The New Olive Garden!

Good Morning!  Is everyone getting excited for the 4th of July weekend??  I suppose if I didn't have to work on the 4th, I might  be looking forward to it, but alas, I will be at work bright and early.  That's okay :)  I really have no feeling about it one way or another.  Wayne has to work, and at 14, Adam is getting harder and harder to talk into doing things with Mom.  However, the weather is going to be spectacular, and HOT!  Awesome!

So last night the family went to the Olive Garden for dinner.  We went to support my Sissy (Laura), who just started working there.  She is waitress extraordinaire!  I'm telling you, Olive Garden is big doings in Carson City!  The place was packed!  Adam asked.."What's the big deal?  It's just Olive Garden"!  Well son, in Carson City, we don't have much excitement, so when we get something new, it's major news!  Ah, small town life!  Gotta love it!  You should have been here when In and Out Burger opened!  Anyway, it was a nice night out, and even though we requested Laura's section, and were promised that, we were seated in the lovely Amy's section.  Oh well...gives us an excuse to go back.  I was excited to find that even though it was "Olive Garden", I was able to stay within my calorie count, thus sticking to my RVL plan!  I had the apricot grilled chicken with veggies, and a bowl of Minestrone soup...500 cals!  Okay, I had a bite of a breadstick...let's be generous and say I had 600 cals!  Awesome that they have low fat and gluten free choices!

You know what helps me when going out to dinner?  Most restaurants have websites where they list the nutritional facts.  If you plot it out before you go, and not AssUMe that you will be able to make a choice on the fly, you will do much better!  Some of the items you THINK would be good choices, are actually a big ole bust!  Like a lot of the salads!  Shocking!!  Beware!!!   You think..."oh, I was so good, I had a salad for dinner"...when in fact you would have been better off with the burger!  LOL  Just make good choices, and have fun :)

Because of our culture, we have made food such a social experience.  For me, this is the hardest part of losing weight.  Every occasion, every gathering is built around food!  My Mother's (and Grandmother before her) first question when planning a family gathering is..."what are we going to eat?"  This is such a hard habit to break!  When you finally realize that you can enjoy company/family without it revolving around a meal, life is good!  Or when you realize that you don't have to join in on the food frenzy that is present to enjoy your time with folks.  I think I've finally gotten to the point where I don't feel left out and deprived.

Well, off to get the morning started!  Everyone have a good day!!!

Blessings to you all!

Leah

Oh Bother!

Well...wouldn't you know it, I've gotten a bothersome UTI, and it's gone to my kidneys!  YUCK!  I should have know better, but I ignored it too long, and there you have it!  Pay back time!  Not to worry, I've got my meds, and I'm on the mend....just wish it was a bit quicker!  Funny how we wait and wait, and then when we finally decide to seek treatment, we want it to be fixed like....YESTERDAY!

Other than that bit of news, today is fantastic!  I've dropped another pound, and that just makes me smile :)  I take great joy and pride in every ounce, as should you!  As I travel around and meet other RVL'ers, the one thing that saddens me is when I hear someone say..."You've done so great, I've 'ONLY' lost 5 pounds", or 40 pounds, or whatever it may be.  WHAT?  What do you mean you've "ONLY" lost 10 pounds???  That's amazing!!!  We all need to take pride in the accomplishments no matter what!  Every ounce counts!  I've been there, I AM there, and I know how difficult it is to lose each one of those ounces!  Just because I let myself go, and I unfortunately have to lose 150 plus pounds, doesn't make my accomplishments any more significant than yours!  Be proud! Say it loud, shout it from the roof tops!

Next time you see me, I want you to look me square in the eyes, and say..."Guess what?  I've lost  __?__ pounds!"  Let's high 5 and celebrate!  Hearing all of your stories makes me happy!  I love it!!!!

Blessings to you all

Leah

Grateful

I've been so Blessed by the friendships I've gained in the past few years.  I truly believe that God puts people into our lives for a reason, and I never take anyone for granted. I look at each relationship as an opportunity :)  To learn, to grow, to teach, or inspire.  Be still, listen, and God will let you in on His plan.

Wayne and I received our "Bronze" pins today, and I have to say thank you to a team that help us get here.  We don't take this journey alone, and we are humbled and thankful to everyone!  We look forward to helping anyone who wants to join us, or even pass us :)  We must remember that we can have everything we want, if we help others get everything they want!  I think this is the part of the business that I love the most!  Seeing others reach for their dreams, and see them light up when they start to believe it can happen!  Realizing that they can make a difference, and how good it feels to pay it forward!  How many people in traditional business really want to see you succeed?  Want you to achieve your goals?  Unfortunately not to many.  It's just not set up that way.  Sad but true.

Don't know what got me off on this tonight, but I'm feeling overwhelming gratitude right now.  Grateful for my family, and their undying support of my journey, and my efforts in building a future through this thing we call Monavie.  Grateful for my friends, old and new and grateful to a God that loves me no matter what.  Is life tough?  YOU BET!  But I nonetheless, I'm grateful for every twist and turn, and every lesson along the way.  God has a plan, and I can't wait to see it play out!

Have a great evening, and Blessings to you all!

Leah

On The Success Story Page :)

http://www.monaviervl.com/success-stories/success-stories/leah-carlson

Just wanted share the Monavie success page with you all :)  You can read my story as well as many others who have had great success with the RVL product....no...I'm not the only one :)  My husband has lost 60 pounds as well, and my son is just getting started!  We are a family of RVL'ers!

Off to the gym!  Happy Reading!

Sunday Mornings ROCK!

"Cause I'm easy, I'm easy like Sunday morning..." I love Sundays, it's the one day Wayne and I have off together. The rest of the week, we are passing ships in the night. So, Sundays are the best! This is also our first Sunday home in a couple of weeks so we are off to a lazy start. I'm writing to you, Wayne and Adam are still fast asleep, and the dogs are lying at my feet. CML!!!

I'm still basking in the glow of all my travels. The big trip to Utah, Imagine, and last weekend was our family reunion. I have the most amazing, loving family, and if you want to meet a gaggle of Leah's, that's the place to go! I can go for years and never meet another Leah, but last weekend, there were 4 or 5 of us, I'm not sure, I lost count. We took a drive down to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk as well. Now I'm from L.A. originally, and I know what a lot of people look like, but I've NEVER seen so many people trying to get to that Boardwalk. We were stuck in traffic for well over an hour, and by the time we got to an area we could park, we all voted to just pack it in, and leave (except Adam). My poor son, drive a 14 year old past all those rides, and say, sorry, look but don't touch...ouch!  So Adam, I owe you a trip to the Boardwalk! Although I think Disneyland would have less people!

I've already had my shake this morning, although Sunday morning is usually our "cheat" day. We love having breakfast out on Sundays, especially in the Summer! You can usually find us sitting outside at Mom and Pop's Diner, watching the day go by. I don't think you can really call it "cheating", since we just replace dinner with a shake, but it feels indulgent. However, we've joined the new RVL "Lose For More" Team Challenge, and so I'm cracking the whip! Oh to those who have joined my team, I've tasted success, and I'm a tough task master for sure! LOL!!!! BEWARE! I don't know what the odds are of winning two times in a row, but what the heck, I've still got plenty of weight to lose, and worse case scenario, those lovely kids get sent MORE money! It's a win win deal all the way around!

Well, I think I'll have one more cup of coffee, and get the day started!  Until tomorrow...

Blessings to you all

Leah

Just wanted to share this picture of Wayne and I registering at the convention :)  Notice the line we were in!!! Felt good!!!  Next year we will be there by merit, not just because we were RVL winners :)  Funny story though, we were sworn to secrecy on the RVL win until it was announced on stage, but we were told to register at the Diamond and above line.  Wouldn't you know it, everyone we knew just happened to be there at the same time, and so we were milling around waiting for them to go away before we could register!  Good times!

Okay, I'll "Try"

It's a Saturday morning, and as I sit here, having my usual morning fare (RVL and Coffee) I think about why I've succeeded on this journey, and others have tired and failed.  Maybe not failed, but slowed down or decided for one reason or another that this product wasn't for them.  Whatever the reason, It is still a puzzlement to me.

When you've lost a significant amount of weight, the first thing people ask is...come on, say it with me..."How did you do it?"  I'm always more than excited to share the tools I've used, which most of you  know is Monavie RVL.  A lot of those friends and strangers have wanted to try it for themselves.

As I wrote that last sentence, it hit me like a ton of bricks.  The word TRY.  When I first heard about RVL, there was something inside of me that said..."this is it, I can do this".  I just instinctively knew.  Whether it was just time, or there was something about the RVL, I'm not sure, but I knew this was "it".  The word "try", was never in my vocabulary.  Has it been easy for me?  Well, some days are, and some days aren't.  Just like with anything in life.  But for me, the question is always..."how bad do you want it?"

So now when I hear the word "TRY", I will think, you are already giving yourself wiggle room...room to fail.  Well, I tried, it just wasn't for me".  RVL is the tool, and a fantastic tool!  For me, the key that unlocked my success.  However, the the biggest part of the equation is YOU!  What are YOU willing to do to make a change?  How bad do YOU want it?

If your answer is such that you have determined you are ready to make a change, and you want your life back, then RVL is the perfect tool to help you get there! You have to have the commitment!  If not, the tub will sit on the shelf, and your response will be, "well that didn't work".  There is no magic pill, there never will be, but there are tools that make it "easier".  The truth?  I have hard days.  Is it because I'm hungry, and feel deprived...NO!  Is it because my brain still wants a piece of pizza...YES.  So once in a while, I have a piece of pizza!  Unlike before, I have a piece, not the whole pie.  However, the easy part is that I have a program to jump right back into.  I feel WONDERFUL!  I truly believe it's because I am not depriving my body on any level.  Nutritionally, physically, or emotionally.  RVL provides the full dense nutrition.  My trainer provides me the tools to give my body what it needs physically, and I deal with the emotional stuff.  I really look at why I want that pizza. So all in all, I feel like I have all the bases covered.

I keep referring to this as a journey.  I believe that the greatest joy is in the journey, and once you get to your destination, it's over.  So this is a lifelong journey, one that I will remain on for the rest of my life!

There is some great information on RVL, and all of our Monavie products on my website.  If any of my readers decide that want to make a change, and are ready for the commitment, then I'm ready to help you take the journey :)  I know you can do it!

Blessings to you all...

Leah
www.mymvinfo.com/1167745
www.monaviervl.com

Tonight's Dinner :) Yum!

Wowzer...Got motivated to prepare a lovely dinner for the family, now I normally don't spend much time in the kitchen, but tonight, it was so beautiful out, I decided to light up the grill :)

Boneless Skinless teriyaki chicken, grilled corn on the cob, grilled vegetables, and a beautiful salad with mixed greens, blueberries and a bunch of other goodies...I can hardly wait!  sorry...I know I've already posted today, but I just wanted to share :)


CML (celebrating my life)


Leah

Zip Lining Celebration!

Last year while attending Monavie's International Convention, our team decided to stay in Park City.  After all, it's incredibly beautiful, only 20 minutes into Salt Lake, and so much to do!  I personally way dying to visit the Olympic Park.  Where else can you watch ski jumpers training in the middle of Summer???  It was awesome!  Well, they also have a zip line that goes from the top of the ski jump, and it's the steepest in the world.  Pretty cool!  Anyway, my entire team decided to zip line.  Well guess what?  I was too heavy, and didn't meet the weight requirement.  So what do you say..."I'm too fat"?  No, you say you are afraid of heights, or what ever excuse you can come up with to sit it out.  I was heart broken.

Well, this year when I returned to Salt Lake City, I took the drive up to Park City, and took a ride on the zip line!  It was thrilling!  I rode to the top, and waited in line...there it was, the scale!!  Yes, they will weigh you if there is any question of your weight!  Well guess what?  The guy didn't even look at me like he wanted to weigh me!    I put this little video together to share that moment :)

Blessings to you all,

Leah

Butt Kicking Boot Camp

So last evening we went to workout, and let me just say, it was 90 degrees!  Why they chose this day to have class at the State Capital Building, OUTSIDE, no air conditioning, no fans, is beyond me!  Let me also say that Wayne and I were the only foolish ones that showed up for this extravaganza!  Okay, my complaining aside, it was totally awesome!  A private session with trainer Colton (who happens to be less than half my age), was killer!  I love those crazy times when I'm the only one who shows up, and I can really take advantage of having a PERSONAL session.

My workouts have become so important to me in this journey.  Having come from a place where I couldn't even imagine doing a push-up, or even getting myself off the ground without a crane is still an amazement.  How fast you can transform your body is a wonderment!  To those who take on this process and say..."and I don't even exercise!"...hmmmm....WHY?  You know, that will work for a while, but truly, this part of the journey is so very important!  Don't deprive yourself of making your body the best it can be!

This has been a crazy week :)  Family Reunion this past weekend, and back to work full time, and I've still managed to lose 3 pounds!  103 pounds GONE FOREVER!  With that said, it's time to have my morning RVL shake, and then off to work!  BTW, I hate Thursday, cause I have to miss my workout!  Funny how you begin to miss it!  In the old days I would have looked forward to the day I could legitimately miss a workout...LOL...those days are gone!

Blessings to you all!
Leah

Awesome video :)

Well...MonaVie posted the video from convention, the piece by Jeff Graham, and RVL :)  I have to say, I didn't realize I looked that old (and still that fat...LOL...it's a work in progress)!  If you take the time to watch the video, you will not only see me speaking on the fly, but you will get some great product information!
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeZOlWdFKcE&feature=player_embedded 
Also, some great inspiration from some wonderful new friends.  I am so Blessed to have made such amazing friends, and I know that God puts people into our lives for a reason.  I believe that the people that you will see in this video will be a huge part of my life for a long time to come.

Look at what else I got on my perfect weekend!   Monavie rocks!   All the new products and MORE!  I have to say, I lived the Black Diamond lifestyle that weekend, and now that I've had a taste...I WANT MORE!

I know I'm still playing catch up on all of the events of the last few weeks, but I don't want to overwhelm you with stuff, but I want to share at the same time!  So I'll try to drip a few things from time to time.

Have a wonderful day :)

Blessings to you all...

Leah

Wow! UPDATE!!!

Okay, I'm making a commitment!  I am officially going to do my very best to Blog everyday!  Things are happening so fast, it's best to keep the blog up to date.

Let's update since my last post :)  I am 100 pounds down!  I am so Blessed by this entire journey, and I have to give a HUGE shout out to MonaVie, who made me the May "Lose for MORE" Challenge winner!!  What does that mean?  Well, they flew Wayne and I to Salt Lake City for the International Convention "Imagine", and treated us like a king and Queen!  They put us in a gorgeous hotel, I was given a shopping spree at Nordstroms with a personal shopper.  Now, I've never been to a Nordstroms, let alone have a personal shopper (who is the lovely Shalyse)!  Talk about a surreal experience!!! Then I had my hair and makeup done for a professional photo/video shoot.  At the Convention, we were treated to lunch with Jeff Graham, and then got to share my heart and RVL journey with over 5000 MonaVie Distributors, where I was presented a giant check for $5,000.  MonaVie then matched that $5,000 to the MORE Project.  If you don't know what the MORE Project is, you need to check it out at  http://www.themoreproject.org/.  It's worth your time!

All I can say is, God is good!  I am so Blessed!

Until tomorrow...

Leah