“'Twas the week before Christmas and you mope all through the house, stirring up emotions and cookie batter that makes its way to your mouth. Your stockings don’t fit and you’re starting not to care! All I have to say is get a hold of yourself before the New Year!”
You’re not alone if you have the holiday blues this time of year. You’re also not alone if you suffer from emotional eating issues and you find yourself indulging more in high calorie comfort foods. I obviously work in fitness and what I see this time of year is a season of excuses. Excuses to miss your workout and giving yourself permission to overdo it with too many treats and cocktails. The line I actually hate the most is, “I am going to wait until the New Year.” Wait until the New Year, but also sabotage yourself even more before we even get to it. I don’t think anyone wants to start out 2011 with an extra eleven!
The holidays can stir up emotions from childhood, a feeling of loneliness, as well as a sense of lacking. Especially with the financial struggles facing many this in today’s economy. Many often equate their financial status with their self-esteem. This can also wreak havoc on your emotions this time of year, causing you to eat even more. While you may not be able to control some of these emotional stressors, you can control your reaction to them. The one and only thing that you do have control over is your health and well-being. Empower yourself by taking control of your state of wellness and you will have a brighter day and holiday season. You are worth more than that cookie, pie, eggnog and especially that fruitcake.
“Now Dash to that yoga class, 'Dancer' off those pounds, and 'Prancer' your way to Pilates reshaping yourself like a Vixen. Blast off like a Comet to the gym, love your body like Cupid. 'Donner' that new workout gear and get 'Blitzen' on that treadmill. To the health food store, massage therapist, chiropractor, acupuncture and more. Do all the things that make you feel good and dash away, dash away dash away all those pounds! Stretch away the stress and get some rest, negative emotions out of sight. Healthy Christmas to all and to all a good night!”
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.