You know those people that make you wonder how they live such a perfectly healthy lifestyle, day in, day out? The ones where you think “What the hell?! How does she maintain that gorgeous stomach?!”. Yeah, those people. You think they live a perfectly strict lifestyle … but here’s a secret for you … They don’t. It comes down to balance. Treat yo’self if you feel so inclined, just don’t do it every day. Take a rest day from the gym - you deserve it. Have an extra cocktail to celebrate a birthday. Stay up an extra hour or two to connect with a friend. Just live in balance! … And follow these 5 Habits of Healthy People :). Eat Well Know what makes a fat a good fat. Fat doesn’t actually make you fat. In fact, it’s a vital part of your health. Fat is required by your body to aid in digestion and absorb nutrients. Fat is high in calories, but being so nutritionally dense, it’s a smart source of fuel. You’ll actually be able to maintain a healthy weight more easily if you nourish your body with the good kind of fat at each meal. Know what makes a carb a good carb. Get rid of refined starches, sugars and grains. Choose vegetables, fruits, squashes, and legumes over wheat-based grain carbohydrates such as pasta and bread … which spike your blood sugar. Don’t eliminate carbs entirely, just be wise in choosing which carbs you consume. Control your portions. Don’t restrict your calories by any means, but be mindful in what you’re eating at each meal. Make sure your plate is balanced, and truly take time to enjoy the food that you’re eating. Check out this blog post to read about clean eating and why it’s important: Why You Should Eat Clean. Hydrate Yeah, we talk about hydrating ALL.THE.TIME … but for good reason! It’s literally a requirement by your body, and it’s GOOD for you. It aids in digestion, mood, mental clarity, organs, blood and overall health. See more here: The Importance of Hydrating Pre / During / Post Workout. We know that water can get boring - so switch it up to ensure prime hydration! Throw some fresh fruit into your water (cucumber + mint!!), swap out one of your 8 daily glasses of water for some antioxidant-rich green tea, or sparkling water to keep your body happy and hydrated. Exercise Exercise reduces your risk for diseases, obesity, depression, insomnia, anxiety, hormone imbalances, and ... We can go on and on. It is incredibly important to move your body every single day. Get your blood flowing. Another little insider tip? Book your classes in advance! If you’ve already signed up and paid, you’re more likely to get your butt to class. Signing up for a CARDIO+CORE class ahead of time or scheduling sessions with your trainer for the week ahead is a good way to force yourself to stick to your fitness routine. We all have lazy days, but scheduling in your workouts helps ensure you won’t skip them. Listen To Your Body At the end of the day, being in tune with your body’s own version of “normal” is the best thing you can do. It’s important to recognize when your body needs rest and even when your body needs more movement. Healthy people are in sync with their bodies and listen to signals that alert them to when they’re hungry, dehydrated, inflamed, or even getting sick. By paying closer attention to your energy and how your body feels overall, you can better provide it with what it needs. And hey, since cold and flu season seems to be stickin’ around, check out The RBL Way to Beat a Cold. Sleep We all need sleep! And not just like, a few hours whenever you can fit them in. We’re talkin’ a solid 8-10 hours of restful restorative sleep. Sleep gives your body time to repair and regenerate, and it ensures that your body is working at it’s best. So eat your last meal at least 2 hours before bedtime, take a hot bath to wind down, get yourself some blackout curtains or an adorable sleep mask, do these 5 Stretches for Sleep, and nod off into lalaland for some quality zzz’s.