Healthy Habits: Dr. Eric Storch plays soccer, walks daily to stay moving

April 15, 2019 Dr. Eric Storch, Healthy Habits, Nutrition and Wellness

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.

Eric Storch, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor, shares some of his healthy habits with us.

Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: My first tasks are getting my two oldest kids up, fed, and ready for school. After getting myself ready, I reflect on how to integrate exercise into a busy day. For example, can I walk between point A and B? Can I work out after bedtime? (Odds are 75% I doze in my kids’ bed).

Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: A granola bar is my usual breakfast. It is a balance of healthy and convenient.

Q: What is your favorite type of exercise?
A: Playing soccer – whether in a full match or kicking the ball around with my kids.

Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: This has gotten harder as I age. My body doesn’t like exercising as much and often communicates this. I try to focus on the process, challenge, setting self-goals, and health.

Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: I walk as much as I can wherever I can. This includes having mentor meetings while walking as much as possible.

Q: What is your favorite healthful snack?
A: Either pizza or some type of fruit.

Q: What do you include in your child’s lunch?
A: I include a sandwich, fruit, veggies, water and a treat or snack.

Q: How do you make an unhealthy recipe healthy (healthy substitutions)?
A: I try more to balance unhealthy foods with exercise as much as I can. The other way is through moderation – having only some of the unhealthy (but good) foods.

Q: What is your nighttime skin regimen?
A: Mostly just washing my face and reflecting on how I came to look like my dad.

Q: What hobbies do you have to help you relax?
A: I enjoy soccer, traveling the world, karaoke and spending time with the Storch crew.

Q: Do you use a pedometer or Fitbit and what is your daily step goal?
A: I use my phone, which I usually have with me. Unfortunately, someone programmed it to subtract about 5,000 steps right before I check it.

Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: Keep playing the sports you love – there are always some folks at your level. Naps are great; the more the better.