For this week’s feature of our Meet: Wellness Expert series, we talked to fitness goddess Audrey (@foamrollfanatic), who shared with us some of her healthy living advice!
To start off, we’d love to know when and why you started your healthy living journey?
I think I’ve always been conscious about leading a healthy lifestyle – aren’t we all? But I held myself back with excuses like work, too busy, not enough time to exercise, social events, etc… and also a lack of knowledge. But a little over a year ago, I made the decision to invest my time in fitness. It was around this time that I really started owning my path to fitness, setting my own goals and challenging myself. I also happened to begin documenting my journey around this time on Instagram. I wanted to learn how to actually lead a healthy lifestyle – what to eat, how to exercise, building the discipline, how much to rest, etc. – there was so much to learn and still more to go!
How did you get into BBG and was it hard to get started?
My boyfriend had gifted me the Bikini Body Guide about two years ago, but they sat on the shelf for a while. We tried to do them sometimes, but they were really hard and we did them inconsistently. But last year in April, my membership to the fitness studio I’d been attending had expired and instead of renewing my membership, I decided to make use of the BBG program. It was really difficult in the beginning – a lot of times I wasn’t able to finish the circuits or perform some of the exercises properly (e.g. pushups and burpees!) – but I kept going. After I completed my first round of BBG, I compared my before/after photos and was pleasantly surprised at the progress I made. That was enough motivation to keep going!
Your favorite, clean-eating, go to meal?
I love keeping things simple – baked stuffed bell peppers are so easy and yummy! As for pre/post-workout snacks, I love snacking on blueberries and/or spreading 1-2 TBSP of almond or peanut butter on an unsalted rice cake – so good!
Why do you think it’s important to use organic products?
You’ve only got one body so it’s important to take care of it. I’ve learned that, when you practice clean eating regularly, it becomes clear that your body functions better with whole, organic, nutritious foods over processed foods. My grandmother just turned 100 (woot!) and she’s been eating organic foods and using organic products for a very long time… Same goes with skincare – I’m no expert, but I believe less ingredients the better.
What’s one healthy living habit you can’t live without?
Staying hydrated – drink lots of water!
Favorite cocokind product and when you use it?
Oh man, this is a hard question! I love all the products I’ve tried out so far! But if I had to pick, it would be the Organic Rosewater Facial Toner – it’s so refreshing to spray it on my face and neck after I get out of the shower! Next on my list to try are the Chlorophyll Mask and Matcha Body Moisturizer
What’s one beauty routine step that you can’t live without?
I like to keep my beauty routine pretty simple, but no matter how busy I am, I will always wash/tone/moisturize my face before going to bed.
Favorite girl boss role model?
I think the female role models which make the biggest impact are the ones who aren’t necessarily famous but are making changes for their own community and sphere of influence.
Guilty pleasure?
Snacking on potato chips while watching Law & Order: SVU!