jennie garth health magazine2012 was a challenging year for Jennie Garth, but she has a lot to be proud about. She got through a divorce with former husband Peter Facinelli and is building a new life with her daughters. Garth also lost 30 pounds -- but that accomplishment wasn't about getting skinny. She got healthier this year.

Jennie spent years yo-yo dieting. In this month's Health magazine, she says, "My biggest regret is putting my body through fad diets: Atkins, cleanses, the hCG diet. I lost like 18 pounds, but it came right back." Even worse was her "horrifying" three or four days fasting with colonics. In 2012, she tried a very healthy new strategy.

"Every day, I just renew my healthy choices," she says. She's taking her new life one day at a time. And it sounds like this approach is really working for her. "I feel really good about myself now, and I don't want to do anything to change that."

Instead of torturing herself with crazy cleanses, Jennie is eating "clean" and exercising five days a week the fun way -- kickboxing and hiking with her dogs. The fitness routine makes her feel stronger and more confident. I also know that exercise can help an incredible amount in fighting off divorce (or other) depression. Can I say that strongly enough? Exercise! Will fight! Divorce depression!

She also keeps a list of things that make her happy on her iPhone -- don't you love that idea? On the face of it, that doesn't seem directly related to weight loss and getting fit. But I think it fits in well with her overall approach to just plain living better. It's a more holistic approach. I may try it myself.

Do you have any healthy resolutions for this year?

 

Image via Health.com