Healthy Living Muskogee Summer 2020 Edition | Page 9

Cheryl Monroe
Monroe is a clinical
dietician with the
Jack C. Montgomery
Veteran Affairs Medical
Center
be key,”
Monroe
said. “Pretty
much all foods
are going to fit
for most people,
so we don’t want to
do a lot of fad dieting
or restrictive dieting because
that can be stressful for
people, especially with all
the stress going on with the
pandemic and everything.”
Many people are hesitant
to start a healthy lifestyle because
they believe it is not fun. As a way to combat
that mindset and to achieve long-term
success, Monroe recommends making a
meal plan.
“Having a plan in place, planning
meals and activities like that is a good way
to set yourself for success,” Monroe said.
By meal planning, anyone can count
their caloric intake by deciding which
ingredients to use for their meals.
A proper diet along with participating
in physical activities will promote a
sustainable healthy lifestyle. The Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
adults take part in at least 150
minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activities,
such as walking, jogging or cycling
while remaining socially distant.
However, there are no quick fixes. As
a professional in her field, Monroe wants
the public to know that maintaining a
health lifestyle is a long-term commitment
and that it is OK to enjoy food.
Healthy Living
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