Eating small meals frequently helps reduce hunger and fuels your body. It also ensures that your body has balanced energy throughout the day. Learning to eat OPTAVIA Fuelings every two to three hours is a great way to keep your healthy habits on track.

In Element 08 of Your LifeBook, independent OPTAVIA Coach and Co-founder, Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen designed a Habits of Health Clock to build into your routine, so you can create more optimal days on your journey.

Here are tips to follow when developing an eating schedule, which can be done in the Meal Tracker on the OPTAVIA App.

• Stick to your Fueling schedule. Set an alarm for two-to-three-hour increments after breakfast, so you are alerted throughout the day when it’s time to eat a Fueling and your Lean & Green Meal. Remember to eat breakfast within 30 – 60 minutes of waking up to jump-start your metabolism!
• List your Fueling routine. Grab Your LifeBook or food journal, and jot down exactly what you eat. Plan in advance by selecting which OPTAVIA Fuelings you will eat during the day, and what protein and vegetables you will have with your Lean & Green Meal. Refer to the OPTAVIA App for delicious, plan-approved recipes.
• Determine the benefits. Keep a list of the benefits you receive from eating a Fueling and keep one with you at all times. Also, remember your WHY to stay motivated. Here are a few benefits to get you started: you may be less hungry in between meals, have more energy, or be less likely to overeat during subsequent meals.
• What have you gained on your journey? List the long-term benefits you have achieved on your journey. Maybe you have gained better control of your weight and are more productive during the day now that you have solidified a firm eating schedule. Write down anything that has improved your overall health and wellbeing!

Ask me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, about other ways to practice healthy eating on Plan.

What better season than spring to enjoy fresh flowers, plant vegetables and enjoy the changes in weather that Mother Nature brings. It is also the perfect time to think about DIY projects you can complete in the warmer weather!

Looking for springtime crafts, try these:

• Spring into motion! Take advantage of the nice weather to practice healthy motion, whether it’s taking a light walk around the neighborhood (when you are ready) or exploring a new trail with friends or family.
• DIY wreaths. Swap your old décor for a custom springtime wreath. Twigs, blossoming trees and herbs are all great to incorporate into a homemade wreath.
• At-home face mask. Spring cleaning doesn't just mean cleaning your house! Caring for your skin is also important. Try this purifying make-at-home face mask:
1. Combine 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 egg white and a little squeeze of lemon juice.
2. Massage onto your skin and let it sit for ~10 minutes.
3. Rinse with warm water, a gentle washcloth and pat dry.
• Create a new centerpiece. Put those mason jars to good use. Grab fresh flowers from outside to make a centerpiece for your dining room or living room tables. You can even get your kids involved by letting them help decorate the mason jars and watering the flowers.

Set aside time with your family and friends to try one of these ideas and then connect with me, your independent OPTAVIA Coach, for additional ways to take advantage of all that spring has to offer.

Turning Pains into Gains

Despite her love for life, Kristin knew she wasn’t living her best life. She wanted to change by addressing her ongoing health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and pre-diabetes, but she didn’t know how.

A devoted wife and mother, who loved nothing more than enjoying exploring nature with her family, her self-esteem began to disappear due to her physical limitations.

“I was miserable and had enough!” That’s when she began her OPTAVIA journey, by finding and proactively reaching out to her independent OPTAVIA Coach.

Kristin held on tight to a particular phrase that she heard from the OPTAVIA Community during her journey, “they hear what you say, but they watch what you do.” It was this phrase that prompted her to listen to her OPTAVIA Coach, watch her lead a life of example and then decide to commit to OPTAVIA. Through this shift in mindset, Kristin created space that allowed her to focus on proper nutrition and begin to see positive changes.

Since starting an OPTAVIA Plan, Kristin reached her weight loss goal^* and has since transitioned herself successfully by adhering to the Habits of Health Transformational System and the guidance from her independent OPTAVIA Coach.

"I have a new mindset and a new sense of freedom. I’ve learned to view food differently as a fuel for my body, not something to depend on when bored, on emotional days, or during social events. I now manage my food intake by practicing the Habits of Health.

One of Kristin’s favorite memories after learning to live a healthy lifestyle was riding roller coasters again without fear of being turned away due to her size. 

Now, Kristin has embarked on a new adventure as an independent OPTAVIA Coach, paying it forward by supporting others as they achieve health and wellness goals.

As an OPTAVIA Coach, Kristin is dedicated to helping Clients navigate their lives by learning healthier ways to live, the same way she did. She is forever grateful to OPTAVIA and her Coach for the impact they made on her life, which she shares with others today.