March 22, 2013

The Future Is Looking Brighter Than EVER!

I am excited to get back on writing my blog because so many amazing things have, and ARE happening! I want to share my trials and triumphs with the world in hopes of inspiring others! (I've updated my page and my tab info so take another look around if you will! Changes will continue on occurring!)

I also look forward to share everything I am learning!

So what's new with you?

Let me tell you what's new with me!


 

I've dropped 4 dress sizes in the last year and I am still going! I am getting ready to slip into my size 6 H&M dress next month when I drop the last 2 dress sizes that I am currently in the process of losing!
This has been HUGE for me because my 60+ weight gain slammed my self confidence and esteem to the ground. If you've been there, you know.. it affects every area of your life. That is what it did with me. I made the decision to change that and I am winning!! So when I got to the point where I really felt better about myself, I went forward and.....




Got Licensed to teach Zumba!! It hasn't stopped there! I went back to school to finally finish what I started and made the change to invest my educational time and money on something that will improve me and serve my purpose..that is helping others be healthier and happier! So I've changed my degree pursuit to Kinesiology - Exercise Science and will also be getting certified in Nutrition in Dietetics. Now I don't necessarily need those degrees to be able to help people the way I've been helping with my Arbonne business, and now with Zumba. But I am about improving myself and making myself the best I can be. Plus, either way, I'm determined to finish what I started 9 years ago when I started college..may as well apply my purpose with the piece of paper, right? Right!

2013 is going to end with a BANG! I am taking my team to the top of our company, and I am bringing my husband home and giving him the time freedom he SOOOO deserves. 2014 will be where we see the fruits of my efforts because, Lord willing, we will be buying our first home!!

It's amazing what thinking outside of the box does for your dreams, hopes, and life!

I would love to hear from those of you who read that..What are you working towards in 2013? State is with certainty and don't give up, don't quit, and definitely do NOT settle for less!

God bless you all!

February 11, 2013

Blog Makeover!

It's been a while since I last blogged.. But I realize that I really need to!! With so many wonderful changes that have occurred since I first started this blog, I NEED to start blogging and using this great tool to be a blessing in other people's lives!!

That is why I will be doing a blog re-model in the next couple of weeks! I revamping and re-aiming!

I will be focusing on Wellness Living; inside out and all around..

Wellness- living isn't just what you are eating.. It's also about what you are putting on your skin, what you are exposing yourself to and your daily environments!!

I've realized my passion for people and helping others live healthier, happier, well rounded lives is my goal!

I really want to hear your feedback on each topic so be sure to interact! I want to hear from you!

May 26, 2012

Memorial Day Weekend!!!



Happy Memorial Day Weekend to you! Memorial Day is a day dedicated to those that have sacrificed to keep our country safe! I love our armed forces, and I am so thankful for anyone who is currently or has ever served our country!
Memorial also has another meaning! It's the unofficial start of summer, and time to pull put the bathing suits, shorts, and sunscreen!

By this time I hope you've already been working on getting beach ready. But if you haven't there is still time!

Arbonne's 30 Day to Fit program is the perfect way to lose weight and look great for summer!

It isn't just some diet. Diets don't usually eliminate the toxins that are causing fat to be stored. The more toxins you have, the more fat is being stored. That's why most people will gain some lost weight back after ending a diet (that and many times you are losing water weight, not fat.) Also, most people don't realize it but sometimes you are losing a little bit of fat, but also muscle. And muscle is NOT something you want to be losing!

The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism, and the more fat you burn.

Finally, one big mistake people do (and I am guilty of this myself) is that they go back to eating the same junk that put them in that position in the first place. Many people today do not know how to eat healthy. Others feel they do not have the time to eat healthy, so they depend on fast foods, processed pre-made, boxed, and junk food to get them through each day (also very guilty of this!)

My friends, this should not be so! My goal is to help others live healthy, meaningful lives. Make the right changes, and to get permanent results!

So what does the 30 Day to Fit do for you?

1. It teaches you to eat right! I put this one first because it truly is the most important in my opinion. Weight loss is 80% nutrition, 20% exercise. You have so many companies that gloat about their weight loss programs or methods, but those programs just give a "quick fix". A healthy lifestyle isn't just about a supplement, or shake, or bar, etc. The Fit guide teaches you what foods you should be avoiding, and which foods you should be eating. Knowing how to eat is so important to Long term, permanent results.

It reminds me of a saying:

"Give a man a fish, and he will eat for the night. Teach him to catch a fish, and he will eat for a lifetime".

What I enjoy about what I do is that I teach others to make positive changes that will impact their life for the better.

2. The 30 days to Fit eliminates toxins. Like I mentioned above, the more toxins, the more fat. Now in a perfect world we would not drink, not smoke, not Inhale the toxic air, eat fresh fruits vegetables and fresh lean protein, etc. We would exercise every day, and drink a percentage of our body weight in water. But this isn't, so we don't.

If you drink, smoke, breathe in air; eat fast food, boxed, canned, or processed foods; stress, or use a lot of your popular shampoos, lotions, makeup , etc ..then you are putting toxins into your body.  Our body's, so intelligently created, will use fat to surround each bit of toxins to protect our organs. Our detox tea aids in detoxifying the liver and kidneys. Those two organs are a HUGE part of toxin elimination. Remember. Less toxins. Less fat stores.

By a) eliminating the toxins in your body and b) decreasing the amount of toxins you are putting in .. you can achieve better results in your health and appearance.

3) It helps build and maintain muscle. Protein builds muscle. And when you work out, you are tearing muscle. What you do after you work out determines how your muscles will heal and increase. When you take protein within an hour and a half of working out, not only will you help your muscles recover better, but you will also build more lean muscle. More muscle. More fat burn. Our protein shakes and nutrition bars will provide you with all the protein you need to build strong, lean, and healthy muscle.

4) It boosts your metabolism. That is the rate of calorie/fat burn. The higher your metabolism, the quicker you burn fat! Arbonne's Fizz Sticks are going to help you there. These sticks are dissolved in water quickly to give you a delicious energy drink that will curb appetite, boost your metabolism, and for my caffeine lovers- give a healthy, calm caffeine boost (the guarana plant is our caffeine source) without the crash! If you want an extra, EXTRA boost in your metabolism, you can get the metabolism boost supplement!

5) Reduces junk cravings.
If you are like me, you probably have a difficult time maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I am virtually no will power with certain sweets! I love chocolates, and sweets! When you eat those things, your body begins to crave it. The only way to reduce is is to cut it out completely, right? Well..yes and no... Technically yes because you need to cut the junk out, but that doesn't mean you cant satisfy that sweet tooth! Aside from our deliciously sweet shakes, Arbonne has yummy Fit Chews. These chews are bite sized candies that will curb your appetite, aid in reducing cravings, and satisfy your sweet tooth! You can get them in chocolate, caramel, and soon in lemon! They are delicious and perfect to just pop in  between meals or when you need something sweet!

6) Feed your bones, organs, skin, hair, etc.
Although not part of the actual kit, you can maximize results of the 30 Day to Fit kit by supplementing to give your body what it needs! I won't go into great detail (contact Me for more info on anything I've mentioned ..etc) ..but your body needs vitamins, minerals, etc to function best. Todays foods do not contain the nutrients it had 50 years ago. And many of us are not getting what we need. That is why we supplement with vitamins, minerals, calcium supplements, omega 3s etc. All of our supplements are formulated for maximum absorption!

7) Gives you your fiber!

People are not eating enough fiber today, and that is ashame. Fiber keeps your GI tract running smoothly and efficiently. If you are looking for weight loss, getting efficient amount of fiber in your daily diet could help you lose an EXTRA 9.5 lbs a year! I always put the Daily Fiber Boost into my protein shakes, pancakes, etc! It's flavorless and odorless too!

Still not convinced ? Well, you would need to determine it for yourself! Try it for yourself to see for yourself how awesome the30 Day to Fit program is! From now until the end of June, I will be offering my wholesale discount on the entire nutrition and wellness line. But you must let me know you read about it on my blog to get the discount!

Arbonne's 30 Day to Fit program has been a HUGE part of my weightloss success thus far. Make it part of your weight loss success and contact me today!
Happy Memorial Day!

January 5, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

WOW!

It has been a while since my last point, but glad to posting this new year month!

Want to know my favorite part of a New Year? RESOLUTIONS!

It's so sad to see/hear people say that they don't make resolutions because they never stick with them.

I think that just shows that

1)They are afraid of failure
2)Settle for a life lacking challenge (and I love challenges)
3)They don't believe in themselves enough to believe that they can set a goal and achieve it!

It is really sad. There have been sooo many resolutions of the past that I had not achieved/accomplished. But that will not keeping me from adding it to the new list the following year and striving towards ONE DAY being able to go back to the list and cross it off!

Even if you may not accomplish that goal, you may be much closer to accomplishing it than had you not even set out to accomplish it in the first place!

So for my first post of 2012, I am writing down my 2012 Resolutions. I WILL make this the first year that I accomplish ALL of my resolutions! That being said,

#1 Is to accomplish all of my resolutions for the first time ever! (hehe)

Here are CARMEN's 2012 RESOLUTIONS..... (feel free to keep me accountable hehe...)

1. Accomplish all of this year's resolutions
2. Read my Bible from cover to cover
3. Lose the remaining 30 pounds and tone up
4. Start cooking more
5. Implement a HEALTHY eating diet for myself and my family
6. Become More Organized!
7. Manage my time better
8. Take Andrew to the park at LEAST once a week
9. Make working out a regular part of my life, at LEAST 3 times a week
10.Read at LEAST 1 book a month
11.Get a 2nd Car
-Okay..I already know this is going to happen in a few weeks but it's nice to have a for sure goal to cross off right away LOL
12.Earn my White Mercedes by December 2012
- Regional Vice President here I come!
13.Help 12 people achieve financial/time freedom, replace their income, travel more through Arbonne's amazing Business Opportunity
14.Help 10 people KEEP their weight-loss/fitness resolutions
15.Bring people to church more often
16.Back back on track with my Educational goals
17.Take my family on 2 Vacations, with at least ONE of them being out of the country :)
18.Take Andrew to Disneyland for his first time!
19.Do a spontaneous activity that I've never done before, like Sky-diving or Bunjee Jumping
20.Have at LEAST 50% of our down payment for our house in a separate Savings from our regular savings by December.
21.Get Mike a bike again
22.Help at least 1 person a month feel better about themselves
23.Meet 100 new people and get to know them
24.Be content in any situation
25.Show thankfulness more


........

I will probably continue adding to this list as I think of more things I want to accomplish by the end of this year. I will also be crossing them off as I accomplish them! Some are super simple goals that I will no doubt accomplish. But I will rejoice in all of my accomplishments, both great and small!

What are some of YOUR new years' resolutions?

October 29, 2011

Week 1 of 30 days to fit!

As I near the end of my first week of the 30 days to fit, I am getting more and more excited because it's becoming more obviously that I will be hitting my of getting back to my 135-145 range by January 25th (Our 2nd wedding anniversary)! I've already begun to see a difference. Now I have not weighed myself, or taken measurements yet. I'm debating as to whether I want to do that at the mid-point or just wait until the end. I'm leaning towards just waiting till the end for the technical results, and focus on the visible results! I'm definitely starting to feel more energized each day, and the eating plan is super easy to follow! I will admit, the first couple of days I was hurting for some junk food! I'm a junkie for unhealthy foods, and my body was very much aware that I had not had my daily fill of fats. Plus I'm actually eating normal portions for dinner (please the normal serving of shakes ), so my stomach was calling out to me saying "that's it? You usually give DOUBLE that!"... Yes.. I eat a lot too.. Is it any wonder I got to the point I'm at? You can't eat all you want, be completely unactive, and expect to still look model-worthy. But as I near the end of this first week, the cravings are starting to dissipate, and my stomach is becoming okay with eating normal portions LOL. Now for the BEST part! I'm already beginning to see the difference physically! Now I know my exercise regimen helps (I'll get into that in a bit), but its a fact that if you aren't eating right, exercise will only do so much. My stomach is already beginning to flatten out (My hubby was actually the one to point it out to me!) and there's less fat blocking my rock hard muscles hidden underneath! lol. My body has been aching the last few days but a good way! I've been working out every day (and will continue to do so every day). Workout of choice: ZUMBA! I'm loving it! I do not have to drag myself to work out each morning (I look forward to it!) and I become so energized afterward! And did I mention that the shake is delish!? The fizz tabs are already a favorite of mine, so I look forward to starting my morning with a fizz tab (which boosts your metabolism, curbs your appetite, and gives you a nice little caffeine kick without the crash!). So how does the Arbonne 30 days to fit work, you ask? And what am I doing? Let me walk you through me day :) -Wake up -Energy Fizz tab -Arbonne Protein shake (breakfast) -Exercise (ZUMMBAAA!) -Arbonne Chocolate fit chew (satisfies my chocolate/sweet fix!) and a healthy snack or mini protein (ie, 1 hardboiled egg) -Arbonne Protein shake (lunch) -fit chew and healthy snack (I got some Veggie chips..i had never heard of veggie chips until I read the guide suggestions! They are GREAT!) -Healthy dinner Super simple.. and VERY worth it... I will probaby be posting some progress comparison photos at the end of week 2! I am so excited.. I'm even dress shopping right now because I want to buy the dress (in a size 5/6 thank you!) that I will be wearing out for our 2 year wedding anniversary on January 25th! I LOVE IT! If you are interested in joining me and hitting your own weight-loss goals.. msg me on facebook (www.facebook.com/mikencarmen.wardwell) or email me at wardwell.c@gmail.com

October 25, 2011

On My Way to Feeling Fit in 30 Days!

I'm on my way to feeling fit for the new year, and I am so excited! I've gone the route of continuing my weight loss (which had become stagnant at 183-5..it would fluctuate) and jumpstarting a newer, healthier lifestyle! 2012 is going to be a year of success in finances, family, and health! What is the 30 days to fit? A 30 day guide to “reboot” your system and give your life a fresh start to a healthier lifestyle. It uses Arbonne's Nutrition and Detox products, along with a a guide to healthy recipes to keep you eating right.
I've seen soooo many awesome results photos of people who have incorporated the Nutrition plan into their lives. People, like me, who are trying so hard to lose those extra unwanted pounds, and others who may not need to lose weight, but who want to cut those unhealthy lifestyle habits and eat better. I've got at least 40 lbs to lose. And I am so excited to get close to my goal, because you better believe I will be rewarding myself along the way! Reward #1 - Zumba guru :)
Anyone who's known me knows I love love love to dance! I no longer live a life that includes clubs and such (which is where I got to enjoy my love ), but I've found a way to turn my love into something that's wholesome and helpful! How? ZUMBA! Everybody loves it, and its so awesome because you are really working your body out without even feeling it! I know if I run 15 minutes on a treadmill, I will get tired and bored. But I can dance for hours, sweat dripping, and not want to stop LOL. Plus, I love helping women feel better about themselves. So why not combine the 2 by becoming a zumba instructor?! YES! Now I personally would not be sold on having a zumba instructor that is overweight...and that is why I've decided that I'm going to reward myself for losing the first 20-30 lbs by getting my certification to be a zumba instructor! I mean, my business allows me the time to do what I want, so why not do ZUMBA and get paid for it? Its a win-win situation! Reward #2 - Strike a Pose
Another great love of mine is being in front of a camera (acting, modeling..but in this case modeling ).. But I know that I cannot get booked for work the way I currently am physically.. unless I want to be a plus size model (2 thumbs up to the lovely ladies who are plus sized models)... and that is not the route I want to take. When I hit my ultimate goal (which is 135-140..estimated to be by the end of January).. I will be re-embarking on a side job/hobby of modeling. Of course, my background in modeling includes tradeshow and import modeling... I wont be doing the import modeling (I'm a wife and mommy now..) but I would still like to do some tradeshow modeling (the more professional ones of course) and commercial, print, etc modeling. So when I hit my goal.. I'm making some moves! I cant wait! 2011 has been a very rocky year, but I am so excited to starting 2012 with a fresh start, a happier me, and a SKINNIER me! Oh! Here are some examples of weight-loss results from others who have done the 30 days to fit program! If you would like to jump on board with me to being leaner, meaner (jk not meaner), and healthier, I would be so thrilled to get you set up for the best 30 days of your life!

September 15, 2011

The Holidays Are Coming! Oye!!

I've always loved the holidays! The cooler weather, Fall fashions (MY FAVORITE!), eating, getting together with family, and best of all, PRESENTS! This year has me a little worried, I must admit. I am actually split in half on my feelings of the holiday season this year. I am oh so happy in one way, because it'll be Andrew's first real holiday! He was a just under 2 months old for Thanksgiving, and just under 3 months old for Christmas. This year he will be just over a year old! He's running around now (walking as of 10 months old!); and he is so curious, alert, and full of joy! I am determined to make his first real Thanksgiving and Christmas a SPECIAL one! I've never been super big on decorating, but the hubby and father in law are already warned: This year we are going BIG on decorations! I want our home to be filled with the Thanksgiving and Christmas spirit! On the other end, I am really concerned with how things are going to happen. My family has always been big on being together for the holidays. I've actually been elsewhere on a couple of holidays in the past, and my mom did not let it go for a while after! But things are so different this year. My parents separated a couple of months ago, and its not looking like there's any possibility of reconciliation. My dad is in one city, my mom is in another. There's a lot of bitterness and negativity going around (with one of the parties mentioned..won't specify with whom though), making it difficult to even want to be around! Part of me wants to just be in my own home with my little family, in PEACE. But it will also be saddening to not be together with my whole family, as in the past. I know it'll be a hard reminder of how broken my family has become. My middle sister in one place, my youngest sister with my mom, my dad in another. Funny thing is (well not really funny, but I guess that's just how the saying goes) last Thanksgiving my whole family (parents, one sister, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousin, husband, baby, etc) sat around the dinner table, each saying something. And one thing that was said more than once was that we hoped to get to next year, all together still. Most of us knew this break would be coming. It really saddens my heart. So what do you do? I have no idea what to expect for this year? I guess the only thing I can do is focus on my own family. We will plan to just stay together in the comfort of our own home this year. I have not picked sides with either of my parents. I don't agree with some things, but I love them both the same. It's just so sad to think that this is the very first holiday season that they will not be together. It is what it is though, so I can only focus on what's best for my family. I am REALLY looking forward to making it an exciting one for our little munchkin though. As messed up and dysfunctional our extended family situation may be, we still want our home to be one of joy and happiness! That's exactly what it will be! Soon, we will be getting all the decorations and trees; Daddy and Grandpa Dave (Father in law) will be hanging up the lights (hehe). My focus will not be on the problems in the extended family, it will be MY SON. And making this an exciting holiday season for him!