Arbonne Detox - the good the bad and the ugly

Ok, so day 4 or the Arbonne 7-day Body Cleanse was a little rough. Probably the roughest day of all for me. Which is different than most other people that I talked to about it. I felt like I had an "off" stomach all morning. I tried to work out, but didn't get too far into it. It was a pretty intense Billy Blanks workout though. I was probably being too ambitious.

Also, to keep good score, I did have a few caffeinated drinks which you are SUPPOSED to avoid. I ate a bunch of fiber too, so along with a cleanse will probably just exacerbate the trouble.

I was a little stressed out last night and didn't sleep great. But I can't attribute that to the detox. To be honest, I probably slept better that I would have under the stress I was carrying had I not been doing detox.

Another bonus, I was stagnant for WEEKS at the same weight and I have started moving down on the scale again. I'm sure that is in large part because the bulk of food doesn't stay in my system for long, so the weight loss may be temporary? I am hoping it just gave my body a jump start and I can start losing again. I am now down 13 lbs total. (Not from the detox, mind you, just from when I started my WW program).

Bonus # 3, by "mommy belly" is not nearly as pronounced. I don't have pre-baby belly either and I did not magically grow a six pack. But the, I've-had-3-kids-and-will-permanently-look-4-months-pregnant belly is reducing. Maybe only 2 or 3 months pregnant now. LOL.

Those who don't want gross personal details - just stop reading now.


Yesterday was lots of pooping. It's all very loose at this point. Not uncontrollable diarrhea, but it is frequent. I had a bunch of cramping yesterday, but I didn't drink enough water and I am sure the lethargy was due to my not eating much protein. Bad combo. Keep in mind, the cramping is fairly mild and is just a warning you are going to poop soon. Some detoxes don't give you an advanced warning system and you will be doubled over in cramping.

If you decide to do this, don't skimp on cheap toilet paper. You use alot and your bum will get raw. That was an unfortunate discovery.

All in all it has not been a bad experience so far. I am waiting for a burst of energy that I have heard comes on day 6 or 7. Today is day 5. Nothing major to report this morning. Except I am down nearly 3 lbs. Woo hoo!

For those of you who are OVER my journey through the bowels of Arbonne, hang in there. Only 3 days left.

Detox Day 3 and going Strong

I slept like a rock last night. I woke up feeling so refreshed, I couldn't believe it was only 6 am. Now granted, I was tired so I made it to bed at 10:20 or so which is about an hour earlier than normal. But still, I feel good today.

Now for the "icky" part. I did end up with one bout of diarrhea yesterday. But it was not too awful. Not burning or painful. It was preceded by some cramping that definitely got my attention and was not comfortable. But as soon as I went to the bathroom I felt fine.

The same thing happened today and that is the only BM I have had today. I've had a little more cramping, at least this morning. I was a little worried driving home from my kid's school that I was going to have a problem. But it really is just the intestine pulling the water in that causes the cramping. And it does not last, just for a moment or so and then it passes.

So far, the only big difference in the way I feel is that I have been sleeping well - and normally I wake up a lot. I also don't feel bloated which is nice. No significant changes in my weight, but I have been dieting for a while so I didn't really expect that. I hear you feel a big difference in your energy level by the end of the week. So we shall see.

Detox Day 2

Ok. so if you read my last post, and I assume you have and have commented because I am comment whore, you know that I have started a 7 Day Detox Body Cleanse from Arbonne. I was a little afraid at first about the idea. I have heard that some cleanses are actually PAINFUL. I've heard that you can have creepy things come out of your body. I've heard that they are unhealthy.

And sometimes I think they are, if you aren't careful about which product you choose. I haven't had that experience thank goodness - at least so far. Don't worry I will be honest with you about my experience. So here goes...

I am on Day 2. Day 1 was fairly uneventful. Uneventful because I was EXHAUSTED. I thought maybe it was because I was just tired from a long weekend, but after researching and asking around, that is totally normal. I could barely stay awake. I was in bed falling asleep as soon as the kids were down.

As for the bathroom issue - skip this part if you don't want to know - I'm gonna be honest. Yesterday was not out of the realm of normal. I think I had 2 or 3 BM. Also, since you drink 32 oz of water along with the detox solution, obviously you pee a LOT.

Day 2 has been slightly different. I have had some mild cramping and had 3 or 4 BMs so far and it is only mid-afternoon. I don't have diarrhea though and that is what I was expecting. Stools will be looser of course, but nothing that hurts or burns. I have heard that you want to avoid eating too much citrus because of all the extra "activity" during the detox week. The cramping is from the intestines pulling water into the intestine so it can cleanse the waste material through your system. That is why it is so important to stay hydrated.

Today I feel pretty normal. Nothing too drastically different, but the deep exhaustion is gone. I plan on going on a nice walk later. I hear that light and relaxing exercise is very helpful and that you should avoid strenuous workouts during your detox week.

I'll keep you posted!

Stuff You Should Know About...And Then Again Maybe Not

1. I just finished a FANTASTIC Bible study with my gal pals. It was Beth Moore's "A Woman's Heart". I'm not exactly sure why it is called that. It is a study of the Old Testament Tabernacle and how it relates to us today. How everything in the Bible, everything in that Tabernacle represented Christ and where the Tabernacle is today. When it was first introduced to me I thought, snooze fest. But it was actually one of the greatest and most intensely satisfying studies I have ever journeyed through. And I hope to do it again with Dan since I think it applies to both men and women.

2. On a lighter note, Weight Watchers just came out with a new ice cream treat. It comes in a package of two little containers of ice cream that are 2 points each. And they are MONEY! I like the mint chip flavor. The cup looks small at first, but they pack quite a bit in there and I feel satisfied when I am done. Other flavors are Chocolate Brownie and Cookie Dough. The cookie dough is pretty good, but I wasn't a fan of the Brownie. The texture of the brownie in it was a little "off" for me. But my neighbor, Dez, loves it. Give it a whirl, all my fellow chubby gals. It's worth a try.

3. I am on Day 1 of the Arbonne 7 Day Body Cleanse. It is part of their new SeaSource Detox Spa line. So far today I feel pretty sluggish. I feel tired and have a bit if a headache. But no running to the bathroom. I have always wanted to do a cleanse but was scared of a lot of the products out there. But after some research I have learned that it can really help with fatigue, weight gain, depression, body aches, sleeplessness and lots more. All of which I have experienced in the last several months. So since Arbonne came out with this product, and it much gentler than alot of the extreme cleanses out there I am giving it a whirl. I'm going to attempt to give a day to day progress report for anyone interested. The products comes in 7 little vials. Each day you mix one vial with 32 oz of water and sip it SLOWLY throughout the day for 7 days. So far I have heard day 1 and 2 are a bit rough, day 3-6 you start to feel a difference and by day 7 you sleep like a baby. I'm going to tell you what I really think and try not to hype it up. No real earth shattering news yet for you. I'll keep ya posted.
4. An finally - Sorry to mom if you are reading this - but I recently heard about an online "intimacy enhancer" store called Book22. Book 22 refers to Songs of Soloman, the 22nd book of the Bible. It has all kinds of games, toys etc. The owners remove pornographic and inappropriate packaging and focus on products that the couple can use together. I found the idea amusing and intriguing. Check it out and have fun!

A New Year Challenge

A new year is upon us all and I hope this year is one that is full of joy, health and happiness for you. I don't know about you but after the holidays I have found all my pants fitting a lot more snug than they used to. And I have found myself pouting about my expanding figure while munching down cheesecake way to often.

So when I heard about the Arbonne Figure 8 Challenge I was intrigued. I have put feelers out to everyone I know to see who's with me? My goal is to lose 12 lbs before the end of February. I am looking for 10 people to join my "team".

Starting TODAY you can go to www.gofigure8.com and register for the Figure 8 Week Weight Loss Challenge. There are prizes for individuals and teams.

I am joining the weight loss challenge and incorporating Arbonne's newest weight loss products to my diet to help me get there. If we have at least 10 people interested we can make a team and go full speed ahead on this challenge. You have until the end of January to register, but the sooner you register the better our chances of winning! Let me know if you are interested and we can form a team. I will have a prize for the winning member on my team.


Arbonne's products are healthy and safe and encourage a change in lifestyle not just a quick weight loss gimmick. I already have tried the Protein Shakes and Fiber shakes and have been very impressed with the taste. I have also personally tried the Detox tea as well as the Chocolate Mint chew which taste delicious, just like candy with no "diet" chalky taste.

But now they have some great new products that you can see at www.kristincain.myarbonne.com. Which include a fizzing water tablet to boost metabolism and a water relief treatment serum. I can't wait to get my hands on them!

To a happy and THINNER New Year!!

Whirlwind

My life has been nutty busy lately. I am still alive. Unfortunately it has left me with such little time to blog. My kids, my business, my husband's crazy work and school scedule - YIKES!

Good news: I was promoted to District Manager with Arbonne last month. Yeah! I am having such a good time with my new business and it was a nice reward for all my hard work.

Bad News: Stinky has been just that....a stinker lately. His tantrums are rearing their ugly head again. Much crying self to sleep...me that is. He is such a good boy but so emotional. Sometimes I think I am the world's crappiest mom. But I try...so I guess that is something.

Other news: My little Red is not so little anymore. She had her big #5 birthday last weekend. We did the party at a place called Kidsville. They did everything for me and I went home to a house that was only messy because I am terrible housekeeper, not because I had a party there.
Red was happy and spoiled and nasty to her brother. All in all, a typical 5th birthday.

Some highlighted gifts for you children of the 80s:

A cool PINK flat screen Lite Brite! (Thank you Uncle D and Auntie C)

and

An alternative to the classic Easy Bake Oven. (Thank you Uncle K and Tia)

It's like being 5 all over again!

As much fun for me as Red.

I gotta go bake a mini cake now. It will taste like a brick, but what the hell.

Do you really want to know?

In my research over the last several weeks about skin care products I have come upon some fascinating information - ranging from mildly interesting to completely shocking. I was never one to consider what exactly I was putting on my body....as long as it was under $10. Oil of Olay was getting a little crazy for me. Before starting Arbonne, it never really mattered to me or occurred to me to think about what the products contained.

Well today I am going to share with you a dirty little secret called "rendering plants". I had never heard of such places and when I first learned of them I was a little suspicious and decided to do my own research on the matter. Rendering plants, do in fact, exist. What is so disgusting about them?

A rendering plant is a place where animals, not in our food chain, are taken to be ground up and "cooked". These animals include roadkill, euthanized pets (including their collars, tags etc), farm animals, spoiled grocery meat (including the packaging) etc. As you know when you cook a chicken, the sticky fatty stuff comes to the top. This is called tallow. So when they boil these animals, they take the tallow and sell it. The first people to buy tallow? Cosmetic and skin care companies.

Tallow is used in cosmetics because it is cheap. It is also a binding agent and makes products smooth and creamy. You average bar of soap is primarily made of tallow. Look at the ingredients in your medicine chest. Alot of times it comes up as "sodium tallowate". Lipstick is often a major culprit - almost entirely tallow in many cases.

Another thing to be aware of is that anything you put on your skin takes an average of 26 seconds to reach your blood stream. What you put on your body can be found in your blood and organs. This never had occurred to me, had never been something I had cared about. But now I have small kids and these things are starting to matter. The FDA does not control what we put in our skin care and cosmetics. That means it is up to us to determine what is healthy for our lives.

If you want to do your own research, and please do, go ahead and google "rendering plants". Or you can take a look here.

I had someone ask about products without tallow, and of course, Arbonne is one of those companies. If you want to know more, please let me know.

Big News!

I have been so busy this week! I have some exciting news to share with you. I have decided to start a home business. Dan and I have been looking into several different opportunities and this one just fell into our lap. After alot of prayer and talking and debating we have decided to go full speed ahead and start my own Arbonne business.

I had never heard of Arbonne before a few months ago. My sister in law, Tiffany told me I just HAD to try Arbonne's skin care line because after 3 days of using it, one of her wrinkles was gone. I blew her off. Until the other day I met a woman by the name of MaryJane in line at the pool on the Marine base. We were both there to sign our kids up for swim lessons. She has twins who are the same age as Red and so we hit it off. She mentioned that her husband (a Marine) was retiring from the military and was pursuing a career in flying elsewhere. She briefly mentioned that she works from home too.

Anyway, after chatting and getting to one another a little, we decided to make a play date with our kids. The she hopped into her white Mercedes and drove off, leaving me wondering, if her husband is a Marine pilot like mine then HOW do the drive a Mercedes.

I pestered her for a while and learned all I could about what she does (Arbonne) and have decided to venture out in it as well. I won't pressure you to hear any more, but I just want to share with you my excitement. I'm gonna be busy in the next few weeks, so pray for me, cross your fingers for me and I'll share more with you as I learn more.