Thanks to Michelle for her inspiration!

Aug 18, 2009

Goal weight? 135lbs. Today's scale reading? 131.5! 

I've been walking with Michelle in her awesome weight loss journey, and refining my own results at the same time. I've even had people comment that I've changed in the last six months.

So, thank you to Michelle for inspiring ME! You're amazing, girlfriend!


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Dr. Barry Sears "Toxic Fat" (another reason I do what I do!)

Mar 21, 2009

Dr. Barry Sears: Toxic Fat
By Mimi Elliott
The 700 Club

CBN.com“IF YOU’RE FAT, IT’S NOT YOUR FAULT”

Dr. Sears has dedicated his research efforts over the last 30 years to the study of lipids, and developed The Zone Diet as a simple way to consume a low-fat protein with a low-glycemic carbohydrate and fish oil. As a biochemist, Dr. Sears understands the real epidemic behind the obesity crisis in our country.

While many believe obesity is due to gluttony or laziness, Dr. Sears disagrees. Rather, he views obesity as a form of “cancer” driven by inflammation and says the good news is that “if you’re fat, it’s not your fault.” Basically, the advice we hear to eat less and exercise more is meaningless.

Dr. Sears explains that the underlying cause of chronic diseases (like allergies, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, Lupus, etc.) comes from the increased production of a natural fatty acid called arachidonic acid (AA), which can be toxic at high concentrations. Oddly enough, accumulation of excess body fat is your body’s initial attempt at protecting you, by encapsulating or trapping the toxic fat in your fat cells. The problem is that the toxic fat doesn’t stay trapped forever. Once it begins to spill into the bloodstream, Dr. Sears says you now have Toxic Fat Syndrome (TFS).

Dr. Sears' recent book, titled Toxic Fat, tells readers how they can use food as a drug to rid their bodies of toxic fat.

“Toxic Fat Syndrome is caused by your diet and fighting it is a life-long struggle,” Dr. Sears said. 

Dr. Sears believes the foods we eat should be treated like drugs (eaten at the right time with the proper balance of protein, carbs and fat). The epidemic of inflammation driven by increasing levels of toxic fat in the blood is a result of the American diet over the past 20 years: increased consumption of refined carbohydrates and vegetable oil along with the decreased consumption of healthy Omega-3 fish oil.

REVERSING TOXIC FAT SYNDROME
           
The good news is that toxic fat can be reversed in less than 30 days through a combination of the anti-inflammatory Zone Diet. 

“Reversing TFS is easy if you are willing to make the time to do it,” Dr. Sears said. 

15-second Prescription: Consume as much ultra-refined EPA/DHA concentrate (super fish oil) as you can. Dr. Sears has a line of super fish oils. With this one simple action, Dr. Sears says you have gone a great distance to reduce silent inflammation by diluting out toxic fat and move you to a higher state of wellness in 30 days.

30-minute Prescription:  Prepare Zone meals using Zone Meals in Seconds or other Zone Diet recipe books.

3-hour Prescription:  Take adequate levels of super fish oil, eat 3 Zone meals, add 30 to 60 minutes of daily exercise and 20 minutes of rest (called stress reduction).
           
Being thin doesn’t always mean you’re healthy. Dr. Sears says you can be thin and still have high levels of toxic fat in the blood (the only way to measure it is from the blood). 

Manuel Uribe, who is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the heaviest man in the world, has lost more than one-third of his body weight and now weighs just over 800 pounds.  A team of international doctors, led by Dr. Sears, helped Manuel lose the weight. 

“I can’t get him healthier than he is right now,” Dr. Sears said.  Dr. Sears meets with Manual several times a year.
           
Dr. Sears is a leading authority on the dietary control of hormonal response. A former research scientist at the Boston University School of Medicine, Dr. Sears holds 13 U.S. Patents in the area of intravenous drug delivery systems and hormonal regulation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

His research has elevated food from more than simply a source of calories to being recognized as an exceptionally powerful drug. Dr. Sears continues his research as President of Zone Labs, and in addition, he has expanded his research in developing innovative dietary approaches to the treatment of cancer and neurological conditions; as well as his on-going treatment of cardiovascular disease and type-2 diabetes.

A NOTE FROM DR. BARRY SEARS

Dr. Barry Sears

Little did I realize ten years ago the impact that the Zone Diet would have on nutritional thinking on a worldwide basis. I guarantee you that both my publisher and I were amazed that anyone ever bought my first book, The Zone. This was because it was written primarily for cardiologists to alert them to the hormonal impact of food.

Even though I have written some 10 books on the Zone Diet that have sold more than 4 million copies, the Zone Diet still remains largely misunderstood by the general public.  The concept of the Zone has relatively little to do with weight loss, but everything to do with the reduction of silent inflammation.

Although silent inflammation is now becoming recognized as the underlying cause of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, I came to the same conclusion nearly 20 years ago when the 1982 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded for early work in the study of eicosanoids. Eicosanoids are the hormones that control inflammation and can be dramatically altered by the diet. I reasoned that the key to treating chronic disease in the future was to control the production of these hormones and keep them in a therapeutic zone that was neither too high, nor too low. My 20-year odyssey to understand how the diet can be used as a powerful tool in the life-long control of silent inflammation eventually became the Zone Diet.

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Poor Seattle sewer system got the worst of me yesterday

Feb 17, 2009

I can't believe I urinated out 4.5 pounds yesterday. Hallelujah, dear sweet John Anderson, your products work.

Back at goal, feeling mighty fine.


Clean and lean, as they say, for life. Time for a delicious shake. Vanilla. Creamy, smooth, and oh so good for me.
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From my friend Rick, on scales and tape measures

Feb 13, 2009

Rick Reynolds sent a message to the members of February Group Cleanse.*

--------------------
Subject: Do I really need a scale?

Hello Cleansers,

Here's a question I've been asking myself lately... do I really need a scale, or a tape measure to determine my success with my cleanse? If I feel better in my body, if my energy is up, if everyone I encounter is telling me I look great, do I really need to see a number on the scale or look at a tape measure? Do I even need to look in a mirror? For me looking out at the world to learn about myself has become a habit. Somewhere along the line I started trusting scales and tape measures to say more about my body than the messages my body was sending me.

It's great to celebrate our success on the scale and with lost inches but those are only external measures. Celebrate with equal enthusiasm the internal measure, the knowingness inside that things are getting better and better.

Here's a challenge for you, if you're up to it, set aside your scale, set aside the tape measure until you think you've hit your goal! Then and only then if you really want to do it, take another measure.... or not. Perhaps the need for external validation is something you're needing to cleanse out of your body along with the impurities.

However you believe yourself to be you will become,

Rick

*Rick hosts a "group cleanse" on Facebook. We can all support each other as we utilize John Anderson's amazing mineral drink 'Cleanse for Life' along with all of the wonderful Isagenix foods. Rick has helped hundreds of people to health. I'm right behind you, Rick.

Find me on Facebook. Search for Ruth Shapovalov
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Hope comes in chocolate and vanilla.

Feb 12, 2009

100 lb Club member Kim, before
before 100 lb Club member Kim, after
after

Name: Kim
Location: Spanishfork, Utah
Age: 44
Height: 5’2”
Was: 297
Lost: 152 pounds* and 12 sizes*
As Of: June 2008
 

Kim Inspires Countless to Strive For Their Dreams

Six years ago, Kim of Utah was like many others. Overweight and frustrated by yo-yo dieting and health programs that just didn’t seem to work, she had nearly given up on ever losing weight — until she discovered Isagenix®. Now, not only is she 152 pounds* lighter even five years later, but she’s also one of the most recognizable Associates in the company. As one of the first members of the 100-Pound Club, Kim is a living testimony of the transformative power of Isagenix.

A manager of a women’s plus-size clothing store and part-time hairstylist, Kim tried the Cleansing and Fat Burning System six years ago and was amazed at how well it fit into her busy lifestyle.

“It was the easiest program I’d ever done because everything was laid out for me,” explains Kim. “The only decision I had to make was whether I wanted a Vanilla or Chocolate IsaLean® Shake on Shake Days.”

As her body began to transform, Kim could hardly believe the changes. The mirrors at the plus-size clothing store seemed to be lying, even though they showed her true shape. Not even the numbers on the scale seemed to be real to her. The one thing that helped her adjust to reality was trying on one of her older skirts and seeing how it hung off of her body. Immediately, she would feel motivated all over again.

While her perception of her body began to shift and she lost more than 100 pounds*, long-time friends and customers at her store had a harder time recognizing her and sometimes, accepting the changes.

“Women who shopped at the store would look at me and say ‘why are you working at this store? You’re too small to shop here,’” explains Kim. “All I could think was ‘honey, if you only knew.’”

It became a motivating situation for her, however. She began sharing her story and, in the meantime, building her Isagenix business. As her business began to grow, she realized that she could make a full-time living off of it. One day, on a whim and without even talking to her husband, she quit her manager position and threw herself into the business full time, shedding a few tears along the way.

“I could’ve lost my home because we really needed that income,” says Kim. “But I was tired of someone else determining how I’d use my time. It motivated me to really take my Isagenix business to the next level.”

Now dozens of dress sizes smaller and a 4-Star Golden Circle, she still cuts hair “just for fun” in her salon at home and spends much of her time traveling the country telling her story, showing off the skirt that once motivated her and sharing her “health and wealth” success.

Ultimately though, Kim says the best part of losing the weight and maintaining it for five years is the opportunity to share her story, which has inspired countless others. She’s still overwhelmed by the responses she receives daily.

“I didn’t realize that by sharing my story I would help so many people,” explains Kim, choking back tears. “It’s turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of my life and drives me to make a difference.”

*Weight-loss results may vary.

More about Kim

  • Kim's tips for success
  • Believe you can do it. Work the system and stay motivated by watching your results.
  • If the scale is intimidating, measure your changes by paying attention to how your clothes fit.
  • Find your “why.” Discover why you want to do it and remind yourself of it during challenging times.
  • Take baby steps. If you want to lose quite a bit of weight, set small goals like 10 or 20 pounds and strive to achieve those rather than looking at the big picture.

 

  • Favorite Products
  • Vanilla and Chocolate IsaLean® Shakes
  • Ionix® Supreme
  • IsaDelight™
  • IsaFlush!®
  • Want More Energy?®

 www.momshap.isagenix.com

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What's the problem?

Feb 09, 2009

"Impurities and Nutrient Deficiencies Pose Big Problems.


Cleansing the body at an internal level is a very hot
topic, and for good reason. We navigate through
a world consisting of an overabundance of herbicides,
pesticides, petrochemicals, hydrocarbons,
heavy metals, food additives and synthetic drugs
— just to name a few. These toxic and often dangerous
impurities have been shown to have an adverse
effect on our cells, internal organs and ultimately,
our overall state of health. Unfortunately, it is almost
impossible to escape the continuous exposure
to these substances.

The Solution?

Nutritional Cleansing Provides New Levels of Wellness

Not only do we live in a toxic society, but we are also bombarded with
foods that are altered — both genetically and chemically. Our soils
are poisoned with chemicals and pollution and have been gradually
stripped of their nutrient base. Many of the foods that grow from these
depleted soils do not supply the essential nutrients and building blocks
our bodies require. Think of it this way: by the time a carrot is harvested
from nutritionally depleted soils, is processed and makes its way to a
can, jar or bag that sits on the grocery store shelf, it is essentially a carrot
with little to no nutritional value. And a body that is nutritionally

bankrupt is an invitation to illness and disease.

Incorporating the revolutionary concept of
Nutritional Cleansing, the Isagenix Cleanse for
Life™ drink
addresses the issues of impurities
and nutritional deficiency head on. Created by
Master Formulator John Anderson, Cleanse for Life™ is the foundation
of all Isagenix® Nutritional Cleansing and maintenance systems and
is an effective way for you and your family to recapture your health
and vitality."



www.laughingintherain.com

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Why Nutritional Cleansing is the right choice for me

Jan 17, 2009

A happy, and cleansed, man There are a lot of so-called weight loss products and techniques out there. Among them are some good ones, and some questionable ones.

As I released 30 pounds of fat and got an entire new life, I was motivated to learn the "why" behind my success. In doing so, I also met and learned from literally hundreds of other people who had experienced phenomenal success in weight loss, weight control, and revitalized health, through Nutritional Cleansing. The guy who is pictured to the right has been my friend for over 10 years. This is his one-month contrast. Does cleansing work? Look at John and tell me.

One man who truly opened my eyes to the "why" behind what seems to be a miracle, and is actually simple science, was the Wildlife Biologist. I met him at a networking event, and he told me the story of the Eastern Washington geese. These happy birds nested in the wheat field areas, and daily ingested not only life-sustaining food from the fields, but our chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and pesticides. The female geese, during nesting season, lived off of the fat reserves stored up during the rest of the year. As the fat cells were utilized for energy, the geese got ill, and huge numbers died. These geese did not have the ability to flood their body with clean water to flush the released toxins out of their system. This, the biologist said, explains why the mineral content of the nutritional cleansing products will assist in both fat loss, and increased health and vitality, when combined with an adequate intake of clean water. Toxins and poisons are stored in fat cells. If you intentionally open those, setting them free by unlocking that little fat door and urinating them out, you will release the fat cells' contents. This produces vibrant health, and the immediate reward of results seen and felt. In only two days on the nutritional cleansing products, many people have friends ask them "what's different about you?". There's a freshness to the appearance. Bright eyes, clearer skin, and often facial puffiness goes down immediately.

I've run into my share of skeptical people. That's okay! I'm walking, talking, size 8 wearing proof that it works. I would rather take 30 seconds a couple of times a day to mix up a healthy super food shake or whisk up some delicious tomato soup (as I just did), than count calories or follow a "plan". I don't have that kind of patience. I stay away from the low carb diet promotions since they are heavy on ingesting the very fat that contains the toxins which help cause obesity in the first place! If animals store toxins in fat cells (and they do), why would we purposefully consume their fat in an effort to be healthy? It makes NO sense to me at all. Staying away from processed carbs, sugar, and anything unhealthy MAKES SENSE. Eating animal fat does not.

If you get 6 servings of fresh, organic, locally grown vegetables daily, and .5 gram of high quality, organic, clean protein per pound of desired body weight daily, and drink half your body weight in ounces of clean water daily - you may not need to try our super foods. You DO need to cleanse, though, if you answer yes to any of the following:
Have you ever bathed or showered in city water?
Have you ever drank from a tap?
Have you taken antibiotics?
Do you live in or near a city?
Have you ever taken an over the counter pain medication?
Have you used lotions, hair gels, or facial cosmetics that are not certified organic, and natural?

What if Nutritional Cleansing got you to your ideal weight in a few months? How would that change your life? Even if you've had WLS, and are not at goal. How would superior nutrition that didn't require counting or planning ahead impact your life? 

If you've got 30 seconds, you can change your life. Literally. Don't take it from me, take it from my dear friend Robin who is the awesome eating disorders counselor at www.awareeating.com

She will help you get your nutritional cleansing system quickly, and she and I will coach you through using it. Her website, with a wonderful testimonial video about nutritional cleansing  is
http://awareeating.isagenix.com/us/en/isavideos_testimonials.dhtml  from there you can browse her site for more information.

To your very best health, and life balance
Ruth
aka Mom Shap

         

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Inspired much?

Dec 16, 2008

Mark Macey is an inspiration to me. His success flies in the face of one who would say that nutritional cleansing does not "work". Mark said, of his campaign to release all the excess weight, "I choose to live." His story makes me cry, GOOD tears, and should bring amazing hope to all who feel life is worth choosing to live. Thank you, Mark, for showing that through the wisdom of ancient people, we can flush poisons from our fat cells and find freedom from obesity forever. You are my hero.

0 comments

Hypno-Therapy CD for eating disorders

Nov 16, 2008

I got a CD from a gal I met a couple of weeks ago. She's a hypno-therapist for eating disorders. After we talked, I just went online and ordered her CD.

I've been playing it in the car, and I'm thinking it's pretty much amazing. I can't wait to talk with her further. She calls her program "Mindful and Mindless Eating". I really could identify with a lot of what she was saying, and her techniques, although a little unconventional, resound with "that makes sense".

She's got a track you put on if you have one of those human vacuum cleaner days - you know - where you open mouth and just start shoveling! Anyway, she's got 17 years' experience and great testimonials, so she's doing something right. I'm glad I checked her out. I'm going to send one of her CDs to my sister for Christmas.

She doesn't advocate a particular diet, or surgery, or avoiding whatever. She encourages connecting with your body so that you do what the body requires to thrive, and find its balance and perfect shape. Very cool.


Here's to your health!

Ruth aka Mom Shap


If it's funny, you just have to laugh!

Oct 26, 2008

Hello gentle reader,

As any of you know who follow my posts or my input on the forums, I am part of what is becoming the largest health and wellness company in the world. Our nutritional cleansing technology, which is by no means "new", but re-introducing people to a practice ancient cultures have relied on for centuries, is changing lives daily.

This past week, my mentor and Certified Health Coach, Randall Burt, came to the Seattle area to do some teaching and product demonstration with and for me.

I set up a meeting at my home, first of all, and fed all who attended a nice lentil soup dinner. Randall did an informal talk on both nutrition, and some major health concerns. It was amazing information.

The next three nights we set up full product demonstrations and fed super food shakes to as many as 45 people at a time. CHALLENGING!

The second night, which was in Tacoma, ended up being the most amusing of all. The location was a retirement community/assisted living facility. As I see it, most women over 75 are named "Betty", and so the group of ladies who attended will be referred to as "the Betties". I had a table full of Betties, and a table full of business associates, there for the training. Oh, and I also had one guest - a doctor who has written a book on health.

Among the Betties we had one heckler, one helpful interjecter, and one outspoken commenter and question asker. It was hilarious, only because I wasn't in charge!

Our super food shakes contain digestive enzymes, and thus are to be consumed within 10 minutes of mixing with clean water and ice. If you do not consume the entire amount, you can watch the shake separate, start to bubble and curdle, and in general it self destructs. That's awesome in your belly; not so appetizing in the cup.

Our visiting doctor, after all the guests were gone, proceeded to drink every single leftover cup of shake no matter who it came from. *shudder* He even drank the shake I'd poured into one cup to transfer to the sink. We're talking 6 different flavor combinations... mostly digested. It got to be so amusing that I had to step out of the room to laugh unseen.

I took it as a compliment to the super food shakes. Yes, they're delicious. No, they're just not as good half an hour later and partially sipped by people you've never met...

Randall was surprised by this, but as always, his reaction was subtle and professional. But when our dear doctor proceeded to also drink all the opened but unfinished water bottles.... well.... poor Randall was just shaking his head.

What a night.

The Betties are looking forward to being able to purchase the shake mix in individual packets right there in the little store at the facility. Compared to the canned meal replacements they often choose, the nutrition is light years ahead.

It was good times. I don't believe we'll ever stop laughing about the scavenging visitor and the heckling Betties....

Ruth
aka Mom Shap


About Me
Bothell, WA
Location
20.6
BMI
Apr 06, 2008
Member Since

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Hypno-Therapy CD for eating disorders
If it's funny, you just have to laugh!

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