Get-Fit Lessons from an Eternal Optimist

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Making significant healthy lifestyle changes—and maintaining them for the rest of your life--might seem next to impossible at first. But don't worry! At SparkPeople, we believe in taking small and manageable healthy steps that eventually become lifelong habits. Our sponsors at Meta also believe that small changes can lead to good things, and they even have a name for it: the Meta Effect. When you make a healthy choice like taking the stairs or eating a Meta Health Bar for a snack, you may continue to make good choices to keep the streak going.

We've talked to several people who have changed their lives through this step-by-step approach--and now, they're sharing their secrets with you in this success story series! Meet Jaynee, an optimistic mom who has gotten healthier one bite and one step at a time. We love her "glass-half-full" mentality and can-do attitude!
 
What are some of your favorite ways to sneak in small bits of activity throughout the day?
I set my timer to get up and walk in place for 20-30 minutes every hour while at work. I put my keyboard and mouse up on my printer to improvise a stand up desk and go for it! (Get more ideas for sneaking fitness into your day here.)
 
What small nutrition tweaks have you made to help you eat better and get healthier?
I eat at least six mini-meals of 200-300 calories each day and try to maximize my fiber intake to fill me up. (Want to bump up your fiber like Jaynee? Fiber-rich fruit, whole-grain toast with peanut butter, or a Meta Health Bar are snacks that can help you satisfy your hunger in a healthy way.)
 
What's your mantra that gets you through a tough workout (or a rough day)?
''Just for today.'' We need to take each day, or sometimes each hour or minute, as it comes. It makes daunting tasks seem much more manageable! (Find your own motivational mantra here.)
 
Healthy living shouldn't be about deprivation! What small changes have you ADDED to your routine for a healthier, happier life?
My exercise time is my ''me'' time. I use an elliptical trainer, a treadmill or my rebounder. I use my tablet and play games, read, and/or watch a favorite TV program or a movie while working out. It is the ONLY time that I do those things, so I look forward to my workouts. (Need help putting yourself on your priority list? Here's how to make more time for you.)
 
It sounds like you've found a way to multitask that works for you! It really is so important to do activities you enjoy to help you stick with an active lifestyle. Out of all your exercises, which one is your favorite?
Though I love my rebounder, I truly cherish playing racquetball with my daughter. We don’t keep score and don’t really even play by the rules. We try to keep the ball moving and the only points kept are those for really bad plays or silly moves. We move and have fun. (Want to get your kids more involved in your healthy lifestyle? Try these tips.)
 
It's great that you're getting your daughter involved in fitness at an early age! What are some of your favorite healthy snacks that keep you full on the go?
I keep Meta Health bars or other high-fiber snacks in my purse for emergency hunger attacks. If I know that I will be gone for the day, I will throw a couple of reduced-fat cheese sticks in my purse as well.
 
How do you manage to keep a positive outlook when times get tough?
I am the stereotypical optimist. I see the good in everything and know that tough times are temporary. We all have tough times, and we choose how to react to them. I choose to focus on the positive things to come! (Want to adopt Jaynee's positive outlook? Here's a great place to start.)
 
What's your go-to motivational technique when you don't feel like eating healthy or working out?
I re-focus on how much better I feel now than I did before. It just isn’t worth going back to achy knees and feeling like a slug. (Need one good reason to work out today? We've got 100!)
 
How has your life changed since you started making small changes to get healthier? What can you do now that wasn't possible before you started your journey?
I can walk for a long time without getting tired out. My knees no longer hurt. I feel good. I can bend over, tie my shoes and breathe at the same time! I can do squats. There are so many advantages--I could go on all day! (Discover more benefits of healthy living here.)
 
What's the biggest lesson you've learned along your healthy-living journey?
The only program that will work is one that you can live with. You need to let go of perfectionism and understand that 80% will get you there. It is all about small changes and constant re-evaluation of what is working and what isn’t that will get you to your goals. (Want to start making small, healthy changes of your own? The Small Changes Challenge is a great place to start!)
 
This series is brought to you by Meta, a SparkPeople sponsor. This SparkPeople member received Meta product to sample and opted into the Meta Influencer Program.