I wore them because they looked like clown pants. 

Here is my 60 day progresss photo with the same clothes on. The pants are pretty baggy (don't need to unzip to take them off and really baggy in the legs) so I am not sure you can tell a big difference from the original photo. Next month I will wear something a little more form fitting but I will save this one pair of black pants for the final before and after!

1 Month Isagenix Progress - 23 lbs gone!

My daughter took this photo of me tonight - now 23lbs less after 30 days using Isagenix. I don't know if the photo shows the difference but the scale and measuring tape show it and I have not been able to fit into these pants for three years. 

How Does Isagenix Work Anyway?
The high level of nutrients in Isagenix products bridge the gap between the low level of real nourishment in regular food and the high level necessary to attain optimum health.


A lot of the food we are eating really has little value in terms of nutrition. Even the produce has been stripped over the years of key minerals that were present decades ago.
If a body isn't receiving the nutrients it needs, it will attempt to get more nutrients by triggering food cravings and hunger pangs. This can lead to overeating, which in turn contributes to obesity and poor health.

The Cleanse is designed to rid the body of toxins (which are accumulating in our fat)  -- once this is accomplished we are able to lose weight more easily!  I am not a scientist but it seems to make sense and the program is working for me and thousands of others!

Tomorrow's the day...

Here is my "before" photo - I am so used to sucking in my stomach when my photo's being taken, it was a weird sensation to actually not do that.


I went to meet with Dr J today to get my orientation - he wasn't able to meet so I met with Dore Ramos, the Office Manage, also an Isagenix Consultant. Dore told me that she started using the products 9 months ago and lost 37lbs and 47"! She gave me an easy to follow schedule for "cleanse days" and "shake days." On the cleanse days you are not eating store bought food (it's a cleanse, after all), but the schedule includes drinks and snacks every 1-2 hours. On the shake day you basically use the shake as a meal replacement then eat one healthy meal (plus lots of small snacks throughout the day). I'll know more once I actually start using it - tomorrow!


It was a pleasure to also meet Dr J's dad, Joe, when he stopped by the office. He is a real genuine guy and told me his own story of how he (and his wife) lost weight and how great he feels and how many other people he's helped since using Isagenix. He had some amazing photos of his before and after and was very encouraging. Thanks Joe!