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The one thing I’ve always done to be healthy

January 22, 2015 By Ashley

Happy Thursday, my friends! So it’s the third week of January 2015, and hopefully we’re all still gung-ho about our new year’s resolutions, right? Well this year, instead of resolutions, I set some “goals” for myself, and yes, most of them are aligned with being healthier. For instance:

  • I want to do more yoga to gain flexibility.
  • I want to try out new recipes at home at least once-a-month to eat more variety.
  • I want to learn to teach an additional group fitness class to add to my repertoire.
  • I want to be more patient with myself and with others.

What you may notice about these goals is that they are not appearance-based at all. They are feeling-based. All of these things will make me feel healthier from the inside out. In life, it’s usually not one single thing that is going to make or break how you feel, but a combination of many things that can add up to be just what you need to achieve wellness, like sleeping more, eating right, exercising and being kind to yourself and others. However, on top of that, sometimes there are things that can help you feel good that you may not be even be considering. Things like vitamins, folks, vitamins.

Healthy parts of my life via A Lady Goes WestThese things, while seemingly unrelated, are all parts of how I live a healthy lifestyle. Fitness, hydration, real food, a daily multivitamin, and of course, a way to share my passions through blogging. That’s where it’s at.

While clearly I’m not a doctor or a registered dietitian, I am someone who knows what works for me. I’ve been an avid daily multivitamin user for years and years. Even on vacation in Cabo, I bring along my multivitamins to take in the morning before a day of lounging by the pool. It’s part of my life. And I can’t remember the last time I went a day without a multivitamin. That being said, when the folks at Centrum reached out to me about some information from a survey they just conducted with Prevention, I felt compelled to share it with you. I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to statistics and trends, so this one was interesting to me. And if it helps one person, then it’s worth it.

Are you getting enough nutrients in your food?

Here it is: It’s very possible that you aren’t getting the adequate amount of vitamins and minerals you need through food alone, even if you have a balanced diet, so a daily multivitamin might be the way to go. And you’re not alone. A lot of people aren’t getting enough nutrients, because it’s not that easy to track the nutritional content of every bite you take, especially when you lead a busy life.

Do you know what the six essential nutrients are that most people aren’t getting enough of out of their food? I certainly didn’t. They are vitamins A, C, D, and E, and the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Do you know if all of those nutrients are in the food you eat each day? I sure don’t. That’s why I like to rely on a multivitamin to make sure I’m capturing all that extra stuff that just might give me a little extra oomph.

And now for that study. Here are some good-to-know findings:

  • Most people (about 80 percent) said that the nutritional content of the food they buy factors into their purchasing decisions, but they were mostly concerned with calories and fat (about 72 and 61 percent, respectively), rather than the amount of vitamins and minerals in that food (about 30 percent). 
  • Most Americans were not aware of the benefits of essential nutrients including the following:
    • Magnesium is important for energy. 58% of people polled were “not sure” where they can find Magnesium, and only 8% were aware it is important for energy. 
    • Vitamin E is important for heart health. 53% of people polled were “not sure” where they can find Vitamin E, and only 12% were aware it is important for heart health. 
    • Vitamin A helps the immune system. 50% of people polled were “not sure” where they can find Vitamin A, and only 10% were aware it helps with immune system.

So basically, if you’re like me and a bit clueless when it comes to what these nutrients are good for and why you need them, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to worry, because you can easily help fill any dietary gaps by taking a multivitamin each day. I’m a bit of a worrier, so knowing that I’m crossing “essential nutrient consumption” off the list of to-dos each day makes me feel a lot better.

How do I do it? With routine. Every single morning, after I eat breakfast, I take my vitamins. I do it right before brushing my teeth. It’s just part of my morning process and keeps me honest. So there you go! That’s the one thing I’ve always done to be healthy, for as long as I can remember.

Save on vitamins today!

If you’re in need of a multivitamin, head on over to the Centrum site to find one that is right for you and take advantage of a $4 coupon off your next purchase. Centrum multivitamins have all of those essential nutrients I mentioned above in one little pill, so they make it easy for you.

Centrum vitamin via A Lady Goes WestA look at my bottle of Centrum multivitamins, which are little and orange and full of good stuff.

Thanks to the folks at Centrum for bringing this good information to my attention, because I’m definitely a believer in doing whatever you can to be your best self. Not only at the start of the year, when everyone is focused on being healthy, but all year long when the talk about “goals” and “resolutions” has faded. Am I right?

Alright guys, I hope your week has been going along just nicely. I’m thinking of popping in later today to share an awesome workout with you. But if not, I’ll see you back here tomorrow morning for everybody’s most-anticipated post of the week “Friday Favorites.” Have a good one!

Disclaimer: I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Centrum®. I received compensation for this post. While all opinions stated are my own, I make no claims about Centrum® as a product or its effectiveness. 

Questions of the day

Do you take a multivitamin? What’s one thing you’re trying to work on this year to be healthier?

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Filed Under: Food, Healthy living Tagged With: Centrum vitamins, essential nutrients, sponsored, take a multi-vitamin

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About Ashley

I'm a mom and fitness instructor in Charlotte, North Carolina. And A Lady Goes West is where I share fitness, wellness and clean beauty tips, as well as stories from my life.
 
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Comments

  1. Amy says

    January 22, 2015 at 2:17 am

    I’ve gotten out of the habit of taking a vitamin, but I really need to start again! I would like for it to be just part of my daily routine. One thing I’m working on to be healthier this year is hydration….I’m trying my best to drink at least half my body weight in ounces daily but aim for a gallon. I’ve always struggled with this for some reason, but I notice how much better I feel when I get my water in. Have a good day!

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:19 am

      Hi Amy! Ohhhh water. How it truly is one of the most important things in the world for us. Everything is better when you’re hydrated. Everything! That’s a great goal, so keep at it:)
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  2. Courtney says

    January 22, 2015 at 5:06 am

    I used to take a multi-vitamin and was as diligent as you about taking it. But now I get all the vitamins and minerals I need in my Shakeology! No more buying separate supplements for me because it’s all in there. One of the biggest reasons I love that stuff. Happy Thursday to you!

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Happy Thursday to you too, Courtney! Shakeology is some tasty stuff!! And so awesome it has all the vitamins you need. 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  3. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    January 22, 2015 at 5:44 am

    I take womens organic multigrain by garden of Eden. One of the things I started doing when I became injured last year and was told I wasn’t getting enough calcium.
    Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…How To Conquer Gym Intimidation While Losing WeightMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:20 am

      Hi Megan, That’s great you’re taking a vitamin! I hope you recover from all your injuries soon. Have a wonderful Thursday, friend! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  4. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    January 22, 2015 at 5:54 am

    I take a woman’s multi-vitamin by Garden of Eden. I agree that we do not get enough nutrients in our food (no matter how well we eat) and it’s important to at least take a multi on a daily basis.
    Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Benefits of ProbioticsMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:18 am

      Hi Lauren! I’m with you, it seems like anything we can do to ensure we’re getting what we need, the better. Glad you’re on board with vitamins! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  5. Christa @ Living Unbalanced says

    January 22, 2015 at 6:38 am

    I’ve been on and off with taking multi-vitamins mostly because I don’t find they make a difference in how I feel. But I’ve also read about how the quality of the vitamin you’re taking makes a huge difference so maybe I wasn’t taking a quality one! I’ve been taking a high quality fish oil supplement lately and have noticed that makes a big difference in my workout recovery.
    Christa @ Living Unbalanced recently posted…My Wedding PinspirationMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:18 am

      Hi Christa! You do have to listen to the signals of your body, so I’m glad you found a supplement that is helping with recovery. Hope all is well with you!! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  6. Lora says

    January 22, 2015 at 7:30 am

    I take a multi-vitamin! I’ve never been sure if it does anything, but I religiously take it! Mine is one of the raw ones and it even SMELLS healthy! 😉 Also, love the yoga goal! (Of course!)
    Lora recently posted…Give PresenceMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 8:27 am

      Hi Lora, Of course you love my yoga girl! Now I need as many cute yoga clothes as you to make that happen. Glad you’re on board the vitamin train. Have a great day, friend! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  7. Marielle says

    January 22, 2015 at 7:45 am

    Since being pregnant I have been taking my prenatal vitamins, but need to keep up on the vitamin train after the babies are here!
    Marielle recently posted…Baby Shower and Random ThoughtsMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 8:31 am

      Hi Marielle! Yes, ma’am. Hopefully you can stick to the habit! Hope you have a lovely day, friend! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  8. Jess @hellotofit says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:39 am

    I love that you’re setting goals that deal more with how you feel, rather than appearance! I don’t take a multi-vitamin, but I probably should, because I don’t eat as much of a variety of fruits, veggies and fish as I think I do 😛
    Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Successful goal setting: week 4My Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 9:31 am

      Hi Jess! Thank you!! 🙂 Happy Thursday to you!
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  9. Emily @ Sweets and Beets says

    January 22, 2015 at 10:31 am

    Good call on taking vitamins! I used to be a lot better.. some days I just forget. But it’s such an easy way to get those nutrients in. I just get the Target brand women’s multi.. they’re very reasonably priced!

    I can specifically remember one day my freshman year of college.. the only things I consumed were cereal and alcohol.. but I took my multivitamin! 😉 haha.
    Emily @ Sweets and Beets recently posted…Sunshine, Shopping + So Much KombuchaMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 11:09 am

      Hhahah Emily!! You make me laugh. Sounds like you had a good head on your shoulders in college. 🙂 And I’m pretty sure my diet was the same around that time of my life. But we turned out alright?? 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  10. Jen@jpabstfitness says

    January 22, 2015 at 11:15 am

    Even on days where I can’t get a workout in, I always make sure to drink enough water and take a multivitamin…all about routine!
    Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…Baby Led Weaning {9 Months}My Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 2:47 pm

      That’s the way to do it, Jen! Nice! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  11. Heather @ Housewife Glamour says

    January 22, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    Great post! I love how you tied the bottle in with the first photo. It’s so true, though… we have a very similar approach to staying healthy with all of those things. Yay, vitamins! <3
    Heather @ Housewife Glamour recently posted…Do You Take a Multivitamin?My Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 2:49 pm

      Hi Heather! I would agree, we tend to be quite similar in our healthy approaches! Happy Thursday! 🙂
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  12. Brittany says

    January 22, 2015 at 3:02 pm

    I’m not a big supplement fan, I do take a B12 because I don’t eat meat or any animal products and ONCE in a blue moon I’ll take a multi vitamin. I also randomly take VitD&C. I try to ensure I eat a wide variety of plant based foods to get my nutrients. I will admit I don’t take it as seriously as I probably could.

    • Ashley says

      January 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm

      Hi Brittany! That’s great you’re eating a variety of plant-based products. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. I look forward to following your food posts from here on out! Happy Thursday:)
      Ashley recently posted…The one thing I’ve always done to be healthyMy Profile

  13. Sarah Grace says

    January 24, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    So funny Ashley, because I saw Centrum “chewables” and thought they would be yummy so I bought them..only to realize after a month of taking them that it said “for aging adults 50+”..ha!
    But I love how you made goals too. I made a video of mine on my channel just to keep me accountable this time around 🙂
    xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
    Sarah Grace recently posted…Spicy Hot Pumped Up HummusMy Profile

    • Ashley says

      January 25, 2015 at 9:15 am

      Hi Sarah Grace! Thanks for stopping by. Okay, first of all, I’m a fan of chewables. But that’s totally hilarious you’ve been eating the ones for older adults. In fact, it made me laugh out loud reading that. Do you feel more mature? hahahha 🙂 A video of your goals? NICE! Hope you’ve had a great weekend:)
      Ashley recently posted…Friday Favorites: Tasty food, drinks and movingMy Profile

  14. Chloe - A Latte Lipstick says

    January 26, 2015 at 6:09 pm

    I have been taking SuperFood 6x a day, which has 55 organic veggies and fruits in it. I love them!

    XO Chloe
    A Latte Lipstick
    Chloe – A Latte Lipstick recently posted…Let’s Talk Strength Training.My Profile

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Hi, I'm Ashley. I'm a mom and fitness instructor living in Charlotte, North Carolina. I love to help you live a balanced life with no extremes, making sure you never skip a rest day. A Lady Goes West is where I share my workouts, simple meals, clean beauty tips and wellness insight with you. Find out more about me and stay awhile!

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I've got to be honest, I'm much more of a writer t I've got to be honest, I'm much more of a writer than an Instagrammer and many times I feel like what I want to share doesn't fit well into a grid. But I'm able to bring much more long-form content to my blog each week. Speaking of that, this week, I debuted a new series called "A Lady Goes West Advice Corner" which has been something I've wanted to put together for a while. In this series, I'm taking totally anonymous questions from YOU and giving you some neutral third-party advice on it all. Here are the questions I addressed in the first advice corner edition:
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-“I became a first-time mom last spring and am currently dealing with all things motherhood. How do I deal with my expectations vs. reality of being a mom?" (such a good one, and I've been there)
-“How do you deal with days when you don't love your body? I think we can all relate to looking in the mirror and being disappointed with what we see?" (this happens to us all)
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The answers are long, they come from my heart, and I hope they can provide some value to you! If this is something you're interested in, head over to A Lady Goes West today to check it out, and you can submit a question for the next edition.
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Here's the direct link: https://aladygoeswest.com/ask-me-anything-a-lady-goes-west-advice-corner-first-edition/
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Have a great night, friends! And when in doubt, talk it out.
G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y!🎉 Who doesn't love a collagen g G.I.V.E.A.W.A.Y!🎉 Who doesn't love a collagen giveaway? As a little thank-you for following, I wanted to do a giveaway of one of my favorite products. I've been using Vital Proteins collagen in my morning tea latte for years, and not only does the collagen creamer add a great taste, but it also supports healthy hair, skin, nails and joints too. Today, I'm giving away not only one canister of collagen creamer, but also a canister of collagen peptides to one lucky winner.
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You can leave as many comments as you want, and each one serves as an entry. You can earn an additional entry by sharing this post to your stories and tagging me. This giveaway closes on Saturday, February 27. The winner must live in the U.S. And this giveaway is not associated with Instagram. Good luck, and thanks for being here! 🙂 xoxo
HOME! We closed on and moved into our home in Char HOME! We closed on and moved into our home in Charlotte over the weekend, and we're so excited to get settled in our new neighborhood, city and state after many weeks of transition. In honor of this momentous occasion, I thought it would be fun to look back at the places Dave and I have lived together over the last 12 years. Here's what it has looked like -- and each place has been special for different reasons:
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-2009-2012 in a high-rise condo in downtown Orlando, where we lived when we got married.
-2012-2013 in a one-bedroom apartment in South of Market in San Francisco, which was always freezing no matter the time of day or year.
-2013-2014 in a tiny studio apartment in Nob Hill in San Francisco, which was only 550-square-feet, but we could hear the cable cars out of our always-open windows, so that was cool.
-2014-2017 in a two-bedroom townhouse in Walnut Creek, where we brought home both Rudy and Brady and had many sleepless nights.
-2017-2021 in a house that we owned in Pleasant Hill outside of San Francisco, which was across the street from a Starbucks so we went there way too often.
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And now we're here in Charlotte. It's good to be home! I'd love to know: Where do you call home?
Soulmates. ❤️ Whether you’re loving on other Soulmates. ❤️ Whether you’re loving on others or just yourself today, my little crew is wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s Day!
Good additions! Even though I'm all about simplify Good additions! Even though I'm all about simplifying life, I also like adding more good, if there's room for it. And the last year has given me ample opportunity to make some changes and add a lot of good. Here's my super-random list of things I've added to my life in the last year that I now love:
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-Using oat milk as my milk of choice (it's literally the creamiest, and I can’t go back to others now)
-Choosing to be outside as much as possible (can't believe I stayed indoors so much before, never exploring the beautiful Bay Area and now Charlotte until the last year)
-Teaching and taking virtual fitness classes (I was a gym rat for years, and now I actually love to work out at home with my virtual fitness friends)
-Wearing my Apple watch for notifications so I don't always need to be on my phone and tracking some beneficial metrics (I've only had my watch for about 9 months, and I love to check my heart-rate and close my rings)
-Appreciating the ability to work for myself and giving myself friendlier deadlines (I've been my own boss for several years and used to be so strict with my deadlines, until I realized it was stressing me more than it needed to, so now I say no to a lot of things and only do what works well in my life, without adding too much unnecessary stress)
-Shorter workouts (full-hour workouts are a thing of the past for me)
-Wearing more colors (no more black uniforms every day)
-And more!
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I wrote a whole post about this topic on A Lady Goes West this week if this is of interest to you, and you can head on over and check it out. I'd love to know: What's something (random or not) that you've added to your life in the last year that you now love?
Over the weekend, I stepped foot into a big-box gy Over the weekend, I stepped foot into a big-box gym for the first time in more than 11 months. How did I feel about it? Mixed ... When we left California, gyms were still closed, and once we got to North Carolina, I was so used to not going to the gym, I didn't even think about going. After being here a month, I finally decided to get a guest pass at a gym near me, and I went twice. Here are my thoughts on the experience: 
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At first, I felt so excited to drive up and go in and work out in a big space with a lot of equipment and not be at home. But then reality sank in: Even though masks were required and there were signs everywhere reminding people, about half the folks in the gym had their masks off or had them down around their chin. Ummm, not cool. I get it, working out with a mask on sucks, but rules are rules, folks. I also didn't like that it was busier than I expected, and quite a bit of the equipment I wanted to use was occupied. That never happens at home.
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Overall, I'm glad that those who need to get to the gym are getting the opportunity, but right now, I think I'll go back to sweating safely at home for a little while longer. But at least I got my first locker-room selfie in almost a year. I'd love to know. Have you been back to the gym yet?
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A Lady Goes West is a personal blog meant for entertainment purposes only and does not serve as a substitute for professional advice from your own doctor, trainer or nutritionist. While I'm a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor, the workouts, food and plans I post are what works for me and may not work for you. Please enjoy these stories and tips from my life, but proceed with caution. Also, know that affiliate links and sponsored posts appear from time-to-time, and I appreciate your support. For more information about how your data is stored, visit my Privacy Policy. Thanks for reading!

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