This was my lunch choice for Day 11 of a 10-day raw cleanse.

Considering that I’m still following the recommended menu, I guess you could say that it’s becoming a part of my busy lifestyle.

I am admittedly a foodie, and I love, love, love, my carbs. However, while I was tempted, I did not cheat once during the 10-day program, and that was a huge accomplishment for me.

At the conclusion of the 10 days, I took to the scale and voila, I was down 7 lbs. Pretty respectful number for someone who gains much easier than she loses. Like most women, wouldn’t you say?

But guess what?  My initial response was one of anger.

For all the sacrifices I had made (forfeiting my beloved chocolate, for example), I was expecting at least a loss of 10 lbs.

After staring at the scale for several minutes, adjusting my feet, wiggling just a bit, I expected an additional 3 lbs. to disappear magically. Raise your hand if you’ve done the same! Eventually, I stepped off.

I walked away, realizing that I needed to give my butt a good kick of reality.

We all know the dynamics of our bodies. I know that for me to lose weight consistently, I must watch what I eat AND engage in a moderate amount of exercise – free weights and aerobics.

During the 10 day cleanse period, I engaged in none of this. Nada. Yet I had the audacity to expect results that could only have come had I exercised.

Realistically, I knew 10 lbs. was unlikely. However, I hoped and wished and wished and hoped for it to be my reality while on the scale.

Nonsense thinking!

So where am I now? Well, I am continuing with my healthy eating of mostly fruits, vegetables, and low-fat protein. Very minimal dairy and carbohydrates selections, if at all. Shockingly, I haven’t craved chocolate, nor have I had any. Yet!

Starting today, I will also begin to include exercise as part of my daily regimen.

What this experience has reminded me of is sweet and simple – you get out, what you put in.

In every aspect of my life, I have operated with this mindset, especially since becoming an entrepreneur.

Nothing comes easy and nothing less than hard work and dedication will suffice.

On this one rare occasion, I had a lapse in judgment and fell prey to unrealistic expectations.

Unfortunately, many people make this a regular way of thinking and living. They want the awesome outcome but expect it to come via osmosis. I refer to this as fairytale mindset.

How many times have you heard someone say, “I wish I had what he/she has”? They want the successful career, the nice house,  the great vacations…..

It is so easy to feel this way, without having any knowledge of the hard work and self-sacrifice it took for them to have access to these things.

Often, even after discovering what it will take to have these things, some people STILL want them without doing the work.

Investing in one’s self is often not a priority, for the same individuals who will go broke investing in the hottest fashions that will be out of style in a blink of an eye.

The reality is this, if you want the perks, you have to put in the work. There is no other way around it.

I am passionate about empowering moms to pursue their dreams and to live their best lives.

However, I also remind them of the difference between dreams and fairytales.

Be passionate about making your dreams come true, by committing to what it is you want and going after it. 100% full speed ahead. Dreams don’t work unless you do.

Pursuing a fairytale on the other hand? You might want to leave those to the folks in Hollywood.

Are you living your best life?

What actions are you willing to take to make your dreams come true?