1. Green Lifestyle
Nolin lives a very eco-conscious life. “It was a slow progression of awareness, but we’ve seen firsthand what a difference one person, one family, a group of people can do to help our planet,” she told Green Living Magazine. “I want my children and grandchildren to enjoy a clean and progressive planet that can make changes for a better life lived. We are consciously making an effort to eliminate single-use plastics in our home. We’ve also decided to purchase electric vehicles. While making a considerable difference to our planet, driving eco-friendly cars definitely has its perks.”
2. Growing Her Own Produce
Gena Lee Nolin/Instagram
Nolin loves foraging for ingredients from her own garden. “We have eggplants, figs, oranges, lemons, peaches, green and red grapes, key limes, lemons, rosemary, mint, oregano, apples, carrots, kale, cucumbers, and strawberries… I think I got everything!” she told Green Living Magazine. “There’s nothing like cooking dinner and running out to the garden for a little organic zest. Don’t get me wrong—having a garden takes a lot of work, but when you see the fruits of your labor pay off, there’s truly nothing like it. The simple pleasures in life.”
3. Balance and Cheat Days
Nolin believes in a balanced lifestyle. “Being consistent and fair; eating healthy, making good choices like eating your greens, sticking to portion control, having a cheat day,” she told Women Fitness. “When I was strict on what I was eating, I found I fell into binging, which only made staying healthy harder. You have to keep yourself in a healthy balance. A cheat day keeps you from going overboard and from going crazy from craving the things you miss.”
4. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
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Nolin lives with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. “Everything I’ve done in my career has taken me to exactly where I am today. Having thyroid issues for several years [undiagnosed] posed for some really tough times,” she told Green Living Magazine. “Working through flare-ups, trying to diagnose myself, starting my Facebook and Instagram support page ‘Thyroid Sexy’… I learned quickly that I had to change my lifestyle in order to feel my best, and looking good was an afterthought! It actually was the last thing I thought of because I felt so horrid, and anyone out there who suffers from autoimmune disease gets it!”
5. Walking and Pilates
Nolin swears by brisk walks to stay in shape. “I’m an avid walker,” she told Women Fitness. “Could I jog? Sure, I might as well be. I walk faster than my cross country jogging friends. I also lift light weights and do Pilates. I think what you eat is the most important factor. It’s 85% of keeping in shape and staying healthy – what you put in you shapes what the rest of you will be. I use cool tone, which stimulates the muscle. I also have my abs routine at least twice weak. Muscle memory is real.”