Viewers of FOX 7 news often tune in to watch Loriana Hernandez report on everything from the latest in core fitness training to doggie diets and all of the health topics in between.
For five years, she has had access to the some of the top health and fitness professionals Austin has to offer.
I recently sat down with her to discover the advice she has taken, and how she overcame her own personal health challenges.
Ganske: Prior to becoming a health cast reporter, would you have considered yourself a health-minded individual?
Hernandez: Yes. I started because my dad ran in triathlons and marathons, and this inspired me to become interested in health and fitness. Then in 1998, I first started doing health stories, and it became part of my life, and with everything I learned, I wanted to share this with the public. If things affected me and/or my circle of influence, I would investigate and do a story about that.
Ganske: What stories have you reported on that have made you think, ‘I need to do that for myself’?
Hernandez: [There are] two key stories that have changed my life. One is naturally balancing my hormones with bio-identical hormones. When I tried them at 35, I couldn’t believe that I felt 25 again after just a few months. I try to use natural approaches with regards to my health. I rarely ever take anything over-the-counter and almost never need a prescription. When I was faced with an infertility issue, I was so disheartened to learn that I would need fertility treatment. The injections made me feel unbalanced and miserable. Knowing what it felt like to be totally balanced prior to this was a true wake-up call. I am thankful for experiencing my true balance, and after this baby is born, I plan to get back to being hormonally balanced. The other story that greatly impacted my life was acupuncture. When I was going through my second round of fertility treatments, I did a story on acupuncture. I heard the other women telling their stories of hardships with conceiving, and how combining fertility and acupuncture for many was what helped them conceive. I thought, ‘Well, the fertility treatments are obviously not natural, but I could potentially counteract some of that with acupuncture.’ I got pregnant two months later and was thrilled.
Ganske: You have done some extreme fitness workouts in order to get up close and personal with the story you are reporting on. Thus far, is there one that stands out as being the most challenging?
Hernandez: I would say the APD swat team workout was grueling. I had to push these large sleighs with weights across a field – obstacle courses like none I have ever seen. We ran up the fire tower carrying 50 pounds of fire hoses. I would say this was by far the toughest. I vomited twice and never told anyone. Well, I guess they will know now.
Ganske: You have probably reported on the latest and greatest diet and nutrition craze with regards to weight loss. Have you been convinced of any that are worthwhile?
Hernandez: No. From everything I have been exposed to, there is no magic bullet for weight loss. If there was, believe you me, I would have tried it. What helped me the most is a test to determine my food allergies. I learned that I was eating foods that contain wheat and garlic that I was very allergic to. I’m half Cuban and Italian, so just about everything I cooked and enjoyed contained garlic. Wheat is in just about everything, so I need to be cognizant of that. I buy gluten-free snacks and try not to eat out a lot, just because I don’t have as much control.
Ganske: Based on your own personal health struggles, what is your advice to anyone with similar challenges?
Hernandez: I would say for starters, know where your own body is at with regards to hormones. It’s so important to get balanced and stay that way. Find ways to de-stress. For me, yoga is what does it. For anyone struggling with infertility, give acupuncture a try. Coupled with balanced hormones and great nutrition, it could be the right combination.
Ten health products Hernandez can’t live without:
- My Vitamix blender. I love to blend up my own healthy green smoothies every morning.
- My New Balance running shoes. I keep them in my car just in case I have time to get a walk or run in.
- My dog, Isabella. Although I don’t keep her in the car, I do usually take her on my workouts.
- I am addicted to raw almonds and seaweed snacks, and carry them with me in my purse.
- My yoga mat. I take it with me everywhere. I am a bit of a germ-phobe, so I carry my own.
- ZICO coconut water. I carry it with me for hydration, and it has great repletion of electrolytes after a tough workout.
- Kind Bars. They are a great quick pick-me-up when I am between newscasts.
- My vitamin C facial serum. I think it keeps me from aging. Hopefully it’s working!
- NOW brand almond oil. It’s organic, and I bathe in this stuff. It keeps my dry skin hydrated without all the harmful chemicals.
- My vitamins. I carry them with me, especially my liquid vitamin B, as it’s water soluble, so I dose it a few times a day, and it helps maintain my energy.
If you would like more information, contact Tracy Ganske at tracy@bh2austin.com.
