Ramping Up Resolve...and FIT TIP (#117)

Just read a timely and inspirational article. It had me at the first sentence:

If you want to eat well or save money but keep falling off the wagon, take heart; You can strengthen self-discipline, just like a muscle.

I fell in love right then and there. Food for thought while thinking about a new year...you know, resolutions/goals. I decided to share a condensed version of the article.

Statement: "I wish I could resist splurges."
Strategy: Shop on a low-stress day. The greater the number of difficult decisions you make, the less willpower you'll have. For example, a morning spent hatching a complex plan at work, is likely to weaken your resolve when it comes to those pricey pumps.
Road Test: If you must run errands when life is nutty, use lists to simplify decision making.

Statement: "I wish I could stay on task."
Strategy: Fuel up to focus. People who eat before a self-control challenge perform better. A breakfast composed of protein and complex carbs, which break down slowly to provide several hours of energy, gives you mental stamina to say no to distractions.
Road Test: Eating a couple of eggs and whole-wheat toast helps with consistency--no fidgety fits and starts.

Statement: "I wish I could maintain a workout routine."
FIT TIP (#117) WILL **to the** POWER
Strategy: Pursuing too many acts of willpower at once makes it tougher to succeed. Better to introduce one new behavior at a time and keep it up for a couple of weeks, so it becomes ingrained, requiring less conscious effort.
Road Test: For two weeks, postpone other healthy initiatives and focus on an exercise program, which gets easier. Soon you've incorporated workouts into your schedule and it's almost a hassle to skip it.
That's not willpower; it's a habit!

Happy New Year, friends!



Words for the Week
{12.27.2010}
"Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of." -Benjamin Franklin

Fa La La La Facts...and FIT TIP (#116)

Tinsel Time Truths:

1. My **half-priced** Hope is on display **above**.

2. Christmas is **only** 5 days away AND...


3. I do not have to step foot into another store between now and then. **I am ready!** BUT...

4. I will be stepping into a few more stores, for "extras". That's how I roll. **year after year**


5. I watched "White Christmas" yesterday. **a seasonal must, for me** Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen dance the DWTS pros under the table!

6. I have been singing "Sisters, Sisters" for the past 24 hours. **thank you, Rosemary Clooney and W.C. cast** Also fact, I have 4 awesome sisters, and we may sing that song now and then...maybe.


7. Various holiday parties are fun. A lot of fun, BUT

8. Intimate celebrations are the best!

Final Win-It Tip **from top athletes**
for Fitness Strategy 2011

FIT TIP (#116): R&R
Athletes build rest into their schedules to avoid burnout and injury.
There's training and then there's over training. The former moves you forward toward your goal; the latter sets you back and potentially sidelines you.

You can't expect to live at your peak when you're exhausted, TRY:
working in micro breathers to do something mindless throughout the day. Taking brief mental holidays during the day means you're less likely to turn to unhealthy activities **Cheetos and junk TV** later.




Words for the Week
{12.20.2010}
"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." Charles Dickens

Evergreen...and FIT TIP (#115)

"The evergreen!--How beautiful, how welcome, how wonderful the evergreen!" -Jane Austen
One of my favorite things about this season, the Evergreen. Some charming outdoor images...





















Continuing my Fitness Strategy for 2011...
another (#4) Win-It Tip from Top Athletes

FIT TIP(#115): Talk a Big Game
No one ever wins by believing that they can't. Top athletes are known to pump themselves up with positive self-talk.
Repeating "I can do this" to yourself is a way to replace the negative thoughts that pop up when you're under pressure. It helps you to focus on what you can do rather than on what you fear you can't.

Try this: Every time your internal voice goes rogue, counter it with a cue statement--a brief phrase that shuts down the critic, such as "I'm strong and in control" or "it's not a problem."



Words for the Week
{12.13.2010}
"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." -Roy L. Smith

Christmas Comfort...and FIT TIP (#114)

The most wonderful time of the year
is here.

And the busiest most hectic **and for some, stressful** time of the year.

While decorating, baking, wrapping, etc.
there is no reason to sacrifice fashion for comfort.

PajamaJeans...have you seen the commercial? Basically, flared jeggings.
The ad boasts: "Just because you're busy doesn't mean you can't look sharp! Put your best self out there and wear your PajamaJeans!"

But I think the line that sold me **I kid** was: "Feels like sleepwear but looked too good to keep hidden under the covers" followed by "Look put together all day long".

And if that's not enough, tada--constructed of DormiSoft fabric. If that doesn't say comfy, then certainly the fact that there are no buttons or zippers **only rivets** surely does!

If you own a pair, I do not judge. And if so, please **pretty please** leave a comment with your recommendation.



Imagine them paired with your very own Mega Moon Mood Hopz.
One size fits all.

"They aid in the development of balance and coordination. They are easy to use and bounce like you are on the moon...strong light-weight plastic inflated balls give you an anti-gravity bounce." Fantastic, right? Fashionable, wrong!

If not for yourself, maybe for that "special someone" on your gift list?




Win-It Tip (#3) from top athletes---FITNESS STRATEGY 2011

FIT TIP (#114): Breathe Through It
Athletes control their breathing to center themselves and fend off nerves, anger, or other distractions that can undermine their game.
When you consciously inhale and exhale slowly, your focus automatically turns inward and your mind and body relax.

Try this: With your eyes closed, breathe in through your nose for a count of five, hold for a count of two and exhale through your mouth for a count of seven. Pause for two seconds, then repeat until you feel serene. **This is one of my clients favorite "exercises".



Words for the Week
{12.6.2010}
"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." -Norman Vincent Peale