Healthy Habits: Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy enjoys barre workouts, hiking

March 6, 2017 Baylor Global Health, Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy, Gastroenterology, Healthy Habits, Nutrition and Wellness

Taking care of your health is a priority and nobody knows that more than physicians and healthcare providers.

It can sometimes be difficult to find ways to stay healthy, so we’ve asked members of our Baylor College of Medicine community to share what they do in their daily lives to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Dr. Sharmila Anandasabapathy, director of Baylor Global Initiatives and professor of medicine-gastroenterology at Baylor, shares some of her healthy habits with us.

Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: A good night’s sleep! I try to get seven hours. I also like to exercise early (5:45 a.m.)

Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: I am, sadly, very predictable: 1 ½ cups of fresh berries, 3 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 2 teaspoons of honey peanut butter and two SUPER STRONG (French Roast) cups of coffee.

Q: What is your favorite type of exercise?
A: Barre. I also like yoga, and, location-permitting, hiking.

Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: Shame – typically an instructor kicking my butt.

Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: I go walking or jogging with my labradoodle, Casey!

Q: What is your favorite healthful snack?
A: Is a Snickers bar healthful? Maybe not! Healthful? Cashew nuts or a banana.

Q: Do you take vitamins and if so, which ones?
A: Yes – multivitamin, fish oil, and calcium.

Q: What do you include in your child’s lunch?
A: When she takes lunch, a sandwich (usually turkey), apple, popcorn or ONE cookie.

Q: How do you make an unhealthy recipe healthy (healthy substitutions)?
A: Olive oil, no butter; fish, not meat; limit the cheese.

Q: What is your nighttime skin regimen?
A: Same as when I was 20 – but with more eye cream now!

Q: What hobbies do you have to help you relax?
A: Yoga, reading, napping.

Q: What is your go-to Houston restaurant for a healthy meal?
A: We tend to go to Zoe’s Kitchen a lot (proximity).

Q: Do you use a pedometer or Fitbit and what is your daily step goal?
A: Apple Watch. I try to exercise every day so I honestly don’t count steps. I aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day: jogging, barre class, yoga, something!

Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: My father’s advice: “Everything in moderation.” Don’t eat too much, don’t drink too much, don’t sit too much, don’t talk too much.