Lifestyle Ambassador

My name is Jennifer Smith and I am a 49 year old wife to Mike and mother to my 9 year old son, Connor. They are my world. I love life and try to maintain a positive attitude in every aspect of my life. I feel that it’s important to take the time to help others and do so whenever I can.

I work full-time and work in an office environment, leaving me at a desk every day for 8+ hours a day. Sitting has been in my career for several years, and in that time frame I sat and ate my way to 393.6 pounds. I have always struggled with my weight, up and down, more up than down but the last 10 years have put my physical wellbeing and mental wellbeing in jeopardy.

Feeling the worst I have felt in my life, in constant pain and unable to do any activities with my son and having to look him in the face and say “Sorry, Mommy can’t do that, it hurts me too much” over and over broke my heart. Fed up and frustrated, knowing I was going to end my days on this earth early, I walked through the doors of Simply For Life after attending the annual Home Show in Saint John, NB.

March 18th, 2019 I walked into Simply For Life for a free consultation. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. I have a new lease on life! This is not a diet plan, it’s a complete lifestyle change and you are never alone, meeting with your consultant each week along your journey. I am so glad I made this my life.

• What’s your Favorite food?
  Pizza has always been a favorite, I now make pita pizzas as a healthier alternative and have recently discovered the fathead dough at Simply For Life… delicious!
• What’s your favorite Simply For Life Recipe?
  All of the recipes are pretty tasty, currently I am loving the chicken taco soup, super easy to make and tastes delicious! It doesn’t taste or fell like a diet plan at all.
• What is your goal?
  When I started at Simply For Life my goal was to lose weight. Starting at 393.6 lbs, my weight goal is 175 lbs or less. On this journey I have developed other goals along the way and am excited to reach each and every one!
• What motivates you?
  I have lots of things that motivate me. I am motivated by my weekly sessions with my consultant, his energy and excitement with my progress drive me stay on track, it’s contagious to be so excited! I am motivated by the way I feel and how I move. Clothes fit better and am able to get into smaller sizes now. I have never been an “exerciser” but am looking forward to trying new things to become a healthier me, living longer and being around to see my son, my greatest motivation, grow into adulthood!
• When did you start Simply For Life?
  I started Simply For Life on March 18th, 2019 for the third and final time! I am in for life now…. ☺

My very first visit to a Simply For Life clinic was in 2010 months after my brother passed away, I had been grieving and not very healthy and heard an add on the radio for Simply For Life in Sussex so I decided I needed to make changes, as I was heading down a very unhealthy path. I had lost weight initially and loved the program for the accountability it gave me and the structure which I needed. I had gotten to a point where I thought I could do it on my own, but then in 2012 I decided to return as I had got off track again. This time I went to see Bruce in Saint John as I had a goal of bodybuilding, you know some people want to run a marathon but I want to step on stage and know that I worked hard to get to that top physical and mental condition.

I have struggled over the years, getting older and dealing with things like menopause and the stress of everyday life, but I have recommitted to the goal of competing in 2021, with Mike’s help of course. There, I said it in writing so now I am committed. I have always been interested in nutrition and exercise but my consistency has not always been strong, but I will never give up, something pushes me to keep going and so I am still here trying. I do not have a big inspirational story, but people say I am inspiring them, maybe because I keep trying when it’s tough. I am not perfect but if I can conquer the negative voices in my head I will reach my goals!

• What’s your Favorite food?
  Pizza/pasta I think I am part Italian 🙂
• What’s your favorite Simply For Life Recipe?
  Chicken Cacciatore
• What is your goal?
  To be in the condition necessary to compete in the Fall of 2021 in the Fall Classic competition. In addition, non-scale victories for me are good numbers from my blood work, although I am overweight all my bloodwork has been in the healthy range…. and I can run the occasional 5K 🙂
• What motivates you?
  That’s hard because motivation has its highs and lows. I am not motivated every day, those days are hard and you have to grind through, having a great coach like Mike keeps me going. I can’t do it alone. Also I would have to say surrounding yourself with people that are positive, negativity is toxic. I just want to be my best self and I am not there yet.
• When did you start Simply For Life?
  I technically started in 2010, but took a break for a bit then returned in august 2012 and have been going since.

Weight loss is something I have struggled with all my life and have always wanted to live a healthier lifestyle. I am 38 years old and live in Truro, Nova Scotia. I am married with a son who is 5 and a stepdaughter who is 14! I’ve done Simply life for twice. This is my second time around. The first time I joined I struggled from severe back pain, herniated discs in my back and knew my weight likely played a big factor. In 2012-2013 when I joined Simply For Life, I lost 30 pounds and felt amazing. In 2014, I gave birth to my son. I gained back 30 pounds with this pregnancy and final in September 2017 I knew I needed to do something again. This is when, my second journey with Simply For Life started again. Upon joining, I was on medication for high blood pressure and had to take an iron supplement for low iron and my back pain would flare up every now and then. Since 2017, I have lost 40 pounds and almost 80 inches. I no longer take ANY medication and have not experienced ANY back pain. With this journey, I have learned how to maintain a healthier lifestyle and have motivated people in my life to do the same. I started a full exercise routine in January 2019 and continue to do so today. “Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier and be the best version of you”

• What’s your Favorite food?
  Thai food
• What’s your favorite Simply For Life Recipe?
  Sweet potato hash casserole or simply egg cups
• What is your goal?
  To maintain a healthy lifestyle for me and my family.
• What motivates you?
  Positive/supportive people and a good exercise challenge!
• When did you start Simply For Life?
  Sept 2017 – second time