2011 Christmas Sale Letter to _Customers

2011 Christmas Sale Order _Blank

2011 Christmas Sale Pricing _Sheet

Christmas Greetings to My Wonderful Mary Kay Clients!

2011 has been a very special year, rich in blessings and in answers to prayer! My daughter, Jennifer, became a Beauty Consultant with me, and it has been fun to have this additional bond in our relationship. My team is building in skills and size, and we will see remarkable results in the months to come!

It is always because of your faithful business that I am awarded special prizes from the company! This year, I have earned a super-handy laminated canvas tote, a designer purse, a king-size portable bed and pump, and several shopping gift cards.

My team and I are also qualifying for our 6th free career car! Thank you Mary Kay!! You can earn a new vehicle from the company every two years – what a blessing – and they pay the car note, taxes, tags, title and almost all of the insurance! My thanks to you for making this possible!

Each year in this Christmas letter, I extend an invitation to you (or to anyone that you know) to take advantage of the Mary Kay Career Opportunity. Does your family need a little (or a LOT) extra money to make this holiday season merry? Call me about becoming a Christmas season Beauty Consultant! It’s only $100 for the Starter Kit!

Annually it is my desire to show you just how much I appreciate your year-round business by having this Christmas sale. All items are 20% – 70% off of the regular retail prices. If you are interested in something that is not included on the enclosed price list, or if you have any questions, just give me a call at (850) 708-8756.

Here’s how this annual sale works. Attached is an order form and a list of regular and sale-priced products. Please fill out the items that you need (noting your skin care formula, as well as specific glamour colors) and return this form with payment (check, MasterCard, Visa or Discover) to me by Tuesday, November 15th. If you prefer, you can shop and pay online at www.MaryKay.com/ELISA and I will adjust the total to reflect the sale prices. It will then take the next week to compile, order, receive and bag each order while I prepare my home with Christmas music and refreshments for the SOUPER Pink Weekend Sale! It can take longer to receive product orders during the busy Christmas season, so any orders received after November 15th may not arrive in time for the SOUPER Pink Weekend Sale.

Out of town clients: I will mail your order as soon as it arrives. Please remember that I do not normally charge you for postage, but do include it on this sale only so that I can give you greater savings across the board on all the products you know and love.

Any products that are needed before November 25 will be sold at regular prices. If you are in the area, I invite you to stop by my home at one of the following times to pick up your prepaid order and shop for lovely Christmas gift products, ready-to-give gift baskets and lots of fun stocking stuffers. It is my “SOUPER” PINK WEEKEND SALE!!! You can shop in a relaxing atmosphere, enjoy homemade soup, bread, and goodies and get your “non-toy” holiday shopping done!

This year’s SOUPER PINK WEEKEND SALE will be held at my home:

Friday, November 25, 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26, 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.

You get a FREE GIFT for stopping by, and an order over $100 at the sale entitles you to ANOTHER FREE GIFT! When you come, feel free to bring a friend who is not a customer. If your guest purchases something, you will receive an additional treat of 10% off items you buy at the SOUPER PINK WEEKEND SALE! Get 10% off for each purchasing friend (up to 50% off!).

Also, would you let your husband and family members know about my year-round gift-giving service? I will gladly wrap gifts and deliver directly to them, including stocking stuffers!

As the cooler weather sets in and Father New Year prepares to usher in 2012, your skin care needs may change. Let me know if you would like to get together to try the new skin care products, supplements and glamour colors, and get a slammin’ new look for the holidays. You want to look great before the cameras come out this year!

Your continued friendship and business is a blessing! Because of you, Mary Kay has remained at the top of the skin care industry, and I appreciate the opportunity to serve you. It is so much fun to work with the best!

Please update your email address on the order form if you would like for me to email specials and new product information to you from time to time.

May you have a Christ-filled holiday season,

Elisa

Elisa Rowland

Wow! Can you believe it’s been only 6 full weeks since I packed you in my gym bag and started on this journey? It is been quite an experience for me, for sure, and one that is just the beginning of my “new life.” Thanks for joining me on the trip – it’s always more fun exploring new places with a friend by your side.

I was remarking to my mother yesterday how incredibly crazy the Fall always is, and I wonder now what exactly I was thinking when I agreed to start another something during this season? Since Fall comes and goes every year, you might think I wouldn’t be surprised by its busy-ness, but I’ve determined it’s a bit like labor — once you make it through to the other side, the memory of the pain begins to fade. That’s probably why, for the 9th year running, I have kids in marching band that require multiple practices, drill rehearsals, photo opps, fund raisers, football games, etc. With four kids (again in 3 different schools, LOL!), it should not surprise me that much of my time is spent as a taxi driver. Randall and I calculated the other day that we will have another 5 years of “Fall” until our youngest kiddo graduates high school, so I don’t think much will change in the crazy-busy department for a while. Of course, if you’re also a crazy-busy person, you also know that I thrive in some sick way on the constant activity.

So, that brings me back to the “sickness” that drove me to make a major lifestyle change and address my physical health. The phrase, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears” could not be any truer than in this case. I was wishing I had my old form, the one I carried around with me until the car accident and subsequent depression. Wishing doesn’t change much, though, but I wasn’t exactly sure what would work. I had used my annual Health and Wellness Bonus from Mary Kay to buy the family a year’s membership at our local gym, complete with Zumba and Spinning classes, machines, boot camps, etc. (Of course, having a membership and using a membership are two different things!) I was not really considering starting a daily exercise routine and changing my diet UNTIL… God put an intriguing Naturopath/Homeopathic Physician in my circle of influence who gave me hope that I could change my situation and before Christmas. Really? She assured me it was possible and that I wouldn’t die in the process. Although I was not fully convinced, she let the thought resonate with me for a few days and then asked if I’d like to be her gym accountability partner. Now, knowing her as I do now, I’m pretty sure she did not need an accountability partner. I think if it was up to her she would actually have an apartment in the gym so that she could eat, sleep, and breathe working out all day long. (Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I’m pretty sure she was already disciplined to go and work out without needing me to hold her accountable.)

Again, not coincidentally, there was a Sunday School class that was starting and it was all women who would be studying, “Made to Crave” by Lysa Terkeurst. Ostensibly, it addressed out lack of fruit — not the dietary kind, but the Fruit of the Spirit kind — the fruit of self-control and how that manifests itself with our regard to food. Deeper down, it addresses the ways in which we have padded our bodies to protect ourselves from hurts, habits, and hangups that only a relationship with God can help us address and eliminate. Until that study, I had not truly acknowledged how angry and disappointed I was with God about a lot of things, so getting those things cleared up (or at least on the path) has made a difference. As I let go of those hindrances, my padding has begun to melt away, too.

Fast forward to today. I wake up happy to go to the gym. My eyes are fully open. I go whether or not any of my new Gym People Friends will be there, I set my treadmill on an incline of 10 for 45 minutes at about 3 mph and enjoy feeling my heartrate. No longer do I worry that I might stroke-out on the treadmill! I feel confident that I now know how to walk — did you know that there is a technique? — and am going to venture out and try some of the machines I see others use. I can “feel” my muscles enjoying the stretches and getting stronger as a result. My body is melting! I love going to do my routine, and I see a positive change in my energy level and fitness as a result.

Also, since I began my New Life in the Gym (my first day was August 29), I have lost 24.45 inches and 16 pounds! I still have about that same amount to go to reach my goal, and I am confident I will achieve it (and hopefully by Christmas).

I’m not sure pictures would show the progress I’ve made, but I wore a cute dress to church yesterday that I haven’t worn in at least 2 years (and I DIDN’T look like a stuffed sausage in it, either! AND, I could breathe. Ahhhhh.) Now, if you’ve slimmed down in the past, you may understand my next concern: I believe a lot of my weight loss has come from my chest and that the fat is migrating downward! I’m good with that since forward progress is good progress, and I believe I can kick it off once it is down around my feet, but I wonder what kind of “Tankles” I may have when all my “chub” is hanging around my ankles! Ha! When that happens, I’ll be sure to post a picture!

Now that I’ve seen progress made with daily disciple and fruity self-control in this area of my life, I’m excited to explore other areas where I can apply more of the same for greater, eternal results. There are so many places I need to improve and grow for the glory of God. What a mighty transformation has taken place in me, my spirit, my relationship with the Lord and in my attitude these past few weeks!

Watch out world, I’m out to Make Today Count!

Elisa

Okay, to say God has me right where He wants me is no understatement. This past week has been an incredible journey, marked by the following happenings:

* My pink caddy’s driver’s window broke
* I donated my caddy to the Purple Heart Organization
* God provided new conveyance
* I started reading: A Weight Loss Guide: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever
* I joined (a few weeks in) a Bible Study titled, “Made to Crave” by Lysa Teurkeurst
* I have started TRUSTING more and TRYING less

My drive-through window broke! Is that God’s way of telling me I really shouldn’t even think about going through one? It is just not Gym People cool to pull up to a drive through window, put the car in park and then open the car door and stand at the window. (Not that I haven’t done that before. When my caddy driver’s side window was cantankerous, I went there! And you know I did it like everybody ought to do the drive through that way.) It’s just that I’m changing. No more frumpy-dumpy for me — No, Ma’am! I’m working to become super-fly, or something like that. (I know it had something to do with an insect! Speaking of insect, I think a bug just strapped himself into the back seat. Darn hippie broken window!)

Jennifer said, “Maybe that’s God’s way of saying you’re too fat and you need to lose weight. If your window’s broken, you can’t use the drive through.” Niiiiice. Gotta love teenagers, right?

So, I did what I knew was coming: I de-personalized the pink caddy and called the Purple Heart Cars who lovingly arranged for my beautiful pink car to be loaded onto a nice tow truck (the kind where your car rides along, as if in a parade) and to go wherever it is cars go when they’re “done”, and provide some income to support our troops. I had seen it coming, and I had wondered if I wouldn’t tear up when she was driven away from my home, but I didn’t. She had served me well. Our older two kids had learned to drive on the pink Cadillac. She had gone to a school dance. She had provided many happy and super-comfortable trips for our family and my consultants. But after 100,000 miles, a girl can only do so much and so she began drinking (oil). Heavily. After 150,000 miles, she started smoking. Like a furnace. And her shocks were shot. She started to bounce, like we had purposefully pimped our ride. (I told Zach he should’ve installed those hot-pink glow lamps and a fog machine, too!) When the driver’s window dropped into the door, I knew it was time. She had had enough and wanted to go to her place of eternal rest. Wherever that is. (I picture her on a nice grassy hill, overlooking a valley flowing with milk and honey.)

Problem: I am in qualification for a NEW Mary Kay Career Car, but our qualification period ends in December, and I need a ride now. As fit and fabulous as I am becoming, I don’t quite see myself biking to appointments. (That may come AFTER I manage to stay in a Spin Class for more than 30 seconds!) So, I did what any woman on a mission would do — I sent out an SOS on Facebook! Something to the tune of “I’m looking for a car — inexpensive, nice enough, and great mileage.” Within the day, God’s answer came in the form of a reply from my friend Toni who said Grandma was not going to drive anymore and had a car to sell. One good look, a little driving around, and I was the new owner of a 1997 white Mercury Grand Marquis! (It rides a lot like the caddy, only without the drinking and smoking addiction.)

I started reading a new book recommended and lent to me by my Naturopath and Homeopathic Health Consultant, Dr. Dawn Dalili of Bluewater Natural Health. The book, titled A Course in Weight Loss: 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever by Marianne Williamson, has proven to be very eye opening about the spiritual battle that I didn’t even know was happening and that I was involved in. If asked, I would say that I have a close walk with the Lord and rely on Him, but I have discovered that I haven’t trusted Him with all my hurts, habits and hangups. I thought those were mine to figure out and that “God helps those who help themselves,” so I thought I was handling them all pretty well. What I discovered is that instead of handling them, I was stuffing them in the attic of my mind. (Out of sight, out of mind, right?) The problem is that the weight gain was a physical manifestation of the way I was stuffing things spiritually. Where I should’ve trusted God to protect and guard my spirit (hurts, habits, and hangups), I had instead used food as a way of momentarily comforting my body and inadvertently padding myself against further hurt and pain. Deep stuff. Really. But good.

About the same time, I joined an already-in-progress Bible Study group who were studying Lysa Terkeurst’s Made to Crave video, book, and lesson series. It partnered up beautifully with the Course in Weight Loss book and lessons, so I’m getting a double whammy. Did you know there are a TON of references (no pun intended) to food, the role it often takes in our lives, the struggles Jesus knew we (particularly as women) would have with food, etc.? It started in the Garden of Eden. And it is not so much the food itself that is the fixation, it is what it represents to us: comfort, control, temptation, an idol, a god-figure. Anything that controls or tempts us in such a way that we don’t think we can resist it is an idol of sorts. Just all very thought-provoking, interesting, and something that I know I must investigate more.

And as a result of all of the above, I have begun again to TRUST more and TRY less. God’s wisdom is counter-intuitive to our secular wisdom! As I found myself more and more broken up over all my hurts and fears, I TRIED MORE to change things and got NOWHERE. And when I came to the end of my rope, God provided everything I needed, as it was needed: He provided a friend and doctor who are helping me to address underlying root causes for the weight gain; He provided an accountability partner (now two!) who meet me at the gym and who will kick my bootie if I don’t show up; He provided His word in a fresh new way addressing the subjects I most needed to address; He took care of the practical concern regarding conveyance; and He has given my a church home where we are studying Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt which is challenging me to trade in my attachment to worldly comforts and get fit for more purposeful living.

Yes, I remember a time a few years ago before when I believe I was living more purposefully. That was before too much “life” intervened into my existence and I lost my way. But as I am making strides every day — on the treadmill, in my studies, in my habits — I am finding my way back to being radically His, in power and in purpose. I am now thankful for the difficulties that have brought me to this point where I can truly TRUST in HIM. I don’t know exactly where He will take me, or what it will cost, but I know it will all be worth it.

Make today count! Elisa

Check out my progress (click on the chart to get a more full-figured view):

Day 7

Day 21

Okay, I guess it’s probably not good to be too sassy, but I feel especially light in my step today. The plan goes something like this: Gym, get to work, have lunch with a new friend and strategize some for mutual marketing goals, work and see clients and attend ABWA with Dawn as my guest. I’m planning to sport my orchid-colored sheath dress (part of my Director Suit ensemble), my brown shoes with shoe jewelry (I have come a long way in this girl stuff!), and my coordinating Miche bag. It’s going to be a great day.

Feeling like Ms. Sassy-Thang, I bounced into the gym this morning and decided I’d have a go at the gazelle machine (at least 30 full seconds!). I set the timer for 10 minutes, almost instantly regretting that. Instead of the full 10 minutes, I made it just shy of 5 (I know — I should have pushed through to the full 5, but — trust me — that was already pushing through) and then did a sort of bow-legged walk (?) to my treadmill. Actually, I went to MY treadmill. (I have noticed that most GPs have specific machines that they gravitate towards, almost as if some unseen force draws them to it, calling them by name.) I set the machine to MY usual settings and did go the entire 45 minutes in addition to the five I spent on the gazelle. (Yes, another star for the day. I am really working to rack them up.) Part way through, I noticed a tiny trickle of sweat was travelling along my neck. Realizing that’s what they give us the towels for, I wiped my neck with the towel while holding on to MY treadmill with the other, lest I fly off the back. Well, what do you know but I was putting back my little sweat rag when I dropped the towel and it hit the treadmill and flew off the back! I’m not sure how I managed to remain upright on my exercise run, but I did (Thank you, God!) and couldn’t help but realize that Dawn had witnessed my Ms. Thang-uncool moment. I laughed and returned to my cartoons (Daffy Duck was on today), as I am sure no other GPs saw what happened. Mentally snapping my sassy fingers in a Z, I reminded myself that “I’m Ms. Thang today! Uh hum!” Only Ms. Thang could giggle like a girl at watching her towel fly off her treadmill, not miss a step, and finish a powerhouse workout. Oh, yeah!

The rest of the day went off without a hitch, pretty much as I had expected it to. I worked in office, met Tessa for lunch (7 minutes late — apparently, when your office clock is blown off the wall, one should check it for the correct time before placing it back on the wall. Note to self.), ran some errands to Office Depot and Home Depot (You should have seen me rolling out my new Gorilla Cart with my light bulbs and stuff in it and then twisting and hoisting and all that to get the darn hippie thing into the back seat. Of course, that was after I had hoisted it into the trunk only to figure out the handle would not be joining the cart home if I forced the issue. (How it wouldn’t fit is beyond me — the trunk is big enough to house a third world country – I mean, a developing nation – but hold ALL of the cart? No!) All in my Orchid sheath dress and spunky heels. Mary Kay would be so proud. (For real! Mary Kay would’ve done the same thing, I’m sure.) I finished out the day having left home with a dead cell phone, prayerfully hoping that Dawn would remember about our meet-up plans, and having attended ABWA. It was a perfect day, until I realized (as I passed the high school at 8:30 pm on my return trip) that I had not taken Christopher to band rehearsal before I left for ABWA. Great! (Missing one rehearsal is tantamount to …. I just can’t even say. It is the worst thing that can ever happen to a band kid in the history of high school. Because Momma got confused on her days of the week because of Labor Day, the guy might lose his spot in the formation and sit on the sidelines. I feel sick to my stomach.) Well, I suppose there really isn’t any such thing as a perfect day, but I try. I will beg forgiveness from whoever will extend any and pray for the best.

Day 11: Wednesday, Sept. 7 — Today I learned an important GP lesson: Exercise goes much fast with good cartoons and a friend with whom to chat. Joining me at the treadmill was Dawn. She is a Physician of Naturopathy and Homeopathy (I’ll link her website as soon as it is finished) and has great goals for the future. So we chatted about all sorts of cool business stuff while we sweated to the oldie cartoons. (Ok — I was watching Bugs Bunny mess with the Tasmanian Devil — he just cracks me up!) When I checked the machine, it said we only had about five minutes to go. Now, that wasn’t so tough today! I enjoyed stretching today and think something must be limbering up, so I caught a vision of myself in that Lizard Pose/Stretch that makes it look like your legs fell off. I can’t wait to show off that move to the GPs one day. Of course, right now I look more like a beardless lawn gnome — wee little head with chubby cheeks perched on a Santa-like belly, all propped on two short little legs. I’m pretty sure, though, when I looked in the mirror that I have gotten rid of at least one slab of bacon from my back, and apparently it ran away with some of the girls because my bra cups have room for another pair of socks. (Gotta remember to stuff it before I head out today. Nothing worse than baggy cups.) Dawn politely took my picture by the elevator (Really? An elevator. In a gym! Think about that!) and a quote by Babe Ruth that says, “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.”

So, bolder than I came to the gym today, I strode out to take on the world. I actually got quite a bit accomplished before I turned into Ms. Crabby Patty again. (The worst part about turning into Ms. CP is that I can’t get away from myself! I just want out of my skin!) And, assuming I get out of my cage on good behavior (or grace), I’ll head out to make a quick delivery before going to church this evening and prepare to lather, rinse, and repeat tomorrow.

I’m feeling Sassy!

End of Week 1

Wow! You know how they say “Time flies when you’re having fun?” I’m sure that’s true, in general, but maybe not when you’re working to stay upright on a machine that is rolling beneath your tired body. Ha! So much has happened in the past few days, and I’m gonna catch it all up:

The beginning of Day 3, I reported that I felt great. By afternoon, I was the crabbiest creature you’ve ever seen. Thankfully, no one had to see me in that place, but late in the day I’m pretty sure I had sprouted some horns, a tail, and a pitch fork. Mind you, I wasn’t cranky about anything specific. I was just cranky. Like PMS on steroids or something. So I waddled over to my protein snack, downed it and settled in my favorite thinking chair to ponder how great I’m going to feel and look when I’m at my ideal weight. And try not to kill something. Ahhhh. Mary Kay, take me away!

I think I’m in de-tox mode.

Day 4 was a wonderful Wednesday, and I got out of bed without hitting the snooze today. That, in and of itself, should get a round of applause. The first couple of days I felt like Wiley Coyote dragging himself out from under a rock one last time in hopes of catching the Road Runner. You know that picture? Red, blood-shot eyes, using his fingers to literally hold open his eyelid. No real signs of consciousness. That was me. Today, though, I remember actually driving to the gym! The treadmill is going to be my good friend for now. At least until I discover a muscle that can help me do more than walk. Right now, I am happy doing that well. I marched 45 minutes on the treadmill at 3 mph and with an 8 incline (still not quite sure what that means, but I think at the end it reported that I had scaled Mt. Everest). Yeah, that’s the ticket. Mt. Everest. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Food choices were good today, and I’m loving breakfast the best. Randall and Chris are up when I get in at 6 am, so I have been fixing omelets (2-egg for me, 3 egg for them), along with pan-grilled zucchini, mushrooms and spinach, and a little bit of salsa. Savory and fulfilling. Yum! Lunch was a delish salad of smoked chicken (thanks, Jim & Nicks!), spinach greens, avocado, peppers, tomatoes, flax seed oil and apple cider vinegar. For dinner, I was between appointments so I had a salad at Olive Garden. Not seeing exactly what I wanted on the menu, my server and I created a goodie: grilled chicken breast over a bed of spinach with zucchini and mushrooms. I had a little balsamic vinaigrette, a glass of lemon water and I was good-to-go!

Day 5 was yoga and stretching day. Okay, maybe Dawn did yoga and I stretched. Outside of the basic stretches I learned in gym class a million years ago, I watched Dawn and thought to myself, “Maybe when I grow up and am not a Big Girl I can do that, too.” And I believe it is true. I would’ve tried to emulate her yoga poses, but I’d hate to get myself all wrapped up like that or tied in a knot. It’s tough enough to drive after exercise without being contorted like that! I enjoyed egg salad with Gregory for breakfast since I had coffee with the older guys when I first got home from the gym, and had Yellow Fin Tuna and salad with my friend Christy at a coffee shop for lunch. Dinner was another story. I ended up making a fast protein shake before heading out with Gregory for the middle school football game (he’s in the band and I was on duty at the concession stand). I’m feeling slimmer, somehow, although I am not getting on the scale. I told Dawn that when I did my check-in, especially for the first few weeks I HAVE to make some progress to spur me on. I even gave her permission to lie to me if she must, but I don’t think she will. Darn hippie doctor thing — won’t lie! Not too cranky today, thankfully, but a little “itchy.”

Okay, Day 6 started out with a little surprise: Don’t ask me how it happened, but I got all dressed for the gym, had my protein drink and was giving myself one last head-to-tow check before heading out, and I discovered a lump. I know! Not the kind of thing you want to find any time, but especially not when you’ve got some place to be.

Now, before you jump to conclusions (I know, too late!), I must tell you that the lump was not of a fleshy nature. It was … well, … wierd! Not expecting anything to be amiss, I was so surprised that it took me a minute to realize that this growth was an odd type. So, lickety-split, before I even had a recognizable thought, I twisted around and grabbed the thing only to happily discover that a pair of my Soma Lineless panties had jumped into my workout pants in the laundry, had naughtily accepted its electro charge, and was hitching a ride to the gym. Aha! Not this time, my little pretty! Now, I know this is going to sound funny, but then I had another dilemma (and WAY too much thinking going on at this hour): I had already pulled closed the bedroom door and was standing in the kitchen holding a pair of panties and ready to head out. Do I risk waking up Randall just to put away the little hitchhiker or ….? Giggles overtake me now thinking about the place in which I found myself. A grown woman in her yoga pants, holding a pair of pretty panties (the kids would be so disgusted!), and not sure what to do with them. I really needed Kim Cattrall to advise me. (Too bad I don’t have her on speed dial.) What I ended up doing or not doing will just have to be left to your imagination! Ha! Just know that I did not leave the house with the hitchhiker and that I did not cause any more embarrassment to myself the rest of the day.

Okay, now being fully alive, alert, awake and — yes — enthusiastic, I pulled into the parking lot to discover only 11 cars, mine included in the lot. At 4:40 am. Can you believe it? What’s up with that? It’s Friday, after all. Why should it be any different that Monday through Thursday? Popping in to claim my treadmill, I commented to Dawn about the lack of GPs in sight, and she taught me a GP lesson: Mondays are like New Year’s Day. PGPs are committed to achieving their goals and are packed in the gym. Fridays, on the other hand are more like January 16 when many newbie GPs have quit and then the tried-and-true GPs can get on their favorite machines, again without waiting. Ahh, Grasshopper. I see….

Now, late Friday afternoon, I don’t know where she came from, but Ms. Crabby Patty took over my body. I about couldn’t think straight and I might’ve taken somebody out if they hadn’t all seen me coming and gotten out of my way. Randall and the boys and I were going to the high school football game while Jenn enjoyed the peace and quiet at home. On the way, Zach (our oldest) called to confirm driving directions with Randall. Crabby Patty started rising within me and got all bent out of shape over the situation and the request for me to look up the mapping, etc. as we were driving to the game. Normally, I wouldn’t have been as worked up about something like this – after all, I’m usually pretty good to go with the flow — but this de-tox (or whatever!) ate my lunch! Through clenched teeth, I did my best to get and give the requested information, walk to the ticket booth, buy tickets, go through the rigamarole of figuring out where to sit, where Greg and his peeps were going to hang, etc. I am certain my face was NOT relaxed and that I may have scared small children. All I can say is that I am so glad I was not working the concession stand that night!

Days 6 and 7 (the weekend) were fairly uneventful. I ate according to my plan, despite all of the non-plan eaters rummaging for edibles in the house. Our oldest son Zach came to visit for the weekend, so there was plenty of activity — the boys coming and going, Jenn coming and going, and Randall and me excited about Georgia playing ball in the evening. My workout was not at the gym, but was in picking up and cleaning up a little around the revolving door, and I was determined to get all my busywork done so that I could just sit and enjoy watching the game with Randall and relax on Sunday and have a quiet-ish Labor Day. Go Dawgs!

Sunday, I started attending a class at church called, “Made to Crave” by Lysa TerKeurst (www.MadeToCrave.org). Perfect fit! Because of all the tropical storms and torrential rainfall, I was tempted not to venture out, but I’m glad I swam to class (I literally had to whip off my sandals and run from the parking lot to class) because I said I was going to be there, and I was! I loved the fellowship of fellow strugglers and the encouragement of scripture in the journey.

Day 8 — Labor Day — I actually got up and met Dawn at the gym at our regularly scheduled 4:45 am time. SHUT UP! I think we should get double gold stars for that! It was a Monday (but a holiday) and I think there were 3 cars in the lot when I pulled in. One was not Dawn’s, though, so I enjoyed a private little victory that I had gotten there before her. (No biggie, of course, but wherever you can claim victory, honey, claim it!) I couldn’t help but think about how I look like Jack Black in the movie Nacho Libre where he says, “These are my stretchy pants” with a fake accent. His figure and mine look an awful lot a like at present, so that pretty much sums it up. I laughed ’til I thought I’d freeze with a Pudding Face. Remember, I’m faking it until I make it, so since most GPs wear stretchy pants, I wear stretchy pants. When I got home, I enjoyed my quiet time while the family slept and then asked Randall to help me with my measures for the week. Randall is a straight shooter. He won’t lie to me, no matter what. (As I pull out the measuring tape and the scale, I’m wondering if this was such a good idea, after all. I have in my head that I must have some forward progress or I will be disappointed. I haven’t prepared myself for what I’ll do with or about that possibility, but I really should have. If I haven’t lost a fraction of an inch or an ounce of fat, what will I do? How will I react? Will I throw up my hands or will I dig in and press on? These are some things I should have planned for, in advance of this moment.) But Randall stands poised to do the dirty work, so there’s no backing out now.

The final results: I decreased my fat reserves by 9.6 pounds and my form by 7.7 inches.

Okay, now I am excited!

So, just know that if you stop by my house to visit me, I might just be prancing around and giggling about, “These are my stretchy pants!” And I’m ready to get started on Week 2!

Spinning. That sounds like fun. I used to love my Sit & Spin as a child. Round and round we go. Wheeee!

That’s the vision that popped into my head when I saw the sign. Spinning Class. Who’ve known you could take a class on how to sit and spin? Well, I think I can handle that on my second day of my Fit and Fabulous Transformation Journey, so I announced to Dr. Dawn Dalili that I was going to the 5 am class. I have a faint recollection of her asking me if I was up for it, but I quickly dismissed her with a confident, “Well, YEAH!” (Like, what’s not to be up for?)

So, probably needing a good laugh to start her day, Dawn accompanied me to the class where I found stationary bicycles instead of the adult-size Sit & Spins I had anticipated. There were already Gym People (GP) in the room, adjusting their cycles, shoes, stretching out, etc. You know, doing the things GP do. Feeling and looking more like Lucille Ball’s impression of a wanna-be GP, I quickly confess that I have no idea what I should do and all confidence I had in riding a bicycle leaves my brain. (Adjust the seat? Don’t you just hop on it? Do I have clicky-locky spinning shoes? Whaaaa? I just bought some “just trying to fit in with real GP” shoes that I can walk in.) I see a familiar face, say hi, and grab a cushioned seat cover that should help me as I begin this Spinning Class. (I really thought I already had enough padding — that’s part of why I’m here, after all — but on Day 3, I am especially thankful I used it. I can barely sit at all today!)

So, spin I did — not like the others who moved with confidence from positions 1 to 2 to 3 with relative ease and who periodically, under the watchful and approving eye of our instructor, stood on the pedals while taking “hills” and really pumping away. No, I came to sit and spin, and that’s what i did! I found the beginning of what I think is a muscle forming in the top of my leg (or were my GP pants too snug?) and was happy enough to make sure I never stopped moving my feet on the pedals. I realized as I sat spinning that I had three objectives to meet: 1) I was there to exercise and begin the process of rehabbing my body after the wreck; 2) I was trying something new that could help me reach my overall Fit and Fabulous goal; and 3) I was going to have to get off the cycle by myself, walk unassisted to my car and drive myself home. And then, of course I needed to be alive, alert and awake for the day. Important goals.

Day 3, I found was easier to awaken to. I feel great! I am eating good food (yesterday for breakfast, I made myself a delicious two-egg omelet with spinach, salsa, and garlic – YUM!) and am excited about being on this journey. “Beginning” is always the hardest part of achieving anything, and I have committed myself to some definite short-term sacrifice for long-term gain. Today, I drove to the gym with my eyes wide open, a song in my heart, a smile on my face, and energy in my step. (Thank goodness, my legs were a little wobbly, but not as wobbly as I had thought they’d be!) Dawn had arrived earlier at the gym and was already pumping away on her “gazelle” machine, and I happily said good morning and walked onto my treadmill with the confidence of an Olympian. I set it for 45 minutes, walking 3 mph and an incline of 8. I felt more serious about my task today, so I tuned the TV to FOX News and off I went. Okay, now that’s a big leap going from “How do I turn this thing on” to striding in with confidence, and watching FOX News today instead of Cartoon Network like yesterday — well, all I can say is I am changing (and besides, Sylvester and Tweety don’t come on until 5 am!). Seriously, I can hear that old classic song in my head, “I’m changing.” I don’t know the rest of the words yet, but I’ve got down the most important ones, anyway! I’m changing.

Often, change is something we avoid because it can be messy and painful. Not to say this process isn’t and won’t be. In fact, I am certain of it. But with the end-game in mind (seeing myself back in my Fit and Fabulous self and everything that means to me), I have decided that the pain of change is greater than remaining the same. And with the encouragement and accountability of a friend doing the same thing, I know we will keep each other going and moving until we achieve our goals.

As I began the business part of my day, I popped in to say “Hello” on Facebook and saw this post by Jille Bartholome, a Life and Business Coach-friend of mine: “There is no point in clinging to existing patterns when they no longer produce the results we want. What pattern are you clinging to that is no longer serving you?” I couldn’t have asked a better question myself.

Wanna join me in making some changes?

Make today count!

Spin Class!

WOW! Today I did something extraordinary! Cataclysmic! Shocking! I drove to the GYM! That’s right. A real, got-to-have a membership and key fob-thingy-to-get-in GYM. I’m not sure my eyes were open at 4:30 am when I put the car in gear, but I magically appeared at the GYM.

Now, I must say up front that I am a wanna-be Gym Person. It’s going to take some work for me to look all cool and stuff, wearing the right gear, walking with that swagger and giving that fast-tilt-nod to other Gym People. That knowing nod that says, “You’re good. I’m good.” And, quite honestly, even with some time and work, I’m not sure I’ll ever be a cool Gym Person. I really enjoy having fun at whatever I’m doing, and I’m not sure that giggling on the tread mill gives the right impression of cool.

That said, I showed up at the gym and started stretching out before hopping on a machine. (After our workout, I watched Dawn stretch and determined that what I do is more appropriate called, “Sitting in unnatural ways.” See the picture of her doing a yoga Lizard(?) position. Other women and I exchanged an “Oh-my-goodness, is she human? look!)

Dawn's idea of stretching!

Probably concerned that I would remain firmly planted on the floor mat, Dawn called me over to some Gazelle-type machine that had way too many of my body parts going in different directions at one time. It’ll probably be great for me when I have an actual muscle again. (I’ve decided the GYM is an acronym for “Get Yo Muscle!) After the car wreck, there was a period of 6 months to a year when I wasn’t sure I’d ever function normally again (the whole walking upright bit), and overworking those muscles seemed like trouble waiting to happen. So, a body that can walk and talk and do the basic everything was a blessing. (Not as great as Fit and Fabulous, mind you, but much better than the alternative.) All that to say that the guy who so nicely deferred use of the machine to me was probably glad he didn’t have to watch me flail and wail more than the 5 minutes I did! Saying goodbye to the Gazelle, I hopped on a treadmill acting like I do it all the time and started pressing buttons. (Not to self: Be sure to wear glasses or contacts so you can see the buttons!) Once I confirmed I was walking, upright and not like the Cro-magnom I felt like, I pressed a few more buttons until I was walking about 3 miles an hour with a “6″ on the incline. I had the fan blowing in my face, the wind whipping through my hair, calories burning, heart beating (that’s an important one) and praying that I could make it 45 minutes. About that time, Pastor Jeremy Smith walked by — he probably said a prayer for me, too. Getting braver, I noticed other gym people were watching the TV boxes on their machines. Apparently, that’s what Gym People do. They look gym-y. Know which buttons to press. Carry a towel. (Does size matter?) And a water bottle. And watch the box. Not to be outdone or give away that I’m a newbie, I turn on my box until I find something that suits me — Sylvester and Tweetie on Cartoon Network. I know, I think I might have blown my cover here. I smiled, BIG (not many gym people smile – ’cause they’re serious about their workout) and laughed on the inside until I thought I was going to fall on my treadmill and shoot back into the Gazelle machines. Tears in my eyes. Maybe someone thought it was sweat? (Whatever! I’ve gotta be me, and Sylvester and Tweety are definitely my speed. )
The big story of the day was not on FOX News but was happening right there in Bluewater Fitness: Elisa Rowland got up, got dressed, got a protein drink down, got in the car, got in a workout (albeit a small step for gym-people-kind), and got home before 6 a.m. Woo-Hoo!

So, come hang with me and “Get Yo Muscle,” too!

Baby steps.

Getting Fit and Fabulous is going to be Fun! Yes, it is. Fun, Fun, Fun. Capital F. Capital U. Capital N. Yessiree, Bobette! Fun, I tell ya. At least that’s what I have decided it must be, because otherwise it is just plain hard work.

I’ve partnered up with Dr. Dawn Dalili, a Doctor of Naturopathy and Homepathy affiliated with Bluewater Wellness Center here in Niceville, FL (http://bluewaterchiropractic.com/custom_content/c_112632_meet_the_doctors.html). A graduate of Vanderbilt University who grew up in a family of traditional physicians, she works with clients to achieve optimum health through natural therapies, remedies, yoga and fitness. She is guiding me back to the fitness and “fabulosity” I had before the car wreck that started me on a downward spiral about five years ago. I’ve prepared her that that is not going to be an easy task, after all, a body at rest often likes being at rest.

We Begin

Day 0 went something like this: Dawn came over to my home and went through my food pantry and refrigerator to educate me about things we eat. She pulled out the sources of what’s put some “junk in my trunk” and helped me identify some of the villains that show up in the ingredient lists of many products. Things like Mono Sodium Glutamate (MSG), Trans Fats (poly, mono, whatever — all trans fats are bad news), food colorings, artificial sweeteners, etc. As we culled products from the shelves, the one that surprised me the most was the box of dried potato flakes that had all sorts of preservatives in them. (The box said “real” Idaho potatoes and I had assumed it was just dried up potatoes. Who’d've thunk? Really!)

Now, I should also mention that my husband and daughter were glaring at us through this process. You see, they have certain “pet” foods that I am certain they knew would probably be on the “no-no” list, and they were bracing for their last stand. While they stood ready to pounce on us as we had this discussion in the kitchen, they seemed to calm a bit when they learned that we would replace the foods with better, healthier choices. I figure that explanation must have sufficed, as they both retreated to less-threatening postures in the family room as Dawn and I finished our task. The younger boys didn’t seem to care about the process at all and just tended their own business.

Next, Dawn presented me with a notebook for recording my Fit and Fabulous journey. (After all, since memory is stored in fat – That IS why they say an elephant never forgets, isn’t it? – as I am getting slim and trim, I might wonder why all the Big Girl clothes in my closet are there!) Okay, she said nothing about the fat, memory, elephant thing, but she did say it is important to write down daily thoughts about where I’m going, what I’m eating, etc. In my business, we say that a tracked number grows, so I’m hoping that in HER business a tracked number shrinks. I can do that.

Now, I’ve already worked up a sweat between the pantry cleaning and flipping pages in the journal (that counts as a workout, doesn’t it?), and I’m thinking we’re done when she whips out this long, flat ribbon-thing that has numbers on it. Kind of reminded me of a ruler, but without backbone. Then she flipped to the page in my journal that had the outline of a body on it and said we were going to take beginning measurements. (What? Was she for real? I know what my measurements are just by how my clothes fit, I argued, but she wasn’t going for it. Dawn and her darn-hippie-professional approach!) So after she took the measurements of my “old body” and recorded my weight, we discussed what the next few weeks are going to look like.

Somewhere between excited and nauseated at the thought, I have now agreed to change my eating habits (although not as radically as I had thought might be required — I’m giving myself a star for not eating too trashy!), meet her to do something physical at the gym every morning at 4:45 a.m. (Did you KNOW that 4:45 actually exists on the a.m. dial? I’m pretty sure no one should ever see it except on the p.m. dial.), drink more water than I bathe in daily, and provide full disclosure about what I actually do about each of the above.

So I guess this is where the rubber meets the road, huh? She must have seen my wattle wiggle or my tail feathers fluff because she asked me if I was going to do it. Although faint from the whole experience, I managed a meek but enthusiastic, “Yes, Ma’am” as I walked her to the door. (And, as if I needed more coaxing, she suggested that if I didn’t show up at the gym in the morning, she would show pictures of me without makeup to everyone she knows. Hmmm. That could increase my business, though — “Mary Kay — the Miracle Makeup.” I can see it now…..)

By the way, Dr. Dalili is WONDERFUL and very knowledgeable about her practice. Just a few simple changes she helped me make within the past few weeks have already made a world of difference in my life and actually led to my being motivated to address my level of Fitness and Fabulosity. YOU can visit with her and see if there’s anything she can help you with, too. She offers a 15-minute Complimentary Consultation, so PLEASE take her up on it. Just call her at (850) 897-1177.

So, the next time I see you I will be on the path to my Fit and Fabulous self. And I’ll track my journey here, including photos. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to dust off my gym shoes.

When was the last time you heard a friend go into elaborate detail about why she couldn’t do this or that? Let me jog your memory. You listened with rapt attention and even made the appropriate “Oh, I completely understand” faces as she ran out the list of what all she had to do, how many kids she has to keep up with, all of the stresses she has in her life that prevent her from doing what she says she wants to do. She continues to explain how she has more month than money, too little help from those who live with her, nobody loves her, the lights are all on red, there will be time “later,” when this happen, then….. Blah, blah, blah…. You continue to nod as though you understand when in the deep recesses of your mind all you can think is, “Hey, when you need an excuse ANY one will do!”

You see, excuses are little stories we tell ourselves to feel better about why we are copping out on ourselves or others. And NOBODY but us believes them!

Now, I am not saying that there are not some things that can temporarily hinder our progress or perhaps even stop us in our tracks for a time. I am talking about the excuses that we created years ago that we continue to use out of habit. We can get so used to telling the stories that we actually start to believe them. We may change up the details to fit our current situation and the audience we are entertaining with our excuses, but the basic underlying story is the same: I am afraid of failing so I must find a way to explain away my reticence to address the fear and work through it.

Think about it for a minute.

Hey, I am the first to admit that change is hard. It is! They say that we do not make a change until the pain of making the change is less than the pain of remaining the same. So, here’s an example:

Some (okay, a lot!) extra weight has found me. (Several friends say they have lost weight. I have simply found it!) I had decided that I was okay with being “fat and happy” until my clothes didn’t fit right and I had to start thinking when I walked into my closet. Gone were the days when I could simply grab any item in the closet, have it easily drop onto my body and look fabulous. I clung to my doctor-friend’s comment that extra fat makes getting through menopause easier. I bought one of those stretchy garments that are supposed to magically move around the fat and position it in the bust or buttocks to make me look more like Marilyn Monroe, but after 4 hours of trying to get it above my knees and melting in a puddle of sweat I decided it made a great rubber band for my tax files. (Yeah, who’s the boss now?) I learned how to make fashion work for me (a pencil skirt accentuates the positive) and decided that I look just fine for a 40-something mom of 4.

See how easy it is for me to justify staying heavier than I actually want to be? I DO NOT LIKE toting around this extra 40 pounds. I do not like it, Sam I Am. I do not like saddle bags. (I don’t even own a horse!) I have simply sold myself a litany of little stories that help me feel (some) better about not going through the pain of changing my situation. And until I have decided that Zumba and the treadmill are worth the effort so I can once again enjoy being in my closet and in my skin, nothing will change. I will continue to believe my excuses, even if you can see right through them. After all, we can smell someone else’s excuses a mile away.

So, I’ve decided to put away my lame excuses (as if there are any other kind) and address the issue. I really do want to make my body change. It will inevitably create other positive changes, too – increased health, self-confidence, better image – all of which will be nice by-products of making the decision. I can happily get rid of the “boutique concept” in my closet (I have almost every size in there) and pare it down to the “always fits” sizes. And I will no longer make excuses or laugh off being “fat and happy.”

How about you? What is just one story you tell yourself? What’s REALLY holding you back from eradicating that excuse from your life forever? Remember: our friends (even acquaintances) detect excuses a mile away. And you and I are not about making excuses — we are about making things happen.

I dare you. And check out my changes as I post updates over the next few months.

Forgive me — I couldn’t help myself! I read this, identified with it and want to share it with you. Perhaps we all need a little “check up from the neck up” in regards to our attitudes. Enjoy! Here’s to success!

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A friend of mine (I’ll call him Al because that’s his name) recently embarked on a new career as a consultant, and he has been wildly successful, even during these difficult economic times. Anyone who knows him will tell you why he has done so well: he is one of the most diligent, enthusiastic and painstakingly thorough people you’ll ever meet. In fact, if you were a competitor of his, you’d say he is over the top. Even annoying.

Anyone who is being honest with himself will admit that the only reason to be annoyed by Al is because he is setting the bar high for himself and his competitors, and because he is able to leap over that bar every time. His success makes perfect sense.

A client organization I’ve worked with a lot over the past few years, Chick-fil-A, shares many of Al’s characteristics. The Atlanta-based restaurant company is known for extraordinary service and customer loyalty, as well as strong financial performance. Anyone who has worked with them behind the scenes knows why — they are extremely picky about everything they do. They approach every project they engage in, from new product launches to leadership training, with extraordinary attention to detail. And they never, ever do something halfway. They take time to do research, think through their options, and carefully discern what would be best for their customers and employees. And then they do it again.

I will be honest here and tell you that even as a partner and vendor to Chick-fil-A, there was a time early in our relationship when I thought my friends there were a little over the top. In the process of doing a project, I’d be tempted to say, “Come on now. That’s good enough. Let’s not overdo this.” And then I would see the end product of their diligence, whether it was a management training program or the opening of a new store or a new menu item, and I would think oh, now I get it. Again, their success makes perfect sense.

Any competitor of Chick-fil-A who finds them annoying, and many of them certainly do, would have to admit that it’s just plain hard to compete with an organization that sets the bar so high and clears it again and again. Of course, customers don’t find Chick-fil-A annoying; they love the consistency of their service and products. And employees don’t seem to mind it either; the line of people who want to work there is a long one.

All of this says something interesting about success. If you’re not willing to do things that others would say are over the top, and if you’re not comfortable being criticized for being annoying and for having standards that seem perhaps just a little too high, then you’ll drift toward mediocrity. And though no one would ever aspire to being mediocre, it is more tempting than we might realize. After all, the majority of people out there will encourage us to take the easy route, because that isn’t threatening to them. They’ll support us as we justify cutting a corner here and lowering our standards there, because it isn’t reasonable to do anything more.

And I suppose that’s the whole point. Success isn’t about being reasonable. It’s demanding. It’s over the top. It can even be annoying. But it’s worth it.
Yours,
Pat