My Top 5 Tips to Getting and Staying Healthy

Now I'm by no means a doctor, dietician or a personal trainer. But I have lost almost 100 pounds, kept it off for almost three years, and didn't do it with pills, diet fad or surgery. These are my tips that should help anyone looking to improve their life!

#1: DON'T DRINK YOUR CALORIES
Let's say you spend an hour killing yourself at the gym, don't waste that time spent by drinking something that is loaded with calories. When you can eat something, it will fuel your body and keep you full longer. Save your calories for food! I try to avoid soda, juice, alcohol, energy drinks and even most sports drinks. I do drink a lot of water, milk, iced tea and coffee. I limit caffeine, gotta get my beauty rest!

#2: DO SOMETHING ACTIVE, EVERYDAY
Now I'm a big fan of the gym. It gives you time to focus on your health and yourself, but not everyone can join a gym or like the idea of it. It works for me. I love pounding a bad work day away on the treadmill, blasting JayZ or Katy Perry in my earphones. I try to go 3-4 times a week. I do at least twenty minutes (ideally 35-60 minutes) of cardio and then weights. I do a p90x style weight training: Back & Biceps one day, Triceps and Shoulders the next, Legs the day after, Abs every other workout. Varying the workout keeps it interesting and muscle confusion really does work. On days I can't make it to the gym I still try to sneak activity in. I do calf raises when I brush my teeth in the morning. Lunges when I wait for my dinner in the microwave, jumping jacks during TV commercials and my daily goal of 100 push-ups. You can always be doing something active, and you will never regret it. Always include a rest day during your week. It will give your muscles a break and help you stay motivated. RunKeeper is my favorite app for tracking my progress as well.

RunKeeper can track many activities and help you accomplish your goals! 

#3: DON'T SKIP BREAKFAST...AND EAT A GOOD LUNCH TOO
I love breakfast!  I'll grab a hard boiled egg, coffee by my Keurig, a protein pancake (usually make a big batch of them once a week) to eat in the car and oatmeal at my desk. Lunch is my favorite meal of the day. I eat out for lunch everyday, but I always pick good options. My favorite is tacos and burritos, but from the taco truck, not fast food. It's grilled meat, fresh vegetables, not a lot of preservatives. Once you change your diet from bad fast food, (loaded with sodium and preservatives) you won't be able to stomach it later. My body hates it! I eat a lot of Subway flatbread sandwiches, Wendy's chili and baked potatoes, Chicken stir fry and thin crust pizza. I definitely don't feel deprived, I just make better choices. No white bread, no mayo, no hamburger, not a lot of fried food. I usually eat about half my lunch at noon and then the other half around 3:00 p.m. I know this sounds weird but it keep me fueled all day long. And I snack on trail mix and bananas during the day as well. Most of my calories are taken in before 6:00 p.m. Dinner after my nightly workout is usually something that involves a lot of protein and low carbs. (Think grilled chicken, salad, black beans, tacos, sushi, cous-cous, edamame, hot sauce!)

Mmmm, tacos...

#4: DO TREAT YOURSELF
When someone tells you not to do something, isn't that all you want to do? So if I want a piece of candy, I eat it. If I want to take two rest days in a week, I do. If I want to go out with friends and have a couple of margaritas, I do! I don't have any regrets but I make better choices. I choose high quality chocolate now that satisfies my craving with a small piece. Choose quality over quanity and you will appreciate it more. There is no better feeling when you get to replace a pair of running shoes you have worn out or those jeans you have always wanted. Believe me. When I put on my first pair of jeans that weren't a double digit size number, I cried the happiest tears of my life. I looked into that mirror in the dressing room and knew I was doing exactly the right thing. And that's the best feeling in the world.

Treat Yo' Self! margaritas...always with a chaser of water! 

#5: DON'T SELF MEDICATE WITH FOOD (booze and drugs included)
Not that I'm an alcoholic or addict, I'm a foodaholic. I was overweight because I loved my comfort food! In my past life, a bad day was made "better" by eating entirely too much pasta followed by a few cocktails. Repeat. Everyday. That endless cycle of self medicating led to months of bad choices, low self esteem and depression. I hit rock bottom:  bad relationship, sick, no energy. Once I booted the bad boyfriend, I started walking. It gave me time alone to process the break-up, pray and clear my head. That led to jogging and slowly my outlook changed, My clothes started to get a little smaller. I bought P90X and did it at home for 90 days. It was fun and challenging but I was ready for more. So I joined a gym, one that had personal TVs so that I wouldn't have any excuses. 

These days my happiness comes from me and my inner strength. I know my life has value. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind. I make better choices in every aspect of my life. I'm not dependent on booze, drugs or anything else to lift my spirits. Are there still bad times? Yes. Do I have days where my workout wasn't that good? Sure. Do I experience set backs? Absolutely! Sometimes an hour cruising Pinterest, getting sweaty at the gym or having a laugh with a friend is better therapy than that cheeseburger ever was. Or three.  

Just remember, when you feel well, you won't want to go back to anything less. That's my motivation. When you get a nice compliment, you won't want to go back. Give it a few weeks and you will get it. You will have the workout "a ha" moment. You will be proud of yourself. You are in total control of your health. You have no excuse. It's the single greatest gift I ever gave myself: a long healthy life.