Friday, May 17, 2013

Three Things That the Shaklee 180™ Program Has Taught Me {#ShakleeBlogger}

It has now been 2½ months since I dove headfirst into the the Shaklee 180™ blogger program and, as the days pass one by one, I can honestly say that incorporating my Shaklee 180™ Turnaround™ Kit into my regular, daily routine hasn't been all that difficult.

Quite a few of my weekday mornings are spent in a hectic, half-asleep, rushed daze, so whipping up a smoothee to drink in the car (or, when I'm even shorter on time, I just grab a meal bar) is one less thing for me to worry about.

Similarly, when lunchtime rolls around, there's a good chance that I'm still tackling the majority of things on my to-do list, so eliminating the wonder over what to eat at that time is always welcome. What can I say except that Shaklee 180™ has become a part of my life and that I love it? It's just that easy and tasty!

healthy smoothie
Mmmm, nice and green, just how I like it!

Along with all of the healthy and practical things that the Shaklee 180™ diet plan has taught me (e.g. eating lots of calories will not result in weight loss. Crazy idea, right?), this month I was challenged to list three other positive things that I've learned from being a part of the Shaklee blogger program.

Well, gee. Where to even begin?

While I probably could have listed a dozen or two things that Shaklee 180™ has taught me, these three came immediately to mind:

1. Even if I don't notice the small changes, other people might.

You know how a friend or family member sees your kid for the first time in a while and Whoa! Look at how you've grown! conversations are bound to happen? And that you agree, knowing that your child has actually gotten taller, but that they really don't look all that different simply because you see them seven days a week?

I see myself in the mirror Every. Single. Day. So while I might see a difference in how clothes fit or that my love handles suddenly don't have their own love handles, it can often be difficult to really think that I've lost any weight or inches.

Which is why it's all the more fulfilling and gratifying when another of the mom volunteers (who only sees me once a week) in one of my girls' classes studies me for a few seconds and asks, Are you losing weight? You're losing weight! or when my mom sees me on Skype for the first time in a while and firmly declares, Your face looks so much thinner!

2. I do have what it takes to walk that extra mile. Or four.

While my lack of willpower and general bad choices when it comes to sweets or portion sizes haven't all been cured by Shaklee 180™, there have been days in these past 11 weeks that the program has inspired me to push myself a little further than I would have thought possible — both figuratively and literally.

To start, the voice in my head, that voice that always tells me that I'm going to fail at this, hasn't been left to its own devices as usual. Instead, my mind has a response or comeback, and can often convince myself that I don't truly need to eat that chocolate bar or those chips.

As if that isn't enough, my inner desire to push myself further with exercise has been on the rise as well. While it isn't uncommon to walk to and from Big Sister E's school (it is only a few blocks away), I was inspired to walk to pick up Little Sister B from preschool last week... a walk that I estimated was two miles round-trip.

Imagine my surprise when I later used an online map to discover that it was more than two miles in each direction (which would explain how tired my legs were), which, when added to the rest of the walking for the day, ended with me reaching more steps in a single day than I ever had before. What's even crazier is that I'm actually looking forward to doing it all again someday soon.

3. Today is always a new day. 

This one is quite difficult for me, as it is something that I struggle with in pretty much all areas of my life: letting go. Moving on. Not holding a grudge. Forgiveness.

No matter how awesome the Shaklee Turnaround™ plan is, I know that I'm going to make mistakes. I know that I'm going to cheat or not be able to resist the desserts or just plain eat junk... that's all a given. But getting over it, accepting it and moving on still confident that another day can get me another step closer to my goal is a big change from my usual mindset.

(Bonus) 4. I need a new belt.

This one was a bit large when I bought it in the first place, but I've long moved from using the actual holes to using the ones that are there for decorative purposes... and it's just not working out.

There is always far too much belt hanging off the end and the grommets, which aren't meant to be used, are falling off left and right. Shopping time, Baby!

belt too big

As I'm nearing the halfway mark in my Shaklee 180™ journey, I'm focusing on the fact that I am also just about halfway to my weight loss goal. I'm learning to eat better, make different choices and look for inspiration and motivation around me each and every day.

scale with tape measure
Starting weight: Ugh.
Week 1: -5 lbs
Week 4: -10.2 lbs
Week 8: -12 lbs
Week 11: -13 lbs

I'm saying goodbye to my Before and am ready to say hello to my After with Shaklee 180™. If you'd like to find out more about the program, connect with them on their website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

You can also find out more about all of Shaklee's incredible products for healthy nutrition, home and beauty by connecting with Shaklee Corporation on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating in the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. My opinions are my own. I am also a Shaklee Independent Distributor.

People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ Program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.

11 comments:

Robin Wilson said...

M'dear if that belt is any indication your are rocking this program! I am so glad that you don't beat yourself up for the little slips that are bound to happen and do pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments! Keep up the great work!

Alison said...

Yahoo for needing a new belt! That is awesome. And keep up the great work!

dannyscotland said...

Sounds like you're doing awesome!!

Courtney B said...

i like the "today is a new day" one.. very inspiring :) thanks! helped my day out a bit...

Unknown said...

Seriously?! The belt is amazing. Good for you, girl! I love "today is a new day". I needed to hear that!

slehan said...

It's learning to let go of that little voice inside that says you CAN'T do something & learn to trust your self.
Good on you!

Unknown said...

It looks like you are making process and you should be thrilled!

Green & Clean Mom said...

You are doing GREAT! I think you are right when we see ourselves all the time in the mirror we don't always see the differences! Keep up the great work! I love the belt photo!

ReviewsSheRote said...

I love the point that TODAY IS A NEW DAY!! Yeah for a new belt =D

Unknown said...

awesome. hope you kept the belt to remind you of all your hard work.

knickgirl_3 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

have some work! hope you kept the belt.