At 40, Tosca Reno felt unfit and miserable so she decided to take control and turn things around, and several years later is now a wellness consultant and the author of several books, including the Eat-Clean Diet series. Here, she explains how she got motivated to change her life.

Q: What inspired you to get healthy?

A: I walked past a window shop and caught a reflection of myself in the glass. I didn't recognize myself! I was overweight and unhappy – not the person I imagined I would become when I visualized my future as a young girl. This was definitely my A-ha moment. I wanted to be a positive role model for my three young daughters.

Q: How did you feel and what did your life look like before you made changes?

A: I felt detached from my own body. I had bags under my eyes and fat on my belly. I adored my daughters, but was stuck in a brutal marriage with a man I no longer loved. I remember thinking about the dreams, aspirations and goals I had set for myself, wondering – where did they go?

Q: What kind of changes did you make to live a healthier life?

A: I realized that no one was going to hand me the things I wanted. It wasn't easy, but I broke free of my marriage, went back to school and started taking out my frustrations at the gym. I lost my extra weight and found a new love in weight training. Through the instruction of my coach (and now husband), I started eating clean.

Q: What does your exercise regime look like now?

A: I train with weights three to four times each week and try to get in some form of sweaty cardio four to six times each week. Right now I'm training for my first triathlon so I'm doing more cardio than I usually would. I'm usually in and out of the gym in less than 45 minutes.

Q: How about your eating habits?

A: I eat as clean as possible. Many people don't know this, but nutrition is 80 percent of getting and staying lean and fit – the other parts being 10 percent exercise and 10 percent genetics. I eat six small meals a day, protein and complex carbohydrates at each meal, and I stay away from sugar and processed foods.

Q: If you could give people one piece of advice related to living a healthier life, what would it be?

A: You've got to make healthy living a lifestyle change. You can't expect to lose weight on a diet and go back to your old eating and non-existent exercise routine after you've lost the weight and expect to maintain your new shape. You've got to make healthy changes that last. It's the only way to stay successful in the long run.