Isagenix

Maria never could have imagined the twist of events that would lead her to a healthier, more fulfilling life at the age of 61 or the journey of a lifetime that would take her from a size 24 to a size 12.*

Exhausted, burdened by self-pity and dragging through life in her hometown in Ontario, Maria struggled through endless diets for more than 20 years. All those years of built up frustration and unsuccessful attempts to improve her health almost led her to throw away the Isagenix® Cleansing and Fat Burning System that she won while attending a bridal show. In fact, she put the products on a shelf in her pantry and forgot all about them until a trip halfway around the world changed her mind.

Her brother Gio, a missionary priest in Peru, died in a car accident in 2001 while bringing supplies to local people. When Maria traveled to the South American country to collect her late brother’s belongings, what she saw broke her heart. Not only had the whole community been destroyed by an earthquake, but the more than 400 abandoned and orphaned children her brother had worked with for so long to help were now suffering in unimaginable living conditions.

Overcome by the problem, she wondered what she could do. That same day she was reminded of the words her brother would often say about how good everyone had it in North America. He also encouraged her to stop making excuses for her weight problems. On the plane ride home, Maria decided he was right and that she had to do something, not only for the children of Peru, but for herself. With the memory of her brother’s words fresh in her mind she made a commitment to change.

“I decided to discard my painful past and start living for today, tomorrow and the rest of my life,” shares Maria. “It was so liberating.”

She began using Isagenix the day she returned home, hit the gym, and decided to enter the 2008 IsaBody Challenge™. Not only did she lose 60 pounds* and win second place in the Women 60+ category of the Challenge, she also made a public pledge to lose weight in hopes of raising funds to build a home for the children in Peru.

“In a moment of peace, it felt so good that I was going to do something for myself and for these children,” says Maria.

Today she anxiously awaits the day when, surrounded by the orphans and abandoned children, they turn the key to their new home. As of today, Maria has raised $15,000 and plans to start requesting donations from companies.

She no longer feels sorry for herself and even threw away her oversized garments. She has lost an additional 12 pounds* since the Challenge and has set a personal goal of losing 20 more in order to join the ranks of those in the 100-Pound Club later this year.

She describes her transformation as nothing short of a miracle.

“I never used to love myself and would cover up the pain inside, but that has all changed with Isagenix,” explains Maria. “My journey of good health is one that will last forever.”

*Weight-loss results may vary.