Body Transformation: The Slight Edge

I Feel better this morning. No more nauseous stomach and cramping intestines. I didn’t get on the scale this morning. I’ve decided to not get on it every day. My quest is not only to lose weight. Losing weight is actually a side effect of my quest.

Sounds a bit surprising even to me. I looked at New Vision’s contest banner again. Frankly they have the right idea. It’s a “Body Transformation Contest”. Get it? Body Transformation? In my mind that says overall health. Being physically fit, healthy in mind body and spirit. (Of course their contest guidelines are posted on the New Vision Website)

My aim is to become truly healthy. To become truly healthy is an ongoing process. Losing excess fat is a side effect of becoming healthy. Transforming your body is a side effect of becoming truly healthy. Building a strong flexible body is a side effect of becoming truly healthy.

Transforming your body is not a one time big thing. It is a series of small things daily over time. It is a change in lifestyle.

Transforming your lifestyle is not a one time big thing. It is a series of small things daily over time.

It is truly amazing how things come together.

I was asking what can I do, how do I do this. Not only about losing fat; which I had accumulated way too much of, but about my life, business, relationships, and so on.

My weight was spinning out of control, my business was on total overload and spinning out of control, emotionally and mentally I was in a very dark place. I’d look at everything that needed to be taken care of and just hit total overwhelm. Life seemed impossible. Fighting back from 5 years of illness, and 2 years of recovery. What a bloody mess. Go like crazy and crash from exhaustion, both physical, and mental. Then do it again. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster ride.

Then my 48th birthday rolled around. February 5th, 2008. I thought to myself “I’ve had enough of this, no more”. I’m not doing this any more. No more rollercoaster in weight, business, emotions, health, life! I want off this horrid ride. What are my options? How do I get off this ride? How do I get rid of this static in my mind? How do I live in peace with myself?

It’s amazing, how when you ask questions answers are provided. It’s truly amazing how quickly answers come up when you ask questions. Take note; be aware of what questions you are asking.

It’s amazing how God leads you to useful tools. Most of which have been there all along. (No I’m not getting preachy. Each person’s relationship with their God is between them and their God-by whatever name they choose to use-each of has free will-choice, and the responsibility that goes along with it)

It amazes me how we can complete huge projects by small actions. Truly amazes me. Happily the static is gone from my mind. I am no longer on overload. I am becoming healthy; I can feel the muscles in my abdominal region strengthening. I can actually see my body composition changing. Good by excess fat, pretty exciting stuff.

A dear friend of mine recommended a book by Byron Katie (which I purchased but haven’t read yet) and a set of CDs by Jim Rohn. Challenge to Succeed is the CD set. Excellent. I bought a package deal with the CD’s in it and this little book with a blue and white cover was in there. For some reason it caught my eye and I picked it up and started to read it. Excellent life transforming resource. The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.

Buy it from me, or don’t buy it from me, it doesn’t matter. But read the book. You will be glad you did.

Life is a journey, enjoy the trip.
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With our Pomeranians
307.788.0202 Mountain Time USA

I had an epiphany today.

I watched the biggest loser last night. First time this season that I’ve seen it. Usually I’m doing something else or my husband has the remote. I was getting on my elliptical to work out and decided to watch tv while doing so and came across the program. I’m glad I did. I watched these 2 teams, blue and black go for the big weight loss numbers. Some with success and some with utter failure. I saw some of the same emotional pain and frustration on their faces as I’m dealing with.

At the end of the program Jillian (one of the trainers) came on and was talking about diet. As in what you put in your mouth, chew and swallow. A couple of the folks on the black team had severely restricted their calories trying to drop a high number of pounds for the week and it backfired.

If you cut your calories too low your metabolism will slow way down and you will not lose fat. You may even gain weight because your body will hang on to every calorie it gets. It goes into starvation mode.

So what do you do? Eat 5 or 6 times a day. No not 5000 calories unless you are doing an ultra marathon every day. Get a grip, and get off your butt.

I am using New Vision’s diet program, and it’s excellent. Now make sure you hear me. I am not living on diet shakes alone. I am eating 5 or 6 times a day.

Transforming your body, losing excess fat (note the excess in this sentence), developing a healthy relationship with your body, dealing with the physical changes in your body; is not only a physical transformation. It is a mental/emotional/spiritual transformation as well.

How you see yourself; what you believe, determines how your physical body transforms.

Actually; how you see yourself, what you tell yourself, the questions you ask yourself, what you believe not only determines how your physical body transforms; it determines how you live your life.

Your physical life. Your personal life. Your spiritual life. Your business life.

That said I had an epiphany today. Actually tonight as I was trying to go to bed. Yes I got out of bed and started writing. If I ad 2 kilometers a week I can make the full marathon distance by race day. May 25th 2008.

Yesterday I did 5 kilometers in the morning and 5 kms (kilometers) in the evening. Today I ate breakfast and went straight out to the kennels. Took about 20 minutes for lunch and kept working until around 5 pm. Popped into an online meeting at 5pm. Turned up the volume so I could listen without being tied to the computer. Stuck supper in the oven and got on my elliptical.

I did 10 kilometers on the elliptical tonight.

As I went to bed I was asking myself how could I make the full 26.2 mile (42.16 kilometer) marathon rather than the half. Just as I was starting my prayers, add 2 kilometers a week popped into my head, along with the belief that it’s actually attainable.

This is a huge thing for me. I’ve had doing a marathon on my life list for a very long time. Every time I started training for it I would sabotage myself. I didn’t believe I could actually do it.

Mindset is a powerful thing. I believe I can do a marathon. I believe I can do the Wyoming May 25th, 2008 Marathon.

Training for this marathon will play a major part in my body transformation. Good nutrition, plays a major part in my body’s transformation as well. Yes I’m taking vitamins and minerals: New Vision of course.

How much weight am I going to lose? How many inches am I going to lose? I’m not really sure. Overall weight loss, and overall inch loss can be pretty variable. So what am I working for. A sleek athletic, healthy body. A major goal for me is to be able to walk normally, and not have my thighs touch. So I’m not sure at what weight that will occur. Frankly I don’t care what weight that happens at. I do not want my thighs rubbing together when I walk.

What I do want is a firm athletic, healthy body. For the first time in my life I can actually see it in my minds eye. And get this, it’s attainable.

He he he, happy dance, happy dance, happy dance. I’m free. For the first time in my life, I am free. I am free and I am not afraid. That’s a biggie.

Life is a journey… one step at a time…
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream with our Pomeranians

Buggered it: VS Decide, Commit, Succeed

Well I did it. I truly buggered it yesterday. I opened up my Hip Hop Abs dvd’s (yesterday morning) with the intent of checking each of them to make sure all the dvd’s worked. Well I did a lot more than just look at them. I know better but I did it anyway. I did the big OD. That’s right I over did it and as a result I had a very painful (not very productive) exhausted day yesterday. Knocked me out.

This morning is a raw hamburger day, as in I feel like a piece of live raw hamburger. No not like eating it. I feel like I’ve been run through a grinder. Hello lactic acid buildup. Ugh!

I took a couple of ibuprofen last night and crashed. Thanks to the ibuprofen , the pain dulled and I actually got some sleep. I didn’t even get up to stoke (reload) our wood stove. As a result it was a bit frosty in here when I got up this morning.

What’s the point, other than all this ow … ow … ow… whining? In the past when this happened, or rather when I did this to my self. I would crawl off in a corner (couch or bed) and hide under a blanket until the pain went away. Heads up folks! That doesn’t work, oh yes the pain will eventually go away. But you end up with less muscle tone. Usually pigging out on junk food while hiding under the blanket feeling sorry for yourself. So when you do emerge you have an extra fat roll or two hanging off your rear.

I am happy to say, well not overly happy still annoyed with myself for completely overdoing it. When I could have gradually worked into a full Hip Hop Ab workout without all this pain and swelling. Ok, it’s too late to get that off to a less painful start. I am where I am.

Back on point, I got up this morning. Gimped around my house letting the dogs out, got on the scale, (bounced up 2 pounds- yes I know it’s a result of the swelling but I still don’t like it) got dressed, and got on my elliptical. Yes I am still working out.

No I’m not binging on junk. Actually I’m not binging at all. That’s how I know the weight bounce is due to the swelling and not fat packing back on my body. In truth I was more than a bit concerned about my mindset after a weight bounce, but it’s good. It’s good because I know it’s just part of the process of my body’s transformation to a healthier sleeker physique, not a result of a pig out session.

Yes I did hip hop abs again today. Just not the full workout. I set the timer for 10 minutes and worked my way through 10 minutes of a dance routine. Yes I was ouching it all the way through. No I’m not so tough, nor am I a total whiner. What I am is determined. At the beginning of the workouts on hip hop abs it has this 3 word series scrolling across the screen. It describes exactly what it takes to reach you goals. Decide…Commit…Succeed.

I have Decided, I have Commited, I am Succeeding. Whoo Hoo… sore muscles will not stop me. A minor bounce will not derail my commitment. I am succeeding.

I am going for the $50,000 New Vision has put up for prize money. But you know it’s not just the money. Although it’s true, the money is a great inspiration. I am feeling so much better than I have in a very long time. Sore muscles aside. I feel better physically. I feel better mentally. I am more at peace with myself.

I had my Forte Shake for breakfast. Took my vitamins and minerals and am on to my day.

Life is a journey…enjoy the trip
Mary E. Robbins
307-788-0202
Robbins Run Ranch: Living the Dream With Our Pomeranians

New Vision Does it Again: Weight Loss challenge: $50,000 first prize!

Wow, Ok where do I start? I’ve been struggling with my weight. Gotten very heavy in fact. This past summer I hit 299 pounds and it was a wake up call. I was actually losing some weight Up until Thanksgiving then I went binge nuts and gained part of it back. I had lost down to 278 pounds, and then gained back up to 287 pounds. We all know the yo yo bit in weight is not good for a person, ok.

Anyway I was working on goals, and looking around for an outside motivator for me. A bit of support and inspiration.

Well on January 3rd I popped into a conference call for New Vision. There was President BK Boreyko announcing the winners of the Weight Loss Challenge that had just wrapped up. I was a bit pissed at myself because I had planned on entering it and had not gotten my starting photos taken.

I was sitting at my desk listening to the names and stories of the winners. The 5th place winner lost 16 pounds for a $1500.00 prize, and it went up from there. The first place winner lost 47 pounds for a first place prize of $15,000.00. It was a 3 month contest.

After the winner’s were announced and congratulated BK Boreyko had another announcement. By this time I was feeling, more than a bit, pissed at myself for not being a part of this whole process. In truth feeling a bit sorry for myself as well. You know, the slumped over my desk, lip sticking out sulk bit.

Then my ears perked up, what was he saying?! Thankfully he repeated it, and I promptly went to the website to confirm. New Vision is running another weight loss challenge. It is running for 179 days from the start (the start date was Jan 3rd) with total prizes amounting to $100,000.00.

Ok I’m sitting up much straighter by this time. Remember; I was looking for inspiration. A bit of leverage to keep myself going, you know other than feeling better and looking better and so on. Frankly, Money is a very good method of inspiration for me. $50,000.00 for first prize, $20,000.00 for second prize and so on.

I have my starting point photos taken this time. No more hiding for me, I’m going for it. I figure I have as good as chance as anyone for that first prize, I wouldn’t turndown any of the prize money for that matter. Would you? At any rate I’ll be getting rid of some very unwanted fat. In time for that summer season.

The Holiday Fat Fanny Season is over. Oh come on, you know nearly everyone packs on some pounds over the holiday season. Whether it’s just a few or a truckload of lard. Why not get paid to lose the fat and feel better at the same time.

New Vision has excellent products; there is no question about that.

Jump on Board and Get Paid to Lose Weight Now!

If you have any questions, need help or support I’ll be glad to help. Just pick up your phone and call. This is my number 307.788.0202

I decided to blog my progress… So I’m posting my start photos… no more hiding for me.

Go to my website click on the weight challenge link and check it out. While you are there order the diet systems. Both are excellent.

Life is a journey… see you lighter
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307.788.0202
USA Mountain Time


Click here and Get Started Today.

Eat to Live or Live to Eat, The choice is Yours!

Ok it's true, when you are getting in condition; Changing your body composition, building muscle, losing fat, getting healthy, sometimes your actual weight increases.

No that's not an excuse to go binge, stuff your face or whatever. Muscle weighs more than fat does. Fat takes up 5 times the space muscle does. Fat burns much fewer calories than muscle does.

As I said, sometimes your actual weight increases. Keep on working out and your fat content will decrease. Your weight will decrease as well; that is if you have more fat to lose. Ok now that's not an excuse either.

The most important thing in losing weight, becoming healthy, any kind of training or life changes is (drum roll please) your mindset.

I used to Live to Eat, now I Eat to Live. Understand the difference? Yes? No? I can’t answer that question for you, only you can. When you understand the difference losing weight is no longer an issue.

No I don’t mean you will become healthy overnight. What I do mean is that when you understand that food is fuel for your body so you can live, not a coping mechanism to bury your emotions, or a place to hide. Or any number of other things, the list could go on and on.

You can actually enjoy what you eat, you are not limited in your selections.

You don’t have to use The Forte Diet to lose weight. Wow did I say that? Yes I did. Yes I market The Forte Diet. That said yes I use it. I like it. It makes for a quick and easy meal for me. I tastes good, is full of vitamins and minerals, keeps my energy levels at a good level, and my body feels good when I drink it for a quick meal.

That said, no it’s not the only thing I eat. I enjoy a good grilled steak too. Actually I enjoy meals now. No guilt over whatever I happen to eat. Woo Hoo! I used to freak over every bite. I eat to live now. I also listen to my body. Listen, your body will tell you when it’s had enough.

Yes you can ignore it and keep eating. You know that already, all you have to do is look around at all the obese people eating themselves to death to see that.

On the flip side-folks: starving yourself to death is not any healthier than eating yourself into size of a bloated walrus. Neither extreme is healthy!

I weighed in this morning. I gained 2 pounds. I knew I was going to gain, I’ve been lifting very heavy, working my muscles to exhaustion. No not in a gym, I’ve been working on the kennel getting it winterized. That involves lifting 13 foot sheets of tin, bales of straw, tires, posts, 2 by 4’s, and so on. At this point the Robbins Run Ranch: Pomeranian Kennel workout is all I can handle. Woof baby.

I can feel and see the difference in my body. It’s a good thing I have some suspenders or my jeans would be falling off. They look like baggy clown pants as it is. Lol.

Truth be told I’m looking forward to a new wardrobe as my size continues to drop. I’m also looking forward to being able to walk the Medicine Bow Half Marathon (13.1 miles) Sunday, May 25th, 2008.

It’s been a long journey from extreme illness to this point. It feels good being able to pick up a 13 foot sheet of tin, or a post driver. After surgery I couldn’t even lift a coffee pot. Forget picking up my Pomeranians. That was sheer torture.

My abs have healed back together, they were cut from my navel to bikini line. Now my body is getting stronger, and stronger. The fat is coming off my waist. I’m on my way to six pack abs.

It will take at least a year to work the fat off. I don’t want to take it off really fast, because I do not want my skin to be hanging all over the place. The goal is to lose fat at a steady healthy pace.

That said hopefully my skin will tighten up so I will not have to have it surgically removed. That said: if I have to have some removed, then so be it. But, I am going to do whatever I can to make that unnecessary, and still reduce my body size.

Life is a journey… enjoy the trip
Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307.788.0202

Whoo Hoo... I lost 3 lbs... that makes 21 lbs down!

I am a happy camper! Yes it's true... losing another 3 pounds puts a smile on my face...lol... 21 pounds lost so far. Yeah ok, I’m excited. I hadn’t been on the scale in a bit and I was concerned that I had gained. Happily I did not.

The process of moving the rescue dogs to our property has been an extremely stressful one. Unfortunately I allowed my state of mind to bounce all over the place. Bottom line, Mindset is the most important thing in getting healthy, losing weight, anything you attempt to do.

I am using the forte’ diet to help things along. It tastes great and is a quick meal replacement. My energy level is staying pretty high as well. This is a good thing since there is much to do…

Check it out… If I can lose weight using this so can you!

It's pretty exciting to me watching the pounds roll off. Feeling good while losing weight is a much appreciated added bonus!

For those of you with business on your minds. This is an excellent business opportunity! Take a look, it can add an additional stream of income to your business portfolio. Or if you are just starting in the home business arena it is an excellent opportunity to launch yourself into financial freedom!

Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

307.788.0202 USA MT