My Challenge

I started a new program to reshape my body yesterday. I currently weigh 150 lbs and my waist is 28". My body mass index is almost 27 (healthy BMI is 18.5 - 25), which makes me overweight by a couple of pounds. A BMI of 26 or 27 may be acceptable for those who strength train, so I am on the borderline of acceptable body size for good health. (Actually, I am a two week break from the gym since I strained my tendon in my knee so I am wearing a knee brace. I will be back in action shortly; I use both machines and free weights to work out.)

Personally, I desire to be at the lower end of the healthy BMI range for my height. In my adult life, I have dropped from sizes 16/18 in my twenties down to an average body size for a healthy woman in my thirties to date. In the last few years, my size has varied from size 10 to size 4. Now at 150 lbs, size 8 and a 28" waist, I am committed to improve my general fitness and body composition. My goal is to attain a size 4, waist 25" and weight of 130 lbs or less.

Today on TV, I heard some "news" about Kristey Alley that is now over 200 lbs, despite past weight loss using Jenny Craig, which was advertised to promote their products. And apparently, Kristey Alley of Cheers Fame declares that she is ready to lose the weight again. And many of us know about Oprah's struggles with her weight. So I think I need to give myself a break - I've been feeling guilty about not keeping at size 4 attained one year ago. And at the time, I was smaller than any other time in my entire adult life!

So I know I can do it again: feeling and being fit as ever. So I just joined a weight loss challenge on Thursday evenings to help support me in my efforts. We meet at a nutrition club in Kingston Jamaica. Yesterday, we had about ten attendees. We are looking for more to join us next week.

By the way, have you checked out herbalifewlc.com as yet? Herbalife is on the road to helping people lose 1,000,000 pounds. See how we can help you....

I am going to lose excess fat. What do you have to lose?

Weight Loss Challenge; New Year Inspiration

I watched NCB "Biggest Loser" show tonight on TV. It's quite amazing to see the contestants lose significant weight in only a week; it actually took only a couple of hours in the edited version that was broadcast over the airwaves on January 1, 2008.

We all wish for fast results. If you watched the program, you would have realized that they actually worked hard to change themselves. The weight loss per person ranged between 7 - 29 pounds in only a week. Yes, you read that right! No kidding.

The question is: "Do you just wish for results or are you actually willing to do what will produce results?

We all know the two primary factors for weight loss: better nutrition (less calories) and more physical activity. Moreover, group support can help, and our mindset can positively affect both our attitude and actions. It can be helpful to keep a diary of eating patterns and exercise habits to track progress, or to find a workout partner that encourages our personal goals. We each need to find what works. One size does not fit all, but all of us is able to re-size as we improve fitness and dietary habits. (Note: Remember the oft-used expression, we are what we eat.)

It is very useful to learn about basic nutrition principles. Why don't you join a free class that will help you learn or remind you what you need to know practically to apply good nutrition to your life? I am inviting you to a free nutrition class in Kingston, Jamaica. Just email or send SMS text to my mobile device....

What will you do this year to make the world (including yourself) a better place? Here's one suggestion: Join or start a weight loss challenge. Why? Obesity increases the risk of diseases and discomfort: diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, infertility, and fatty liver. Losing weight if you are overweight is not merely about body acceptance and self esteem.

Do you want to lose fat safely using one proven system that includes an easy effective maintenance plan? Why not you? Why not now? Email ezfigure@gmail.com ASAP.

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Below is my New Year Inspiration email to friends and colleagues:

Let 2008 be your best year yet:

"Be a positive role model. Be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi

Men weary as much of not doing the things they want to do as of doing the things they do not want to do. ~Eric Hoffer

Most people are other people. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation. ~Oscar Wilde, De Profundis, 1905 (http://www.quotegarden.com/be-self.html)

“Learn from error & betise alike.” SAM


Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

If you cannot be a poet, be the poem. ~David Carradine

"If you cannot play an instrument, be the music. And who doesn't love to hear beautiful music?" Susan Muir

Remember the song: "...Sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong. Sing of good things, not bad. Sing of happy, not sad."

Finally, a memorable wonderful year to you in 2008....

Eating habits during festivities; Blog musings

You know, ShapeWorks actually work when you take them. So on Christmas Day I had my shake and Herbal Concentrate tea for my breakfast meal and then a sensible small lunch of eggs, stir fry vegetables and multi-grain crackers. So my stomach didn't cry out to me when the special family dinner that evening was served later than expected. However, yesterday (which is celebrated as "Boxing Day" here in Jamaica), my eating was haphazard so I felt as if I was "starving" when I on the road late late last night when my car wouldn't go anymore. Of course, I had a shake when I got home to nip my strong hunger pangs, and no surprise there, it worked! Here's the take away: have at least one shake a day!

I missed more than a week without a contribution to my blog a la Herbalife. I actually haven't had writer's block; truthfully, I have been thinking of my Herbalife blog from a distance. Everyday, I read my Herbalife Google alerts. Best of all, yesterday, I spent quite a bit of time reading an article about using YouTube video for marketing and then wrote email notes on my brainstorming session. I'll be "coming out" on YouTube, which caught my attention first because it was awarded Time Magazine "Man" of the year for 2006. So after I year of occasionally viewing YouTube on and off, it's time to take the plunge. Translation: I am planning my first online video production to be embedded in my blog. I am quite excited just thinking about it. I plan to get it off the ground in early January 2008.

Jamaica beneficiary of 30th Casa Herbalife nutrition grant

The grand opening of the 30th Casa Herbalife program took place on Saturday December 15, 2007, in my island home, Jamaica. The Herbalife Family Foundation has promised to help with the nutritional needs for a children's home known as the Walker's Place of Safety - in perpepuity. Many Jamaican Herbalife distributors brought individual gifts for the children. Last month, at the Herbalife Success Training seminar, a collection was taken for a clothes dryer that was delivered to the place of safety on the weekend. We also toured the facility, watched a karate demonstration and particpated in an official ceremony.

Here is the official summary by Herbalife International. Pictures in my digital camera to follow soon in the near future....

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HERBALIFE LTD has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.
Title: Jamaica Shelter Receives Grant for Healthier Nutrition
Date: 12/18/2007

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2007--Walker's Place of
Safety in Kingston, Jamaica received a grant from the Herbalife Family
Foundation to help it provide more nutritious meals to the children in
its care.

Founded in 1978, Walker's Place of Safety cares for abused and
neglected children, providing good nutrition, safe shelter,
educational services and quality health care. The center serves as
transitional housing for hundreds of children every year who have been
abandoned or removed from their homes because of unstable conditions.
The Casa Herbalife program was launched in 2005 to help provide
healthy and nutritious meals by partnering with existing charities
serving children. This is the 30th Casa Herbalife program established
worldwide.

HFF is a 501(c)(3), non-profit corporation dedicated to improving
children's lives by helping organizations provide healthy nutrition to
children at risk. Additionally, HFF often supports relief efforts in
response to natural disasters.

About Herbalife Ltd.
Herbalife (NYSE:HLF) is a global network marketing company that
sells weight-management, nutritional supplements and personal care
products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products
are sold in 65 countries through a network of 1.7 million independent
distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and
its Casa Herbalife program to bring good nutrition to children. Please
visit Investor Relations for additional financial information.

CONTACT: Herbalife Family Foundation
George Fischer, 310-410-9600 x32649
georgef@herbalife.com

SOURCE: Herbalife Family Foundation

Jim Rohn visits Jamaica

Have you heard about the life-changing event on Sunday December 16? At the monthly Success Training Seminar at the Hilton Kingston, Jim Rohn will be our guest speaker.

Over the past 37 years, he has addressed over 5,000 audiences and 3 million people worldwide. He is the recipient of the 1985 National Speakers Association CPAE Award and is the author of 17 different books, audio and video programs. Referred to by many as the greatest motivational speaker of all time, Jim Rohn always approaches the subjects of personal and business success by asking four questions: Why? Why not? Why not you? and Why not now? He then goes on to answer those and related questions, revealing practical, perceptive secrets of success http://www.mindperk.com/RohnBio.htm

“Jim Rohn simply cannot be described nor defined. Instead, he must be experienced. The remarkable combination of his personal style and his message does something to people that cannot be captured in a text description. The power that is behind his extraordinary effect on people is not found just in what he enables them to learn, but in what he makes them feel.” Rest the rest of this brief biography of the motivational speaker at http://www.woopidoo.com/biography/jim_rohn.htm and/or read the Wikipaedia article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Rohn. Of course, this renown business philosopher has his own web site: http://www.jimrohn.com/

Jim Rohn couldn’t be visiting Jamaica at a better time. Jamaica is ripe for the type of change that he advocates: personal development. Let me quote the man himself: "Of all the things that can have an effect on your future, I believe personal growth is the greatest. We can talk about sales growth, profit growth, asset growth, but all of this probably will not happen without personal growth." Jim Rohn

Jamaica needs enterprising entrepreneurs who exemplify innovation:
“An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile of scrap metal and sees the making of a wonderful sculpture. An enterprising person is one who drives through an old decrepit part of town and sees a new housing development. An enterprising person is one who sees opportunity in all areas of life.” Jim Rohn

And to top if off, examine two rave reviews:

Les Brown - "I've been a student of Jim Rohn since 1972. He was then and still is one of the most profound thinkers and mind-expanding individuals I've ever had a chance to listen to."

Mark Victor Hansen - "Jim Rohn is the master motivator - he has style, substance, charisma, relevance, charm, and what he says makes a difference and it sticks. I consider Jim the 'Chairman of Speakers.' The world would be a better place if everyone heard my friend, Jim Rohn."

This sounds - as if - he is too good to be true. Why not hear him for yourself? The introductory session at the Hilton Kingston is free: 10 - 11:30 a.m. Tickets for the remainder of the Success Training Seminar cost US$30. This is a bargain when compared to similar events to Jamaica and the USA with motivational speakers.

Don’t miss it!

Power of Direct Sales, HLF rated "Buy"; Herbalife CFO to Participate in California Dreaming Conference Dec 11, 2007

Review an online article produced by the Associated Press about the direct sales industry as well as a news release from Herbalife Ltd.; the company will participate in Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference (see details below).

Dec. 7, 2007, 11:08AM
Sector Snap: Direct-Selling Companies
© 2007 The Associated Press
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5360412.html

NEW YORK — A Jefferies & Co. analyst said Friday companies that use a direct selling business model may become better investments next year since they can infiltrate new markets full of shoppers with disposable incomes.

Analyst Douglas M. Lane said in a note to investors that growth at the companies "should pick up given the attractiveness of the model in penetrating newer markets that are underdeveloped but have sharply rising disposable incomes."

In these companies' selling models, individuals distribute products by demonstrating them in prospective buyers' homes or by holding product "parties" - a method popularized by Tupperware Brands Corp.

Some also pay employees through a multi-level marketing plan in which employees' pay is based on their own sales plus the sales of employees they recruited to join the company.

Lane said since direct selling companies don't require as much infrastructure to enter a new market, they should be able to grow rapidly in under-developed emerging markets like China, Russia, Eastern Europe, India and Indonesia.

China, in particular, he said, represents an opportunity for such companies to grow, despite regulations against multi-level marketing. Some companies, including personal care product maker Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. and vitamin company Herbalife Ltd. have been granted licenses to do business there.

"We have heard estimates that direct selling companies doing business in China would make it an approximately $5 billion market, which would make China the sixth-largest direct selling market in the world," he said.

Lane initiated coverage on both of the companies Friday. He gave Nu Skin stock a "Neutral" rating.... Lane rated shares of Herbalife a "Buy" and said the company is "poised for continued strong revenue growth."

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HERBALIFE LTD has added a news release to its Investor Relations website.

Title: Herbalife Ltd. to Participate in Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference
Date: 12/7/2007 12:00:00 PM

For a complete listing of our news releases, please click here


LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 2007--Herbalife Ltd.
(NYSE:HLF) Chief Financial Officer Rich Goudis will participate in the
8th Annual Wedbush Morgan California Dreamin' Conference December
11-12, 2007 at The Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.
Goudis will present on Tuesday, December 11, at 8:45 a.m. PST. The
presentation will be webcast in the Investor Relations section of
Herbalife's Web site at www.Herbalife.com.

About Herbalife
Herbalife is a global network marketing company that sells
weight-management, nutritional supplements and personal care products
intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold
in 65 countries through a network of 1.7 million independent
distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and
its Casa Herbalife program to bring good nutrition to children. Please
visit Herbalife Investor Relations for additional information.

CONTACT: Herbalife Ltd.
Media:
George Fischer
Sr. Director, Worldwide Corp. Comm.
310-410-9600 ext. 32649
or
Investors:
Erin Gehan
Sr. Director Investor Relations
310-410-9600 ext. 32862

SOURCE: Herbalife Ltd.

Weigh in with Lower Fat

Despite any predisposition to being overweight due to nature or nurture, ultimately your actual lifestyle choices can make a difference in your shape and size. Read the thoughts of Himanshu Joshi in a recent article in the American Chronicle:

Herbalife Weight Loss Product: How to Weigh in With Lower Fat

"Genetics does play a role in obesity, of course, but not as big a role as you do. Most health experts say that the concept of genes compelling you to be heavy is a myth.

For the vast majority of us, genes may set the lower limits of our weight, but we set the upper limits by our food choices.

Nonetheless, we all know that most of us tend to put on weight as we age. In addition, if there is one thing we cannot prevent, it is the aging process. But we can prevent eating more and exercising less as we get older. And first of all, you have to have surgeries for food control in your life, strategies that work."

Read the rest of this article at http://www.americanchronicle.com

He briefly discusses some options and then recommends Herbalife products. As I've said before, I lost twenty-five pounds (25lbs) using ShapeWorks products from Herbalife. To maintain this weight loss, requires discipline to continue to eat small balanced healthy meals often, consume healthy nutritional shakes daily, and exercise regularly. I actually eat four to five meals per day, depending on my workout intensity and hunger pangs. Some persons may classify two of those meals as snacks. As the young people say, "Whatever." I just ingest excellent nutrition often.

The key is to eat nutritionally-dense low-caloric meals, whenever your body needs it. Taking supplements to augment your solid food consumption help. Starvation is never the answer. That's great, because I only want to fast during special prayer. I know that I can maintain my size 4 for life - using the convenient effective products offered by Herbalife.