My BMISmart Journey to Better Health
For those who’ve been following me of late, you may have noticed a lot more posts on health, fitness and good food on Good Life Vancouver and on our social media accounts. AND you may have noticed pictures of me where I appear, slightly smaller, AND that’s because I am, and it’s thanks to BMISmart.
Since January 18th I have had the good fortune to have been selected to participate in a Weight Loss Challenge, sponsored by BMI Smart, that included using their weight loss supplement, I-REMOVE. I’ve been taking I-REMOVE since then and their representatives kindly set us up with both an awesome nutritionist, Ashley Freeman, and a very nice, but certainly tough, trainer, Kate McNulty. We also met this superb women who became like a sister to us, Amber B., who, along with the winner from the Utah Challenge, Amy E., were are biggest cheerleaders along the way. Amber had our back so many times and virtually held our hands along this path! BMISmart is all about promoting a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with taking the supplements, because they know it’s a life long habit changes, and not just a quick fix, that will bring you success.
Here’s Kate and I at the Wellness Show where she was showcasing her Vidadish portion control dish. Isn’t she cute? Yes she is, but she is also very tough and knows how to maximize your time in the gym!
How it works – I-REMOVE Reduce Fat absorption
I-REMOVE includes the patented Litramine Fat Binder — a proprietary blend of enriched cactus prickly pear and acacia-based fibre complex, scientifically demonstrated to reduce dietary fat absorption. The binding properties of Litramine Fat Binder attract fat molecules and increase their elimination by up to 28.39%, promoting weight loss with results up to three times more effective than dieting and exercise alone.
For an incentive they are choosing two winners at the end of the 12 weeks, who will become brand ambassadors, receive $1,000 cash and wardrobe valued at $500 as well as more I-REMOVE to use for the rest of the year. If you know me, I play to win, so I am busy keeping my eye on the prize, while also enjoying the real prize, which has been a healthier, happier, and smaller me! To win it’s not all about the weight, the criteria include body fat and weight statistics (and those have been dropping too, along with weight), ability to motivate and share (and you know I love to share), strong screen presence (ahem), use of the product (why on earth would I even miss a dose?), participation in weekly fitness and nutrition (made almost all the meetings, there were a couple schedule conflicts because, you know, life), ability to attend the final photo shoot (that’s NEXT WEEK and I’ve already got an outfit planned, actually two!), and agreement to allow images to be used for marketing (of course I agree, I’m darn proud of my results).
It’s been an interesting 10 weeks, that is for certain as I’ve learned so much more than how to portion properly, or how to hold a squat for a lot longer, just samples of the things I thought might be the most important. The whole process involved a group of women, some of whom I’ve really gotten to know, and as the weeks went on, I began cheering so much more for them as well as my self, because I have really become happier and have learned more empathy for myself and, in turn, have the ability to empathize with others, especially those in my situation. We’ve sweated together, shared our nutritional challenges, taken funny pictures and really let our guard down around each other. This became so much more than a competition I wanted to win; I now want us all to win and I know the other ladies wish so too.
We’ve shared ups and downs on social media, shredded tears on group calls, met up for additional bonding over yoga and smoothies and truly supported each other along the way. Do I still want to win? Well, of course I do, but I feel there’s so much more than the cash that is driving me, as I am learning I’m inspiring my friends and those around me and although the journey isn’t easy, this system works and I’m here as proof! I have so many good things to share that I know will help people change their attitude and therefore their health. I’m learning a ton of self-love and I want others to feel their worth too!
Amber fom the BMISmart team is so nice that she even made a video of the first part of my journey.
We’re now in week 10 and I’m a little scared the journey is coming to the end, but I also know that this is not the end of anything. I’ve got new habits and new attitudes and I know I’ll be seeing these ladies again as we are now like sorority sisters (or something like it)! We’ve been through so much together, and learned to lean on each other and I know we’ll want to keep track of how much further we will all be going!
So wish us all luck for the next ten days and for next Thursday for when the winners will be announced. I certainly hope you think I’m worthy and I know I’ll be inspiring others whether I become an official ambassador or not!
Most important lessons I’ve learned:
Don’t weigh yourself any more than once a week! The scale does not determine your value or your health. Muscle weighs more than fat. Rely on your clothes and how they feel.
Losing weight is even harder when you’re older. #WERK
Don’t let trying to be perfect get in the way of being very damn good.
Switch up your exercise and do those short pushes of intense workouts and make them damn hard and work!
You can’t just eat a little more and exercise it off (unfortunately) = food is REALLY KEY!!!!
All sugars aren’t equal.
Empathy for myself and for others!
Group support is gold! Both in this group and when I go for my long runs! I need support so very much more now and I am relying on other people more in a very good way.
AND despite going in to this really wanting to win, I care a lot more about everyone else in this group being happy than I ever thought and winning matters WAY LESS. Although I still do want to win as I really feel I have a great message to share!
As they say in yoga…..NAMASTE! AND as I say DON’T BE AFRAID TO SWEAT!
