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Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Blue Moon ...


A Blue Moon occurs when there's two full moons in one month ... this one is quite rare ... a blue moon on New Year's Eve. A perfect time for making wishes and new beginnings.

The first reference to a 'blue moon' came in 1528, when the Oxford English Dictionary cited the phrase 'if the say the moon is blue, then we must believe it's true." It wasn't until the 19th century that 'once in a blue moon' became a popular phrase -- meaning rarely or highly unusual.

I have a feeling 2010 will be a rare year indeed. A year of change. A year of success. And, Fates willing, a year of prosperity and good health.

What are you wishing for this blue moon? Hope the magic sweeps you away and makes your hopes and dreams come true!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Say Yes to a New You!


"After the final no, there comes a yes, and on that yes the future of [your] world depends." Wallace Stevens

I've been at this for more than 40 days and I've lost about 15 pounds. That kind of pace will not help me win the Isabody Challenge. Time to step it up. Holidays are almost over, I've said my final no. No to being unhealthy. No to be overweight. No to dying slowly of heart disease or diabetes or cancer or whatever may come from an unhealthy lifestyle.

Now I'm saying 'yes' - yes to healthy living, yes to Isagenix nutritional cleansing, yes to proper nutrition and yes to releasing the more than 50 pounds I set out to. On this my world depends.

Here's wishing all of you a 2010 that's out of this world!




Saturday, December 26, 2009

Science of Christmas

Came across this Einstein Santa and it reminded me of the words a trainer friend of mine once told me.

Weight loss is science. Pure and simple. Less calories in, more calories out and you'll lose weight. But to do it properly, you need the right nutrition.

That's what I'm craving after the last few days of holiday celebration. Of food, drinks, parties, desserts ... little bits add up.

So today I found myself craving Isagenix. Pure and simple. I just had a shake and I feel much better.

Tonight I'm off to see Avatar (in 3-D, yay!) with my friend Poppy. We've already got our strategy mapped out to avoid tempting theater snacks!


Friday, December 25, 2009

Santa Stopped By ...


Santa stopped by and enjoyed his Isagenix treats ... he left me this ... apparently he's a big fan of summer water sports!

Hope everyone has a super day today! Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas to All


And what to my wondering eyes should appear, a jolly fat man and eight tiny reindeer ...

And he said out loud as he flew out of sight, Merry Christmas to all, thanks for the IsaDelight!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Almost Christmas!


I'm finally getting excited about Christmas. Just a little. I'm hanging out with my friend Wendy, something we haven't done in a long time. It feels good to just relax and enjoy some holiday cheer!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Golden Light


There's this breathing exercise that uses light in yoga.

Stand in a horse stance, feet firmly planted, arms outstretched in front of you, eyes closed -- then imagine a ball of golden light between your hands. Play with it, roll it between your hands, watch it grow, see it change shapes, feel its warmth.

Then when you're ready, exhale fully and inhale the ball deep into your belly. Pulling it in with your hands ... pushing into your hara or center.

Feel it energize you. Feel its heat. You are golden!

Wishing you peace and positive energy today!

Monday, December 21, 2009

IPOD Inspiration


Ok, so I skipped another Martial Arts World class tonight. Maybe I'm just not ready to go back to working out with others yet. I have to accept that.

I did however FINALLY GET MY IPOD!! YAY!!!

It had been lost in the mail and finally got to me! Try jumping rope without music. It sucks! But now, I got my new IPod, it works great! I went to ITunes and downloaded great workout songs! I'm so excited about the new exercise phase. Finally, I said it, I'm excited about exercise!


Breakthrough.

Plus today I was so back on program. I realized how much I missed it and how much better I feel when I stick to it. So today was another good day! Something to be celebrated after the past few days of the cranky curmudgeon!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Weekend Warrior ... NOT


This is a quick post between so many holiday weekend events ...

First part ... salt craving has been over the top for the past two to three days ... plus I spent most of Friday and some of Saturday suffering from occasional bloating and lots of irritability.

Even though I cleansed on Friday, it was a really lame cleanse ... by that I mean, I was craving salt so badly during the middle of the day I succumbed to the bags of Lay's potato chips I'd bought while on autopilot in the morning. But I kept cleansing. Then I finished some pasta left over from the night before ... And kept cleansing. Hey, most important, at least I didn't give up.

Then I saw a picture of this Salt. It reminded me of one of the most impatient muppets lurking inside my head ... the one who wants it all and wants it NOW! Hence, the crankiness. I did want everything and I wanted it NOW!

Next was yesterday, something to celebrate ... for the first time in the longest time, I put on clothes and didn't worry about 'looking fat.' Using Isagenix can be very freeing. I put on my clothes they felt HUGE, even though my previous day's cleanse was totally lame. It was great to have that feeling!

Of course then I had to sabotage myself again last night by going a wee bit round the bend food and drink wise. Holiday spirit and all ... oh boy. Fun, but today I really feel the effects of it. My stomach feels bloaty and my system feels like crap! Perhaps this time it's lesson learned. After about a day and a half of pseudo-program, I feel the negative effects.

I'm not saying going wild will never happen again, I'm just saying there's really a ginormous difference. And it isn't the feeling I want to live with regularly.

But I did it, and it's over. I think tomorrow will be a good day to a real cleanse.

Did have lots of fun this weekend, some big Aha's, lots of family and friends and joy and celebrations. Most important was the dawning of clothing that's been untouched in my closet for more than three years! Tis the season to celebrate indeed.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Inspiration ...

I needed a little reminder of this today ... thought I'd share with anyone else who's like-minded.

We all have the power to create what we desire! Success is merely wishes and dreams combined with hard work and good luck!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Meet a Muse

I was searching for a Muse today and came across this lovely lady. She's the today's inspiration for what I'm about to do.

Ok, yes, I am in need of something different. The road to creating health and longevity is not always paved and smooth. Sometimes there's rocks and stuff that have to be traversed carefully or in this case completely ignored.

At those times you just have to say 'what the heck' and go where the Muse will lead you. Perhaps a few solid hours of spontaneous ditching will fuel my inner imp. He is in need of an outing! There's mischief to be had somewhere, I tell you.

I'll admit I'm feeling a bit prickly today, and I'm not sure what that's all about. Other than the usual holiday stuff, which is about to be chucked out the window right now, in favor of a hike up Fern Dell in Los Feliz.

Since I can no longer turn to food as the solution, maybe some exercise and a mini photo safari will improve my sour mood.

I warned everyone this is a truth zone ... let's see how I feel after get out for a while. Will share pictures of the adventure tomorrow. Thanks to this Muse for caring enough to whisper something to get me out of this funk!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

It's a Marathon Not a Sprint

So I've been struggling with staying on program. The season and all. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

But then I realized, this is a marathon, not a sprint -- and I decided to do a little research about marathons. Starting with the history.





Did you know the first marathon was reputed to be run AFTER a victory? A foot soldier named Pheidippedes ran about 25 miles from Marathon to Athens, Greece to announce victory to the assembly. (I'm choosing to ignore the version where he announces, 'we won' then keels over dead!)

Instead I got to thinking, it's like no matter what, as long as I'm in the Isabody Challenge for the entire 24 weeks, the momentary hardships, the crankiness due to hunger or the frustration I feel when I can't 'stuff it down' are like blisters or calluses ... battle scars to be worn proudly.




















A way of saying, I'm not giving up. Sorry to those who are dealing with my occasional bouts of neurosis or hyper-sensitivity. One way or another, I'm in it to win it. I may not always be able to see the finish line, but I know for a fact, it's there. And every day I fuel my body with Isagenix products, even when my eating isn't perfect, I am certain I am one step closer to victory.


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Holiday Spirit?

Feeling like ...















In need of ...

















Wishing you ...



Monday, December 14, 2009

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Today is About Balance

Wrote a lot yesterday. Today ... not so much.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Clarity, Sabotage & Resistance ...

You wouldn't think that clarity would go together naturally with sabotage and resistance. But today, for me they do.
Here's how. Remember last Saturday when I missed my kickboxing class at Martial Arts World? Well I've spent the week doing more of the same. Excuses, calendar snafus, getting caught up in a project ... Anything to avoid going again.

Today was classic. I was dressed and ready, but at the last minute decided I wanted to listen to Lakme on the way to workout. This required burning a CD, something that should, for anyone but me, take about three minutes.

But alas, this was not the case. It ended up taking me at least ten minutes to burn andI knew I was doing it -- I was making myself late. The Evile Muppets harangued me, "Can't show up to class tardy. it's disrespectful. blah, blah, blah." Next thing I know it's 12:49 and I'm late. There's no way I can make it to Burbank (especially by the police station) by 1pm on a rainy day. And that was just the beginning.

This whole story was humming static in my head. This part of my life that's never been made public. Then I realized, this is resistance, this is sabotage, and I asked what's really going on here? I mean, really. So I delved deeper and took a closer look. This is where the clarity came in.

The last time I studied martial arts and was in really great shape my heart was broken so badly it took more than ten years to fully repair. Even now the term 'completely healed' is tenuous, at best.

Wow - So there it is, the big AHA ... Somewhere, something inside of me is equating doing exercise and getting back into great shape, via martial arts in particular, with paralyzing heartbreak and involuntary fear of another soul-crippling Fall.

It's the only logical explanation I can see. I keep flashing on images of that time. Of the guy I thought was my soulmate walking out the door, and of him shattering of my hopes and dreams as he slammed the portal shut with a bang. I'd been SO CERTAIN we were meant to be together. When he left, I began to mistrust everything my intuition told me. My foundation was ripped from under me.

This is NOT a good thing for a triple Pisces. Intuition, instinct, intellect - these comprise my core. My compass. Without them, I lost the ability to see True North, and rapidly spun out of control.

Along with the martial arts crowd I was hanging with at that time, there was a parallel posse of disenfranchised souls. One that was made of those born and raised deep in the San Fernando Valley -- the Porn and Biker capital of the world.

Did I mention I was heartbroken and out of control and completely lost?

Well I was, and here's what happened next. In college I was a journalism major. I'd always thought it would be interesting to follow a group of outlaws around, you know, like Hunter Thompson did with Hells Angels. Sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll -- a life outside of the rules -- this notion was quite appealing to the broken angry rebel brooding inside my head!

And so, figuring the love of my life was gone. I had nothing left to lose - I thought why not cavort with this crowd for a while, just to observe what it's like.

My course was set when I met a biker named Snake who offered to take me to a bar called Golden Apple. No kidding, the Snake and the Golden Apple! The temptation was just too delicious to resist!

So I bit into the Apple, and the moment I did, I became more than just an observer. I was a misfit - one of the freaks -- a curiously clean cut girl in nerdy Gucci glasses, a whacky new oddity in a circus of strippers and crooks.

Looking back I know my Guardian Angels were working overtime. Keeping me safe from the world of danger I'd entered into. I learned to sleep during the day and stay up all night, and play darts and drink beer and shoot pool and throw knives and ... well ... let's just stop there and say I could write easily for Sons of Anarchy after my experiences, it wouldn't require much imagination!

But once I saw what the life was really about, I was out of there in an instant. Funny thing was, until that time I truly believed I was an awful person. It took me meeting completely amoral types to get what 'bad' actually is. After that trip I knew that wasn't me. I call it a 'trip' because it was, seriously, it was Alice following a White Rabbit (or in this case a White Snake) down a Dark Hole into a Weird and Creepy Wonderland.

Funny thing was, within six months of that trip I was working at Fox as a producer. After hanging out with nefarious gun-slinging, knife wielding outlaws, production execs were so not scary! No one knows about my Dark Adventure, I've hidden for all these years. But today, I feel its time for this to come to light. Illumination alleviates shadows that haunt.


The static buzzing earlier has silenced. There is a peace in knowing. Clarity that comes from proper nutrition Isagenix has given me. With that, tools to push through the resistance and stop the sabotage appear. Who knows what next week will bring. Perhaps now exercise will not be such an issue. Or maybe it will be still, but I'll figure out a way to get through it.

It's just silly to think that martial arts will lead to another broken heart. Just writing it out I feel a paradigm shift. I feel myself transforming as I relinquish the past and release the weight.
This is what the Isabody Challenge is really about! Release. Transformation.

Let go of the past and embrace the PRESENT! Now I see a future with JOY and PEACE in my heart!


Friday, December 11, 2009

Cleansing Again ...


Cleansing today ... need I say more?

Mindy and I realized yesterday I'm a little behind on the cleanses ... I've been on program a month and today is only my third cleanse. Where does the time go??? Ahh, the professional procrastinators' query of choice.

Not to worry, all is well.

I'm starting to see the forest and the trees!

A shaman told me about ten years ago, if I could get the sugar intake under control my life would change for the better. Sugar was blocking my ability to create, it was hindering my ability to flow. As a writer, can you see how that might be an issue? Funny, I haven't thought about that in years. But here, today, it's coming to me again. I am clearer. After a rough few days, I'm seeing with both eyes wide open.

Today I have been blessed with the ability to focus and have spent the entire day creating new stories and business! The list of accomplishments is 3 pages long! Yay!!! This is cause for celebration indeed!

So today, I wish you all clarity and happiness and continuos peace!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Got Cravings? Drink More Water ...

So I'm not sure whether it's the season or the amount of time I've been on Isagenix, but there's a restlessness in my diet. Each night around 8pm, the Evil Muppets start... aren't you hungry? Don't you want to eat some XXX (you fill in the blank, if it's fatty and salty, I'm craving it)

Then tonight I looked at my pitcher of water. I make spa water daily to make sure I drink the right amount. And to my surprise, the pitcher was still 2/3 full. Oops, I'm probably thirsty. So the lesson for the day is ... drink up! It'll fill you up and help stop the cravings!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Somewhat in a Funk, but Grateful

So today I am still somewhat in a funk, but it's better. To keep myself from going over the edge food-wise has taken Herculean effort the past few days. Thoughts like 'eat, this is never going to work, eat, this is taking too long, eat, you're fat and always will be' keep recurring like that horrible song that gets stuck in your head. Playing over and over and over again.

To combat this, I changed 'this is never going to happen' to 'this is happening.' Great things are rarely achieved overnight. It made me think of the Grand Canyon ... this gorgeous crevice has taken about 17 million years to be carved by the Colorado River. But just look at it now. Awe-inspiring, breathtaking ... a spiritual mecca and natural wonder. Not that I'm comparing myself to the Grand Canyon ... I mean, I've only 24 weeks to transform for the Isabody Challenge. But still ... this point is to have patience and faith and stay the course. Transformation doesn't happen overnight.

So yeah, I'm still in a weird place, but I'm grateful. Grateful for where I am. Grateful for how far I've come, and yes, begrudgingly, I am grateful for how far I have left to go.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's Dark in Here Today ...


Am in a funk today. And it got me to wondering if the feelings I was feeling when I put on the weight are coming back as I'm releasing it. Has anyone ever studied that? Could be a reason so many people abandon the journey to fitness along the way. This stuff can be scary. Ghosts appear. Love lost resurfaces. Loneliness lies looming. Coping can be a challenge.

Currently, I'm finding myself listening to an OCD version of Lakme by Delibes. Seriously, how many people besides me (and B'Elf) would find it comforting to listen to an opera about a Princess who falls in love with the wrong guy then offs herself to save her honor?

Told you it was dark in here today! But this is about the journey, my journey. Not every day is a good one. Anyone who comes here expecting that will be disappointed. If you want honesty, keep reading.

That said, I see no option but to continue on. Abandoning the Isabody Challenge, turning away from the path just because it's uncomfortable or ugly or dark, is not an option. Although it may not sound like it at this moment, I do have faith -- I depend on the product, I trust the people and I believe in the process.

Wishing you peace and joy today!



Monday, December 7, 2009

New Appetite


So I went to an art exhibit yesterday ... at artist Dale Brown's house. So much fun.

Not that there weren't challenges ... lots of tempting treats, including chocolate chip cookies and Pinot Noir! Managed to steer clear of the challenges, instead I indulged a new appetite -- for ART!

I bought a miniature of Cassie Tondro's painting and a cool bracelet from Jackie Rosen. I really wanted one of Dale's Tin Can Alley dolls ... this one's on my wish list!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

B'Elf and the Reindeer


So today is better ... Let B'Elf out to play last night ... he danced with the Evil Muppets and wrestled with the reindeer (they might look like doggies, but with a little B'Elfen magic they grow horns and fly!)

To my happy surprise, the pictures Poppy took last night showed a huge transformation. I forgot I actually have cheekbones! Plus today, pants are baggy again. So all is well in the Universe!

My friends can't get over the change in my body, and it's been less than a month on Isagenix! Someone asked me yesterday if I knew my eyes were sparkly ... I wasn't sure how to respond, what a sweet thing to say! I can't say enough about the huge transformation -- in my body, in my mind and in my soul -- all due to the simple activity of giving my body the nutrition it needs using Isagenix!

So even though yesterday was rocky and I was cranky, I kept walking the walk, didn't lose it entirely. And, yeah, ok, so I admit yesterday's picture of B'Elf was foreshadowing for the evening's activities. There may have been consumption of Hefenweizen involved, but you have to live a little. And that's the point of Isagenix. Life, not perfection. It's ok to enjoy! -- just be conscious of it!

Have a fantastic day!


Saturday, December 5, 2009

Bah Humbug ...


Am trying to get into the holiday spirit, although this year it's really tough. Will write more later, but suffice it to say, I've been haunted lately by the spirit of B'Elf ... (Bad Elf) ... he's the naughty one, who hates Christmas because of the pressure to be jolly and the constant yuletide struggle against the dogs of rampant consumerism.

He's also the one who loves to stuff his emotions down! It's how he keeps himself in check. Naughty elves, bad ones, aren't tolerated this time of year. So he eats in secret to temper his pain.

We have a lot in common.

Staying on track for the IsaBody Challenge is going to require some strategy. This is what I'm working on today. How to get through this season, which is filled with all sorts of ghosts of Christmases past, without losing it entirely!

It's really distracting, whatever's lurking in my mind. Static preventing me from functioning at peak capacity. For example, I am dressed to go to a kickboxing class ... I thought I had plenty of time to get there. It starts at one. I just looked at the clock and it's 1:11!!! WTF???

How did that happen? Clearly focus is an issue. So now what? Go have a shake, figure out something festive to bake besides chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cupcakes ... I found a recipe for gingersnaps that's somewhat healthy in the BabyCakes cookbook. So maybe I'll try that.

I can't abandon baking entirely. B'Elf would be too upset. It's one of the things that makes the holidays festive.

Small steps, big breaths and an open mind for creative solutions.
Here's wishing you peace today.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

The Bulldog and the Fox



Had my first class at Martial Arts World tonight, and it was so much fun! I'm so grateful to find a new dojo. I'd forgotten how much I missed the training.

Master Winkle is completely inspiring -- he and his wife Katie infuse the gym with the most positive energy. He spoke tonight about the bulldog and the fox. The bulldog is tenacious and holds on with a locked jaw. The fox is lazy, sly and occasionally too smart for his own good.

At Martial Arts World, they encourage feeding the bulldog and starving the fox. This is a really good thing because my bulldog would be very unhappy without food.

Meet Molly, she's a rescue. I always tell people she rescued me!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Cleansing Today ...


I'm cleansing again today ... so far so good.

And now, I've decided (with Mindy's firm but gentle urging ) it's time to get serious about exercise ... I mean, I have been walking with Molly at least times a day, but truthfully that's more like strolling. But that's all about to change.

I'm so excited because Martial Arts World in Burbank is offering a free month to Isabody Challenge members! Can you believe it, what an amazing gift! So that's where I'm headed tomorrow ... to take my first class from Master Winkle and Katie ... will let you know how it goes ...


Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hold the Phone, No Toblerone



So today was another breakthrough day. I went to see New Moon ... I'm leaning toward Jacob ... OMG have you seen that body!?! But aside from the candy on the screen, there was some interesting candy in my purse.

Poppy and I had gone to Dino's before the movie, and had our Sunday treat a pizza and hefenweizen (yum!), but then we didn't do dessert. So when we went to the movie, Poppy got Dibs and I got Toblerone. Now usually, I'd be all over that. I mean calories don't count in a movie theater, right??? But we'd just eaten and surprisingly I was full. And I didn't want the chocolate.

So there I sat, in the theater, with a chocolate bar lurking in my purse ... only today, it was left un-eaten. Un-craved. Un-desired! Can you imagine? I'm so impressed with myself, can you tell? Seriously, a sugar junkie like myself leaving candy unopened. It's amazing. A miracle for the season. Even later when a little sugar craving hit, I was like well, do you want a 560 calorie Toblerone bar with no nutritional value or do you want a 50 calorie IsaDelight, filled with Niacin and Chromium? Hands down, the IsaDelight was the choice. The Isagenie's magic is working!




Saturday, November 28, 2009

Shopping in My Closet


Needed a boost today, so I went 'shopping' in my closet. Avoided the crowds at the mall by trying on things that haven't fit for more than two years. And guess what? I can wear them now, and they look great! So, it's been less than three weeks and I've released a whole size with Isagenix!

And I have to say, my smaller clothes rock! And while I'm not down to the hippest stuff yet, I feel like I'm well on my way. If that's not incentive to keep going, I don't know what is!

Much Better Today ...


Today I stuck to the program, a shake day. And I feel SO MUCH BETTER!!! The cankles have gone away again. Yep, I've just admitted it, when I don't stick to the program, and eat wheat and sugar and drink alcohol, which is basically, well ... more sugar, I suffer from edema. My ankles swell into a most unattractive and uncomfortable state ... but Isagenix balances that out.

I don't know the particulars of how it works. Truthfully, I'm not big on the science of it, but I know it's been formulated by John Anderson, a total genius, and it's brilliant. My closest friends, you know, members of the inner circle who tell you how it really is, have
commented on not only my skin, but my energy level and the magical change in my body.

To me, Isagenix is magic. It's changed my world overnight. It's given me a community of supportive coaches and tools to nourish my body properly. And it's absolutely amazing, putting the right things into my body has virtually eliminated the cravings.

I am so grateful for this newfound peace. The Evil Muppets have been given a rest. An unexpected blessing of the Isabody Challenge!