One of the Greatest things I Have Learned on My Journey to a Healthier Happier Me

During my journey with Kelsie I think I have learned several life altering things. I have learned how to manage my diet and make healthy choices. I have larned how to get in a healthy routine and keep it going. I have learned how to blog. :) (thanks Kels). But most importantly I have learned to love myself.  I Know I still have a long ways to go and there will be hard days but I have found my strength. My strength is my family. My strength is the better mom I feel I am to my little girl because I love myself again. I am a better wife who plays with my husband like we were still dating. I think that to have confidence breeds confidence and inturn success.
At my current weight, which is better than I was by far, I wouldn't of been caught dead in a swimsuit let alone a bikini. But, look at me now!

I know I am not perfect but I am so proud of my progress and it only makes me want to be better. Not only for me but for my family. The greatest gift the Veo Program has given me is my life back. :)

Seeing the benefits of a natural life

So Before my trip I took this picture. It had been 2 months since Kelsie and I began our transition into a healthy lifestyle. I have lost 9 lbs in total and have 11 to go. I didn't do the best at following my new lifestyle while visiting my parents, especially when it comes to exercise. However, I am happy to report that while I may not have lost any weight I didn't gain any either. 

I am quite excited and proud of the effect a natural lifestyle has had on me. I have found not only am I more confident and have found that my body has begun to resemble it's old self but I have found that I am happier and have more energy. I am able to keep up with my very active husband and daughter. I am also a ton more positive. 

I truly believe that my new lifestyle has effected my relationships. I was so much happier and more positive during my visit with my family. The memories we made this last trip alone have made my new change totally worth it. I look forward to sharing my progress with all of you as well as a few posts for advise on traveling with a little one and how to help them be comfortable in a new place. :)

10 Weightloss tips for the Mom on the Go

1.) Eat foods you actually like:
When trying to change your eating habits they aren't going to stick unless you actually like what you are eating. Look for healthy versions of recipes you already love or just modify the ones you have to fit your new healthy lifestyle.

2.) Make exercise just a normal part of your day:
If you get into a routine where you do morning yoga, end your night with a walk or hit the gym once a day everyday then you will naturally make it happen. Most people gravitate to habit and like to have a routine, especially moms! We are striving for a natural life so lets make it our life! :)

3.) If you "mess up" all is not lost:
We all have temptation. "We went to a wedding and I absolutely love wedding cake." "We went to a movie and I really wanted that oh so buttery popcorn." It is OK! Just keep moving forward with good choices. One moment of weakness doesn't mean all is lost. It is better to falter once than give up the natural life all together.

4.) Include your family/ friends:
When I have others involved to help me stay on track I feel I have to be accountable to not only myself but to them. If I am cooking healthy for my family and they love it and everyone feels better and then I just stop one day, my family is losing the benefits of a natural life, not just myself. Walks with friends are a great way to get your exercise and it helps you feel like you are not alone in your healthy endeavors.

5.) Find a good regimen of vitamins:
Mine and Kelsie's life style changes have been supported by the wonderful supplements provided by Veo Clinic. They have three lines of products: Professional Botanicals, 365 Active, and Veo Natural. All of these products have worked wonders for us. And with Dr. Allen's help we have really been able to pin point what works best for our bodies.

6.) Detox:
I have found that the detox is a great way to jump start any healthy lifestyle. Flush out the bad and bring in the good. I use another Professional Botanicals product, Prep-Tonic Detox.

7.) Find a good meal replacement shake:
When you are a busy mom you don't always get to eat let alone eat healthy. I have found my mornings are the busiest. I am always running or making my baby breakfast and getting everyone ready for the day. I use yet another Veo Natural product, Pearl 2.0. I use this mixed with fruit and berries or other Veo Products like Jade or Momentum 2.0.

8.) Don't skip meals:
Even if you just have to make a quick meal replacement shake DO NOT SKIP MEALS! You want to keep your metabolism up and moving and if you skip meals your body goes into survival mode. Not expecting to eat again, your body then stores energy in fat cells. This makes you gain weight. Get your body used to frequent nutrients and your metabolism will go into hyper drive :)

9.)Don't gauge your success only by the scale:
I have found that sometimes I get discouraged when I think I have done great and I must have lost a ton then I get on the scale and haven't lost anything. I have found pictures are your best friend. Take weekly photos so you can actually see the results and have something to compare them too. Another helpful thing is your clothes. See how your clothes fit. For me fitting into a pair of jeans that have been tight forever is incredibly rewarding :)

10.) Realize you are a WOMAN:
Lets just get to the point. We ovulate. There I said it. We bloat, we have occasional craving and sometimes when we even are in great shape our pants won't fit around that time of the month. As far as cravings go, find healthier alternatives for the foods you love. They may not be ideal but just make sure they are better than that Twinkie you really want.

In the photo below (last weeks updated pic) I am slightly bloated. I felt discouraged until I made my list above. I am a woman and I have made great progress. I will keep truckin' along and work for my goal of a healthier happier me. :) -Jess

A little bit closer... big changes

It has been 5 weeks since we first began our journey to health. I am pleased to announce I have lost 6 lbs now in total and am finally starting to recognize myself in the mirror again. 

I don't want to be super model thin. What I want is to be a healthy mom with all the energy I need to play with my little girl and keep up with her as she is getting busier and busier. I have found through this process that I don't just want a healthy life, I want a happy life. I believe that my journey to being happy has begun with my journey to be healthy. 

We all want to be the best we can be. For ourselves, for our kids, for our spouses. When we put bad things in our body, do bad things to it or simply neglect it we are creating a negative emotion which then settles with in us and eventually effects everything around us. We take care of the things we love so why not love ourselves, take better care of ourselves to help find the tools to be better for those around us.
Before and 5 weeks later:

  

Feel The Burn!

As many of you know Kelsie and I are doing the Veo 90 Day Challenge. Along with a healthy diet and exercise our healthy lifestyle is supported by natural supplements from the Veo Clinic. One of the supplements I take is called Burn. It is appropriately named since it has high but safe quantities of niacin.

Niacin helps support the metabolic process. It is an essential vitamin also known as B3 that has an indirect impact on weight loss. Essentially if you want to lose weight you need to develop a healthy lifestyle and change you habits. You need to eat healthy and exercise. Burn will only support this change and help you see better results. 

A side effect of taking Burn is actually referenced in the name. Burn. Some may see the Niacin Flush as a result of taking Burn. THIS IS OK. I panicked the first time I flushed. I thought I was having some crazy allergic reaction. I felt hot and my skin turned red. I felt my heart rate increase slightly. I was concerned it was going to get worse but as I experienced the flush it went as quickly as it came. 

After I experience the Niacin Flush I honestly feel great. I feel like my lungs have opened up, I have more energy and I feel like even my skin is brighter.

Niacin can help flush out toxins in the system which coupled with supporting you metabolism gives you a real recipe for weight loss success.

I can say that changing my lifestyle, incorporating some healthy supplements coupled with Burn has really helped me. Burn has given me more energy than ever.

*You can visit the Livestrong website for more information: Livestrong: Niacin and Weightloss