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Young Mom Loses 90 lbs. with ZEN Project 8

Nov 18, 2016

Her Secret to Eating Healthy During the Holidays

Monika Nikolova, a young mother from Charlotte, North Carolina, shares how the ZEN BODI™ products and ZEN Project 8™ helped her drop 90 pounds in just one year. Read her incredible transformation story and how she avoids holiday overeating. Monika also shares some of her favorite on-the-go snacks and PFC-approved meals!

Coming to America was one of the best decisions of my life, but it also brought some lifestyle changes that had a very bad effect on my weight and overall health. I was working 60 hours a week and attending school full-time, so I was eating whenever I could and whatever (mostly fast food and sweets). In the first three years, I gained 40 lbs. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, we decided to expand our family and I gained another 70 lbs. throughout my pregnancy.

Basically, I doubled my weight in four years!

Even though I was excited to be a first-time mom, I was shocked to find out that I weighed 215 lbs! At the age of 25 with a height of 5’5,” I was not overweight — I was obese. I made a decision to lose 90 lbs. by the time my daughter turned one. I started fast walking three miles, five days a week and I also cut all sugary drinks, desserts and processed foods. I began cooking at home and was eating small portions every three hours, but I was still losing weight very slowly. In the first five months, I went down to 185 lbs.

My husband signed up for Jeunesse two years ago. For his six months Autoship, he received two packages of the ZEN BODI system and suggested I try it out. I started taking ZEN Shape® 30 minutes before meals. Also, instead of eating snacks, I was drinking the ZEN Pro™ shakes, and before walking, I was enjoying a ZEN Fit™ drink.

What can I say…look at the before and after pictures! I dropped from 185 lbs. to 135 lbs. in just four months! Not just that, but I started building muscle and getting beautiful curves! Now I am doing PFC Every 3 and continue to use the ZEN products. On July 1, 2016 — my daughter's first birthday — I got on the scale and I was exactly 125 lbs! 

What’s so amazing about ZEN Project 8 is that my measurements are still the same. There is no yo-yo effect and the lost weight is not coming back, even after I’ve finished the program. I am still eating PFC Every 3, and I always have some Fuze with me in case I cannot eat — that way I never miss a meal.

Just like every other day, on Thanksgiving and Christmas, I will build my PFC plate. For example, roasted turkey (with no gravy), sweet potatoes and salad with olive oil and nuts. Another option is baked chicken with mashed potatoes and grass-fed butter. 

Also, I will be doing an exercise challenge from November 15 until December 15, so I can welcome the New Year even fitter! Even though I achieved my weight goal, there is a stubborn belly baby fat that will only go away with a lot of core exercise. I am going for it!

My results: From July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2016, I lost exactly 90 lbs.

My current measurements:

  • Height: 5' 5"
  • Weight: 125 lbs. (GOAL!)
  • Body Fat: 23%
  • Biceps: 9"
  • Belly: 27"
  • Hips: 35"
  • Waist: 24"
  • Thighs: 20"

My favorite snacks:

  • Celery/Peanut Butter/Hard-boiled Egg
  • Blueberries/Almonds/Bulgarian Yogurt
  • Persian Cucumber/Feta Cheese
  •  

My favorite meals:

  • Breakfast: Poached Eggs, Sliced Tomato and Sliced Avocado
  • Lunch: Macadamia Crusted Salmon with Dill Sauce and Steamed Broccoli with Balsamic Vinegar
  • Dinner: Baked Turkey Meatballs with Spanish Style Brown Rice and Sautéed Butter Spinach

I strongly believe you only have one life and you get one body to live it in. Take good care of it or you will lose it. I’m very excited to share my ZEN Project 8 success story and inspire our ZEN community!

Inspired by Monika's amazing transformation story? Learn how ZEN Project 8 can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ZEN PROJECT 8

And if you want to get started with your transformation today, connect with the person who shared this blog with you and they'll help you every step of the way!