Out With the Old, In With the New

This is it…are you ready?  Out with the old and in with the new.  It’s that time of year again.  It’s a New Year with new beginnings to look forward to, new goals to set and a new you to strive for. But before we can really charge ahead, we need to look back.  What did the year 2012 bring to you in the way of fitness and health?  Was it filled with stress, sleepless nights and backaches? Did you find yourself doing battle with the scale?  Was your exercise program nothing more than a noble attempt?  Or was it … Continue reading

Giving Up Before You Have Started

Don’t give up before you have even gotten started!  Those are my words of advice and hope for anyone who has come off the past week of the holidays feeling defeated. You might have done a lot of indulging.  In fact, it could be that you ate enough the past several days that you’re wondering if there is really any hope to becoming a fitter person. In thinking about the New Year, you might be questioning how it can make any real difference.  What’s so magical about the start of a New Year anyway?  How can that change the outer … Continue reading

Use Smartphone to Lose Weight

If you’re anything like me, your smartphone has become a third arm.  Of course, I feel like I can justify this because I have a son in the military.  But the truth is that it would be attached to my side anyway. So why not make good use of it?  It already allows me access to my email, Facebook, the weather and so much more.  I might as well see if it can help me lose weight. A new study finds that a standard weight loss program can be more effective when you incorporate your smart phone.  With so many … Continue reading

Reducing Holiday Stress

A fit lifestyle encompasses more than just eating right and exercise.  It includes getting enough sleep, cutting out bad habits such as smoking and other areas that affect your overall health. In fact, stress can wreak havoc on your body and may even contribute to weight gain.  With the holidays in full swing, its time to think about the impact that stress can have on your body. Medical experts say that this is the time of year in which people are prone to heart problems, such as heart attacks.  Stress can be physical, emotional, financial or a combination. Learning how … Continue reading

Benefits of a Workout Buddy

Although I believe that something is better than nothing when it comes to exercise. The fact remains that your level of fitness will improve the longer you work out. So the question becomes, how do you make that happen? It wasn’t that long ago when a friend of mine told me she had worked out at the gym for an hour.  I was really impressed.  Then she mentioned it was with another friend and they had gotten to talking so much, they lost track of time. I can’t even imagine losing track of time while exercising.  But I can definitely … Continue reading

Fitness Wish List

“He’s making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty and nice.  Santa Claus is coming to town.” Santa isn’t the only one making a list.  This is the time of year where most of us are putting together lists. It could be a list of names and addresses for sending out Christmas cards.  It might be a list of gifts to buy.  Or it could be a list of all that you need to do in order to get the home ready for family and friends. Some of our lists are “wish lists.”  I have a … Continue reading

When the Weather Is Frightful

“Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.  And since we’ve no place to go, let it snow!  Let it snow!  Let it snow!”  Hmmm…maybe I should rewrite this Christmas carol.  How about “And since we’ve no place to go, let us exercise!  Let us exercise!  Let us exercise!” I know.  It doesn’t have a nice ring to it.  Plus who wants to exercise inside their cozy house when there are so many other enjoyable activities to do?  Most of us would rather curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book, sip on … Continue reading

Give Yourself the Gift of Fitness

I love to give gifts, especially to my children.  Although it’s not as fun anymore, now that they prefer money or gift cards. In this season of giving, it’s important to remember our own needs.  Not necessarily the material ones but our health.  So how about giving yourself the gift of fitness? Maybe you are the person who has never been very active.  It could be that you don’t even really struggle with your weight, so what’s the point. Too often we look at exercise as a way to lose weight or tone up.  But it’s good for your heart … Continue reading

The Gift of Fit Living

What is one of the best gifts you could give this holiday season?  How about the gift of health? Maybe you have been thinking about what to buy for someone you love.  Or you have been asked what you would like for Christmas.  The following are some fit living gift ideas. Let’s start with an easy one.  How about a gym club membership?  Sometimes you can get really good deals at this time of year.  You might receive a discount for the first year or three months free.   Shop around and see what’s out there. Fitness gadgets and accessories make … Continue reading

Overcoming Fitness Challenges during the Holidays

Life is busy.  There is a lot to be done to prepare for the holidays.  It might make sense to put exercise on the backburner.  After all, there is always the New Year, right?  Wrong. Let’s face it.  We can always come up with an excuse to not exercise and to indulge ourselves in unhealthy food choices.  The holidays are just a convenient time in which to do this. It can be hard to stay motivated during this time of year.  But there are ways to overcome the challenges. First, you just might have to accept the fact that exercise … Continue reading