My Top 10 Health & Wellness Products (that actually work!)
One great thing about getting older is that you figure out what really works for you and what doesn’t in every area of your life, both in the big things and the day-to-day stuff too. As I embark on on a new, but hopefully my last, fitness journey to lose weight and keep it off, one thing that that I have going now is that I finally know what works well as for me. I’m no longer trying to figure that out.
As far as my eating habits, I know that if I don’t eat after a certain time of day, say 6 p.m. at the very latest, the weight literally melts off. It almost doesn’t matter what I ate during the day or whether or not I worked out. Just that one practice alone makes a huge difference. Then of course hydration, plenty of quality protein, healthy carbs, good breakfast, and sleep, apart from exercise.
But there are also a few products that I’ve tried over the years, and a few I recently discovered, and these below are the ones that stuck, the game changers.
Before I go on…
DISCLAIMER: The information below is not intended to be medical advice. I am merely sharing what has worked for me. Everyone needs to do their own research and speak to their doctor or other qualified and licensed professional regarding their health decisions.
Liberate Plus - This is the supplement that started it all for me in Sept. 2021 that has helped me lose close to 60 lbs thus far. The person who recommended it had lost a lot of weight herself and had been encouraging me to try it. I kept saying no for a long time because I’m super skeptical about weight loss pills, and rightfully so I think. But I eventually took a look at the ingredient list, was able to pronounce all the ingredients, some of which I have in my own kitchen, so I gave it a shot and have never looked back. Unfortunately, this product is not sold in stores and no longer available on Amazon, at least at the time of the original publication date. You can only get it through an individual distributor. But I linked a non-affiliate page above so you can check it out. This was truly my #1 game changer.
Vivo Life Vegan Protein - Vivo Life Vegan Protein was another game changer for me. It is filling, nourishing, and sustains me for long periods of time. It also has a very calming, soothing, and uplifting effect on my state of mind which I love. I simply cannot live without it. It has minimal, whole food ingredients, is low in sugar (stevia) and tastes great. I make it with really cold almond milk, flax, chia, frozen banana, frozen blueberries, and sometimes a tablespoon of ground raw mixed nuts like almond, walnut, sunflower, and pumpkin seed. I have tried both vanilla and dark chocolate and I highly recommend the dark chocolate. Check out more products at the Vivo Life store on Amazon. I also wrote a longer review about why I love it so much.
Flaxseed & Chia - Chia is indispensable for omega 3 and protein plus a ton of other nutrients and benefits. I use it in smoothies, healthy muffin baking, and no-cook energy bars. The benefits of flax are also pretty well documented so I won’t spend too much time on them. They are full of omega 3, and in my opinion, a must have for women. I discovered flax in my mid 30s and it did wonders for my hormones. I still have hormonal issues, but between strength training and cleaning up my diet, along with taking flax regularly, I think I am hormonally healthier than I would be otherwise.
Vitamix - My Vitamix blender is the king of my kitchen. Not sure what else to say about it. “Everything you’ve heard is true.” It’s well worth the investment in terms of quality and durability. Every health conscious kitchen needs one. Yes, there are others on the market. Find what works for you, no judgement. But I’m #TeamVitamix forever.
AdrenaSense - I love this supplement because it combines several powerful adaptogens, including ashwagandha. It helps control stress and for me personally, it also helps control my appetite, too. This video by Dr. Eric Berg is super informative.
Apple Cider Vinegar - Included in its many benefits, ACV helps in losing belly fat. Rather than me trying to explain it, this video by Dr. Eric Berg is really informative. I take a tablespoon before bed, mixed in with a very cold glass of water, and then chased down with even more water. It can be hard at first because it’s so ick, but nothing too crazy. I’ve definitely seen significant results doing this. It DOES help burn fat.
Green Tea - Green tea has helped control my appetite, good for energy, and also has amazing brain health benefits. At least in the past I also noticed it did wonders for my skin, at least in the past. I personally prefer decaf green tea, but the link above is for the regular caffeinated tea.
Pau d’Arco - Pau d’arco is native to South America and known for its powerful anti fungal properties. For me, it’s a cure-all which is the best way I can explain it; It just helps me in every way: state of mind, controlling appetite, energy, stomach issues, and just feeling level headed and calm. In tea form it takes like death, so I take the pills instead. Again, Dr. Eric Berg to the rescue with this informative video about it.
Weights - As I mentioned in my Fresh Start 5.0 post, I’m learning that strength training is one of the best things women can do for their physical and mental health, more than just cardio alone. Strength training, in conjunction with proper diet, does wonders for building muscle (duh), which in turns burns fat, helps balance hormones, and increases insulin sensitivity. I found this video on the benefits of strength training for women helpful and informative. These weights are the 8 lb. dumbbells I started with recently to work out at home when I don’t go to the gym to do a proper workout. I also use them to do squats, and incorporate them into my walks as a strength/cardio hybrid workout. It burns calories like crazy and I am exhausted and a little sweaty after one lap. I feel like in the exertion my body also lets go of a lot of negativity. I have a long way to go in reaching my goals but I know that strength and resistance training is going to be a huge part of it.
I want to reiterate that these are products that have worked for me. Everyone is encouraged to do their own research and find what works best for them. But whether it’s these products or other ones, don’t ever give up on being proactive and intentional about your quality of life and your health. Ask questions, watch reliable YouTube videos, and find what works. You will never regret it.
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through some of the Amazon links in this article.
