Yesterday I received the wonderful email telling me that I was selected to be part of the Shaklee 180 program. It is a weight loss program that select bloggers are doing. I cannot wait to get started and share all of my videos and posts with you all (and you all thought the 30 Days of Me was revealing, you are about to get up close and personal.)
Being selected out of over 400 applications really makes me feel humble. Most of you know how much I struggle with my weight. In fact my weight is one of the biggest reasons there are few and far between pictures of me posted or videos of myself. I cannot stand to look at myself, although that is something I am working on. Recently my niece who is 13 and my size went to her very first Valentine’s Day dance only to made fun of and called names because of her weight. I feel horrible for her because I have been there. I can remember what it was like to be made fun of, not have boyfriends,and more because of my weight. Like her I had a skinny sister who got to wear all the things I couldn’t and be the popular girl I wasn’t.
Luckily for me I met the one person in my life who made me feel truly beautiful, my husband. From the first day I met him he never once saw me as fat. He always saw only me and he never misses a chance to tell me how beautiful or sexy I am. In those months when we first starting dating he refused to let me hide away. The first time we were together I kept turning off the lights, he turned them back on. I would cover my mouth when I ate, he would pull my hands away. If I covered myself up to hide he would uncover me. I learned that beauty has nothing to do with how you look but with how you feel. I pray that one day my niece finds someone who makes her feel the same way. Kids are cruel and there is none crueler than girls! If you have daughters I ask that you take some time to talk with each of them about the hurt and damage that their words can cause another.
Believe me when I say that those words stick with you for years. The damage they do can lead some to acts of desperation. I have been there and pray to God that my children are never there or never do that to another person. You will notice the Tweet with Shaklee 180 in the sidebar, that is there so you can keep up with what some of the bloggers (as well as myself) are tweeting and saying. Feel free to tweet with us using the hashtag #Shaklee180, the handy little widget allows you to do it straight from my blog.
This is a sponsored post as part of the Shaklee Corporation blogger program. I have received free products, online support and incentives for participating. My opinions are my own. People following the weight-loss portion of the Shaklee 180™ Program can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per week.
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
Tammy S says
Rita I am so thrilled for you!! I have heard wonderful things about this program. I can’t wait to read your updates and see your videos. I have always struggles with my weight. So I know how you feel. I would love to try this program.
Tania B says
Congratulations! I too have struggled for years with weight issues along with the inevitable body image problems. I agree wholeheartedly with everything you spoke of in this post and I will be happily watching your progress to see if this system is possibly one I should try. Thanks and best of luck!
Jennifer Dysart says
Good luck! I was skinny until I graduated high school and it’s been up and down, it’s affecting my health so I am working on it, but it is such a struggle. I hope it works for you and I will be keep up with this!
Jean says
Congratulations – I wish you all the best. Your post made me sad though – you are clearly an intelligent, accomplished woman with a lot to feel good about! I relate though, on some level. In my family, I was the “smart” sister, while my oldest sister was the “pretty” one. She grew up feeling dumb and I grew up feeling plain and unremarkable.
Rita says
I think that is what happened to us. Thank you for your kind words!
Alena says
I am excited to do this with you! I know we all have our own goals and reasons for doing this, but I hope that we can all support each other to reach our specific goals!! 🙂
Rita says
I hope so too Alena! I know that together we can each accomplish our goals, find the support we truly need, and make new friends along the way.
saminder gumer says
congrats. please tell me how it goes because i am looking for a good program that can help me. thanks.
Rebby says
Wishing the best of luck on this program! I too have struggled with my weight my whole life. I am sad for your niece, I know the feeling. Keep you head up and stay focused, you can do this!!
Mary Beth Elderton says
Congratulations! I will be following along. I have heard of Shaklee by name but don’t know anything about it. Thank you for your honesty…I really understand, and it gives mecourage to hear of someone else having the same feelings.
Ambrielle Bender says
Wow Congrats! I know how you and your niece feels since I too have struggled, and your right the words do stick with you in a horrible way. At one point I had lost a lot of weight and felt good, but was still taunted… then I met my husband and like you felt comfort in him and his view of beauty. After my second child I gained a lot of weight back and now am really struggling to take it off… I haven’t heard of Shaklee but will be following you to learn more… LEAD ON RITA! 😉
Betty Baez says
It’s really sad how cruel kids can be to eachother…i have been there growing up i was made fun of and picked on and it does stick with you…there are things im still insecure about because of it. Congrats on being selected!!! and i hope you get everything you expect and more out of it!!!
Ari says
I wish you all the best in this new experience! What you said about beauty is very true. If you exude confidence from the inside, it definitely shows outwardly and may endear you to more people regardless of your physical size.
Tara Funair says
I am excited to be with you! I’ve been overweight most of my life and I am looking forwad to being fit and healthy FINALLY !
Jaime Nicole says
YAY, Rita! Me too! I am so excited to be doing this with you, too! Let’s shed this weight!
Holly says
I’m sure it’s going to be an awesome journey and I love that I get to meet new bloggers while doing it! Congratulations!
Monique Burkes (@armsofasister) says
I’m right there with you girlfriend! Let’s rock this!
Debra says
Yay! Excited we’ll be doing this journey together Rita! We’re going to totally rock this and shake those pounds away!
Katy says
Loved reading your story. It sounds like your husband is a treasure! I’m thrilled to be a part of the Shaklee180 program with you. – Katy
Rita says
He is a treasure.
Tara Funair says
It’s amazing to have so many people here to suppose those who are participating in the Shaklee program. I am looking forward to reading about your progress and cheering you on !
Stephanie says
Congrats on being selected! I’m looking forward to going on this 6 month journey along with you!! Looking forward to getting to know you!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
I’m glad you have a wonderful, supportive boyfriend and you can be a supportive Aunt. We can do this together. Thank you for sharing your story! Congrats on being chosen!
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
Whoops, I mean husband.