A couple of years ago, I picked up a copy of Bethenny Frankel’s book called Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting. I had watched Bethenny on the Real Housewives of NYC (guilty pleasure) and I always loved her straight forward attitude and love of delicious (yet, healthy) food.
Plus, the title is hard to resist—don’t you think? I mean, who doesn’t want to unleash their inner skinny girl and essentially learn how to living a healthy lifestyle intuitively? Intuitive eating is elusive to many—but Bethenny makes it sound easy.
In the book, Bethenny shows how anyone can banish their Heavy Habits, embrace Thin Thoughts, and enjoy satisfying meals, snacks, and drinks without the guilt. She says that once you’ve learned her “rules,” you’ll say:
• I know when I am really hungry
• When I'm really hungry, I look for high-volume, fiber-rich foods
• I can have any food I want
• I love the taste of real food
I have to say—I love her commitment to health. She strives to make healthy food delicious, while also showing her fans that you can really have it all (in moderation, of course). It’s all about moderation—and that’s something that I can get behind. In fact, it’s the way I live my life. Balance is key.
Well, Bethenny recently launched a healthy living shop on OpenSky, where she’ll be featuring her favorite products for living a healthy and happy life along with tips, videos, advice and ideas for living a healthier lifestyle.
Her goal is to give her fans the insiders truth on all-things healthy. Basically, she is on a mission to democratize healthy living by making information available to everyone she can reach.
I, too, want to encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle. In fact, my goal is to reach as many as possible with my assertion that you can live healthy even when you’re short on time.
Read on to see Bethenny’s answers to a few questions on living healthy in a hectic world.
You’re a new TV host, Founder of Skinnygirl, 4 time NY Times best selling author and chef, but if you had to describe yourself beyond that to someone, what would you say?
Well, I'm most definitely a businessperson, but I'm most proud of being a mother. Ever since I had Bryn, I make all my decisions based on what's best for her so that's how I define myself first now.
It seems like everybody’s biggest challenge for living a healthy lifestyle is time. What’s one simple thing time-starved women can fit into their day to live a healthier lifestyle?
What I tell women is there's no way you can be the best mother, the best wife and the best businessperson if you're running yourself ragged!
The best thing you can do to keep healthy is to keep hydrated. Even if you have one hand on your blackberry, your baby bouncing on your lap and your ear on a conference call, you can still manage a few quick swigs of water. I even struggle with it personally because I don't love water, but your body needs it to detox and to keep things moving if you know what I mean. So my alternative is knocking back club soda.
Summer's here so we’re all thinking about baring more skin. Can you share one of your best secrets for getting a more toned body?
There's honestly no secret. I believe in watching what you eat and exercise in moderation. Otherwise you go on one of these crash weight-loss regimens and you give up by Day 4. You can't keep it up! And then you end up beating yourself up. If I eat a burger for lunch, I'll have a salad for dinner. If I don't have time to do 40 minutes of yoga, I'll take the stairs instead of the elevator or park a little further away and walk a little extra. Moderation is key.
I'm a New Yorker so I'm used to walking a ton every day. That's just what we do.
With your incredibly busy schedule, how do you find the time to cook at home?
My schedule is crazy but I always make it a point to make Bryn a home-cooked meal every day. I started out in catering so cooking is what I enjoy. And I swear, it's easy…as long as you make it easy. Don't say you're going to make beef Wellington and a baked Alaska for a weekday dinner with the hubby—make turkey burgers and 30-minute brownies instead.
What are a few easy tips for gradually moving toward a healthier lifestyle?
The easiest way to start is to get rid of all those processed foods in your kitchen. If it's not there, you can't eat it. Fill your fridge with real food instead. If you really need those potato chips, buy chips that are the most natural. (Hint: Check the ingredient list and it'll be the one with the least ingredients.) If you really need that booze, make a Skinnygirl cocktail so you're not downing all those calories.
With all of these extraordinary experiences on your resume, what made you decide to work with OpenSky as your next move?
I love giving women practical solutions that can make their lives a bit easier. It's like having boozy brunch with my girlfriends and talking out our problems. But OpenSky is a way to bridge that gap between recommending something great and giving my fans a way to actually buy it.
What kinds of products and advice can your fans expect to see you offer on OpenSky?
Well, you definitely won't get recipes for cardboard chicken. I mean I want you to actually like healthy living. I'm planning on showing you practical products and awesome tips that you can actually use in your day-to-day routine… And some of my Skinnygirl favorites, naturally.
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I absolutely love her outlook. Moderation really is key. It’s all about finding what works for you, your life, and your schedule—and then sticking with it for the long haul.
Have you read any of Bethenny’s books?
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