Did you know that God cares about our health? As a matter of fact scripture tells us: Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in HEALTH, even as your soul prospers (3 John 2). God wants us well in mind, body, and soul.
HER Health is designed to help women live, not a perfect life, but an improved life. If we want to be effective on our jobs, in our businesses, or in our homes we must be physically equipped. We can't allow sickness or disease, or weight issues to slow us down or prevent us from fulfilling our purpose in this life. Therefore, if you need ideas on healthier eating options, meal ideas, exercise tips, or want to read how other women are dealing with various issues then you will surely enjoy what's to come on HER Health!
HER Health
TM
Get Well With Michele!
By Tamara L. Dean
When Stevie Wonder sang the lyrics, “Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she wonderful?” He must have been referring to Dr. Michele Reid, so to answer Stevie’s question… Yes! She is lovely… and wonderful! She also has a PhD in Holistic Nutrition, Masters of Science in Kinesiology, and Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Need I go on? She is a former track and field athlete, fitness competitor and fitness model. She has competed among the best athletes, and have graced the magazine covers of Energy, and Muscle and Fitness HERS. But, despite it all Dr. Michele Reid possesses a spirit of humility, love, and true compassion for helping others reach optimal health.
Her goal?
“To help as many people as possible create a personalized roadmap to health that suits their unique body, lifestyle, and goals.”
I especially love Dr. Reid’s tagline, Get Well With Michele. She uses it at the conclusion of her motivational videos, and if you have ever heard one then you would understand why I think it’s so cool! She says it with a sassiness mixed with love and positivity, so that you feel compelled to… Get Well With Michele.
PrayHers: What inspired you to take control of your health and fitness? How long have you been on this journey?
Dr. Michele: Unbeknownst to most people around me, a slight lack of self-esteem and confidence inspired me to take control of my own health and fitness. I have always been in the health and fitness industry, both as an athlete and student, but it wasn’t until I got tired of being tired in a relationship that wasn’t going anywhere that I felt the need to make some changes! I decided to train for my first fitness competition and it opened up a whole new world of health, fitness, transformation and confidence! Taking into account my first athletic competition in the Girl Scout Olympics at the age of 7 my health and fitness journey spans over three decades!
PrayHers: How many days a week do you exercise? And what does a typical work-out day look like for you? Or, what kind of exercises do you do to stay in shape?
Dr. Michele: 2-3 days, and I do mostly muscle building/toning exercises and HIIT cardio. My workouts are no longer than 30-45 minutes, very intense and FUN! However, I also embrace the important benefits of REST and STRETCHING as I age gracefully.
HIIT stands for, High Intensity Interval Training. It's a great way to burn fat and keep muscle. It entails performing an exercise at the highest level of your endurance for a short period, then decrease, or rest for a short period before going back to high endurance.You continue that for 10-20 minutes, or more, depending on your fitness level. For example, if you are on a treadmill you would run for one minute then rest or walk for 40 seconds, depending on how long it takes you to recover, then run again for another minute--rest. You continue to alternate until the time is up!
PrayHers: Working out just 2-3 days a week sounds very doable to me! Would that work for a person just starting off? Or, is that more for those in the maintaining stage?
Dr. Michele: A 2-3 day workout is maintenance for me, but if executed properly and at the appropriate intensity level, in conjunction with a nutrition overhaul (for most people), it can be for beginners as well!
PrayHers: What is the biggest culprit to gaining weight?
Dr. Michele: While there are a lot of nutrition and exercise reasons for gaining weight I believe that in this day and age being too BUSY to make changes is the root cause.
PrayHers: And if I may add to that, many of us just aren't willing to commit to our own health and well-being. We don't see it as important enough to prioritize it into our life!
th
PrayHers: With so many conflicting opinions and articles on what to eat and what not to eat, how do you truly know what’s right for you?
Dr. Michele: I am a FIRM believer in listening very closely to your body to quickly figure out what is best for you. Having an open-minded health coach is also important to help keep you moving in the forward direction, to inspire you, motivate you and hold you accountable.
PrayHers: What advice would you offer to aging women who find it difficult to lose weight because of hormonal changes?
Dr. Michele: My advice is to first get your hormone levels checked either by starting with a rough check of symptoms you are experiencing that can be associated with specific hormone imbalances and/or ask your doctor to run blood test to see exactly where your hormones stand. After that or in addition to that I strongly recommend reducing inflammation in the body which is the root cause of multiple hormonal imbalances.
NOTE: Inflammation happens when the immune system fights against something that may turn out to be harmful. It's like an alarm alerting us that something is going on in our body that needs to be addressed, if not, other problems can occur. Learn more @ womentowomen.com. You can also take a hormonal assesment test on their website.
PrayHers: Is it necessary to supplement with vitamins? What key ingredient should a woman look for when choosing a vitamin?
Dr. Michele: Most women (and men) need some general support in the form of a supplement but I am not a fan of isolated multi-vitamins or vitamins. Our bodies do best with whole-food supplements and there are quite a few out there but the one I have researched, recommend and put in my body is called Juice Plus +. In addition to this I believe women should look into their Vitamin D levels and also take inventory of how many good, healthy fats they are getting in and supplement wisely if necessary.
PrayHers: If a woman had to eliminate one food item or additive from her diet that would jumpstart weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, what would it be?
Dr. Michele: SUGAR! – Specifically in the form of FRUCTOSE.
PrayHers: Fill in the blank; Instead of potato chips I eat___
Dr. Michele: KALE CHIPS
PrayHers: When I have a taste for something sweet I eat___
Dr. Michele: My own chocolate-nut truffle energy balls___
PrayHers: What question do you get asked the most by your clients?
Dr. Michele: How do I get my arms so buff? lol
PrayHers: Well! How do you get your arms "so buff?" Inquiring minds want to know.
Dr. Michele: Part of it is genetics! Some people are more prone to have bigger hips or thighs than others, due to genetic makeup, and I am one who doesn’t have to fight with that! Also, I lift heavy weight, and don’t worry you will not bulk up to look like a man, but if you want to get formed arms you will definitely need to pick up the pounds. I absolutely love working my arms. Some of my favorite arm exercises are:
For the front part of the arm--incline dumbbell press, for the back arm tricep extension, and I love, love, love doing skull crushers (aka lying tricep extensions), because it works against gravity and really tones the back arms. I generally do 3 sets using 10-15 pound weight. In the past, I used 20-25 pound weight when I was competing in fitness competitions.
And like I said earlier, if you combine that with HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) you will definitely achieve great results!
In conclusion: I pray that you were inspired to Get Well With Michele. She said something that was key! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! Indeed, our bodies was created to alert us when there is a problem. You know on the inside, and by how you feel that something is not right, so learn to LISTEN and OBEY the warning signs so that you can live a long and prosperous, and healthy life.
,
Lastly, please take a moment, go to Dr. Michele's website and sign up to receive her tips. She is committed to helping you to live your healthiest life yet! God bless
Stay connected with Dr. Michele Reid on Facebook, and by signing up to receive her FREE transformational tips @ www.getwellwithMichele.com
Incline dumbell press
Skull Crushers aka lying tricep extension
There is Life After Lupus!
Written By Tamara L. Dean