Finding That “Ah-Ha!” Moment
Shannon Paul
| 2 min read
Our Blue Care Network Healthy Blue Living program just turned 5! To celebrate the state’s first HMO plan that rewards customers for making better health choices, we’re offering tips from our health coaches about healthy habits anyone can adopt, how to deal with challenges and the best way to set goals. Today we have tips from Healthy Blue Living Health Coach Bonnie Miller, a fair weather walker who dances her way through the winter to stay active.
Bonnie says the best part about being a health coach is when members truly embrace wellness in their lives and have that “Ah-Ha!” moment where they figure out how to make nutrition and fitness work for them based on what they’ve learned.
Easy Healthy Habits
There are lots of convenient ways to improve your daily life, Bonnie recommends:
- Reducing consumption of empty calories by cutting out or substituting healthy options for raw sugars, soda and other snacks.
- Increasing water intake daily to stay hydrated.
- Finding any type of physical activity you enjoy that can even be done at home (dancing, jumping rope, hula-hoop), and committing to doing it 30 minutes at least four to five times per week.
Watch Your Portions!
Bonnie says one of the toughest barriers to overcome in eating healthy is portion control. Many restaurants serve multiple portions on one plate, and it’s particularly tough for some to believe that a portion of pasta and one medium potato are both roughly the size of a computer mouse. To watch your calories, watch your portions, particularly with foods like pasta and drinks like soda, that often come in extra large cups.
The Next Five Years
Bonnie recommends finding an activity you’re passionate about and taking it up several times a week to maintain and improve your health long term. For the next 5 years, her goals consist of volunteering more, completing the American Cancer Society’s 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk, and upon winning the lottery, establishing a wellness coaching business for children and seniors!
We at Blue Cross Blue Shield and Blue Care Network are rooting for Bonnie in both her walking and her passion for keeping children and seniors active. Join Bonnie and make your pledge for healthy living now by visiting the Healthy Blue Living anniversary celebration page.
