Holly's Profile

Nutrition - Obesity & Diabetes

Bio

Holly Haley, RD, is a registered dietitian who works and plays in Northern California. She loves running and triathlons and specializes in Sports Nutrition. She also coaches running teams and teaches spin classes at two health clubs. She has lost 80 pounds herself and enjoys helping others with their own weight loss journeys.

Her credentials include:
* Registered Dietitian credential from the American Dietetic Association
* Bachelors of Science in Dietetics from Eastern Michigan University
* Group Exercise and Spinning Instructor Certification from the YMCA of the USA

Tips

  • When at a restaurant, ask for a to-go box to be brought with your meal. Immediately upon receiving your food, put half of your meal in the to-go box so you won't be tempted to eat the supersized portion.
  • Plan ahead of time -- if you know you will be going out to eat at a specific restaurant, check to see if their menu and nutritional information is available online, and choose your order before you even arrive!
  • Keep a healthy snack that you like in the glove box of your car to help you avoid a drive thru when hunger hits! Almonds, dried fruit, or granola bars work well.
  • Get a workout buddy - and make it someone just a little better, faster, stronger, or more motivated than you are. This will keep you committed and help you to push yourself harder!
  • Eat REAL FOOD - not diet food - as you're losing weight. Learn how to choose healthy foods that taste good instead of poor subsitutes. It makes eating still taste good!

Blog

  • The first step
    • Created on 04/28

    Well, you've done it. The first step. You've realized you are unhappy about your health and you're doing something about it. That's a big first step, and you may have taken it more than once. That's ok, it's always a big deal to take it again.

    But the world of nutrition and fitness can be a big and scary place. The media is all in a frenzy, the restaurants are trying to earn your money, and no one even knows what a good, healthy, home cooked meal consists of anymore! This is the world we live in, but we have the right to take back our health.

    There are a million delicious yet nutritious meals you can eat that will not only be feeding your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs, but that you will enjoy as well. You should not have to feel deprived! I am not a fan of a "diet" in terms of it being restrictive. I like to advocate eating a healthy diet that leaves you satisfied without feeling stuffed, fuels you up for your busy lifestyle without weighing you down, and never leaves you feeling like you're missing out.

    Here in my blog I will show you some of my favorite things to eat, with pictures and commentary on them. And don't worry, I'm no expert chef and I don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, so what you will see will be fast, easy, and fun.

    I look forward to sharing with you!

  • Determination and Motivationh
    • Created on 04/28

    Yesterday, I completed my third triathlon. This is coming from a former couch potato, weighing in at 250 lbs. Now I can swim, bike, and run - and have fun doing it!

    I wasn't able to just up and do a triathlon, though. These things take time.

    I started off with the stationary bike and exercise videos when I began my weightloss journey. I moved on to jogging and step aerobics as I became more fit. I gave myself the challenge of completing a triathlon last year.

    I had the first step: DETERMINATION. I had challenged myself, I was determined.

    But the next piece is the tricky one: MOTIVATION. Because once you've got an idea, once you decide to do something, you have to stay motivated.

    I think the best way to stay motivated is to not embark on any journey alone. Whether this means having a workout buddy, a Weight Watchers meeting buddy, or joining a training group or sports team, fun and friendship can really make weightloss and/or excercising a success.

    Here in Sonoma County, I joined a women's triathlon team called Jill B. Nimble. The friendship and fun is worth even more than the training plan to me! And yesterday, 13 of us triathletes finished the race, smiling and cheering each other on. Afterwards, we had a BBQ with all of our families and joy was in the air - we had all accomplished something great, and we did it together.

    And we all walked away with the same question -- "When's the next one? "

    So I encourage you to find some comraderie in this journey. It will help you keep that motivation going along the way.