Getting Healthy and Fit

Now is the time to focus plans on Getting Healthy and Fit for spring. We started the year motivated to focus on Nutrition Healthy Eating and increased activity.

So how are you doing? I am celebrating the end of winter at the same weight.  No, we won’t count the two weeks I had to reined in my salt intake.

You probably are noticing changes we are making to the site.  Over the next few weeks, I will be transitioning the former look to a newer, more relevant look.  Since I am also combining & changing several categories, I encourage you to use the sitemap, search box and tag cloud if you need to locate a specific article.

Let me know what healthy habits you have started or continued toward your Healthy Nutrition Eating.  Now is the time to get Healthy and Fit for spring by re-committing towards your daily fitness.

Recommended:

21 Simple Steps to Improving Your Fitness Lifestyle Now!

Please leave a comment.

Haitian Relief Organizations

The recent earthquake in Haiti has created an outpouring of compassion to help those affected. After watching the devastation, many of us want to provide aid to those in need.

Fortunately, CNN recommended a site, the CharityNavigator.org, which provides an overview of established charities active in the Haitian relief efforts.

The Charity Navigator for Haitian Relief Programs rates these charities and provides links to many 3 and 4 star organizations.

Please note that they implore you to NOT send supplies directly. The better alternative is to donate to one of the worthy charities.

How to Get Motivated

How to Get Motivated

The year 2009 is drawing to an end. I have begun to think about how to get motivated and how to set my goals for the year 2010.  How do you plan to get motivated to achieve your 2010 goals? Do you need to incorporate behavior change or support to achieve your goals? Well, here are a few pointers that have helped me:

• Set realistic goals

If the goals are unrealistic, you will find it difficult to get motivated to work on them. While goal setting, always keep in mind that goals should be neither too hard nor too easy. Goal setting should always be done keeping in mind your individual capacity, talents, and aptitude.

• Surround yourself with the right people

Keeping yourself surrounded with positive people can help you get motivated at achieving your goals.  Always remember, your real friends are those who may not be able to help you in goal setting, but are always there to support you no matter what. These are the people who can you get you motivated and get you back on track when the going gets tough.

• Divide your goals into smaller ones

While goal setting for the year 2010, it is, of course, great that you know what you want to achieve the next year. But to get motivated to achieve them you need to break them into smaller and more achievable ones.

• Reward yourself

When you achieve one small goal, make sure to reward yourself. Rewards are what everyone is looking for and rewards are what can get you motivated to go on to the next stage.

So, begin your goal setting for the year 2010 and use these ideas to get motivated at achieving them. Success can definitely be achieved with a little planning and the right attitude. Take time now creating a good foundation for yourself 2010 goals.

Recommend reading:

21 Tips on How to Get Motivated

9 Ways to Avoid Winter Weight Gain

Reaching Your Fitness Goals One Victory At A Time

Holiday Fitness Tips

Holiday Fitness Tips

What are tips to keep fitness as part of your holiday? Plan ahead and be realistic. How can you enjoy yourself and not completely surrender?

Start the day with a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Be kind to yourself during the holidays, brief (15 minutes) routines are okay. Just don’t give up exercising each day. (If you need to…take a day off, just not two in a row, okay?)

• This is a great way to spend time with focusing your day or spending quality time with a rarely seen friend or family member.
• Also, you will feel great knowing you have raised your metabolism earlier in the day.

Did you know that if you eat right after exercising, it is not stored as fat?

Remember to hydrate with water. You will be tempted with other fluids during the holidays. So make sure you focus on including extra water. It helps flush your system.

Home Workout Alternatives

List five things you can do at home that will combine fitness with family time. This way you won’t beat yourself up if you really can’t get to the gym.

• How about squats and standing on toes while brushing teeth
• Arm exercises while watching TV
• Gentle stretches at the computer

Each person will have different needs and challenges.  Just be active to the best of your ability. Enjoy your holidays without guilt or surrender!

Leave a comment, sharing examples of home holiday exercising alternatives. Thanks!

Recommended Reading:

Fit and Healthy On The Road: Keeping-Up With Fitness Goals While Traveling
9 Ways to Avoid Winter Weight Gain
Healthy Holiday Eating

Healthy Holiday Eating

Healthy Holiday Eating

How do you feel about eating healthy during the Holidays? What will you do during the next two weeks to survive with your health intact?  Well I know that healthy holiday eating is a challenge every year for me.

What is your experience?  My four most challenging days are Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Then there are the numerous daily attacks on my discipline with baked goodies and edible gifts.  In fact, it seems like food is everywhere. So, it is just too easy to eat unconsciously.

Since, every mouthful averages 25 calories. Just four mindless mouthfuls a day will equal 100 calories. And if you just give up, at the end of the month you’ve gain a pound.

Put a post stick in your pocket and write down each mouthful you eat.

Watch out for adding calories and have a plan

What are your favorite holiday foods? You know you want them. So make a plan.  If you want sweet potatoes (or garlic mashed), just don’t overload them with every topper (or gravy).

And be mindful of serving sizes. Remember the size of a deck of cards or balled fist is enough for most foods.

Avoid empty calories – alcohol, candy. You add the calories, but your body doesn’t feel full or gain any nutrients.

Eat Before Socializing

I discovered this tip a few years ago by accident:

• Eating a healthy snack and drink water just before leaving for a social event.  I skipped lunch and was famished before a major social event.  I realized if I waited for party food, it would be another hour. So, I ate a serving of oatmeal. This kept me feeling full and I was able to snack and converse with people. Flitting from person to person instead of snack to snack. It was life changing.

• Make food an accessory to the event; focus on engaging your friends. Think about the quality of your interactions, not the quantity. Did you realize that you can easily consume a full day’s calories at a party or holiday meal? And that doesn’t include breakfast or lunch.

Don’t skip meals like I told you I did because that is unhealthy. Make healthy choices during the day and for the entire holiday season.

What are you going to do about your holiday eating? Please comment.

Recommended reading:

9 Ways to Avoid Winter Weight Gain

The Link between comfort food, eating disorder and emotional eating

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