Here’s is a results story that may help motivate someone to begin their own journey, as change may be needed in their life. 

Ever had that, “I’m so tired of being sick and tired all the time!” feeling?  You’re not alone!  My story starts as a kid going through school as the “chunky” kid.  In high school, being overweight helped me to be on the offensive line at the center position.  I hated running and working out, but I loved to eat. Struggling off and on with weight gain and weight loss throughout the next 20+ years.  Going from 250lbs in high school to 225lbs after high school all the way up to 320lbs in my 30’s.  Always sick or “not feeling good”, tired with pretty much zero energy.  Pizza and beer became my way of life.  Dealing with chronic heartburn and feeling like I was having heart attacks every day. 

My doctor referred me to a cardiologist and finding out I have an enlarged heart and on the verge of a stroke or heart attack, things had to change.  Being in debt, living the American dream, I also needed more life insurance just in case.    Fudging a little on my weight and thinking I was good to go, about a month went by and I got a rejection letter in the mail.  I was denied because I was obese and high risk.  WOW! That set me down a new path, things have to change!  I heard of people at the office trying different weight loss diets and fads, but everyone keep talking about Herbalife.  Researching Herbalife and the results people were getting was truly amazing.  My health coach invited me to a nutrition club, Thrive Health and Wellness, in Lodi, and the rest is history.  Results became a monthly occurrence and a weekly occurrence.   Losing a total of a 105lbs and feeling amazing!  Going from a size 50, to a size 38 waste was life altering to say the least.

Always looking for new results, as I put on a few pound being comfortable and happy in my life, this year I entered into a physique competition, IPL, to push myself more and continue with my results.  My health coach, Karen Baumgartner, did the competition a year ago and took 3rd place for bikini mommas over 40, and watching her along with other team members do the competition motivated me to join the H24FIT team!  Another WOW round of results!  Weight loss of 28lbs and 8% body fat!  I can fit into size 34… 34, I haven’t been able to wear a 34 since Junior High!  I can run a 10 minute mile now, I don’t think I have every done that!  I owe so much to my coach and team mates for all their help and support.  Along with Herbalife nutrition plan and my work outs. The IPL competition was a great experience and so very positive that I am going to keep going!  

Oh by the way I am 43 years young and I feel better and look better than I have every felt in my entire life!  My results with Herbalife are so amazing that along with my health coach, now my life partner, Karen we bought Thrive Health and Wellness and we are committed to helping others become healthy and happy! Come check us out at www.thrivelodi.com

Below is the photo of my previous results, minus the muscle gains!  I love Herbalife and all that is has done for me and my family! 

Check us out on http://www.Facebook.com/thrivelodi

by Mike Butchko

 Consumers who use Herbalife Formula 1 twice per day as part of a healthy lifestyle can generally expect to lose around 0.5 to 1 pound per week. Participants in a 12 week, single-blind, study used Formula 1 twice per day (once as a meal and once as a snack) with a reduced calorie diet and a goal of 30 minutes of exercise per day. Participants followed either a high protein diet or a standard protein diet. Participants in both groups lost about 8.5 pounds.

Two women set up shop in Bella Terra Plaza By Danielle Vaughn/News-Sentinel Staff Writer Lodi News-Sentinel

Karen Baumgartner and Lucrecia Quesada are prime examples of how women can succeed in business.
After years of doing things someone else’s way, they are now doing things their own way and are enjoying doing what they love to do.
The two women recently opened up their businesses at the Bella Terra Plaza on Kettleman Lane.
Karen Baumgartner has owned Thrive Health and Wellness for four years and moved into the Bella Terra Plaza on Monday.
“I was tired of working hard for someone else,” Baumgartner said when asked why she decided to start her own business.
She was previously located across the street near Little Caesar’s.
“It’s a better location because we were next to Little Caesar’s hidden in the back, and this location is more of our demographic,” Baumgartner said.
Thrive specializes in health and fitness. Customers can come in and get healthy meal replacement shakes, teas and aloe shots.
“We help people get healthy,” Baumgartner said.
They can also get help customers with putting together healthy meal plans and workouts. Thrive offers wellness evaluations and fitness classes and helps people wanting to lose weight or get toned.
“We have access to personal trainers. We have people on our team that can help you modify your routine so that you find time to work out,” Baumgartner said.
Fitness classes and evaluations are free.
“We don’t charge anything to help you train. You just have to have the motivation to do it,” Baumgartner said. “As for our expertise and helping you get there, we don’t charge for that.”
Baumgartner competed in the International Physique League six months after giving birth. She was 111 pounds and had only 11 percent body fat and won third place. She said her Thrive team helped her to get there by showing her how to eat and exercise.
“Whatever your goal is, we’ll help you get there,” she said.
She is currently training others for the next competition.
Lucrecia Quesada is a former computer engineer and university professor-turned-business owner. She opened her kiosk Crystal Roses Bistro on Friday.
“I love to cook everything from scratch with fresh ingredients. I’ve been having that passion since I was a little girl. My mom is a great cook,” Quesada said. “I used to work for a big company for 12 years. I just wanted to start working for myself. I guess I got tired of working for somebody else and just wanted to follow my dreams to have my own little place where I can cook and do my own recipes.”
At Crystal Roses Bistro, customers can get fresh paninis, homemade tortilla soup, salads, wraps and fresh baked goods.
“Everything is from scratch,” she said.
Items range from $6 to $10.
Quesada said she loves to cook and provide customer service as well as provide a quality product.
“I wanted to make Crystal Rose Bistro a place where the families and customers come over and enjoy a good panini,” she said.
She hopes to provide employment for college students in the community and help bring more traffic to the plaza.
One day she hopes to provide afternoon tea with her very own brand of tea and fresh baked goods.
She plans to hold a grand opening in the coming months.