Meredith’s initial essay before the Challenge began:

“I was born fat. I am the successful business owner, outstanding member/President of almost every activity I have ever been involved in since I can remember. However, I am a failure at controlling my weight. I am the healthiest fat girl you will ever meet and a Pennington workup substantiates that comment. I have tried every weight loss fad – from Optifast to the cabbage soup diet – you can’t name one that I have not tried. I thought Phen-Phen was great even knowing it could kill me. At least I would die skinny. I am approaching 50, (my Mom died at 50), and every day I look in the mirror and struggle. Everyone in business and my personal life thinks that I am a confident person. If they only knew that I struggle each and every day with my appearance. I never again want to hear these words, “She has such a beautiful face and eyes.” I really need to enter this Challenge and get my life back.”

What she had to say after completing the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge:

“This journey has truly transformed my life. The first and foremost insight was the realization that the stress of my everyday life, from professional obligations to family and personal obligations, drives me to seek comfort in food. The Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™ manual’s approach encouraged me to look back to when I first used food as a comfort and I discovered that I developed this habit as a reward for pleasing others.

When I completed a task, which my inner voice usually had me worked up into a major stress level, I rewarded myself with food. And so the trend followed into my adulthood and on a more intense level due to the increased stress that balancing work and personal life brings.

Linda’s program first made me aware of the issue and then took a systematic approach to the beginning of my transformation. I learned to reduce my stress by way of hypnosis and to change my subconscious thoughts and behaviors by way of hypnosis and positive thinking. Once I adopted this new way of thinking, then the rest of the program was simple. I learned that habits can be changed if and only if I was open to the possibilities and willing to visualize. Habits and my inner voice have been retrained as a result. I recognize that the continued use of the CDs will keep me from letting that old ‘inner critic’ and habits return. All of this takes the focus off of using food as a reward. Therefore, eating is used to sustain myself – not for rewarding myself for good deeds.

The nutrition and exercise education part of the program I had heard before, but had failed to listen to over the years. However, since Linda took me to a place where I no longer needed food as a reward, making healthy choices became simple. In the past, I never changed internally. Loosing weight meant being on a ‘diet.’ I would lose some weight then turn around and eat whatever I wanted… again. Over and over.

So far I’ve lost 25 pounds, 3 dress sizes, and 2 pant sizes, along with 21 inches in total. My new positive thinking and relaxed feelings drove me to exercise even more. My inner voice is now positive and free of guilt. The amazing part of this experience was never feeling like I was on a diet and I never once fought myself at the table. The change in my eating habits was natural. This program will be in my life forever. Thanks Linda!”

– Meredith Eicher

Congratulations again Meredith on your achievement!

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This is a picture of myself and Libby Quintana, who is one of my lucky Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge participants, and Scott Rogers on the Around Town TV Show which aired November 15th. Libby shared with us some amazing breakthroughs on her weight loss journey.

“I have lost 23 pounds so far and it has been relatively easy. In the past, I have tried a variety of weight loss programs and systems. Some a bit successful, others not so much. The common denominator with all of these experiences was ME. It wasn’t necessarily the program or the system that didn’t work. It was my feelings about them and the way I behaved that made the difference. Linda’s Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System is different. Why? Because I have learned to change my behavior at the subconscious level where all of my bad habits are stored. The Self-Hypnosis and Positive Affirmation CDs have helped me reduce my stress levels, and keeps me focused on my weight loss goals. In addition, Linda’s Home Study System helps you make better decisions about food and your eating plan. It also helps you to modify your behavior at a subconscious level which, in turn, creates a longer lasting after affect.

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Banana Smoothie

3 ice cubes

1 scoop Vanilla Juice Plus+® Complete

½ to 1 sliced frozen banana*

1 cup of Plain “Silk” Organic Soymilk

2 packets Splenda (optional)

Blend in blender until thick and smooth.

Chocolate Smoothie

3 ice cubes

1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus+ ® Complete

½ cup frozen strawberries*

1 cup of Chocolate “Silk” Organic Soymilk

2 packets Splenda (optional)

Blend in blender until thick and smooth.

Chocolate “Peanut Butter” Smoothie

5 ice cubes

1 scoop Chocolate Juice Plus +®  Complete

2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter

1 cup of Chocolate or Vanilla “Silk” Organic Soymilk

2 packets Splenda (optional)

Blend in blender until thick and smooth.

Enjoy!

*  — You can substitute any “frozen” fruit you like, i.e. peaches, blueberries, raspberries, pineapple, mixed fruit, etc.

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Let me tell you a funny story. Libby is a very talented lady with an extensive background in marketing. She also is the owner/designer of On Q Beads, and designs one-of-a kind, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets using vintage beads. I recently ask her to design, a purple and crystal necklace/earring set for my sister, Janell, whose birthday is, October 31^st, Guess what? When Libby brought Janell’s beautiful gift to me I fell in love with it and decided to keep it for myself. HA! Look closely at the picture and you can see the beautiful necklace and earrings that I am wearing. Not to worry about Janell because I had Libby make Janell another set. Libby’s jewelry makes a great gift for you, or a birthday or Christmas present. You can see some of Libby’s jewelry on the table in front of her picture. You can reach Libby here to place your order libby.quintana@yahoo.com.

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9/14:

Linda, as you know I have been in a full fledged home remodel since the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge kicked off July 9th.  I bought a home and completely gutted it, and I am now putting back the pieces to move in for October 1st.  I am only on Chapter Five of Eight, but I am faithfully practicing the tools I have learned in your Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System. All I can tell you is that I did not think I could be hypnotized, but hypnosis is working for me.

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July 16^th:

I went to my first private hypnosis session with Linda on Tuesday, July 14^th, 2009, and I must say, I am truly a believer in what Linda is doing for me.  I have to confess, the first night, July 9^th, at Linda’s, I Can Make You Slim NOW! Hypnosis Seminar, where the six lucky lady participants of the Louisiana Weight Off NOW Challenge were chosen, which was in a group setting, I was NOT hypnotized…I felt relaxed, but I was totally unable to “Let Go…”  The first several times I worked on it at home, I was still not “letting go,” but felt I was getting a little better at it each time.  And, even though I was not where I wanted to be in learning to practice self-hypnosis, I did see changes in my eating behavior, and I did feel like I was more relaxed.  I just kept telling myself to keep practicing “letting go,” and believed that I would eventually get there.  I’ve been feeling for most of my adult life that I was supposed to always be operating at full speed.

This is how I sum it up – I love to have facials.  I get a facial once a month (or at least try to), and look so forward to it.  When I lie on the table, and the lady comes in to get started, I always say to myself, “Okay, go ahead and relax me.”  I do enjoy the session, but am never really relaxed.  Starting Linda’s Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System has made me RECOGNIZE that it’s not her job to relax me, and even if she tried, she could not relax me.  That state is for me only to achieve, and her role, in my opinion, is to help me enjoy even more the state of relaxation I am in. I CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK and experience it with this mentality.  I’ll keep you posted on that.

Anyway, by the time I got to Linda’s for my private hypnosis session, I felt I was really making progress, but still not completely where I wanted to be.  In THAT session, for the first time, I REALLY struggled to “open my eyes” when she told me I couldn’t open them.  In the self-hypnosis sessions I have had since, I feel closer and closer to achieving that deep relaxed state that I have been working towards, and I really feel more relaxed overall.  Yesterday afternoon, I even hypnotized myself without listening to Linda, and told myself that I could not open my eyes, and guess what!  I could not!!

I had the Juice Plus+ Complete, chocolate peanut butter smoothie, at Linda’s and it was really delicious.  I’ve already placed my order for some of the Juice Plus+ products – my plan is to have it for my kids’ breakfast when school starts.  Can’t wait!!

By the way, I have three boys – Jacob (10), Micah (7) and Adam (5).  Last night, I had all of them practice slowing down when they ate and chewing their food slowly a bunch of times, and moving it around in their mouth – it was quite funny.  I also gave them all a small glass of vanilla soy milk and they did not puke.  I think they may have even enjoyed it a little.

8/17:

I am still working on Chapter Three. I like the idea of making a list, or a success plan, for the day.  When I was younger, I was really a list maker, and as I’ve gotten older, and busier, I have gotten away from making list, and am enjoying getting back into that.

I have had a really bad week…While I do make healthier choices, I found this week that I just wanted to eat, eat, eat. I hate to admit.  I strayed off of my program, missed several days of listening to my affirmations, etc., and found that I really got off track.  But, today is Monday, and it is another week, so I’m getting back on board! I can tell by the feel of my cloths that I have lost some ground in my weight loss goals. I know that I have a GOOD program at my fingertips, and I am going to take advantage of it.

8/24:

You will recall that last week I really needed to get back on track.  I am still on Chapter Three as I spent the majority of last week focusing on my self hypnosis CD’s and positive affirmation CDs.  I am looking forward to finishing up Chapter Three this week. I found that going back to listening to my affirmations and self hypnosis CDs has helped to curve my appetite.  The weekends are generally very hard because I tend to have the urge to snack a lot.  This past weekend however, I found I was able to overcome that temptation and stay on task, even over the weekend. From the feel of my clothes, I lost weight this week.   The scale says 1.5 pounds.

I find that exercise still seems to be my biggest challenge. The obstacle is simply finding the time to fit it in.  Despite my best intentions, the days go by without having accomplished it.  I did however manage to get a 20 minute workout in over the weekend, and tried listening to the exercise affirmation CD immediately afterwards, while I was still feeling the “high” from the exercise….

School is back in full swing, therefore things have settled down (as much as they settle around here!), so I will have a better opportunity to stay on task and remain focused.  I am looking forward to a VERY good week.

9/17:

GOOD JOB, GOOD JOB Charnel on your two month update.  I know I speak for all of us when I tell you how proud I am of you. Your success story is motivation for me, which is why I think participating in the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge with these other wonderful ladies is such a fortunate experience for me. All of you are helping me as well. Thank you Linda for that also.

I am also happy to report that I have gotten out of my slump and have gotten back to the good eating habits I had BEGUN to form using Linda’s Weight off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System. I am happy to report that during my SCREW UP I did not do but 1 pound of damage, so my weight loss so far is 11 pounds.  I have finished Chapter Three of Eight, which was a very difficult chapter for me because it required lots of time (which is a rare commodity in my world), and I am looking forward to Chapter Four – and now Chapter 8 since Charnel has just finished the Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System and commented on how much she liked Chapter 8, my curiosity has been peaked!

Love to you all, and Proud to be one of Linda’s Chosen Five.

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My motto this year has been to just DO something, and so far it’s working!  Logically, I know that things you strive for will NOT happen unless you put forth the effort to perform the action.  But, up until I started Linda’s program, I just did a lot of THINKING about losing weight.  With Linda’s guidance and support throughout this process, I have learned that being accountable to someone while trying to change your lifestyle, form good habits and lose weight is extremely helpful.  I find that I actually DO what I need to do to make this work and no longer just THINK about how it “could be.”  I make healthier choices, eat smaller portions, drink water and unsweetened tea only, tell everyone I know about the program, and read every dang label at the grocery store before anything goes into my cart! I also supplement my meals with a Juice Plus Complete (smoothies)  that helps me get my daily requirements on days that I am unable to grab fresh fruits and veggies.

I will admit, though, that I still need to incorporate more exercise into my routine.  It’s a matter of finding the time!  Though, through Linda’s program, I have also learned to “do the Linda’s 2 step” which I find myself doing at random times and not even realizing I was exercising.  I also learned from Mary Costello, Personal Trainer, of Fitness Matters, in New Roads, LA  for the  Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge, that even 10 minutes of exercise is helpful… you don’t have to “keep your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes” for it to be beneficial… that was GREAT news to hear!  Ha ha.

I can honestly say that I have had some struggles these past 2 months, but for the most part this process has seemed effortless once I actually got “into” it!  I make sure to read my Home Study System manual as much as possible and certainly listen to the CD’s often.  The results to me have been phenomenal… 17 pounds in 2 months!  I feel that I am able to stick to the program because I do not at ALL feel like I am depriving myself or starving AND because of the wonderful support from Linda and the other Challenge participants.

I could tell so many stories of how many times I’ve started and stopped diets over the years, but this time I truly feel that I have made a lifestyle change!!  I have friends that still do all of those fad diets, and they’ll say to me, “Oh, I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks!”  I used to be jealous of that, but now I know that I’m the one they should be jealous of… my weight will STAY off because I eat what I want but just make smarter choices on portions and what goes into my body now.  As soon as those friends on a fad diet eat a piece of bread or a fat gram or whatever it is that they were totally eliminating from their diet, their weight is going to re-appear just as fast (or faster) than it left!

I know that with what I am learning and accomplishing on Linda’s program, I WILL be the “slim and trim lady” I’ve always known was deep down inside of me, under all of those “layers”.  Ha ha.  I still have a long way to go, but each step so far has been a great one.

I do certainly still have “those days.”  In fact, I had one of “those days” yesterday… and then today I was planning to attend a BNI networking advanced training seminar.  Well, I knew it was going to be at a catering facility who serves a delicious buffet-style lunch.  I thought, “Well, I’m paying $15 for this meal today so I may as well go ahead and get my money’s worth… I ate more than I should have yesterday, so I’ll just do it again today and start again fresh tomorrow.”

Well, don’t you know I walked into that seminar and there was Linda!!  She was attending the same event.  It was like God sent her to remind me to be on my best behavior.  Ha ha.  So, while I did still probably put more on my plate than I should have, I did not eat all of it, even though it was one of my favorite meals:  meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli and BREAD!  My little inner critic was thinking, “Oh NO, Linda is here so I can’t go forward with my evil little plan to eat like a pig today!”  But, my waistline and brain were thanking God for sending Linda to me today to remind me of how far I’ve come and how much I don’t want to go backwards.  Hey, whatever works, God… keep sending me those reminders, because it completely helped me today!!!  In fact, the same thing happened a couple of weeks ago when I also ran into Meredith Eicher, one of the lucky lady Challenge participants, at one of these same events that I saw Linda at today… I think God is watching out for me on this journey!

Sorry, Linda.  I know you asked for a paragraph-or-so long update, but when I start writing, I sometimes can’t stop myself!

To everyone’s success…

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Meredith did not realize how much stress was playing a factor in why she was reaching out for food (emotional eating) or why she had trouble sleeping at night. The good news is once Meredith experienced her first self-hypnosis session, and started listening to the Self-Hypnosis and Positive Affirmations CD’s included in her Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System, her stress level came way down and she quit reaching out for food for comfort, and started enjoying a restful nights sleep.

Eight weeks after entering the Challenge, Meredith is telling everyone, even Scott Rogers, on the Around Town TV Show, that she has lost 17 pounds, she is NOT on a diet, and she does NOT feel deprived of any of her favorite foods! You know when you think about it anyone can lose weight. Zip your mouth and starve yourself for awhile and you will lose weight, but what happens when you unzip your mouth? You go right back to your old bad habits and lifestyles, yes, you guessed it, you gain it all back and more. For this reason, Meredith has chosen to achieve her goal of losing 65 pounds by learning to practice self-hypnosis. Every day she keeps herself motivated toward her goals by focusing on the 9 Healthy Life-Building Stepping Stones in my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System. Don’t you think you could achieve any goal in your life if you could learn to keep yourself motivated and focused? That is the beauty of learning self-hypnosis.

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By Linda Allred, Creator - Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™

Libby Quintana almost didn’t enter the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge (she had to write a 150 word essay why she felt she should be chosen) because she had just lost her job and was under a lot of stress. She knew that in the past she had always turned to food for comfort when she was under stress and she wasn’t sure this would be a good time for her to focus on weight loss. However, faith played a part in her decision to enter the Challenge.

I had never met Libby, but we happen to attend two different meetings in the same week. The first meeting was a Business Networking group, BNI, that I am a member. Libby attended in hopes of finding employment. At this meeting, I announced the first ever, Linda Allred Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge. Then later that week, Libby attended a Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge, MarketPlace meeting. When she walked in she saw me and discovered that I was the featured speaker. After the meeting, she told me “Linda, I was undecided whether to enter the Challenge or not, but seeing you two times in the same week, I think the Universe is sending me a powerful message.” She went home that night and entered the Challenge. Wow! I truly believe when we are ready for the lesson, the teacher shows up. You can see a powerful video of her personal story here.

Libby recently told me that she is so thankful that she decided to enter the Challenge because not only is she losing weight and learning to eat healthier, she also feels that learning to practice self-hypnosis, which is a natural “stress releaser,” is helping her cope with the stress of looking for employment and most importantly, her “emotional eating.” Here is an overview of what Libby has to say about her weight loss journey since she started the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge July 9^th, 2009.

7/20/09: Currently reading Chapter 1 and 2 in my - Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™.

Positive changes I have noticed:

• I am eating less and have stopped drinking sodas.
• I am also drinking more water and have lost 2 pounds.

Challenges that I am facing are:

• trying to get enough rest, and
• learn to relax more

7/27/09: Reading Chapter Two in my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™.

Positive changes I have noticed:

• Not as interested in junk foods or bread as I was before I started the Challenge
• Lost 5 more pounds and can feel my clothes getting looser

The challenges that I am facing now are:

• Get more sleep, and
• I do not want to workout

8/3/09: Reading Chapter Three in my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™.

Positive changes I have noticed:

• Not eating as many sweets
• I have lost an additional 2 pounds and,
• I have increased my water by 8 oozes

The challenges that I am facing now are:

• I cannot make time for a “time out”
• I need to set up a meditation spot in my home.

8/17/09: Presently working Chapter Four and Five in my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™.

Positive changes I have noticed:

• I am eating more salads
• Choosing smaller portions, and
• I have more interest in eating vegetables

The challenges that I am facing now are:

• I need to remember to listen to my self-hypnosis/positive affirmations CD’s at night that go with my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™.
• Do not eat in my new car, and
• Eat regular meals

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Linda Allred, certified Hypnotist and Wellness Coach for Women, author of the Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™, is an expert in the art of self-hypnosis and whole food nutrition. She is CEO of Linda Allred LLC and is passionate about empowering women with the right tools to live their dreams and reach their full potential by learning how to use self-hypnosis, understand “The Laws of The Mind,” and improve their health.

To receive her FRE*E Report “Why Diet’s Don’t Work” click here to visit her website or email her at Linda@LindaAllred.com.

Living Well With Linda Blog

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In June 2009, I challenged the ladies in the State of Louisiana to a Weight Loss NOW Challenge. To enter the Challenge the ladies were required to write me a 150 word essay of why they felt they should be chosen as one of the 6 lucky participants. I announced the winners at my, I Can Make You Slim NOW! Hypnosis Seminar, July 9th. You can see the presentation and videos of their stories here. You can also can RSVP here for my next ,  I Can Make You Slim NOW! Hypnosis Seminar. September 3rd.

The lucky ladies were Debbie Cifreofrom Oscar, LA, Meredith Eicher, Christine Pocorello, Libby Quintana, and Mitzi Webre who are all from Baton Rouge, LA., and Charnel Webb from Central, LA. The lucky winners also received a private hypnosis session, my brand new  Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™, a Galaxy Light and Sound Machine , and 6 months coaching in my brand new Weight Off NOW (WON) Teleclass that started in July.

I promise you this was not an easy task to choose just 6 ladies from the hundreds of entries I received. Why? I identified with each one of their stories because I was once a 40 pounds overweight, miserable soul, who thought I was dumb, stupid, and a failure until I discovered self-hypnosis and learned to train my “inner critic” to be my best friend. Learning to practice self-hypnosis allowed me to let go of the stress in my life that was causing me to be an “emotional eater,” and learn how to keep myself motivated toward my goals. So I’m here to tell you that if I can figure out how to lose my 40 pounds and keep it off for 17 years, you can too. You just need the right tools, the right system, and my brand new Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™ could be your final answer to your weight loss struggles. I feel so honored and privileged to be able to pay forward all of my weight loss secrets contained in my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™ to these special ladies.

Starting tomorrow, I will be putting these special ladies stories (successes, and challenges) on my blog as they also want to pay forward what they are learning to other women to offer them hope that they can learn how to be healthy, happy, and slim and trim.

Don’t forget to sign up for my Free Report, Why Diets Don’t Work, and my award-winning ezine, Living Well With Linda. Featured in my August 25th ezine was a picture of me  smiling ear to ear as I listened to Mary Costello, official Personal Trainer of the Louisiana Weight Loss NOW Challenge and owner of Fitness Matters in New Roads, LA, tell her personal story on the Around Town TV Show of  how my Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™ helped her lose 3 dress sizes which motivated her to achieve her dream of becoming a Personal Trainer.

I also want to thank all of the ladies who took the time to enter the Challenge that were not chosen. You are all winners in my heart. Please note that I would like to give Mitzi Webre an honorable mention as she dropped out of the Challenge August 2nd due to personal reasons,

August 24th. Categories: Weight Loss NOW Louisiana Weight Loss Challenge I Can Make You Slim NOW! Hypnosis Seminar Weight Off NOW Self-Hypnosis Home Study System™ Galaxy Light and Sound Machine Weight Off NOW (WON) Teleclass Self-hypnosis Inner critic Stress Emotional eating Success Healthy Happy Slim and trim

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