Healthy Living Tips with Natalie Langston

I think in this crazy industry I am in, we are so obsessed with what we look like and not what we feel like or how healthy we are inside. We need to change the way we think, we will become healthier and the rest will come. Depriving yourself doesn’t work, cut back slowly and try to find a balance between the foods you love, the foods that are good and bad for you and a regular exercise regime.

Start the Day Off Right

I like to start my mornings with vitamins and mineral supplements along with boiling some hot water with a wedge of lemon. It curbs my appetite and keeps me from drinking coffee first thing. If I need a caffeine kick after a late night event or a long day of shoots I will head to Starbucks for a green tea but I definitely like to stick with orange juice, almond milk or a smoothie with yogurt and fresh fruit which are full of vitamins and fiber. For added nutrients I add Spirulina, kale and protein powder to my smoothies and definitely can’t forget the berries that are packed with antioxidants. I just started using egg-white protein powder with natural ingredients and pure egg whites, which is a great vegan alternative.

Keeping a Balanced Diet

I eat well most of the time and have my vices like everybody but definitely try to balance it out. Ice cream, pizza, and M and M’s are among some of my favourites but I grew up eating really healthy fruits and vegetables and was taught not to have bad sugars or empty calories that you get from pop and chips. I eat a lot of lean chicken, salmon and salads, which are pretty quick to prepare. I just recently got in to quinoa, avocado and tomato salads. So delicious, healthy and easy to whip up. It’s all about finding the right balance for your lifestyle. When I have no time, sometimes I’ll grab a slice of pizza. If I indulge though, I’ll balance things out by switching to a salad or fresh fruit for the next meal. If you are watching your weight or trying to lose those extra pounds, keep a journal everyday and you’ll be surprised once you write down every piece of food you consume. It will make you more aware of what you’re putting in your body and will show you ways that your diet can improve. Throw in how much you exercise that day, which should balance each other out and the results will come.

Snacking On-The-Go

My go to snacks to keep my energy up throughout the day need to be easy to grab and go as I am always rushing out the door. I love plain, Greek yogurt that come in individual cups. This makes it easy to take with me and gives me the probiotics that I need. I always have a bottle of water in my purse to stay hydrated and almonds, trail mix or granola that I can munch on when I’m on the go. Keep serving sizes under control as well, two cups of fruit is all you need and don’t over do it with the sodium. After throwing around the idea of starting a juice cleanse for quite some time now, I’m going to finally do it with the help of the Juice Truck guys and document it on Novus TV. Stay tuned for more. I will keep you posted with the pros, the cons and the results in one of my upcoming articles.

Get Active- Stay Active

I hear this a lot from friends of mine that the hardest part about working out is just getting out the door. If you go to the gym just to work on stretches and get in to a better mindset that will lessen the pressure and not feel so daunting stepping out of the house. Chances are after 15 minutes of being there you will feel motivated enough to hop on that treadmill.
Don’t feel bad if you only have 15 or 20 minutes to fit in at the gym, do it! Any amount of time at the gym is great. I like to change up my workout routine regularly to constantly push and challenge myself. It is never good to let your body get in to a comfortable state with your workouts. You definitely want to keep it fresh and work out different muscles constantly. I like to bike ride along the seawall, take outdoor yoga classes in Stanley Park, paddle-board False Creek, swim a few laps in the pool, take some kick boxing at the Steve Nash Sports Club, try out different dance classes, and mountain bike in Whistler. Next on my agenda, hitting the waves this summer for some surfing and training for the Iron Girl Canada Triathlon. I’ve always wanted to and this is the year I’m going to do it. I’m always looking for something new to try and challenge myself. I recently took on the Crossfit program at Studeo 55 with Nathan Mellalieu. It’s hard at first but once you’ve tackled the program for a few sessions it gets easier and is definitely the best overall workout I’ve ever experienced. I also work with a trainer Joe Scali, 3-4 times a week for about an hour at Steve Nash Sports Club. He takes me through a general circuit program of steps, push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, jump rope and a lot of weights. I also like to run from my place to the gym so that I’ve already warmed up by the time we start. Stretching is key when working out regularly. There is something called static and dynamic stretching. Stay tuned for these tips in one of my latest episodes of Fitness on the Run, which I will go in to more detail on in my next article.

Working Out on the Road

I’m committed to getting a workout in even when I’m on the road. It’s easier than you think. All you need are your running shoes, workout clothes, a water bottle that acts like a dumb bell and towels for resistance and you have equipment for a workout anywhere you go. So there is no excuse to not getting at least 20 minutes in daily. When I’m not working with a trainer, I do easy exercises that I can do on my own. I’ve asked trainers that I work with for easy exercises to do at home. Most trainers have no problem lending a hand. Next time you’re at the gym ask your trainer for some workout exercises that you can do at home or on the go.

What’s My Style and Who Do I Listen To

Wearing the right gear also helps. Depending on the weather, I like to throw on a sports bra and shorts or capri pants with a long sleeve or a hoodie. No matter if it is rainy or sunny Public Myth or Light Activewear has me covered and I love that they are both local brands based in Vancouver. I love how comfortable and breathable all of their pieces are and they come in a variety of looks and colours to appeal to everyone. I definitely listen to high-energy hard beats like Rihanna, Drake or Justin Timberlake that are on my IPod. They get me pumped up, keep up my stamina and attribute to my workout success.

Stress and Sleep

When the stress of the day starts getting to you, take a minute and focus on breathing slowly, in and out for five minutes. Research shows breathing exercises not only curb stress levels but also make you more compassionate. This is something I work on each and every day. To end my day I have a glass of red wine and sometimes dark chocolate, which reduce the risk for dementia and are pretty tasty too. I try to unplug from electronics for at least 30 minutes before hitting the sheets and blocking out any light with blackout window curtains and a sleep mask. According to The Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, exposure to any type of glow during the night can suppress the snooze-inducing hormone melatonin by 50 percent.

When you eat healthy and workout regularly, you feel so much better about yourself and that equals good self-esteem. So start eating healthy and feeling good about yourself today. Life is too short not to live your best life. Start today and tell me all about it, go to my twitter @langstonnatalie or my Facebook page. I’d love to hear all about your journey to a healthy, happy life.

Natalie