The Summer of Living Lean — Our Story: Paul & Sharon Brandt


I had a little heart-health scare in April 2015 and decided I wasn't going to stress about my weight. I just wanted to focus on my health. One of my biggest addictions was adding imitation creamer to my coffee. I knew it wasn't good for me and I was having intestinal issues. I started what I thought was a heart-healthy diet by adding coconut oil to my coffee and ballooned up 10lbs more!

That's when I surfed the internet looking for information on coconut oil and weight gain and found Lisa Lynn, our weight loss guardian angel. Lisa was on Dr. Oz and said, "Good for you doesn't mean good for weight loss!" Lisa explained that coconut oil and almond milk are good fats in small doses but are still high fat and are killing weight loss efforts. That was my aha moment and I ordered "The Metabolism Solution." I read it in two days and ordered the LynFit starter kit. I lost an amazing 10 pounds in two weeks and inspired my husband Paul to start. Of course, he lost two pounds for my one pound. 

That was almost two years ago and we have lost a combined total of 115 pounds. We eat low to no complex carbs and have seafood about four times a week. We have red meat maybe once a week compared to at least three times a week before LynFit. 

— Sharon Brandt

Brandt

If you had to put a title to your weight loss story, what would it be?
"Finally Fit at 50!"

What is your favorite LynFit metabolic boosting weight loss recipe?
Every morning, I mix two scoops of LynFit Vanilla Protein Powder with a capsule of Accelerator Advanced and Cutting Edge with a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and about six ounces of water. I mix this well with a fork and then add 8 oz. of coffee. This is my protein latte.

I have done this religiously over the past two years and I think this is the key for me in keeping off the weight. Remember, I was addicted to artificial creamers in my coffee :)

Paul loves his post workout shake. He rides his stationary bike for 45 minutes and then takes two scoops of LynFit Vanilla Protein, about a teaspoon of cinnamon, a cup of frozen blueberries, and ½  a banana with three handfuls of ice and about two cups of water — too watery for me, but that's the way he likes it :)

What is your favorite LynFit supplement to use, and why? How has it helped you?
Daily Power Shot and Pure Omega 3. Neither of us have gotten a sinus infection or had to take any antibiotics since starting the diet!

Did you encounter any obstacles? If so, how did you overcome them?
We both give ourselves a 5 pound. window. We weigh ourselves every morning and log it. If I'm on the low side, I may have a few more carbs that day. If I'm on the higher end, then I scale back the carbs. Paul still has not had bread since August 2015!

How has your life changed since you lost weight?
Wow! It has changed every aspect of our lives. We realize how important our health is for energy, marriage, parenting, work focus, interactions with others, and inspiring others.

What did you do during the first two weeks of LynFit that helped you stick to the plan?
We really worked through that carb withdrawal and trusted the process. I really tracked my protein and tried to get 20-25 grams of protein in 5-6 small meals. The Lean Bars help you get that added protein without adding lots of calories and fat.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I lost the first 30 pounds without exercise. Sadly, my beloved dog had died and I was not walking; I was also testing the system honestly. It really is 90 percent food and 10 percent exercise. I now walk 45 minutes to one hour per day with my 90-pound personal trainer, Rudy, an English Cream Retriever. Rain or shine, snow or ice, he gets me out there. A big thank you to Lisa! We are paying it forward and helping others who want to get FIT AT 50 and lose weight!

Paul & Sharon Brandt

Faith, Hope, And Your Life's Purpose

Faith. Hope. Purpose

Two years ago seemed like the darkest hour of my life. I had no idea that a diagnosis would teach me how to live life to the fullest. I didn't, couldn't, realize at that time that I would opt for a fighter's mentality instead of a defeated one. I couldn't comprehend until I was actually in the trenches that my life WAS worth fighting for, if for no other reason than my family. I had yet to learn that no day should be taken for granted and each should be treated as a precious hand-delivered gift from God.

In 2014, at just 46-years old, my dreams were suddenly eclipsed by the cold, hard reality of three words: "You've got cancer." Thankfully, my melanoma was caught early, but try telling that to inner fear. Try rationalizing that during repeated visits to doctors, surgeons, and oncologists. After all, just like you, I'm human with human emotions, feelings, fears, and limitations. Facing my mortality, I developed a very personal relationship with my very own pity potty. All I wanted to do was shut it down and hide from the world.

Dragging myself to church was the beginning of my personal renewal of Faith, Hope, and Life's Purpose. My Pastor Rich delivered a sermon that hit me right in my self-pity heart. His words reminded me that I was on the verge of the biggest testimony in my life. I was on the threshold of a battle in the trenches of my emotions and feelings that would, in the end, produce a warrior of Faith, Hope, and Purpose. It was time for me to focus on living, receiving support where and when needed, and being that positive spirit to those around me that God called me many years ago to be.

Each and every day I CHOSE to work tirelessly on my physical, mental, and spiritual (PMS) health. My testimony is that today I am two years cancer-free! I refuse to say I'm a survivor. I am doing so much more than just surviving—I am thriving. So rather than say I'm a cancer survivor, I say I'm a cancer thriver, and grateful for it.

My Thriver Mechanisms

Power Prayer: God is my strength and my all in all. I get on my knees and pray every day. I thank Him for another day, and I count my blessings one by one. I pray that God keeps me alive and healthy, so that I may be an instrument of his peace. My goal is to help millions. 

I focus on Philippians 4:13 — "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 

Positive Affirmations: I repeat my positive affirmations every day, all day. I don't allow negative thoughts to control my attitude and destiny. In other words, if I have to, I fake it until I make it. Affirmations such as:

    • "When you're at your lowest, look to the highest."
    • "Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't." — Rikki Rogers
    • "You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." — Stuart Scott

Eating Healthy and Exercising: You have to eat healthy and take control of your mind and body. For the first time in my life, my focus is on eating healthy to stay alive, versus gaining the perfect body. That changes everything. 

I changed my diet to a cancer-fighting diet by eating more fish and less chicken and red meat. I eat more colorful vegetables, actually transforming my body from a cancer-invitation waiting to happen into a cancer-fighting machine. I chose and choose, to honor God with my body, a temple, as it's His to begin with. 

I continue to win the fight in the trenches by supplementing and reinforcing my immune system with this routine:

P.M. — (1) LynFit Vitamin D3 Boost, (1) LynFit Pure Omega 3, (1) LynFit Lean Sleep
(NOTE: I also take the LynFit Fat Loss Trio, especially during highly emotional times.)

My Life Today

    • I LIVE every day to the fullest
    • I CHOOSE peace in every situation.
    • I FOCUS on what’s important and live a life of purpose
    • I TELL everyone I love them, even strangers
    • I HUG everyone I see
    • I TURN my pain into my purpose
    • I SING like no one's listening
    • I DANCE like no one's watching
    • NO REGRETS

I learned how important it is to be humble, and it's okay to feel vulnerable. It's not my favorite emotion, but it can bring out the best in me. There is nothing like the possibility of death to make you start living and to teach you what’s important.

Choose to live now, today. Don't wait, delay, or dawdle. Live each day with a sense of urgency to do what makes you happy and live with a passion to Win the Fight!

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May is Melanoma Awareness Month. Thanks to advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and follow-up care, more people than ever before are surviving the disease. In America alone, more than 14.5 million people are alive today after being diagnosed with cancer.

However, surviving cancer can leave a host of problems in its wake. Physical, emotional, and financial hardships often persist for years after diagnosis and treatment. Cancer survivors are also at greater risk for developing second cancers and other health conditions.

For more information on not only surviving, but thriving and winning the fight against cancer, I'd encourage you to read Win the Fight: Stomp Out Melanoma. It's also the perfect gift for family members or friends who may be in the trenches as I was.