Adults
for Active Older Adults
Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults
for Active Older Adults
8 Simple Ways to Stay Fit During the Holidays
By Sarah Newkirk | November 19, 2024
Don't quit on your fitness goals for this year — or wait until January 1 to start new ones. Stay on track with these simple holiday fitness tips.
Busy schedules, holiday parties, and endless culinary temptations combine to make it especially difficult to stick to your fitness routine this time of year.
For inspiration, use these strategies to stay on track.
Stay-Fit Strategy #1: Remember Why You’re Doing It
When a client loses his or her motivation, corrective exercise specialist Kendra Fitzgerald prescribes a mental workout.
“I ask what’s motivating them to work out in the first place,” she says. “Whether you want to feel better, have more energy, be more productive at work, or age gracefully, it’s easier to commit the time and stick to it once you identify why you are working out.”
Stay-Fit Strategy #2: Start Small and Be Realistic
If your goal is to exercise daily, begin with one or two days a week. Pick days where you can easily fit it in. Add another day as each week goes by.
Stay-Fit Strategy #3: Picture Your Success
Write down your goal in a few simple words and post it where you’ll see it every day. A visual reminder may strengthen your resolve. If you want to get back to your “fighting weight” of five years ago, put up a photo of yourself from that time. Or if you ’ re motivated by the ability to keep running, biking or traveling, use a picture that reflects that.
Stay-Fit Strategy #4: Make It Mandatory
Time management is important for accomplishing any goal, and fitness is no exception. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, put it on your calendar. Call it your “feel better session,” and make that time nonnegotiable. You’ll boost your mood and health, and it will become a key part of your routine.
for Active Older Adults
8 Simple Ways to Stay Fit During the Holidays
By Sarah Newkirk | November 19, 2024
Stay-Fit Strategy #5: Track Your Progress Daily
Record your achievements daily or weekly: how many steps you walked, number of exercise reps, pounds lost and so on. A pen and paper will work just fine, or you can schedule and log your workouts with the free SilverSneakers GO app (iOS and Android).
Stay-Fit Strategy #6: Recruit Someone to Hold You Accountable
Maintaining an ongoing schedule with the same person can help you stay accountable. You’ll want to hold up your part of the bargain. Plus, you can get a great workout while having a great time. Think about it: The more fun your workouts are, the more you ’ re going to look forward to and be committed to them over the long term. Consistency and longevity are necessary for achieving your goals.
Stay-Fit Strategy #7: Hold Yourself Accountable Too
Put your money where your mouth is: Pay a penalty for missing your workouts. Drop a dollar in a money jar, and then donate it to a favorite cause.
Stay-Fit Strategy #8: Savor Every Success
There’s no better feeling than finishing a challenging workout. Let the feeling of accomplishment wash over you, so that you’ll remember the feeling when it’s time for your next workout.
And make no mistake: This is a big deal! You’ve just rewarded yourself with better health this winter—and a happier, fuller and potentially longer life.
Older Adults Snowman Chocolate Bark
PREP TIME:15minutes mins
REFRIGERATION TIME:30minutes mins
TOTAL TIME:45minutes mins
YIELD: 9 servings
Ingredients
9 ounces sugar free chocolate chips (I used Lily's)
27 mini marshmallows
1 teaspoon White Nonpareils Sprinkles
pretzel sticks cut into 1/2 inch pieces (for the arms (about 1 oz total))
Edible ink markers (orange and black)
Instructions
Line a small 9 x 13-inch sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Using the edible markers, make a snowman face on 9 small marshmallows. Plan where you will be placing the snowman so they will be easy to cut equally later.
Have your pretzels cut and ready because once the chocolate hardens they won’t stick.
Pour the chocolate into a medium microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring the chocolate every 30 seconds to help avoid seizing.
Once melted and smooth, set aside. This took me about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, but will vary with every microwave. When you ’ re ready, pour chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading with a rubber spatula into a smooth layer almost to the edge.
Quickly add the marshmallows to create your snowmen, then add the pretzel arms and lastly add the sprinkles, for snow. Allow the bark to set completely in the refrigerator, about 30 minutes. Once hardened, break into 9 pieces about 1 ounce each.
Notes
Keep bark stored in an airtight container refrigerated or in a in a cool, dry place for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ounce piece, Calories: 118kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Sodium: 1.5mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugar: 1g - WW Points: 5
Active Older Adults
Newsletter for Active Older Adults Just For Laughs!!
Why was the snowman looking through the carrots? He was picking his nose!
How does the snow globe feel this year? A little shaken.
What did the gingerbread man put on his bed? A cookie sheet!
What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Ice Krispies.
What do gingerbread men put on their beds? Cookie sheets.
What did one Christmas tree say to another? Lighten up!
How do Christmas trees get ready for a night out? They spruce up!
Exercise Move of the Month: Dead Bug
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Raise your bent legs up so that your knees are stacked over your hips at a 90-degree angle. Brace your core to press your low back into the floor. Make sure to maintain this flat-back position throughout the entire exercise. With your palms facing each other, bring your arms up to point toward the ceiling.
Straighten your left leg and bring it toward the floor (try not to let it touch). At the same time, bring your right arm back toward the floor (try not to let it touch). Pause, then bring your arm and leg back to the starting position. Repeat on the opposite side with right leg and left arm extended. That’s one rep. Aim for 10 to 15 reps. Make it easier: Keep your legs bent as you lower them toward the floor.
Adults
for Active Older Adults
Hidden Picture Puzzle
Hartville Senior Center at Windham Bridge
Hartville Senior Center at Windham Bridge
