Hey, Vitamins! (GNC Wellness Review)

Take your vitamins.  Those three little words put together will always be a reminder to me from my mom, doctors, and healthy living community.

I, for one, need to be better about taking them, but know I am not alone in saying a daily vitamin routine is something I should be doing.

When I received a trio of supplements to review from GNC a few weeks ago, I had no excuses!  At home and in front of me sat three different types of supplements meant to take daily and help me to a happier, healthier self.

At the very least, I always recommend taking a daily multivitamin.  Life gets crazy, diets change, schedules get hectic, and bodies get tired, which is even more of a reason to let the vitamins and minerals in supplements fill in the nutritional gaps for you.

As an active woman in her late twenties, I try to fuel myself with the foods I need to keep my bones strong and my body happy.  Just like anyone else, my diet and eating habits fluctuate every now and then, depending what is going on in my life.  Traveling, late nights, celebrations, stress, and lack of sleep always affect my mood and in turn, overall health.

So what can we do?

If nothing else, a simple every day vitamin routine can help.  For the last few weeks, I have been consistently starting my day with this combination of supplements.

Hey, Vitamins!

Living a healthy lifestyle is – in a sense – an investment.  It is often portrayed that healthier (organic, for example) food is expensive and gym memberships, specialty classes, races, and the need to replace fitness gear is not easy on the wallet either.  The end result of all of these decisions along the way is a healthier, happier life (i.e., a healthier, happier you!)

Like most of you, I feel pretty clueless when it comes to what kind of vitamins I need and which ones will be the most beneficial to me.  By complete chance, these three types of supplements came to me at the perfect time, and this specific combination seems to have done the trick.

As a professional dancer and runner, I know I can be hard on my bones and joints.  There were a few weeks of the season this year where I had trouble simply walking down stairs after a good workout or long rehearsal.

While taking these supplements, I also made a point to stretch before and after any run or practice.  I have made a few changes to my diet (mostly cutting down my intake in dairy) to help my stomach issues, and I have to admit that I am feeling on top of my game and better than ever.

Is it the vitamins? I cannot tell you a definite yes… but I have a feeling they have a lot to do with my improved mental and physical health.

Wellness Formula Breakdown

• Women’s Ultra Mega One Daily: ($19.99)

Provides twenty vitamins and minerals at one hundred percent daily values, geared towards women by promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Beyond clearing my complexion, I like how this multivitamin is also blended to improve heart, brain and eye health.  To top it off, there is an extra kick of energy through B-vitamins, which also helps support metabolism (and fat burn).  It sounds odd, but the smell reminds me of Flinestones chewable vitamins I used to devour growing up, which I strangely enjoyed.  (Just don’t chew ’em!)

– An all around great one-a-day!

• TriFlex Mobility: ($34.99)

This one is all about keeping your joints happy.  By taking two per day, it is proven to enhance flexibility by thirty percent, while helping with joint stiffness.  As the oldest dancer on my team, this supplement intrigued me the most.  My muscles have been extremely sore recently finishing up my season dancing on top of running.  There is no real way to tell, but I think these little guys helped push my old knees and joints through rolling around the court for routines.  I also haven’t felt much knee pain since I have been starting to run outside again.  Coincidence?

– Take two a day to improve flexibility and help with achy joints!

• Ultra 25 Probiotic Complex with Enzymes: (regularly $34.99, now $23.99)

Probiotics help keep a healthy intestinal balance.  They minimize the amount of harmful or “bad” bacteria by replacing it with “good” bacteria.  I have been having issues with my stomach over the past few months, and since I have been on this supplement my stomach discomfort has been very minimal.  I also noticed a reduction in days I feel bloated.

– If you find yourself stressing out, making unhealthy food choices, or frequently suffer from an upset tummy, this one just might help you!

 Overall Thoughts

I have yet to review a set of products I really don’t like.  This combination of vitamins and supplements from GNC came at the perfect time to help me get through the home stretch of an NBA season.

After being on them for a few weeks, my every day mood, joints and soreness in my body has improved.  Whatever has been going on in my stomach has settled down (for now), and I feel pretty darn good!

For this one, I have to thank GNC for reminding me how easy it is to add an extra step of “feel good” into my day.  You guys rock!

*Disclaimer: I was provided with these products by GNC, free of charge through their partnership with FitFluential.  As always, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own!