We are four weeks into the new year. By now most New Years resolutions are either a habit or a memory. If you made resolutions that you haven’t kept today is amnesty day. Give yourself a break and forget about sweeping declarations. When it comes to setting goals there is no deadline. Forward motion is really all that matters in your health journey. JUST KEEP ON MOVING !
We’re four days into the work week. The weekend is in sight but it’s too soon to close down shop. It’s time to give yourself a break. If you think you can’t carve ten minutes out of your day then you probably need it more than you realize. Ten minutes to read. Ten minutes for a soothing eye mask or hand massage. Ten minutes to write a note to a friend or take a walk around the block. Ten minutes for prayer, meditation or playing an instrument. Ten minutes to play with your pet, have an unhurried conversation with your partner or child. Do the thing you know will help you recharge.
The only rule is that it be something that you enjoy…not a catch-up task.
“CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOU CHANGE YOUR WORLD.” Norman Vincent Peale Today make a conscious decision to change one thought, or one habit. One small change can be a new, healthy, beginning!
The Total Health Makeover is a plan that enables you to live your life !! It’s about TOTAL health and what’s healthier than sharing a meal with good friends? Here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle AND an active social calendar: - Check out the restaurant’s menu on line and familiarize yourself with the dishes. - Call ahead to ask about substitutions or to special order a vegetarian or vegan selection. (This is surprisingly easy and especially helpful in banquet situations such as weddings and business functions.) - Make no apologies. Order what you want according to your own priorities. It’s your life to live. - In order to stay hydrated have two glasses of water for every alcoholic beverage. - Ask for a take away container at the start of the meal. Packing up half of an oversized serving will make you less tempted to finish it off . - Check out the appetizers for healthy selections which, when paired with a salad, would be suitable as a meal. - If there’s music hit the dance floor. You’re not the only one there who hasn’t been professionally trained. Move and have fun! - Remember WHY you’re out. You could always eat at home. You’re there for the company so take your focus off the food and enjoy the conversation and the friendships.
“Without gusto you’re merely marking time, and with it, you’re devouring time and space.” Marilu Henner
Marilu has included GUSTO as one of the 10 basic steps of her program, because it’s every bit as important as the other, seemingly more basic, steps. Even if you aren’t where you want to be with your physical goals you can get through any situation with gusto. And the added bonus is that it will ultimately improve your self image which will give you even more motivation to improve your health. Begin today. ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING !!
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. “
 “Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon. which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals. “
Martin Luther King Jr.
STRESS Everyone has it….it’s the extent to which you’re able to handle it that determines how much it will affect your life. Determine how much of your anxiety is brought on by your own decision making, or scheduling practices. Could you benefit from de-cluttering your office, from stepping off a committee, from allowing someone else to host the next holiday? Here are a few tips to help you keep life more manageable and keep stress off your doorstep: EXERCISE…this burns off stress related chemicals and releases endorphins into our systems. Thirty minutes of exercise provides immediate reduction in tension. SAY NO…..at the very least don’t say yes right away. We’re so eager to please that we often say yes without thinking . Always take 24 to 36 hours to think about it before shouldering a new responsibility. (Obviously this does NOT apply to helping someone in an emergency situation.) GO SOAK…..take time for yourself in a hot bath, infused with baking soda, epsom salts, or geranium or lavender oils. Or treat yourself to a relaxing massage. HAVE YOU HEARD THE ONE ABOUT…laughing is thought to increase the various measures of the immune system. You’ve heard people say “if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry”, and it’s true as it’s an indicator of your ability to find humor in the ironies of life. It’s the ultimate coping mechanism.
“THERE COMES A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE TO PUT YOU AT THE TOP OF YOUR COMMITMENT LIST.” Marian Wright Edelman (Sometimes it really IS all about you…or it should be.)
“IF YOU HAVE MADE MISTAKES THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CHANCE FOR YOU. YOU MAY HAVE A FRESH START ANY MOMENT YOU CHOOSE.” Mary Pickford These are wise words from the famous actress Mary Pickford. Of course this advice applies to nearly every situation in our lives but at this time of year it especially applies to our health and fitness. Join another of our favorite actresses to get a fresh start and begin 2012 from a position of strength and determination. Marilu welcomes you to the site and invites you to please post your questions and share your own tips for success on the message boards. We have some wonderful classes planned and hope you’ll consider joining us as we kick off the new year with the 10 steps of THM. We’re getting BACK TO BASICS…BECAUSE IT WORKS !!
To all our friends at Marilu.com…please stay safe and celebrate responsibly ! BEST OF HEALTH TO EVERYONE IN THE NEW YEAR !! (See you in class on January 2nd!)
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