During the holidays, most of us often feel too busy or too tired. We give in to those feelings and rationalize being non-diligent about our health. But despite the power, or seeming inevitability of those feelings, we can change them and enjoy the holidays with a renewed spirit. Finding the time, the energy and the motivation can simply be a matter of committing to scheduled workouts and receiving social support from several sources. An in-home certified personal trainer can arrange all of this and help to either rekindle or enhance your holiday spirit.
Because the holiday season is the busiest and possibly the most stressful time of the year, it is the best time to start a fitness program! Exercise creates energy and stimulates our brain to release chemicals such as dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These chemicals, known as neurotransmitters, enable us to focus and take action, maintain longer feelings of happiness, even euphoria (the exercise high), while reducing tension, anxiety and depression.
Although the brain stimulation of "feel good" hormones sounds enticing, you may feel hesitant about exercise. You may believe the regimen might call for you to pass on your mother's to-die-for specialty platters or skip the homemade goodies at work. But don't worry. Your personal trainer wouldn't ask you to sacrifice holiday indulgences. Even the most hardcore fitness guru schedules days for eating a few, less-than-perfect meals. They usually have one "cheat day" every seven days. Your trainer would only ask you to exercise in-between social activities and keep healthy choices in your awareness. Such awareness could cause you to eat only one or two cookies instead of five.
This new holiday habit of exercising and eating to support your body's needs will give you energy and instill a calm confidence. You'll feel this tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle because your in-home personal trainer ("he" for convenience) will do everything for you but exercise. He will prepare your workouts. He will come to you, home or office. He will bring the equipment. He will structure your nutrition. And, with your approval, he will gently, but convincingly, persuade your friends and family to support your efforts which, according to recent research, will give you a better chance at long-term fitness success.
It's hard to think of another season better suited than this to give you, your family and your friends the opportunity to get closer while you, and maybe them, get healthier. You can get creative with ways to incorporate your family and friends in your new healthy habit. You could designate places in the house and the kitchen where you don't eat, especially in places where you found yourself sitting and snacking. You could plan meals for family and friends, based on your nutritional guidelines. And, you could celebrate with family or friends when you reach a goal. The possibilities are limited to your imagination.
The challenge this holiday season is to make it the healthiest time of the year! Imagine the good feelings and high energy you could share with the people closest to you if you commit to this lifestyle change. Such a heightened holiday spirit could manifest in unusual and wonderful ways. Plus, you'll go into next year without the need to make a resolution to change unhealthy habits.
Eric Negri - Certified Personal Trainer - etrainsyou@gmail.com
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