THE WOMEN’S HEALTH GROUP, P.C.

9195 Grant Street, Suite 410, Thornton, CO 80229

Phone: 303-280-2229 (BABY)

300 Exempla Circle, Suite 470, Lafayette, CO 80026

Phone: 303-665-6016

www.whg-pc.com

Keeping Your ‘Cool’ During the Holiday Season

The winter gloom and fast-paced holiday season can leave a lot of us feeling anxious and more depressed than usual; it feels like we can’t possibly keep up and our to-do list keeps growing longer and longer….Here is a suggestion: take time to invest in yourself and your health.  The reward will be more productive days, increased energy, and you will be happier!

The overwhelming trends are ‘going green’, less=more, and the more natural one can be, the healthier they are.  Let’s add on to that by using ‘natural’ methods like physical activity, aka exercise, to keep us on the right path.  In some instances, the onset of depression and anxiety can be mitigated by a regimen of exercise which offers a cure without medication that could potentially cause addiction or negative side effects.  The mood-improving benefits are immediate.   Extensive research has proven success in this theory.  Participants engaging in exercise approximately 30 minutes a day showed better moods throughout their daily routines; their productivity also increased.   What is the explanation?  During exercise, the body stimulates neurotransmitters in the brain that release a chemical called serotonin, the endorphin that makes us feel good.  Exercise provides immediate gratification with zero risk for negative side effects or addiction.  The better we feel the happier and more productive we can be during the stressful times….in this case, the holiday season.  Exercise and how it affects the blues has been researched extensively.  Two of the researchers, Dr. Fernando Dimeo and Dr. Robert Lefever are quoted here.

Help yourself this year by making life easier and more energetic by incorporating a 30-minute exercise routine into your daily schedule.  The following hints are recommendations for the typical busy person that doesn’t have time for a full-day, athletic club routine.

Ø  Give yourself 25-45 minutes dedicated to an aerobic/anaerobic workout at least 2-3 times a week.  Interval or circuit and other forms of training can provide maximum results in short durations of time.  Consult a physician before starting an intensive workout program.  Dedicate yourself to some type of exercise collectively for 30 minutes each day of the week; a walk or a light jog or bicycle ride are great ideas for beginners.  Leave the more intense workouts for a few times during the week or weekends when you have more time.

Ø  Try yoga, dance, or Pilates class outside the gym with your friends and family.  Focus on activities that will elevate your heart rate.  It’s easier to try new things with others; it will help create a sense of commitment and accountability, both important to success.

Ø  Is time management an issue?  Work with a personal trainer who can develop a specific customized training regimen each week that will fit into your scheduled events and work day.  After 12 years of personal training, I have learned there is no excuse as ‘I don’t have enough time’.  We are all short on this priceless commodity.  Let the trainer show you secrets to successful time management and styles of training that offer the most bang for your time and pocketbook.

Ø  Learn a workout that doesn’t require a place or equipment.  This will help not only with time management, but will also break down the other barriers that keep you from working out.  Consult a personal trainer for custom workouts that can be performed anywhere!

Remember, the holiday season is a time for family, love and joy!  Keep the stress to a minimum by making your fitness a priority.  Everyone will benefit and fitness is the gift that has the power to keep on giving!   Happy Holidays!

Article courtesy Clint Gehde, BS Kinesiology, Exercise Management, NSCA-CPT Professionally Certified Personal Trainer 

www.FutureFitnessTraining.com  Train Today….Live Tomorrow