Another Trip Around the Sun

Yesterday was my birthday! I turned 48 years old, though I’ll admit I was a bit bummed because I thought I was 48 this entire past year. I even argued with my husband, convinced I was turning 49 this year! I’d already started dreaming about an amazing trip for my 50th birthday. The more I think about it, though, I’m okay with the fact that’s still two years away. It gives me even more time to plan something special!

Reflecting on Birthdays and Gratitude

Birthdays bring up so many emotions. As I get older, I’ve developed an overwhelming sense of gratitude and tend not to dwell on the number (unless it’s a milestone, in which case I’m all in for celebrating!). I’m happy to share that my health in my forties has been better than in the past few decades.

That said, I’m not immune to the effects of being in my late forties. I now need reading glasses for nighttime books or even to decipher measurements in cookbooks—the difference between 1/3 and 1/4 cup matters when baking! There are also the occasional aches and pains when I wake up in the morning. But overall, I’m feeling great, thanks to small, consistent habits I’ve developed over the years.

Building a Healthy Routine

When working with clients, I emphasize starting small—making incremental changes that become habits and, over time, a new healthy routine. That’s exactly what I did for myself years ago, and I’m happy to report those habits have stuck and remain part of my daily life.

If you’re looking for inspiration to create or refine your healthy routine in the coming year (it doesn’t have to start in January—birthday goals are fantastic!), here’s a glimpse into mine.

Morning Routine

• Hydration and Supplements: Start the day with AG1 Greens mixed with 16 oz of water and Vitamin D3+K2 drops.
• Movement and Sunlight: A 30-minute dog walk with morning sunlight exposure.
• Electrolytes: Fill a 40 oz water bottle with one packet of LMNT Grapefruit electrolyte mix.
• Workout: Peloton bike (30 min, 3-4 days/week) + strength training (20-30 min, 2-3 days/week).
• Intermittent Fasting: Fast for 12-14 hours overnight. Coffee with cream and collagen powder or protein powder is my go-to post-workout.
• Breakfast (30g Protein): Favorites include Greek yogurt with nuts/seeds and fruit, protein smoothies, veggie scrambles with maple chicken sausage, or steel-cut oats with protein and fiber mix-ins.

Afternoon Routine

• Balanced Lunch: A mix of quality protein, healthy fats, and fiber (e.g., salads, wraps, leftovers, or protein smoothies).
• Snack, If Needed: Pair produce with protein or healthy fat (e.g., apple with almond butter, persimmon with macadamia nuts, tomato with cottage cheese).
• Hydration: Refill the 40 oz water bottle with plain water and aim to finish it by dinnertime.

Evening Routine

• Dinner: A balanced meal featuring quality protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
• Supplements: Vitamin C, Omega-3s, and Magnesium Complex.
• Managing Late-Night Cravings: Enjoy a sweet treat after dinner or brush my teeth early to avoid mindless snacking. Occasionally, I’ll have sourdough toast with nut butter if dinner was extra early to prevent nighttime blood sugar dips.
• Screen-Free Reading: Read a book before bed, avoiding screens at least an hour beforehand.

A Routine That Grows With You

This routine didn’t develop overnight. Each step was added gradually until it fit seamlessly into my life. As seasons change and family or work commitments shift, I adjust, but the core structure and goals remain the same. It’s been years of refining, and I’m looking forward to my 49th year with this routine as my foundation.

Please reach out if you need support with meal ideas, personal suggestions based on health conditions, or inspiration from podcasts and books. I’m here to help you build or refine your own healthy habits—whether for a birthday goal or a fresh start to the new year.

Wishing you a very happy end to 2024 and a wonderful start to 2025!

Cheers,
Christina