Happy New Year!
How are those resolutions coming along?  Aaah…"New Year's resolutions" are similar to fitness~it's a personal decision, your prerogative, you need to figure out what works for you and what doesn't.

Resolutions are goals, really.  If you are serious and determined about them, write them down and post it on your dresser or (if it's weight loss-related especially;)) your refrigerator.  'Best thing to do is share your resolutions with friends so you can stick with the plan.   Strive to attain those goals but take it day by day!  Give yourself little rewards along the way~life is short, but the days can be long….

Here are my 2015 resolutions:

It's ok to sometimes just eat & sleep
When you fall down, get right back up, shake it off, forget about it, and go on
Be very brave no matter what size
Make your own fun
Unleash your talents
Learn new tricks no matter what age
Make new friends
Sniff out opportunities
Chase after your dreams
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them (!)
At the end of the day, it is best to snuggle no matter what happened
Every day is a brand new day just to be happy

Here's my horoscope for today:

"Let the energy of the day pull you along.  Welcome change and initiate what you want to see unfold.  It's a 'take-charge' kind of a day, so don't waffle or let someone else take over.  Show your strengths and improve your weaknesses."

Cheers to that on this cold and dreary day!!
 

That's right, exercising brings you more energy….   And, I don't know about you, but it really helps me to stay on top of it and in a good mood to deal with my life!

When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins -- "feel good" chemicals that improve your mood.  So if you feel sad or anxious, slide on your toe sox and get to one of my classes!

So this summer, Oprah sponsored a line of teas at Starbucks and offered her words of wisdom on the sleeves on the cardboard cups.  Every day when I order my "venti pike," I would read one of the five sentences offering advice.  Here they are…

"Live from the heart of yourself.  Seek to be whole, not perfect."    (does this mean, "condition from the inside out?"  or maybe, "Smell the roses, and blow out the birthday candles?")

                                          Your Overall Fitness Pyramid
                            Confidence…..Goal-Oriented
                     Risk……..Toughness.…Experience
          Patience….Sincerity…..Dedication….Determination
  Initiative….Cooperation….Optimism…Friendship...Camaraderie

You can do it!  We are all a work in progress…:)  Get started today and "put it in your routine."

I know, I know….  This Winter is a doozy!  Right about now, I want to put my snow scraper away for a very long time.   Brace yourselves -- more snow is predicted.  It might start to get you down, you know?  Sick of those boots?  Tired of hunching over toward the car?  Slipping on the ice?  Maybe hibernating a little bit watching the Olympics?  Me, too.

It's that time of year, and we are all thinking ahead~what changes can I make for the better in 2014?  Well, when you are considering changing habits, remember three things: a cue, a routine, and a reward.

Often times we automatically perform a habit simply by the certain time of day, or when our surroundings change~that's the cue.  For example, do you eat more at a certain time of the day, to unwind and relax?  Consider whether you can unwind and relax simply by eating less and/or being with family instead, giving yourself a cup of tea instead.

This refers to the "three-dimensional breathing" we all need to do at least once a day (including myself!).  Take a huge breath in through the nose for 7 seconds, hold it for 7 seconds, and then release for 7 seconds.
'Great way to manage stress.  After all, the Holidays are right around the corner….
Namaste,

Yeah, that's what I said ~ "Do you feel a little "uptight," or stiff and crickety these days?  We've all been there.  Research shows that exercise is the best medicine for your joint stiffness.  According to Prevention magazine, "…exercise is the best thing for tender joints.  It builds muscle, stabilizes joints, promotes flexibility, and keeps your weight down."  For every extra pound of weight you carry, it exerts roughly 4 pounds on each knee!