Michele Promaulayko is the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan and the Editorial Director of Seventeen. In other words, she runs two of the biggest women’s magazines in the world.
Previously, she was the Editor-in-Chief of Yahoo Health and Women’s Health, and she’s also the author of 20 Pounds Younger.
I have known Michele for seven years. First, as a colleague. Then, as a colleague and close friend. Now, as one of my without-fail, go-to people for, well, just about everything. From always being up to try a new workout, to indulging (consciously, of course) at a new restaurant with me, to undeniably always giving the best life advice, this is one inspiring woman who I can tell you truly lives a Nutritious Life.
Find out more about how she does it all, below.
How Does Michele Promaulayko Live a Nutritious Life?
How do you EAT EMPOWERED? I try to eat as many whole foods as I can and as few processed foods as I can get away with. One reigning principle I live by is: “If it goes bad, it’s good. If it stays good, it’s bad.” Basically, I don’t really want to be consuming things that have a millennium-long shelf life!
How do you LIVE CONSCIOUSLY? One of the ways I live consciously is by practicing mindfulness. The foundation of the eating plan in my new book 20 Pounds Younger is centered on mindful eating. And learning how to eat mindfully is critical to sustaining weight loss because it teaches you how to recognize real hunger cues so that you don’t fall prey to emotionally-driven eating triggers.
RELATED: How to Stop Emotional Eating
How do you DRINK UP? I make it a point to start the day with a glass of water and lemon to re-hydrate after sleeping for 8 hours—Keri, you taught me to do that! Other than coffee or tea in the morning and the occasional glass of red wine, water is pretty much all I drink. But I love to doctor it up with fresh herbs, such as mint, or fresh ginger and lemon—or all three. I find I drink more when I add some nutrition-boosting flavor.
How do you LOVE MORE? Recently, I made a vow to compliment the people I love more. Sometimes we think sweet or loving thoughts, but we don’t express them, and expressing them is such a simple display of love. Gotta do that more!
How do you STRESS LESS? By carving out time to socialize—laughing is scientifically proven to be a stress buster. And I have some funny-as-hell- friends.
RELATED: Could Learning to Meditate Change How You Handle Stress?
How do you SLEEP DEEP? To me, sleep is sacred because I know how critical it is to health and happiness. In 20 Pounds Younger, I talk a lot about the impact of sleep on your weight, well being, and—let’s be honest—your attractiveness. My bed is my happy place–I love my soft Pottery Barn organic linen sheets. I have also banished the TV from my bedroom so I’m not tempted to stay up too late watching Bravo. A new part of my ritual is turning on this aroma diffuser from Muji that a friend gave me as a gift. I put some water and lavender essential oils in there, and it emits a mellow, sleep-inducing scent.
How do you SWEAT OFTEN? I much prefer lifting weights to traditional cardio. So in my book, I detail an awesome strength-training plan that has metabolic-boosting moves. You don’t have to run for hours on a treadmill to burn fat. To supplement, I’ll do yoga or stand-up paddle or just ride my bike. Trying to move a little every day is a big part of my life. It doesn’t always happen, but I feel the best when I’m more active. Every little bit adds up.
