It's Your Life December/January 2015 - 2016 | Page 33
December/January
morning exercise can help recalibrate our
hormones, and jump start our metabolism. Even
5-10 minutes of movement can help start your day
off on a positive note.
Squeeze in a few restorative yoga poses when
stress levels begin to rise. Yoga is well known
as being a stress reliever. When you feel the
tension beginning to build in your body, stop and
take a moment to engage in either Child’s Pose
(Balasana), or Legs Up the Wall (Viparita Karani).
Child’s Pose can help to release tension in the
thighs, back, shoulders, and neck, while Legs Up
the Wall can help to slow your heart rate, leading
to a more relaxed state.
Schedule fitness dates with friends. When we have
other people holding us accountable, we are less
likely to skip a workout. Find an activity that you
enjoy, and then see if you can schedule a time to
get together with friends and participate together.
You will get an additional mood boost from having
a workout partner, and you are more likely to push
yourself if you are in a group setting.
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Don’t expect perfection! While fitness is certainly
an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, don’t beat
yourself up if you skip a day due to the crazy
holiday schedule. You need to allow yourself
grace, and understand that your fitness level was
not gained in a single day, and will not be lost in a
single day. Missed workouts happen for a variety
of reasons. As long as you are making an effort
to include exercise as part of your lifestyle, you
can rest assured that the additional rest you are
taking may be exactly what your body needs at the
moment.
Even the smallest efforts to make fitness a priority
during the holiday season will help to lower our
stress levels, and start the New Year off in a
healthier state. Enjoy the season with your loved
ones and relax. Choosing to value and love
yourself through healthy habits is the greatest gift
you can give both yourself and your family this
holiday season.
Aimee Shilling is a pastor’s wife and mom of 4 amazing kids ages 3-10.
She is working towards a goal of running 40 marathons or ultramarathons
before her 40th birthday. She blogs at Forty by Forty Fitness about her
goal, training and nutrition tips, and fitness inspiration.
www.fortybyfortyfitness.com
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