When it comes to creating a healthier lifestyle, there’s an arsenal of information out there surrounding how to form new habits.

For example: Studies show it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit.

Another example: Most people join and complete nutrition and exercise programs that support them to form new habits within that 21 day time limit (or in some cases, longer: 30day or 60day) and some need longer.

The problem I see comes when that window of time ends (i.e.21 days, or 30 days, 60 days, etc...). Once the support is gone, people become lost as to what to do next and they are confused as to how to maintain their new habits.

Something I think we all agree on is that stress, in whichever form it comes in, can knock us down like a ton of bricks.

We can get locked into an endless stress cycle that prevents us from handling it in the right way. Most of the time, we deal with stress with unhealthy actions that keep us in that ugly place.

Here's how I handle stress...

One of the themes that often comes during client summer sessions is the fear of losing one’s progress in their fitness and nutrition while traveling or going on vacation.

They fear that if they go on vacation and indulge in food and alcohol more than usual the weight will pile on again, and when they return they'll have to start their health regimen all over again.

This outcome doesn’t have to be the case…

It’s entirely possible to go on a vacation, enjoy it to the fullest, and come back feeling lighter! (without a weight gain)… But here’s the trick:

A recent trip to the grocery store sparked a chilling realization that I just had to share... that I am deeply disappointed by the lack of real ice cream options available.This wasn’t the first time I noticed this (not just with ice cream, but other products as well.)

Have I surprised you by talking about ice cream?

A colleague and I were in Ojai last week to hold a strategy session and before we got down to business, we took a hike in the beautiful mountains of Ojai.

My colleague suggested going for a walk into town for brunch (I think she was hoping I would be excited for that one; however, leave it to the health coach who craved something a bit different)

Read on to see what came out of this trip!

It’s obvious that to eat healthy, one must cook more homemade meals. This allows you more control over the ingredients in the foods you consume, which is one of the best strategies to accomplish a healthier lifestyle.

New clients typically ask me what they should cook…and I always chuckle a little inside when I hear this question because my answer usually surprises them so it might surprise you…

It’s a little secret I have😉…