Michelle is used to facing food temptations on a daily basis as a Florida special education preschool teacher, but she wasn’t used to overcoming them. Whether it was cupcakes at snack time or ice cream at lunch, the 30-year-old struggled to make decisions that were healthy and not convenience-based during her work day. It wasn’t until she was introduced to Isagenix® by a friend at school and entered the 2008 IsaBody Challenge™ that she was able to face her weight-loss obstacles. She lost 65 pounds, nearly 100 inches and regained her confidence.* Not only that, but she was chosen as the first-place winner in the women 18-39 age category of the Challenge. “I’m 30 and for the first time ever I can look in the mirror and see that I’m a beautiful person,” says Michelle. “I’m a single mother and now back on the dating scene, so I’m seeing better results because I exude self-confidence.” While she shed some pounds when she first began using Isagenix, it wasn’t until she entered the Challenge that she kicked her weight loss into high gear. Also pursuing her doctorate in special education, she was surprised by how convenient it was to have her IsaLean® Shake in the morning, a healthy meal at lunch and a second shake in the evening. Her increased energy level not only seemed to improve her mood so she could play with her 3-year-old after a long day at work, but she even began to exercise. Snack time is still a struggle for Michelle when she prepares goodies for her preschoolers, but she’s been able to encourage her students’ parents to bring in fruit once a month instead of chips and sweets. “I encourage my students to eat healthy and make good choices the best that I can,” shares Michelle. “I know I can’t change the world, but if I can impact their habits in some way, then that’s a victory.” She still recalls her favorite reaction from one of her former students who hadn’t seen her in a while. Not long after she had dropped from a size 18 to a size 8*, he paid her one of the biggest, most touching compliments she’s received to date. “He asked me why I was so skinny,” shares Michelle with a laugh. “I just gave him a great big hug — it was so sweet.”