Sophomore dietetics major Helen Toy has started a following with her fitness blog “Hevil’s Healthy Devil”, but she wasn’t always so dedicated to fitness.

Toy used to be overweight and unmotivated to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Unhappy and 30 pounds overweight, she had a desire to lose weight and be healthy before starting high school.

“I was going to be in high school and I wanted to be more confident so I could fit in,” Toy said.

Toy’s mother pushed her to try to be healthy, but it was hard for her to stay committed to eating healthy and exercising. Toy often caught herself on the computer or in bed instead of running and says she struggled to keep her self-esteem up enough to not quit.

“I felt like quitting sometimes, but after a while I decided to tell myself I could do it,” Toy said. “I told myself I’d feel better after doing it and kept thinking of the reward that would come from trying.”

From there Toy slowly began to incorporate exercise back into her daily routine and started making her own meals instead of eating processed food.

After losing 30 pounds, Toy began to realize she was beginning to look forward to her daily workouts. She said she became more confident not only for how she looked, but mainly because she was able to set a goal and achieve it.

“I realized after working out and losing weight that I had more energy and was less stressed out. I just felt better because I could set a goal and make it,” Toy said. “Last semester I ran my first half marathon and when I finished, I realized I finished nine minutes faster than my goal and I felt pretty proud.”

Sophomore business major Wendy Tran, who has known Toy since elementary school, said she became more confident after changing to a healthier lifestyle.

“She became more confident after losing weight and exercising,” Tran said. “She gained a stronger drive to communicate and socialize with others.”

With her new confidence, Toy decided to start her blog “Hevil’s Healthy Devil” as a way to maintain a healthy lifestyle and inspire others to become health conscious.

“My blog focuses on tips for health, nutrition, and how to gain a healthy lifestyle,” Toy said. “You will feel better when you are healthy and here you can find recipes, workouts and track that progress.”

On her blog, she keeps a daily record of exercise routines, diet and progress. Recipes for meals, as well as desserts, are also featured alongside workout videos Toy recommends from other sites. In addition, Toy offers advice and guidance to other dietetic students.

“My blog helps me stay on track with my healthy eating, exercise and fitness goals,” Toy said. “It gives me different perspectives on how to teach others, and keeps me and others accountable for what we do. It can motivate you to lead a healthy lifestyle.”

Toy’s blog helps motivate her classmates and friends try and lead healthier lifestyles.

Junior criminal justice major Christian Brooks began to follow Toy’s blog after meeting in a Spanish class at Sac State and says other classmates look to Toy for fitness advice.

“Students find her blog inspirational and very helpful when it comes to fitness. They come to her in class and ask her for tips on how to be healthy and exercise,” Brooks said. “Students look at her as a role model who is a student like them, but is also equipped with the knowledge to be healthy.”

Tran begun exercising and eating healthier by using the workout routines on Toy’s blog. Tran said that she had always wanted to try following a fitness regimen, but was intimidated by her busy schedule. After following Toy’s fitness progress on her blog, Tran became motivated to try and achieve a fitness goal as well.

“I’ve become motivated by seeing Helen do it,” Tran said. “She worked really hard to get in shape and always seems to push through any setbacks. I figured if she can, maybe I can do it too.”

Toy recommends students utilize the free services offered in the well, such as an initial consultation with a personal trainer or the metabolic Monday fitness classes.

Toy insists that although it can be intimidating for students to balance school, work and a social life, any little changes toward being healthy can help in the long run.

“Don’t give up on being healthy because you feel like what you are doing isn’t enough. Start small. Just get moving at first and it will help you out in the long run. Even if you make small changes, they will lead to big ones that can make a difference.”

Helen’s tips

Tips on how to resist junk food on campus.

Helen says:

Remember that eating healthy is about balance. You can still have a social life while still eating healthy. One way to not get tempted by buying junk food is to bring snacks and food from home. Whether it’s an apple, trail mix, or a homemade granola bar, it’ll be healthier than buying the soda and chips from school. You can also think of it this way: you’ll save money from bringing your own food than from buying the junk food from campus. You and your friends can also bring different snacks from home and share! If you must, try buying the healthier foods on campus.

Tips about carbohydrates

Helen says:

One thing to know is that carbohydrates is your body’s main source of energy! There is always the stigma that “carbs are bad”, but in reality, your body needs them. Carbs are found in vegetables, fruits, bread, pasta, etc. What you can do is eat less of the “bad” carbs, which are foods such as white bread and white rice. Focus on eating whole grains, such as brown rice and 100% Whole Wheat Bread.

Tips on how to make exercise fun

Helen says:

Have you been doing the workout consistently for a while? It’s always nice to change up your workout. If you always run on the treadmill, go on the elliptical or take a fitness class. Workout with your friends! You can make it a social event with your friends to stay motivated. You can even go outside for a run. A change of scenery can help you enjoy your workout. You can even workout at a different time of the day. If it’s with running, try adding intervals to your run. If it’s with lifting weights, switch up the muscle groups you’re used to working and try a new exercise. Doing the same thing can get boring, so it’s best to change your routine every once in a while. That way, you will stay motivated.