With the new year upon us, I’m sure many of you have hopped on the resolution bandwagon and have set some goals to rejuvenate and better yourself in 2017. Among the most popular resolutions include getting fit, losing weight, adopting a healthier diet, and treating your body as you should. Although this can be very difficult to begin and maintain—whether this be attributed to laziness, lack of knowledge of where to start, or confusion of what exactly constitutes a healthy lifestyle—these goals of achieving optimal health and fitness routines is completely doable. Going at it alone might seem tricky and nerve-wracking as there are many steps and lifestyle changes involved to become the healthiest version of yourself, but there are many inspirational health and fitness icons out there to help you along your journey. I myself have been following these bloggers, YouTubers, and models all throughout my fitness journey and they continue to inspire me to be the best that I can be, and provide me with many tips and tricks that facilitate the process. If you’re looking to become a vegetarian, drop a few pounds, or transform your health routine altogether, I highly suggest checking out any of these five amazing women who are experts in the industry.
1. Food Babe
My mom suggested this iconic health figure to me a while back and I have been following her posts about the hidden dangers of the Food Industry ever since. Vani Hari, known on her blog as the Food Babe, posts healthy recipes, the truth about certain ingredients and food products that are detrimental to the body, and facts about vitamins and chemicals that we should all look out for in the foods we are consuming. I got her book, “The Food Babe Way,” for Christmas and her investigations and information is so eye-opening and useful that I will now always think twice about what I am putting into my body. Blog: http://foodbabe.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefoodbabe/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoodbabe/
2. JessBeautician
Jess is one of three accounts that I subscribe to on YouTube, and I look forward to her recipes and vegan diet tip videos each and every week. She is a vegan health, beauty and lifestyle vlogger best known for her “What I Eat in a Day” series. She provides a wide range of creative, delicious, and easy vegan recipes of all kinds and also cruelty-free cosmetic products that do the trick without the guilt. I have made many meals she has posted myself and they are all so amazing and so simple and she has been the primary figure in my transition to a vegan diet. I haven’t missed one recipe video of hers, and if you’re looking to get accustomed to a plant-based diet without feeling like your only option is a boring salad or plate of veggies, this girl is bound to give you the utmost inspiration both in the kitchen and in your beauty routine.
Blog: http://www.jessicabeautician.co.uk
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/JessicaBeautician
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbeautician/?hl=en
3. Kalel
Another YouTuber that I have fallen in love with because of her bubbly personality and unique recipe ideas, Kalel is a vegan vlogger and PETA activist bursting with personality. She recently created a new video channel that does not yet have many videos, but the few recipe videos already in existence that she has posted provide simple and easy vegan twists on popular meals that anyone—vegan or not—can make and enjoy. She also offers workout tips and stories about her vegan journey that detail how not everyone is perfect and there will be ups and downs throughout anyone’s health and fitness transformation.
Blog: http://kalelkitten.tumblr.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchUsLiveAndStuff
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalelkitten/?hl=en
4. Lauren Toyota (Hot for Food)
Lauren is a former MuchMusic VJ turned vegan blogger, and her popular YouTube series with co-host John Diemer, called Hot For Food is a major internet sensation. So many other vegan icons rave about these two, and their bubbly, energetic mini cooking shows are both entertaining and informative for beginner and long-term veggies. They have challenge videos with secret ingredients, random recipes where they cook something up on the spot with leftovers remaining in their fridge, and short one to two minute vegan takes on popular recipes like wings, nachos, and pizza. They post every recipe they come up with on their blog—I have tried most and they are so simple and delicious you wouldn’t even tell you were eating all whole, plant-based foods that are nourishing your body.
Blog: http://www.hotforfoodblog.com
YouTube: hotforfood https://www.youtube.com/user/hotforfoodblog personal https://www.youtube.com/user/toyotalauren
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotforfood/
5. Nikki Sharp
I have been following Nikki on social media since I was in high school, and her five day detox cleanse was one of the first steps to transforming my health and diet. Alongside being an international model, she is lifestyle and wellness expert that advocates for a clean diet, and has become a certified health coach with her five day detox and sustainable lifestyle tips. I have tried the detox myself and I absolutely loved the meals included and noticed major positive changes in my energy levels, skin, hair and overall wellbeing. Health and happiness starts from within, and Nikki is an amazing role model promoting this motto through her wellness coaching, exercise tips, and meal plans that help to strengthen and better the body and one’s mental esteem.
Blog: http://www.nikkisharp.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/StaySharpandBeStrong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkisharp/?hl=en