As we continue our four-week series on Coaching and other important components of the OPTAVIA Program, we wanted to offer an overview of the Habits of Health.

The Habits of Health system contains everything you need to replace unhealthy habits with healthier ones. By adopting these habits, you are automatically contributing to your Optimal Wellbeing.

Within the Habits of Health system, you will learn new healthy habits in bite-sized pieces. These powerful habits will support you in creating the healthy life you want.

To stay on track, it’s important to remember the overarching Habits of Health:

• Habit of Healthy Weight Loss. Monitor your weight and measurements regularly.
• Habit of Healthy Eating. Eat five Fuelings every two to three hours, and one Lean & Green in the evening.
• Habit of Healthy Motion. Exercise 30-minutes per day for long-term health.
• Habit of Healthy Sleep. Set a bedtime and garner eight hours of sleep per night.
• Habit of a Healthy Mind. Become mindful of WHEN and WHY you make choices.

Being health conscious is something that we learn throughout life. Dr. Wayne Andersen’s Habits of Health book outlines all of his findings through research and experience. He has extensive knowledge on the pivotal role that nutrition plays in disease and health. He has worked hard to share all of his knowledge in the Habits of Health book and will be sharing version 2.0 in the future!

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, for other ideas on how we can work better together to pay forward lifelong transformation, one healthy habit at a time™.

The air is turning crisp, the leaves are changing, and the superheroes and princesses are anxiously awaiting that one day in October when they can flood the streets. All of these things can only mean one thing. Fall is finally here!

There are many healthy fall activities you can practice to get into the fall spirit. It’s important to embrace the fall season in all of its glory, get outside, and get moving. It’s not too hot and not too cold to enjoy some of these healthy fall activities:

• Rake leaves. What’s more fun than a little yard work? The benefits of raking leaves go far beyond a clean yard. There are many health benefits involved no matter how fast or slow you rake. Plus, you can jump in the pile of leaves once you are done, as an added bonus! Both raking and jumping elevate your heart rate and make for serious fall fun games by yourself or with your kiddos.
• Go pumpkin picking. It’s just about time to pumpkin spice up your autumn and head to a pumpkin patch. Take time walking the grounds and pick out the best pumpkins to bring home for carving.
• Go for a scenic hike. It’s the perfect temperature to get outside and explore the beauty of the season. The colors of the leaves on the trees, and the crisp air, make it a wonderful time to get outside and hike the great outdoors. There are numerous trails in your region to discover, and they come with all different levels of difficulty. If you are unaware of trails in your area, or are looking for new trails, search Trailfinders
• Walk a corn maze. Check out a nearby corn maze at a local family farm! Navigate through the golden stalks as you simultaneously get your healthy steps in. The combination of logic and exercise is the perfect recipe for a beautiful, fun-filled autumn day!

All of these activities can be enjoyed alone, with friends, or as a family, so set a healthy fall example together and try some of these activities to get into the autumn spirit.

Ask me, your OPTAVIA Coach, about other ways you can get out there and get moving!

Thank you OPTAVIA!

“My story is like so many others. I was always a big little girl, and I’ve had a weight problem my entire life. I have tried every diet out there. In 2011, my life changed completely when I was hit by a taxi in Bali, Indonesia, and left for dead!”

Airlifted to Malaysia six operations and in Intensive Care Unit for two months, Zena was finally back to the United States. After reaching her home in the U.S., she came down with bacteria meningitis.”

“As a result, I ate, and ate, and ate, my way back to life. But, this was NOT living! I had reached 195 pounds, and with all new body parts, I was not able to live my life with all the extra weight holding me down.”

Then one day Zena saw a picture of a friend thinner than she had ever seen them. She called right away and asked, “what are you doing to get so thin”?

“My friend said her OPTAVIA Coach had helped her, and that's when my life completely changed forever. It was January 16, 2017.

Zena started her journey that day, and by August 16, 2017, she shed 60* pounds. She went from 195 pounds to 135 pounds, and she has maintained that weight since August 2017.

When she was first invited to be an OPTAVIA Coach, she declined saying she just wanted to lose weight. “I was finally recovering from my accident and had retired after working all my life, just to lose weight. But then, I reach maintenance weight and wanted everyone to feel as good as I did. Also to always be on point and accountable with my 135 pounds was awesome! So after many NO's, I finally said YES and became an OPTAVIA Coach!”

It surprised Zena that her journey has become so much more than just losing weight. To be a part of such an incredible Community that has a goal of getting the world healthy brings her joy, and it’s so much fun celebrating everyone's victories, and watching herself open her heart to so many other people.

“My life has always been great! I have an incredible family that always loves and supports me, but this OPTAVIA Program has lifted me to another level.”

Today Zena lives the OPTAVIA Way – healthy mind, healthy body, and healthy finances**. At seventy years old, she has recreated her life!

“Thank you to OPTAVIA, and my Coach, and our incredible Community for lifelong transformation, one healthy habit at a time™!”