I would like to thank Becky for her great suggestion regarding shopping. Making a list before heading out will not only help you when you are shopping, but it can also keep you in your budget. It is so easy to get caught up in the shopping frenzy especially if we have a credit card in hand. Don’t let the holiday season end up being a time of stress and even crisis in January when the bills come in. Acts of kindness are free to give and will mean more to the receiver than any materiel items you may purchase. What are your ideas?
Staying healthy during the holidays will also help to reduce stress. Why wait until January 1 to say “I’m going to get in shape”? Go ahead and start now. You can incorporate exercise into your life in a variety of ways. I work out with a personal trainer, Pam Tapley, who keeps me motivated and working hard. If you are in the Portland, Maine area, check out the Lifestyle Fitness Center www.lfcmaine.com It is a great gym and is open 24 hours a day so there is no excuse not to able to make time to work out.
What are ways of fitting exercise into your day?
I advocate de-stressing though exercising and have walked the walk after talking the talk for years and can say it works! De-stressing though moving your body reaps so many benefits both in the physical as well as emotional worlds. Find something you enjoy, or start something you never would have imagined doing and observe the many benefits. For example, try martial arts. The new skills learned are empowering as you train for a more responsive, stronger body. I began training for Sprint distance Triathlons in my forties, completed my eight one this past summer even though I am now in my fifties. Setting goals helps me get to the gym, knowing I will feel less stressed as I leave keeps me at the gym. I started small, took little steps, and so can you! Wishing you all the best for the Holidays and into the New Year! Cathi, Certified Parent Coach
To make sure I get my exercise at this busy time of year, I write it in my daily planner. I spell out exactly what I will do…run, workout video, nordic trak, x-country or downhill skiing. To make sure the plan works I think about the weather forecast to know if I can get outside or if have to plan on something inside. Sometimes I just plug in the Wii and play a few rounds of golf or spend some time challenging the kids to DDR. (I always lose.) Variety helps keep it fun.