Lisa Ann Walter, renowned for her role in the popular ABC sitcom, Abbott Elementary, went through a transformative journey as she navigated her way back to the sets after a significant hiatus. The absence was not a result of a regular break but due to the collective 2023 writers’ and actors’ strikes. As the cast members marched on the picket lines, Lisa was on tour, throwing herself into stand-up comedy routines and spending precious moments with family during the holidays.
A side-effect of this busy yet unstructured period surfaced in the form of emotional eating, which left Lisa feeling maladjusted when she finally returned to work. Keen to set things right, she tried to ration her food intake, but the swing between extremes left her drained, her blood sugar plummeted, and her spirits waned. On the first week of her return, Abbott Elementary creator and star, Quinta Brunson, noted Lisa’s dwindling energy levels and quickly stepped into her mentor mode.
Brunson advised Lisa against her drastic diet approach, stressing the negative impacts on her body and overall well-being. This conversation sparked a wake-up call for Lisa. She recognized the essence of well-being, extending beyond fad diets and weight loss, and decided to take a sustainable and balanced approach towards her health. Lisa acknowledged her love for food, especially the pleasure she found in cooking, dining out, and enjoying a delectable meal at home. The idea was to strike a balance – to enjoy her love for food without adversely affecting her mental and physical health.
Partnering with Centrum, Lisa has immersed herself in the mission to change the perspective of wellness. She shared her views as a part of their “Hot Conversations” series, discussing the critical issue of menopause, something which she believes is not adequately addressed. Over the years, she has incorporated different beneficial habits into her lifestyle, including regular sleep and stretching regimens.
Lisa swears by the importance of strength and flexibility workouts. Back when she was younger, she was swayed by misconceived notions of the perfect figure and optimal health. Chasing a weight loss goal that seemed to promise a life-altering change, she ended up with an unrealistic regimen of under-eating and strenuous workouts. However, when the menopause phase made it harder to shed those extra pounds, Lisa decided she did not want to restrict herself. She pivoted to focusing on enhancing her flexibility for a healthy body rather than a slim one.
Lisa follows a relatively non-rigid diet, confident in her newfound belief that her body needs proper nourishment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she took joy in preparing nutritious and delightful meals for her mother and family, strengthening her ability to enjoy food without guilt or reservations. She emphasizes fuelling the body appropriately rather than resorting to immoderate dieting.
Among other crucial well-being practices, Lisa prioritizes sufficient sleep and routine stretching exercises. As much as she loves her energetic life, she ensures a minimum sleep stretch of seven hours each night, especially during filming. Even her mornings often begin with a quick but valuable stretching routine. While she previously dismissed the practice as boring, she now cherishes her flexibility, especially as she continues to age gracefully.
These healthful habit changes are not solely directed towards herself but aim to shed light on women’s health, particularly the diverse symptoms of menopause. Lisa, who experienced a wide array of symptoms herself, is committed to sharing her journey and dispel the mystery and stigma surrounding this natural stage of women’s lives. There’s more to look forward to, she believes, and she expresses her excitement regarding her role in Abbott Elementary and her overall future in the field of acting.
“I feel comfortable in this stage of life and do not feel the need to pressure myself into being in a different stage,” Lisa concludes, serving as an embodiment of body positivity and wellness balance. Her story underscores the importance of mental and physical health and how it contributes to a successful career. She is ready to embrace her life stages with open arms, proving it’s never too late to start prioritizing yourself. Her journey shows that every transition is a new beginning, not an end, providing lessons and wisdom for all those who follow her path.
