Find your healthy path

Amy Ogle practices what she preaches on her healthy lifestyle journey.

Amy Ogle, 40, of East Lansing, is an integrative health coach at Faith, Love, and Pineapples.

“Just as important as nutrition is to our overall health, exercise plays an equally important role,” she said. “I look at each person’s health as a puzzle and each piece such as diet, exercise, environment, and habits as important parts of the greater whole to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.”

Being aware of your health has never been as important as it is during the quarantine.

“There have been tough days during this quarantine, but I love what an encouraging support system I have built,” she said. “It’s been a time of reflection. A time of spiritual growth and growing together as a family and as a community. We cannot control the circumstances, but we can control how we respond to them. I choose to live in love.”

She said her exercises at home have used what she has on hand.

“First thing I had to do was look at what options were available to me,” she said. “Going outside to walk, run, jog or play sports with my kids is my favorite healthy pastime right now, but I also have exercise DVDs, the internet with plenty of instructional videos, and weights/bands at home.”

She said she eats a vegetable-heavy diet, something she’s been practicing with her family.

“A few years ago I faced some serious health issues which eventually lead me down the path to understanding the need for healthy nutrition,” she said. “The whole family learned to be flexible in at least trying new foods. We now eat a variety of fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grains (gluten free for myself), and healthy fats. We, as a family, love to try new foods from a variety of ethnicities.”

She said life does happen in the form of unhealthy food choices, but she’s found that creating boundaries has helped.

“We have a choice to set boundaries for ourselves and have a choice to change or go beyond those boundaries,” she said. “I like to follow a 90/10 rule when it comes to treating myself. A great tip to help with this, especially around any holiday or family gathering, is to avoid the packaged products. We all know that real, homemade food tastes better anyway. Also, it’s good to learn how to make healthy treats, so you don’t feel deprived.”

She said her healthy lifestyle is making a difference.

“Fitness is weaved into everyday activities, and is an intentional outlet for both mental and physical wellness,” she said.

“I feel happier, sleep better, eat better, and have more energy when I get the exercise my body needs. We all need exercise. The only thing that changes is the type and amount of exercise based on the season of life we, as individuals, are in now.”

Her advice is to get started on a healthier path, now.

“Take a few steps or one step today to a healthier new you,” she said. “Your journey is your journey. We are bio-individual people who have needs as unique as we are unique people. A couple of places to start, oftentimes where I start clients, is making sure to drink plenty of water and look at gut health. Your gut health is connected with your immune system, your brain health, skin conditions and so much more.”