In Dr. A’s Habits of Health^®, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen defines Optimal Health as, "the highest degree of health that is possible for you to achieve." Many factors influence our health and wellbeing each day, one of which is maintaining a healthy weight.

However, achieving Optimal Health is not just medical self-care and maintaining a healthy weight; Optimal Health is about increasing your potential and recognizing your value. Here are some simple, yet impactful, tips to create Optimal Health and wellbeing in your life in addition to reaching a healthy weight:

• Love yourself. A healthy mind is just as critical to your overall health as physical fitness. You have to feel that you are important enough to allow yourself to change. Remember to make yourself a priority and celebrate your victories, even the small ones, on your unique journey to Optimal Health. This will motivate you to continue working toward your goals. 
• Be present. When you are present, your mind does not dwell on the unchangeable past or the uncertain future. Living in the moment can help create and sustain meaningful relationships, improve social skills, and opens you up to experience new things.
• Eat healthy foods. The food you put into your body can impact your mood and energy levels. Having a healthy diet can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of disease. For more information, please see Dr. A’s Habits of Health Chapter 8.
• Get plenty of sleep.Sleep plays an important role in physical health, brain function, and emotional wellbeing. Aim to get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night to allow your body ample time to revitalize. For more information, please see Dr. A’s Habits of Health Chapter 17.
• Manage stress. Realizing that you are in control of your life is the foundation for managing stress. Take charge of your thoughts and emotions by identifying the stressors in your life and utilize coping methods that are healthy and productive. For more information, please see Dr. A’s Habits of Health Chapter 25.
• Have a support system. Building connections with others and having a support system can increase the chances of reaching your goals. Your independent OPTAVIA Coach and Community are there to support you and help instill the habits that create Optimal Health, leading to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time^®.

Please feel free to reach out to me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, for other tips and guidance on maintaining Optimal Health on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time.

With October kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to highlight some healthy tips on breast cancer prevention.

Follow these tips, in addition to screening and early detection methods, to keep healthy and increase your chances of staying healthy.

• Eat healthy. Embrace a diet high in vegetables and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates, and fatty foods. Eat lean protein such as fish or chicken breast and eat red meat in moderation, if at all.
• Keep active!  Increased physical activity, even when begun later in life, can reduce overall breast-cancer risk. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week to get this protective effect.
• Avoid alcohol. Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women should limit intake to no more than one drink per day, regardless of the type of alcohol.
• Give up cigarettes. Some research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in some women. Need help quitting? Reference this site, amongst other online resources.

Ask me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, about other ways we can work together to keep you healthy on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time^®.

Agent of Hope

“I battled my weight for a long time. I remember being made fun of as a kid and, as a result, suffering from low self-esteem. Food became my comfort, and as a result, became an addiction.”

The more Dean ate, the larger he became. He no longer liked what he saw when he looked in the mirror.

“I was so embarrassed with how I had allowed myself to get this size. I didn't feel good!”

This carried over into Dean’s adult years. He unsuccessfully tried diets and exercise to lose the weight.

“Whatever was lost quickly returned because I didn't have the education of how to keep it off. I finally reached a place of hopelessness and didn't want to keep living like this anymore.”

Dean desired more than anything to lose the weight and to feel good about himself. He went on Facebook and saw his friend Pat’s post of how the OPTAVIA Program helped him lose weight, and he invited anyone to reach out to him for information. Dean had finally found his path to hope!

"I started the Program at 300 pounds, and seven months later, I lost 115 pounds*, weighing in at 185 pounds.

OPTAVIA has changed my life. Having a Coach, being surrounded by the incredible OPTAVIA Community, learning the Habits of Health^®, and having the delicious and convenient Fuelings have made a lifelong dream come true! My energy level is up, and I'm doing activities that I never thought I could do! I am now an independent OPTAVIA Coach and have the honor of not only being an agent of transformation, but also an agent of hope!