Known for her evidence-based approach to metabolic wellness, weight management, and longevity, Amy Lee, M.D., a triple-board-certified physician, is chief medical officer of BluSonil (Scottsdale, AZ). She is a leading authority in internal medicine, clinical nutrition, and obesity medicine.
Lee earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana-Peoria and completed her internal medicine residency at the University of Southern California. She spent two additional post-graduate years at UCLA to study clinical nutrition with a focus on metabolic health. Here, she shares how she maintains her own health and vitality.
What are your favorite things to do to maintain your personal wellbeing?
Because personal wellbeing relates to aspects of emotional, social, and physical health, there are many things I think about on this topic. In general, the most basic would be getting that annual physical and screening done once a year for any age-appropriate preventative care. The next important aspect is emotional health, which can be related to social health as well. I try to surround myself with positive friends and family members for support. Just having someone there can make a positive impact on one’s mental health.
What is your favorite healthy food, and do you have a favorite way of preparing it?
My favorite go-to healthy food is a bowl of salad consisting of different colored vegetables with a bit of “bitter” taste added to it for the health benefit. Bitter vegetables are rich in phytochemicals known as glucosinolates, flavonoids, and tannins. These are the added benefits found in vegetables that play a role in anti-inflammation and serve as antioxidants. I am a big fan of a good arugula salad with pieces of grapefruit and lean proteins.
What is your greatest wellness achievement?
Personally, allowing myself to treat myself to a high-quality massage once every other week and not feeling guilty about embracing self-care.
What is the best piece of wellness advice you have ever received and from whom?
Wellness is different for everyone. Don’t feel as if you need to activate all things to achieve wellbeing in your life. Even being open minded with allowing yourself the experience to be in the “realm” of wellness is wellness. Whatever you feel good about is what counts.
What do you think is the most overused word or words in wellness?
Personalization. I think it gets thrown around a lot when in reality, personalization is limited by what you know and do. Also, just because it is personalized doesn’t always mean it is the best practice.
What is your go-to for de-stressing?
It is so simple. It is my morning walks with my husband. They provide a private, quiet 90 minutes for alone time, and they allow us to connect with one another and also get some steps in for physical activity.
What aspect of your wellbeing do you struggle with the most, or would most like to improve?
Feeling FOMO of not doing more. I think we get so wrapped up in hearing and seeing what wellness means. We feel like we need it all, when in reality, we don’t.
What brings you joy?
Being with my family. I didn’t know what maternal instinct was until I had my own child. And just being home with my child and husband makes me feel full and safe.
