Finding Balance

As I sit hear contemplating eating a Christmas cookie sent by dear old Grandma, I decided this entry should discuss finding balance in your life (especially during the holidays).  We easily find balance in many parts of our lives, but when it comes to food and nutrition we fall short.  We are bombarded by advertisements, products that promise added fiber or Omega's (when fruit and veggies will do), and the fast convenient lifestyle of "nourishment".  We have to sit down and and ask ourselves if we are balanced.  Finding balance nutritionally will help us find our balance on many levels.

I had caught the end of the biggest loser" "Where are they Now" and the 1st year winner had gained nearly all of his weight back.  Bob showed up to set him straight and he stressed finding what works for you and finding your balance.  If the extreme doesn't work for you and the not caring obviously puts the weight back on you need to find the balance for a healthy lifestyle.  It may take a little longer, you may have to be more patient, but it WILL work if you let it!

That may be what you have to do during the holidays as well.  Find balance.  A cookie here and there will be fine, NO GUILT attached.  Enjoy what you are eating and be conscious of every bite.  Don't walk around grabbing a cookie off the tray every time you pass... you are sure to eat 5 and not enjoy a single one!
Think about all the progress you have made and don't ruin it with one lousy unbalanced week!

Keeping Stress at Bay

Stress is a big factor during the holidays and it causes us to lose sleep, eat more and eat more often, as well as increase any habitual coping methods we may have (drinking, smoking etc...).  Don't get me wrong, there is nothing like enjoying a glass of wine after a long day of putting up lights or getting your shopping done, but please be conscious of WHAT you are doing and check in with your mind and body along the way.  Ask yourself how your feeling.  Are you really hungry or eating because you "want" what is front of you?

Take these steps to help keep your stress in check and your metabolism working for you:

1. See above : )

2.  Get enough sleep!  shoot for getting to bed at your regular time and try to get 7 or more hours of rest. 

3.  Exercise!!!  Exercise will rejuvinate you, help you sleep better and balance out those stress hormones to help get you through your day.  You may be off your eating plan here and there, but DO NOT sacrifice your exercise routine.

4.  Try to stick to that 90% rule of eating right.  Splurge in moderation, but eat a salad or your same  nutritious meals around your holiday snacking.  Sugar is proven to mess up our sleep patterns, metabolism and immune system.  

5.  Take a time out!  We put our kids in a time out to remove them from an excitable situation, why don't we do that for ourselves?  When you are tempted with anything (shopping, food, drinks etc...) give your self a time out!  Go for a walk, meditate, sit and read a book...activate your mind in a different way and relax.

Interval training...

Here is a method you can read up on, and incorporate it into your workout.  I truly believe interval training is one of the best things you can do to burn fat and transform your body.  You can do it with weight training, cardio, or a mix of the two.  This is another spin on it and/or to ramp up your current workout...and we will be attempting it in class to change it up.  Enjoy.

Please ADD it to your workout...don't just work out for 4 minutes and go home : )