Being in the health and wellness business, my clients are often asking me about my own personal diet. I’m not a nutritionist or dietician, but since the theme of the month at DASHA® is food, now is the best possible time to share my personal thoughts and patterns when it comes to food and the body. Below are the major components that make up my menu.
HYDRATE CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I drink lots of water all day long and throughout my workouts — even in the middle of the night. It hydrates the skin, lessens any confusion your body might have between thirst v. hunger, and helps you to maintain the balance of your bodily fluids, including digestion, absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and maintenance of body temperature. For those individuals who gravitate toward soda, substituting water can help you to lower your daily caloric intake substantially, thereby improving your overall health and weight. At DASHA®, we always have plenty of water on hand so you can hydrate before, during and after your appointment.
COMBINE PROTEIN & CARBS IN THE MORNING. There’s a reason the expression about breakfast being the most important meal of the day exists. Breakfast jump starts your metabolism and gives your body the fuel it needs to start the day. A combination of carbs and protein is a great morning guideline –sometimes I have egg whites and cheese on a bagel or in a wrap, and sometimes I add a little crispy turkey bacon, too. At DASHA®, we make a point to keep healthy snacks on hand for clients when they come through the door – dried fruits, banana chips and yogurt pretzels are just a few of your choices.
WEEKDAYS ARE FOR NECESSITY; WEEKENDS ARE FOR ENJOYMENT. Some people may feel this way about their job, but I feel this way when it comes to food. I tend to eat a regulated diet of many of the same things during the week – I keep my choices simple, and then I earn the right to deviate and enjoy my meal choices more on the weekends. During the week, for lunch I’ll have chicken and rice or sometimes a protein shake or two if I’m doing a heavy workout, and then for dinner I’ll have a turkey burger, stir fry, gluten-free meatballs and pasta, or a grilled chicken salad, while summer weekends have me firing up the grill out east, grilling veggies and making barbecue chicken. Our multiple locations have a long range of hours in which we are open so you can fit your wellness regimen into your busy schedule. We can help you customize a workout and you can book a complimentary session on our treadmill – all things to help you enjoy the results of your weekday efforts throughout the weekend.
WHEATGRASS & GINGER. Chock full of vitamins and minerals, wheatgrass is a blood builder, a natural healer, and antibacterial. Ginger contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds that can fight cancer and boost your immunity. Ginger is also packed with antioxidants and helps to alleviate GI distress. Sometimes I do wheatgrass and gingers shots in the middle of the workday with the DASHA® team.
WORKOUT EVERY DAY. There’s all sorts of studies that have been done that will tell you exactly how much exercise an adult needs to do per week. I do my best to exercise every single day – some days I can get in a long and rigorous workout, while still other days I have to cram my rigorous workout into 15 minutes, but the point is that I get up every single day and move. Our lives are too sedentary. Even if you can’t get to the gym or squeeze your yoga class or run in, you can park your car at the back of the shopping lot instead of the front, you can take a brisk 15-minute walk on your lunch break, take the stairs instead of the escalator, etc. Every little bit goes a long, long way, and if we all incorporated these kinds of habits into our daily lives, the transformation would be dramatic. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you an expert or you just need help getting started– our team is great at motivating and working with you to understand your needs. Our boutique gym is waiting for you!
DASHA® wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
