Enjoy the Season

Things have been crazy at our house and we aren't eating very healthy or working out as regularly as we should be. Tis the season for craziness, lots of love, and yummy cookies. I thought I'd share a few tips to keep us all happy and energized throughout the season.

1- Only eat something if it is truly a Christmas treat. Just because they make Oreos with red and green filling does not mean they're an exclusive Christmas treat, but Aunt Abbie's peppermint dessert? That's worth savoring.

2 - Turn on Christmas music and dance. My boys think Mom spinning to the Nutcracker is hilarious.

3 - Go ice-skating, sledding, snow-shoeing, or cross-country skiing. Try out a new sport, the variety is great for improving physical fitness and the challenge is wonderful for your mind.

4 - Go for a walk outside. When the temperature is below 50 you burn more calories - it's worth it to freeze the tip of your nose but if it's so cold your eyelashes crystallize you'd better take it to the treadmill.

5 - Bake your favorite treats, have a sample, then take them to all the neighbors. The visits will be more fun than the baked goods.

6 - Enjoy your family and forget about everything else. Play with your kids. Read Christmas stories and thrive on their childlike joy. Snuggle up with your sweetheart and burn some calories kissing in front of the tree.

7 - Focus on the Savior and following his example of love and service, the real reason we celebrate this blessed holiday, and the joy will continue throughout the new year.

 

Merry Christmas!

All or Nothing

I've worked with a lot of people who are either on or off. They are either on their diet and exercising hard every day or they are off with very frustrating results.
I think too often we get caught up in thinking, I didn't make it to the gym today or I ate a cookie (or two or three) and all my weight loss or healthy living plans are done. This becomes especially hard during the holidays when we're too busy to exercise and there is so much good food around. I find myself thinking, I'll worry about it in January!
But living healthy is not an all or nothing propisition. It's possible to be healthy (and meet those weight loss goals) by just doing the best we can each day and making small changes that will add up to big results.
I always recommend just one small change a month. It can be something as simple as, drinking eight cups of water and cutting out one soda or scheduling three exercise sessions a week on the calendar (but not getting frustrated if we don't make it). As the months come and go and you keep adding a new healthy goal each month (and hopefully the previous months' goals have become a part of your lifestyle) you will see amazing results and not feel like you're completely changing your life or seeing the yo-yo effect of being all or nothing.
The most important thing is to not give up. Wake up each day excited to make healthy choices. Don't beat yourself up if you aren't perfectly healthy. Remember that we're not trying to lose seven pounds in a week or something ridiculous like that. We're making smart, healthy choices that will help us to feel good and look good for a lifetime.