Monserrath Avila’s Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle

Happy Living. Monserrath Avila’s Journey to a Healthy Lifestyle

By AnaMaria Bech

Click aqui para español- > El Camino de Monserrath Avila a un estilo de vide saludable

If you meet Monserrath Avila, you will find a motivated, confident, healthy, and fit beautiful woman. A devoted mother and wife, and an entrepreneur, who provides fresh, healthy, portioned meals through Happy Living Meal Prep, the business she created with her husband, Sebastian Gomez.

Once you learn about her business, you understand why Avila lives such a healthy lifestyle. But when you follow her on her Instagram profile, @itsme.monse, you not only find motivational phrases and workout posts, but you also find surprising before and after photos.

You realize her healthy journey started a while ago when she was 80 pounds heavier. The difference is striking, and her bravery in the way she shares about this healthy lifestyle journey with her followers is admirable.

Avila began learning about focusing on fueling her body with the right nutrients and with whole foods. She disliked vegetables but forced herself to incorporate them in her meals. She began to do food prepping to control her portions and create the right combinations of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. When people started noticing her changes, they asked her for advice and kept asking for recipes. Avila understood that there could be an opportunity for a business that would allow her to create some income while helping others. Gomez bought the first box of containers and told his wife that he believed she could have a successful business. Soon after, Happy Living Meal Prep got started about three years ago. The company has been an economic opportunity for the family, but it also serves Avila’s fulfillment. “I love to be able to help others achieve a healthier lifestyle.”

Social media has helped Avila promote her business and also has provided her company during her fitness process. “I feel this is a lonely journey. When I share it on social media, other people can see that if I made it, they could also make it.” Avila has been able to connect with other women, especially with other moms. “They ask me all kinds of questions. They ask how I’m not ashamed to post pictures where you see my stretch marks. I answer and try to remind them that we must love our body, our temple. I feel that by sharing my changes, I can inspire other women.”

Though scrutinized by the internet trolls from time to time and being accused of achieving her results through plastic surgery, Avila stresses healthy nutrition and controlled portions for long-term weight loss. Avila also reminds everyone to be patient. “Making small changes every day helps. In a year, those small changes will make a big difference. She has eliminated the word “diet” and has replaced it with “lifestyle.” She understands the most challenging part for most is realizing that this process takes time. She shares her “Before and After” photos to serve as a testament that incredible changes don’t happen quickly, but that they are achievable.”

During the weekend, Avila and Gomez work to prepare, package, and deliver meals to clients in the New Orleans metropolitan area. Customers can pick from one or two meals per day and sign up by Friday to get their meals for the following week. Convenience is this service’s main appeal, and the fact that the food is never frozen makes it the healthiest meal prep alternative in town. There are no added preservatives, and the food can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.”

“Happy Living Meal Prep is an easy, fun lifestyle. When you get your food, you will not say it’s flavorless. We always changed up our menu. You don’t have to worry about the right portions and nutrients. It’s an exploding of Colombian and Honduran flavors, and people will never feel they are dieting,” explains Avila.

Her daughter, Sofia, has been her greatest inspiration to improve her everyday life. “She is my motor.” The physical changes have been a plus because, for Avila, the difference in her mentality has been the most important. “If we have no control of our bodies, what would we be able to control? I feel good. I have energy. I can do things with my family and my daughter that I couldn’t do before when I was overweight. I was always tired; I had no desire. I was miserable,” Avila added.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made more evident the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “I believe better nutrition is the best medicine to combat this virus and to keep the body strong to stay healthy. Avila has developed a need to exercise and to take care of her health every day. When she doesn’t take the time to get it done, she feels she is cheating herself out of the gift of a healthy life.

“Start today. Make a small change. No one will ever say, ‘I regret eating healthy today.’ It is about making small changes and being very patient.”

If your new year’s goals include a healthier lifestyle, consider this local prep meal service. Find more about Happy Living Meal Prep on their Instagram account @happylivingmealprep