Each Friday we feature a real-life person who has embraced a healthy lifestyle from a former sedentary life. We hope their story inspires you to start living and breathing a healthy life!

Today’s story is from Adrienne who lives in Phoenix, Ariz.

Sarah: 2003 was the year that started the change for you, can you share with us what happened?
Adrienne: In 2003, I moved to Arizona to take yet another job in television. While I’d been somewhat athletic growing up, I was always raised to think it was better to be smart, than pretty. And it showed. By the time I arrived in Arizona, I was at least 50 pounds overweight, a complete party girl, with many health issues looming on the horizon (diabetes, stomach issues, etc) and most of all, my self-confidence was shot. And I didn’t realize ANY of these things.

Sarah: How did you start your healthy life journey?
Adrienne: Through circumstance, a co-worker was successful following the Weight Watchers program, so I thought, “Why not?” In April of 2004, I’d removed 56 pounds to reach my goal weight, and was approached by Weight Watchers about becoming a Group Leader – and helping others reach their goals. Again, I thought “Why not?” and agreed to take the facilitation training and start part-time. Within weeks of the training, I realized that TV was no longer a good fit for me, and came to work for WW full time.

Sarah: Wow! That is incredible! Tell us about your new job!
Adrienne: Fast forward eight years, and I’m now one of the Managers of the company, helping with training, media and still leading members to reach their goals each week, some even taking off more than a hundred pounds.
This isn’t a WW commercial, though. Losing the weight sparked me to find ME. I often say “My outside matches my inside now.” I’m confident. I’m raising my family to be healthy and active, so they can avoid the struggles I had. My daughter has a fabulous self-image, which means the world to me, since I didn’t have that kind of role model growing up.

Sarah: Tell us how you started running.
Adrienne: After having my daughter, I was trying to find “my thing.” That thing that was mine, that wasn’t work. Or family. And some friends across the country reminded me about running. I’d dabbled in running here and there, but didn’t think much of it. Well, having a toddler was enough to make me lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement.

It was quiet. I could think. Or not think. And my feet just kept moving. The miles became my therapy. And I felt stronger and more confident than ever before. That was fall of 2010. Since then, I’ve run two half marathons, and more than a dozen other races. And then, less than two weeks ago, I crossed the timing mats of my first marathon. Needless to say, I’m hooked.

Sarah: What is life like today for you?
Adrienne: I’m healthier and happier at 34 than I was at 24. My goal used to be just to see my next birthday. Now my goal is to be that healthy, white-haired woman who passes the young whipper-snappers at races, while encouraging them the whole way.

Sarah: Do you have any healthy goals for 2012 and beyond?
Adrienne: My  goal is to run seven races. Raging from four miles to two marathons. I have specific time goals for the marathons so I’m working with a coach on that. Incorporate some cross-training and continue to live a healthy life!

Adrienne before

 

Adrienne after (finishing a race)

Last night as I was browsing my Twitter feed, I saw a Tweet from a health/fitness professional. And what I read shocked me. The post was promoting the “HCG Diet”. This is one of the worst diets (all diets are horrible, but this one is exceptionally bad). I replied to her that I was sad she posted that. She replied to me that she was helping her friend. Well, if she was helping her friend she would tell her the truth about the HCG Diet.

I know we all want to help a friend win something (more about that in another post), but before you post something, get the facts. Especially if it is of a health based post. AND you are in the health field. People are looking up to us. Be diligent in providing the right facts.

There is a healthy way to lose weight. Eat real food and sweat. And a few other things too, but that’s really the basis of it. The HCG diet involves a injection and a “diet” of 500 calories per day. Of course you’ll lose weight! You are starving yourself! For more, read this: HCG Diet.

So please people, be careful what you retweet, post, say, and eat + drink (couldn’t resist, sorry). People expect you to do the homework for them. Be a positive influence!

Photo by: srqpix

Last evening, I was at a church BBQ (free food, I am so there!). While enjoying some delightful black bean-avocado-tomato-lime infused salad and chatting with friends, I spied something.

Now, if you’ve known me for about five seconds, you will know that high on my unhealthy list is soda. In fact, every time I fly Southwest Airlines and I get a can of water, I cringe. Even the mere appearance and feel of a soda can makes me cringe.

As I was staring off into the quickly fading sunlight, there it was. Like a glow-in-the-dark light. A soda can. Gingerly, I picked up the can. And like a sharp dagger the word “antioxidant” almost killed me. It was a can of  7UP. And not just any 7UP. Antioxidant Cherry 7UP.

Now, most of us would associate the word “antioxidant” with let’s say, radical (sarcastic) foods like cherries, pineapple, kiwi, walnuts, pecans, red beets, kale- even spices like cloves and cinnamon. But a can of 7UP? You’ve got to be kidding me!

What was equally disturbing was that a guy inhaled (no exaggeration) a can of 7UP PLUS a can of coke in about five minutes. Tops.  Perhaps the antioxidants of the 7UP made up for the coke? Or maybe that was his fruit for the day (dare I say week or month).

Even worse was the sugar content. See photos.

Can of coke. Look at the sugar content!

Can of Cherry 7UP (look at sugar content!)

Now, people, in case you are confused, soda is NOT antioxidant. Soda – even if it says “cherry” or some other healthy inspired word – is not the real deal. Even if the label says so. Don’t believe everything you read!

A few lessons from my observations.

1) Remember, all antioxidants are not created equal. For example, a serving of beans has 13,727 of antioxidants while a gala apple as 3,903. The USDA breaks down each antioxidant in each food for you. (Go explore the site and learn.)

2) Sugar content. One can had 40g of sugar, the other 38g. In the five minutes that I watched (I kept my mouth shut, I have no idea how) he consumed almost 80 (EIGHTY!) grams of sugar! I’ll write more on the whole sugar issue in another article, but for now just know that you should only consume 40g per day. If even that.

3) Upon further investigation (as only a good spy would do) I went to the 7UP website. And you know what? The “antioxidant” was Vitamin E.  I’m shocked I am writing this, because I just about fell over.

So, let me get this straight – by injecting a vitamin into the soda, we can call it “antioxidant?” Oh and don’t forget the words “natural” or “cherry.”

People. Boys. Girls. Please don’t assume that just because it is labeled “natural,” “whole grains” or “fruit” it is. Read the labels. Or better yet, stick to getting food straight from the garden, farm, farmers market or produce stand. Packages and boxes will mislead you. And potentially kill you.

Eat real antioxidants? Such as:

1. Fruits
   Berries (Cherry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, crowberry, blueberry, bilberry/wild blueberry, black currant), pomegranate, grape, orange, plum, pineapple, kiwi fruit, grapefruit
2. Vegetables
   Kale, chili pepper, red cabbage, peppers, parsley, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lemon, ginger, red beets
3. Dry Fruits high in antioxidants
   Apricots, prunes, dates.
4. Legumes
   Broad beans, pinto beans, soybeans.
5. Nuts and seeds
   Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, ground nut or peanuts, sunflower seeds
6. Cereals
   Barley, millet, oats, corn.
7. Spices
   Cloves, cinnamon, oregano

If you want facts on just how bad soda is (and you doubt me), read these articles.

10 Seriously Disturbing Facts About Soda

The Facts, Stats and Dangers of Soda Pop

Drink soda? Think again. Yes, even if it’s diet, sugar free, natural or whatever else big corporations think will get you to buy a can. Stick with water. And real food!

Yes, life is full of choices (7UP’s tag line). Don’t make soda one of them!

On to my next spy adventure. Don’t get caught .

As we move onto the weekend, it is easy to fall away from our goals of eating healthy or exercising. Don’t let this happen to you! TIP: plan your meals in advance! If you know you are going to friends eat something before hand.

And a double REAL tip ’cause its the weekend:) plan your events around your workouts! This will make sure you don’t forget to make them happen!

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography

We are all familiar with the WORD diet. It is probably the first word we learned about but never spoke. We watched our families, friends and others talk about how they needed to eat healthier or eat a pint of ice cream, then regret it later. Or making sure they got in their favorite foods during the month of December so on January 1, they could start the “diet” only to fall off the commitment weeks later.

Whatever the story, we know that our diet affects us & will make us gain or lose weight.

My approach to the diet is to take the word out of our minds, habits and any feelings we have about it and replace it with the words: healthy food. It may seem basic. But if we chose “healthy food” over “diet food” we will be more successful in maintaining a healthy life style FOR LIFE.

Over the next few weeks I am going to be writing about healthy food, what changes you can make to you daily eating habits, foods, ingredants to avoid, and ways to make healthy meals, snacks. If you have a specfic question, please let me know and I will answer it for you!

To YOUR healthy, fit AND happy life!:)

Photo by Pink Sherbet