Living the Healthy Active Balance: One Woman’s Story

After university, I moved away from home with my now husband and completely changed up my lifestyle. I started with the gym and worked on my nutrition. It was all going great at the start but I still wasn’t clear on what nutrition meant and what portion control was. I was going to the gym 5 days a week, it was great for the first three months but once I didn’t see much of a change, I knew I needed to find something else to get me on track to where I needed to be.

I couldn’t afford a personal trainer at the time, so I was left with the resources on the Internet.  I came across the 21-Day Fix Program and Shakeology, it was on sale and there were not hidden or additional cost. It was a one-time fee and I could afford it.

I was really interested for many reasons. I came with all the information on portion control, a workout program that was home based (super convenient) and a coach. I just couldn’t turn down the offer. I completed my first round and was down almost 6 pounds and almost 2 pant sizes, I couldn’t believe it and to top it off I was feeling the best I ever felt in years!! More energy, felt good and gained back some confidence. I repeated this program 2 more times, losing a total of 15 pounds and so many inches (hello, new wardrobe).

I’ve felt stronger and I noticed such a difference in my attitude, as well as both my mental and physical health, and the healthier choices I now make in my life today. What’s even better is that I have been able to maintain my weight loss and continue to strengthen, tone and define my muscles.

An opportunity came across for me to coach other individuals much like the coaching I received from my coach on social media and I hopped on board, I knew I had nothing to lose and only more knowledge to gain! I truly believe in living a healthy, active and balanced lifestyle. Since becoming a coach and learning for myself, I know one thing is that you can have balance. That will never change. One of my favourite foods is pizza and I really enjoy champagne. I don’t believe in restricting myself from the foods that I love nor do I believe in having them every day. I live by the 80/20 rule, 80 per cent of the time I eat clean and 20 per cent is for those days I want to treat myself. I could never tolerate being restricted from food.

It is easy for us to forget about taking care of ourselves and put other’s first. I believe we must be happy and healthy for ourselves! I never thought that I would be able to help others achieve the same results I did and bring so much joy into their lives.  I wake up every day with the passion and drive to help others achieve their health and wellness goals, as well as helping them maintain the balance in their lifestyles for themselves and their families.

My Top 5 Tips:

1. Start your day with a healthy breakfast! It is the most important meal of the day and helps kick start your metabolism. Try overnight oats with greek yogurt and fruit or a veggie loaded omelet!
2. Hydrate! Water is SO important to not only keep you feeling FULL longer, but feeling less bloated and flush your system.
3. Eat slowly and enjoy your food, so your brain has a chance to catch up to your stomach and tell you that you are FULL! Trust me, your food isn’t going anywhere but in your belly ;)
4. Enjoy yourself! I mentioned I don’t believe in depriving yourself but maintaining a balance. One bad meal won’t make you gain weight, just like one healthy meal won’t make you lose. Choose to reward yourself with one indulgence over multiple. Be mindful. 
5. Plan ahead! Meal prep and plan. Set aside a day once a week to plan your meals for the week and prep whatever you can to avoid grabbing something quick on a busy day! Write it all down on paper, and be organized.