12 Habits of Fit and Healthy WomenBio: Neha Uberoi is an accomplished professional tennis player, wellness personality and marketing professional. She writes about personal development and wellness and sprinkles in some tennis insight on her blog www.nehauberoi.com

The efforts we make to achieve our wellness goals can severely be hampered by the subconscious choices we make every day. The smallest of bad habits and unknowingly negative thoughts can unintentionally prepare us for failure even when we are working hard to succeed. Below is a list of habits and attitudes that I’ve observed (and imbibed) elite female athletes and healthy women possess.

1. They eat breakfast. Fit women know that enjoying the most important meal of the day not only rev’s up their metabolism but gives them fuel to reach their daily goals. Skipping out on this is just not an option. ("Breakfast skippers replace calories during the day with mindless nibbling, bingeing at lunch and dinner. They set themselves up for failure."- Milton Stoke, Chief Dietitian for St. Barnabas Hospital NYC)

2. They eat snacks packed with protein and healthy fats. Healthy women aren't scared to eat and eat well. They can and will eat up to 6 meals a day: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner. It’s proven, fueling up on healthy fats like avocados and unsalted nuts “helps the body burn fat” – Keri Glassman RD. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/557726-eat-fat-to-burn-fat/)

3. They make sleep a priority. Healthy women know they tend to make bad food and lifestyle choices when they are sleep deprived and cranky like grabbing for that sugary donut for a quick sugar surge. They make sure to get at least 7 hours of sleep, enough time to rejuvenate, relieve the body of stress, rest sore muscles and recharge.

4. They don’t drink their calories. The poison of choice for fit women is H20. They limit their caffeine and juice intake and opt for water with lemon, coconut water, green tea, and freshly squeezed green juices to hydrate.

5. They have a very positive relationship with food. Healthy women understand food is meant for fuel and make choices based on this mentality. They have made the effort to work through changing any emotional attachments to eating. Healthy and fit women take pride in nourishing their bodies in the best way.

6. They allow themselves to eat treats without the guilt. No mind games just pure non-judgmental chocolatey bliss. Research shows that people who associate guilt with eating chocolate cake are more likely to have less control over their eating and less like to maintain their weight. (University of Canterbury http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/05/guilt-weight-loss_n_4380080.html)

7. They figure out creative ways to be active: taking the stairs, going for a brisk walk and talk at lunch or doing bicep curls with heavy grocery bags. Healthy women turn everyday tasks in to calorie burning and muscles toning opportunities.

8. They laugh loud and often. It relieves stress which leads to weight gain and unhealthy habits. When you’re stressed your body triggers the release of glucose. Modern day stress doesn’t require all that extra glucose which triggers the release of insulin. Insulin then converts the glucose to stored fat.

9. They don’t weigh themselves or take other measurements often. Fit women know when they look and feel healthy. They don’t need a scale or dress size to validate the feeling.   

10. They know every body is different. Women with the exact same BMI can have completely different measurements. And for that reason, they don’t compare themselves to others. All they care about is the vitality pumping through their veins. (chart for reference http://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a43295/bmi-body-comparison-chart/)

11. They know working out doesn’t always have to involve the gym. An active adventure with friends, swimming, a brisk walk in the mall (stopping for shopping of course), gardening, sports, swimming and yoga are all great ways to increase the heartrate and stay fit.

12. They believe in balance. Fit women know that extreme diets, extreme working out and a rigid schedule are not sustainable. They opt for a sensible lifestyle by building in habitual wellness practices to for a healthy life.  

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