Healthy Habits: Dr. Huda Zoghbi jogs, hikes to improve fitness
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. Huda Zoghbi, director of the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and professor at Baylor, shares some of her healthy habits with us.
Q: What health decisions start your day?
A: Having my espresso while conversing with my husband!
Q: What is your go-to healthy breakfast?
A: Either steel-cut oatmeal with berries or whole grain cereal with fresh fruits.
Q: What is your favorite type of exercise?
A: For the past 30 years I have been taking the stairs every day. My lab and office on the 13th floor affords me a great workout. My favorite workout is doing the stairs twice a week at 6 p.m. (four times in a row) with my trainees. We get a great workout and catch up on everything from science to life.
On other days I like to mix things up. I’ll do a two to three mile jog, some free weights, abdominal/core exercises and end with a good deal of stretching.
Q: What keeps you motivated during your workout?
A: Typically music, listening to the Serial podcast while running and sometimes watching a recorded program.
Q: What activities do you do when you can’t fit in a full workout?
A: When pressed for time, I do the 7-minute workout three times in a row. I love it because it’s a serious workout, it gets my heart rate going and I need no equipment. It can be done in any hotel room when on the road and pressed for time.
Q: What is your favorite healthful snack?
A: Fresh fruits.
Q: Do you take vitamins and if so, which ones?
A: Vitamin E.
Q: What do you include in your child’s lunch?
A: Now they are grown up, but when they were little – Lebanese spinach pies and fruits.
Q: How do you make an unhealthy recipe healthy?
A: Yogurt and olive oil are wonderful substitutes.
Q: What is your nighttime skin regimen?
A: I wash my face with soap then apply moisturizer.
Q: What hobbies do you have to help you relax?
A: I love cooking and reading. Walking outside or hiking helps me recharge.
Q: What is your go-to Houston restaurant for a healthy meal?
A: Our house has the best, but True Foods Kitchen is a great healthy alternative.
Q: Do you use a pedometer or Fitbit and what is your daily step goal?
A: I used to, but then I figured I know exactly how much I am moving, so I do not need anything.
Q: What is your favorite health tip that you live by?
A: Move! I like to stay active. I often walk to grocery store (1-2 miles) and carry two full bags of groceries home (beats doing weights). I like using daily activities (stairs, walking everywhere, carrying things) as a habit.
Additional Resources
Taking the stairs, morning exercise help Dr. Theodore Shybut stay fit
Staying hydrated, swimming key for Dr. Lisa Haubert
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
