Welcome to Transformation Tuesday

I didn't have time to get a video ready today so I'm writing a quick note while I eat my lunch!!!   Twyla brought me a salad..it is very delicious and got me thinking.  A couple of years ago I would have said no to a salad........I would have eaten something greasy, salty and full of carbs.  Today, I enjoy a good salad.  Sometimes I eat something solely because it is good for me but mostly I enjoy eating clean!!!

 I still have my moments of pure lust for bad foods but mostly, I enjoy good health and the foods that help me achieve it!!!!  I was thinking about this being Transformation Tuesday and I am reminded that transformation is a process that takes time.  I did NOT wake up one day and decide I was going to like salad and magically liked salad.  That is laughable because I may of woke up and said I was going to like and eat salad from this day forth, but that probably only lasted a few minutes!!!!  LOL

Today, I am reminded of all the wonderful ideas I have had through the years to exchange my bad habits for good ones.  On the surface these ideas that never materialized may sound like a waste of time but I think differently......I think they were stepping stones.  They were part of the process of bringing on a new way of thinking.  They were the beginning of a desire for change!!!!  You must always start somewhere.  Way back when transformation was barely a desire, I didn't know that failure wasn't the end of desire, so every time I failed, I stopped trying.  Now I know that failure is just an opportunity to learn a lesson.

Learning a lesson from failure isn't any fun at the time but if you know it will help you succeed in the long run, it is bearable.  Now when I fail with eating, I think, "I will not give up!!!!  I will weigh my ideal weight and I will keep my current weight loss with out gaining an ounce!!!!"  When I fail, I have to determine why I failed.  Did I fail because I am eating emotionally?  If so, I better figure out what is emotionally bothering me and fix that issue before I eat myself to death!!! Literally!!!  Did I fail because my body is needing nutrition?  If so, I better figure why!!!! Usually this issue is because I forgot to take my vitamins.....I may overeat because I am stressed, if this is the case I better give the situation to God and let Him handle it!!!!

This process of elimination and breaking down the "Why?" is vital to my transformation.  It is the backbone of my transformation success.  Figuring out the WHY isn't always easy but I am getting fairly good at it.  Then I must make sure that I care about the WHY enough to change the situation, but that is another story!!!

BOTTOM LINE: Transformation takes time.  It is a process that begins in your mind.  It begins with a thought, then the thought becomes a desire, but it doesn't materialize at that moment.  Even if you try, you probably will fail.  Handling failure correctly is vital to your transformation success.  So if you don't like eating healthy and you have a small desire to change, then just keep trying.....it may take 5, 10 or even 20 years but if you don't give up, you will succeed in getting that thought to materialize into an awesome habit!!!!
Have an awesome Transformation Tuesday!!!
I love you,
SoniaRai

Welcome to Makeup Monday!!!!

Click the Links Below to Purchase

Uplift Serum 

(currently out of stock because it is sooooo popular and effective, but you can read about it)

Angelic Pigment Powder

Infatuated 

Presumptuous Eyeliner

Proper Eyeliner 

Lash Comb/Brow Brush

3D Fiber Lashes Mascara

Pouty Lipliner

Loveable Lip Gloss

Have an awesome day!!

Love Ya,

SoniaRai

Fun Eating Schedule!!!

Link to Video
Yesterday my son, Johnathan, posted something on our family private weight loss group that I thought was fantastic and worthy of sharing with you!!!!  Last year he lost a lot of weight and has gained a little back so he decided now was the time to start losing again and wanted us to hold him accountable, helping him to achieve his goals.

He posted his goals, his steps to achieving said goals and then he posted something I thought was very useful.....His scheduled "cheat days"......He understands that we are people with lives and sometimes eating is just part of life!!!  So I am following his lead and I have also scheduled my cheat days, but I would rather call them Fun Eating Days!!

Sometimes you just want or need feel good food.....I believe planning these days will help us to get past any impromptu cravings we may have during the weeks to come........

Here is my scheduled time off from dieting until the first of 2015!!!!

Sonia's Planned Fun Eating Days:

Nov 2 - Chief's Game, I am assuming we are tailgating?

Nov 27 - Thanksgiving

Dec 24 - Christmas Eve 
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 31 - New Years Eve
Any Time Mike Takes Me Out On A Date!!!

My weight loss goal is 25lbs or to drastically lose inches in my gut!!!

In order to achieve my goals, I am always searching for different ideas to spur me on to greatness!!!!
I hope this tip helps you, and if dieting is not your thing, I encourage you to find the right tools to help you with whatever you are doing.........

...............................and REMEMBER TO BUY MAKEUP!!!!

Love ya,
SoniaRai

Transformation Tuesday Reminder!!!

Link to Video

I know we talk about transformation and change almost every Tuesday and I know that my theme is to never ever give up and I say it all the time, but sometimes we just need a reminder.....

I love you and I want the best for you and your life so I am here this Tuesday reminding you to NEVER EVER NEVER EVER EVER EVER GIVE UP!!!!!!!

Chances are your journey is much different than mine...it may not even be about weight loss, maybe your journey is about keeping yourself emotionally sane or learning not to get offended or maybe you are trying to get free from an addiction.....all I know is we all have journeys and when we conquer one thing, another thing will be exposed and we must go after that!!!  So whatever your journey is DON'T Ever Give Up!!!  The end is worth your hard work......

You are probably closer than you think!!!!  So learn to love the journey as you pick up valuable treasure of knowledge and people......You are special, you are very important to those around you. People are watching you and when you do good that brings them hope....When you fail and get back up you still bring them hope so I encourage you today....whatever you do, don't ever give up!!!!

Love Ya,
SoniaRai

How To Have Fun Painting a Pumpkin on Your Face!!

Step 1. Clean your face and apply base makeup.  I used my wonderful mineral Touch Pressed powder Foundation

Step 2.  Find a Picture on the Internet to copy......you do not have to be exact but use it as a guide to get you started...

Step 3.  Draw your outline with brown eyeliner....

Step 3.  Fill In with Giddy Mineral Pigment

 Step 4.  Draw your leaf and vine with green eye liner and dust with a little Gorgeous (gold)  Mineral Pigment and redefine your outline with the brown eyeliner again...

Step 5.  Add a little purple eye liner shading or whatever you want to your painting and go show off your work!!! Oh and try not to touch your face!!! LOL

 I hope you enjoy this wonderful time of year!!!!  Makeup is an expression of you......so get busy an express your passion and joy on your face!!!!!
Have a wonderful Fun Fabulous Friday!!
I love you,
SoniaRai

"My Story: Why I Am Passionate About Weight Loss and Beauty" #feelgoodblogging Challenge #2

"I think it is time for you to start chasing me!!!" Sonia sheepishly told the man she had dreamed about several months before.....They had loved each other in high school and a few years after that and even had a child together but for the last 24 years they had only spoken probably less than ten times.  He was standing behind her, she felt his breath as he leaned around her and said, "What did you say?"

She was terribly afraid that he would reject her.  She had suppressed her emotions for him for a long time and they were starting to surface.  She didn't really know him any more but something inside of her knew this was right.  Sonia didn't know why she said those words that way, but she composed herself and said, "Mike, I believe it is time for you to pursue a relationship with me.  I had a dream a few months ago and I think it is what we are supposed to do."

He was not expecting that!!!  He replied, "No Sh*?t"! He had called her a Bible Thumper for the last 20 years and she had judged him unmercifully for being everything she wasn't.  After splitting up, they had both gone down totally opposite roads and a relationship was highly unlikely!!!!

After several hours of conversation, a spark was visible....being the gentleman that he is, he didn't promise her any more than to pursue a friendship.  During the following months, they talked mostly on the phone, but it didn't take much time before the couple knew they had missed out on something wonderful and together forever it would be.

So, the Bible Thumper and the Biker decided to love their family together....not only do they have a daughter but they have four biological grandchildren together.  This is called supernatural restoration.

This kind of love story only happens in novels, not in real life, but this story is true and one day all the details will be written but for today, I want to talk about a journey that led Sonia to be bold enough to tell the man of her dreams what she was thinking.

18 years ago, Sonia was in her living room talking to God when she opened up the Bible and a passage popped off the page.  (sometimes it pays to be a Bible Thumper! LOL) It said some thing about renewing the days of her youth.  Sonia was in her twenties but she felt very old already.  Her health was beginning to deteriorate, so feeling young again sounded like a good idea. 

Sonia had been a single mom for a long time.  She had turned to eating sugar to mask her true pain. Sonia often ate a pound of M&M's at one setting and still craved more!!!  At Thanksgiving dinners, she always volunteered to make pies so she could eat several pies in a day when everyone was gone.  She could eat an entire pizza by herself.  She thanks God her budget couldn't afford all the food her mind wanted to eat.  In high school Sonia weighed 105 lbs.  She was pretty and had a good personality, but after life giving her a few bumps she quit caring about her appearance.  At age 40, she found herself weighing 320 lbs and feeling far from young.  She always believed that passage was for her but didn't see how it was ever going to happen.  Her way of thinking wasn't even close to taking care of herself....She tried different diets for very short periods but was never successful!!!

She went through her thirties feeling like an old person.  She was extremely anemic, diabetic and her blood pressure was high.  She had zero energy and was too big to do anything fun, she could barely walk across the parking lot....320 lbs on a 5 foot frame doesn't fit very well!!!!

May 29, 2011, almost 42 years old, Sonia was sitting in her room listening to an online preacher when she received a visitation from God that would start her on a journey she can not deny......No Joke!!!!   See the entire story here....  After that day, the desire for sugar was gone.  One year later, her boss opened a weight loss clinic and asked her to go on the weight loss program and at the same time be a weight loss coach for others.  Exactly one year to the day of her sugar miracle, the shipment came in to the clinic and Sonia began a weight loss journey that changed her life forever!!!!!!  

The journey was a struggle......Sonia had to quit eating everything she loved...no pizza, no cheese, no soda.  Even though she was already free from the sugar addiction, she sometimes craved sugar free desserts, but knowing that her weight loss was because of some divine plan she went through the grueling mental process of letting go of food, her best friend!!!!!!  By October of 2013, Sonia was down 150 lbs and wearing a size 8 jean.  She had worn a size 26!!!  (and now wears a size 6)

When she arrived at the place Mike was staying, he said when he opened that door, Sonia looked like she had when they were 15!!!  When they finally decided to give this relationship thing a try, it didn't take long to pick up where they left off, but what if Sonia hadn't gone down that weight loss journey?  Would she have the confidence to approach someone who had been so special to her so many years before?  Probably not.......Would she have had the strength to push past the fear to approach him?  Probably not......

The comment he made about her appearance that night, and the fact that she gets to spend the rest of her life with the grandfather of her grand-babies, the love of her youth and that she is very healthy are all manifestations of the promise given to her 18 years ago about restoring the days of her youth!!!!!! 

This blog post is designed to educate the public on why I am passionate about blogging.  My name is Sonia, this is part of my wonderful story...It is very long and beautiful, laced with trials and hardship that molded me into who I am today.  My weight loss journey has given my life purpose and opened doors for me that had been closed for over 20 years.  I am not finished with this journey, I add more information and changes to my life every day, but it gets easier and easier every time because it is like a snowball affect now.  Now that I am on the other side, my journey is gaining momentum and I want to just reach out there and grab every person who is scared of life and take them on this awesome ride with me....I want to help them conquer their problems as God has helped me conquer mine.  God sent wonderful people down my path to help me and I am passionate about helping you.  You can have Strength, Youth and Beauty again!!!! I promise, you can get your life back, and I want to inspire you as I give my life to you through this blog.  I sell makeup because I want all women to feel beautiful, especially those who have put their lives on a shelf for a season.  I am passionate about helping women everywhere experience the days of their youth once again......I know everyone's life looks different but if having a wonderful life can happen for me, it can happen for you and my passion is to be a part of that!!!!!

I love ya,

SoniaRai

#feelgoodblogging Challenge

I am going to do something a little different today....... I have accepted a Feel Good Blogging Challenge from Alex Beaden, a business coach and blogger I follow.  The timing of this challenge is perfect for me because I had decided to take a week off of blogging to rest....but now I am excited again.  The challenge is to answer a few questions introducing myself, so here goes:

Who Am I?
I am SoniaRai!!!  I am passionate about change!!!  I have conquered a weight loss of 150 lbs and I want to share my experience with those who need to know they can win at whatever they decide to go after.  My journey began with inner healing and change that eventually translated into outward strength, beauty and youth.  I won't go into the entire story because it is already posted on the weight loss page of this blog.  This blog sums up who I am.  I am a product of an amazing transformation to Strength, Youth and Beauty after many years of living in poor health and acting like a broken down old lady!!!  I am a mother of two and grandmother to four beautiful babies.  I was a single mom for over twenty years, so I can relate to lots of people.  I live life to the fullest now and thank God for it.

Why Did I Start Blogging?

Click Here to Explore More Makeup!

This year I started selling Younique Makeup!!!!! Home of the famous 3D Fiber mascara!!!  This makeup makes me feel beautiful again after many years of living in a cage of fat and inner turmoil.  This makeup company is truly the icing on my weight loss cake!!!  I started this blog to inspire others to accomplish their dreams.  I needed a place where inner healing, weight loss and makeup could all come together.  www.SoniaRai.com brings all the pieces to one central location and allows me to advertise on different social media sources.  I am in love with blogging......it allows me to give of my life to others and hopefully help them to understand, whatever their journey is, they can succeed!!!!

Who Is My Blog For?
My Blog is for people who like inspiration to achieve their goals and live their dreams.  My blog is for people who need to heal from the inside out.  I want to let people know they can do what ever they want with their lives.  Weight loss, health (inside and out) and beauty can all be scary to some people.  For example, when I started working the makeup business I was scared to try blue eye shadow, now I wear blue, purple, pink, green, whatever I want!!!  I want to help others who are scared to be themselves to go for it....I've been on a long emotional journey and I want to help take some of the guess work out of life for others, so my blog is for those who would like inspiration to take the next step in life without fear....

What Is Something I Have Been Working On Lately That I Am Really Proud Of? 
I would have to say, my Younique business.  I love this makeup!!!  I know it sounds silly but it has changed my life!!!!  I take selfies for the first time ever in my 45 years and love it!!!  I look pretty and I am proud to pass this feeling on to others!!!  I am currently working on expanding my online sales to in-home parties so I can get to know my customers face to face!!!!  I love my followers and I want to hug them.  I want women everywhere to break free from whatever cages them and makeup can help them feel pretty and be financially successful.  I plan to touch a little on weight loss at the in-home parties because that is what my followers have been asking for, so I plan to take my blog to the streets and I am proud of that!!!

What’s the ONE MESSAGE that I hope people take away from my blog?
DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!  I want for everyone to do whatever it takes to get rid of fear in whatever stage of life they are in and never ever ever ever give up!!! If you fail, get back up and try again!!!  If it takes ten years, keep your eye on the prize and don't give up!!!!!!  You can transform to whatever it is you want.....mine just happens to be Strength, Youth and Beauty...

Thank You Alex Beadon for this challenge and we will see you tomorrow...
I love ya,
SoniaRai

Click Here To Watch An Amazing Video About Our Mascara

Link to Sonia's Current Online Makeup Party Good Through Oct. 14

Using Positive Thinking to Trust

Link to Video
Sometimes I have a hard time just trusting God.  I like to control every situation, every step of my journey, but I know that I really am not in control of anything.  It is just a smokescreen for me to think that I am in control.......

Pushing negative thoughts out of my head and telling myself that God and the people around me love me helps me to trust.  Faith is walking blind and trusting God to make your paths straight.  Since I have always wanted to be in control, trusting has not come easy.  I am learning how to control my thinking so that faith and trust can be strong in me.  This is the only way to conquer negativity and be successful at life......

I am finding out that trusting God is a lot more fun than trying to do everything on my own.  I have found that true trust forces me to keep my peace.  Keeping peace makes for a much happier life....

It is fun to sit back and watch what happens because God is much more capable of making life happen than I am....So I will continue to learn to live in rest and peace and enjoy the journey.....

Thanks for going on this journey with me....
I love you,
SoniaRai
Buy Makeup Here

Can There Be a Negative Side to Weight Loss?

Link to Video
Watch the video to see the entire story....I have found that sometimes I look in the mirror and I don't see me for who I really am. Sometimes I see the old me!!!  The me that weighed 320 lbs!!!  That is crazy!!

Even though I don't completely understand why, I just know it is a reality for me and I am learning to overcome a poor self image and see myself for who I have become and even go further and see myself for who I will be in the future.  The future me is who I really am.....who I was created to be.....

I was created in the very image of God....and any downfalls I have had or have currently are just temporary.  My poor self image can be the negative side of weight loss only if I let it!!!!!

I refuse to let it!  I choose to see myself correctly.  In order to do this, I had to overcome a silly fear I had and try on my size 26 pants......I didn't want to...I had to work up to it. For three weeks, I thought about trying my old jeans on, but I finally did and guess what?  I can fit in one leg of my old jeans...That is incredible!!!  Even though logic says I currently wear a size 6 and I wouldn't fit into a size 26, I was still gripped with fear of my past issues......That seems so silly, but fear is silly....We just have to face it and go ahead and do whatever it is that is haunting us.....

I encourage you to face whatever negative is haunting you.  There can always be a negative trying to ruin your positive.......but with God you can face it and get rid of it and live in peace.....

Have a great day..
I love you,
SoniaRai

What Do You Set Before Your Eyes?

Link To Video
What do you set before your eyes?  Have you noticed that whatever it is you are watching or studying, that is what happens in your life????

If you are watching and listening to a bunch of people who are negative, you will probably catch that negativity and it will affect your life......

I am usually talking about how every thing starts in our minds but actually our sight and hearing have a lot to do with what happens in our minds.  I have noticed that what I spend time listening to and watching is usually what my mind is thinking about.  If I choose to listen to positive preaching or videos on weight loss and excercise I probably will be more successful at achieving my goals that week..

The closest example I can think of is T-Tapp.  I started researching and studying Teresa Tapp's information on a daily basis.  I just kept listening and watching her seminar cds and videos.  Then one day, I got up and decided to exercise and I haven't stopped...  Since figuring out this information, I have decided to study other subjects and topics that I need work on in my life.......

This bit of knowledge really gets me excited because I know with knowledge and the breath of God breathing on me, I can do anything!!!!!

So, here is the bottom line: What goes in your eyes and your ears, circulates through your mind and ends up materializing in your life!!!!!!

I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope you enjoy going with me on this forever journey of transformation....

I love you,
SoniaRai

Purple Eyeliner? I Say YES!!!!

Welcome to Makeup Monday at www.SoniaRai.com!!!  I absolutely love purple!!!  Last week I got a shipment of makeup in and lo and behold......Purple Eye Liner!!!!

I could not wait for Makeup Monday so I could show you this awesome makeup!!!!!  I have been toning my eye shadow down a little to appease the younger generation, aka my beautiful daughter......but today I let loose!!! Silver shimmery pigment in the crease, lavender on the lid and purple liner topped with 3d mascara!!!!!

I say YES YES YES to purple liner.....I love this stuff!!!!!! They also have white and silver and gold....and many other colors!!!  I can't wait to try them all!!!!!!

Hope you have a fantastic beautiful makeup up Monday!!!

Love Ya,
SoniaRai

Order Yours Today!!

Have Fun & Enjoy the Small Things In Your Life

I Know It Is Simple, But I Love My Makeup Room!!

 Yesterday, Mike, my awesome man installed a shop light above my makeup desk......I know this is a far cry from fancy makeup lighting but I was using a lamp and I had a hard time seeing my face!!!  This shop light seems like such a simple thing but it gave me a kick in the rear and I cleaned up my makeup desk and then got motivated to organize the whole room!!!
I woke up this morning and walked into that room and it gave me a huge smile!!!!  That little gesture of putting that light up for me helped me in several different ways...notice the little tea cup/platter on my desk?  Well, my old way of putting my pigment on was to load the lids up with powder then apply with a brush.  When I was done I didn't want to waste the pigment so I just left it on my desk...This caused a problem because I love color and don't wear the same color every day so my desk ended up loaded with little makeup bottles.  It actually took me longer to get ready in the mornings because I couldn't find anything!!!

Here Are All My Pigments and Base Makeup Choices!!!

That shop light motivated me to clean up the desk and find a solution to the problem.  I went downstairs and found my tea set that I never never ever use!!!  I now use it as a palette, like an artist!!
This little change makes all the difference in my morning routine, saving me time and money!!!

Wow!! Who would have thought a little gesture like putting up a shop light for me could cause soooooo much positive change??????  I am having fun enjoying the little things in life today....

This is a lesson I want to learn to do every day.....I hope you enjoy the simple things in your life today as well....
Have a great weekend.
I love you,
SoniaRai

Do Food Commercials Haunt Your Thoughts?

Link to Video
Back in the day, when I weighed 320 lbs and I didn't know what I know now about positive thinking and how it affects your life, I  used to be haunted by food commercials, especially those from Sonic!!!

I have been diligently practicing pushing negative thoughts out of my head and pulling the positive thoughts in....I have consistently watched as my body followed my thinking.  I love this.  If you have been following me, you know about my sugar miracle.  (Here is a link to that story)  So, needless to say, those Sonic commercials do not tempt me at all anymore....they aren't even an issue.  But, I did notice the other day when a Burger King commercial came on with onion rings, the size of my entire tv, that I had a twinge of desire!!!!  I hadn't felt that kind of lure for quite some time, I thought about it for a split second and then I started to laugh!!!  I love onion rings but Burger King's are not that great and they definitely are not worth breaking my diet for!!!!

In years past, a commercial would haunt my thinking for weeks until I gave in, but now since God has taught me how to control my thoughts and take control of my life, they do not haunt me at all!!!!

I just want to encourage you today to never give up!!!!  Practice controlling your thoughts and keep going.  This kind of positive thinking takes time.....you won't be perfect at it!!!  But, if you keep going, one day, you will realize that you are already there!!!  Life is amazing!!!  You may be telling yourself that it seems so far off, but I promise the journey is worth it.  Enjoy the journey and enjoy the end results.  I've got a secret for you: you may as well enjoy the journey because when you finish one journey, there will be another one waiting for you if you want to grow and become a better person!!!!

I love you and I love that you are partnering with me on this journey of mine....Don't hesitate to contact me, I love visiting with you...
Love,
SoniaRai

How Do You Get Back On The Weight Loss Wagon?

Link to Video
Welcome to Weight Loss Wednesday at SoniaRai.com!!!
I have fallen off the Weight Loss Wagon several times and I finally figured out how to get back on!!!
It is never easy for me to jump back on a diet after quitting but the steps are simple, I just must do them!!

These simple steps are vital to your diet health.....
1.  Do NOT beat yourself up!!!
Never ever say anything negative to yourself......So what? you cheated or you failed...who cares?  Do not speak or think negative to yourself .  The negative feeds your soul and your thought life and poisons your dreams and your goals.  Instead practice doing Step #3 below.
2.  Do Not Ever Give Up!!!
That is the only way you lose.  If you give up you don't know sweet victory and success.....I don't care if it takes 20 years.....Know in your heart that one day you will conquer!!!!
3.  THINK POSITIVE and THINK OFTEN
Always think positive about your goals.  Keep your goals and what you are going to accomplish in your mind daily and possibly even hourly.  Say to yourself....I am going to finish losing the weight.  My goal is ___________ lbs.  My goal is to exercise this certain amount....I will do this.
Where your mind goes your body will follow....I promise!!!  So be careful what you allow in your thought life and you will get back on that wagon and finish your goals on top!!!

Have a great day full of positive thoughts about yourself!!!

I love you,
SoniaRai