Off My Plateau!

Two days straight now the scale has shown 139.5 (so glad my scale shows 1/2 pounds!). Finally got past that 140 barrier. Horray!

It's really amazing tho - less than a year ago my weight was in the low 160's and it seemed that no matter what I did, I couldn't lose the weight. I was at a standstill.

Now, with our Abundant Healthy Living (AHL) program and Arbonne's Figure 8 products and ALL of YOU, this journey to finding that healthy fit person inside me has been one of joy and fun and discovery. I had the misconception that I would have to deny myself many pleasures to be at a healthy weight. Instead, I feel like so many new and wonderful opportunities are opening up for me. And it's been all about the journey, the small changes, the little steps out of my comfort zone.

Thank you San for the initial invitation to coach with Mark and to create this program with the other initial team members. And, it's even more inspiring to be a part of AHL. This is a great journey! And I'm not done yet!

Recommitting Every Day.

Empowerment Partner!

Hi Everyone,
Big news at my house ... Rog is finally ready to chose Abundant Healthy Living with me! So now I have a new Empowerment Partner and I know it will be easier and more fun to do this together.
I keep thinking, what if I had given up because he wasn't ready?? So stick with it and when you least expect it, your family or friends might come around!
Here's to our healthy Wednesday! Love, San

Embracing the Program

Two days ago I TRULY recommitted and, I am happy to say, I am down three pounds. I am tired of the excuses, tired of failing, tired of just one more program, one more "try."

I had a light-bulb experience last night on our call. I was totally present. In previous weeks, I must admit, I was less than fully present. Last night, I really listened - and I REALLY got it.

Wow! The ladies in group one (a/k/a our illustrious leaders) have created a master program that really works...when you embrace and use the techniques. It's that one small change time and time again which equates to success. What other program allows you to pick yourself up when you fall off the train and recommit rather than beating up yourself and holding on to those "icky" feelings? What other program teaches you to evaluate your food before ingesting...humm,will this be fuel or poison? What other program encourages you to really think about the pros vs. the cons of AHL? And because I have always been an "all or nothing" kind of girl, I love the idea of "anything is better than nothing." Hence, I will park farther, take the steps, walk more, blog something.....

For two days I have 'forced' myself to drink the water. I feel alive. I have my game on. I am empowered! I have had to distract my thoughts from sugary foods because that's where I go under stress; and, as I said on the call I've been working a LOT of hours which puts me into stress land (sugarland). However, if I begin my day with exercise, water and solid intent to choose fuel over poison, practice the + one technique, and walk on this journey one decision at a time knowing my AHL partners are there with me, I know it will work for me too.

I love each of you and I thank you creating something which will accept each of us exactly where we are. This is a program for REAL people, in a REAL world, to make REAL changes. Right now I'm like the catapiller. But watch out world, the transformation has begun!

Learning to Love the Climb

It's amazing how with each call, there's at least one thing, and often more, that resonates with me; something that I need to hear or that truly inspires me.

I loved it when Ginny said "In real life there is no Top of The Mountain, you just keep learning to love the climb." Ginny - I don't know if that is a quote from someone else, or if it is a Ginny original, but I LOVE this. And it is so centered in what this Abundant Healthy Living Program is about.

I was deeply touched as some of this first series participants shared at the end of our call tonight. Anne, Elissa, Tina and Prue - you women are amazing and inspiring. I look forward to us learning to love this climb together - it's so much easier in your company.

Make this a great, healthy, and abundant week.

Love you all! Gerri

Love and Gratitude

Hi All,

I am so excited that we have completed our first full session of Abundant Healthy Living! My love and gratitude to Gerri, Ginny, Tee and Suzanne for all of their time invested and insights shared. And my huge and heartfelt thanks to each of you for participating and contributing!

I hope we have provided some empowering new principles to live by and enough education about Arbonne's incredible products to make you want them all!


We had between 15 and 20 people on each week and we look forward to seeing the program grow with each session.

Tonight, it was wonderful to hear from Anne, Tina, Elissa and Prue. Congrats on your successes and recommits!! We'd love to hear from more of you about your journey here on your Blog.

I have always loved summer time and I am thrilled to think about losing more weight in time for bathing suit season! Join me, anyone? Love, San

What a Pleasure

To hear from the folks on the team! Your awareness and breakthroughs are the reason we LOVE doing this call and sharing this information. Your changes - no matter the size or scope - gives me chills. Love yourself. Recommit. Bring someone in and let them feel the love. We welcome them and can't wait to share these principles.

I am in awe of each of you.

Tee

Abundant Healthy Living Call Tonight!

We are looking forward to our call tonight and have lots to share with you!
Please join us at 7:55 so we can begin at 8 sharp.

What a Joy

Hey AHF folks -

It is hard to believe that we are coming up on our sixth week together. What a joy it has been to be a co-leader on these calls every week. I am looking forward to continuing to play full out. Our weekly calls keep me focused on what I need to do to be successful at making a lasting lifestyle and mindset change.

I hope you all will get on the blog and post. If you want to make a new post - look in the upper right corner of the screen and there should be a New Post button. This will allow your thoughts to be in the body of the blog. If you want to comment after someone else's post, then just click the word "comment" after the post. The blog is a great way to give and receive encouragement. You can share as much or as little as you like. It is a great way to remember - you are not in this alone. We are a support system. And having a buddy or two makes anything easier.

Love yourself and just do something!
Tee

Glad to have my routine back

While traveling no longer gives me angst over gaining weight (I was gone a week in April and did NOT gain a pound!), I do love coming back home and back to my normal routine.

I love my flexibility with making my protein shakes with fiber and whatever else I want to add. I love being able to have a couple of water bottles set up ahead of time with fizzy tabs. And I love my morning walks with San.

I am so sorry I missed our Monday call, but I was still on a plane coming home. Believe me, I was with you guys in spirit!

And I just put in an order for the Cafe Mocha Chews! I didn't realize they were still available and they are a nice alternative to the Chocolate. Order before they are gone!!

Keep up with your Abundant Healthy Living Lifestyle!

Keep moving!

Hello All,

I met Gerri to walk this morning and it felt SOOO GOOD! Even though we did tons of walking at our Conference and Gerri kept me focused on taking the stairs instead of the escalators ... every single time it still felt great to walk full out for an hour.

Looking forward to hearing from you on the Blog!

Mornin'!

Hi Everyone! I have to say I enjoyed the call last night! There was so much good info, all designed to help us make better healthier decisions as to what we put in our bodies!
I'm so grateful for all who are participating!
Much Love and Affection!
Ginny

Hey, Suzanne?

Looking for a blog from you. Anytime, now. :-) Share your wisdom. xo Prue

Two Days! Pound Gone!

Hello, my friends. Well, into the 2nd day at NTC and after listening to so many teach me so much, I realized (thanks to Gerri) that I hadn't been giving breakfast the honor it deserves. It's the essential meal. Well, I knew I hadn't been eating breakfast, but - to skip that meal is a real mistake. What I noticed by snacking on healthy foods when hungry at NTC and not waiting until VERY hungry and then perhaps eating TOO much, my hunger abated. I did get very hungry for protein and resolved that by having an omelette. Then got hungry for BIG protein and resolved that by eating meat for dinner. Delicious, delectable free range chicken prepared just so. Nothing could have surprised me more when I got on the scale this morning and realized that 3 pounds are gone. Walking, eating with sensibility, and not waiting until famished ... helps me to utilize the program we are embracing with more sensibility. And the surprise. Looking forward to hearing you all on the next call. FYI - have a dinner one on one later this afternoon, so may be late. But know I'll call as soon as I get home.

challenge

When San suggested we have a day of eating food that nurtures us really got me thinking to a try it just for a day.. Well, I just started with a morning only then afternoon then at evening.. well it was a challenge especially at night. I really want piece of chocolate or something. . even though i never eat that much pastries in general but love ice cream and good chocolate time to time. I got to use the tool of making choices for fuel vs poison. It really felt empowering.. which i got to have benefit right away. In the past, I made choices like this but was not consistant. make good chices one day and skip some days be on track for couple days and then not.. you get the picture. another part of this is that I do this in my work too.. Light bulb!! What I am discovering is that I have this pattern and I do it everywhere. When I feel I dind't do something right or well, I spend way too much time and energy either feeling bad, beat myself up, worry, not too much sleep and STRESS!! I do get myself back on track but takes couple of days.. like I do with my food. WOW!!!! I am delighted to be aware of this behavior. I love the tool of recommitting and being gentle to myself and that I am Okay. I always known that but it takes time in between to acknowledge that of myself. More than that because it is me and i don't need to acknowledge myself long as I make impact with others and others acknowledgement is enough. it is very freeing know this now!! I am grateful for this workshop. Thank you San for encouraging me to be on this journey with you and to all of you!!

Sounds like Recommitting to Me!

Saw this quote and thought of us:

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start my friend, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end."
- Carl Bard

Isn't recommitting wonderful!

Fuel Option - Chocolate Protein Bars

Figure 8 Chocolate Protein Bars

Ingredients
2 cups natural peanut butter -- or 1 (16 oz.) jar
1 3/4 cups honey
2 1/4 cups chocolate Go Easy! Protein Shake with INNER G-PLEX
-- (or you can mix chocolate and vanilla)
3 cups dry uncooked oatmeal

· In a microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter and honey, heat in microwave for 70-90 seconds, until it easily stirs.
· Add protein powder and oatmeal and mix thoroughly. It will be thick. Press into a 9 by 16 inch pan.
· Refrigerate 1 hour, or until solid enough to cut into bars.
· Wrap each bar in foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
· Makes 32 bars (approx 2x2 inch bars). You can cut them even smaller!

* For extra fiber use ¼ cup Go Anywhere! Fiber Booster, and only 2 cups of protein powder.

Per Serving: 208 Calories; 9g Fat (38.4% calories from fat); 7g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber

Other Suggestions:

- Cut recipe in 1/2 and put in 8x8 pan. I then cut these into 1 inch squares. Great bite-size option and then you can divide the Per Serving information by 4. About 50 calories each!

- Line baking pan with saran wrap, makes it easy to remove from pan to put on cutting board to cut into bars or squares.

Enjoy!!

Abundant Healthy Living Travel ...

Hi Everyone,
Just checking in from Elissa's office. I am having sooooo much fun with Maddie, Elissa and Adrian.
We had a good travel day ... Rog and I packed lunch for the plane so we wouldn't be tempted by the junk they serve. Lots of water so I could stay hydrated during the flight and Elissa and Adrian served a beautiful salad for dinner.
Lis made me one of her shakes with cranberry juice as the base with blueberries and banana for breakfast ... really delicious!
Thanks to the AHL Team for your input, I will get back to you, asap.
Wishing everyone a Healthy Holiday weekend.
Remember that jelly beans and peeps are just sugar and food coloring! If you are going to splurge make it for something of high quality.
Love, San

Are You Hungry or Are You Thirsty?

Did you know that your brain does not differentiate between hunger and thirst? So, when you think you are feeling hungry, your body may in fact be signaling to you that you are thirsty!

And since most of us do NOT get enough water, you may want to try drinking water first to satisfy your 'hunger'. And there's nothing wrong with adding Arbonne's Fizzy Tabs to that water to make it easier to drink too!

So Drink Up!

Abundant Healthy Living Team,

In the morning I will be on my way to an Abundant Healthy Living visit with my daughter, Elissa and her gorgeous family, Adrian and Madeline.
Elissa and I will be 'in person empowerment partners' and will get in some nice walks and talks. For even more activity, "Gammie" will spend lots of time on the floor playing with Maddie! Love it!
Then, I head to Vegas to spend three amazing days with my Arbonne business partners, celebrating each other and learning about our new products!
There will be lots to talk about in the coming weeks! Keep up the Blogging and progress towards your goals. I will talk with you from sunny San Diego! Love, San

I Tripped Up

Oh my goodness, I tripped up today. I was stressing at work and went on a sugar binge. I immediately felt lousy - almost like I had to lay down and sleep. I am starting to feel healthier, make healthier choices and the sugar reminded me of how I was feeling frequently a couple of weeks ago.

You see, I'm making good choices for the most part. I have been packing my lunch - all healthy, yummy snacks, and eating lots of fruits and veggies. I've lost 3 pounds. So why did I sabatoge my success? Why did I run to the 'poison'?

Good news, is that I don't want that stuff in my body. It makes me feel crummy. I want to be vibrant and healthy. So I re-commit. (Oh, and by the way, I haven't bought any wine in a while! San, you know me.....and that's huge!!)

Tomorrow, another 10 hour day at work, but I will not allow this to trip me again. If it is warm enough, I will walk at lunch and REfresh my mind!~

xoxo

Three weeks into the process. The effort is worth it!

Hi All,

It feels good to have another week of our new program completed. We really are putting our hearts and all we have learned together to benefit YOU and to keep us on track. Keeping the information front and center is so valuable to all of us.

I hope that everyone has established their baseline weight and goal. If six of us lost 99 lbs, I am excited to think what 20 + of us will do.

For those of you already at a healthy weight, make sure to select a goal so we can add that to our success! Last time it was 99 lbs and Ginny quit smoking and Suzanne cut her smoking by 2/3rds.

I love reading on the Blog about how great you are feeling and the principles that are resonating with you. Lean into it, give it your best and we will astound ourselves!

Info will come out tomorrow on Stretching and Rebounding! Create an Abundant Healthy Week!

Love, San

Thanks

I am on my second day of the "new" me. It has been truly amazing how I have been able to curb my appetite with just the chews and the appetite suppressors before meals. I have never been able to do this before. I have actually divided the chew in half to try something different a couple of times. One half is for before I eat and the second half is my dessert. It takes away that sweet craving I seem to have after I eat a meal. Also, I have really been able to cut back on the amount I eat. Truly awesome to have this happen so quick.

I am very happy about being part of a group of such empowered women. Thanks!

I"d like introduce you to one of my fitness partners.

Great call. Wonderful information. I'm really looking forward to Plus One and 5 Minute Missions. My walking partner, Hogan, likes all this information, too! His diet is changing and he is eating healthy foods right alongside me. Today he had 5 carrots with his healthy dinner of real chicken and turkey. No more Alpo for Hogan. No no no! It's a household change we're working toward, and it seems to suit us just fine. Hogan is happier since we have changed our eating habits and 'ingredients'. In fact, just today he met a new friend: Jackson. Jackson is a 7 year old Springer Spaniel (MALE) with whom Hogan did not fight! Instead, they sniffed and circled, then decided to be friends. That's a first for Hogan who in the past would "mix it up" with a male dog no matter what. I attribute his change of attitude to abundant healthy living, a change in attitude, and an increase in self esteem. I feel great tonight! Thanks to all of you.

Prue

The First Surprise!

I have a weakness for strawberry milkshakes.... or at least, I had one. This morning I discovered the best substitute! 8 oz. lo fat milk, 2 scoops vanilla protein shake, 1 scoop fiber, 5 strawberries, ice cubes, whip and pour. YUM! Wait just a minute! Tastes better than those
pure cream frappes you pull away from Chick Fil A into a shady spot to drink before anyone sees ya. No way! Not for this serious berry slurper. Now it's a new me with protein and fiber sipping with a smile as I walk with Hogan. He gets his brisk morning exercise, I get mine, and we top it off with an better, healthier strawberry shake. It's the best. 1 pound down. Thanks for all contributions to the blog.... it is with this kind of support that we make it through each and every day.

Morning Walks in Spring - Glorious!

Good Morning Everyone!

I treated myself this morning to a long walk in the neighborhood, about 4 miles. I love walking outdoors, especially in the Spring and Fall. Today it was about listening to the birds, enjoying all the daffodils and other Spring flowers and looking for other signs of Spring emerging. This is when daily walks fascinate me, seeing different trees in bloom or beginning to leaf out. Listening to a chorus of birdsong. Looking for that occassional hawk or big blue heron soar overhead.

I know that walking is good for me physically, but my outdoor walks fill my spirit just as much. I am so grateful to be able to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature. And my mind can go in whatever direction it wants. It's amazing what conversations I can have with myself (or not) on these walks!

May each of you do something today that is good for you in body and in spirit too!

The Gang!

So nice to see you all on the blog chatting it up! Well now, I'll have to get a nickname too! Tiny Tina, Agile Annie, Energetic Elissa.....hmm, Jumpin' Gin, that'll do! I could kick my butt, passed on a walk this afternoon, it wasn't nice out, clouds and sprinkles....then again it was 51 so that's huge! Tomorrow the sun will be out and I promise myself I will go!
Great Weekend All!
XO
Gin

Happy, Healthy Weekend!

I love reading your posts and the fact that we are already supporting each other.
I can't wait to see a few more people let us know about yourself and your goals!
It's been a good week for me and it is going to be a beautiful weekend so I am going to get a couple of extra walks in!
We have Monday's call ready and we are looking forward to sharing more empowering wisdom with you!
Off to fuel shop next. Love, San

Fizzy Drink

I tried the suggestion that Mom passed along, which was to put half of a 'Citrus' tablet in with half of a 'Pomegranate' and it is DELICIOUS!! I definitely prefer the taste over either of the two flavors on their own.

The secret weapon...

Think the most important thing besides the mindset is remembering to take the Going Going Gone. I have been great about taking it 3 times per day up until yesterday when I only took it in the morning. The rest of the day, I seemed to crave more "bad things". Here is my eating sched:

• Shake in the morning: water, 2 scoops vanilla protein shake, 1 scoop fiber, banana, strawberries and lots of ice. (Or the decadent chocolate peanut butter shake: milk, 2 scoops chocolate protein shake, 1 scoop fiber, tablespoon of peanut butter and lots of ice.)
• Lunch: sandwich and some fruit or a bowl of soup and 2 corn tortillas
• Afternoon: fizzing tab in water
• 1 glass of white wine (can't give that up!)
• Dinner: whatever we have although not eating seconds
• After dinner: detox tea with honey

I love being held accountable, but not judged for the missteps along the way. : )

Glad to Be Here

Hi Everyone.

San, thanks for inviting me too! I'm excited to begin this journey and looking forward to learning how to "blog"....ha,ha,ha! Excited to be in touch with my Arbonne family - I miss all of you and love that we can connect in such an empowering and healthy way. More to come!

Elissa Prentice

Hey everyone! For those who don’t know me, I’m San’s daughter. I’m 35 and live out in sunny San Diego with my husband and our two year old daughter. One of my main goals is just to get back into an exercise routine. I can count the number of times that I’ve exercised over the last three years on one hand! Ever since about halfway through my pregnancy, I haven’t really found the time in my day (or energy) to exercise. I know it’s been about choices/priority … I’d always rather spend my time with Madeline or resting/sleeping than exercising. However, I do remember how good it made me feel and I also know how much better I’ll feel about myself once I start again. At this point I do count running around and playing with my toddler as “something” but I’d like to be doing more. My husband is working with me to try to figure out times in my busy daily schedule where I can fit this in. I’m also considering purchasing a treadmill to put in my garage so that it’s super convenient for me and I can do it when Madeline is sleeping. I just have to remember that it’s not supposed to turn into a drying rack / coat rack. ;)

My other goal is to lose inches!! I’m more concerned with inches and how I look & feel than I am with pounds, so my baseline was established by taking measurements in five places: upper abs, waist, lower abs, hips and thighs. Of all of the times I’ve taken these measurements, last week was my biggest on record … so I have a lot of work to do.

Here’s what I’ve already changed~

• Fuel vs. Poison - I think about food as food versus poison all of the time now. It’s already engrained in me, which is fun! There are times when I’m making choices that I know are poison but those are dwindling. I’d say I’ve already gone from 40% fuel / 60% poison to 65% fuel / 35% poison!
• Alcohol – my husband and I used to drink a glass or two of red wine nearly every night … one when we got home and started our evening and sometimes a second one with dinner. We have cut back to only having wine on Friday and Saturday nights. This is HUGE for us ~ such a change to our routine. Not only has this help significantly with my fuel vs. poison ratio, but it’s saving us $$.
• Shakes - I’ve been making a shake nearly every morning for breakfast. I use cranberry juice (100% juice) as my base and add 2 scoops of protein shake, 1 scoop of fiber, some ice cubes, half of a banana, and a spoonful of frozen organic blueberries. YUM YUMMMM!
• Chews – I normally eat one chew around 10:30-11:00 in the morning, when I’m starting to get hungry for lunch. Then I eat lunch closer to noon. I also sometimes eat another chew (or two) in the late afternoon, around 3:00pm, which is when I used to make a trip to our work chocolate bowl.
• Detox Tea – I’ve been a cup of this most nights after dinner. It’s my new treat after we clean up and sit down to relax. I’ve always loved all kinds of tea so this wasn’t too difficult for me to incorporate, but the good thing is that this tea ‘treat’ has replaced dessert which used to consist of chocolate most nights. Some nights we even add a scoop of fiber into it! … I didn’t think that would work (it was my husband’s idea) but it dissolves well and it’s tasteless.
• Going Going Gone – I’ve just started on these in the last couple of days. My main challenge is going to be remembering to take them and always having them with me. I haven’t noticed their effect yet but I trust my Mom and Gerri that they really do work!!!

I haven’t started exercising yet but at least it’s still on my list, and I’m working on making it a higher priority. :) I really loved the concept of ‘Something is better than Nothing’ and I’m going to remember that as I introduce exercise back into my life. Maybe I should get a dog so that I’m forced to go on a walk twice a day!?! Hahahah.