Skin Test Take 1

I will start using the RE9 skincare products tonight. So I wanted to get some before and after shots for my sister and myself to use during parties.  I took these photos with NO MAKEUP ON WHATSOEVER. None. Nada. Zip. Zero.

I will take and post photos weekly so that I and my clients can gauge the success of the products.

Here are the Before pics. (Beware! This is what real people look like WITHOUT photoshop!

Questions?

Some Questions I Have Received So Far:

1. Did you experience “detox symptoms”? 

A few. I had several days at the beginning where I had flu-like symptoms but they passed within 48 hours. I also had gas and bloating for the first week. 

2.  What do you usually eat? 

Arbonne Shake for Breakfast (tons of recipes)

1 fizz drink (energy blend that replaces caffeine) 

Arbonne Shake for Lunch 

1 fizz drink (for the afternoon crash) 

The occasion healthy snack: nuts, berries, green apples, celery, almond butter, etc. 

A sensible dinner (Have only tried one recipe that we didn’t like)

Detox tea for evening relaxation

3.  What CAN’T you eat? 

Wheat/Gluten

Dairy 

Sugar

Alcohol (ALL alcohol)

Coffee (caffeine and acid)

Soy

Artificial Sweeteners, flavors or colors

4.  Why can’t you just eat the healthy meals and still loose weight?

You could. It would be harder though and you would probably fall off the wagon more often than not. The preparation time for three healthy meals a day is too much for some people. I am one of them. It’s hard enough with a 3-year-old hanging off your leg I can only imagine having to do it after working away from home all day.

The 30-Day-Detox is convenient. You don’t have to think about preparing food for breakfast and lunch because it’s done. I mean, I guess you still have to look at the long list of shake recipes and decide which one you would like today, but you not having to cut, chop and cook three meals a day. 

The fizz sticks are awesome, because not only do they contain an all natural energy blend (mainly B Vitamins) but they contain Chromium, which helps curb hunger. They are also convenient. I have a 24-oz water bottle that I carry everywhere with me. I carry  fizz drinks in my purse. I pour said fizz drink into water. I shake. I drink. Simple. 

Now, I needed snacks when I started the detox. I was still hungry even after the shakes and fizz drinks for probably the first 4 or 5 days. But after that, I wasn’t hungry at “snack-time”.

5.  Are you still getting enough calories?

Yep, each shakes runs between 350-450 calories once you add the almond butter (about 80 per tablespoon), the almond milk (35 calories per cup), the mix itself (160 calories per serving), the daily fiber scoop (60-120 calories per serving, 1-2 servings per day), and the digestion plus (15 calories per serving, once a day)

Add in the fizz drinks at 13 calories each twice-three times a day

So you have almost 450 calories + 400 calories + 350 calorie Dinner = 1200 calories

6.  But, it’s so expensive!(Yes, I know that's not a question)

Not really. Let’s look, shall we. 

I spend an average of $375 a week at the grocery for my family of 5. 

That means each member, not considering age, size, and weight would theoretically consumed $75 of that. Being that we are adults we know that we will consume more than our 7-year-old. 

So 2/3 of that (Breakfast and Lunch) = $50

4 weeks in a month.

4 x $50 = $200

$200 a month to feed 1 person. 

Also, remember that if your family eats out on a regular basis you have to take that cost into consideration as well. For 1 person to eat out is $10 - $20 per meal. 

The Health and Wellness Package is $241.20

7.  How big is the selection when it comes to food?

Go to Pinterest and search for Arbonne recipes. There are thousands! Ok...maybe not THOUSANDS but I got tired of scrolling down to count them, so I’m gonna ballpark here. There are plenty. Also, when you join you will get connected to a group on “the” Facebook (as my grandparents call it) and you will receive tons of recipes as well as shopping lists.

8.  What do I do after the 30-Day-Detox? 

If you’ve reached a certain weight goal for yourself than you maintain by subbing out one meal a day instead of two. Or you can buy just the fizz drinks and try preparing three meals a day. Typically what I have heard, because I have not been there myself yet, is that you have to experiment. You have to give a little here and take a little here until you find that sweet spot for you.

9.  So, is this specifically for weight loss?

Nope. I have heard it said that if you are supposed to lose weight, you will and if you are not supposed to lose weight, you won’t. This is a Health and Wellness product, NOT A DIET!

It is meant to slowly teach you that what is good for your body is what you should put IN your body. 

It is a lifestyle change. 

I promise you will not want to go back once you begin and see results.

10.Yeah, but do most people loose weight? 

....... Yes and inches. I’ve lost 4 pounds. I have lost 2 lbs. per week which is a safe and healthy way to loose weight. I’ve also lost a total of 6.5 inches. My clothes feel loose again! Hallelujah! I’ve lost almost 3 inches in my stomach alone. I know that I will continue the detox past the 30 days in order to reach my goals safely.


I'm sure there will be more questions and I intend to answer them as I go along. 

I can't believe it either...

So, I am now selling Health and Wellness kits through Arbonne. 

(Insert laughter for all who know me...go ahead...let it out...I will give you a moment to compose yourselves.)

Why?

Ohhhh, If I had a penny for every time I heard this. 

Well there are several reasons:

I have been a SAHM for 10 years. During that time we’ve moved three times and have come through the battle of an international adoption. I started looking for a job when we moved to Florida six months ago to help pay bills. Now, I have a higher degree but because I lack “experience” I have been unable to find a job that would pay enough to cover daycare expenses.

The second reason is because of my mom. She passed five years ago from breast cancer. It was devastating. She was diagnosed in May and gone in September. Now, she wasn’t unhealthy per se but she didn’t try to BE healthy either. She loved Diet Dr. Pepper and salt and vinegar chips. Not to mention she skipped meals and drank coffee like a Gilmore Girl - a habit I inherited. 

Over Christmas, my sister gently nudged the Arbonne 30-Day-Detox down my throat. She seduced me with the delicious shakes and the luscious promise of a no-headache caffeine detox. But It was more what she said that I had to agree with: I can’t predict if I will get cancer, but if I do, and I succumb to it, then I would like my kids to say that I did everything in my power to fight it. I want them to see me eating right and living healthfully, knowing that I am doing this for them. I know there will always be “ifs,” but If I can take just one off of the list I will. 

The next reason is purely selfish. I need something to call my own. I need an outlet where I can be with other adults, enjoy their company and their advice, so I can go home and be a better parent and spouse. Because what mother wants to be compared to Stalin? Special thank you to The Geneva School for teaching my 9-year-old the definition of dictator. 

The final reason is...IT WORKS. I started the detox on January 4th and by January 14th had lost 4 lbs and 6.5 inches. I was never hungry and had NO HEADACHES from the caffeine withdrawal. I was drinking 6 CUPS A DAY! My brain has felt clearer and things look more crisp than they have in ages. I have been sleeping more soundly and don’t need to take 10 mg of melatonin to stay asleep.  My stress has seemed to decrease as well. I have taken an anti-anxiety pill every day since my mom died. I still take those but I have no need for the extra ones.(I was taking Xanax on a regular basis.) 

This is still new to me, and I will continue to learn more along the way. I have scoured the web searching for legitimate information regarding the company. I have read their ingredients list (posted on their website: Arbonne.com) and have questioned any ingredients that I am not knowledgeable of. I have received valid answers to every question I have asked.

This is a terrifying journey that I am about to venture upon,
but I have learned that anything worth anything comes from
being brave and seeking answers.