So, What's New?

This blog is total proof that NO ONE should try and maintain 3 blogs at once! I haven't posted in quite awhile. I've received plenty of emails of people asking questions about what I have done after the cleanse, so that is what this post will be about.

Well, when the 30-day cleanse was drawing near to the end, I realized that I loved the shakes so much and I also loved the way the cleanse drink made me feel, that I purchased what is called the "Shake and Cleanse" which is just that. It does not come with the added vitamins, snacks and Ionix Supreme drink that the 30-day cleanse comes with.

So I wake up and have 1 ounce of cleanse drink, followed by a shake for breakfast. I try to eat healthy during the day and evening and then I exercise each day (usually giving myself 2 days during the week to take a break and do no exercise) and then I drink 1 more ounce of cleanse before bed.

For those who are thinking they cannot afford doing this, this is where it becomes more of a business and you try to share with people your own experience about it, and as they see your results, they will want to try it too.

The good thing about right now until August 10th, is Isagenix is waiving the $39.00 sign-up fee (with the purchase of something with 100 business volume...this might not make sense, but basically, if you purchase the 30-day cleanse, that counts as enough to waive the fee).

Currently I have not lost more weight, but rather maintained my weight. With traveling a lot and having all the kids home during the summertime, I am limited to keeping a consistent schedule, so I am just happy that I have maintained to where I got to. In a month when the kids are back in school, I am excited to kick it up a notch again. But right now, life's mainly about enjoying the summertime with the fam!

I am done...well not really...because I'm actually just beginning! Confused?

I apologize for not posting during my third week. I caught some kind of cold germ that the rest of the fam had and I pretty much just did what I needed to survive the week.

But I finished my 30-day Cleanse this week and I am very happy with the results.

I had a total weight loss of 12.8 pounds (which might not be a lot compared to others who do the 30-day Cleanse, but it was a lot for me because I did not have a whole lot to lose in the first place). I lost a total of 23.5 inches which amazes me! I really am just so pleased!

Here are some of the highlights from doing this:

1) Normally when my husband goes out of town for work, I have a really hard time with the kids. I completely respect single mothers, as well as women who's husbands are out serving our country for long periods of time. Cory will leave for about a week at a time which is very hard for me. But when I've been on the cleanse, I have had less stress and more energy and I am such a better person because of it. I am able to handle Cory being away and I feel like a much better mother with a positive attitude!

2) I have had a mental transformation. Before doing this, my mind would thinks things like, "What do I WANT to eat?" And then I would usually give in to satisfy whatever craving it was. Now my mind thinks things like, "What do I NEED to eat?" I am conscious of caloric intake. I am conscious of what my kids eat. I am conscious of what I cook. And I still enjoy myself. Sunday is Mother's Day, and I am going to reward myself with steak and potatoes, as well as Chocolate Molten Cake! But that's not going to throw me off course because I'm different now. I have begun a "get healthy" journey, and just want to keep going. I look forward to what the future will hold.

3) I now realize that I do not need to exercise and eat healthy so I LOOK good. That's obviously a plus, but more importantly, I realize how good I FEEL now that I have been exercising and eating healthy. I want to exercise. I look forward to watching a movie while I work on the elliptical. Tonight I will be watching half of Sense & Sensibility (love that movie) while I exercise. It's my ME time.

There is much more that I have learned and I really could go on. But I am just so happy that I feel good again. That was the main reason I did this.

So what comes next you say?

With Isagenix, it is recommended that you actually drink a little of the Cleanse for Life drink each day FOREVER. When I started this, I was like, "Well there's a great way for the company to always stay in business!" But now that I've been doing it, I realize that they mean it. I have noticed such a change from cleansing my body of toxins. So currently I am still buying the shakes (because I love the way they taste, and they are jam-packed with stuff that's great for you, and it's one less meal I have to prepare!) and I also am drinking 2 ounces of Cleanse for Life each day.

How long will I do this? Well, if I can afford it, then forever. It's worth every penny for me to feel this way. The great thing is, is that some people do this as a business. I am spreading the love not necessarily to make money from it, but a) I want others to feel as good as I do, and b) it would be nice to have the product paid for. If I happen to make money from people signing up, then that is an added bonus! (No pressure people...just sayin' it like it is!) And I am excited to know that I am not stopping at 12.8 pounds and 23.5 inches. The 30-day Cleanse was a jumpstart to the beginning of a new life for me. Each day I am getting closer to being able to wear my swimsuit and not have to have swim shorts over it! I am excited to start training for triathlons again...actually I have ALREADY started! My goal will be to beat my time from my last triathlon, and I think that will be hard to do.

(And as far as before and after photos, I'm not exactly wanting those to be on the internet. So for those of you who know me personally, I will show you if you want.)

Thank you to those who have supported me, as well as those who have emailed me with questions. I am happy to share my experience with you! Until next time!

Day 15

WOW! What a change in my energy level now that another week has past. Chris, my Isagenix Coach had mentioned that week 2 would probably be when I really noticed it kicking into gear. And she was right! I am feeling so good! I knew my first week would be the most drastic in weight lost compared to my other weeks. This week I did not lose as much, only 2 pounds (a total of 8.2 in 2 weeks), however I have added a little bit of strength training and from this I have lost an additional 6.88 inches. I am able to wear shirts that I hadn't before, because now my tummy is getting flatter....YEAH!!! And on Sunday at church people had asked me if I have been losing weight (I love when other people notice...it makes me want to keep going!)

I love the vanilla IsaLean Shake that I have for breakfast and lunch and actually crave it. When I drink it my hunger is sustained for hours and it totally fills me up!

I am not too fond of the taste of the Ionix Supreme (yes, I do have to plug my nose to get it down...just like I did with broccoli as a child). However, one of the many benefits of the Ionix Supreme is that it reduces stress. I have noticed a HUGE change from this, and obviously my kids have benefited from me not being as stressed! Just drinking the 1 to 2 ounces in the morning gives me extra energy to last throughout the day.

And finally, I still do have my cravings. However, the cravings are not homemade baked goodies anymore. I am now craving raw almonds, organic apples, and a VERY IMPORTANT thing called IsaDelight which are these dark rich chocolates that are advertised as "Happy Chocolates that Satisfy." Such a true statement! And I love that the ingredients inside will give me greater brain and heart health.

What I love about this is it's NOT a diet. It is a lifestyle change. Nutritional Cleansing is helping my body operate more efficiently, which helps me lose unwanted pounds and safely maintain healthy weight. I realize that I sound like I am trying to sell this product to you, and that's because I am! But the only reason I am trying to sell it to you is because of how good it is making me feel. Those closest to me have not only seen a physical weight loss change, but have noticed my emotions and energy are just so much better. So if you are interested or have questions, please feel free to email me and ask. Until next week!

Day 8

It has been one week since I have started Isagenix. I am feeling so much better! It just amazes me the changes that I have noticed in one week's time. First off, and most importantly, I have noticed that I am getting more energy and motivation. I sleep better at night, and when I wake up in the morning I am ready to go! (That in itself is a miracle). Secondly, I am not craving my homemade cookies! I even went through Easter Sunday where I cooked some of my favorite things for my family and I wasn't tempted! So far I have had the energy to exercise each day and it just lifts my mood and gives me an energy boost.

So, what is Isagenix? Basically a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, and a sensible dinner. There are some added supplements as well to make sure I am getting all the nutrition my body needs. I drink water water water! I am also learning how to listen to my body and have healthy snacks when I need them. Add at least 20 minutes of exercise and that basically makes up for 6 days of the week.

Then there is one day called the "Cleanse Day." On this day I drink "Cleanse For Life" 4 times throughout the day with plenty of water. I am allowed to snack on IsaDelights (yummy healthy chocolates) or raw almonds if needed. On the Cleanse Day you want to do little or no exercise and just let your body cleanse itself of the toxins and impurities. I do this on Sundays because I do not exercise on these days anyways.

In this one week's time I have lost 6.2 pounds as well as 9.82 total inches off my body. How's that for motivation? I am also so grateful to have the coach that I do. Her name is Chris McCoy and she has been wonderful. We have spoken on the phone and she has answered any questions I have had (which have been many). She has called me to "check in" and it has helped me know that I want to give her a good report. She was kind enough to even send me a gift to help with my cleanse. On my actual "Cleanse Day" she called me and asked how I was feeling. Thanks Chris for taking the time to care! Looking forward to my next week's post!

My Story

I have always been an active person. I really enjoy sports and doing things outside. All throughout my childhood and high school life I was involved in sports. When Cory and I got married we fell in love with triathlons. My last triathlon was November 2006.

One month later my mom unexpectedly passed away. When she died, something inside of me died too. For awhile I had no desire to exercise. I would go on an occasional run, but it was merely to have some time to myself or clear my thoughts...it was never for the sheer pleasure of running.

Six months later I got pregnant with my 4th child. This pregnancy was much harder then my other 3. I had to have quite a few adjustments from my chiropractor and physically I just always felt so tired, sick and achy.

After my baby Claire was born I was determined to lose my pregnancy weight. As soon as I had recovered, I started jogging right away. Life was great. I was feeling good. At 1 month old our baby started having seizures and we found out she has a tumor-causing disease called Tuberous Sclerosis. Weekly doctor appointments and tests consumed our family's lives. At 5 months old she had surgery to remove a brain tumor. Since then, I am glad to say she has been seizure free and is doing well. But it wasn't until her 1-year birthday in March that she stopped nursing, and is FINALLY taking naps and sleeping through the night.

My husband's work keeps him away from home quite a bit. He travels quite a bit and when he is in town, he often gets home after dinner. I love my children and would not trade being a stay-at-home mom for anything in the world.
However, all of these things adding up have led me to exhaustion. I feel like I am not the type of mom my kids deserve. At night I used to give back rubs and read stories. Now I get them to bed as quickly as possible because I am too tired. What used to be healthy meals in our house have become easy quick fixes like Mac 'N Cheese, Eggo waffles, cold cereal and milk. I used to have self-control, and now I am an emotional eater. When my husband is out of town and I have just put all the kids to bed, I find myself feeling like I DESERVE to have some cookies or ice cream. Even when my husband is home and says to me, "Why don't you go for a jog?" As much as I want to and yearn to, I am just too tired.

Although I still try to jog a couple times a week, and will go through "healthy eating" spurts, I am definitely not in the shape that "I" know I'm capable of. I don't feel like myself. I am physically and emotionally drained. I am at a turning point in my life. I WANT to get healthy, but am past the point of being motivated.

My sister heard of something called Isagenix. When she told me about it and I started researching it on the Internet, I noticed that the results people were feeling from it were: increased energy, help with sleep, weight loss, stop the sugar and starch cravings, etc. I realized that everyone had different purposes for doing Isagenix. As much as I want to lose weight, for me, what's most important is having energy and to stop craving sugars. If I have more energy, then I will be able to exercise. If I stop craving sugars then my exercising will actually work.

When I was describing to my girls my purpose of doing this, I wanted them to know how important it is for me to have more energy. I said to them, "What am I ALL THE TIME?" And Caitlynn's response was, "Eating, eating, eating, eating, sugar, sugar, sugar, sugar." I laughed so hard at this. It's somewhat true! However, Annika's response was what I was looking for. She said, "You're always tired Mom." My kids notice it. My husband notices it. And most importantly, I notice it. Yes, I know that sounds selfish, but it is time for me to take care of ME!!!

My surrounding circumstances are not going to change: My husband's job will still keep him really busy. I will still be raising 4 young children. My baby still has Tuberous Sclerosis which still requires doctor appointments and tests. Even if I just ate healthy and tried to exercise, I know I will still be tired. I am so excited to try Isagenix and start a journey to get me back to who I know I am!

Isagenix 30-Day Cleansing Guide

30 Day Cleansing Program Guide

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