Kelly LeVeque - Body Love

This book contains advice and information relating to health care. It should be used to supplement rather than replace the advice of your doctor or another trained health professional. If you know or suspect you have a health problem, it is recommended that you seek your physicians advice before embarking on any medical program or treatment. All efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the information contained in this book as of the date of publication. This publisher and the author disclaim liability for any medical outcomes that may occur as a result of applying the methods suggested in this book.

BODY LOVE. Copyright 2017 by Kelly LeVeque. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.

FIRST EDITION

Photos by Vanessa Tierney

Graphics by Amber Moon

ISBN 978-0-06-256914-1

EPub Edition June 2017 ISBN 978-0-06-256916-5

I dedicate this book to my husband, Chrismy soul mate,

the yin to my yang, my best friend, and my perfect partner in life.

THE DESIRE TO LIVE the healthiest, most sustainable life that I could is what led me to challenge the status quo and start The Honest Company. And when I met Kelly, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. We connected in 2015, at a time when I was struggling with a few health issues (inflammation being one of them) and just not feeling my best. And, like most women, I wanted to drop a few pounds. Los Angeles has no shortage of nutritionists, health gurus, and wellness experts, but Kelly had worked wonders for one of my best friends, so instinct told me that she was special.

During our first meeting, I peppered Kelly with all sorts of questions (its who I am, I want to know why) and quickly realized we were operating on the same wavelength. Shes a geek for the science behind what we eat and the products we use, just like me. And as we dug through my pantry, dissected my typical grocery list and went through a day-in-the-life of what I was eating, she explained things in clear, simple terms, armed me with practical advice, and infused me with a renewed sense of confidence. Its one of the best things about Kelly: she sets you up for self-sustaining success.

Naturally, when I heard she was putting her knowledge and her approach into a book, I was thrilled. Not only because Ive had such incredible results working with her, but because I believe in who she is, what she does, and how she does it. Shes passionate about her work, dedicated to helping others, conscientious of different lifestyles and always, always, always a spark of positive energy in my life.

And Body Love as a title? Killer. How many of us fall out of love with our bodies, our curves, and even ourselves? Believe me, as an actress, Ive felt the pressure we all feel (times a thousand) to be this weight or that jean size or have those legs. Sorry, but I dont like trying to fit some idealized notion of perfection. I like me. My husband, Cash, likes me. And the funny thing is, once Kelly helped me let go of some of that pressure, the results I wantedfor mecame quickly and naturally (eleven inches in about six weeks!). Its amazing what a little knowledge, confidence, and body love can do.

At the heart of it, Kellys approach aligns perfectly with my personal philosophy on food and nutrition. I call it honest eating, but really, its just about eating clean, organic, and nutrient-dense food. What really clicked for me: Her simple explanation of the science behind it allhow the right amount of macronutrients (her Fab Four) on my plate or in my smoothie will balance my blood sugar and hunger hormones. I also love what her approach isntits not about rules, calorie counting, or bland, boring food.

Case in point: I like eating whatever I want (literally, whatever) one day a week. When I mentioned this to Kelly, she didnt judge or lecture me. There wasnt even the slightest bit of guilt. She just smiled and said, I got you, girl, this isnt all or nothing. It was so refreshing and empowering to hear. Kelly gets it. Shes a woman, shes been there, and shes got you, too.

XO Jessica Alba

HELLO! IM THRILLED YOUVE picked up Body Love and want to be well! My name is Kelly LeVeque, and I cant wait to share with you my approach to clean eating, wellness, and weight losswhich was originally called Be Well By Kelly (or BWBK).

At its core, Body Love is about feeling empowered, not overwhelmed, by food and nutrition. Its about using light, science-driven structure to stay on course (and autocorrect, if necessary), not being chained to an unsustainable or overly restrictive diet. Its about learning simple tips and tricks to eat to satiety and naturally balance your hunger hormones, not fighting not to eat. Its about ditching the food drama. No more aggressive cleanses; no more frustrating do-not-eat lists; no more yo-yo-inducing fad diets.

Why is my approach so different from other diets out there? Because (a) its not a diet, and (b) its not a diet. Its a realistic, sustainable, twenty-first-century approach that is rooted in the science of human nutrition, and it achieves real results. Best of all, my approach puts the power in your hands, so you can eat the foods you love and build your own healthy lifestyle. So if youre here to feel empowered and liberated, youre in the right place. My approach is for you.

Cultural attitudes toward food, nutrition, and wellness are shifting. Its not just the focus of people who shop at Whole Foods and wear lululemon; whether they know it or not, most of the wider population is gravitating toward a more personalized, holistic approach. People care more than ever about what they eat, are more educated than ever about where it comes from and how its made, and are more attuned than ever to how it affects them personally. Thankfully, most people are open-minded and willing to accept an important, nonnegotiable truth: that food has the power to shape not only our bodies and brains but also our lives and futures.

I wrote this book to help you understand how the foods youre eating are affecting you and why. I want you to look and feel great, whatever that means to you. I want you to set yourself up for personal food freedom, not just for the next trip where a bikini or bathing suit is required, but for the rest of your life.

In Body Love, youll learn how to nourish your body with clean, whole foods that prevent elevated blood sugar, inflammation, and gut issues. Youll learn why certain foods make us gain weight and get sick and have the potential to create serious health problems. And Ill show you how certain foods can actually help you