I'M BACK - WITH PICTURES

Hello everyone,

I'm back! - both from a short blogging hiatus as well as a recent and superb two week vacation with Michele at our cosy pied-a-terre in the village of Cassis in the South of France. More on that later......
First and foremost I'm pleased to report that the weight continues to stay off and I appear to have stabilized at around 180 lbs. which feels great. This is especially gratifying as I must confess to a less than slavish adherence to the full Isagenix regime now that the 30 day program has finished. On the plus side I believe that a key positive outcome of the 30 day program has been a material and continued recalibration of my eating choices and habits. For example high carb. items such as bread, potatoes or corn rarely appear on my menu anymore and have instead been replaced by cous cous more fresh veggies and lots of summer sweet tomatoes. Coffee, the occasional beer and wine are back on the list - I didn't join a monastery after all - and are being enjoyed in moderation. I continue to churn out Isagenix shakes for breakfast and lunch with frozen fruits and berries that turn them into cool and delicious summer smoothies - yum! I have also interspersed a couple of full cleanse days into the mix since completing the program as it feels good to get those internal bits rinsed, buffed and polished and any errant pounds summarily dealt with. In discussing the Isagenix program with busy friends who have also embarked on the program, a common and oft repeated benefit seems to be the satisfaction at having found a nutritious and great-tasting breakfast solution in the protein rich Isa-Shakes. Prior to that it was a quick cup of coffee and perhaps a muffin or similar - all repeated at mid-morning - and all bereft of any meaningful nutritional benefit. Now it's a tasty and nutritious start to the day which carries through the morning - and can be repeated at lunch - or not depending on your day. Without sounding like too much of a nutrition-nazi the point is that our habits have changed for the better and our bodies are benefiting - and it feels good.

Now to France. I debated whether to take some Isagenix products with me such as protein bars or shakes or accelerator capsules or whatever but in the end said "the hell with it, I'm on vacation and will make healthy choices while I'm there". And that's what I did. Every Wednesday and Friday is market day in Cassis and the profusion of fresh fruit and veggies is just awe inspiring. Michele and I would load up on fresh produce - and amazing flowers - then would stroll down to the port to see what success the fishermen had enjoyed. Inevitably there would be a selection of fish fresh out of the Mediterranean which would be cleaned and scaled on the spot to be enjoyed later that evening with a chilled glass - or two - of the local rose and the fresh veggies etc. O.K. I confess to enjoying the local breads and cheeses - I was in France after all - but the extraordinary thing is that I only added 3 lbs. over the two week period I was there which has now pretty much disappeared. All in all a fabulous holiday with no negative fallout - except for the mischief visited upon my Visa card - but that's another story!!
I have attached some photos of the Cassis market for your viewing pleasure and to give you some idea of the luminescent light that made the region such a popular destination for the artists of yore. If you would like to see a larger image, simply click on the photo.

Cheers and be well.

Ashley

THE ADVENTURE CONTINUES

Now that we have 'officially' completed the 30 day cleanse and weight loss program and are enjoying the great results, the question on everyone's lips is - "so how are you going to maintain what you have achieved?" And that is what I'm going to report on here.......

If you've been following the saga thus far you will remember that we completed our program on Wednesday, April 21st. - and today it's Friday May 7th. - 15 days hence. Well the good news is that the weight is not only staying off but I have actually dropped a couple more lbs. to a net loss of 19 lbs. and my energy level is still way up. I attribute this to the fact that I have developed better eating habits overall. I am not deliberately avoiding the high fat and carb heavy foods it's just that I don't crave them as I did before. What has returned to my menu is the great pleasure of a glass of wine (or two) with dinner and a cold beer after exercise and the occasional cup of coffee - but not in the same volumes as previously. I have no doubt that other gustatory pleasures such as bread (ACE baguettes) and hard cheese such as Jarlsberg will reappear on the list in time - but now that I have a new reference point against which to measure myself on the bathroom scale any excesses will be immediately seen and dealt with accordingly in the form of reduction or removal of the offending comestible/s until weight equilibrium is restored.

It's also worth mentioning that because I like them I am continuing with the Vanilla & Chocolate protein shakes with fresh berries at breakfast and lunch and also with carrot and cucumber snacks in between. I have also tried the Isagenix Slim Cakes cookies which are delicious as well as the Isa Delight chocolates which are of a very high quality and leave a delicious and lingering chocolate taste in the mouth. I am planning a cleanse day this Sunday just to buff and polish the internal system and evacuate any lingering toxins.

As a side note a few friends who have also embarked on the Isagenix journey are experiencing the same benefits as I did and are super pleased thus far with the results.

So in summary, like most things you only get out what you are willing to put in, and in the case of Isagenix I feel that the payoff has been far greater than the investment. Therefore I would have no hesitation in recommending this program to anyone who is looking for a way to lose weight and boost energy in a balanced and manageable way.

Ashley Walkley
Toronto, Canada
Friday. May 7, 2010

IT'S A WRAP!

End of week 4:
Today, April 21st. marks the conclusion of our 30 day Great Isagenix Adventure and while it might be the end of the chapter, it certainly isn't the end of the relationship. The results and benefits are just too good to ignore and having come this far down the track of whole-being wellness I have no intention of backsliding to where I was.

As Susan Sly says, "it's not what you're going through, it's where you're going to" and I have arrived at where I wanted to be at this point in the program. On reflection there were a few wobbly moments staying on the straight and narrow during the 30 days with myriad temptations designed to lure the unwary off the wagon. These happened mostly at the beginning because as one moves further into the program, the compounding benefits act as a kind of buffer and support mechanism against the verboten attractions and distractions. Moreover the Isagenix regime becomes a habit (it takes 21 days to form a habit according to the pundits) and once you're in the groove and seeing the results, it becomes intrinsically supportable.

Many friends and colleagues who observed my progress throughout the process have asked - "so what's the best outcome you have experienced from Isagenix?" to which there is no single answer. However, I shall attempt to list the top-ten things, both important and trivial, that impressed me the most, to wit:
1) Very satisfactory weight loss - I exceeded my target (more later)
2) Huge uptick in real energy and mental clarity
3) Blood pressure back to normal from unhealthy high
4) Deeper and more restful sleep -waking refreshed
5) Stress levels way down, more relaxed
6) Much easier to put on shoes
7) Getting back to exercising (running & biking) non-stop with no latent fatigue
8) Fitting into favorite clothes again
9) Shopping for some new summer duds - one size down
10) An all-encompassing feeling of well-being and overall wellness

Final Results:
Measurements: Start 363.9" - Finish 343.4" - Lost - 20.5" (mostly from waist & abdomen)
Weight: Start 195.2 lbs - Finish 178.5 lbs. - Lost - 16.7 lbs (target was 15.2 lbs.)

What's Next?
My primary objective is to preserve the gains made by continuing with the Isagenix regime - perhaps in an abbreviated format. The breakfast and lunchtime shakes will continue as will the Ionix Supreme (what a great product) and Natural Accelerator capsules. A weekly cleanse will also likely stay on the list augmented with the citrus energy drink. Beyond that a little vino may creep back onto the dinner table and a cold beer on a hot day may also be deemed worthy of consideration.
The key thing is that now I have a new benchmark for wellness, it will become the standard against which to measure future progress. Stay tuned and thanks for your interest thus far!

Our Isagenix Journey

Week 3 Report

It's the end of week 3 and we're right into the swing of things now with the Isagenix regime being very much a part of our daily life. It's amazing how results drive behaviour and we continue to surprise ourselves at the ease with which we have re calibrated our nutritional intake. No longer do I face the day with a cup of tepid coffee and a rushed - or often - no breakfast leaving me starving by mid-morning when the hunt is on for errant Tim-Bits, left-over cake or a toasted bagel with jam from the coffee-truck!! Nice........

Instead it's a vanilla protein shake with fresh strawberries enjoyed with a natural metabolism accelerator that gets me through the morning with ease. Then a chocolate shake at lunch with fresh blueberries and perhaps a few raw carrots or celery at 3.00 pm - a time when most of us are looking for a place to lie down! That feeling has completely disappeared to be replaced by a steady and constant energy level that continues right through the afternoon and into the evening.

It's difficult to put my finger on it but the more I experience the beneficial effects of this Isagenix program the more I'm convinced that the weight loss piece is a hugely positive side-effect of a bigger canvas which is an incredibly powerful and holistic renewal of both my mental and physical being. I know it sounds a little extreme but there is no other way to explain it and I am constantly aware of how much better I feel in my own skin. (which incidentally is also looking healthier).

I may have mentioned in an earlier posting that I have just entered my sixth decade where the prevailing thinking is that quick fixes in the physical and mental areas are much harder, if not impossible to come by. Well no longer do I subscribe to that line of thinking as this program has completely revitalized me in only three weeks. And I would expect these results to be universal, irrespective of age, gender or outlook.

As usual I shall conclude with the results of our third weigh-in and measurement check as follows:

Starting weight: - 195.2 lbs.
3rd. weigh-in: - 183.6 lbs.
Net loss to date: - 11.6 lbs.

Starting measurements: - 363.5 inches
3rd. week measure-in: - 353.5 inches
Net loss to date: - 10.0 inches

The curious but satisfying thing about the measurement track is that while I've lost the most around my waist and abdomen, I've actually gained girth around my calves due to running and cycling - and probably some muscle too.

I'm not sure how many people are following this blog but if you are and you have a question or comment please contact me at aew@rogers.com and I'll get right back to you.

Be well,
Ashley

Our Isagenix Journey

Week Two Report:
Well, we have reached the end of week two, with Easter in the middle, and I'm delighted to report that the net loss continues - albeit a little more slowly now that the 'easy-pounds' have been released. But a little more about that later because first up we have.........

The Week in Review:
I think it's fair to say that we found week two much easier to handle than week one! This is attributable to several factors which I shall cover off as follows.

1) Improved General Outlook - One of the key benefits of this program is just how much better you feel overall. It's not something you can measure like weight loss or reduced inches but rather a constant and pleasurable background feeling that something good is happening to your body which results in a much sunnier and positive outlook on life. It's a really nice feeling and people tend to notice the difference.

2) Huge Energy Gains - If we had an instrument to measure energy gain then it would simply be off the chart. This past Easter weekend for example found us biking every day as well as me putting in a couple of 2 mile runs. Normally we would be found asleep on the sofa after such exertion but instead we are alert and energized and spending great evening's together simply relaxing and planning our next day activities. And it's not a frenetic, artificial energy but is part of that general feeling of well being referred to in point one.

3) Increased Mental Clarity - No question about it - we're sharper. For example we were right in the middle of a rather complex real estate transaction which had been a source of great mental and physical stress. However over the past couple of weeks we have been able to see things more clearly and make better strategic decisions related to this challenge. Suffice it to say that we have now solved this chronic problem and I firmly believe that an increased mental acuity contributed enormously to this positive outcome. Decisions and choices now come quicker and issues that previously would have caused a great deal of angst are now simply bumps in the road.

4)Economic Benefits - The 30 day program we're on replaces a total of 68 meals and we are already well ahead of the game financially on food expenses. Trips to the supermarket for salad, veggies, fish and lean meat are not only less frequent but are also coming in at about half of what we would normally spend. Add to that the absence of LCBO expenses and multiple daily coffee hits and the savings are mounting while our waistlines are shrinking.

5) Apologies to Goodwill - Like most folk we are having a bit of a spring-clean during which I planned to donate a bunch of pants and jackets that didn't fit anymore. Well that plan has been cancelled as I tried on these clothes over the weekend and guess what, they are now fitting me again and by the time I hit my goal of 15 lbs. they will look fantastic. It's like living the dream of "I'm not going to throw that out as I really like it and I'm going to lose weight so it fits again". How many of us can say we've achieved that goal?

6) The Challenges - Let's face it we are human and basically creatures of habit so there are going to be some challenges to face along the way. My biggest challenge after week one and the attendant weight loss was to stay the course and remain focused. As I saw the great results I was experiencing I took my eye off the ball at dinner and let the portion sizes creep up so I was exceeding the recommended 600 calories. Tasted great at the time but I began feeling bloated again and my weight started creeping back up so I was losing the gains I had already worked so hard to achieve. Fortunately I recognized the problem and dialled back my food intake while increasing my water intake and reversed the trend to get back on track. An easy trap to fall into and one to be aware of.
The second challenge relates to what I will call 'office treats'. Like a lot of people I am currently working in an office where kind-hearted co-workers will bring in baked cookies, cakes and other treats for everyone to enjoy - not to mention the odd box of Tim-Bits. These were particularly hard to ignore during week one when hunger was rampant but I found a good solution was to have some healthy snacks like celery or carrots or nuts handy to munch on instead of the sweet, sugary stuff. As I'm now into my 3rd week and really focused on the Isagenix program it's much easier to ignore the siren call of the calorie demon and chug a glass of water and a couple of small carrots instead. And man you will feel virtuous!!

To wrap up and getting back to the weight loss track you will remember that I released 8 lbs. in week one to go from 195 to 187. As mentioned above I gained back a pound but have lost that again plus 2 more to be at 185 at the halfway point (day 15) of the program. This represents a net loss of 10 lbs to date with our next weigh in on Wednesday April 7th. In essence I have released 2/3 of my target weight loss of 15 lbs in the first half of the program so perhaps the target may be recalibrated downwards after Wednesday's weigh-in. Stay tuned!

Our Isagenix Journey

INTRODUCTION:

On Monday March 22, 2010 Michele (my wife) and I started a 30 day Isagenix cleanse and weight loss program. This blog will track our progess as well as our views on the pros. and cons. of the Isagenix program.



1) WHY ISAGENIX?

As the years passed we have experienced a slow but steady weight gain despite an active lifestyle and a sensible diet. As we can no longer lay claim to being in our 50's we have found it increasingly difficult to shed these unwanted pounds and needed an intervention that really made a difference. In the past we tried the South Beach diet which delivered good results but we found it too fussy and not particularly user friendly. What we really needed was a tried and tested regime that was easy to follow, delivered the necessary nutrition and didn't require us to adopt a monastery-like lifestyle for it to be effective. From our research and user testimonials Isagenix seemed to possess all the attributes so we signed up.



2) OUR GOALS:

Fundamentally to lose weight and unwanted body mass (i.e. fat!) that was making us look chunky and feel lethargic. We were also aware of the negative impact of extra pounds on critical health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, heart problems etc. My personal goal is to lose 15 lbs and three inches around my waist - as well as bring down my blood pressure. Michele's goals are similar but as I'm writing this blog I shall be focusing primarily on my progress.



3) BEFORE BEGINNING:

Like most regimes of this type, getting familiar with the program before starting is absolutely key. We read the literature, listened to the CD's and familiarized ourselves with the products, their names and attributes. We also printed out a weekly usage calendar to track what we should be taking and when. This proved invaluable in setting a rhythm of regular and timely enjoyment of the various components of the cleanse program. We also relied on the experiences of our sponsor Emilie to answer questions and provide needed guidance. Another important task is the initial body-measure and weigh in which we completed and recorded to measure against our first data-point comparison on day 8 of the program.



4) WEEK ONE:

No question - the first three days were the hardest as we jumped right in at the deep end. We went cold-turkey on coffee, wine, bread, cheese and most of the 'bad' things we had become so accustomed to eating. We really are creatures of habit and when those habits are altered to replace the usual with the unusual good things start to happen. Day 1 was a novelty of trying the new products but days 2 & 3 were tough as our bodies started evacuating the accumulated toxins. Lethargy, hunger and a slight but persistent headache were constant companions but some really good things were happening inside. By day 4 we were pretty much into the swing of things and looking forward to our morning vanilla protein shake dressed up with fresh strawberries - and a chocolate shake at lunch dressed up with blueberries. Our energy returned with a venegance and when we hit the hay at night, it was 'light's-out' for a solid seven hours - waking up fully refreshed. Of course the highlite of the day was the healthy evening dinner of 400 to 600 calories which was easy to prepare as we've always been into salads and lean meats and man they tasted good. And when we ran out of ideas the South Beach menu proved to be a handy reference tool. By the time we hit day 7, our first cleanse day, we were rolling and really starting to see and feel the benefits of our strict adherence to the program. Little things like an increased vitality, looser clothing - especially jeans - noticeably clearer skin and above all - a steady drop in the reading on the bathroom scale. So we were pumped and ready to go on our first cleanse day which really performed as advertised. It was as though the 'nasties' in our system that had been missed on the previous 6 days were suddenly liberated and a proper flush took place. Side effects were fatigue and a mild return of the headache but all in all a tolerable experience and a real boost to the regime in terms of shaving off a few more unwanted 'wobbly bits'.
On day 8 out came the scales and tape measure which showed a cumulative loss of 4.5 inches on the measurement chart and a net loss of 8 lbs. on the weight chart. A very satisfactory result to date and a a great incentive to keep focused on the journey to renewed health and vigour. Stay tuned for week two.