Holiday Health Helpers

Hello everyone!  I hope that you all are having a good holiday season though I can't believe that the upcoming new year is right around the corner.  For most people, the holiday season is filled not with just joy and love, but also indulgences and temptations (usually in the form of holiday foods, desserts, and holiday "spirits").  This year, I've decided to trying doing some "Holiday Health Helpers" from today until after January 1st.  The idea behind "Holiday Health Helpers" is that every day I will try to do at least two things, either planned or randomly, that will help to improve my health, whether it be physically (or diet wise), mentally, or spiritually.  Though each person's "Holiday Health Helpers" will vary based on their own lives and daily activities, some possible "helpers" for any one who might want to try doing it could include:

*eating breakfast (if you normally skip it)
*if you drink several cans of soda a day, replacing at least one can with an equivalent amount of water
*drinking an additional glass of water per day
*taking a negative thought and changing or replacing it with a positive one
*instead of sleeping in until the last minute, getting up 15 minutes earlier to do some stretching, yoga, or meditation
*trying to get at least 8 hours of sleep (especially if you are sleep deficient or staying up late)
*if you are overwhelmed at work, delegating tasks if possible 
*write in a journal-either for reflection or gratitude
*brisk walking or doing cardio exercise for at least 60 minutes per day
*getting in touch with a friend or loved one you haven't seen or spoken to in awhile
*walking your dog if you have one (the exercise is beneficial for them as well!)
*if you go out to eat several times a week, replacing one of those meals with one made at home
*watch one less hour of television or spend one less hour on the computer per day
*volunteer or donate to a charity whose cause you believe in
*taking a moment to focus on the blessings in your life instead of only your problems
*doing a kind gesture for someone or even a stranger without expecting anything in return
*eating a piece of fruit instead of candy (or anything with empty calories) if you are craving something sweet

This list of "helpers" could go on and on and again, will vary from person to person.  Many people might think only doing two "helpers" a day will not make a big difference.  However, to me, the overall goal of doing "Holiday Health Helpers" is to help make it easier for any one to start making positive changes.  When someone starts making small positive changes and begins to find it less challenging, they may become open to making more and more positive changes.  These changes, when done over a period of time, can then turn into positive habits, which can improve that person's overall well-being.  Anyways, I wish you all much happiness this holiday season, through the new year, and always.  It's so weird to say, but I'll see you (blog wise) in 2014!

A Weight Loss Winter

Hello everyone!  I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!  I just wanted to remind you that even though it is the holiday season, you don't have to wait until the new year (or its resolutions) to "get back on track."  Even if you indulge in some of the food temptations that the holiday season usually brings, you can still, at the very least, maintain your weight loss and not gain any weight.  Last year, I wrote a blog entry with some of the tips and tricks that I try to use so I don't pack on the pounds during Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  For this year's winter season, I am also trying to continue monitoring my diet and exercising in between each of the winter holidays but allowing myself to indulge in moderation during each of the holidays.  I feel that for me, personally, this strategy may help me to still work on my self-discipline and willpower but also allow myself to relax and enjoy the holiday without feeling guilty afterwards.  I understand that, even with this idea, the holiday season may still be very challenging to those who have tend to have a lot of functions, events, and get-togethers with each of the winter holidays.  However, I think it still could be beneficial to at least give it a try.  What's to lose?-except hopefully some weight :) Good luck!