OK New Year - Bring it On!!

The holidays and presents and cookies and tree lights are long gone. But, how are those pounds doing?

OK. Sorry I asked. You're back at the office for a few weeks now and nothing has really changed. It almost feels as if the Holiday Season was a dream you had while sitting at your computer --- head resting, cradled in a clenched fist on each side of your chin. WAKE UP!!!

December 31st deadlines are over. It's time to race to the March 31st deadlines now. "Initiatives" are now being implemented for the first Quarter. Don't you just HATE that word -- Initiatives? I often wonder what would happen at the office if that word were outlawed -- FORBIDDEN to be used! We'd have to hold a meeting to nominate a synonym.

Yep, it seems as if the Holidays never even happened. Yet, when you look in the mirror you have that 'over-stuffed' look and winter is leaving the signs of little sleep and cold wind under your eyes. Your workload AND your extra pounds are piled high. This little combo makes for a lousy night's sleep and a completely drained feeling around 2:30 p.m. every afternoon.

If you don't have your own office --- take a walk. Get away from your desk. Just don't go by the cafeteria or vending machines in the stairwell. But, DO GO TOWARDS THE STAIRWELL! Just keep walking. Go the the first floor if you work on the third and go to the third floor if you work on the first. Leave the building and walk to your car and back. Get some air. I know it's cold in the northeast. You still need air! Maybe you're fortunate enough to live in a warmer climate. If that's the case, you don't even have an excuse for not leaving the building! As you walk, take slow, deep breaths. This will help to clear your head for the remaining hours at the office.

If you do have your own office, close the door. An "open door policy" is a nice gesture. But, not for a time like this. Close your door and do 5 to 8 deep breathing exercises. Keep your eyes closed and really fill up those lungs. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. This is a great form of detoxing that most of us neglect to do. Bend forward from the waist and allow your head and arms to freely hang in front of you. Don't over-extend. Just try to relax and experience a nice stretch. Slowly raise your trunk to a normal standing position and continue breathing deeply for one or two more times.

These simple "escapes" from your computer will rejuvenate you during your mid-afternoon slump. You don't need to take an unreasonable amount of time. Five to ten minutes will be extremely beneficial.

One more tip to avoid afternoon fatigue: Try to reduce your carb intake at lunch. Those grilled ham and cheese sandwiches will get you every time. Try salads or a chicken breast and veggie. Practicing even just this ONE tip may enable you to drop those extra pounds.

Remember, I truly believe that if you've been doing nothing, doing something means everything!

Peace,
Deb

Healthy Holidays to You

I know the Holidays are just around the corner. Oh...wait! I guess you could say they are actually “here”! Does that feel a bit overwhelming to some of you? OK…MOST of you? A part of me is actually having difficulty believing that it’s almost Christmas. Didn’t I JUST put away those ornaments? And, wasn’t it just a few weeks ago that I cradled an ornament hook in between my toes that had nestled into my carpeting! OK…so you’re telling me we’re talking 11 months ago? The year has slipped by.

You’re struggling just to meet year-end deadlines for your boss. Initiatives are being discussed for 2009 and you’re still trying to implement the initiatives for 2008. You haven’t had a healthy lunch in months and breakfast --- hmm, breakfast. We won’t even go there! Your webinars are conflictling with your face-to-face meetings and that special project is interfering with BOTH. Life sure is exhilarating in the fast lane, isn’t it? Or, is it?

Well, if we could all just stop and smell the roses for a moment we would all realize that we’ve seen birthdays, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Veteran’s Day, and here we are at Thanksgiving. Yep. It’s the Holiday Season again! (I could have thrown in Flag Day, but you get the point.)

So, our lives are busy and stressful. We made promises to ourselves last January that we were going to lose 10, 15, or 20 pounds. We promised ourselves that we’d go to the gym or take up dancing or jogging or working out at home to our favorite DVD. Or, we’d swim laps at our local YMCA and we’d definitely hit the pool in the summer EVERY DAY! But, we didn’t.

This sounds a bit discouraging to you, as we are embarking upon another month of eating and eating and, uh, let’s not forget…eating. Well, maybe it’s time you considered partnering with someone who can help you stay on track. You already know what you want. You want to be slimmer. You want more energy. You want to sleep better. But, where do you start? Together, we’ll map out the journey. You outline your wellness goals and together we’ll create attainable steps to move you forward.

Don’t wait. Visit my website and sign up for a **FREE** One-Hour Coaching Consultation and see if the coaching relationship is right for you. It’s quite cold in December and January, so you’ll probably enjoy hanging out with me on the phone one hour a week while you’re all snuggled in on your couch. And, I bet together we can find SOMETHING you love doing that will get you movin’ in 2009!

Your office will always be there. Your desk will always be there. Your meetings and deadlines will always be there. I want to make sure that YOU will be there, too!


Deb
Keep movin'
http://www.3in1fitness.com/

Get Your Body in Motion - Some Simple Tips to Get Moving

Well, the weather has been fabulous in those parts of the country that actually experience the colors of autumn! It hasn't been too rainy or too cold. So, let me ask you. What has been stopping you from moving your body? If I had to guess, I'd say it's because you believe that exercise has to be complicated. You feel if you don't go to a gym or a Tai Chi class or lift weights --- you just can't reap any benefits.

Let me tell you straight up: you're dead wrong!

Yes, it would be highly beneficial if you did have a regular routine of cardio and strength training 3 to 5 times per week. It would also be beneficial if you regularly invested the maximum out of your paycheck into your 401(k) plan. (Believe me, this is true...even in the current economy.) However, doing SOMETHING is better than nothing --- in BOTH situations. Of course, always consult your family physician before beginning any exercise program. Now, allow me make some suggestions.

On nice days, consider a few of the following:

• Drive to a nearby park and walk the trails or along the grassy areas. It's good for your body and will clear your head from the worries surrounding that 401(k)
• Walk around your neighborhood after work and before dinner. You will actually increase your metabolism before eating, which will cause you to eat less and burn off dinner faster
• If you prefer company, take your dog for a walk (if you have one). If you don't own one of "man's best friends", offer to walk your neighbor's dog. After a few times, your neighbor may even have the desire to join you. You will now have a walking partner and Fido will actually have "two" friends!

Now, if it's a cold, dreary, wet, or snowy day:

• Simply throw on a CD and dance your heart out. If you live with other people and feel a little self-conscious about this --- well --- get up before they do or find a private place in your home and close the door behind you. No one will be able to see you, so you may as well CUT LOOSE!
• Invest in a mini tramp and jump to the music. This is easier on the lower back if you wear good running shoes AND it's lots of fun. It basically provides the same benefit as jogging.
• Keep your eyes open for a recumbent bike. This bike design is also easier on the lower back. While pedaling, you can view your favorite TV show and 20 - 30 minutes will fly by.
• Let's not forget the abundance of work-out DVDs. Find one at your fitness level and you will immediately have a work-out buddy. You can often find DVDs on Amazon.com for just a few dollars and most are good as new.

By the way, I bought an Urban Rebounder mini tramp for $129. That was a few years ago. But, you can purchase other brands of mini trampolines at most sporting goods stores and sporting goods departments of retail stores. Costs vary, but don't forget your local Paper Shop circulars and, of course, the Classifieds. I only paid $90 for my recumbent bike, which I found in a Classified Ad. It was in perfect condition when I bought it two years ago and it still is. Also, don't forget that soooo many people buy mini tramps and stationary bikes only to have them sit in their bedrooms and function as coat racks. Often times, they look for opportunities to sell them inexpensively. (Not good for them, but good for you!)

One last thought, if you live in a warm, sunny climate either in the desert or by the beach --- then, walking along the beach on the sand offers an X-TREME walk! Also, I found some of the best walking experiences in flat, desert areas. It provides the environment for a faster walking pace. And, of course, when it does rain --- all of the above tips are for you, too. :)

So, spend less time on your couch and more time on your floor. Just 20 minutes a day, three to four times a week will provide you with amazing results. You will have more energy, you'll eat less because you'll get full faster, and you will sleep better. You'll even see a difference in your waistline and legs. Who knows? You may just get addicted to your newly found fitness level and decide to join a gym or sign up for Tai Chi!

Please visit my website at: http://www.3in1fitness.com/ or email me at debracostanzo@3in1fitness.com.

Deb