I Finally Have a Spine!

Just like the collarbone, I was able to feel my spine and backbone. It is something I had never experienced. It made me also realize that I needed to 'grow a spine' or 'have some back bone'. As an overweight person (ok, I still am) I have spent my life trying to fit in and do things so people will like me. As a general rule, people don't like FAT people they judge them. I have heard things like lazy, if you would just eat less, remember portion control, exercise more, fat people shouldn't drive small cars, you need to buy a 2nd seat for the Southwest Airlines, or my personal favorite the plus size section is over there. I myself have been guilty of those thoughts, I went to an older single activity and noticed right away that the woman were overweight and I was judging them. It shocked me to the core that I was so mean & ruthless. I was glad I didn't say anything, but thoughts lead to words and words lead to actions. I am sure that I stared and gave
'dirty & mean looks' like those same ones that still stare at me. We live in a world where we never accept others more importantly we don't accept who we are ourselves. We find that we have many imperfections that we cannot change anything. One of the biggest changes in this transformation has been the spiritual transformation. I had made a choice at age 19 to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I accepted this blessing and lived my life for the most part according to it's teachings. I was able to serve a mission, be married in the Mesa Temple, and raise my children with the love and support of wonderful church programs. I should have been happy. But life isn't always about happy. The problem was that I was just 'mormon' by appearance, go to church on Sunday and look the part don't go all in and allow the blessing of the Love of Christ to take effect in my life. As I started to change my spiritual life in November 2006,
things started to change in other aspects of my life. My friendships were becoming stronger, my love for my kids was growing, and my career was taking off. It was my marriage that was falling apart faster. So when this year started I felt lost, alone, betrayed by so may in my life, where was I to turn? I began the Nutriiveda Transformation that included working on my spirit. It was easy to do because I was already broken financially (no job), physically (weighed 343.8 Pounds), emotionally (my husband of 18+ years had left with my oldest son), and spiritually (I felt let down by my church leadership). As I started to pray with a true and earnest heart, I started to feel the Holy Ghost stronger. As I continued to go to the Temple, I started to understand God's plan for me. But I still doubted if I was loved by God. Yes, I was seeing incredible blessings in my life, but couldn't believed that I was loved by God, because my life was so messed up. But I was
surviving (you might have to ask my friends if I was really surviving). My kids were surviving (maybe physically, they were broken as well emotionally). I still had doubts and questions, so I turned to my friends and asked them about their thoughts on God. The answers were so helpful. But the question asked by 1 friend hit me to the core, because it was what I was thinking. The question was "Did you become LDS when you got married?" Even though that answer was NO, it made me question even stronger what I believed. I knew I needed the answer and as a WISE woman said this "sometimes there are questions that only YOU can answer. I feel that maybe it is time for DEB to find out. How I wish I could answer your questions and have them resolved...I can't...but the Lord and you can....find him....ask him...look inside and trust yourself no matter what YOU decide" This played on my mind and over and over again! (I was grateful that it was General Conference
Weekend, because I couldn't go to church with all these doubts) I knew where I needed to go and where I would find my answer. I wanted to know with all my heart if I was a Daughter of God, loved by an Heavenly Parents. In the Bible, James 1:5 it says -"If you lack wisdom as of God, and he will give you the answer". I had asked God before about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints was Christ True church on the earth today and I was told thru the Holy Ghost. Yes it is true ! But I had never asked if I had any devine worth, was I really a special person with heavenly parents who loved me?. I was texting a friend and I came up with a spiritual challenge, Read the Book of Mormon & Attend the temple once a week,by January 4, 2011 (my 42nd Birthday) that gave us 92 days to achieve this goal. (i asked 3 friends to join with me, and I grateful for those miracles in their
life already) If after that time if I still felt nothing, then I needed to look for a different spiritual option, for my life. I fasted and prayed to know! The lord has given me the answer so clearly. Not only thru friends whose testimony scares me, but thru love example of walking at the track, thru talks given in church, thru job interviews, thru great primary leadership. But also thru music. (Jericho Road) They have 2 songs that "what his love is for" and "love will find you there" These were not just chance happened they were hand of God in my life. I was told "Seeing is believing, NO! When you Believe it, then you will see it!!" I had believed I could lose the weight and did. I needed to believe in me!
As I doubted what I knew all along, just as my kids sometimes don't think I love them because I make them do chores, take their medicine when sick, do their homework, or have manners. It is the with my Heavenly Father and me, just because these things happen doesn't mean I am not loved, that I don't have greatness built inside of me, just because of who I am! A Daughter of a Loving God who believes in me enough to send my older brother to Earth to suffer and die for my mistakes, my hurts, my broken hearts, my losses, and my failures. Because he believes in my success as a person, as a mother, as a child, and as his daughter.
This is why I finally have a spine and backbone! I have great things to accomplish and I cannot do it without being 100% obedient.

100 Pounds Lost! I don't want to find them

Finally 100 Pounds lost.

I have “dreamed” of that day for YEARS and I mean like over 16 years. That is when I realized how Fat I had become. It has been on my Bucket List for that long as well. So to say that I longed to be able to say that I made it seemed that it took about 4 weeks to finally get it off. The day came on October 10th 2010. That might not mean a lot to many people but it means the world to me. That day I weighed in at 241 pounds.

So what does it really mean to lose 100 pounds? The total amount as of October 16, 2010 since Feb. 1st is 105 pounds. Yep that is a small wrestler. So basically I lost a small 14-year-old boy a PERSON. As the numbers were read (yep, I close my eyes when I weigh in) I heard that it was 238. I knew I had finally made it. I didn’t cry or feel sad. I was in shock. But I still knew this meant that I still wasn’t even half way to my goal. To the friends who support and encourage me in this journey the best part was being told that you were proud of me. I never realized that having someone believe in me made it easier to keep trying. It helped me to understand that it is possible for me to accomplish anything that I put my mind to.

So what exactly has happened during this journey? What have I accomplished or been able to do again?

After not being able to walk 5 houses down the block, I was able to walk a mile, in Feb.
In March I was able to “Walk” my first 5k, and completed it in 1 hour and 10 minutes
In April I was able to “Walk” Pat’s Run 4.2 miles. It took me 90 minutes but I felt a sense of accomplishment.
In May I was able to win $250 for the 1st Nutriiveda Challenge
In June I was able to go down the waterslide with my kids for the first time ever. It is something that changed how I looked at this weight loss.
In July I was able to see my middle boy get baptized, and I wasn’t afraid or ashamed of how I might look in the pictures. (That was HUGE for me.) I also realized I have a collarbone!
In August I ran/jogged for the first time since 1985 when I ran Cross Country at Corona del Sol High school. I was just bored walking at Ben’s practice when I started to run. I had made it a whole lap around the track. It was so happy. (I so posted it on FB!!) But the part that was amazing and humbling was that Saturday I was at Ben’s football game and the kids were being crazy. I just wanted to get to the car and go home so I started to jog and then run with the Ben and Beth behind me. They caught up really quickly and Beth said, “Mom, do you know you are running, really running” I was caught off guard that my sweet 5 year old daughter had never seen me run. To her I was the mom who just sat on the couch or went to work because I didn’t have the energy to do anything.
In September I started to walk every Tuesday Night at the CDS track and a minimum of 2 miles. I also had started to walk on the treadmill every morning. It was a great way to start the day.
In October I realized that I could get faster if I ran the back part of the track and run up the stadium stairs. It has been great to feel muscle again my legs.

So the 2nd Nutriiveda Challenge was completed on the 16th of October
The final weigh in numbers are 238.0 pounds. My waist was 40 inches and my hips were 53.5 inches. That is a 15% weight loss in 12 weeks.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed in the fact that I still didn’t get the 100 pounds off in 12 weeks, But I cannot say that I am not proud of the accomplishment. (It has been a hard thing for me to admit!)
I was told that losing this weight is like climbing a mountain, yes the view from the top is the best, BUT the view is also beautiful when you are half way up the mountain.

This journey is not just a weight loss plan. (The biggest benefit!) But it is a mind, body, and spirit transformation. I can that there has been times when I have forgotten about the spiritual aspect and have felt empty. As I was able to redirect myself back to the most important thing I need to remember that I know what I know and I cannot deny it. This life is never easy and sometimes it is filled with doubt. It happens with the weight loss as well, I wonder could I have exercised more, could I have increased my intensity, could I have eaten better. The one conclusion is that it is the consistent actions that lead to the goal whether physical laws or spiritual laws.

I know that I am not a blogger but I do have goals. So here they are!!

I will be starting my 3rd Nutriiveda Challenge on November 1st. The reason is that when that Challenge is over it will be Feb. 1st 2011. The year mark.
I will be participating in the Dash and Splash again, my goal time is 35 minutes.
I will be completing the Book of Mormon by Jan. 4, 2011.
I will be attending the Temple weekly.
I will be walking every Tuesday Night at the CDS track.
I will be back in school to complete my degree.

I have been blessed with great friends who have taken the time to help me along the way. Thank you for your words of encouragement and support. To celebrate the 1st 100 pounds lost; on October 26th 2010 from 6pm –8pm we will be celebrating at Surreno’s on Arizona Avenue. Come join the celebration!

The Mulligan the Collarbone and CdS Football Kick-off

I know that the blog hasn’t been updated as often as I have liked but that is about to change. Part of my recommitment to the Nutriiveda Challenge
Things in my life have been crazy. My divorce trail is over and I am waiting on the final decree to be signed to be officially divorced. After 18 years of marriage I never would have believed it would end in divorce. But as I was once told by a very WISE MAN, Everyone deserves to be happy. Ben was baptized and it was amazing. The kids also are back at school. Ben and Bert both started football.

I have also started the Nutriiveda Success Group; it is a group that meets every other week to talk about their success with weight loss and to share great ideas. I loved the ideas shared. I really like that we are able to make commitments to each other to help us stay on track with the weight loss.

That brings me to the Mulligan. In golf, when you want a do over you ask for a mulligan. I asked for one with the Nutriiveda Challenge. I restarted on July 23, 2010.
My new starting weight was 280 pounds, my new waist measurement was 49.75 inches, and my new hip measurement was 60 inches.
I needed the new start and it has been great. I was able to recommit myself to the principles that had helped me lose some weight earlier this year. I had felt bad because my goal of losing over 100 pounds before the divorce didn’t happen. I had also hoped to lose 100 pounds before Kasey’s Mission Farewell, which also didn’t happen. I was starting to feel like I wasn’t making any progress. Boy was I wrong!!

That brings me to THE COLLORBONE!
For over 30 years I have been over weight, morbidly overweight for 18 years (yep I ate to find happiness and comfort) so whenever I look in the mirror I have seen nothing but fat. I was starting to notice that ALL of my shirts were falling off of me. I looked like a little kid with their dad’s shirt on. I started to notice that I had this weird looking hard thing on the sides of my neck. So during a weigh in I showed Eliisa (yes only a true friend would look at what you think is strange on your body) I told her isn’t this weird, She said “No, that is your collar bone.” I knew thru biology class that I had a collarbone but I had never felt it. Then when I could feel a shoulder joint as well. I realized that I had been losing weight. I can’t explain the joy that has come from feeling my collarbone. (Yes, I have asked many people to touch it because I am so happy I can see it.)

But nothing so far has replaced what happened at the Corona del Sol Football Kick-off Potluck. I have gone with Bert for the past 3 years. This was the 4th time. In years past because of my size I would find a table in the back corner and even have my kids or soon-to-be-ex get me a plate of food. I didn’t want to embarrass my son, but also I didn’t want people to see how really big I was. It was easier to not participate then to try. It was even harder seeing that this is the same High School that I attended and feels that it was an amazing place to be a part of for four years. I would do the same thing during the wrestling potlucks as well.
We this night was different, I was able to get there earlier and had a desire to help any way that I could. I had energy to help, even though I had been at work all day long. I walked in and a lot of the Mom’s noticed that I had lost some weight. I signed up for the email list to help and even looked at the shirts they were selling. I had already made up my mind that I would be getting a 2XL shirt for Ben’s football team. (For me that was success seeing that on Feb. 1st I was in a size 5XL) So I asked the mom behind the table for a 2XL, she passed it to me. I put it up to me to see if I needed a size bigger. She said, “Honey, that shirt is too big on you, you need a XL” I couldn’t believe my ears. But I knew she was right and I bought it. You would never know that $10 shirt is worth about a million dollars to me. I then helped the other mothers stock the tables for the potluck. It is a lot of running back and forth, but I had the energy and I wasn’t embarrassed about my size. I was THRILLED to help my son’s team, any small way that I could. I then made a choice to put on a Corona del Sol Shirt. It was the first time in 23 years that I was able to show my AZTEC PRIDE!! I was worried that the shirt would be tight. It wasn’t in fact the arms are kinda baggy.

This has been a journey to coming back to the person that I was before, NO Fear, Trying to be kind, loving, helpful, and in control. I am no way perfect but during this transformation I have used the help of the one and only perfect one, Jesus Christ.

I have found strength that even on bad days I can see the miracles. I am so blessed, loved, and grateful. I love Nutriiveda and Know that this weight wouldn’t come off so fast without a product that eats fat naturally. A group of people who are positive and see the miracle and opportunity of the business side of the product.

So it come down to this in 3 weeks of the new challenge I have lost 21 pounds and 7 inches total. I weigh less than Bert for the first time in his whole life. That moment when I weighed in and heard that I was under 260 (Bert is 261) I was excited. I didn’t cry about the fact that I was so happy of that fact, until the next day. As of August 14, 2010, weight 259.0 pounds, waist 45.5 inches, and hips 57 inches. ( If I could only get the fat off of my butt and hips faster!! )

I still will hit my goal of losing 100 pounds before convention. My first goal is to Beat Eric Johnson’s one-month record of 32 pounds in 4 weeks. I will take effort and determination. The worst that happens is I lose more weight.

The Skinner Black Jeans

On Friday, July 9th I participated in a jeans day at work. It was my first one with the new job. I was excited to dress down. I realized that all of my Blue Jeans don’t fit. (Yippie) But bad news so I looked in the closet and found a pair of BLACK Jean that I haven’t been able to wear since the summer of 2004. (They were tight back then. I mean lay down on the bed and button them tight. ) So when I put them on and they were loose I was so excited. It sometimes is about feeling good about you. This made me so happy. I was on cloud 9!!

Well this week I weighed in and the numbers are not good but they are going back in the right direction.

Weight 269.4 (Yes!! I am out of the 270’s)
Waist 47 inches
Hips 58.5 inches

That is 13 pounds in 5 weeks. Not to bad, but I want more (yep! That is the PITTA in me!!)

One thing that I did figure out is that I need to sleep more! My journaling is getting better and I am trying to eat more. ( I still cannot eat 1400-1600 calories a day!! Gluten Free sometimes Stinks!)

I have always been fat, my whole life. (Well since 1st grade) I lost a lot of weight and started to feel and look good my junior year in high school at Corona del Sol (Once an AZTEC, Always an AZTEC!! Yeah! Aztec cross country!) But I gained it back and I lost even more weight right after I got married. That is a benefit of no kids and riding a bike all over the East Valley in the summer. But it never stayed off; I know this time is different because I have changed how I live.

I learned that people are motivated by pain and pleasure. I realized that I fear showing my kids an unhealthy lifestyle. That is why I had just a speck of desire to change my life back in January, when I ran the dash and splash. Then through loving and supportive friends learning how to take ownership for my life and actions has been empowering. That is why I love seeing people join me on this Transformation. Not just of my body, but my mind and spirit.

I am blessed with great kids, wonderful friends, amazing leaders, and incredible examples of love, service, and compassion. So with that I must practice what I taught my Primary (Sunday School class for children) Class yesterday Luke 17:11-19. I have been like the other 9 lepers and didn’t thank the Savior for healing them physically. (I have walked around never showing my gratitude for those in my life) But I am now more like the one that came back and fell to the Saviors feet and expressed his thanks for the healing. I cannot express into words how blessed I feel and how whole I feel because of the Nutriiveda transformation. It has helped me to draw closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father spiritually; it has helped me to stay calmer during stressful times. It has given me clarity of my emotions. Physically it has allowed me lose some weight, walk faster than before and now even start jogging. It is amazing.

Thank you to all my friends who have been there to cheer me on, light the path with your example, walk with me in dark of night both literally and figuratively. I am a better person now than I was 5 months ago and my future can only get brighter.

My Independence Day

My Independence DAY

I was struck this 4th of July about how I now have more freedoms because of the weight I have lost. As a family tradition my parents every year go to Rustler’s Roost for dinner on the 4th of July. This allows us to see the Fireworks all over the Valley of the Sun with out having to deal with the Heat. In years past I would park the car at the bottom of the hill and wait 10-15 minutes for a shuttle to drive me up the hill. This year I was able to walk up the hill without even getting winded. It was a real eye opener to see how a little thing like walking could make me feel so proud. I really felt a sense of pride that I have been able to shed some pounds. (Not as many as I have wanted but more than many people have thought possible.)

I haven’t had the kind of success that I had the first time that I participated in the challenge. There are a few things that I realized that I was doing wrong, this time. I haven’t been exercising the 20-30 minutes (I know so lazy! Who would have thought moving and going to job interviews would be messing up my workouts). I am a person who needs a goal to work on. So because of that realization I am now training for the Susan G. Koman Race for the cure on 10-10-10. (I know I normally don’t run races on Sunday. I will figure a way to participate and keep the Sabbath Day Holy. Yes, I am looking for suggestions) the second thing that I realized which is KEY to the Nutriiveda Transformation is the journaling. I haven’t been keeping track of what I eat, how I feel, or how I see my life. I know that I can and will do better. The 3rd part of the challenge where I have been lacking is an accountability partner. It is vital to have someone who you will talk to about your progress in this journey. The attitude of I can do it all by myself doesn’t seem to work. (Yep, it is in the Nutriiveda Program Guide. Page 20)

So I now have an Elephant to swallow. My goal when the challenge began was to loose 100 pounds. That would have been 8 a week. I have the same goal of 100 pounds but I need to now lose 11 pounds a week. I know this can be done with a greater effort on my part. I need to exercise more, I need to journal, and I need to keep a positive attitude. I didn’t gain all this weight at once (Well I did it in a year) so I know that I can’t loose it all in a month either. It is time for me to continue to set the example for my kids on what a healthy family looks like.

The changes in my life have brought me happiness, not just weight loss. I have a job in my career field again. I have a new place to live with my kids. I have started to share this wonderful program with others who understand the feelings I have about losing weight and what it feels like to be overweight. (for me morbidly obese, I need to lose about 50 more pounds just to be obese)

I would challenge anyone who things they cant lose weight or change their life to take the first step and try Nutriiveda. It has a money back guarantee, which is how confident the company is with this product and the program.
I know it has changed my life.

I know that I couldn't have this opportunity to change my life without living in this great country. I want to thank all the men and woman who put their lives on the line daily so that I can change my life. I know that they leave family, friends, and careers so that I can chase after my dreams, my goals, and my passions. I am so grateful for your sacrifice.

8 Down 92 More to go!! Week 1

I saw this picture and it is exactly how I feel. That while taking Nutriiveda I haven't felt deprived from the foods I like. I have had more energy and felt awesome all week long. In fact, even when I started taking Nutriiveda in Febuary. I felt like I had more energy right away.

I had been hoping that I would have posted this sooner. Part of the Nutriiveda Challenge is that you need to weigh-in weekly and send your results to the Challenge. (I have the emailing part down, so I figured updating the blog would be easy. I will do better next week)

So for the first week the results are::
Weight-- 274.4 pounds (8 pounds! Not as good as my first week during the first challenge. I lost 10.8 pounds in Feb.)
Waist -- 47.5 inches (1.5 inches lost in 1 week!)
Hips -- 59.5 inches (0.5 inches lost)

I feel really blessed because of the weight that I have lost so far. I am hoping for double digits. I know that by being consistant and doing thre program I will reach my goal.

Challenge Update Day 4

This week has been amazing! I have been able to walk everyday at lunch!! Monday & Tuesday I walked 1.2 miles and Today I walked 1.8!! (Now that is in work shoes not tennis shoes!) Yes this journey to lose 100 pounds in 12 weeks has to be done one step at a time.

I have been asked many times what is my diet, what am I eating to cause the weight to come off.
First I need everyone to know that my diet (the foods I can eat) has to be GLUTEN FREE!! I have Celiacs Disease so I cannot eat Wheat, Oats, Rye, or Barley. This is not because of Niutriiveda it is because I have the Gluten Allergy!! (Oh yes, I still love eating Rice and Potatoes) Second, It has been 110 degree here in Phoenix. So the thought of eating a lot of heavy and hot foods doesn't sound good to anyone here right now.
A few things about me to know, I am a PICKY eater, I also hate to eat! (It is part of the reason I am Obese. Because I don't eat my body goes into survival mode and hold

So Here is what I am eating and what I am doing to achieve my weight goal.
For Breakfast on the way to work I have a Nutriiveda Shake (Mixed Berry!! SO Yummy!) That is 1/2 cup of mixed berries, 8 oz of water, and 2 scoops of Vanilla Nutriiveda. I blend it in the blender and take it on the road. (as we all know, I normally wouldn't eat breakfast before, but when I did I loved a protein shake. The problem is that the protein I was using had Gluten in it. Yep I would be sick by lunch. I don't have that problem with Nutriiveda it is Gluten FREE!!)
The am snack is - I have been eating a "sandwich" 3-5 oz of Deli Meat with Green Leaf Lettuce. So good. (Thank You Boar's Head for being Gluten Free, But please bring down your price!!)
For lunch after my walk I have a Nutriiveda Shake (this is a new mix, It taste great LOOKS awful.) It is 3 oz of Zrii, 12 oz of water, and 2 scoops of Vanilla Nutriiveda. I shake it in the water bottle. I like it a little thin after the walk, because I am so hot. I have found that I feel amazing and ready to go back to work in about 15 minutes.
The pm snack is - 3 celery stalks and a 1/2 cucumber. Mainly because I want something to keep me cool.
For Dinner- I have been eating Pork Ribs every night. I love them. I eat about 3. Yummy.

I was asked how much water do I drink a day? The answer is not enough!! I should drink about 141 oz of water a day. (yep half your body weight, it is suppose to be more if you live in a warm climate or are trying to lose weight) That is over 17 cups of water. It is a good thing I like to drink 20 oz water bottles, only 7 of them a day!


I am so blessed to have great friends who will talk to me while I walk, send me a text message to encourage me, and if it wasn't for all my Facebook friends who ask me how I am doing with the weight loss, I might have given up.

NEVER GIVE UP and NEVER QUIT!!


I believe that I have been blessed with the ability to transform my life both physically, mentally, and financially with Nutriiveda.

For more information or if you are ready to start your own transformation Check out this sites
http://www.dhardy.myzrii.com/
and http://theallstarlife.com/

The great life is out there for me and everyone else!! Thanks to Zrii and Nutriiveda.

The New Challenge Has Started

The pictures aren't pleasant but being Morbidly Obese isn't a pleasant thing. But it can be corrected with out surgery!

So here is the pictures and measurement as of June 5, 2010. The first day of my 2nd Nutriiveda Challenge!! (To be Captain Obvious: One is a front view the other is a side view)




I weighed in at 282.4 pounds
The measurements are:
Hips = 60 inches
Waist = 49 inches
Biceps = Left 18.5 inches Right 19.75
Forearm = Left 11 inches Right 11 inches
Leg/Thigh = Left 28.5 inches Right 28.5 inches
Leg/Calf = Left 24 inches Right 22.75 inches


After spending 12 weeks from Feb. 1, 2010 to April 25, 2010 doing my 1st Nutriiveda Challenge, I realized this transformation is a WHOLE body transformation. (Not to mentions the financial transformation that is offered on the business side. Good thing I wanted to throw money away while I was losing weight the first time.) But the idea of becoming healthy for the first time in my life is priceless. The first time I did the challenge I lost 54 pounds and about 10 inches. I was short of my goal, I wanted to lose 100 pounds and lose 25 inches. This time I am more determined than before to reach my goal. This will allow me to have the freedom to do more activities with my kids. It will give me the freedom to continue to sharpen my mind, and let me have a purer spirit and feel the love of my Heavenly Father that I had limited because I didn’t allow him to help me transform everything in my life.

I am so grateful for the weight that I have already lost and the ability that I now have to do things with my kids that I wasn’t able to do before.

After this challenge is complete I will be 100 pounds lighter than I am today, I will have lost 25 inches off my midsection (between my hips and waist). I will be able to compete in a half marathon.(Eliisa & Lisa, Will you run with me?) I will experience a life of happiness, harmony, and wealth because of the gift of Nutriiveda and Zrii. Finally thru this transformation I will find a greater peace, a greater love for myself, a greater love for my family, a greater love for my friend, a greater love for the people I come in contact with because of this blessing in my life and a greater sense of kindness in my life. I will be able to take my kids to Sea World and ride all the rides in October. I will be able to take my kids hiking. I will be able to take my kids to Salt Lake City and hike Ensign Peak, (a dream my son has had since he saw a picture of it on TV. I wasn’t physically able to do that August 2009 when we visited) I will be able to learn how to Scuba Dive and become certified.(Sonja, plan a dive trip) I will be able to go water-skiing because of the amount of weight loss I will achieve. (Shelley, plan a trip to Lake Mead)

This journey is changing me from the inside out and I can only get thinner, healthier, and wealthier.

Please join me in this journey.....

The Water Slide

Life can be amazing and interesting at the same time. On Wednesday June 2, 2010, I went to a church (ward) activity. We all went to West Chandler Pool. They have a promotion on Wednesday’s families get into the pool for $1!! (Saving some $$$) I love swimming and being around water. Mainly pools and lakes, I’m not to keen about the Pacific Ocean in California. So for me being in a bathing suit isn’t anything that I fear. (That is obvious, seeing that I have those pictures on the blog when I weighed 343 pounds.) Before when I would normally go to the pool I would sit and watch my kids jump off of the diving board or play on the water toys. I would never play with them on the slides, mainly because of my size. I was embarrassed for my kids that I was fat, and I was ashamed about how I looked and felt because of my out of control eating habits. Plus, I didn’t want to get stuck on the slide (the Horror), but even walking up the stairs to the top of the slide would just make me out of breath. It was just easier to soak up the rays. (Yes, I love to be tan at all times!) But when my kids asked me about going down the slide with them. I had to think about it. I had never done that before with any of my 3 kids. I even asked my friend if I should do it (thanks Jen!) I went with my daughter who is 5 and started walking up the stairs to the top of the water slide. I was almost to the top when I see my 7-year-old son running up the stairs, to be with us. It was the first time in 18 years that I had gone on a water slide. It was fun to do that experience with my kids. But when my son looked at me and said “This is the first time that you have ever done this with me.” At that moment I realized that this weight loss journey has affected my kids in a positive way. That one-minute ride was AWESOME! And yes Connor you were right, the water is really cold.
As I got to the bottom of the pool, it was nice to have Roger and Joan try to take a picture of me so that I would have it for the scrapbook. (Too bad I came down a little too fast) I reminded me that I have many people who have cheered me on from the beginning of this journey to transform my body, my mind, and my spirit. I feel truly blessed to have so many people who care about my happiness and success. Anyone can lose weight, but to now see life as an opportunity to give, to enrich, to care, and to strengthen each other is priceless. I feel so blessed that someone cared enough about me to show me the path to this wonderful life, and then was willing to walk on the path with me to guide me. I don’t believe that I am perfect or I am some angel of a person. I still make mistakes, both big and small. But I now can recognize the blessings in my life.
As I walked back to where I was sitting and where my warm towel was, (did I mention the water was cold?) I saw my friends who care about me; no matter what size I am, watching their kids. I came to the understanding that I am the Riches person on the face of the Earth.

By Request

The transformation is exciting to me and to my friends. We wonder what the new before and after pictures will look like. I am beginning a new 12 week challenge on Sunday. Here are the before and after side shots from the last challenge so we have something to compare to.

Please don't think that this is only a weight loss journey. This is an amazing company and the timing is right now. For me the transformation this business offers is also going to fatten my wallet. It is an amazing business that allows for good health, great friends and living the life most just dream of. Come on the journey with me.

3 Days til the New Challenge Begins

I was able to get this picture of the winner of the Nutriiveda weight loss challenge for the over 40 woman. (Yes she is #1!!) I think she looks awesome. Here is another example of Nutriiveda changing

WOW! I can't believe that on Sunday I will be getting ready for a new 12 Week Challenge with Nutriiveda. I started back to work on Wednesday after being out of work for about a year. I think the greatest thing that has happened was the transformation of my mind as well as my body because I started following principles of the mind, body, and spirit connection. It has been interesting that as I am at the new job (Just Over Broke!!) I have been able to eat better. I eat every 2 hours something and at lunch I am able to take a walk outside. I am hoping that will be one of my workouts this summer! I still haven't been able to get a long walk or do any exercise videos yet. BUT I haven't given up on being able to train for more races. I feel so blessed in my life with the new energy I feel.

I have 2 Events planned as a way to share Nutriiveda, Zrii, and the knowledge of Ayurvedic principles.

June 5th at the Turner House, 11am
June 10th at Shelley's House, 6:30 pm

It is a fun time to share what I have learned. I am so excited about this new life I have started thanks to Zrii and Nutriiveda. Not only is it making me healthy. It has shown me a way to take care of my kids and leave them a legacy.

Here is me hold a check for $250 for winning 2nd place in the Nutriiveda Challenge. It was awesome to lose weight and make some cash! (especially with money so hard to come by for everyone) This is on top of a $200 check I won for being one of the first 20 people in 2010 to lose 20 pounds.

This is all thanks to Zrii and Nutriiveda. I love it.

I plan to start the next 12 week Nutriiveda Challenge on Monday May 31, 2010!

New Pictures, New Measurements, and a New starting weight!

Let the Blog Begin!

Here is what I looked like on Jan. 31st 2010. I was fat, unhealthy, tired, I couldn’t walk 5 houses down the street without getting winded. I was sad and very obese.


So I started a weight loss journey, it is a miracle and I could never have started this life-changing journey with out a great support from my friends and family. (Especially Eliisa who helped keep me accountable, by doing weekly weigh-ins, running races with me, and making sure that I remembered my goals) I also needed something to help the weight come off. I found that thru Nutriiveda by Zrii. It is a Weight Management Shake that taste awesome. (Which I didn’t believe was ever possible) It also is Gluten-Free. (I have Celiac Disease, no gluten for me)

I took part in the Nutriiveda Challenge from Zrii. It is a 12-week challenge. The Grand Prize is $5000!! It is based on % of weight loss, and % of inches lost. So for me in the 12 weeks I lost 54 pounds (which was 15.65% loss) also had lost 10.5 inches off of my hips and waist. (8.61% loss) It ended on April 24, 2010. Here is what I looked like 12 weeks later.




By May 21st, I had lost a total of 16 inches off of my waist and hips. And had lost a total of 77.2 pounds. (that is about 22%!!) I still have a long way to go. I need to loose another 166 pounds. My goal is to have lost another 100 more by October 23, 2010

I keep losing weight and now want to help anyone who wants to change his or her life for the better. (I never thought I would be the one saying this!! But so many great things have happened to me, since I have started taking Nutriiveda)

I have always been a overweight person since 2nd grade. I have even thought about getting lap-band and gastric bypass surgery. I have found that I have lost the same amount of weight as those who have had the surgery. I am enjoying my life and love the new me that I am becoming.