I can't believe it's been almost 2 years to the day, when I hit my personal health "rock bottom."   In that dark moment, I found the most incredible solution that changed my life FOREVER!!!

Here's a repost of my Isagenix 30 Day journey from 2014...

Today is July 1st, 2014.  I just joyfully completed the Isagenix® 30 Day (Cleansing and Fat Burning) System from June 1st-30th. I have been a fan of “programs” for years and years, but this is one of my favorites by far.  It is also my most successful and enjoyable program.  Want to hear about it? Here it goes…

Why I joined?
It was 5/26, Memorial Day.  I had just gotten back from a 3-week work trip to Asia.  After the past 8 months of a new demanding job with long hours, long commutes, and less frequent workouts, my pants were tight.  Also, I was turning 40 in 17 days.  I was cool with being 40, but not weighing 140lbs. (my personal healthy weight is 125lbs).  It was time to answer to my pants.  That day I saw the post on my friend's FB news feed.  It showed her friend’s before/after photos from her recent 30 Day program.  I was wowed!  If she could do this, I could too.   Guess what,  I DID IT!!!

My Results:

1. Released 8.5 lbs in 30 days.  (started at 140 lbs…ended at 131.5lbs)
2. Released 6” of fat across waist, hips, thighs, chest, arms
3. Increased Energy: I am filled with so much energy!  I initially and easily cut out my daily 12oz Starbucks.  Now I only drink a 6oz cup when I want it; I don’t need it.
4. Reduced Sugar Cravings: the Isagenix® system helps reduce sugar cravings, so I was able to completely avoid the sugary sweet treat tables at work for my birthday. Yes,  I survived both my 40th birthday and my husband's birthday too and still lost pounds and inches.  I joyfully enjoyed Isa-Delights Dark Chocolate if I wanted a healthy chocolate treat.  I did share & enjoy a small yet high quality piece of key lime pie for my birthday.  Worth every bite!
5. Improved skin: multiple people commented on the “glow” in my face.  My skin cleared up and people noticed.
6. Improved nails:  my nails are longer and stronger.
7. Improved digestion: the program got rid of my belly bloat.  My stomach felt great and I was “regular” too.
8. Improved attitude:  the nutritional cleanse combined with clean healthy whole foods kept my blood sugar even.  There were no highs and lows or sugar crashes.  I was consistently in a good mood.  My husband noticed that I never became “HANGRY” (hungry + angry).  This has happened in the past.  LOL!
9. Improved cycle: I don’t know if I should state this claim, but I’ll just put it out there.  I had been experiencing a very long menstrual cycle. In fact, I had to take medicine to get my period.  However, this month, my period started on it’s own.  I was thrilled.  Not sure if it’s from the program or not. However, I personally feel giving my body proper nutrition helped every system of my body!  

Why I LOVE the Isagenix® 30 Day System?

1. OUR TEAM: Our team is an incredible support system.  There is so much love flowing from all of the team members.  The program includes: motivation, inspiration, goal planning, vision board design, recipes, workouts, and much more.
2. EASY TO FOLLOW: each day is spelled out for the shake and cleanse days.
3. BALANCE: the program is an EXCELLENT blend of clean, whole foods combined with delicious and nutritious grab-n-go Isagenix® products.  I cooked some of the most delicious meals while on the program. 
4. HEALTHY CONVENIENCE: I loved that when I was in a pinch (stuck in a meeting , late night at the office, stuck in traffic or just at a party with unhealthy foods) I could stay on track with a shake or bar.  I even had an IsaLean Bar at the hospital today instead of the hospital provided animal crackers, post outpatient surgery.
5. AMAZING VALUE: the program isn’t expensive.  It’s just replacing money that I would spend at the grocery store or eating out.  However, this is much healthier than most options out.  Also, time is money.  If you consider how much time I saved from not having to do as much shopping, food prep and dishes, I definitely came out ahead! 

Lessons Learned

1. I WAS EATING TOO MUCH: It’s true.  I have always supported the “eat 5-6 mini meals a day“ to rev your metabolism.  The thing was…my meals weren’t so mini.  LOL!  The program got me back to proper servings sizes and caloric/nutrient amounts.
2. I WAS EATING TOO MUCH SUGAR:  I didn’t want to admit this, but I was eating too much sugar leading to mood swings (highs and crashes.)  I realized this through the program.  The best part is the program helped reduce my sugar cravings.  This is so wonderful.  
3. CLEANSING IS COOL!:  I don’t have to be a slave to food and stuck in the kitchen every night.  Cleansing was a really cool treat to relax.  I loved knowing my body was getting a chance to relax, repair, and detoxify.  Plus, I LOVED not having to prep meals or do dishes on cleanse days!
4. WHEN YOU OWN YOUR DECISIONS, MAGIC FLOWS!: I chose to cleanse, so I was going to do it joyfully without hunger or complaining.  Once I declared this, I rocked each and every cleanse day.  (4 in total.)  The most note worthy day was my first cleanse day.  I owned my decision, so it was so easy to go to Greek Fest with Mike and have a blast without eating (Greek foods)/drinking (alcohol).  We talked, laughed, danced, and had an amazing night!  In the past, I may have just stayed home, because I couldn’t eat/drink.  Not the new me, I had more energy and passion than ever before.  It’s party time!

So, that’s what I’ve been up to for the past 30 Days.  I had a blast and feel phenomenal! Remember, I can show you a thousand before/after photos of others, but I’d rather show you yours!!!  If you think this is for you, send me a message or give me a call.  I have a spot waiting just for you on my team! 

With love, gratitude, & sparkles,

Dooley

Ps…Enjoy a few photos documenting all of the birthday fun & fabulous food of the past 30 days!

In September 2011, I was blessed to go to Fiji for Life Mastery (a Tony Robbin’s event).  It was 5 Days to stop the poisoning (emotional, physical, and environmental), cleanse & detoxify, and revitalize & regenerate to live my best life!!!  It was an incredible experience on so many levels.  I learned so much, and met the most inspiring, dynamic people from all over the world!    

One of the most powerful events during the week was the infamous pole climb.  We were to climb a 58 ft tall telephone pole without a net (just a harness) , then stand on top, and jump for a trapeze target 10 ft or so in front of us.  Again, NO NET.  We were supposed to do this on the 1st day, but due to rain it was postponed until Day 4. 

I tried not to think (or stress) too much about it.  I just focused on completing it.  No expectation on whether I caught the trapeze or not.  OK, I lie!   I was freaking out inside.  I was hesitant to climb.  I kept thinking if I didn’t catch the trapeze, then the jump or shall I say journey was a failure.  OH DOOLEY! WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? I realized the truth there.  IT’S THE JOURNEY, NOT THE DESTINATION!  Whether I catch the trapeze or not, I MUST CLIMB & JUMP!  My new friend Karen reminded me, “Just jump, whether you catch the trapeze (ie your initial goal…or what you thought you wanted), you will be supported (and get what you need).  You always will.  So jump.”  This hit home, I have a business I want to grow, but don’t know if it will “catch” or not, so I have been timid on jumping.  I must JUMP and know I’ll be supported.

So, I decided to climb and jump for the trapeze.  Not labeling it good or bad whether I catch the goal or not.  JUST JUMP.   (see a theme here???)

I start my climb.  It’s fun and easy at first.  I visualize the climb is my life and then I switch to thinking it’s about my relationship with my boyfriend Mike.  (And by the way, he’s brilliant! Mike and I met this past June.  FYI…I’m 37 and Mike is 35.  Great guys ARE out there.  BELIEVE! We clicked right off the bat and I invited him to Fiji.  Funny, I had enough miles to fly myself business class to Fiji.  However, I the idea wasn’t settling well with me.  When I asked myself what would be better, I answered flying to Fiji with my boyfriend.  I didn’t have one when I booked my ticket, so I booked coach. I booked Mike’s ticket soon after I met him…just a month later!)  So, Mike was here with me in Fiji until Day 3.  We came together for a week before the event.  But I digress, back to our story…

Now I’m climbing higher and higher.  Like a relationship, the beginning is super fun, carefree, and easy.  However, the higher you go, it gets a bit challenging.   We know the journey is worth it, so we move forward.  On one step, I lose my footing a bit.  Old fears sink in, “Can I do this?  Does he really love me? All of me?”  YES!  So I breathe, remember how fabulous I am for even putting myself out here, and keep going.  What pulled me to the top was the phrase, “All that I need, is within me now.”  I probably said it 50 times while taking the finals 2 steps that got me to stand on the top of the pole.  It’s those last two steps that get you…so close to your goal and so challenging.  I think this is where many people give up…not realizing how close they are to victory.  I thought about Mike and then about many of my previous relationships.  In the past, when that tricky step came up, I got scared and climbed back down (or tumbled down in a few cases.)  But not this time, it’s different.  I’ve enjoyed every step with Mike.  I know it won’t always be easy, but the hard work will be worth it.  And even when scary stuff arises (like tough conversations and communicating feelings…not my favorite pastime), I must face my fears and
keep climbing.   It will be worth it!

Honestly, I had to turn OFF my head, and focus only on my heart.  I wanted to get to the top. That’s the only thing I could focus on.  To turn off the distractions of my head, I went straight to my inCANtations.  My favorite being, “All that I need is within me now!”  I said it over and over and over again. “All that I need is within me now! All that I need is within me now! All that I need is within me now!”  And with that, I found the courage to take the last steps.  Knowing if I slipped, I’d be ok.  Something would catch me.  But I didn’t slip…I took those two steps and stood up on top of that 58’ high pole.  Hooray!!!  I let go of the wire from the harness, and stood tall and proud!!!  OMG!  It’s GORGEOUS up here from the view at the top.  Why didn’t I try this years ago?  What was I so afraid of?

I had a few major “breakthrough” moments on the trip. Here's what I learned:

Lesson #1: Never focus on fear, get in an empowered state and ROCK IT!  (for example, use inCANtations on stage for my next show.)  It’s never as bad as you imagine it to be, usually, it’s pretty easy.  JUST DO IT!  So, I’m at the top, and it’s beautiful!  I noticed when the others before me climbed, they were so focused on catching the trapeze that they didn’t stop and enjoy the view.  They got to the top and instantly jumped for the trapeze. Not me! 

Lesson #2: Appreciate all that you’ve accomplished and created. Don’t immediately rush to the next thing.  Pause, celebrate, and enjoy!  This is especially true in dating!  Don’t worry about rushing things.  Enjoy the climb and getting to know each other.  That’s my attitude with Mike.  

Ferris Bueller said it best, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” So I stayed up top for a minute or so.  I enjoyed the view.  I gave gratitude to Fiji, my friends cheering below, and to the universe for blessing me with my outstanding life.  It was good fun!   But we can only celebrate for so long…then it’s time to grow some more.  You know the saying, “we either grow or die.”  Time to grow with the infamous trapeze!  However, I was no longer concerned about catching or not catching the trapeze.  I just knew I HAD TO JUMP, and I’d be supported.  I found my strength from Madonna and her song called, “Jump.”  Lyrics go like this, “There’s only so much you can learn in one place.  The more that I wait, the more time that I waste.”  I shouted this from the pole top, adding, “I’m starting my business, and I’m starting it NOW!”  And with that, I leaped off into the sky, not knowing where I was going, but knew I was where I needed to be.  Sometimes our only form of transportation is a leap of faith.  And guess what…  wait for it…wait for it…

I CAUGHT THE TRAPEZE!!!  WOO HOO!!!  The crowd goes wild!!!  YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   And then the crowd shouted, “Let go!”  WHAT?  Let go???  I never thought that far.  I have to let go?  And drop?   I hung there for a minute.  I forgot…even when you make your goal…there’s the next goal…which can be scary too.   Fortunately, I had another inCANtation in me, and I let go to float gracefully (who’s zooming who, I added a little jazz hands) to the ground. I was met at the ground to so much love and hugs from all!  It was incredible.  I realized in that moment
how powerful this activity or shall we way journey was.  If I could sum it up in a word: JUMP!!!  Or as Nike says, “Just DO it!”  Life loves you and me.  It will always be there to support us.  If you want something, go for it. Talk action and do it NOW.  Whatever you need, will catch you and support you.  You may not hit your initial goal or what you thought you wanted, but you will discover such rich treasures along your journey.  Any you’ll usually find, it’s so much better than your original goal anyways. 

Xoxo,
Dooley

Ps.  My last lesson was the most important of all. I’ve been wanted an amazing boyfriend for a long time. Mike came to Fiji with me and our time together overlapped with my Tony Robbin’s Event for 3 days.  On Day 2, we spent my afternoon break together with a relaxing couples massage at the spa.  It rocked!  I realized I didn’t want to go back to the event while he was still here. That night we were learning about relationships.  Wait a second…I’m actually in one, and it came with me to FIJI!  Instead of learning about relationships, I chose to live it! I took a day break from the seminar and played with Mike until I had to drop him off at the airport on the afternoon of Day 3.  We had an amazing time, and I was back just in time for the pole climb on Day 4….funny how life works out! 

Lesson #3:  Implement!  There’s a time to learn and a time to DO.  Realize when everything you strive for is in front of your face.  Pause, breathe, and LIVE IT!  Or as I like to say, “Just DOOLEY it

​This article was originally written January 2012.  Mike is now my husband and best friend!  Since my jump in Fiji, Mike and I took our biggest and best leap together when we got married August 29, 2013.  I can't wait to see what new heights and leaps of faith we'll take together in the future!   With Mike by my side, anything is possible!