Jump in to a healthy lifestyle

Just ask Teri-Leigh Bovell, wife to soca star Kees Dieffenthaller, and mother of 13-month-old Zion.

Zion was, and is, her mummy’s inspiration for keeping her body toned and healthy.

Bovell has been the brand ambassador for Nestle’s Fitness and Svelty milk range, which she swears by, for two years. She took a hiatus when she became pregnant in 2013 and gave birth to her precious Zion in December that year.

Yes, mummy loves her pumpkin pie and gives all her time to ensure that she is happy, but babies take a toll on the body.

Looking at Bovell, who had gone on a hike with her other half just a couple of hours before she was due for her interview, one would never guess. Her body is like....okay, never mind.

But, after giving birth to her daughter, Bovell, like most women, became self- conscious about her body.

“It wasn’t easy to get back there. During pregnancy I had many a craving and I put on over 50 pounds. Losing the weight afterwards was a challenge. Although I knew what to expect, I didn’t know what to expect with my body. I thought it would dropped immediately. Yeah right,” she rolled her eyes

“That was not the case. I was left very bloated and it had me feeling quite down for a bit. I knew I used to look and feel a certain way before and I wanted to get back there. It was at the six-month, post-partum that I said, ‘Teri, you know what to do, it’s time to take your life and fitness back into your hands’, and I went back on the programme,” the trim looking mom said.

Bovell has been an advocate for Nestle Fitness and Svelty range for the past two years, trying to lead consumers to a better health.

It is a 14-day programme toward a healthy lifestyle.

It has been the company’s role each year to promote a healthy lifestyle, not only for Carnival, but throughout the year.

The brand has been revamped and relabelled to let consumers know exactly what to look for. Everyone has his or her own health needs.

The fitness cereal comes plain, or with honey and almond, fruit

Nestle also has Svelty Digest, Svelty Skim Skimmed Milk and Svelty Bone Health.

Bovell loves her life and family but she was not happy with herself.

“My secret is a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. It just boils down to that commitment. I knew I couldn’t do anything too drastic . A lot of people go on crash diets, but I can’t do that. I am a nursing mom and I have to nourish my body in order to nourish hers. So it made sense for me to do the 14-day programme because it’s a gentler programme and you would see results,” Bovell said.

She said at the end of the 14 days, habits were formed and she was able to readapt to her routine and up her exercise routine.

“As a new mom I was breast feeding all the time, sitting down and doing nothing, then I decided it was time to pick up. Let’s get mum, dad, whoever involved to look after Zion, so I could get my exercise in. When I couldn’t get babysitting done, while I’m brushing my teeth I would do my squats or whatever just to get my body going again.

“Again it is just the commitment to the programme and a healthy lifestyle. It helps me on an emotional and physical level. I started to feel good about myself again and I was able to direct that positive energy to my daughter. I’m really grateful for the programme because from it being holistic as it is, you get to enjoy your regular foods, watching your portions and incorporating the high fibre fitness cereal and Svelty skimmed milk,” she said.

Bovell made no apology for her weight gain at about 50 pounds. She was definitely not one to sacrifice taste, and ate like a mom-to-be.

“I like to eat and at the same time I could not go too drastic, so thank God for the programme because I was able to get in my nutrients and also start seeing a difference in my body.

“While I was pregnant I still had the cereal, but I was kinda bad and eating for two sometimes, literally, because I really had a lot of cravings like curry and so on,” Bovell admitted.

“I had roti all the time, so I really packed on some pounds during pregnancy. My aunt even said to me she was getting worried about me. I still maintained the fibre in my diet because I knew how important it was during pregnancy, but after that I fell off the programme...the portions, the exercise, because in the beginning you are supposed to take it easy on your body in the first trimester,” Bovell said.

The new mom was not trying to guilt other mothers into losing weight or keeping fit.

It was not an easy road for her, she had her ups, downs, and throw downs.

“I started to exercise, but it’s not easy to be fit all the time. I’m a normal human being. There are times when you’re motivated and there are times when you fall back, but it’s all about how you pick yourself up so I’m grateful for Nestle to get me back there again. I’m once again feeling fit and healthy and happy,” she said.

Her one personal concern was that she did not perpetuate her unhappy feelings toward her baby.

“Babies are very perceptive. When I knew I wasn’t feeling good about myself I knew she was feeling that from me. She was part of my motivation as well to get me getting up and doing something myself, and I feel more committed to the fit lifestyle,” Bovell said.

She was also quick to point out that the cereals and milk were not only for women.

“They should really think about the benefits for men. It keeps you feeling fuller for longer and it helps with the bloating. Men do have problems with their mid- sections as well, you know,” Bovell said.

Bovell said while it was a good idea to use Carnival as a catalyst to feeling good and having an ideal body at Carnival time, one should not fall off the routine after that.

“Use Carnival as a jumping board to that healthy lifestyle for that 365 days a year. Celebrate the work that you have done at Carnival time, but ensure that you carry it on for the rest of the year.

“I’m over 30 and as we get older it’s important that we pack nutrients into our bodies. We are looking at bone health because as we get older we have to ensure that our bodies have the nutrients if we want a long healthy life.

“I would like anybody who wants to reach out to me for advice–facebook, Instagram or Twitter. @teribovell If they need motivation and want to reach out to me we can talk me about it at a real level,” Bovell said.