Although I recently shared “5 Tips for a Fitter Thanksgiving,” I don’t want to give anyone the impression that you absolutely can’t or shouldn’t splurge. In fact, I might not follow my own tips. I think it comes down to the reality that splurging doesn’t necessarily cancel out all of the work you have done up until Thanksgiving. Your exercise and healthy eating doesn’t go out the window. You won’t suddenly put on 10 pounds because you enjoyed one day of good food. At the same time, I failed to mention in my last blog that not everything you prepare … Continue reading →

Hosting the Thanksgiving meal this week, I have a lot to do. And I will be honest…exercising is not one of the first things on my mind. In fact, if I could have my way, it would be skipped this entire week. At least that’s what the “old” me would have done. I would have gone into this week thinking, “I already know that I will be eating more than I usually do come Thursday, so why bother to workout?” The thinking is that I will just start again on Monday. But like I said, that is what the old … Continue reading →

Most of us would probably say that we’d love to live as long as possible. I would have said that as a teen, in my 20’s and in my 30’s. But now that I am in my 40’s, it has started to mean a lot more to me. Now I am looking closer to a time where my children will be getting married and starting their own families. Wanting to be there for that is a great motivation to do all I can to stay on this earth as long as I can. The “U.S. National Cancer Institute” just released … Continue reading →

One of my biggest complaints, when it comes to fitness, is how expensive it can be to eat healthy. I find it frustrating when healthier choices require more out of your pocketbook. As challenging as this can sometimes be, we can at least take advantage of inexpensive exercise. In fact, some of it is downright free. Pretty soon we will be heading into the holidays where a few pounds might get put on. Then we will be seeing advertisements on television for gym memberships. This will be your opportunity to take off the extra weight and start the New Year … Continue reading →

Fitness doldrums…they are likely to hit anyone who engages in an exercise program for any length of time. They can hit you early on or not until later. But they are a common reason for people to lose motivation. You lost your zest, your energy. It becomes boring and monotonous. You start to wonder if it’s really making any difference. One of the common reasons for fitness doldrums to hit is because you have reached your plateau. You can only go up but you choose to remain where you are. Perhaps it’s just a matter of challenging yourself? You walk … Continue reading →

So what’s on the horizon for 2013 when it comes to fitness trends? A recent survey has come up with predictions for what those will be. And you might be surprised to learn that most of these are pretty basic. In general, “body weight” exercises are going to be the big thing. These are your typical physical activities, such as pushups or pull-ups, which can shed pounds and tone muscle…yet, there is little cost involved. With the economy continuing to struggle, this is going to be very appealing to fitness enthusiasts and those who will be ready to make changes … Continue reading →

There is something about getting older that makes you start to realize the serious health implications of not eating right and remaining inactive. I recently watched a show that gave you a visual of what your liver looks like when it is healthy and when it’s not, as a result of obesity. Between reaching middle age and seeing a concrete example of what a lack of exercise can do to your body, it has boosted my motivation. Where it was maybe at a level 5 or 6, it has increased to a near 8. I guess I’m starting to think … Continue reading →

What is your biggest fitness struggle? I would guess we all have them. For some it is feeling like you will never achieve your desired weight or pants size. For others it is the inability to stick with a program. And then there are those (myself included) who struggle with consistency. Here is the problem with the struggles—besides the fact that it is a struggle—we tend to focus more on those than what we are doing right. We look at the glass as half empty, instead of half full. So what is the key to overcoming your fitness struggles? It … Continue reading →

The color of the leaves show me that the fall season is alive and well. But so are we, and we should take full advantage of that. One fall fitness tip that I have is to take advantage of the weather. This is the perfect time of the year for walking or cycling. Park trails and hiking areas allow for not only physical activity but beautiful scenery. A second fall fitness tip is to look into signing up for a Zumba or aerobics class. Or try something adventurous like a dance class. A third fall fitness tip is to involve … Continue reading →