Spotlight: Find Your Balance

Every so often I come across a blog that stays in my mind- a blog that inspires me and challenges me to be a little better, to push a little harder towards my goals.

So last month I began a Spotlight feature here on healthy ashley to shine some light on a few of these blogs just in case you haven't yet found them yourself.

The first Spotlight was on Oh She Glows, found here.

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Meet Michelle:

A few weeks ago I found her awesome blog Find Your Balance and have been stalking her ever since. Her clean, crisp site draws you in with tons of info, recipes, tips and fun! But I would expect nothing else from Michelle- you can just tell she is insanely sweet, positive and lovable. We could be very best friends.

Plus she has my dream job as a health counselor and yoga teacher. Pretty cool, right?

Michelle has gone through a little health makeover that really inspires me. But I’ll let her tell you about that:

What changes have you made to lead a healthier life? Why?

I started paying attention to what I was consuming and how it was affecting me. Like, one time I noticed that eating pancakes for breakfast would almost immediately require taking a nap afterwards. Same with other sugary breakfast choices I’d typically eat for, say, Sunday brunch. So I stopped doing that and started having much more fun, active weekends! This sort of consciousness has brought about so much change for the better. I just wasn’t paying attention before, and wondered why I was so tired and sick! I also started doing yoga, which really feels good to my body. I love my yoga practice.

Any tips for someone thinking about making healthy changes in their own life?

Just start paying attention. Investigate your habits and choices. Learn about where your food comes from and what is in it. Just start playing detective and be open to trying new things and making changes as you learn.

Is there anything would you say to someone who is already pretty healthy but wants some extra healthy shazam (ex: a certain food? To drink tons more water? To go vegan one day every month?)? How to make the good better?

Haha that’s a good question. I find most people know at least 2 or 3 things they can be doing for themselves and their health, but maybe for some reason they aren’t doing it. That’s one of the ways I work with clients, to figure out what they know to be true about their health and help them accomplish their goals. What is something you could be doing for your health? Ask yourself and you’ll be surprised how much you already know. Sometimes it’s simple. I stopped drinking water after 8pm and now I don’t have my sleep interrupted by having to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. I sleep better and have more energy. Woohoo!

Your job looks amazing. As a health counselor and yoga teacher, what is a typical day like for you?

Well, I work mostly from home so I am either working with clients or doing some kind of marketing/blog writing while wearing comfy clothes and slippers. And there is almost always a cat sitting in my lap. Every day is different but I get out of the house for a walk or go to yoga daily. Then at night my husband comes home from work and we spend the evening together! It’s lovely.

Have you always worked as a health counselor and yoga teacher?

Oh no. I worked in advertising as an art director for many years. I knew I wanted to do something more meaningful though – something I was passionate about. It took some time to change careers but I’m finally doing what I love!

What advice can you share for someone wanting to start practicing yoga?

Find a teacher who rocks your world. Really. There are so many kinds of yoga but the only kind that matters is the kind you do and love. Start by taking different classes offered in your area and don’t be afraid to jump around and give different teachers a try. Maybe the 105 degree, hot, sweat-your-butt-off yoga is your thing. Maybe it’s not. Find out!

I have a little mental list of foods I would marry if it was legal (frozen mango, avocado, sweet potato fries and edamame). What foods would you marry?

Hmmm…first I’d date olive oil. Then I’d ultimately marry ghee. Ghee just smells so much better!

Now hurry over to her site because Michelle is hosting a contest for a great cookbook until April 8th!

ps- this is my 300th Post!!! Thank you to all my fantastic readers for reading all my rambles and supporting me!

My 3 Miles in Photos

 

This morning I woke up and just did not want to go out for a run. I was definitely in a funk all day. At the very last minute I thought it’d be fun to take pictures of my 3 mile route to share with you all- that got me outside!

My route is 1.5 miles down Howard to Bayshore Blvd. and back (3 miles total).

A fun burrito and beer place

 

Seriously!

 

The best retro/vintage place!

Obviously the route is mostly restaurants!

One of my favorite places, The Lime!

 

I hate that this was a cloudy day! Bayshore really is beautiful. It’s like the gold at the end of the run!

It’s a few miles long…. one extra-wide bike path with endless water on one side and million-dollar homes on the other!

Sorry it’s so blurry- I don’t think people like me taking photos of their homes!

 

The sidewalk in front of a pet boutique :)

A great antique shop.. hidden treasures, really…

 

The “run” was actually terrible. Apparently my lovely shin splints are far from gone. I have been in crazy pain all day, even after icing. At least I got some photos out of it, right? :-)

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In other news, a huge thanks to POM for sending me Rubies in the Orchard by Lynda Resnick! I’ve read a few pages already and am really liking it. Lynda has been so successful (POM FIJI Water, Teleflora are just a few of her successes), so it’s really neat to read some of the stories behind that success.

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Make sure to tune in tomorrow for a great Spotlight post!It’s includes an interview and tips you do not want to miss!!

[New Feature] Spotlight: Oh She Glows

Every so often I come across a blog that stays in my mind- a blog that inspires me and challenges me to be a little better, to push a little harder towards my goals.

So here on healthy ashley I am going to put the spotlight on a few of these blogs just in case you haven't yet found them yourself.

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"Oh She Glows is a health, fitness, beauty, and fashion blog created for women who want to lead full, fab, happy, and healthy lives."

Angela produces a beautiful blog, Oh She Glows. Her story inspires me because she has reached her goal (and looks fabulous!), but also because she believes in a healthy approach and overall happiness.

When trying to lose or maintain or keep up with an exercise routine weight it's easy to get caught up in the blahs. But one inspirational visit to Oh She Glows will remind you that health = happiness.

Her posts have shown me that green monsters are fun.

She encourages me to love my body.

Her Before+Afters make me want to work to look that good!

And you HAVE to check out her cat!

Angela was kind enough to answer a few key questions:

Ashley: What was your "It" moment that caused you to change your lifestyle to a new direction?

Angela: There was a clear turning or 'it' moment point that drove me to finally get healthy, stop binges, and give my body the proper nutrients it needed. It was when I was at the university health clinic. I was going to see the doctor about switching birth control pills. He asked me why I wanted to switch BCP’s and I said, among other reasons, that I thought this pill had made me gain weight. I was at my all time high of 147 pounds. He paused, as if thinking about how to say this delicately, and said, “Well, this pill is actually one of the least likely to cause weight gain….you know, being in university is a really easy environment to gain weight without even realizing it…there are late night study sessions, drinking….” He trailed off. I’m sure he could see the utter embarrassment on my face, the face that said, Crap, he’s right. I felt like I had let him down. I thought, he probably sighed to himself thinking, Yet another undergrad who gained the freshman 15….sigh….

That was the main turning point in my decision to get healthy. I felt I had hit rock bottom and I knew something had to change. Now that isn't to say that it was smooth sailing from then on out, but it surely served as motivation to take a step in the right direction.

Ashley: What is your motivation to maintain your healthy lifestyle?

Angela: My main motivation doesn't come from looking in the mirror (although that does help of course when you see results), but it comes from how I feel. When I eat poorly it immerses into every part of my life. My energy is low, my mood is lethargic and cranky, and my appearance doesn't have a happy glow. That is why I always say it isn't about the scale. It is truly about how you feel inside and out. When I stopped weighing myself and stopped counting calories I started to focus more on how I felt. Was I feeling tired and moody? That was possibly related to the junk food I ate the night before. Was my skin breaking out? Probably too much sugar. Generally, when I eat good, whole foods I feel my best. There is no better motivation than that!

I am currently challenging myself to 1 week SUGAR FREE...as part of Crap Free Week. My main vice is sugar so I am going 1 week without it and reporting on how it changes my life. You can follow along on my blog: http://ohsheglows.com/2009/02/23/crap-free-week-part-1/

I also get motivation from all my wonderful friends on Oh She Glows. Other people inspire me each and everyday to live a healthy life and to try out new foods and activities. I have learned so much since I started following other's journeys.

Ashley: If you could offer one piece of advice to those looking to lead healthier lives, what would it be?

Angela: Write down each of the following:

1) Short term goals: What you want to accomplish TODAY/ What you want to accomplish THIS WEEK/ What you want to accomplish THIS MONTH.

2) Long Term Goals: What do you want to accomplish by the end of 2009/ What do you want to accomplish in 5 years.

Be as specific and realistic as possible.

Now do the planning to make these goals happen! How will you achieve these goals?

My best advice is to start small with your goals. If you are new to running a not so great goal is 'Run a marathon next month' and a great goal is 'Run 1 mile without stopping in a month'.