It’s too much. It’s not enough. Whether it be from stress, lack of motivation or faulty time management, many people fall into the trap of overeating or skipping meals entirely. It’s not unusual to forget to eat lunch every now and then or pull an all-nighter during college finals, but our Health Raiser of the Week urges you to not make a habit of it. Elisa’s first-hand experience proves that treating your body well shouldn’t be thought of as a treat. It should be an everyday routine.
What does health mean to you?
To me, being healthy means fueling your body with foods that make you thrive, regularly being active and also doing your best to have a positive outlook. To have a healthy body, you also need to have a healthy mindset.
What inspired you to start living a healthy life?
After a long period of eating too much, not sleeping enough and stressing over schoolwork, I finally realized how poorly I was treating my body and how a complete lack of proper nutrition and exercise had contributed to my constantly unhappy mood. I really wanted to do something to change. So when I came across an article about the benefits of Bikram yoga, I decided to give it a try – couldn’t hurt! Shortly after, I made the switch from vegetarian to vegan, which instantly improved my well-being.
What are three things you do to stay healthy?
I stay away from processed foods a majority of the time, which I think is crucial to feeling my best and performing well athletically. I train six days a week. In addition to weightlifting, I run and practice yoga. And I try to drink a lot of water! It can be easy to forget sometimes, but staying hydrated is key.
What is one motivational quote that you live by?
“I don’t believe you have to be better than everybody else. I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.” – Ken Venturi
If you were stranded on a desert island, what Vitacost product could you not live without?
It would probably be PlantFusion protein powder! I especially love the Cookies N’ Creme flavor.
What advice do you have for someone who is trying to live healthier?
Make small changes and stick to them. Don’t start out thinking “I’m going to eat a fully raw diet, run a marathon and lose 25 pounds in three months!” You’ll become overwhelmed and might feel like giving up when you aren’t progressing as fast as you want to. Small goals, like going running three times a week or cutting soda out of your diet, are much less daunting. Don’t worry, though, because over time they will make a huge difference. Don’t put any time limits on yourself either, because healthy is a lifestyle. It’s not a quick fix with a deadline.
Is there a role model you look up to?
Cross-Fitter and weightlifter Lauren Fisher is a big role model of mine. She’s the same age as me and inspires me so much. She’s an incredibly hard-worker and is unbelievably strong. Knowing how much work she puts into her training definitely motivates me to push harder every day.