New Year Tips

Happy New Year!

How are you feeling, now that the Christmas cookie siege has passed? My guess, if you’re reading this, is that you have some type of plan in place to improve your fitness. You’re in good company, since the majority of Americans do, including me.

I have already noticed an increase in the number of potential new friends hanging out at the gym. The classes have been full and that is awesome! My hope is that my potential new friends keep attending class long enough for me to get to know them. If you’ve noticed this same phenomenon where you exercise, be sure to encourage any newcomers and help them stay committed. Something as simple as, “Hey, see you next time,” may hit them two days later when it’s snowing or below zero and staying home seems like the best option. It’s almost like a promise– and it would not be good to let your new friend down.

Friends at the gym are a huge incentive to help keep you on track. Accountability.

As I mentioned in my last blog, my plan is to meditate on a regular basis, preferably daily—for at least 10 minutes. I think I’ve already messed up, and it’s only been 3 days, which brings me to my next point: accepting imperfection with your plan. Daily is pretty unrealistic, so let’s say I sit quietly and focus on my breathing most days of the week. That’s an improvement over last year. And that, my friends, is a win.

Remember in all your life goals, to set realistic expectations and delight in improvement. It’s similar to my healthy eating rule of 80/20. Most of us know what foods contribute to better energy, improved fitness and overall well-being. We sometimes go unconscious and eat all the chips or M&M’s or whatever. So, keep it in perspective and if you follow your plan 80% of the time, you’re probably going to be fine.

A couple more things that have come to mind: be sure to drink your water, whether you’re in a warm or freezing climate. Those of us in the freezing climate have dry air from the furnaces continuously running. If you don’t want to shrivel up like a prune, you had better drink your water. (Take your weight and divide by two. That is the approximate number of ounces you need each day. Non-caffeinated and non-carbonated beverages may count toward that total, along with fruits and vegetables.)

The other thing is to get your sleep. I continue to read and listen to seminars preaching that ideally we need 7-8 hours each night. The reasons are many—enough for another blog. Trust me on this and we’ll talk about it another time. Here’s the best reason for flu season: lack of proper rest takes a toll on your immune system which means it is tougher to fight off germs.

Sweet dreams,
Carol

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson