Merry Christmas & a Healthy New Year!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow we celebrate Christmas and we will soon have another year behind us.

With the New Year rapidly approaching, we can reflect on the past year and our choices regarding our physical, mental and spiritual health.

Most of us have no problem taking care of others, making commitments for others, helping others and putting others first; but how many of us made a decision to make OUR own health a priority?

Often times, it doesn't even require the sacrifice of putting others on the back burner - it just means rearranging our weekly schedules to accommodate a daily commitment to self.

•   Nutrition:  We've all heard it before; nutrition is 80% of our health.  If you do nothing else, make a commitment to eat more real food, less processed food.  You will be amazed with the positive impact this will have not only on your body composition, but your health, your sleep, your stress and even your outlook on life!

•   Exercise:  If you think you can achieve a positive step towards optimal health without doing some form of exercise or physical activity, you're not headed in the right direction.  You can, however, move towards the right direction without killing yourself in the gym.  Simple changes like choosing to take the stairs at every available opportunity or parking the car far away from the entrance, can have surprisingly positive results in just one month if done daily.

•   Buddy System:  Most of us know someone else in the same predicament as our own. Whether it's someone that wants to change their nutrition or begin an exercise program, or both, studies show the success rate with lifelong changes happen when you have a good support system or, at least, someone that you are accountable to (your trainer, coach  or nutritionist can be an awesome support system!).

Enjoy your Christmas celebration, good food, great company with family and friends and be prepared to make your health a priority for 2013!

Merry Christmas & a Healthy New Year!