ACTing Up
JodyLynn Stuppy (on right) & Mom
By JodyLynn Stuppy
It all began with a click of my mouse…
I was surfing the Internet desperately looking for a “new lease on life,” and the search engines were zealously buzzing with hits to a countless number of sites. Crazy Sexy Life stood out like a sore “green” thumb, and with a simple click, I entered the CSL Community! The rest would become history, or shall I say, “my story.”
Kris Carr was starting ACT (the Adventure Cleanse Tune-Up) in less than a week, then May 2009, and I signed up. Thanks to all the “Pre-Tune Up” blog posts, I was ready to roll.
Prior to starting ACT, I was partaking in the Standard American Diet (SAD), not exercising, experiencing increased weight gain, increased stress, and digestive problems. I was often tired and achy, and I grew less and less social. In 1999, I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and informed that there was no cure; I would have to take prescription medicine for the rest of my life. I was at the end of my rope, spiraling downward, and desperate to get my life back. After months of feeling horrible, unable to find relief or get answers from doctors as to why I felt so poorly, I knew I had to do something. I was living a “non-presence” life, and it felt as though I was dying inside. I was depressed, I had no zest for life, I was not happy with myself, and I felt like “my person” was simply deteriorating. I was functioning on auto-pilot, going through the motions, and watching life pass me. I was not sure how I got there, but wanted out fast! I had to become my own advocate.
On Day One of ACT, I was excited and hopeful for a cure to my “funk,” and by the end of the first week, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. With each blog post, inspiration and giggle that Kris had to offer, each day was a new “adventure,” and the CSL Community’s support was awesome. By the end of the 28 days, I had become a new person—body, mind and soul! Basically, by eliminating all meat, dairy, and refined foods and incorporating a raw vegan diet and lifestyle, coupled with daily booty shakin’, I was reborn! I am a new person, and I spring out of bed each morning vibrating with energy and ready to take on the day. Just call me Crazy Sexy!
As a result of ACT, I shed 30 pounds (which, I am proud to say, haven’t returned) and feel the happiest and healthiest I have EVER felt in my life. The following have been incorporated into my “new life”:
-Beginning each day with PRAYER.
-Drinking Daily Green Smoothies! I splurge (smartly!) on raw organic vitals.
-Shaking my booty for at least 35 minutes a day.
-Dry brushing.
-Kicking “fake” out the door—I only welcome what is real.
-Cut-and-pasting my way to good health by staying focused with a vision board.
-Laughing at least once a day!
-Ending my day with journaling and PRAYER.
During and after my 28 days on ACT, family, friends and co-workers bombarded me with questions. Most wondered where I was getting my protein from because I had eliminated meat and dairy from my diet. Others said, “Oh, I could NEVER do that!” I’m here to tell you that it can be done, and it is pretty simple. Either you want to live a happy, healthy life and are willing to go for it, or not. It is your choice. What was unique about following ACT was its gradual nature: learning and being introduced to something new each day made it fun and doable.
The Crazy Sexy Life website is a fountain of knowledge, and knowledge is power! Read everything you can on raw foods and the body’s ability to heal itself. YOU can take control and set the proper conditions for healing to take place. Not everyone has the same illnesses, so not everyone will take the same path. Empower yourself with information and see what works for you. I am a firm believer that you are what you eat, and I know the food I was eating on a daily basis directly effected both my sickness and, ultimately, my health. Amazingly, I no longer have to take thyroid medicine because of how I have altered my diet and lifestyle. While there are many paths of raw foodism, anyone can benefit from consuming more raw vegan foods and eliminating refined food, fast food, caffeine, sugar, and salt.
I am now internally driven and emotionally charged with a double shot of GUSTO! When I feel like being naughty, I ACT up. It’s as simple as that!
JodyLynn lives in Valparaiso, IN with her wonderful husband and 4 beloved Dalmatians. She grew up and lived in Southern California most of her life and finds herself on many a day “California Dreamin’.”
23 Comments
congrats on the wonderful changes you have made! I am so encouraged by the fact you are off thyroid meds…. I have been on mine since 1998 and recently my naturopath has started looking into natural alternatives. We wondered if it was possible after a decade, but apparently it is!
Thanks for sharing your journey JodyLynn!! :) HUGS!
What a wonderful testimonial! I am blown away and so frickin’ happy and inspired! PS. You’re a fantastic writer JodyLynn. Brava!
I’ll take a double shot of GUSTO as well! I love that and couldn’t agree more with your method of ACTing out! You know, I don’t want to suggest that gluten is evil for everyone, but if you’re hypothyroid, it can sure add to the problem.
What a great and inspiring story!
Peace, love and GUSTO!
Melissa
Yea! So glad the ACT helped you so much! I gave the ACT a shot this past January, and though I “relapsed” on day 22, I did make a few permanent changes. I was already vegan with an intense workout regime, but I’ve added a few ACT-y things into my life (eating daily greens, dry brushing, eating more raw, and limiting refined sugar).
But I’m super impressed that you gave up meat and dairy all it once. Its taken me 15 years to go vegan, and you did it overnight!!!
I LOVE how you “kick FAKE out the door and only invite real. LOVE THAT!
Great post! I am a fellow ACT participant and have continued to live following the principals of cleanse. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Congrats on your improved health and wellness!
Does anyone know where I can find the info to do the ACT? Will there be another group one starting soo? Sounds amazing!
My fellow CSL peeps…tanks! I am smiling from ear to ear with your sweet words.
I think the fact that I have stuck with my new lifestyle change is the mere fact that I now have a “life” – a wholesome, happy and healthy life to live. It’s amazing what a little tweaking will do! Not to mention the support and inspiration from this AWESOME group! RAWK on!!!
After educating myself what meat and dairy did to my body and how the farm factories are (unfortunately) run, it was a pretty easy decision and transition.
JIll – you can access the info. to do ACT by clicking on Life Lounge tab from the main page and it has its own category: Adventure Cleanse Tune-Up (ACT). This is my electronic Bible!!! Kris makes it so fun and easy to follow. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks again…now off I go to ACT up! tee hee
YEAH GIRL!!!!
Way to get your ACT together!
You are doing so fab JodyLynn, you can lead the next ACT!
deb xo
I can’t find the Life Lounge tab on the main page. I too would like more info on how to start ACT . I’m a vegetarian…but am finding it hard to rid twenty pounds I have accumulated the last two years from over consuming refined sugar and processed carbs. I need help. Your story is so inspiring.
Rebecca, Try this…from this page click on the “forum” tab, then click on the “Life Lounge” tab, then scroll down to Adventure Cleanse Tune-Up (ACT). Hope this helps! ;-)
Jod! Please lead me to the website and set me on my path. I neeed it. Love n miss you! XOXO. You go girl!
Michelle
Michelle, my BELLE! You are HERE!!! :-) Click on forum and you shall enter a world of healing…so much info. right at your little finger tips! Do a search on Crohn’s, CFS and IBS…there is a plethora of life changing information. Also, make sure to sign up for the newsletters. I love and miss you, too, Sunshine! xoxo <3
Hi, thanks for posting…i’m inspired. where and how can i get the detailed low-down on ACT and doing it?
Thanks! I was able to click on the forum tab and life lounge tab as you suggested but wasn’t able to scroll down to ACT. Instead, I was required to fill out a bunch of personal info. Is it required to do this first? Sorry, I’m just not very good at navigating thru websites.
Rebecca & Smartypants: Once you click on the forum tab from main page, then click on the life lounge page – from there click on “Adventure Cleanse Tune-Up (ACT). If it prompts you to sign in or sign up…do so, and then you will be able to click on ACT. And this is where you will find all of the blogs threads on ACT. I printed out alot of them and put them in a folder so I have easy reference. Kris’ presentation is so awe-spiring! Good luck! ;-)
Thank you JodyLynn! I have hypothyroid and I too feel myself falling into a slump. I have been a vegetarian for 2 years and I know that I need to take the next step into veganism. Kris Carr has also been such an inspiration to me. Thank you so much for writing this. I am also living in Indiana and I just felt like I was meant to read this piece. Thank you so much!
Ok…..i did as you instructed. But I get a message that says:
Your membership to My Crazy Sexy Life is pending approval
I signed up the other night….how long does it take to be approved I wonder?
I can’t proceed beyond that message/ page.
I guess I’ll just be patient and see what happens next.
CS JodyLynn, I’m reading this kind of late. I love it! I am happy and glad for you. ACT rocks. Love OZ xoxoxo
ps people ask me a lot what I eat too, which feels sort of odd. I often end up just saying “food”.
Awesome!! Thank you for sharing!
What a fantastic story, JodyLynn. Thanks for sharing!
February 18, 2010