Today's Tip: 12 Days of Christmas...Workout!

Squeezed for time during this last week before Christmas?  This is the time when many people skip their workouts because they have so many other things to do.  But just as a client of mine said this morning, your workout is your stress-RELIEVER, so don't skip it.  And if you don't have a lot of time, that's okay!  Right now my workouts are 30 minutes in length - it's all about quality, not quantity!!

To help keep you in the Christmas spirit I am posting a 12 Days of Christmas workout that you can do anytime, anywhere!  You need no equipment other than your own body weight and a small amount of space. 

Don't deprive your body of the stress reliever it needs.  Even if it's hard to get yourself into the workout mode, once you are there and complete this one, you'll feel GREAT!

Jen

12 Days of Christmas Workout

 

Day 1

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 2

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 3

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 4

4 Over the Log (4 each way)

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 5

5 Split Squats (5 each side)

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 6

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 7

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 8

8 Alternating Front Lunges

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 9

9 Mountain Climbers (each side)

8 Alternating Front Lunges

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 10

10 Alternating Punches (10 each side)

9 Mountain Climbers

8 Alternating Front Lunges

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 11

11 Skaters

10 Alternating Punches

9 Mountain Climbers

8 Alternating Front Lunges

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Day 12

12 Rear Lunges

11 Skaters

10 Alternating Punches

9 Mountain Climbers

8 Alternating Front Lunges

7 Plyo Jacks

6 Push-Ups

5 Split Squats

4 Over the Log

3 Burpees

2 Opposite Hip Touch

1 Bodyweight Squat

Today's Tip: 'Tis the Season...for Grazing!

Last night was my first holiday party of the season and of course, one of the BEST parts of a holiday party is the food table!  I love tasting all the yummy things everyone brings to share, because you know if someone if bringing something to a party, it's sure to be good :).

That being said, the food table can also be the enemy to clean eating.  Notice I said "CAN BE" not "IS ALWAYS".  The food table at a party does not have to be your nemesis if you have a clear mindset of how you are going to manage it.  Yes, it can be managed.

1) DON'T GRAZE.  There is absolutely no way for you to judge how much you are eating if you just stand and graze.  Tip Number One is to serve a plate rather than stand at the table talking to friends and just grazing.

2) BE DELIBERATE.  You know what you like and you also know what you eat just because it's there.  Don't feel like you have to take some of everything - serve yourself the things you know you really like.  I'm not saying you shouldn't try some new things, but if you see something that isn't on your top 10 holiday treat list, give it up for something else that is.

3) EAT SLOWLY.  Enjoy every bite and let your taste buds savor everything on your plate.  Let your belly fill up slowly so you can adequately determine if you really want to go back for seconds or not.  There's probably a dessert table, so why not save your second trip for that?

4) DRINK WATER.  Be sure to keep yourself hydrated and don't mistake hunger for thirst.  Drink water on the way to the party and drink it throughout the evening, particularly if adult beverages are being served! 

Make up your mind now to manage this holiday season differently than you have in the past.  Set some "party goals" and remember the advice your mother always told you - "your eyes are bigger than your stomach".

Today's Tip: Recovering from Thanksgiving!

Still feeling stuffed?  I know a lot of you may have indulged last week, and possibly even OVER-indulged!  But that doesn't mean you can't get right back on track because as I have said before...Every day is a new day and every meal is a new meal!

Here are some things you need to do this week:

1) PLAN.  Plan your meals - and I don't mean you have to get out a calendar and write out every recipe you are going to make for the week.  That is great, but if you don't have time, then simply think through your family's schedule while you are driving to work or school and determine which meals you can fix to best accommodate everyone's agenda. Think about yourself - what snacks do you need to throw together the night before or what do you need to prep?

2) EAT CLEAN. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to eat treats this month.  So be intentional about what you are eating the rest of the time.  Go for fresh and colorful foods!

3) DON'T SKIP MEALS. You will be busy this week - it's the nature of the beast right now.  Maybe you are trying to get your home decorated and you still have a lot to do.  Or perhaps you are still trying to get your Christmas shopping done.  It might be really easy to skip a snack or lunch because you just don't want to stop working or shopping!  This is a BAD IDEA and will set you up for a rough evening...you'll not only be hungry and end up eating whatever is in sight, you might get a headache or be extremely crabby :).

4) DRINK WATER. Don't get dehydrated!  It's more difficult in the winter to drink water because it's cold out.  Start out right by sipping on a bottle of water while you get ready for the day.  Drink hot water with lemon. Just keep the fluids going! 

5) WORKOUT.  You may think you are too busy for that workout but you aren't!  Just 30 minutes a day will make a difference in your energy level, as well as in how you look and feel overall.  And think of all the extra water you'll drink because you are sweaty and thirsty!

If you have other tips that might help someone else out, be sure to post them here!