Health Archives - mamachallenge | Real Solutions for Real Parents

How to Handle the Germ Season (with Kids)

November 7, 2018 By Autumn Rose Reo 6 Comments

This post is sponsored by CareNow and SheKnows Media.

When you have kids, you have illness. While it’s never convenient to be sick, here’s How to Handle the Germ Season (with Kids.) Just remember help is just one click away with CareNow.

Before I had kids, I considered myself a reasonably healthy person. From time to time, I might have to handle the flu or a bothersome cough, but I rarely had to see a doctor unless it was for my annual exam.

Then I had kids.

Now it seems like I’m sick, they’re sick, dad gets sick and then we pass it around for fun. It’s like a bad game of Cupcake Walk except there’s nothing sweet about it.

There’s those times when a little TLC, chicken soup, and a weekend in bed only result in your kid waking up on a Monday morning with the voice of a raspy old lady saying “mama, I don’t feel good.”

Unfortunately, just because someone in your family is sick doesn’t mean that life doesn’t keep happening…like work meetings, school projects, and all the other stuff in between.

Bottom line: you gotta stop the sick cycle in its tracks.

While washing hands, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and the rest can do a lot, it’s not always going to the trick.

That’s why CareNow has become a bookmark on my favorites.

When I feel (or see) something coming on, or need to arm my family for the upcoming flu season, I just check us in online and wait where we want to, in our home, instead of in a waiting room. Once we get the notice that the doctor is ready to see us, we head into our nearby CareNow.

Upon arrival, we can check in, get almost instant access to be seen by a medical professional, and then get the care (and the prescriptions) we need. Then we can head home and begin healing. Best of all, if you need to grab an immunization or even get your kid’s physical for school, you can get it done at CareNow too.

Yes, it’s that easy.
1. Check-in Online (you can do it from your phone.)
2. Head to the clinic when you receive a call/message.
3. Check in at the nearby CareNow and wait shortly to hear your name.
4. Get the care you need.
5. Check out and get on your way with life.

The fact that there’s not much paperwork to complete (you can do it once online and then it’s stored in your account) and the waiting room has coffee and wireless, makes CareNow our go to for when we need care NOW and on our schedule.

About CareNow

When you are sick or injured, the last thing you need is a long wait at the doctor’s office or emergency room. You deserve quality medical care that’s also convenient. That’s why CareNow is dedicated to reducing your wait while improving your health. Next time you or a loved one is under the weather, visit a CareNow urgent care clinic to feel better fast. With over 112 urgent care clinics around the United States and 30 locations in DFW, CareNow is ready to serve you near your home, workplace or school. Their clinics are open 7 days a week and stay open late to provide care when you need it the most.

Surviving the First Big Accident

October 1, 2018 By Autumn Rose Reo 17 Comments

Motherhood is full of many firsts, unfortunately the first accident your child has is going to be one of them. However, you’ll both get through the first big accident with a little help from CareNow.

This post is sponsored by CareNow and SheKnows Media.

As a new mom there are many wonderful “first” moments you get to experience.

The first smile. The first laugh. The first time you plainly hear “mama” cross their lips.

Unfortunately, there are going to be many other firsts that don’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

The first real cold. The first tooth (when it’s coming in.) And the first accident.

Hopefully for you, a bandage and a magic kiss from mama will make that “first” moment all better. However, there is probably going to be that first real moment (as evidenced by Facebook feed) when a kiss isn’t going to make it all better. You need real medical help because there’s blood, pain, or a broken bone that you can’t make go away all by yourself.

(Yes, this is the part of parenting that really sucks.)

For me, I remember that “first” moment like it was yesterday. I had been home with my son for an extended maternity leave (about a year) working from home, and the time had finally come when I needed to go to a meeting. Until then, my meets were playdates – Jackson, me, and a diaper bag. I felt so anxious – first to put on adult clothes (those that once upon a time fit me in the work world, but now didn’t look or feel the same) and second because I had to talk to people about something else besides my new kid.

I was so *beyond* nervous. And the meeting was just one hour – you would have thought it was a whole week the way I was acting.

My husband took off a few hours to watch our little baby while I was out, and then I would return home to reclaim my throne of mama.

Should be a piece of cake, right?

When I rolled out of my meeting and turned on my phone to let the boys know I was on my way home, I found a voicemail from my husband already waiting for me:

“Hi Honey, (all nervous and shaky sounding), Jackson pulled my razor on him and he’s bleeding. It’s pretty bad. Call me when you’re on your way.”

Are you kidding me???

I rushed into our house and my husband gave me the play by play:

He was getting ready for work and Jackson was in the bathroom with him. For two seconds he turned around to wipe his face, and in that time, Jackson (who was beginning to crawl at the time), pulled the cord to his electric razor and it fell on him – the side of the razor just graced the side of my son’s face to create a cut along his eyebrow.

All I could see was the towel dotted red as I reached to hold my son, I was just devastated. Then, my husband had to return to work, leaving me to figure out what to do for our baby, who while bleeding, seemed to be reasonably content and unbothered by the events.

All kinds of things were running through my head, but I knew we needed to see someone now. I had often passed by a place nearby called CareNow. Although I wasn’t sure exactly how it worked, the name signaled that it was exactly what I was looking for.

As I entered the clinic, I was greeted warmly by the woman at the desk and she asked how she could help. Even in my crazy anxious state, she understood my gibberish and assured me that the doctor would see us as soon as possible. We took a seat in the lobby and in just a few minutes, our name was called and we were lead to a bed for them to take a look.

Once I was standing back from my son and the doctors, for the first time that morning, I took a deep breath.

It was gonna be ok.

The doctor let me know there had been no real injuries, just a small cut that required one.whole.stitch.

He was going to be ok.

In just a few minutes and a small bandage later, we were done and on our way home – all before lunch.

Thankfully, I was able to get the care now that we needed with a little help from CareNow.

About CareNow

When you are sick or injured, the last thing you need is a long wait at the doctor’s office or emergency room. You deserve quality medical care that’s also convenient. That’s why CareNow is dedicated to reducing your wait while improving your health. Next time you or a loved one is under the weather, visit a CareNow urgent care clinic to feel better fast. With over 110 urgent care clinics around the United States and 30 locations in DFW, CareNow is ready to serve you near your home, workplace or school. Their clinics are open 7 days a week and stay open late to provide care when you need it the most.

Cleaning Out the Crap

May 11, 2018 By Autumn Rose Reo 2 Comments

Are you at that place that your life just needs a big purge? It’s not easy to clean out the crap, but the process is necessary to get to the best parts of you.

Thanks to spa810 Uptown for helping us all to to clean it up and make it better with this giveaway!

At the end of 2017, I counted down the days for change.

I was ready to climb out of my skin and try on something different for 2018.

It so needed to happen.

I don’t know how I thought that was gonna happen without work. And let me tell you it’s been work.

The name of my game in 2018 has been PURGE.

I think HOARDERS should’ve kept a camera on me for the last few months as I’ve cleaned out one house; getting rid of 12 years of stuff we’d accumulated in the only home my family has ever lived in. Then in just over a weekend moving into a brand new house (<——see that’s house not home) that while it says it’s bigger, I cannot understand for the life of me how we have so much stuff STILL. So the purging continued and continues today (there are so many boxes that I’m still not going to show.)

What I found out with each piece is that it isn’t just stuff, but I had wrapped up memories in every single article. When pulling out something out of the box, my reactions seemed so vivid of the memories that you would have thought they happened yesterday. And man it was just a wine glass…You should have seen the tears roll down when I pulled out the first onesie I bought my daughter. That was drama.

So needless to say, it was hard for me to purge. And I’m still not even done.

I think there’s something like 20 boxes left and several of them ready to go when I finally find a way to get rid of the stuff (hey, some of this crap is brand spanking new!)

But the purge wasn’t just stuff around the house.

The purge needed to be me – inside and out.

All the crap in my head that I was believing about myself – it needed to shutdown.

“You’re not good enough”

“You’ll never be anything”

“You have’t done your part”

“You aren’t good enough”

“Your so ugly”

“Your body is so ugly.”

Those statements were like a shuffle and repeat.

So like many women, I began to believe them. And when you do that, it’s true – no matter what anyone else says.

I just wanted to roll up in a ball in the closet, but unfortunately the new house didn’t have any shelves yet so all the clothes were on the floor so there wasn’t any room to roll up so I got that much more upset.

I don’t tell you this to pity me, I tell you this because I know I’m not the only one. And so many others I know are going through this same feeling. A need for change, a need to clean up all that crap in my head, in my heart, and for me, all that crap sitting around my new house.

Want to know the moment I woke up?

It was when my son asked if we could just move back home because this place felt so empty. And he was right. Nothing was on the walls, Home Depot boxes strewn everywhere two months later, and a mom who couldn’t make turn the page to this brand new chapter of our life.

Oh where did I go wrong.

It was so past time to clean up my crap – mentally and physically.

But like the purging, it wasn’t going to be easy. Like an onion, I was going to have to pull off all the layers, one piece at a time.

I hadn’t been nice to me lately so even though I know water was everything, I was dry. And washing my face, whatever. Looking at the mirror, I felt like I had aged 10 years over the last 6 months. You could see it in my eyes, you could see it in my new gray hairs and you could see it in my skin.

Who was the woman in the mirror?

So it was time to remember.

I booked an appointment to spa810 Uptown to not just get a good cleaning. And not just a facial but HydraFacial MD with a NIR Skin Tightening, Lymphatic Drainage would help the purge make a bigger difference.

So of course, you’re asking what’s the difference between a facial and a Hydrafacial?

Good question.

At spa810 you can score a great facial with ultra sonic exfoliation treatment, lip plumping treatment, an eye treatment to address fine lines and dark circles, a neck and shoulder decollate massage, and a brow wax and shape.

Not so bad, right? And at less than $100 it’s a great deal.

But a Hydrafacial?

Basically you get all the facial results like cleansing, extractions and even an acid peel all from this little tool that sounds kinda like a motorized toothbrush that slices, dices, and julienne fries…Sometimes it’s vacuuming, sometimes it’s adding serum and collagen to the face, it’s rather amazing all of these actions happening with one machine.

It’s a four-step process and when you’re done, you get to see all the crap they pulled from your face (nothing like seeing that to remind you to wash your face at night!)

HydraFacial Process

Cleansing and exfoliation
Acid Peel
Extractions
Serum Application

And then you’re ready to roll – in just about 30 minutes and without a huge red face that makes you want to roll into a ball again (which is exactly what I didn’t need to be doing!) The service wasn’t just fast, but they made me feel relaxed immediately and explained every step throughout the process, so I didn’t feel hurried, but I could get what I needed done in a lunch break.

I also added on the Lymphatic drainage (yep, getting out more of the fluid and junk in my skin) and skin tightening (felt a lot like a sonogram on my face), but I’ll take it to make things kinda go back where they’re supposed to.

Take a look at all of this (if you like that kind of stuff.)

So did getting a HydraFacial Sculpt fix everything?

No it didn’t. But it did make me take care of myself which was the first step in my mental purging process. And my skin did feel a lot better, so I could head off to Beverly Hills to have drinks with Lisa Vanderpump and dinner with Taye Diggs.

That’s an improvement, right?

So if you need a nudge to get your purging process I’d suggest you get moving in the right direction at spa810 in Uptown Dallas. And right now with so many Mother’s Day specials going throughout the month of May, you can get the same treatment I received at more than half off (just $149.) You can also get a massage with either a skin-tightening treatment or a trip to the Alpha-Fusion Pod for less than $100. So that’s something to celebrate.

And a one lucky reader will get to celebrate even more with a $50 gift certificate to use at spa810 in Uptown.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Simple Diet for Foodies Who Don’t Like to Workout

January 23, 2018 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

Do you love food but don’t have time to cook? Hate to exercise? But need to drop some LBS? Then you’ll find your answer with this Simple Diet Plan for Foodies Who Don’t Like to Workout from Utopia.

Thanks to Utopia for helping me find a happy way to get healthy and this sponsored post.

Another year, another diet.

For most of that’s what January is. You say this is going to be “THE YEAR” and then come two weeks you’re crying about how you fell of the wagon as two-fist your Halo (remember that stuff is only good when you don’t eat it one seating.) Besides the fact that endless restriction doesn’t work at all for anyone (unless you like it like that), it’s about something you can enjoy and works for you. Yes, something that you can ENJOY.

This is why most those “other diets” just don’t work. Maybe in the short term, but unless you like to count, weight out your food, spend hours prepping and all that other crap you gotta do (you know like that Whole 30 stuff), it will never work.

But for the rest of us, the ones of us that just want to be our healthiest, but are at that point we just want someone to tell us what to do, there is Utopia.

Utopia Food & Fitness combines the two things you need: fitness and and food, all in one place.

Based on your body and your weight loss needs, the very educated staff formulates your nutritional needs and together with a James Beard-nominated Chef Mike Smith, creates your meal plan using fresh, seasonal ingredients and a balanced ratio of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. It’s real food—no pills, no powders, no fads. All you do is let them know what you don’t like (for me I have a no tuna rule) and you pick you it up twice a week. So you just have to cook it and eat it. AND drink water. LOTS OF WATER.

And the food is THAT good. Like really I could eat the Chicken Ranch Casserole all the time. And the snacks made my life happy. From Salmon Mousse, Buffalo Chicken Strips, Steamed Dumplings <<<<< and those are the snacks!

While the food takes up about 80% of what you need for weight loss for the other part, you still need to move it to lose it. At Utopia the ask is 20 minutes of exercise with their staff, twice a week. Yep, just twice a week with their top-of-the-line trainer on your time in a comfortable place. Think 20 minutes can’t make a difference? I can attest when you’re maxing out your weight capacity with slow, rhythmic movements – it can make a huge impact (and yes, your muscle will quiver in less than 20 minutes.)

That’s it.

Keep wondering where the hitch is? I did too. But the point is that it’s that simple: healthy eating and exercise is what you need for change. However, the attentive service from the staff is really what makes a difference at Utopia. And of course, the gourmet food helps too. They’re devoted to giving you what you need – even if you don’t know what it is.

So if you’re wondering how those resolutions are going to turn from words on paper to something real to kick your weight loss into gear – there’s Utopia. With three locations in DFW: Plano, Dallas, and Southlake, you can find Utopia near you.

Utopia Food & Fitness

Website

Be #CurvesStrong

October 20, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 11 Comments

What does it mean to be #CurvesStrong? It’s much more than a hashtag.

Thank you Curves® International for sponsoring this post and making me #CurvesStrong.

A month ago I was invited for one month to Curves Fitness® Program. I had seen Curves locations before and had some preconceived notions about what a Curves program was. But since I’m always up to try anything especially when you can do it with a friend, I was game. So wine time turned to workout time and together my friend and I scheduled a month of Curves workouts together.

The program seemed easy: join in the circle of workout machines for 30 minute workout (a two-time circuit) and go. Actually it seemed so easy that it couldn’t possible work. And without complicated rules, routines, and movements, it couldn’t possible make a real impact.

However, the impact was much more than inches lost or a hashtag.

What I learned is that #CurvesStrong, had a lot of meanings to a lot of women. But just searching the hashtag I was transported to stories of encouragement, journeys of women getting years added back to their life because they had the energy, confidence and strength to do more, and amazing stories of weight loss that had given women a new life…all because of Curves.

#CurvesStrong is a movement for women of all ages.

#CurvesStrong: Is health.

#CurvesStrong: Is strength.

#CurvesStrong: Is community.

One of the things I didn’t expect to gain from Curves was friendship. I came in with a friend so I already had that. But each time we both jumped in the ring for our circuit, we also were joined by other women that no matter what their goals – health, flexibility, weight loss – we were in it together. And we laughed together, we shared stories together and of course, when you needed a little something to keep you moving at the end of your set, we encouraged each other. In the middle, you’d always have your trainer there to assist and perfect your movements for the ultimate impact, but together as a group, that 30 minutes seemed to go by in no time. And when I was done, I had exercised, I had stretched, I burned, and I had done something for me.

So the next time, which may be when your pants get snug, you reach a birthday milestone, or hit a new year on the calendar and begin the cycle of “what do I do to be a better me,” don’t do what you always do.

href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/sp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#sp

#curvesstrong https://t.co/obUvgpgp1D

— Teia (@DFWSingleMom) October 12, 2017

Don’t start opening your calendar trying to figure out how you’re going to find an hour to kick your butt doing some exercise concept you’ll get bored of and hate in a month.

Don’t go back to something that worked 20 years ago and think how if you did it again for just a few months, everything would be different.

Worst of all, don’t look at things and decide not to do anything at all.

#ad Working on improving my tomorrows w/ @curves! #curvesstrong! You can too — pic.twitter.com/J2jGnapiAK

— Shannon Schmid (@EverydayBest1) October 5, 2017

I bet if you just looked at your day you could find 30 minutes for you. 30 minutes to breathe, 30 minutes to let go, 30 minutes to move, and 30 minutes to make a difference. And guess what you don’t even have to do one burpee.

So what is #CurvesStrong to you?

Visit Curves online for a location near you and experience what it can do for you.

About Curves

Curves® is a one-stop-shop for every woman’s fitness needs. By enrolling in the Curves Fitness® Program, women are able to participate in a 30 minute, total-body workout on strength training machines. These circuit classes are designed to burn fat, increase strength, and kick start weight loss. Curves® members not only work every core muscle group in just 30 minutes, but they also become a part of a supportive group of empowered women.

Are you ready to get #CurvesStrong?

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Workout Your Way with Curves

September 28, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 13 Comments

Want a workout that’s easy, effective and empowers you? This one-stop-shop is all that (and more) and has a 25 year success record.

Thank you Curves® International for sponsoring this post and getting me to get moving for me!

I love to work out.

Well let me rephrase…I love how I feel and how I look AFTER I have worked out.

It’s getting the energy to do it that’s hard.

And considering time is something I don’t have a lot of, working out is often what gets put on the bottom of the to-do list right there with kid-free time with my friends.

I’m sad to say that both of these often get the shaft even though we all know they are necessary for a healthy well-being!

So in efforts to keep 2017 a year for healthy change, Girl Time (which included a lot of wineing) would turn intoCurves® Time by working out with my girls.

The idea was supposed to be something all of us would be comfortable doing and easy for us to catch up while we got in our workout time!

On our first trip, we received a warm welcome from our coaches and in no time went to work!

And thankfully there wasn’t a lot of confusing exercises or instructions – you just listed to the music and gave it your best shot for two rounds of interval cardio and machine work. We finished up with a series of stretches – and man, you needed those.

Ironically, it didn’t feel like work but I could tell from the heavy breathing (and a pulse check – part of the workout), I was making a difference all while hanging with my friends. #multitasking

That day we committed to a month-long promise to keep each other accountable to working out together as a team. And keep us moving when we wanted to skip out when it seemed like there were too many other things to do.

There was sign on the wall that I always look at that makes so much sense.

And all it takes is 30 MINUTES!

So many of us put ourselves on the bottom of the list. Ironically, not doing something for yourself, especially when it comes to your health is how you become better for everyone else.

Make FALL into a good habit this season and make time for you and if you want, your friends too. Now’s a perfect time to sign up for Curves® since they’re celebrating 25 years of making a difference!

And make sure to keep following me on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to see me check-in my progress. And because I did a health assessment when I began my Curves Journey (it’s part of their process too!), I’ll reveal what happened to me after 30 days!

About Curves

Are you ready to get #CurvesStrong?

This post was sponsored by Curves International but the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Favorite Sunscreens and Bug Sprays to Protect Your Family

July 13, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 12 Comments

School supplies may already be on the shelves, but our hottest temperatures are still yet to come! Protect your family with these must-haves for summer including our best bets for Sunscreens and Bug Sprays.

As featured on Good Morning Texas on 7/13/17.

Who made our list for the best, coolest and most multifunctional products to keep your family protected during these hot summer days? Take a look!

Favorite Sunscreens

How much sunscreen do you need?
You need to be putting about 1 ounce on per application (just for reference that’s around the size of a golf ball or shot glass.)

SUPER Sparkle Screen Water Resistant and Roll-on Glitter Sunscreen:
Made by two moms, this makes it fun to keep off the sun with sparkles and it’s also scented.
Find at glittertots.com and Walmart.

NO-AD Paraben Free Sunscreen Cream and Easy Glide-on Sticks:
It’s an oldie but a goodie that passes on the savings to you! Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, now paraben-free and in several easy-to-apply products, it’s called NO-AD because since 1962, the brand doesn’t buy ads so they can give the customer the most inexpensive “no ad price.”
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

Babyganics Sunscreen Spray:
Coming from the Babyganics line of natural, no chemical ingredients, this mineral-based sunscreen spray is water resistant and free of PABA, phthalates, parabens and nano-particles.
Find it at Walgreens and Target.

Ocean Potion Cream and Clear Zinc Oxide Face Potion:
A beloved brand by those that love the beach, this brand has what you need to have fun in the sun plus its orange-creme fragrance called “the scent of sunshine” makes it feel like you have the sun all around you. The Clear Zinc Oxide Face Potion goes on clear, keeping your pores clear and your face protected with SPF 45.
Find it at Walgreens and Walmart.

Jack Black Oil-Free Sun Guard:
What’s good enough for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks (the brand you’ll find in both teams’ home stadiums) is good enough to keep your team protected, too. This award-winning brand is formulated for extreme conditions with a barrier of protection and stays on during intense physical activity in and out of the water helping to keep it out of your eyes!
Find at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Sephora.com, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bull FrogLand Sport™With Breathable Sweat TECH™ Quik Gel® SPF 50:
This is the one you want when you’re moving because it’s made with a special polymer to letting your skin breathe while keeping you from sweating off your sunscreen to keep you protected plus it’s paraben free.
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

How often should you apply sunscreen?
You need to apply 15 minutes before going out and then reapply every 1.5-2 hours!

Best Bug Sprays

Bullfrog Mosquito Coast® Sunscreen Insect Repellent Continuous Spray SPF 30:
This is a combination sunscreen AND bug spray in one for the ultimate bottle you need when you head outdoors! It’s deet free, paraben free, PABA free, repels bugs for up to 8 hours, and lasts for 80 minutes in the sun AND comes in a spray!
Find at Walgreens and Walmart.

NATURAL BUG SPRAY RECIPE

Natural Bug Spray

Author: Autumn Reo, mamachallenge.com

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup Distilled water
1 cup Witch hazel or rubbing alcohol
3-4 TBSP dried herbs including peppermint, spearmint, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, etc. (use at least one mint.)
Optional: 4-5 cloves.)

Instructions

Boil water and herbs (in any combination from the above.)
Mix well, cover and let cool. (You must be patient!)
Strain herbs out and mix water with witch hazel.
Store in a spray bottle in a cool place.
Use as needed.

Notes

Added bonus: it smells great and is very refreshing to the skin.

Other Helpful Tips

Now’s the time to stock up before back to school! Hats, bathing suits including those with rash guards to protect their skin, and sunglasses are already on sale like 50 percent off) and some at clearance prices! Just check out these looks we found!

We have tons of giveaways happening right now to Academy Sports + Outdoors, Target, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Market Street! Go here to make sure you enter!

Mama, You’re Fat: How The Big Fat Truth Changed My Life

July 5, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo 19 Comments

Kids tell it like it is. Here’s How The Big Fat Truth Changed My Life for the better. Be sure to check out The Big Fat Truth on Z Living Sundays at 8pm ET.

“Mama, you’re fat,” my little brown-eyed princess told me as she stood looking at my more than 35- less than 36-year old body getting dressed in the morning.

As she said it, my reflex was to whip my head around so fast to blurt out a few choices expletives I’m often known to use. That’s what I had done the last 30 years of my life, so why would I change now?

But this was my daughter, my baby girl that in many ways is a mirror image of my younger self.

I couldn’t just yell at her and be bitter and mad and all that other stuff. Not just because as a mom and it’s my job to explain things, but also because I knew everything that was about to happen between she and I was going to be mentally recorded FOREVER for us both.

And she was right. No more pretending or excuses.

“Yes, baby, I am,” I uttered. And in that millisecond, all the times I had dieted, lost weight, gained weight, and all the yo-yoing in between flashed before my eyes. So then, with all conviction and more promise that I had ever felt in my life, I responded accordingly, “but don’t worry baby, I’m working on being as healthy as possible.”

See it was looking at her, looking at me, and thinking one day I hoped to be around to look at my granddaughter just as my daughter was looking at me, that I knew that now was the beginning of the next chapter of my life. But not to go on a diet because I was getting married, or because I had a big event I wanted to look good for, or because I was going on vacation and I didn’t want to embarrass myself. But for real, forever change.

Nothing Good Ever Comes Easy

So instead of heading to work out or a diet plan, I went straight to the doctor. I had several friends that had the sleeve surgery and had AMAZING results. They looked amazing. They felt amazing and they couldn’t say better things about how amazing the sleeve had been for them. I did my research and spoke with people relentlessly. This time it seemed I had a choice that would make sense and make a lasting difference. I signed up, got my appointment and begin my pre-op diet of protein, broth and water. However, as I approached my surgery date something happened. Some would say anxiety but for me, it was much more than that. This was a sign that this wasn’t my path. So, I canceled the surgery. And began to make a new path.

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”

That was February and it’s now June. Has anything changed?

Oh yes – it’s changed. Have I lost 50 lbs? Not yet, but I will. So far I’ve lost over 15 inches and 2 dress sizes. But I don’t have a goal weight; I have a goal for life. I didn’t go on a diet; I changed what I ate and how I ate. I didn’t go workout everyday all day.

But I did get help from a trainer to start a lifestyle that was realistic for me.

I didn’t let those same voices get to me and make me feel bad about myself for not being “good enough.”

I am good enough.

Not just to be a mom, but to take care of both my family’s future and myself.

The Big Fat Truth

But I did go looking (and found) encouragement and support to keep me moving, even when I want to stop and eat something that takes me backwards. One of those places I love to find motivation is through others’ journeys, not towards weight loss but a healthier lifestyle. Z Living’s newest show, The Big Fat Truth, deals with the real reasons people struggle with weight, and gives them the tools and the optimism they need to transform their lives. Using problem-solving and motivational skills, award-winning producer JD Roth (author and reality-TV pioneer, championing “transformation television”) takes on the challenge to help save the lives of our greatest unsung heroes.

Watch The Big Fat Truth on Z Living, Sundays at 8 pm EST.

Through their journey, I’m able to navigate mine as well with the encouragement I need in a real way that works for me. The show even has its own FREE Big Fat 30 Day Challenge to help get watchers motivated just like the participants on the show. I plan to keep you updated on my progress and how my journey isn’t as much about “losing weight” (which is nice) but about making the real changes that will make a bigger difference in the rest of my life.

Ab Fab: New Tummy Tuck Tech

June 4, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo

Thinking about a tummy tuck but don’t know how to deal with all the postsurgical stuff? New technology is making it a little easier to get back your even better mom bod.

Thanks to TissuGlu^® for sharing this medical advancement and the Mom It Forward Influencer Network sponsorship of mamachallenge.com.

Whether you were blessed with a small waist or are still battling your baby weight (and your kids well past being a baby like mine) most of us have a little extra something around our midsection we’d like to get rid of. I’ve been working hard like many moms to shape up and be healthy, but just like both my OB and my trainer said, “some parts will never go back.”

Well $#*! (Insert your hissy fit here.)

For some of us, God blessed you and everything goes back and you look great. For those of us that don’t have Heidi Klum’s body, we suck it up (literally) and deal with it. And for other moms, a tummy tuck is their next step.

I’ve known many moms that have gone through a tummy tuck and look great. I know many more moms who have thought about it, but haven’t done it due to all the recovery time and the mess (i.e., drains) that come with it. (Who’s got time for that!)

However, a new technology is making the process a little easier to deal with. It’s called TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive. TissuGlu is the first surgical adhesive of its kind, making a drain-free tummy tuck possible.

Drains are patients’ #1 tummy tuck complaint. NEW TissuGlu® makes a drain-free tummy tuck possible. Click To Tweet

Most patients find drains to be complicated when emptying and measuring the fluid and painful when they are removed. Drains require maintenance for 1-3 weeks after surgery and sometimes cause additional scarring. TissuGlu forms a strong bond between tissue layers, reducing spaces where fluid may collect, allowing your body to resorb fluid. This way the healing process is more natural without drains.

TissuGlu may reduce the need for drains after surgery. By using TissuGlu instead of drains, you may:

Return to normal activities more quickly
Experience less discomfort and pain than when drains are used
Have fewer invasive treatments for fluid management.

I’m not saying let’s all go out and get a tummy tuck. For some of us, exercise might do the trick. But for those mamas that have done the work and still have an area that doesn’t make them happy, then a tummy tuck might be an option for you. And thankfully, TissuGlu is making it a little less difficult to find your best self in your own body.

If you’re considering abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), ask your doctor if a drain-free tummy tuck with TissuGlu is right for you.

Get more information about TissuGlu by going to their website: www.tissuglu.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrainFreeTummyTucks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drainfreetummytucks

Important TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive Safety Information:

Indication

TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive is indicated for the approximation of tissue layers where subcutaneous dead space exists between the tissue planes in abdominoplasty.

Contraindications

Do not use in patients with known or suspected allergies to urethane-based or isocyanate-containing products.

Warnings

Do not use TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive in patients who have had prior exposure to TissuGlu^®. Immunological response associated with repeat TissuGlu^® exposure has not been studied.
The effectiveness for the treatment of patients with BMI > 28 has not been established. Higher BMI patients have a propensity for fluid accumulation and may have an increased risk of seroma formation.
Effectiveness was not observed in weight loss patients undergoing abdominoplasty. Weight loss patients have a propensity for fluid accumulation and may have an increased risk of seroma formation and aspiration.

Benefits

TissuGlu^® may reduce the need for drains after surgery. By using TissuGlu^® instead of drains, you may:

Return to normal activities more quickly
Experience less discomfort and pain than when drains are used
Have fewer invasive treatments for fluid management. The results showed that 73% of TissuGlu^® patients had no treatments after surgery. However, some patients did require additional invasive treatments including reinsertion of drains.

Risks

Clinical studies were performed using TissuGlu^®. There were no increased safety risks with the use of TissuGlu^® than when drains were used. Potential complications associated with the use of the device and the tummy tuck procedures include seroma (fluid) formation. These complications may require treatments such as drain placement and/or fluid removal by needle, which may be performed in the operating room. Additional potential complications include wound healing issues, rash/redness, surgical site or incision infection, scarring, hematoma (bruise or swelling), incision separation, and immunological reaction.

Safety Information:

For full safety information please visit http://tissuglu.com, contact your doctor, or call Cohera Customer Support at 1-800-641-7458.

Disclaimer:

TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive is currently approved for sale in the United States for the approximation of tissue layers where subcutaneous dead space exists between the tissue planes in abdominoplasty. TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive received European CE Mark in 2011, where it is approved for large flap surgical procedures such as abdominoplasty. TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive is not approved for sale in any other region. Any questions related to the indication for use should be directed to your Cohera Medical Account Manager or to Cohera Medical Corporate Clinical Affairs. Refer to the complete TissuGlu^® Surgical Adhesive Directions for Use for prescribing and usage information.

Understanding Health Care

March 2, 2017 By Autumn Rose Reo Leave a Comment

If you have family, you need health care. It may seem overwhelming, but we can make understanding healthcare easier.

Thanks to United Healthcare for helping through my own health care needs for almost 10 years. And now for partnering with mamachallenge to make it not-so-challenging for you.

I gal that rarely ever got sick growing up, I didn’t quite understand the need for health insurance – until I was an adult WITH kids. I mean it’s there *just in case* you get sick or break an arm.

…Until of course one of those happen or even worse, you’re pregnant and find out you have all kinds of complications and your child may not make it without a big medical team and a lot of prayers.

Then you know EXACTLY why you have health care. And so thankful for it too.

Over the years many of us have been confused with that health care is, how it works, and how to make the best of it without all the complicated explanations.

Like everything, I prefer the Cliff Notes version and then if I need to know more, I can dig in. But insurance can seem so overwhelming that you don’t always know what you’re doing or why, except pull out your card when they ask for it.

So UnitedHealthcare is trying to break it down in less words and in a little more fun way to learn by throwing in three chances to win $500 while giving you the 411.

First, the Lingo.

Oh the terms and the acronyms. That alone is enough to make you go WTH. However, it’s not as hard as you think it is.

PPO. HSA. CBO.

You’ve probably heard them, but you don’t always know what you’re saying? Me too.

For instance:

PPO is short for PREFERRED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.

HSA is short for HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (love these.)

But do you know the difference between prior authorization and coinsurance?

But UnitedHealthcare takes all the guessing out of it by being just plain clear. Giving you the power to not just pick the right insurance for you but to be smart about spending your dollars where they make sense for your family.

The Perfect Match engagement is a memory/concentration game with basic cost terminology. Play it and you can win $500!

And once you do your homework, quiz yourself with this quick Perfect Match quiz to make sure you really know what you’re talking about. (Plus there’s $100 weekly and $500 monthly you can win.)

Second, How Does it All Work?

Want to make sure you don’t just know the lingo, but how it works? When doctors and insurance providers talk about referrals and networks, we know they aren’t talking about Facebook or a book club. I’m a visual person so I need a picture to put it all together. As a mom, many times we’re scheduling the doctor visits and therefore paying for them. But wouldn’t it be nice to know what all we’re paying for? This quick video gives it to you clean and simple.

Answer one question in the Look & Learn after you watch this video and you could win up to $500.

Third, Tools and Tips

Want to see if you’ve put it together the right way? Or still need to see what other tools are available to help you figure it all out? Then UHC can help you with tons of calculators, estimators, an app and if you prefer, real life people who can help you figure it out. When I have a question I call them. Or you can click around in your own portal and find most the answers your need already right in front of you. From calculating all the cost for an upcoming procedure or simply just comparing the costs, this is where you go to make it easy for you.

PLUS when you answer these three questions in the Cost Quiz 123, you can win $500!

Feel like you’ve already taken a class in health care? Then you should be rewarded. One lucky reader will win a gift card for $50 from Amazon. At least this way you can be motivated to learn more when you have a new planner or one of these cool new finds. I personally am looking this one.