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Friday, October 29, 2010

Ed's RVL - End of week 2!!!

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Well, its the end of week #2. The results are in: 10lbs lost. I am happy with this. Well, kind-of. Went to my closet to find a pear of jeans to wear and even my "Skinny" jeans were baggy as can be. I think I will have to invest in clothes, or belts?
A couple of mile stones for me this week:
1) again this is a world record weight for me(well world record in the past 10 years)
2) This is a BIGGY: I went to the movies with my daughter Emma today. Here is the biggy and Shelly knows this is HUGE. READY??? I DID NOT, repeat DID NOT, have any BUTTERED POPCORN, nor popcorn of any kind. Now I'm the kind of guy that likes Movie Popcorn filled up Half way, then buttered. Then filled, and buttered again. I would be dead if it weren't for PULSE. Now believe me, I was talking to myself throughout the whole movie to keep myself from going to buy popcorn. Somehow, I prevailed and did not do it. I am dying for some now as I write this. Its killing me.
I filled out my survey today. As a Beta tester or whatever you call this test, we have agreed to fill out a weekly survey. It asks what could be better about the product, ideas etc...but one section asks about all these feelings that one can potential be feeling/experiencing. There were pages and pages of adjectives to describe one's feelings while this is all going on. I guess because "they" know that anyone trying to lose weight is going through a lot. We are all talking to ourselves to stay strong, stick with it etc... etc...It was a rather lengthy and thorough survey if you ask me. It did ask what I thought could be done to make it any better. The only suggestion I made was, Combine the snack bar with the pill. It just eliminates one other thing to think about and after all, it is a pill. But maybe for weight management, its likely that people will not NEED to take the pill so that is why they keep it separate?
I had some major issues keeping up with the plan this weekend. I went camping with one of my boys, Alex, and about 2,200 others at a big scouting event. Anyway, my "Sensible dinner, night one was: a hot dog. And boy was it a good hot dog. It was on white, wonder bread bun, you know, the kind you never buy because they are so awful for you. The dog was grilled and slightly charred, plump, juicy, loaded with ketchup, but more mustard (not fattening) and just fricken incredible. I would have to say, due to the circumstances and environment, it had to be a top 10 dog in my life. And once again, only Shelly can really appreciate that statement because I am a hot dog connoisseur(thank God for Spell Check!!). I have had every kind of dog imaginable and on top of that, I have put every type of topping you could ever think of on one. And I will buy a dog for sale ANYWHERE--Roadside, stable, mechanic shop, little league game, concession stand of any kind, you name it, I'll buy one if they are for sale---PERIOD. Despite the simplicity of the one I had that night, it was a top 10 dog!!!
Anyway, on night #2, my son Alex, who is such a picky eater, just raved about the spaghetti and had seconds. The kid never likes anything. On this day, his name could have easily been MIKEY. He liked it, so I HAD to try it. I was able to just eat a small portion and just doubled up on the salad.
So.....overall, I was not able to really eat sensibly but I did keep my portions small. I actually lost weight this past weekend despite the camp out. I just think the fact that I was focused on the diet and thus kept my portions small, allowed me to continue my weight losing trend. Trust me, I thought I blew it and I was trying to figure out what I would be saying in my Blog due to gaining weight. However, to my surprise, I lost another 2 pounds. It could have been that I had to tote ALL the camping gear a total of a couple miles counting when we got there and when we left. If you know my son, "Big AL", he's not that big nor that much help, so, I carried ALOT-o-stuff. On the other hand, it was my only exercise on Friday and Sunday???
Bottom line is, I am feeling great. However, I could not have done this if it weren't once again, for the financial incentive and the accountability I have with those going through this with me and those who are counting on me to make it happen. Furthermore, I have been getting several supporting comments from those following these blogs. I thank all of you for your support. I just hope that YOU TOO will support others that you get on the Reveal Product, when it comes out. Be selective, be supportive and be patient. Going through a diet like this for many is, I can now say, pretty dramatic when you consider the changes one has to make in eating habits etc...and if they are even, half the eater I am (or used to be), I can understand people potentially going through some emotional turmoil especially in the beginning weeks. So.....remember, be there for them. This business continues(more then ever now) to be a business where you put the NEEDS of others FIRST, BEFORE your own and you will be rewarded in many ways.
Well that's all for now. I suspect, the way things are going, by next Monday night, I hope to be at a total weight loss of between 13 and 15 pounds. That will leave me only 10 more pounds to go. Pretty amazing that it CAN happen so fast. TROY in GA thus far has lost 15 pounds and he started 2-3 days AFTER I did. Kimberly in Ft. Myers is at about the same pace I'm at. There is a guy in Flowery Branch, near Troy, who, according to Troy, has lost 22 lbs in his first two weeks. From what I hear, EVERYONE is having amazing results.
ITS GONNA BE BIG!!! How big-------REALLY BIG!!! Everyone however will be really small!!!!!

Ed Aristizabal
MonaVie Black Diamond

Monday, October 25, 2010

Ed's RVL - Day 11

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Well today was a messed up day as far as meals were concerned. I did not do my shake in the AM thinking I would be home by 10 AM. Instead, after a 9:00 appt. (that went till 10), Shelly reminded me about an event at my Son Alex's school. I headed there and spent some time with him. THEN, at 11:30 or so, I hit the gym. STILL, I had not eaten a thing other then one of the snack bars(1/2) and the weight loss pill. I did my normal 30 minute cardio workout, 15 minute jog and 15 minute bike. I get more out of a jog at the gym on a treadmill then I do jogging down my street. The reason is: I run harder and faster on the treadmill and the treadmill is of-course much more cushiony then the hard pavement. Secondly, I keep myself occupied watching ESPN, the news and whatever else is on the various screens. Despite not eating all morning, I had plenty of energy to finish my work out and felt fine afterwards. Of-course, right when I got home, I ate. Knowing that my afternoon would be spent out and about, (Son had a football game in a town about 40 miles north of us), I decided to have a meal for lunch vs. a Shake. I had a bit of steak, two eggs and some toast. At 2:45, I was on the road again and I did not return till 9:30p.m. While out, I did have a snack bar and pill again. I did not really have much of an urge to eat that whole time despite taking the gang to Subway at about 5:00p.m.




As I said in my last blog, it is getting much easier to stay away from cheating etc...My body is getting used to the routine and the ever persistent financial incentive remains intact. This has not been hard lately. I am so glad I started this as I feel great and today, I tipped the scales at a weight I had not achieved ever in the past 10 years, 198 lbs. Remember, I started at 210.8 I believe, however, that was with clothes; the 198 is without. The clothes I wore that day of my weigh in add 3.4 lbs to my weight. The 198 lb. level I achieved was just after my work out and before my meal. I can fluctuate 2-3 lbs. in a day, no problem.



Well that is all for today, going to bed and feeling great. Sure I could eat something but I have more then enough will power to go to be without and let my body burn some calories while I sleep.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Intentions & Results!

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Just a quick tip on the importance of getting clear on your intentions to achieve the results you desire!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Solid Root Structure - Part 3 of 3

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This is Part 3 of 3 of Brian Klemmer's Eating the Elephant Leadership Lesson 7. (See Part 1 & 2 Below) This lesson is very timely for MonaVie Diamond Runners!!! MonaVie is about to launch into the $50Billion a year Weight Management Industry! If you have a solid root structure in place for your MonaVie business- ie. you have identified the key people in your organization, established solid relationships, are reading the books on personal development & listening to the positive motivation, are attending the functions to build your belief system, etc. Then you will be ready for 2011!! Make the Decision today to prepare yourself for success! Shelly




Action Step #1
If your income suddenly became 10 times what it is now, what would you need to know to handle that increase? (RVL)!!!!

What would you need to know to profitably invest that much money? What resources would you need to protect that much money? Now, develop a study program to learn those things.
An Example

As I was building my own financial portfolio, I sold a piece of property and made a $143,000 profit. At the time, this was a lot of money to me. My financial advisor (a friend who remains a friend, but no longer an advisor) told me I would either pay the tax now or pay it later, so I might as well pay it now.

Because I had not developed a financial root structure, I promptly turned approximately $65,000 over to the government. I learned my lessons "after" I should have and it was an "expensive" lesson.

If I had been doing my studying, I would have known the right questions to ask and would have sought alternatives that would have reduced that tax amount to about $5,000!

The time for you to learn about taxes and investing is "before" you make the money, not after.

Some people say, "I don't want to know about that financial stuff; I just want to do my business." Then they will always be victim to the people who know the game of money.

You do not have to be "the expert" in area, but you do have to have the fundamental knowledge and continually upgrade what you know.
Action Step #2
Ask yourself: who do I want to be around and associating with in five years and who do I know who knows them that I can network with?

Take a step this week to get to know someone who knows who you want to know. Spend time building your network of people that will get you to the people you want to be around in five years. Work on your willingness to have them in your network even sooner.
Build a Rolodex of successful people. Never let a month go by where you have not added at least one super achiever to your file of friends and associates.
List your top three business partnerships. This is your root structure. List one thing you are doing to develop your relationship with each one of your partners.

Now list three new people who you have not spent much time with who will be future partners. What can you do to increase the value of your relationship? You must grow the roots wide and deep to grow a 90' bamboo tree.
"Ninety-nine percent of who you are is invisible and untouchable."

--R. Buckminster Fuller

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Ed's RVL - Day 7

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Well, its day 7 today. As of this day, I have lost 6 pounds still. What Happened? I'll tell ya.
If you are following this blog, I mentioned last Friday that the weekend was coming. I predicted that I might have a hard time keeping to my plan(should not have put such negative thoughts in my head--BAD) as the weekends are full of activities around our house. True to form we had 2 EXTRA kids sleep over on Friday Night, only 3 extra on Saturday night(on top of my existing 4--in case you don't know). Then on Sunday, we entertained another couple with their 4 kids, plus our 4 and 3 that stayed the night plus 3 kids from the neighborhood. I cooked up 8 brats, 12 hamburgers and 10 or so hot dogs. Now who could possibly cook that much food and not partake. Come on, I am human and not a ROBOT. So my dirty deeds this weekend consisted of--too much pizza on Saturday night. On Saturday morning, I ate, a bagel(chocolate chip, I might add) with 3 different flavors of cream cheese. On Saturday for lunch,I did eat a brat and some potato salad and I had two coronas and 1 pumpkin cookie. . For Dinner on Sunday, I ate 4-6 ounzes of a Ribeye Steak (that had been marinating for 3 days--who wouldn't) and lots of asparagus(drenched in butter of-course).
Now, keeping in mind I know how I am. On Sunday, before the cook out, I did go for a Sunday jog and ran farther then I think I ever have in my life. I ran just over 4 miles. (for me that's a mega, double marathon). Now during that run, was I talking to myself alot? Was I kicking myself in the butt, was I yelling at myself, was I psyching myself out, was I a crazy man, the answer is YES, YES, YES and YES 10 more times. I am determined more then ever to get this done. Honestly, the support I have of my family, the accountability I have to my friends also doing this with me (Troy Hicks in Flowery Branch Georgia--has lost 10 lbs already (first week) and Kimberly Payano in Ft. Myers (also lost about 10 lbs in her first week). On top of that, I know what this will mean for my health and what this will mean for our business. I WILL get this done and I am HAPPY as can be that I am doing it.
I ran again this a.m., I ran(jogged) for 25 minutes but then I do a sprint jog, combination for the last .75 miles down our street. I will run as hard as I can for 30 seconds, then walk for 45 seconds, and alternate all the way down our street. It takes me about 6 minutes. My understanding is that this alternation in heart beat is what gets you in shape. Just running the same speed for miles and miles does not tend to do as much for you as running in intervals.
Well that is it for now. I plan on losing as least another 5 lbs. this week. I WILL DO IT!!!
 
Ed Aristizabal

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Ed RVL Day 4

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Its day four of my weight loss JOURNEY. Honestly, the first 3 days were pretty tough. My body of-course is going through major shock and adjustment as I have always been a guy who could and would eat just about anything at any time. Moderation too was not in my vocabulary. Given that, and the fact that now I have a shake at 6:00 A.M., a snack bar and capsule at 9:00am, a shake at Noon, another snack bar and capsule at 3:00pm, then a sensible dinner (mainly eating a reasonable portion dinner only) I think my body has a bit of "Adjusting" to do. The one thing I would say that has pulled me through the "tough" times(yes I realize its only 4 days) was thinking about what this will mean to my wife, my family, our friends, our business etc...This is a the MAIN REASON I KNOW this is going to work. If you set your mind to it and have accountability with your family and friends whom you are trying to influence to do this, you have no choice but to get it done. Otherwise you are nothing but a hypocrite and your integrity will take a negative blow. Sure, those who truly love you will support you, give you a pat on the back and say, "that's o.k. that you did not make your goal etc...." however your real TRUE friends will flat out kick you in the A_ _, tell you to suck it up and flat out Tell you to GET IT DONE ANYWAY--NO EXCUSES!!!! They will just flat out keep you accountable, more so, if they are in this (losing weight thing) with you!!!! Having that support is critical!!!
I feel great, I feel lighter on my feet already and I have an extra bounce in my step. Its all good and the little sacrifice I have made so far has been well worth it. I have exercised 2 times in 4 days. Today, in lieu of exercise, I am going to do some yard work(a project) I have been wanting to do. I will break a good sweat, be productive and get the exercise I need.
There is nothing like showing people vs. telling people. That is what I love best about this whole weight loss thing. Its like telling people what your TRUE INTENTIONS ARE!. What are they really. You show your TRUE INTENTIONS when you actually DO what you INTENDED. Many people can talk the game etc...(or WRITE IT AS I DO AT THIS MOMENT) but when you SHOW them, that is a different story. I certainly INTEND to do that myself and so far so good. I have lost right around 6 pounds or so. I think initially, you lose the weight really fast but then later on when you have less to lose, it comes off a little slower? Anyway, its all good. Look forward to sharing with you again in a few days. Weekend is coming up, that is when I tend to COMMIT SINS. This weekend will be big for me. My INTENTIONS are to stay strong and keep on losing!!

Ed Aristizabal

Friday, October 15, 2010

Ed RVLed Day 2

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I started on MonaVie's Reveal, weight loss/ weight management product. My official first day was 10/12/10. My intention is to get down to 185lbs. and I begin this journey weighing in at 210lbs.

I have been trying to get to 190lbs for about the last 10 years of my life. Every time I start making headway, (i have gotten down to 199lbs, two times in the last 10 years) I start justifying in my own mind that the weight is not all that bad. Before you know it, I stop watching what I eat and I end up back around 210lbs. Afterall, I have always exercised pretty regularly, on average 1-2 times per week. However, I have an active life style with 4 very active kids. So....technically, all the running around I do, to me, counts as one time exercising and I make it to they gym on average 1 time per week. I have always eaten pretty much what I wanted when I wanted, however, because of my being active, I really never got too much heavier then 210lbs. Being in the nutrition industry, MonaVie, I do try watching what I eat which just means that I do not eat a ton of fast food. However, to me, chicken wings loaded with hot sauce and blue cheese dressing(one of my favorite things to eat), does not count as fast food.
Yesterday, mid day, after lunch around 3:00, I would say that I was in the mood to chomp on something. And actually, at this moment, 3:44 p.m., day 2, I feel like eating "SOMETHING" again. However, I believe what keeps me from doing so, quite frankly, is the fact that I am determined to make this work, this is good for my health and potentially could benefit me, my family, my friends and many other people financially. I feel I have a fiduciary responsability to many to see that this works. I do not think any diet plan will completely ever eliminate ALL appetites all the time. But to me, this plan will work because I know I have the support of many people and of-course I have many eyes watching me. The most critical eyes to me being my kids. They know the goal I have set. I WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN!! And of-course, I know my wife too, would love to see me lose the weight. She never had made a comment about it but I am sure she would appreciate it for many reasons.

I have talked to Kimberly Payano recently, she is a Diamond in our MonaVie business and she too just started the program yesterday. By comparing notes, its obvious that both our bodies are adjusting to our new diets. Both of us are doing fine and we plan on supporting each other as we know the potential implications of our success. We both agree, the meal replacement shakes taste great, the snack bars are amazing and the pills do not give us any jitters of any kind. Nutrition-wise, we both agree, it would be impossible to devise a normal meal that would give us the type of nutrition we are getting now as quickly, efficiently, hassle free, kitchen mess free and economically as these Reveal Shakes. Already, I am down 2 pounds (I did exercise yesterday--jogged about 2 miles and did a few push ups and sit ups). I suspect I will lose 2-5 pounds per week.
Once again, I am determined--this will be a success. I look forward to giving you additional updates. Hope you will follow along in my journey.

Ed Aristizabal

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Growing Your Root Structure 2 of 3

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Leadership Lesson #7


Growing Your Root Structure

--Leaders are more interested in developing the root structure than the immediate visible results

There is a Chinese bamboo tree I have heard about, that when planted, you will see no growth for 90 days, then in a few short months grows 90 feet!
What it was doing prior to the explosive growth was putting down a root structure that would support its future growth.
In building the huge Sears tower in Chicago, they first went 100 feet down before they ever started building up.

Many times we invest effort in a business or relationship and we get impatient that there is no visible growth. The results we are working for just don't seem to be there. But often what's really happening is that we are changing in those hidden ways necessary to support our future results.
Growth is usually never a straight-line increase. In my experience, it's a series of intermittent increases or "growth spurts" and then plateaus.
Think of learning a sport. Most of your development occurs in leaps of getting better followed by lingering plateaus of staying at that same level (and those plateaus always seem to take too long). Near the end of your growth, it takes an incredible amount of effort and time to get those last, final, small increases in performance. It's those last small increases that separate the champions from the also-rans.
Take five minutes right now and list the ways you are
investing in creating a foundation or root structure for your
life and work.
Are you spending time developing your second layer of leadership? This is your greatest leverage. There is always a decrease in your personal production as you spend time developing other people. There needs to be a balance of both being done all the time.
Are you spending time in spiritual or inspirational studies that will give you a stronger, deeper foundation?
This week, outline a plan that will increase your root structure this year in a significant way.
TAKEAWAY!

Building a Root Structure is often invisible, but is even more important than visible growth.
Invest money and time in root structures to support your desired future growth and gains.

And be patient!

Ed REVEALED!!!

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MonaVie Black Diamond, Ed Aristizabal getting ready to start his REVEALING transformation!!!! This is his "weigh-in"! He is going to follow the plan - 2 MonaVie shakes a day, 2 MonaVie bars a day & 2 capsules a day, at least 30 minutes of cardio every day & a sensible dinner - MISSION - lose 20 lbs in 10 weeks!!! October 11, 2010 he weights 210.6 lbs.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Growing Your Root Structure

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Hello Diamond Runners!

I hope you enjoy the Brian Klemmer Leadership Lessons as much as I do! This week’s lesson I am going to send out over a couple of days – it is very important and “studies have found” that anything more than a couple of paragraphs online, is not fully comprehended!

I like this week's lesson - developing the root structure in your MonaVie business is very important. We are in the "people" business. It takes people like you & me to share the juice & share the opportunity with other people. So it makes sense that the better you get at relating to people the more successful you will be in this business. How does that happen? It definitely takes time, but the good news is you have already been creating a foundation through your life's experiences. You can start today by choosing your own path of personal development.

We begin our MonaVie business by making a list of everyone we know! We then start contacting the people on our list. As rookies, we are simply excited about our personal testimony that the product has provided, excited about the idea that we have found a vehicle to create some financial freedom, that will help us achieve some of those dreams we had placed on the shelf. Then it happens... the people we care about the most reject our enthusiasm. We now have the choice - be hurt & personally rejected and quit, or learn from that experience and move on. The choices we make will come from the foundation we have built with our tool chest - the books we've read, the teachings we listen to, the people we hang around and the events we participate in.

The Diamond Run is a three to five year business plan, can you do it faster? YES - start today with determining your BIG DREAM then begin the process of building a solid foundation.

Living the DREAM!

Shelly

Monday, October 4, 2010

MonaVie Call!!!

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MonaVie Media Center: "Join Us for the Next Organizational Call—Monday, October 4, 7 p.m. (Mountain Time)!
MonaVie invites you to participate in the North America Organizational Call Monday, October 4, at 7 p.m. (Mountain Time).
Senior Vice President Jeff Graham will be on the call to discuss the momentum that is building behind the launch of our upcoming line of weight management products. You don’t want to miss what he’s going to share!
Click here to listen to the call online.
Or, dial one of the numbers below on Monday, October 4, at 7 p.m MT 9p.m. EST
USA & Territories, Canada
1-866-221-6640
1-877-272-5573
1-866-787-8295
1-866-352-4928 (PIN: 4928#)
International
1-904-596-2373 (PIN: 7878295#)"