The Gift of Better Health

     I started this blog for a few reasons. I wanted to routinely write about health and wellness.  I am a register nurse with 23 years (yikes!) experience in varied health care settings. I am a newly minted National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Personal Trainer. I also have lost weight and changed my whole way of eating, and have become addicted to  exercise, namely half marathons and running. It has taken me nearly 25 years to get to  where I am now, and this blog is a platform in which I hope to  encourage and empower others to  do  the same.

     The key to  losing weight (namely fat) is the food you eat.  Plain and simple.   Don't know where to  start?  Want rapid results?  Eat clean.  No processed foods: white flour, food dyes, or other toxins.  One of my favorite fitness experts, Jillian Michaels said it best: "If it didn't grow out of the ground or have a mother, you probably shouldn't eat it". 

     I personally did a 28 day detox last December.  Using Arbonne's 30 Day Fitting Fit Kit, I abstained from  the following in  the 4 weeks before Christmas: caffeine, gluten, dairy, alcohol, sugar and artificial sweeteners. In addition to the delicious pea protein  based shakes and other tools in  The Kit,  I ate only clean foods that my good friends had encouraged in  the past, fish, almonds, olive oil quinoa, bulgur, and lots of fruits and vegetables. I lost 11 pounds and ten inches!  It jumped started a transformation in my body to  allow it to train harder, my skin cleared up, and I had so much energy, with no caffeine!

     The experience forced me to  make clean food choices that I have maintained to  this day.  I no longer drink cow's milk, I drink almond milk.  It has more calcium, and is free of hormones and  antibiotics. I still have Greek yogurt on  occasion, but with no  artificial sweeteners.  Just plain, with real fruit.  I also drink  the shakes almost daily, with an added frozen banana and a handful of spinach. It gets me through the morning, and I carry almonds with me almost everywhere I go.

     Now the shameless plug for my Arbonne website.  I have used the Arbonne products for over 8 years.  I never liked the nutrition line; the shakes  tasted awful!  I signed on with the company after using samples of the RE9 anti-aging skin care. The change to my skin in just 24 hours made me WANT this stuff! So  I became a consultant, just for the 35 percent off the products.

     My aunt (who got me signed on) kept asking me if I had done the 30 day program, so  I finally tried it.  and it worked wonders.  The new formulation  to  the nutrition line was amazing.  I was never hungry, and went to  several holiday parties not craving a thing there!  It got me back on  track after a prolonged plateau.  And I want my neighbors and community to give themselves this gift of health!  All the products are vegan based: no animal testing, no animal fats or other products in the line.  The baby care line is pure and gentle, and clears a diaper rash in one application.  This stuff is amazing; please give yourselves and those you love wholesome organic  products this holiday season, for a Healthier New Year! Check it out!  Visit  http://marylavado.myarbonne.com