During the month of March when we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize Luz Nereida Vélez, an iconic figure in Puerto Rican journalism, who has radiated her light through screens since 1978 as a reporter and anchor on Wapa TV. Her in-depth knowledge of health and wellness topics has made her a beacon of inspiration to many.
But it is her love of exercise, her active life and her good diet and nutrition that demonstrate her healthy lifestyle, which have made a difference in the lives of those who follow her. Her passion for promoting a healthy lifestyle is evident in every aspect of her life, and her commitment to herself is an inspiration to many.
From her childhood, she learned from her mother the importance of maintaining a balance between exercise and healthy eating. “I learned from a very young age to have a healthy lifestyle. My best example was my mom. My mom exercised and took great care of her diet. I learned that doing those two things together was synonymous with health,” she says. These values became the pillars of her own path to health and wellness.
“My approaches to maintaining a healthy lifestyle are as follows: maintaining a positive attitude, not holding grudges or anger in the heart, a good diet, rest, meditation, and practicing physical activity and exercise,” she lists.
In this way, she explains that a positive attitude is essential for a full and healthy life. She understands that emotions influence physical and mental health, and that is why she strives to cultivate joy and optimism in every aspect of her life, which we see daily on television.
When it comes to food, Luz Nereida prefers natural and organic foods, free of hormones. For many years, through her journalistic assignments, she has had the opportunity to interview countless different health professionals, learning first-hand about the benefits of healthy eating.
Better yet, she has had the opportunity to share this knowledge with her audience on the newscast, as well as the radio programs Vivir en Salud on NotiUno and Wapa Solo Salud on Facebook. For her, every bite is an opportunity to nourish body and mind.
In addition, she reminds us of the importance of letting go of resentments and grudges, as these prevent us from living fully. Luz Nereida also talks about the importance of resting and recharging energy. “We have to learn to rest.”
One of her strategies to achieve this is meditation, an invaluable tool for calming the mind and finding inner peace in the midst of the daily hustle and bustle. And, of course, we cannot forget the importance of movement. Luz Nereida reminds us that our bodies are designed to move, and that physical activity is essential to keep us healthy and happy.
Since childhood, she has been a fervent advocate of regular exercise, and her passion for physical activity is evident in how good her body looks and in her image.
But beyond her professional accomplishments, Luz Nereida’s true legacy lies in the love and dedication she gives to her daughter Alhanna. Since she was a child, she has been her greatest inspiration, passing on the same values of health and well-being that she learned from her mother. Today, her daughter follows in her footsteps, following a life of health and happiness. The legacy she passed on to her daughter manifests itself in multiple aspects of her daily life. “From an early age she learned that there were no soft drinks at home, only natural juices, which laid the foundation for healthy eating.
In addition, she understood the importance of water for body hydration and skin health. From a young age, she adopted the habit of consuming fruits and vegetables, maintaining a balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates and vegetables just like I do.” They both share a passion for exercise, training together regularly.
“To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is essential to have desire, commitment and dedication. Although it may seem like a drastic change at first, over time we adapt and it becomes part of our daily lives, just like when we start school, college, or a new job.
This process of adaptation will eventually bear positive fruit and contribute to our overall well-being,” she says, with the aim of encouraging all people to adopt their healthy living approaches: good nutrition, rest and physical activity, plus a positive attitude in mind and heart.
We celebrate Luz Nereida in International Working Women’s Month, as a living example of how healthy living can transform not only our bodies, but also our minds and spirits. Their commitment to health and wellness is a reminder that, with determination and love, we can achieve our goals and live a full and fulfilling life.
