When I first started Isagenix, I was feeling bloated, moody, tired, and just all around "bad". I wasn't fuelling my body properly, if it all at times, and having a hard time sustaining what I needed to support feeding Camryn. I knew I needed something and that it had to be a simple solution because I sure didn't have the time OR energy to deal with anything complex. I tried returning to my Paleo lifestyle but continuously failed to cut the "crap" out of my day. It was just so much easier to grab. Prep time just wasn't something that was available. So, again, I needed something that I could whip up and know that I was putting good nutrition into my body.
So what has this meant to me?
Well, in the beginning I had to get past the fact that I was not having a fork and knife meal. Reality was I wasn't eating anything at all at times so not sure why this was tough for me to get past. I also needed to research it before I actually committed. I needed to know what I was putting into my body. I needed to know that as a nursing Mommy, this was ok. I found that Isagenix shakes contain organic fruits and vegetables. BAM! Well that was a bonus. But here was the clincher, the whey protein comes from grass fed, undenatured cows. Exactly what I look for when purchasing beef. Gluten and soy free, awesome because I've developed a gluten intolerance. All of these attributes made me feel that this was the best option for me. Sure it may not be for everyone and I have a few people wondering what the heck I'm doing but this isn't for them (sorry), it's for me and for my family.
Ok, so I decided to really commit to this new lifestyle (it's not a diet!), and dive right in to their IsaBody Challenge. This is a 16 week transformation challenge. I've just completed the first 30 days. Although I am not able to do a cleanse while breastfeeding I am able to use quite a bit of their other products. You must use/purchase a certain amount of their product throughout the 16 weeks. Well this is very easy when everyone in your family is enjoying at lease 1 shake a day (yes, this is great for children as well!).
What happened over those 30 days?
Since most people want to hear numbers, here they are:
Weight -6lbs
Waist -1.5 inches
Lower Abs -2.5 inches
Hips -1.5 inches
Legs -.5 inches on the left, 0 on the right
I didn't do all the measurements they usually request like arms and chest. My chest measurement well that would be false depending on how close I was to feeding Camryn ;). I'm going to take the other measurements for the next 30 though just out of curiosity.
So as you can see, those are some pretty awesome numbers. Some might be thinking "Ya well you're back at the gym". Well I wasn't really back for the first 2 weeks because Camryn wasn't cooperating with her sleep schedule. The last 2 weeks I have consistently been there 4 days per week. Can you imagine what those numbers would be like if all 4 weeks were consistent?
Some people want to see visual (this is putting it all on the line here and for those who couldn't believe I could take an ugly picture, think again LOL). This time I didn't make sure I was so nicely tucked in LOL. These pictures put it all out there. My lovely photographer, Ciara, took 5 of these pictures. I had to redo the side profile as you couldn't actually see my belly from her angle:
Here's the best part of all this. Yes, those numbers make me happy as I had been a little number crazy for a while BUT let me tell you about how I feel. I cannot believe that this sleep deprived Mommy has the energy to get up and hit a 6am class (no excuses). When I hit that 6am class, I'm giving it all that I've got. That's pretty awesome. I no longer Zombi feed my daughter in the middle of the night. I can actually get up, function, feed, and get back into bed without running into a wall or tripping over something and breaking a toe. I have been feeling much happier, so much like the me I found a few years ago. I am recovering well from my workouts (a little rough one day after doing 150 sit-ups but kind of expected when you don't have abs anymore LOL). I feel so awesome and ready to train, that I signed up for my first ever strength competition, North of 9 Feats of Strength. Trust me, I don't expect any awesome finish but I do expect to train, learn and enjoy myself. Why not?
So that is it. That's how awesome I feel after my first 30 days of the IsaBody Challenge. Is it for everyone? Probably not. Is it for me? Sure as heck is! I am very happy with my decision and I hope others will be happy for me too :)
