My guess is that some of you are seeing all my posts on facebook and wondering what is she doing, why is she constantly talking about fat burning coffee?? Maybe you think Ive gotten myself into some crazy pyramid scheme or Ive joined a coffee cult (i probably shouldn’t joke about cults, not PC right?) I promise none of those things are true. Let me explain.
I have been trying to lose weight through one program or another for probably, well, my entire adult life. When I think back about it my self-image has always been a bit skewed. I was a stick skinny 12 year old who turned into a chubby teenager and then overweight adult. Looking back at pictures though I would kill to be the size I was in high school, although at the time I felt huge. I have always struggled with my weight and can I just say now I am SO TIRED OF it. I’ve never really felt comfortable in my own skin. Ive never felt like I was ever actually going to be successful. I had pretty much given up. Then, after a miserable family vacation where I felt like a simple trip to the beach was more than I could do, I determined to make some real changes. I realized I was missing out on all the things I really wanted to do but wasn’t becuase of my weight. So when I got home, I started a Keto diet and a good friend recommend some products she was using. I was impressed by her weight loss and decided to give it a try. She told me about this fat burning coffee and gave me a sample. I started using the product and then I started noticing how much easier it was to stick to my diet and then I noticed my focus and concentration improving at work and my mood stabilizing at home. I started trying some other products and was hooked.
Eventually my friend offered me a spot on her team to sell these amazing products and though I was admittedly skeptical, I thought, well, at least I can get these great products cheaper, and I am going to use them anyway so why not give it a try. I started sharing on social media what I was doing, and how much i loved these products. I really just saw this as a way to keep me accountable. But what started out as just a way to make a few extra dollars and help me lose weight has turned into this amazing opportunity to connect with people and share my faith in a way I never thought I could. You see this company is a Christian company, its founder and his family believe that we are not just selling a product but changing people’s lives. It feels good to lose weight, but it feels even better to help someone else reach their goals and share with them how much they are worth and how much they can do through and with Christ.
As a distributor for It Works, I feel like I am part of one big family, and the amount of support I get as part of this family is beyond what I expected. I feel more confident and it feels great to be doing something new and exciting, even though most of the time its a bit scary and unfamiliar! It’s hard to be vulnerable and real and put yourself out there in a way where people can see your success AND your failures. I struggled the last two months, gained 7 pounds back and really wanted to quit BUT this time, I didn’t! The message God has given me through this so far, is that you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable! God can do some amazing things for us when we allow ourselves to stretch beyond what we think we can do and actually step into the space He is creating just for us.
I had an amazing opportunity to go to the It Works Conference in Tampa a few weekends ago. I am so glad i didn’t let my fear of not knowing anybody or not knowing the plans or what to expect stop me. I happened to go during that really really cold spell. I left and it was 8 degrees in DC. It was a sunny 70 degrees when we left the airport in Tampa. What a change! It was a great weekend filled with meeting new people, learning about new products and finding inspiration and motivation in the stories of so many people who have changed their lives spiritually, physically and financially. I’m grateful I got the opportunity to be a part of it and i know I came home refreshed, invigorated and ready to hit the ground running!
My biggest take away from the conference was that I have permission to be me, I have permission to change the game. When we let fear dictate what we think we can do, we limit what God can do through us. Why do we believe or assume we will fail? Am I the only one who starts from a default position that it (whatever IT is for you) won’t work? For example, this business might work for other people but I’m not (insert choice negative self talk – pretty enough, smart enough, interesting enough . . . ). OR That person won’t want to hear what I have to say so why even reach out, what if they don’t like me or say no?? What if I do this and I have a bad day, will people judge me and think I’m a hypocrite?? These are all limiting beliefs, they are lies from the enemy!! We have to stop talking ourselves out of our dreams! It’s ok to dream big. Our father in heaven is dreaming big for us! He says in His word:
The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more more abundantly. John 10:10
So, my dreams now look differently then they did last year. I’m dreaming of a successful career as a social media influencer and leading a great team as a distributor. I’m dreaming of paying off my student loan debt with the extra income i will earn. I’m dreaming of becoming an adoptive parent this year. I am dreaming of turning 40 and celebrating 10 years of marriage to my amazing husband 100 pounds lighter. I’m dreaming of sharing the gospel and changing lives! What dreams can you give yourself permission to have again or even for the first time? Do me a favor – go back up to the verse above and insert your name instead of “they” so you can understand what I do now, that God’s promises are for us and he means what he says!
I have come that YOU may have life, and that YOU may have it more abundantly!
Can somebody say Amen with me!!!!
Are you dreaming big too? I hope so!
Now, who wants some of my magic fat burning coffee (oh come, on you know you want to try it :))!
Ketomama 