Sharing Last Post From NYKO Almost Live Blog...Was Fun Blogging the Event

NYKO 2013 Recap...On To Celebration in August

NYKO 2013 as they say is in the record books, those who attended packing suitcases, or already on the road or in a plane.  The three big BUZZ catchers are pretty easy to ascertain.

• Isagenix e+ Energy Drink stole the show, and their #ShareTheShot hashtag on twitter a great idea.  Just wish that everyone in Isagenix had been on Twitter when the product was officially launched putting out tweets so that we could have trended both #ShareTheShot and #NYKO2013.
• Next up was the announcement that next year's NYKO is going to be held in Dallas...would love to attend that event, but my up line mentor is suggesting that Las Vegas Celebration might be a better fit.
• The announcement that Isagenix is declaring war on short telomeres!  This should be number one on the list, and is for me.  Just here in America Isagenix Product B can help 79 million aging Baby Boomers.
• Celebration...this event is going to be held in August in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Should be a grand time, and it is my understanding that it is a much larger gathering of the Isagenix family than NYKO is.

The official recap with links to appropriate articles on IsaFYI.

More money. New products. Three new IsaBody Challenge® categories.

Our 2013 “Focus on Your Future” New Year Kick Off was packed with energy, tons of new promotions and products and so much more. If you missed out, check out all of the announcements from the event below:

• New e+ Naturally Caffeinated Energy Shot Unveiled
• 3 New Products Launched
• Get Paid 4 Ways With Isagenix
• 5 Incredible Promotions Just Got Extended
• Meet the New IsaFYI.com
• 3 New Ways to Cash in With the IsaBody Challenge
• Share the New Isagenix Compensation Plan Video
• Try the New IsaConnect Communications System
• Get Ready to Celebrate This August

Hope everyone who has visited here the past few days has enjoyed the content.  Been fun blogging this event, and looking forward to doing it again next year when NYKO2014 finds itself in Dallas Texas...what an appropriate host city for us, in the state where, as they say, everything is BIG.

Isagenix Isa Body Challenge...Reflecting Back on 90 Days

Me a Few Weeks Into Challenge

Sitting here listening to John Lennon's "Stand by Me" as I reflect back on the last 90 days, my own participation in the Isagenix Isa Body Challenge...sad that the 90 days are over gone away far to fast, yet thrilled at the new man I see standing in front of me when I look in the mirror.  It has truly been a life changing event for me, one filled with a certain amount of fear, but also a great deal of pride at where I have come.

Will take my measurements and weight myself at the end of the 9 Day Cleanse for Life I am in the midst of and weigh myself, so the final statistics are not in, but one but has to look at me to see the difference.  I've shrunk, but in a very good way, my once noticeable Budda Belly all but gone, the new smaller 36" waist pants bought at the 60 day mile marker already too big for me.  I still wear a large shirt, but they are hanging a bit on me, the sleeve seams no longer fitting tight on the shoulder blades.  

Taken Around Halloween

I would be lying if I said this has been easy, though parts of it were, days, sometimes weeks breezing by without a problem, then BOOM, a brick wall that I would run smack dab into.  

Thanksgiving was one of those times...I love cooking/baking, being in the kitchen, and have traditions that go back decades.  Pumpkin and Pecan pie, homemade of course.  Deviled eggs, sour cream mashed potatoes with giblet gravy, stuffing just like my Mom used to make, a large turkey because the table just doesn't feel right with a small one in the center of the table, olives of various variety, fresh green beans with almond slivers sprinkled over the top.  I was good (good being relative), had just one plate of food, and not overloaded.  Yet, a part of me wanted to FEAST.  I waited, had desert later in the evening and was so tempted the next morning to have a slice or two of pie with my morning coffee, but resisted the urge, having my IsaLean shake instead.

Stay FOCUSED on the goal, keep your eye on the prize.

A December Pic...Changing

Came into December weighing 175...met my goal for November but just barely.  That was one of those down times.  Holidays are hard, and December in some ways is one big month of Holidays, and with my Mom gone, I long ago decided I would carry on her traditions...miss her a whole lot sometimes even though she has been gone since 1993...WOW...20 years as of this May 3rd, 2013.  

Tradition is important.  Spent 3 days baking dozens upon dozens of cookies and Mom's Christmas Morning coffee cake...I love her coffee cake, and in the past would DEVOUR IT...here it is January, gave three fourths of it away, have had a few small pieces, but there is still some left in the freezer.  Times change.

By the time December 26th rolled around, was really not sure I could make my own goal of hitting 170 pounds by December 31st.  I stuck to the program...mostly...but everywhere I went there were all my favorite treats.  I love Christmas ham...brown sugar glazed, pineapples and maraschino cherries candied in the baking ever so tempting, plates of cookies and cakes, and memories of Mom smiling as I went back for a second plate, or found my way into the kitchen after midnight to make myself up a plate of leftovers because everything was just so good.  Couple all this with the fact that I love food, and am guilty at times of finding comfort in food, and the holidays were a rough time.

Six days to reach my goal of 170, and I had actually GAINED one pound from the beginning of December!  Spent most of that day and the next letting self doubt creep in, started listening to those voices we need to avoid, but often don't...luckily, I'd also decided to do a two day cleanse on the 26th and 27th, and stuck to it.  On the morning of the 28th after two days on Cleanse for Life I got on the scale...173 POUNDS...I can do this, 170 is reachable, I got four days!  

Motivation is a great thing!

I got on my stationary bike, cranked up my consumption of water, and religiously followed the program as I worked hard on being a product of the product, my coach's (Andrea Hameed) words burned into my mind...Chocolate or Vanilla.  

In a perfect story, I would have met my goal, but fact is when I woke up on January 1, 2013 I was just shy of where I had wanted to be weighing 171 pounds.  The old me would have played the FAILURE card on myself...but, as I said, these 90 days have started to change me into who I have always been meant to be.  I went out to the kitchen, had my Isalean shake and got on with my day knowing it would only be a day or two and I would for the first time since the 1980's find myself getting on the scale and weighing under 170 pounds!

Certain things stick in my head, make me smile.  I bought two new belts when I went shopping, both of them 36 inch.   One of them has six holes in it...I was in the second one when I put it on the first time.  Last week I put the belt on, and it is in the sixth hole (inside hole), the belt now too BIG FOR ME!  That same morning I took out an old favorite denim shirt that I had bought back in 1998 at the Gap store in Plattsburgh NY.  Had not worn the shirt since 2004...NINE YEARS.  It fits, and very comfortably I might add.

NYKO 2013 is, too a great deal, over with as I write this...sure, it goes on through tomorrow, but most of this late night and tomorrow is all about goodbyes for those who were lucky enough to attend.  I sit here tonight a bit sad and melancholy as my personal 90 Day Challenge comes to an end.  Through the tears, the laughing the victories, it has been ONE HELL OF A GREAT TIME for me.  I know my journey to a new me is not over, that more victories lay ahead...but, I am sad that these very special 90 days are over, sad at having to say Goodbye to a challenge that has shown me there is a beautiful, wonderful person who has always been inside of me who is starting too emerge. But even in my melancholy I am Thankful, and know that at the end of the 90 Day Challenge I am walking into my future a winner.

Some Special Thank You's on This Special Night

First, Andrea Hameed who introduced me to Isagenix...her own story, her testimonial touched me, woke me up, and sparked something inside of me that made me say yes to Isagenix and the 90 Day Challenge.

The incredible and supportive friends on Facebook in the Isagenix community, far too many for this man who is not used to having friends can mention, but want to call out a few anyway.  

Elisabeth Anderson, Candace Tweady Woods, Kelly LeBlanc, Sheila Marie Jackson, Monica Cicere Ludwig, Angela Taylor-Shatzer, Joanne Spark, Lily Van Loo, Heather Wood Johnson, Kathy Doss Rhoden, Kathy Ong, Jen Battilora, Jo-Ann DiLorenzo, Deanna Dante Bello, Casey Karen James, Randy J Dunbar, Tanya Becks, Gregory Valiquette and everyone else who has helped me along the way, given advice, picked me up when I had fallen down.  You folks are ALL GREAT, and I love being a part of the Isagenix family.

Not a part of Isagenix?  Would you like to be?  Give me a call at (845) 693-4513, text me at (845) 346-6523 or email me at isagenixguru@gmail.com and let me walk with you as you start your own journey to the beautiful you that has always been inside waiting to come out.

 

NYKO 2013 Day 1 Wrap Up...Shared From NYKO 2013 Almost Live Blog

WOW....I am exhausted, but what a great day.

First, we have almost 20 people doing the "Isa Guru 9 Day Challenge" and I have just finished my two days of pre-cleanse preparation, behaving myself, working out, and doing my Isalean shakes.  Am so ready for the Two Day Deep Cleanse that starts tomorrow.  So proud of all the people in the Cleanse Challenge that are getting a JUMP START on their 2013 fitness/weight loss goals.  Going to throw a ringer at them in this post and then post over in our Cleanse Challenge Facebook Page.  Keeping with the theme of FOCUS, going to get them to FOCUS in our new Energy Drink by giving the first three of them to check in here a sample on me! As the saying goes, "Share the Sh*t!"

Rather than writing a second one, sharing here the Day 1 Wrap up I put together for the NYKO 20113 Almost Live blog...hope every one out in Phoenix enjoys the evening festivities!

NYKO2013 Day 1 Wrap Up With Your Host, "The Isa Guru"

WOW...what a day it has been at the Isagenix NYKO (New Year Kick Off) even in Phoenix today...I am stoked, and am not even there, but instead writing in the living room of my small apartment here in the small New York hamlet of Mountaindale.  Sure if I were there I would be hoarse of voice and side awake.  Where to start?

No doubt the star of the show is the new Isagenix Energy Drink...here is a bit from the Isagenix News page on it:

Introducing e+: the naturally-caffeinated energy shot that gets–and keeps–you going!

Let’s face it; in our fast-paced, not-enough-hours-in-the-day world, it’s easy to run down personal energy reserves. e+ is a flavorful energy-boost for everyone, formulated to help you feel refreshed and energized. And, e+ fires up your performance without the artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors found in many other energy drinks.

Pocket-sized e+ shots are convenient, great tasting, and perfect for that quick boost of energy when you need it most. The convenient 2-ounce bottle of e+ provides extra protection against fatigue, whether it’s before a workout or to help you meet a work deadline, thanks to the adaptogenic botanicals in each bottle.

What’s more, the ingredients of e+ were specifically selected to help your cells use energy more efficiently. Here’s just a taste of what e+ has in store for you:

• Quick energy boost that lasts for hours
• Kick-starts your workouts
• Improves focus and physical performance
• Helps you stay alert and think clearly
• Safe, effective and natural

I can almost here the audience from here in New York chanting, "SHOT, SHOT, SHOT" and "Share the Sh*t!"  This is very exciting news...especially since our Energy Shot is healthy, unlike some of the other energy drinks out there being investigated by the FDA (Five Hour Energy Drink).

With all the excitement about the new Energy Drink, lets not lose sight of a very important part of the first day...John Anderson declaring a war on short strand Telemores!  This is BIG FOLKS.  Hard to imagine, but our Product B is about to get even better! To find out more about graceful aging and brain support, please visit here.

Our Ionix Supreme (my own morning time favorite) has been reformulated so that it now has 33 percent more powerful!  WOW...talk about putting some pep in your step.  As John Anderson said today, Isagenix is never satisfied standing pat (paraphrasing here).  Cannot wait to place a new order and try some of these new and improved products.  If you would like to know more about Ionix Supreme, would like to try some, please visit here.

Most touching moment of the day for me...The Video shared on Twitter by Stephanie Blackbird! You can watch it here, but bring your kleenex.  Yes, it is that touching, and incredibly inspirational.

There were other events, a lot more inspirational speakers, and if you read this article, please share your favorite moments from day one in a comment.

If you made it to here, can you please Google +1 this article, and maybe share it on Twitter or Facebook.  Want to interact further, you can find me on Facebook!  Love new friends.

Just a Six Legged Man Juggling Naked In Times Square

There Is Light At Tunnel's End

In just 37 days another year passes into the record books, 52 days after that the birthday clock ticks off another year in my own life as I move from 56 to 57, one step closer to wherever it is that life and eternity is taking me.  Almost two months ago, perhaps by accident or maybe by design I found myself at a juncture where life was screaming loudly, "It is time for a change".  Voices are often easy to ignore, or at least give only a half an ear to whatever it is they are saying, even when what they are saying we already know is true.   For whatever reason...providence?...I heard the voice, realized that something had to give, that something had to change, that my life needed a new direction.

 

Change is not easy, and does not happen overnight, and the process/journey of that change suddenly sees you having your feet not so firmly planted in not just one, but two, three even six different worlds, grappling with a simple fact...change often times requires giving up things, things that you perhaps love, are comfortable with...even if some of those things are not good for you, emotionally, mentally or physically. 

 

I like to eat...too much at times, but the huge Budda Belly hanging over my ever expanding waist, was not a healthy byproduct of that eating.  I don't drink a lot, but probably being honest like it more than I should.  A great bottle of wine with dinner, a few drinks with friends while listening to music at an Open Mic night in the bar across the street.  Cannot say I like smoking, its a habit, one that gives me some comfort in bad times, something to do when I need something to do for whatever the reason might be.

 

That voice screaming relentlessly..."It is time for a change."

 

I found Isagenix, or more aptly it found me.

 

The journey so far is being an exciting one even if it has its highs and lows.  I have a lot of self disciplend at times, at others not so much.  One foot in the world of Isagenix, the other in the world that was and still is.  Another foot is in the business end of Isagenix, a model (network marketing) that is alien to me, one that takes me so out of my personal comfort zone.  Truth be told, I am a very visible loner, preferring the solitude of a walk in the woods with my camera, my feet, mind and heart comfortable in this alone space that lets me think, in a world that lets me observe without having to be a part of it, in a realm where my mind for a bit can be and know quiet.

 

A six legged man, one foot in this world, another foot firmly planted in another as I try to juggle balls hoping none fall from the air...that part of me I keep hidden from the world afraid of what will happen when I do.  Once read somewhere that if you want to be something, pretend you are until you have the skill sets to be what it is that you want to be...sometimes in this journey, feel like I am prentending to be while hoping one day I will be...not sure I have ever been really HEALTHY my whole life, and a lot of the time right now, though I know I am getting healthier do feel that I am pretending to be, and think that reality is why I fear what happens if I fail.

 

The weather outside suits my mood, the wind howling as storm clouds pile in one upon another, as a storm blows in on the horizon, the weather like my life changing fast, me wondering if I am going to be able to keep up, me wondering who this new person emerging from within is going to be.  Sometimes it all seems to much, sometimes fear sees me wanting to fail, wanting to go back to that unsafe safe place where white is white, black is black, and even if it is bad for me, returning to that space of being comfortable because of the familiarity of the world in which I lived, even hid.

 

NOPE...cannot let that happen, best to be the six legged man juggling naked in Times Square, braving the gawkers and the doubters, proving to myself that where I am going to is where I am supposed to be.

Social Media...Some Beginners Tips For My Isa Friends

First, wishing everyone a very happy, fun filled Thanksgiving full of fun, family and blessings.  Speak a blessing of gratitude for what you do have, and lift up to the heavens a prayer for all those in the world going through rough times.

 

As I sit here drinking my morning Isa Shake (already had my Ionix Supreme) wanted to write an article to share with everyone in our Isa Social Media group over on Facebook...a few tips on getting started in Social Media Marketing.  For beginners, Social Media Marketing (SMM) can be...well, it can be intimadating. 

 

Social Media Marketing is something necessary in this new age of instantaneous communication, and it takes time to learn as there is a LOT TO LEARN.  That said, don't let it intimadate you...Rome was not built in a day, and when it comes to getting yourself out there, patience truly is a virtue.  So, some basic tips for those wanting to get started. (Hey, once the turkey is in the oven, and the footballs games are turned on, or after dinner when everyone wants to take a timeout before desert, why not get your toes wet?)

 

Social Media Tips For Beginners

 

1. Listen to your audience.  Sure, we all want to speak our minds, but are we doing it in a way that makes others want to listen...your audience is going to let you know what they like, what they want to hear about.  If one of your articles in a blog, tweets on Twitter, or a time line entry on Facebook gets great response (how many comments, how many article views?) while others see almost no traffic, your audience is speaking to you, "HEY, we really like this."  You can also ask your audience what they want to hear using polls, or even putting up a post asking them, "What articles would you like me to write, or what discussions are we wanting to have."

 

2. Know your audience.  On Facebook, many of us belong to various Isagenix groups, a captive audience of folks who want to hear about, and learn about Isagenix...so, probably would not make a lot of sense if I started putting up comments about the fine points of overhauling and restoring a 1947 DeSoto.  Those in Twitter A) like short concise statements (duh...only have 140 characters) and tend to like links in case they want more information.  Blogs on the other hand give you more of a platform for longer posts and explantions. 

 

Bonus tip...Write a blog post (IE, this one) then make a short concise statement about it with a link on twitter...a great twofer!  Viral Marketing at its finest.

 

3. Start small.  Yes, you want to protect your brand, maybe you want to run out and establish yourself on say 10 Social Media sites...but, once you have made that LAND GRAB, let some of those pieces of real estate sit idle.  It is best to put all your efforts into one or two projects, build them up, grow a following, then look toward expanding.

 

4. See what’s working.  Think of it as research...do Google searches, find out what others in your industry (Isagenix) are doing to attract and build their own audience...if you are using Facebook, go find out who is being successful marketing a similiar/identical product, and start modeling your plan based on this newly gained information...they say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and it is.  After all, why would any of us want to duplicate a marketing plan that DOES NOT WORK?

 

What it all comes down to...GET STARTED.  Find your audience, strike up conversations about what you are passionate about (Isagenix), engage, engage, ENGAGE...why do you think they call it SOCIAL MEDIA?