8
ChamberLink • DECEMBER, 2013
Ten tips to avoid packing on the holiday pounds By Mary Cooper & Suzanne Amoruso Thanksgiving has just passed and Christmas is right around the corner. We’re now in the middle for the five-week holiday celebration that often spells doom for your health and fitness plan. Along with those celebrations will come headlines and broadcast news stories highlighting the holiday weight gain that thousands of people experience every year. Ignore them. Don’t think about weight gain this holiday season– think about celebrating with friends at family while simultaneously enjoying the sensation of living in a body that’s healthy. Below are 10 tips you can use to change how you think this time of year. The result will make it easier for you to make the right choices – even when a lot of people around you aren’t. It’s not about the actual holidays – What you do on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Day isn’t your major concern. It’s all the other days in between that will determine if your holidays are healthful. You may encounter holiday treats at random at work or at home from a kind neighbor bringing you a home-
baked gift. These situations are more frequent than a binge on a holiday. Overeating on Thanksgiving Day isn’t going to get you out of shape. Just like doing things right one day isn’t going to get you in shape. It’s all the little things on a daily basis that determine if you are moving toward fitness or away from it. List your top two-to-three favorite treats during the holidays and commit to having only those – We’ve all got our favorites. List them, and stick to them so you can enjoy your favorites without consuming any “accidental” junk food you weren’t planning on. Let go of perfect – We don’t expect it in other areas of life – school, work or with our family members. So why do we expect “perfect” when we think about our fitness routines? You may miss a workout. In fact, everyone will at some point. It’s not the end of the world. Really. Just make sure you get the next one done. Forget your workout routine; just challenge yourself – You may not have time for your full routine, so don’t do it! Exert yourself for 10 minutes if that’s all you have. Your body responds to the challenge of exercise, not to the amount of time you spend doing it.
Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t – Every year we hear an endless parade of, “I’ve just been so busy with the holidays and family visits, that I couldn’t workout.” This year, focus on what you can do instead of what you can’t. Look for solutions instead of repeatedly dwelling on the problems and obstacles. Ask yourself, “Do I really have to _________ ?” – There is likely something that you tell yourself you “have to” do that you don’t. Maybe it’s sending out holiday cards to everyone in your address book. Or maybe it’s hosting the family at your house (again!) just like you do every year. You have more choices than you think. Pick your top 5 favorite exercises – Write down your five favorite exercises. (No doubt squats will be on everyone’s list this year.) When you need a blast of movement, do all of them for 30 seconds each. It will be easier if they are bodyweight exercises, but you can use anything as long as they are your favorites. Explore fun ways to get the family moving – Family gatherings usually involve too much food and too much sitting around. Get everyone outside any way you can. Reinvent old traditions in
Aquia Realty, Inc. JO D. KNIGHT GRI, CRS, CRB, CREA., CSP Principal Broker
Residential, Land, Commercial, Industrial, Rentals & Property Management
movement-based ways. Instead of sitting around talking about what you’re thankful for, have everyone share that while they’re out on a walk together. Whoever is talking has to walk backward and face the group while they share. Be creative. Too cold? Bundle up – once you’re out and moving, you’ll warm up. K e e p s u g a r o f f o f yo u r vegetables – Everybody at some point has eaten sweet potatoes covered with brown sugar and marshmallows. Awful. Let there be no glazing of carrots this year. Sugar has no place on vegetables. There will be enough sugar in your favorite dessert. Glazing is for doughnuts. This year, find ways to make side dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Remember that the holidays come at the same time every year – Your favorite holiday comes on
the same day each year (for the most part). Those annual celebrations won’t catch you by surprise, so there’s no reason why you can’t plan for them. Unknown interruptions to your fitness program like car trouble or sick children can’t always be avoided, but when celebrations come every year there’s no excuse. Use your smarts and creativity combined with some of the tips above to come up with a plan for celebrating that will allow you to enjoy the festivities without wrecking your fitness plan in the process. Keep at it and you’ll get a little better each year! Mary Cooper is Lead Trainer at Fredericksburg Fitness, Inc. Suzanne Amoruso is a registered dietician with Fredericksburg Fitness. They can be reached at (540) 479-1877.
William Taylor & Associates Insurance Independent Broker specializing in Group Medical Plans and Employee Benefits
540-582-5230 wmtaylor3@comcast.net
Certified HUD Foreclosure Broker Call us for information & to place a bid on bank owned homes
FREE INSPECTION & Telephone Estimates
AMAZING CUSTOM WILLIAMSBURG COLONIAL ON OVER 30 ACRES POTOMAC RIVERFRONT COMPOUND. Over 5,000 sq ft of gorgeous custom designed lvng area with full length slate floored loggia, 6 bdrms, 5+ baths, sunroom, screened porch, brick flred wine cellar w/ bar, gourmet kit w/ fp. Frml lvng & dining, fmly rm & mstr suite w/ fp. In-law/ au pair suite w/ sep entrance, upper lvl gathering rm & patio perfect for entertaining. Private pier offers wide breathtaking views up and down the Potomac. Garage space for 10 cars. 2nd 2 ac home site also aval. Call Jo or Rusty Knight for additional info.
Check us out at:
www.permatreat.com Serving the area for over 46 years!
for your money saving coupon!
(540) 373-6655 * (540) 775-2667 Proud Sponsor of Adopt-a-Pet Programs
IDEALLY LOCATED BRICK FRONT RAMBLER With floor plan, 3 BRs, 2 BAs, 2 car gar and more, this home has plenty room to grow! A new 50 gallon hot water heater, vaulted ceilings, in great rm & master BR w/sitting room & full BA. Open & wonderful kitchen w/tons of counter & cabinet space, Unfin bsmnt to make your very own! Spacious screened porch and deck. Immaculately maintained. Call for details
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! Incredible all brick custom built Rambler with walk- out basement on 4 acres in rural setting within walking distance to 2 miles of commuter rail, I-95, Hospital, Middle/Elementary schools & shopping. Updated & custom treatments throughout. One of a kind. Call Jo Knight to arrange for a showing. LOOKING FOR A RENTAL? NEED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT? • Proudly serving Stafford, Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and surrounding areas for over 40 years. • Professional Property Management/Total Leasing and Fully Automated Accounting Statements
Visit us at www.AquiaRealty.net for more info on Available Lots & Rentals Located on U.S. Route 1 at the Stafford Courthouse Light • 2101 Jeff Davis Hwy joknight@aquiarealty.net • (540) 659-2192
JIM BOWEN'S
BEST WESTERN Fredericksburg
EXIT 130 A I-95 & Rt. 3 East
Family Adjacent • Shoney's Family Restaurant Restaurant Adjacent * Shoney’s Pool Open April 1 * Outdoor • Outdoor Pool Open April 1 • Guest Coin Laundry Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast * • King, Non-SmokingFree and Handicapped Internet Rooms Available * • Free Local Calls • *Free CNN, ESPN, AM/FM Radio PetHBO, Friendly FOR FOR RESERVATIONS RESERVATIONS
(540) (540) 371-5050 371-5050 OR OR (800) (800) 528-1234 528-1234 Locally Owned and Operated by James M. Bowen since 1974