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?

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

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!

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!

Arbonne Mama :)

Its been almost a week since I officially signed up as an Arbonne International Independent Consultant! Each day that goes by, I am so excited!
On day 2 I got my first business builder, and I am so excited for her! She is going to do great!

The path is clearing up, and I can see my family's future more in focus! I look forward to what God has in store for me!

Why did I choose Arbonne?

A few reasons.

1) I really liked the products. --I was first introduced to it back in 2005. I thought the products were great, but taking care of my health and my skin was not a big priority to me. It is 2011, and now at the age of 25 (and with one child), it has hit me that I am not going to be young forever! Not to mention, that now I have an amazing husband that I always want to look my best for! So I've started taking more interest in myself. I want to look good an feel good. I started using the products again when I decided to join (ran out of the older stuff, and didn't care enough about myself in those terms to get more), and I already see a difference. I've never had issues with acne. During my pregnancy, I never DID NOT have issues with acne LOL. Now, post-prego, I'm back to normal for the MOST part. However, I do find myself breaking out from time to time. The Arbonne products have helped that. Also, Andrew's has had patches of dry skin recently, so I started using the baby cream samples, and it's really been helping.

2)I don't really care too much for the other direct selling companies. I'm in a Mary Kay driven family. My grandmother and aunt sold it, my mother has sold it since I was little, and continues to every now and then. I've never really taken an interest in it. Plus, growing up with Mary Kay for so many years, I know little bits here and there about the company. I know when Mary Kay was still alive, she made sure that Mary Kay continued being a "word of mouth" company. She did not want to commercialize it. A few years after her passing, the Mary Kay commercials began to pop up. I feel a company that is not willing to honor the founding vision/legacy, will eventually lose its appeal. Mary Kay Ash stood for some much, and its a shame to see whomever is currently running it sell out to, what seems to me to be, greed. That's the beauty of being part of a direct selling business. We cut out all of the middle men. When you add advertisers, retailers, etc..you drive up the price of the product. Then it becomes just like every other item you can buy in the stores. To anyone sells Mary Kay, if its treatin'ya well, awesome! It's just not for me :)


3) I LOVE what Arbonne stands for. "Pure, Safe, Beneficial". I've learned so much about beauty and health since I've begun this journey. It shocked me to find out that the average woman comes into contact with an average of 515 chemicals a day. 515?? REALLY? It's crazy to me! Being a fan of Anatomy and Physiology. I was already aware that our bodies absorb things through our skin and into our bloodstream, but I did not know that the rate of absorption was 60% quicker through the skin! It's really made me more aware of what kind of environment I put myself in, and what I'm putting on my skin! I love how everything is plant/botanical based and just there is something for everyone! I also love that they don't sell random things. All of the products are common household products, things that we are already purchasing on a regular basis (shampoo, conditioner, creams, vitamins, makeup,etc).

4)I love the unity! Since I've joined the realm of Arbonne, I've made so many new friends. Many of whom I have never even met! Its great reading people's stories, or seeing what inspires others to succeed. I feel like I've added an extension to my family, family I have yet to meet! The support is amazing. I am getting constant support from my sponsor (and I think I talk to her a whole lot more than I talk to my own mother!..I know.. I need to start calling my mom more lol). I am building my own business, but I'm not building it alone. I am in business for myself, but I also have a team. I'm virtually surrounding myself with others that have high hopes, dreams, and aspirations. And I love it!

5) Finally, their compensation plan is awesome! The commissions, the bonuses, the TRIPS! Other than being born in El Salvador, I've never really been out of California (okay..I've been to Vegas..I've also been to Puerto Nuevo, Mexico..but I was in the mountains...lol)...I would love to go to new places! My sponsor is leaving in less than 2 weeks to ATLANTIS... not.. not Atlanta, Georgia LOL... Don't worry..I had never heard of it either.. I had to look it up..its in the Bahamas... I would LOVE to go to the Bahamas! AND her trip is paid for!..PLUS, I think she even got 1K to spend out there! I would LOVE to take my family on a trip. Mike and I spent our honeymoon in Long Beach..it was great, but I'd love to give him a second honeymoon in an exotic place like ATLANTIS LOL! Next year!!! Oh and I almost forgot! I can will my earnings to my family. Meaning, if something were to happen to me, they will continue receiving any residual income I am receiving. My family would be taken care of, or at least have an outside source of income. I love that!

Also..I cannot forget..the Mercedes...I've never really focused much on Mercedes..but then again, I tricked myself into thinking that something like that would be out of my reach. It is no longer out of my reach, and the more I see about Mercedes, the more I am loving the idea of having my own! Arbonne will pay for my Mercedes when I get to a certain point with my business..and it is not that far up! Only like 3 levels from where I'm at! Plus, I read all of the success stories..Its not like the lottery..very few will win...there are SO MANY success stories with Arbonne. You have your single moms, dads, people living out of their cars, blue collared workers, white collared workers, and so on. So many people from different walks of life have been impacted by Arbonne. And I am next!

I was nervous at first about making Arbonne my decision, because I did not want to invest in something that I would fail at. Now I am so happy to say, that I did make the right decision. The only way I could ever fail with Arbonne is if I make the conscious decision to quit. Which will NOT be happening here! The only way I see myself going, is up!

I'm always looking for others to take with me to the top. If anyone reading this feels like they want something more; if anyone reading this could use a little extra pocket money; and if anyone reading this is motivated to make a change in their lives and in the lives of others. I would love to hear from you. Arbonne can do for you, what it has done for me. It's given me a new hope, and an exciting new vision.

Let me help you make a change in your home, your health, and/or your pocketbook!

Carmen
Live2Dream.myarbonne.com
CarmenW@myarbonne.com
www.facebook.com/ArbonneCarmenW

Update

So although I have not been able to continue on with the diet (finances), we have been working out. No diets. No crazy supplements. Just straight working out. And I must say, I'm not too disappointed with the results thus far.

I've gained a more realistic view of my goals for weight-loss, and I've pulled myself out of this "I don't want to look nice until I lose all of this weight" slump I had been in. I'm learning to accept myself for me, meanwhile keeping my eyes on the goal of getting back down to my pre-pregnancy weight. I will not lie. Sometimes I am guilty of comparing myself to others whom are as I once was. However, I've learned to use that as fuel to stay motivated rather than letting it bring me down. That attitude has made all the difference in my dedication and consistency. Not to mention, I have my #1 fan (LOL) by my side. I absolutely adore my husband. He is more than I could have ever even imagined to ask for in a husband. I'm not sure why the Lord thought I was worthy of having such an amazing man by my side, but I am so thankful that he gave me Mike as a husband. He motivates me, and is not letting me do this alone. He's right there pushing me, 4 times a week, to work harder, go longer, and to not waste time. I love you, Mike.

Okay, so we took some photos last night. Although I know I still have a long ways to go, I am happy to see a difference. That is all that matters to me. I will be comparing to the first ones I posted in April. Will update again soon!

Two Weeks, Two Scary Moments

Two things have happened recently that got my heart beating a little faster than I'd like. I don't remember the last time I've been so scared.

The first one was about two weeks ago. I was at home with my little one, and we were in my room. I had just gotten a phone call on my cell phone from some telemarketer, and for some reason this guy was not understanding that I was not interested in whatever it was he was selling. Suddenly, Andrew started crying, and I used that ask an excuse to be rude (it's hard for me to just hang up on people..but the baby was crying so I had to!). I hung up and put my attention to Andrew. Did he hurt himself with one of the toys we had there on the bed? Nope. Did he have a dirty diaper that was bothering him? Nope, clean diaper. I wasn't sure exactly what was wrong with him, but he would not stop crying. So I cradled my little angel, and he would not sit still. So I figured, stomach ache. I laid him on his stomach, and rubbed his back. But he just kept crying louder and louder. I did not understand what was wrong! He turned from his stomach to his back, and back to his stomach, then back to his back. Suddenly, I noticed he was starting to lose color in his face and lips. That was when I freaked. I called my husband right away to tell him, and he said without hesitation that he's on his way home. Thankfully he works a little less than 5 miles away from home. He was home in 4 minutes, although it felt like an eternity! We got Andrews things, and took off to Loma Linda Emergency room (which is also like 5 miles away, thank the Lord!). The whole way there I was in the backseat with Andrew, and boy, did he scare me during that ride! He was hardly responsive and kept trying to close his eyes and lay his head against the car seat head rest. I, in tears, kept yelling for him to "look at mama". It worked a little bit. As we arrived to the emergency room, he started heaving, and vomited. I unstrapped him and jumped out of the car with him while Mike looked for a parking spot.
You could imagine my frustration at that moment, while trying to explain what happened to the nurses, and them responding as calmly as though nothing were wrong (I know, they need to be calm, but in that moment, I needed to feel a sense of urgency from them for my son!). They took his vitals in the back, and since everything seemed normal, asked us to wait in the lobby till we were called in.

We waited about 15 minutes (felt more like 15 hours though!), and then we were taken to our room/bed. They did some things to check him, and decided to put him on an IV because he was becoming dehydrated. Then they did an ultrasound and x-ray, which is how they found out what was wrong with him.

Turns out, Andrew had what they called Intussusception, which is basically when the small intestine somehow sucks itself into the large intestine, and causes a blockage. They said this affects (other than the obvious intestinal obstruction) blood and oxygen supply, and could potentially be fatal. They explained what they would have to do. The first step would be to do something similar to an enema. They would fill his colon with water (pressurized) to see if that will cause the small intestine to pop out and back to place. If that did not work, then they would have to do surgery. Thankfully, it popped out. It was heartbreaking during the process. They had Andrew strapped in with his arms strapped back above his head so that he could not move anything. The machine they strapped him on turned in a circle, so at one point my poor baby was hanging face down, parallel to the table, crying loudly. After the whole procedure was done, and they saw that his intestinal tract was normal again, we still had to stay overnight so that they could monitor him (the chances of it recurring were about 10%). I was so relieved to see that he was back to his happy, rambunctious self after the procedure was done. I am thankful that it was not something more serious, but I would never want to go through that again with my precious little boy.

The second scare occurred just a couple of days ago, on Friday. I got a phone call from my dad saying that he was in the emergency room after having what he called a "minor heart attack". He had to get off the phone right after that, but said he would call me back. My heart dropped at that moment. I could not believe what I had just heard. You hear about things like this happening all the time, but I never really thought about it occurring to my own dad. He's only 49, and in seemingly good health. I called my husband in tears to tell him. His first response was to say that he's leaving work (my wonderful guy), but I stopped him and told him I'd prefer he just be on standby until I got into contact with my dad again. I didn't even know where he was taken, anyway. I got off the phone with him, and noticed I had a missed call on my cell phone. It was a number I did not recognize, but they left a message, so I checked it out. It was my dad calling from the hospital. The message was brief and somewhat comical. He said he had a heart attack, and was picked up by the ambulance but he doesn't know where he was brought to at that moment (not the comical part)..then in the background I heard a nurse saying something along the lines of "you just had a heart attack and should not be on the phone; plus this is MY phone you are using. You can't use MY phone". At that moment it was not comical, I got so frustrated and wanted to find out who that nurse was so I could go punch her in the face (I would not have really done that..but at that moment I wanted to because she was keeping my dad from telling me he was fine). Suddenly the message ended, so I assumed that he hung up right at that moment. I called that number back, and sure enough, it was the hospital he was at. I spoke to the attendant in the emergency room, and she told me that he was there, and the room number. She would not give me any other information, and told me they did not have phones for patients to use. I'm getting frustrated at this point, but decided to call my aunt (his sister) with whom he had been staying with those last few days. Thankfully she was there at the hospital with him, so I was informed on everything that was happening. He was there for a few hours, and then he had to transfer to the closest hospital for his health care provider. He ended up staying overnight, and the following morning they did a stress test on him (he had to run on a treadmill). A little after noon, he was released but told to take it easy and not get stressed or angry. I am so thankful that he is okay, and that it did not turn out worse than it did.

So yeah, those are probably the two scariest moments I have had in a VERY VERY VERY long time. I do not look forward to any other scary occurrences. This did open my eyes though. I realized I need to be a little more grateful for the people in my life. They may not always be around.