Springtime has arrived! With the longer days, NOW is the time to get outside to practice healthy habits. Try one or more of the following activities to get you and your family moving as we kick off the new season:

The first five elements we have discussed in Your LifeBook have set you up to develop a clear understanding of your current health and identifying your motivation.

This week, we will explore how improving weight management contributes to creating overall health and wellbeing. An important first step is assessing the current phase of your weight management. Here are two different measurements to evaluate yourself:

• Body mass index (BMI). BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. When combined with your waist circumference, it determines if you are at a healthy weight.
• Waist circumference. Waist circumference allows us to evaluate organ fat accumulation and indicates if extra fat poses a health challenge. To measure waist circumference correctly, stand and place a tape measure around your mid-section, just above your hipbone, and measure your waist after exhaling.

Remember that the current state of your weight is exactly that- a phase that you will move through as you continue to improve your weight management. Try not to get caught up on numbers, such as your weight, BMI, and waist circumference. Instead, keep these two key points in mind while working toward a healthy weight:

• It is more than weight loss. Your primary focus should be on building your health and wellbeing, not the number on the scale. As your independent OPTAVIA Coach, I am here to keep you motivated and cheer you on through every step of your journey.
• Implement the Habits of Health. Implementing healthy habits make managing your weight much easier, and you will begin to see progress in reaching your healthy weight. Habits can transform your old actions into new choices that support your long-term health.

Once you develop your path to a healthy weight, you will have the foundation you need to reach your health goals!

Remember, I’ve been in your shoes! Connect with me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, to formulate a plan on how to improve your health and wellness on your journey to Lifelong Transformation, One Healthy Habit at a Time^®.

­Last week’s newsletter focused on healthy activities to take outside as we enter spring and soak up the warmer weather.

When you are outside, remember the importance of staying hydrated as the amount of water you take in daily plays a significant role in ensuring your overall health and wellbeing.

Here are tips for staying hydrated this spring and summer:

• Drink the right amount of water^*. It is essential that you drink the proper amount of water daily. Co-founder and independent OPTAVIA Coach, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, recommends drinking about 64 ounces of water per day. Please note that this amount can vary depending on specific health conditions and your lifestyle. If you are new to integrating healthy motion into your routine, or an athlete who exercises all the time in the heat, you may need extra fluids to stay hydrated.
• Set a reminder.  With our busy schedules and hectic days, try setting reminders on your phone throughout the day to remind you to hydrate and track your water intake.
• Keep your water bottle close. The easiest way to drink more water is always keeping your water bottle nearby. Drawing lines on your water bottle with timestamps is another simple way to track how much you need to drink by the end of the day.
• Drink water with every meal. Drinking water with your Fuelings and Lean & Green meals will not only help you stay hydrated, but can also help improve your digestion. When you are hydrated, your body produces sufficient saliva, which helps break down food into nutrients that the body can absorb.

Connect with me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, for additional ways to track your hydration and keep water intake top-of-mind.

The Leap of Health

Peri spent most of her adulthood chasing after her six children, teaching classes, and maintaining an active lifestyle. However, her lifestyle slowed between her 50^th and 60^th birthdays, resulting in unwanted weight gain.

After watching her friend, who was an independent OPTAVIA Coach, post her progress, Peri decided to reach out to see if OPTAVIA would be a fit for her too. “After connecting, I took the leap of faith.”

Peri got on plan and immediately saw a change in her weight*, as well as a shift in her attitude. In addition, her energy improved, and she was starting to feel like herself again.

After talking to her independent OPTAVIA Coach, she decided to take the leap and become an OPTAVIA Coach herself to pay it forward and help others experience the lifestyle change that she did.

“I have big dreams for myself and my family. I am a better wife and have become better organized and structured. Of course, I am still a work in progress, but by studying Your LifeBook, I can stay focused on my goals. OPTAVIA has changed me in so many positive ways, and I am in it to win it!”