Every day is a chance to start fresh. Take on a new goal. Be better. Be stronger. Be faster. But, I will admit, there is a certain draw—a special feeling of ‘newness’ that washes over me upon waking on New Year’s Day. This year there are 366 days to start fresh. Today is day 1.

Each day this year work hard at being a little bit stronger, a little happier, healthier and more deliberate. Life can be a battlefield but if you start each day with the understanding and
acceptance of the fact that there are variables out of your control, you can learn to embrace the variables that are within your power to direct. Every day you get to decide how you nourish
your body. You get to decide to be active and feel the rush of blood in your veins, your heart pumping in your chest, your muscles powering you through every move. These sensations should remind you that you are alive.

You have 366 days this year, but only 1 life to live and it’s your job to make it your best life! Think of your goals and think of how you are going to achieve them over 366 days. You will achieve them one day, one week and one month at a time. You are solely responsible for your own actions and choices. Remember to be patient with yourself, but don’t lose focus. After all, this year is all about vision and focus! 20/20!

Its official! The holiday season is upon us! Starbucks has released their holiday cups. A wink and a nod from the coffee corporation granting permission—you can start listening to Christmas music now. No shame. Baked goods and candies are appearing in break rooms. Schedules are filling with events and parties. Many of us are already starting to feel the hustle and bustle of the season.

In my opinion, Starbucks is a week late. The “Holiday Season” started with the first fun-sized candy on October 31st and it will end with a champagne toast as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. Two months of endless opportunities to indulge, regret and do it all over again. Holiday weight gain is the origin of many New Year’s resolutions, but why? Why wait? Why don’t we bust the bloat and avoid the gain altogether? Why don’t we just choose to be healthier now?!

The New England Journal of Medicine published a frequently cited study regarding holiday weight gain. According to the study, the average American’s weight will increase by about 1 pound over the season. However, anecdotally many people report gaining between 3-7 pounds in this same time frame. Regardless of how much weight is actually gained, you can avoid it by adopting or maintaining a few good habits now.

Every day that you wake up is a fresh start. Today can be the day you resolve to start chasing your goals. THIS holiday season you are going to focus some of your love and attention on yourself. Beat the holiday bloat. Start exercising. Clean up your nutrition. Avoid the regret you will surely feel on January 2nd as you’re gasping for air during your first workout in weeks. You are doing this for you, so hold yourself accountable or find somebody who will! Make appointments at the gym and keep them. Hire an expert to help you design an exercise program that will meet your needs and fit into your lifestyle.

Try to get in a workout at least 3-5 days a week, and you may find yourself more focused and better able to cope with the stress of the season. Exercise will give your immune system a boost and you may notice an increase in energy after you’ve developed a healthy and consistent exercise program.

As the season gets more hectic, promise yourself that you won’t make excuses. Maybe you don’t think you can squeeze 30 minutes of exercise into your day, but I promise you, YOU CAN! Consider breaking 30 minutes into three 10-minute blocks or using your lunch hour to get your sweat on! You could have been doing squats while you were reading this. Read it again…SQUATS…GO!

I’m here for you!

Contact me through my website, www.TrueFitMethod.fit or at TrueFitMethod@mail.com

Marilyn Sucheski

True Fit Method, LLC

Personal Training, Small Group Training, Online Workouts