If getting in shape and losing that belly are New Year’s resolutions—as they should be—then why not add reducing stress to the list? Unfortunately, eating sweet and fatty foods appears to be one of the preferred choices of Americans for managing chronic stress.

Aside from the mental strain caused by chronic stress, it results in higher concentrations of stress hormones such as cortisol and poor eating habits that are associated with increases in belly (visceral) fat. Belly fat is not just unsightly, but is also linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, shorter telomeres, and greater risk of chronic disease.

By Isagenix Nutritional Sciences

With the start of each new year, many people will declare New Year’s resolutions. The most popular of these will be losing weight and getting fit. However, despite best intentions, a majority of those people will find discouragement after only a month or so because of minimal results from regular diet and exercise. In the end, it will mean yet another year of resolutions made and broken. So, how can you break this viscious cycle?

The key is to start your year off right is with specific health and wellness goals that you know you can achieve. For example, if you know you can lose 5 pounds in 30 days, make that your goal. Then, once you’ve reached that milestone, celebrate your success and set a new, attainable goal for the next month.

In addition, with Isagenix products, we are fortunate to have the ultimate tools for a fresh start at truly accomplishing our goals and reaching our resolutions. The following are ways you can use Isagenix products to start your new year right and make 2011 your best, healthiest, leanest and most prosperous year ever!

It’s a no-brainer that this weekend is going to be full of family, friends and food. To enjoy ringing in the New Year and prevent feeling guilty later, start by preparing your body with a few pre-celebratory Cleanse Days.

One scoop of Natural Rich Berry Cleanse for Life® powder will not only help your body naturally rid itself of everyday impurities and toxins, but it will also protect your body from the cumulative effects of stress. And let’s face it, family get-togethers can be stressful.

The newly reformulated Natural Rich Berry Cleanse for Life powder’s improved extraction technique pulls active phytochemical properties from each rare ingredient making them more potent. 

In addition, Isagenix® Founder John W. Anderson also added two new ingredients, turmeric and burdock root, to naturally enhance your cleansing experience which aids in digestion and supports liver health.

Starting your New Year’s resolution early? Don’t forget your protein!

It’s natural to want to get your gym routine back on track and start pumping iron more than you have in recent months, but what will you be feeding your body? Protein is key not only for recovery, but also for helping your muscles flourish in your new routine.

Thankfully, Isagenix has the answer to your protein quest. Simply super-charge your daily shake by adding 1 1/2 scoops of your favorite flavor of IsaLean Shake® and 1 scoop of Vanilla IsaPro® to infuse your muscles with 35.5 grams of pure, undenatured New Zealand whey protein in one shot. Have your shake in the morning and after your workout for maximum benefits!

Each year, you make a resolution that starts off strong only to slowly peter out. This year commit to doing it all with Isagenix®—trim down, tone up and cash in on your way to a “new you.”

Here are a few ways you can get started.

Your path to a more physically fit you: The IsaBody Challenge® is a 24-week, life-changing journey that will transform your mind, body and soul. By committing to daily workouts and an Isagenix system or pak, not only are you challenging yourself to get physically fit this New Year, but you’ll be competing against other Isagenix Associates for your chance to win cash and prizes.

To help in your journey, our newest conference call, The IsaBody Challenge Fitness Coaching Call, gives you the opportunity to ask Jim and Kathy Coover’s personal trainers, 1 Star Golden Circles Jill and Scott Knight, any fitness-related question you may be struggling with. To join the calls at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. every Wednesday, please call (641) 715-3842, Code 2100#.

On the final day of the 19^th World Congress of Anti-Aging Medicine and Aesthetic Medicine in Las Vegas, a roomful of forward-thinking medical professionals gathered to learn about a safe, effective nutritional cleansing system for reducing body fat while preserving muscle.

Robert Watine, M.D., of Port Charlotte, Florida, gave the presentation on Dec. 10, sharing his personal experience in incorporating the Isagenix system as an adjunct therapy to standard medical practice in his own patients. The products, he explained, are a combination of high-protein, nutrient-dense meal replacement shakes on Shake Days, the use of an herbal beverage along with liquid fasting on Cleanse Days, and supplementation with adaptogens.

He presented pre- and post-treatment clinical outcome measures after one and three months of the dietary intervention in several of his patients. Each showed marked improvements after following the system for at least three months—body weight, plasma lipids, liver function, renal profiles, and markers of blood sugar management. No side effects were reported.

Worried you might eat too much at Thanksgiving or during the holiday season? Following the festivities with a couple of Cleanse Days is an effective way to get back on track by compensating for the extra calories eaten. Results from a study published recently in the International Journal of Obesity show just that.

In a randomized trial on 107 middle-aged, overweight or obese women, researchers compared intermittent calorie restriction—similar to Cleanse Days on an Isagenix system—with continuous calorie restriction (regular dieting). It was one of the first human trials to ever compare the two weight-management strategies. Over the six-month study, researchers took measurements including weight, total body fat, blood pressure, and blood sampling to determine changes in weight and insulin resistance.

Wonder how our 2011 IsaBody Challenge winners lost weight, toned up their physiques and conquered incredible feats?

Watch a special video featuring the inspiring stories of many of our Challenge winners who lost 25, 50 and even over 100 pounds* during this exciting Challenge.

Join the 2012 IsaBody Challenge today by visiting IsaBodyChallenge.com or your Back Office “My Team” section. Now is the time to get the life you’ve always dreamed of!