Take some time today to reflect on the past year.

Congratulate yourself for your successes; examine what you’ve learned about yourself and others; think about the progress you’ve made in your health, career, finances, relationships, environment, and appearance.

Keep in mind that life is about progress, not perfection. If you’re moving toward your goals, it’s all good. If you’ve run into a big stumbling block, figure out how to make it a useful detour – learn from it and enjoy the scenery.

To start the new year out right, take our first online class of 2010! It’s like a road map to health with your very own navigator. Starting Monday, January 4, we’re taking 21 days to set the direction for the year and get a good start on healthy, happy living in the new year. Don’t miss it!

Even when it looks like it’s over, it may not be.

Have faith, think positively, and keep doing everything you can to make it happen.

You never know when that eleventh hour reprieve is going to come through, so keep your wits about you and hang in there.

We have friends who make New Year’s Eve THE big family holiday.

They invite everyone from both sides of the extended family to spend 24 hours together bringing in the new year. With all the boyfriends and girlfriends, and the one friend that each teen is allowed to invite, they have 65-70 people gathered for the party.

Most people bring sleeping bags, pj’s, and a toothbrush. Each family brings a meal or snacks and some beverages.

They rent a bunch of family-friendly movies and video games, gather all the cards and board games, plan a few crafts and some games. They set up tournaments – Guitar Hero, Wii sports, bridge, Hearts, checkers, Scrabble – you name it.

There’s always one television with movies and one with video games. The young kids have a quiet(ish) place to sleep – everyone else throws down a sleeping bag as they get tired.

New Year’s hats, horns, sparklers, fireworks, etc. are all ready to go for the big moment at midnight.

Parties like this are good for all ages – there’s plenty to do and there is no drinking & driving (or even being on the road). Our friends have been hosting this party for over 20 years, and no one ever misses it – it’s just too much fun.

In the next few days, plan a big family outing – one that involves a lot of movement. Promote it as a big event, invite the whole extended family, and make it an annual holiday tradition.

Try…

Ice skating
Skiing
Sledding
Hockey
Swimming
Basketball
Roller skating
Tennis

Note * Indoors or outdoors is your choice. Just make sure it’s something active.

1. Warm up before exercising. Marching in place for a couple of minutes works fine.
2. Have a set time of day to exercise that fits into your schedule. Try early morning, but if late night or after work is better for you, then stick with what works.
3. Incorporate weight training into your exercise regimen.
4. Get an exercise partner. Accountability leads to success.
5. Do something you like to do.
6. Vary your exercise routine. You really do like more than one kind of exercise.
7. Stay hydrated. Sip water before, during, and after you exercise.
8. Wear proper exercise attire. That includes the right bra, shoes, and socks.
9. Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps a day.
10. Walk whenever possible. Park in a far corner of the parking lot. Take the stairs.

 

…suck without exercise.

Okay, not what you were expecting, maybe?

Think about it. If you didn’t get up and MOVE, after awhile your muscles would atrophy and you wouldn’t be able to move.

Your body was meant to be in motion. It works better, feels better, and looks better when it gets enough movement.

Get up – do it now – and move. This song works for the treadmill or stair climber, as well as for dancing it out.

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A favorite quick and easy way to prepare salmon. If you’re new to cooking fish, this recipe is foolproof. Serve with a steamed vegetable and green salad, for a perfectly “purple” meal.

Parchment paper is sold in the wrap-and-bag aisle of most grocery and discount stores.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Salmon in Parchment
from Marilu Henner’s The 30 Day Total Health Makeover
Purple * Serves 1

6-8 ounce piece of salmon
1 teaspoon olive oil
dill to taste
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped scallions
parchment paper

Preheat the oven to 375F. Tear off a piece of parchment paper so that it makes a square. Fold it in half so you have a triangle. Set the parchment on a baking sheet.

Open the paper and place the fish along the inside crease. Sprinkle the fish with olive oil, a little dill, black pepper, and scallions to taste.

Fold the top of the paper over. Starting next to one folded edge, begin taking tiny folds along the open edge, overlapping the tiny folds to seal the contents inside tightly. (It will look like a turnover.)

Bake for 12 minutes.

Copyright © 2009-10 Hennergy, Inc. All rights reserved.

A person who lives in constant deprivation and with constant resentment can never truly be healthy (or happy). Wouldn’t it be great to live a life where you never have to think about a remedy because you rarely have an ailment? To never “diet” again because you are finally in control?

~ Marilu Henner, Total Health Makeover

Get control of your life.
Get control of your health and your weight.
Start your 21-day turnaround on January 4th at Marilu.com.

Photo by Sanja Gjenero

It’s not the biggest shopping day of the year, but it’s the best day to get bargains on holiday items.

• Gift wrap and ribbon
• Table linens
• Holiday dishes, glassware, serving pieces
• Candles
• Home decor
• Christmas trees and ornaments
• Cookie tins

The new year is almost here! Plan to get a new start on your Total Health!

January 2010 * Online Class
(what? no title? Members can join the contest to determine the class title!)

21 days * Monday, January 4 through Sunday, January 24

This class focuses on your personal goals/resolutions/plans and provides guidance and support so you can achieve them. You can change your life in 21 days with Marilu – and January is the perfect time to make it happen. Eat right, get fit, look great, and feel better in 2010 at Marilu.com.

Taking care of our health during the holidays makes us feel great, our clothes fit as planned, our energy levels stay high – so we’re not taking the next week to be hedonistic. In fact, it feels GOOD when we take care of ourselves, and we’ll be doing all the right things to keep ourselves feeling great into the new year.

If you need support during the holidays, we’re here for you. Our member community is active and supportive. Our coaches have practical solutions to help you be your B.E.S.T. every day.

Join now for support – stick around for the biggest, best online class to help you get 2010 off on the right start.