So Halloween happened, and I’m sure we all went a little crazy with our candy consumption. Or was that just me?

New York had me overeating and trying all sorts of local foods, but anyone who knows me knows I always watch what I eat because I’m a health freak. I came back to Houston about three months later, and had ten pounds added to my body. Sure, that sounds normal, but you have to know that I have been the same weight for about four years now. To see that three months changed all of that, really made me reevaluate my eating and fitness habits.

I haven’t kept up with a set workout schedule since my senior year of high school. That needed to change. College happened, a part-time internship on top of that, along with a two hour daily commute. You can see how my day flies by. If I’ve learned anything over the last few years being a workaholic, it’s that health is wealth. There have been times during finals week where I’d get so bogged down that I’d barely eat one hearty meal that day.

No matter how busy you get, always make time to eat healthy and workout at least twice a week. 

So here is my declaration of leading a new lifestyle and I’m going to show you what I’m doing. If you guys have any tips or suggestions to any improvements I can make, let me know in the comments!

1. Have hearty breakfasts and light dinners. We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Since dinner is the last thing we eat, it’s better not to fill yourself up with fatty or oily foods since you don’t have much physical movement after that.

2. Eating in moderation is key, but I took it a step further and started guesstimating my calorie intake so it’s about 1900 calories per day. If you eat that Kit Kat, you’re going to have to compensate somewhere else in your diet. I try drinking an entire 0.5 liter water bottle before each meal so I don’t overeat. A lot of times, our body thinks it’s hungry, but it just needs water.

3. Green tea is my best friend. I used to keep it in a thermos and drink it after every meal, but lately I just drink it after dinner so it increases metabolism.

4. Take a quick walk after every meal. My goal is 300 steps. It’s a random number, but it seems to prevent food coma.

5. Eat and sleep at normal times and stick to your schedule. Once those two systems are in whack, it just ruins your skin and you tend to feel more groggy and grumpy overall. If you have that much work to do, wake up extra early since that’s when your mind is freshly woken up.

6. I do a few stretches and jumping jacks to wake myself up. You can add a caffeinated herbal or black tea to your routine if that helps. I used to be a crazy coffeeholic but I can’t consume it without like six packets of sugar, and we all know that’s inviting so many future health problems.

7. You just have to make time to work out. I can’t always make it to the gym, so I spend 10 minutes every morning doing intense moves inspired by my favorite fitness guru, Cassie Ho. She posts all her ‘Blogilates’ videos on YouTube and each one targets a different part of the body. Just 3-5 minutes long each, her short videos are just what you need to quickly squeeze in some exercise in your day. Trust me, it works because you will be sore after five minutes. These morning workouts will definitely get you pumped up for the rest of the day.

I know that’s a lot of information, but this is what works for me. If any of these tips interest you, I suggest taking it one step at a time. You don’t want to overwhelm yourself.

And now, onto my fall retro-inspired look!

Shop my look

Bell Sleeve Dress: JustFab

Lipstick: Sephora Collection Cream Stain Liquid Lipstick – Coral Sunset, $14

Thong Sandals: Wet Seal

Patterned Bell-Bottoms: Rue 21

In case you missed my 2 minute Halloween comedy sketch, here it is!