Today I started the Isagenix 9-Day Deep Cleansing and Fat-Burning System (link below to Isagenix page with more detail).

What is it: This 9 day system consists of 4 “cleanse days” (2 at the beginning, 2 at the end) and 5 “shake days.” This probably sounds worse than it is – although the first 2 cleanse day seem like the hardest because there is no (real) solid food on these days. It’s primarily liquid. Consisting of Isagenix ‘Cleanse for Life’ mix with water every couple of hrs, 2 small snacks which are essentially small wafers that you take 2 at a time up to 4x a day, 2 “natural accelerator” tablets daily, and lots more water and herbal tea if you want it. The 6 “shake days” consist of 2 shakes as meal replacements (I’m doing 1 for breakfast and 1 for dinner to start) with a ‘regular’ lunch that is no more than 400-600 calories and incorporates a lean protein, whole grain, and vegetables. There are also snacks you are able to have between meals – Isagenix has some of their own you can order or you can pull from an approved list (for example: unsalted raw almonds or grapes).

Isagenix products have to be ordered through their website or through one of their “associates.” Once you sign up/order you become an associate (they make you pay a 1x $29 ‘associate fee’) so if anyone is interested – give me a holler and I can get you started.

Cost: including tax it cost me roughly $188 (not including shipping). This includes all the cleanse-day mix, cleanse day “snack” wafers, shake mix for 9 days, an info packet, shake bottle (BPA free!), some sample bars + snacks, and measuring tape. *one bummer is they forced me to sign up for auto-ship for next month/moving forward…which I might go back and cancel – unless I want more shake packets once this is over.

Since I ordered I’ve gotten an email from one of the Isagenix representative preparing me for the system. They give you some tips on food/snacks to buy for yourself – and some general guidance on preparing. I’m diggin’ it.

Why am I doing this?:  I want to get myself into a better place physically and I want to prove to myself that I can stick to a plan. Since my wedding (over 1.5 years ago!) I’ve been inconsistent with both healthy eating and exercise. I consider myself a fit person – but I want to be fitter. I talk about it…I want it…but I haven’t put myself on a plan or stuck to anything. I want to prove to myself that I can do it. My goal is to lose a few lbs (avg. weight lost for Isagenix 9 day system is 6 lbs) and tighten up for summer.

I consider my ‘trouble zones’ my hips and bum…I’d love to feel a bit leaner and toned (not sure hips can be toned, ha) in both areas. I will be continuing to work out – which includes a mix of boxer conditioning, spin, and yoga 5x per wk during this ‘system.’

In this post I am going to share my current (Day 1) measurements, weight, and % body fat. Note – the weight and % body fat will be from my at-home scale which I think sucks – but I think it’ll be fine for these purposes. I’ll also share my Day 1 thoughts on the first cleanse day / how I’m feeling. 

Check back in for periodic updates. I’ll share before & after pictures and measurements once I’ve completed the last day of the system. Fingers crossed there are noticeable changes!

The numbers – Day 1:

–          Height: 5’7″

–          Weight: 133.2 lbs

–          % Body Fat: 18.8%

–          Waist: 29″

–          Bust: 33″

–          Rib cage: 29″

–          Abdomen/hips: 34″

–          Butt: 37.5″

–          Upper thighs: 22″

–          Upper knees: 14.5″

–          Calfs: 14.5″

–          Upper Arms: 11.5″

–          Body Mass Index: 20.8 / considered healthy/normal

*Side note – I gotta admit this isn’t a perfect science – doing my own measurements wasn’t easy…this was my first time. Hopefully they’re somewhat accurate!

Day 1 thoughts:

I got started much later than intended (which I WOULD NOT recommend) because I didn’t receive my Isagenix delivery before Monday AM.  I had to live off water and coffee (yes, some may consider coffee a cheat – but I refuse to give up my coffee…and I got a small vs. my typical medium or large. And just a splash of soy milk) until I got to work and my friend Shannon – who is also doing the 9 day system with me – ya! – was able to let me ‘borrow’ some of the Cleanse for Life mix, snack wafers, and natural accelerator tablets until I get home tonight…where I anticipate my delivery being  on the door step.

How I feel so far: I have a hungry pit in my stomach. Not a shocker there! It’s actually such a consistent pang of hunger that I don’t even have an appetite right now. Does that even make sense? I am chugging the liquids and keeping my eyes on the clock until I can pop my wafers. They are so small…chalky – but they kinda and I mean kinda do the trick to curb hunger and keep you trucking.

Aside for a hungry stomach – I don’t feel bad otherwise. I feel quite energized. I have to admit that yesterday I went a little bonkers – which I’m not saying is a good idea AT ALL…I ate cookies, chips…and a good dinner of sliders (from Whole Foods!). I suppose if I didn’t eat so much yesterday I might be more ravenous today.

I also did a 45 minute intense spin class this AM @ The Handlebar in South Boston. Awesome class. However, the system recommends moderate exercise on cleanse days.

For the record, I did a 1 day juice cleanse last Friday in ‘prep’ for this…I did it so that I could show myself I could handle at least 1 day of not eating solids…and I was fine. I was also coming off of 7 days in Aruba where I drank pina coladas/Miami Vices and ate French fries to my heart’s content. I also ended up having to cut a slit up the side of my bridemaids dress because it was too tight – which I wore on the tail end of the trip! It had fit FINE before I left for Aruba! Not to mention my bikini bottom felt more like a thong by the end of the trip too. So yea, another reason I wanted to do this was because I didn’t feel so hot in Aruba…but I had a great time and that’s what counts!

This was me in ARUBA – one of legit 12 dozen photos I made my hubby take…this was a good angle all around. But next time I take a bikini pic I don’t want to try so hard for a good shot!

My plan for later tonight is to finish out the cleanse day – head to bed early. I plan to do a boxing/conditioning class in the AM (I hope I have the energy for it) and continue trucking through day 2 of the cleanse. I keep telling myself…I CAN DO IT. I keep envisioning myself at the end and the satisfaction I’ll feel…hopefully that will keep me going.

If you have any questions – feel free to ask! I didn’t want to make this post too long – but happy to answer any questions or give you more info on anything I may have left off.

Click here for more info on the 9 day system: http://www.isagenix.com/en-US/products/categories/systems-and-paks/nine-day