2016 Extreme Makeover {SERIES}: Nutrition – Changing Your Lifestyle
Credit: Staff Member/Achona Online
Seniors, Gabby Accardi, Rebecca Castellano, and Megan Bajo working out at the Palma Ceia gym. They go the gym four times a week and help each other out when they struggle with changing their lifestyle.
The majority of people always desire to start a healthy lifestyle, but everyone seems to have a hard time maintaining it. There will always be a new diet or workout routine, but if you live a healthy life you do not have to worry about changing your habits.
Starting off new habits can be tricky. First, you have to be mentally ready to start and change your lifestyle. Doing yoga or meditating are two great ways to get your mind set on your goal. There are many places in the South Tampa area that are easy and affordable, such as Evolution Yoga, Bella Prana Yoga & Meditation. A fun option to do with your friends includes every Sunday at 5pm free Yoga in Curtis Hixon Park.
Senior, Rebecca Castellano, has gone to Evolution Yoga and had a great experience, “I went before school to Evolution Yoga to start my day off right. It was a very good workout and helped center me before starting my long school day ahead.”
Seniors, Lindsay Boos and Hadley Chillura getting ready for yoga in the park. This is a fun way to get friends together to watch the sunset and meditate before the long week ahead.
Once you are mentally ready to change your life, it is time to morph your schedule and eating habits to your goals. Going through your pantry and taking out all the unhealthy snacks is the first step you need to take. Your body is going to be craving all the bad foods once you stop feeding them to your body. Instead, go to Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or Fresh Market to get the foods that are best for your body.
Christina Thompson has changed her lifestyle and it took a lot of work, “It is not easy and it is very hard in the beginning. You have to change your eating style and daily routine. I started working out at Pulse with a personal trainer who helped me get on track.”
There are always better options you can choose from when you are craving certain foods. For instance, if you are craving chocolate it is probably better to eat nuts, fruit, or vegetables instead. Everyone always says it is 80% diet and 20% working out. Putting the right things into your body will make you feel and look better than you ever have.
In South Tampa there are many places where you can workout, even for free. One of the amazing places to workout is right outside the Academy of the Holy Names: Bayshore Boulevard. Running on Bayshore is one of the greatest ways to get into shape, and it’s free. If you want a real gym to workout in, there are many different places that offer numerous classes and help. LA Fitness, Orange Theory, and the YMCA are a few places that will help you get the killer six-pack you have always wanted.
Skyler Sinardi has made working out a part of her daily routine, “My mom works at Shapes as a personal trainer, so it has been a big part of my life. We work out after school and sometimes in the mornings. When you start working out every day you get used to it and it makes it easier.”
You have to want to transform into the best version of yourself. It is going to take a lot of effort and a while before you feel the results of living a healthier lifestyle, but taking it one step at a time will make all the difference. If you are dedicated and passionate about this you will have the best results.
Gabby Accardi is an Academy of the Holy Names senior and first year journalist. She is very excited to be joining the Achona staff this year ready to give...
