This month’s focus is near and dear to me – the perfect recipe for maintaining a healthy lifestyle! Many of you know I am a heart disease survivor so any chance I get to encourage women to take the initiative over their health, I jump on it! Also, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month so this is the perfect time to discuss living our healthiest life. Being healthy is not just about a diet, a fad, a dress size, nor is it just about exercising! Through my own experiences I have learned that living healthy involves many factors to reach total health. That means what I eat, how much I move, keeping stress down, doing what I love, and having healthy relationships etc. all makes up my happiness and total health.

Here are the 5 methods I use to live my healthiest life!

Know your Numbers

Ignorance is not bliss but knowledge is power!

Ladies, ignorance is not bliss. Do not be fearful or nervous! It is important to take charge and “Know Your Numbers.” It’s knowledge that could save your life.

Five numbers, that all women should know to take control of their health are:

• Total Cholesterol
• HDL (good) Cholesterol
• Blood Pressure
• Blood Sugar
•  Body Mass Index (BMI)

Knowing these numbers can help you and your healthcare provider determine your risk for developing cardiovascular and other diseases. It’s time for all of us to learn the most critical numbers in our life. Once you know your numbers you can discuss all risk factors and family history with your healthcare provider. Ignorance is not bliss but knowledge is power! Know your numbers and then do everything within your power to improve your numbers

Know When to Say “NO”!

The best way to avoid stress is learning when to say “no.”

It is not a cliché saying- stress really does kill! I urge every woman under the sound of my voice to not allow stress to enter your life! The best way to avoid stress is learning when to say “no”. As smart and driven women it is easy to fall prey to taking on obligations that don’t align with your immediate career goals. Saying “yes” is so much more comfortable than saying “no”! Many women find it difficult to say “no” to requests in or out of the workplace without feeling guilty or jeopardizing professional relationships.

Why do we have such a problem saying “no”? It’s simple. As leaders and achievers, we want to do it all. We may be superior women, but we are not superwomen. While I was a practicing attorney, I was working 60-70 hours a week. As a Senior Assistant District Attorney, I was responsible for caseloads of immense volume and importance that, literally, would decide another person’s life and liberty. I sacrificed seeing friends and family, I developed bad habits that would take years to correct and I even sacrificed my health while trying to do it all. It took some time, but I learned to say “no”. In fact, I’ve mastered the ability to say “no” and my overall health has benefited from it!

Get Moving

Force yourself to put down your smartphone, step away from your desk, and move, move move!

In terms of health you don’t have to spend hours in the gym daily! Power to you rockstar women who do but being healthy does not have to equal hours in the gym. Just move! Do what you love. I enjoy tennis; you may enjoy swimming or a brisk walk. There is no wrong way to move. Find an activity that you love and commit to doing it a few times a week. Many of us fail at the gym. Crunches and treadmills may not excite you. If you are intimidated or less than thrilled with spending time at the gym, don’t force it. But absolutely force yourself to put down your smartphone, step away from your desk, and move, move move!

Do What you Love

Do what you love and if you are not doing what you love leave your position quick, fast, and in a hurry.

I don’t think it is a scientific fact, but it’s a Star Jones fact that being stuck in a career that drains you and where you feel under appreciated is a big stress factor and a road block to your total health. I don’t care if you are 20 years old or 50 years old. Do what you love and if you are not doing what you love leave your position quick, fast, and in a hurry. You are worth more than stressful days, capped earning, belittling leadership, and ideas that remain unheard. Know your worth and demand to be treated what you are worth from your employer, business partner, investors, and colleagues. Furthermore, if you are not passionate about going to work and you don’t absolutely love what you do you will feel resentment and stress over time. You deserve more. Happiness and joy in every area of your life, especially your career will contribute to your total health.

Lifestyle > Dress Size

Deliberately choosing and committing to a healthy lifestyle is far more important than seeking an ideal dress size or a specific number on the scale.

I have said it before and it can never be said enough: deliberately choosing and committing to a healthy lifestyle is far more important than seeking an ideal dress size or a specific number on the scale. As women we are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are UNIQUELY made. We don’t all need to be a size two or six or even twelve. I wish I had a megaphone right now so that I can be loud and clear! Say no to fad diets, don’t compare yourself to your skinny friends, and don’t stare at your slimmer photos from decades ago in despair! Eating healthy and being active is not about just about a moment, a photoshoot, a social media post, or your wardrobe. A healthy lifestyle is about living your best life for as long as you can on this earth. If you chase vanity and are just motivated by looks you will eventually fail. Look for substantial motivation to be healthy such as enjoying more time with your loved ones and having more energy to do the things you enjoy doing.

There is not a perfect moment to take control over our health. There is no perfect body, perfect workout, or perfect lifestyle. However, there is a such thing as a perfect attitude and real dedication. Dedicate yourself to achieving total health.

I hope this inspires you ladies! I hope you reach your total health goals and live your very best life. Keep pushing and keep growing and know that all of us at IAW are happy to be a part of your success. Enjoy your day and may you always dream, rise, and lead!