Festivities or Fitness – You Don’t Have to Choose This Holiday Week

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Let the festivities begin! The countdown to a week of friends, family and fun is here. With temperatures falling, spirits are rising and many of us are toasting with a Hot Toddy, hovering over the hors d'oeuvres, and chocking ourselves full of chocolate. Christmas Eve kicks off the week, where we go from families' to neighbors' open houses with merriment, food and cheer.

But don’t forget your workouts this week. While many of you are off from work this week, schedule sometime for yourself to get in that ever-important workout. Sure, some family members and friends might look at you like you're crazy when you show up in your warm-ups. Here is what I have to say: “Who cares?” You are taking care of you and you will be much more pleasant to be around. Besides, I’d rather be fit and fashionable than hide extra holiday pounds behind a bulky, tacky snowman sweater.

Perhaps I am being a bit harsh, but the truth is, I’ve been there. Realistically, even those of us who are the most dedicated to our fitness regimens fall off the wagon or let others sabotage our efforts from time to time. I am a fitness fanatic, but I am also a social junkie. I love people, friends and family and want them all around me all the time. I love parties. I love hosting. I love cooking. But, I truly love fitness and know that is my purpose. I remember that I need to be an example to others and fit in my workout even when I have a tight schedule.

So today, I knew that I had a full workday ahead of me, but still needed to get some last minute things for my Christmas Eve menu. I woke up extra early, beat all of the holiday grocery shoppers to the store and was back at my computer for regular business hours. My lunch break is “me time” and I headed to my home gym to get my upper body workout in for about 20-30 minutes. Yes, that is all the time it took today to make me feel better, smile more and spread my fitness cheer! Pick a body part and work it with intention and you’ll be so much more productive and pleasant.

Now I am happy, energized, and ready to take on the world, my clients, make 50 meatballs (healthy of course) and perhaps even wrap a few gifts. Enjoy and savor every moment this week. Remember, the holidays are about the memories and taking care of you, so you can create happier ones with those you love.

Joanne Sgro is a Television Fitness Expert, Certified Personal Trainer and Sport Nutritionist. She is Certified in Pilates, Pre-natal/Post-Partum, Yoga and Senior Fitness. She specializes in Weight Loss, Post-Rehab and Post Cancer Training. Joanne's fitness plans and recipes are available globally on her website www.fitnessanswer.com. She resides in the Phoenix, AZ area where she runs her personal training business, Fitness Answer, LLC.

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