Hydrated and Happy: The Journey to a Healthier "ME"

My name is Heidi, and this is my Before to Beyond Story…

This Is ME {Heidi} My Beyond Journey…

I’ve wanted to share the messy, beautiful, painful, hopeful journey that has led me to here. Because I believe every one of us has a story, a piece of ourselves we think no one will understand, but someone WILL understand. And maybe someone NEEDS to hear.

So here I am, showing up with mine. Not because I have it all figured out, far from it, but because I’m finally heading in the right direction. And maybe, just maybe, you are too.

After years of not knowing my purpose, my reason, my goal… I’m learning to take one day at a time, one step at a time. Some days, it’s just that, one step. And if that’s you too, I see you. 🫶

I’ve been through things I wouldn’t wish on anyone: abuse, addiction, trauma… I’ve made bad choices. I’ve fallen apart. I’ve hurt people I love. I’ve wanted to give up more times than I can count.

But God never gave up on me. He walked with me through the fire, even when I didn’t know He was there. He led me to people who held space for me. And slowly, day by day, I started rising.

Somewhere along the way, when I was completely at wits end in pain, someone sent me a message. I didn’t expect much. Because I tried so many things. But within a month, I had more energy than I had in years, I got off the couch and started walking, and that led into so much more.

That moment showed me that healing doesn’t always come in big dramatic shifts, sometimes it starts with just enough energy to get up and try again. And that was enough. One thing I always made a priority was the importance of drinking water. Water is essential for life, yet it is often taken for granted. Every drop we drink supports our health, energizes our bodies, and keeps our communities thriving.

Drinking clean water every day helps improve concentration, digestion, and even our mood. As a parent, I believe one of the greatest gifts I gave my children is the habit of drinking water, simple, pure, and essential. In a world full of sugary drinks and flashy alternatives, I’ve made it a mission in our home to teach the value of water not just as a drink, but as a foundation for a healthy life. From morning routines to bedtime rituals, water is part of our daily rhythm. By making water a priority at home, my kids are never without their water bottle whether at school, work, sports or just relaxing at home.

Since starting ZipSlim, ZipBURN, ZipBOOM, and RS90 {is amazing hydration from within} I’ve started rebuilding my faith, my body, my heart, and my friendships. It hasn’t been easy. I’ve stumbled. I’ve stopped and restarted more times than I can count. But I’ve found Joy & Peace again. And most importantly — ME again.

If you’re somewhere in the middle of your own mess right now, just know:

You’re not alone.
You’re not too far gone.
And it’s never too late to start again.

This is just the beginning. Take the first step and enjoy your journey.

Love, Heidi 💜🙏🫶

My whole life has changed since starting these supplements. These are for real and actually do what they say.

Story submitted on 05/01/2025.

*Fifty overweight people (BMI 28-36) using a key ingredient in ZipSlim®, along with a lower calorie diet (1350 calories for women/1850 calories for men), lost 30 pounds in just 13 weeks, compared to just 10 pounds for those following the lower calorie diet alone.

F. Di Pierro, A.B. Menghi, A. Barreca, M. Lucarelli, and A. Calandrelli, “GreenSelect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial,” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 154-160, 2009.

Results may vary from person to person

When used as directed as part of your diet and exercise program.

Citations

Greenselect Phytosome for Borderline Metabolic Syndrome:
Belcaro G, Ledda A, Hu S, Cesarone MR, Feragalli B, Dugall M. Greenselect Phytosome for Borderline Metabolic Syndrome. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:869061. doi: 10.1155/2013/869061. Epub 2013 Nov 14.
Greenselect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial:
Di Pierro F, Menghi A, Barreca A, Lucarelli M, Calandrelli A. Greenselect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial. Altern Med Rev. 2009 Jun;14(2):154-60.
Prevalence of Optimal Metabolic Health in American Adults:
Joana Araújo, Jianwen Cai, June Stevens. Prevalence of Optimal Metabolic Health in American Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2016. Metabolic Syndrome and Related DisordersVol. 17, No. 1
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Young People in Great Britain:
Susan A Jebb 1 , Kirsten L Rennie, Tim J Cole. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Young People in Great Britain: Public Health Nutr. 2004 May;7(3):461-5. doi: 10.1079/PHN2003539.
Prevalence of Obesity and Severe Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2017–2018:
Craig M. Hales, M.D., Margaret D. Carroll, M.S.P.H., Cheryl D. Fryar, M.S.P.H., and Cynthia L. Ogden, Ph.D.NCHS Data Brief No. 360, February 2020.
Obesity Rate Nearly Triples in United States Over Last 50 Years:
https://usafacts.org/articles/obesity-rate-nearly-triples-united-states-over-last-50-years/
How America’s diet has changed over time:
DeSilver, D. (2016, December 13). How America’s diet has changed over time. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/12/13/whats-on-your-table-how-americas-diet-has-changed-over-the-decades/
How Much Sugar Do You Eat? You May Be Surprised!
NH DHHS-DPHS-Health Promotion in Motion. August 2014.https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/documents/sugar.pdf
Chronic Stress, Cortisol Dysfunction, and Pain: A Psychoneuroendocrine Rationale for Stress Management in Pain Rehabilitation:
Kara E. Hannibal, Mark D. Bishop. Phys Ther. 2014 Dec; 94(12): 1816–1825.
Stress, overeating, and obesity: Insights from human studies and preclinical models:
Maria Razzolia, Carolyn Pearson, ScottCrow, Alessandro Bartolomuccia.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.01.026
Stress eating and health. Findings from MIDUS, a national study of US adults:
Tsenkova, V., Boylan, J. M., & Ryff, C. (2013). Stress eating and health. Findings from MIDUS, a national study of US adults. Appetite, 69, 151-155. Doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2013.05.020
Excessive Sugar Consumption May Be a Difficult Habit to Break: A View From the Brain and Body:
Matthew S Tryon, Kimber L Stanhope, Elissa S Epel, Ashley E Mason, Rashida Brown, Valentina Medici , Peter J Havel , Kevin D Laugero. DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-4353
Stress and body shape: Stress-induced cortisol secretion is consistently greater among women with central fat:
2. Epel ES, McEwen B, Seeman T, et al. Stress and body shape: Stress-induced cortisol secretion is consistently greater among women with central fat. Psychosom Med. 2000;62(5):623-632.
Body Weight Management in Adults Under Chronic Stress Through Treatment With Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial:
Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Joshi, K. (2017). Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine, 22(1), 96-106. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2156587216641830
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) activates AMPK through the inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase in muscle and pancreatic ß-cells: A potential beneficial effect in the pre-diabetic state?
Pournourmohammadi S, et. al. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) activates AMPK through the inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase in muscle and pancreatic ß-cells: A potential beneficial effect in the pre-diabetic state? Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2017 Jul;88:220-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2017.01.012
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis through 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase:
Collins QF, et. al. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis through 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase. J Biol Chem. 2007 Oct 12;282(41):30143-9.https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.m702390200
Relationship Between Rate and Extent of Catechin Absorption and Plasma Antioxidant Status:
Pietta P., Simonetti P., Gardana C., Brusamolino A., Morazzoni P., Bombardelli E. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1998 Dec; 46(5):895-903. https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/15216549800204442
GreenSelect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial:
F. Di Pierro, A. B. Menghi, A. Barreca, M. Lucarelli, and A. Calandrelli, “GreenSelect Phytosome as an adjunct to a low-calorie diet for treatment of obesity: a clinical trial,” Alternative Medicine Review, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 154–160, 2009.
Green tea extract decreases starch digestion and absorption from a test meal in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study:
Lochocka, K., Bajerska, J., Glapa, A. et al. Green tea extract decreases starch digestion and absorption from a test meal in humans: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study. Sci Rep5, 12015 (2015).https://doi.org/10.1038/srep12015
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect of carbohydrate craving:
Docherty JP, Sack DA, Roffman M, Finch M, Komorowski JR. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, exploratory trial of chromium picolinate in atypical depression: effect of carbohydrate craving. J Psychiatr Pract. 2005; 11(5):302-314. (Pg. 310). DOI: 10.1097/00131746-200509000-00004
Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition:
Kaats,GR, Blum K, Fisher JA, Adelman JA. Effects of chromium picolinate supplementation on body composition: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study. Current Therapeutic Research. 1996;57(10):747-756.. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0011-393X(98)85040-6
A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults:
Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). Indian journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3573577/
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions:
Choudhary, D., Bhattacharyya, S., & Bose, S. (2017). Journal of Dietary Supplements, 1-14. Chicago. DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970
Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery:
Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. (2015). Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 43. DOI: 10.1186/s12970-015-0104-9
Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults:
Choudhary, B., Shetty, A., & Langade, D. G. Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera [L.] Dunal) in improving cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults (2015). Ayu, 36(1), 63.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4687242/
The Age When You Gain the Most Weight:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/01/29/the-age-when-you-gain-the-most-weight
Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety:
Langade D, Kanchi S, Salve J, et al. (September 28, 2019) Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study. Cureus 11(9): e5797. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5797
Increment in Dietary Potassium Predicts Weight Loss in the Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome:
Tal, B.; Sack, J.; Yaron, M.; Shefer, G.; Buch, A.; Ben Haim, L.; Marcus, Y.; Shenkerman, G.; Sofer, Y.; Shefer, L.; Margaliot, M.; Stern, N. Increment in Dietary Potassium Predicts Weight Loss in the Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1256. DOI: 10.3390/nu11061256

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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