Meet this week’s Healthy Face, Amy Stewart. The Healthy Faces blog is sponsored by Healthy Harrison Health Games - the Encore:

 

My name is Amy Stewart. I’m 38 years old and I work for the government. I love spending time with my family and friends and enjoy it most when that time is spent outside.

 

What is your favorite self-help book? My favorite motivational book is Shonda Rimes' "A Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person." It’s about learning that it’s OK to give yourself permission to do the things you want to do.

 

What’s your favorite healthy meal? Hmm. that’s a little tricky. I wouldn’t say anything I eat is super healthy, but I also fuel my body for the activities I am doing. I grew up doing competitive swimming and have always needed good fuel for my body. And since I’ve started this (health) journey, I’ve run 9 half marathons, including a Disney one, so there are nights I eat a whole pizza before a race. But I also know lean protein such as chicken and fish are good fuel for days that I’m going to be really active. I often substitute ground chicken for ground beef when I’m making pasta or tacos. But do I have a favorite healthy meal? No, not really, but I do love making baked zucchini chips in panko crumbs for a snack. (It’s not terrible, but not the best either lol.)

 

What about your favorite workout? I love my boxing class over at the Vertical Vixens Studio in Clarksburg. It’s such a good workout and you learn proper techniques from the instructor, Andy Benson. He wants you to not only get a burn, but also know what you’re doing and do it right. But it’s hard to choose my favorite because fall is here and that means I’ll be outside hiking more and going for a long bike ride is so freeing. Plus, with The Bridge (Sports Complex) open now, I’ve gotten back in the pool two to three times a week.

 

How do you fit health and wellness into your busy life? The trick to this one is making it a priority. I like to work out first thing in the morning. I make sure I wake with the time needed for my workouts. There are days that is easier said than done, but we can’t all be perfect. You have to have the desire and drive to want to do it. But it’s easier when you make plans with someone else to join you. It's harder to cancel when you’re canceling on someone else.

 

Do you have a favorite motivational quote? "Every great adventure begins with the first step." I love this quote because you truly can't start anything without that first step.

 

When did your journey to health begin? My healthy journey started back in 2009/2010ish. I was going through some hard times in life back then and just wasn’t happy with where I was in my life. A lot of things were out of control in my life, but my health and wellness was something I could control and get a hold of. It’s a roller coaster journey. Sometimes it’s an uphill battle and other times it’s a wonderful free fall. But I enjoy it and I’m proud of where I am – and where I still have to go.

 

What music motivates you? What's on your playlist? I love to run to pop punk: Avril Lavigne, Green Day, The Offspring, Blink 182 etc. I also love Irish Rock, like Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphy’s in there too, plus those are great for boxing class as well. But the song I most love running to - and I’m sure everyone will make fun of me because my friends already do lol - is Weird Al Yankovich’s Alternative Polka. It’s all my favorite alternative songs finally in a beat I can run to. In fact, the song holds a good 9:15 pace for running. It’s actually in my playlist 4 times. It finishes my 5K, 10k, and half marathon perfectly in my playlist lol.

 

What advice do you have for others embarking upon a health journey? Tiny habits I can offer up is don’t try to do it all at once. Take on eating better first and once you get that down, add in a walk. Start slow and make it a habit. It takes 21 one days to make or break a habit., so for 21 days focus on one thing only. The rest will come with time. It’s a lifelong journey, so you’ve got nothing but time.