Another transformation- my health!

Over the past 3 months, you know we've been working on transforming our new house into a home.

Each room has been carefully painted and decorated to make it more our own.

But, the house wasn't the only thing getting a dramatic makeover.

I, too, needed a little work. 

Now, before you get all crazy on me, I'm not talking about just the cosmetic. No nipping and tucking, no botox or liposuction here. 

I'm talking both inside and out. 
A full health makeover.

You see, in September, as we were just moving into our new home, Tom began having chest pains while moving a refrigerator from one house to the other (4 doors away).

He was rushed to the hospital to learn that he had several serious blockages that required immediate catheterization. 

This was plenty scary for me and was, I think, as much of a wake up call to me as it was to my sweet husband.  I knew that my eating habits were that of an overworked, overtired, unhealthy mother of 5. (Read: NOT GOOD)

I have always (let me say that again, always) had weight issues. 

(I should say that I've always had health issues, but until recently, I only saw the weight as the real problem. I never recognized that it stemmed from poor health.)

I always felt heavy and ugly and had a pretty unhealthy self image.

Then came a post on fb from a dear fellow adoptive mom and orphan advocate for whom I had a great deal of respect.

She was sharing about how she had gotten healthy with a product called Isagenix. 

Of course, it got my attention that she had lost weight, but what was captivating was the way she described her new found energy levels and vibrant health.

Two things that I have never really had.

So, knowing that something had to change, I finally felt ready to take a leap.

I ordered the Isagenix 30 day system and have not looked back!

Unlike every other weight loss plan I've ever tried (there have been a long list over the years), this one was training me to eat REAL food, while controlling my blood sugars and cravings in healthy ways.

After about day 4 on this plan, and with only a few pounds gone, I felt 15 years younger!  Seriously, it wasn't the weight, though I knew that taking that off was a healthy choice, it was my overall energy levels and stamina.  I really have no words to explain exactly what it was like because I'd never felt that way before!

Waking up on a Saturday morning and being fully rested and ready to tackle the day (without coffee!) was unheard of for me.

What I love best about these products ( and there are many things) is that they are all natural, non-GMO (Genetically modified), no hormones, REAL FOOD products!  

I also loved the support I received from our online group we lovingly call, Adoptagenix!

"AdoptAgenix is a team of mission-minded product users and business builders in the awesome solutions-based company of ISAGENIX. Our goal is to create healthy and prosperous forever families by the use of the most incredible nutrition on the planet and impact the lives of orphans and people globally."

 This amazing group of men and women, most of whom are adoptive parents, foster parents, or orphan care advocates are amazing people with a desire to be as healthy as they can be so that they can offer all they have to caring for their children/families. Many of the over 900 families represented in this group have special needs children.  I have been astounded at the testimonials of significant change experienced in these families and in their children after using Isagenix to start a healthier lifestyle.  Through this group, I've received incredible education and can I just tell you how much I DIDN'T KNOW?  Oh my word. I didn't know the dangers of aspartame, or coffee, or chemically altered foods. The stuff that I had been naively feeding my family for years! 

Here is my first
"before & after"
photo.

In my first 30 days, I released 14 pounds and over 27 inches!

But, I was feeling so great that I had no intention of going back. Not only was I loving the meal replacement shakes (think filet mignon, not MCDs!), but I was eating incredible meals that were healthy and filling.

And... are you sitting?

I was COOKING!
Yes, me!  
Cooking!

Don't believe me?

I have proof!
(Disclaimer: My husband has been the cook in his family for about 60 years and I was THE most spoiled wife and mother ever- never cooked!)

Just look at these colorful and well rounded meals!

Gluten Free Pizza crust with organic pizza sauce (Paul Newman's), chicken breakst, black beans, red and yellow peppers, mushrooms and mozzarella. 

Organic Brown Rice, sautéed mushrooms, wild salmon, heated fresh berries and avocado salad.

The makings of the most delicious venison friend rice dish!

Wild Salmon, Fresh organic green beans, sautéed mushrooms, fresh apple and corn tortilla.

Homemade chicken nuggets and organic salad with feta cheese.

Fresh grilled chicken salad from Cracker Barrell
(I was on the road and had to eat something fast!)

Fresh organic greens with avocado, sunflower seeds and wild salmon.

Wild Salmon burger from Costco (yum!), roasted sweet potatoes, avocado and fresh slices tomatoes.

Quinoa salad with mangos and black beans!
Delish!

The kids just love helping me in the kitchen, though Tommy (our youngest) still enjoys teasing me about actually cooking meals since his whole life that element has been absent. :-)

Not only is the team at Isagenix teaching me to make healthier choices for myself and my family, but they are doing it in a fun, supportive and non-judgmental way.

I can't tell you how much their support has meant to me during this time of transition.

Now, admittedly, my only real goal when placing my first order was to lose some weight and prove to myself that I didn't have to be unhealthy for the rest of my life. 

But, as I've gotten healthier and had the chance to cheer others on who shared that goal, I realized that I really have fun coaching and mentoring others!  I actually enjoy celebrating their successes as much as my own. And guess what?

I can get paid for it!

That's right. Like other network marketing compensation structures, Isagenix provides an opportunity for associates to sponsor others toward their healthy goals by using the product line to nutritionally cleanse their bodies of the many toxins it is exposed to daily through Nutritional cleansing.  

I have been so blessed in that the Lord has allowed me the honor of working with Lifeline in orphan care ministry, a true passion of my heart. But, it is also a blessing that I can earn additional income helping other dear people realize their own potential!  And my success helps others who are also in this amazing gospel-centered, orphan loving, protect and defend line of work! 

My business directly impacts missionaries in Guatemala who are serving orphans and families in that region. I love that I can have a small role in that! 

If you'd like to learn more about how you can supplement your income or begin your own journey to health and vitality, please message me.
teamrylands.isagenix@gmail.com 
I'd love to share more with you about how you too can get truly healthy and stay that way!

Finally a little glimpse at some before and after shots that help keep me going. 



The series of pictures above is a collection of "gotcha day" photos. 

What is significant about these is the unhealthy progression of my weight/health throughout the last two years of intense adoption-focused life.

With each successive adoption, I was more and more unhealthy. (Not unlike a natural pregnancy, I gained a lot of weight). 

Here below, I am with a sweet friend in Central Park, NY where we traveled to serve families suffering home damage from Hurricane Sandy.

That's me on the right!
July, 2013
Central Park, NY

To say that this trip was physically taxing for me would be such an understatement.

I was so unhealthy that working out in the 100+ degree heat for 6 hours at a time doing manual labor was almost unbearable.

This one was taken just in October.

With my sweet, sweet friend, Sharon at the Together 4 Adoption Conference
Louisville, KY
October, 2013

Our family before Isagenix

August, 2013

Our family after Isagenix!

December 2013

Not only am I transforming my own health, but what I'm learning is allowing me to impact the health of my husband and children too! 

Thanks for sticking with me on this long post, but I really wanted to share my story in the hopes that some other overworked Mom or Dad could see some light at the end of their tunnel too!


Blessings,
Angie