Healthy Habits: Dr. Monica Alzate enjoys Zumba, sugar-free alternatives
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. Monica Alzate, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor, shares some of her healthy habits with us.
Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: I stretch and drink water.
Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: Oatmeal with fruit or high fiber cereal, plus sugar-free hot cocoa with vanilla almond milk (even in the summer).
Q: What is your favorite type of exercise?
A: I like to vary from yoga to Zumba.
Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: How I feel afterwards and the 16,000 points that I will hopefully get in Vitality by the end of this year.
Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: Stretching.
Q: What is your favorite healthful snack?
A: Mango and fruits in general.
Q: Do you take vitamins and if so, which ones?
A: I take vitamins B12, D and omega 3.
Q: What do you include in your child’s lunch?
A: He’s in college, but I still buy him granola bars with chocolate covered almonds (so that he’ll eat the almonds).
Q: How do you make an unhealthy recipe healthy (healthy substitutions)?
A: Low-fat or sugar-free dairy.
Q: What hobbies do you have to help you relax?
A: Walking my dogs with my husband for 30-40 min every evening and reading (from paper, not screen) before turning the lights off.
Q: What is your go-to Houston restaurant for a healthy meal?
A: I moved to Houston last fall and I’m amazed at the variety of good food here. I still don’t have a favorite.
Q: Do you use a pedometer or Fitbit and what is your daily step goal?
A: I have a Fitbit. I aim for at least 8,000 daily steps, or 70,000 per week.
Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: Self-care, including congruency between my values and actions.
Additional Resources
Yoga, family time help Kim Chang stay fit
Outdoor walks, Pilates keep Dr. Elizabeth McIngvale active
See how Baylor stays fit with more healthy habits from members of our community
See how Baylor promotes a culture of healthy living and wellness
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