Message From Amy:

Where did the fun and good cheer of the Christmas season go? I remember as a kid it seemed like forever before Christmas day would come. The letter to Santa was sent weeks ago and the anticipation and excitement rose with each day, drawing closer and closer.

Now days we are busy with work, family, activities and keeping up with the house, in addition to fitting in our exercise. Somehow we also need to add shopping, baking, writing and mailing Christmas letters, decorate and work festivities.

I have found it is all in the attitude I bring to the holiday season. Choosing to do my favorites and letting go of the should's and should not's of the holiday season. To turn inwards and ask myself what I want this Christmas season to be like, what I want to enjoy and offer to my family. To tune in and listen to my children and hear their laughter, excitement, and joy. This brings joy to me and helps me to calm down and go with ease into the final days of the season.

In this month's newsletter I share ideas and tips for Holiday goodies and how to keep with your exercise program when sometimes it’s the easiest thing to let go of when other priorities sneak up on us.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Blessings to all,

Amy

Your Feedback Is Needed!

As I create my upcoming program for February, I have been contemplating the benefits that participants will receive upon completing the class. Then I thought - what better way to get feedback on these benefits than to ask you, my readers!

I would like to get your input on what you think of the benefits that I have outlined for this program. For your participation in answering my three questions, I will send you a 30% off coupon for the February course or any Coaching Package.  

Please visit http://aimforfitness.com/ask_amy.htm to view the benefits and participate in this feedback program. To qualify, your answers to the the three questions must be received by December 31st.

Take the Pressure Off

It is well known that stress is the cause of many an ailment. According to Dr. Carolyn Cochrane, director of the Eating Disorders Program at The Menniger Clinic, in an article published by the Baylor College of Medicine - ''Stress and overindulging are the key reasons for the rise in heart attacks during November and December''

The article went on to say that, ''Stress may provide a sense that we are not in control of our lives. The subsequent strain can manipulate our eating behaviors, an activity that empowers us and satisfies a need to be in control.''

This is so true, I see it when coaching my own clients with intuitive eating and helping them find the connection between control and consumption. With this being one of the busiest times of year, why not take a little of the pressure off yourself.

Don't Demand So Much From Yourself - that you make it too hard to succeed. If you expect to keep up a five day a week exercise routine while your other commitments have increased dramatically, you might be setting yourself up to fail ("why do anything if I can't do it all" mentality). Know what you can expect to achieve during the holidays and aim for the realistic.

Be Flexible - with your workouts. These next couple of weeks may be very hectic and it is important not to get too hung up on not getting all the workouts in. Look at your upcoming week and plan effectively. If getting all your workouts in is not feasible, let it go, don’t lay a guilt trip on yourself. Working out one to two times a week will help you maintain where you are at right now. After the busy week or month, pick up on the workouts and look back at how you enjoyed the holiday season with less stress and more fun.

Sprint rather than Stroll- if workouts are becoming more of a challenge to get in, then do shorter bouts but with more intensity. Studies show higher intensity sprint-training burn calories up to 48 hours after you are done. But steady aerobic training stops burning calories the moment you stop exercising. Being efficient with smaller amounts of exercise time can be very effective as well.

Be Hungry For Your Favorites- Pace your eating prior to the holiday event so you'll be hungry but not famished when the main course comes. Ignore the old diet advice of "eat before you go to a party so you won't be tempted." Ugh! You want to be hungry enough to enjoy your favorites. More than likely your favorites only come once a year, so enjoy!

Give It Your Full Attention - If there is a special food, give it your full attention rather than eating on autopilot. Eat mindfully by reducing distractions and sitting down to eat-even if it's just a Christmas cookie. Appreciate the appearance and aroma of your cookie/food and savor one small bite, bite after bite. You'll eat less but enjoy it more!

For further tips check out my Holiday Survival Guide

Santa Isn’t the Only One Giving Away Gifts
This Holiday Season

Let’s face it, every year the holidays end and you either feel exhausted, depressed or maybe you feel invigorated because this New Year’s Resolution has you really pumped up. If you fall into this latter group, the first few months you’re gung-ho, putting in all of the effort to shed some unwanted pounds, re-energize yourself and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere – WHAM – life intervenes. You’re thrown off track and before you know it guilt sets in as you gain back all of the weight you had lost and your momentum comes to a screeching halt.

Sound familiar?

When the holiday season ends, the biggest challenge for people isn’t
coming up with a suitable New Year’s Resolution.

It's how to keep the fire lit from within long enough to sustain your efforts and see results that in turn, become your new healthy vibrant lifestyle rather than a quick fix.

So in the spirit of giving and to honor the time-honored tradition of wanting to open presents early, I couldn’t think of a better way or more appropriate time to reward those who have been so supportive of me over the years. MY CLIENTS and NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS!  

This offer is going out only to past and current clients as well as my newsletter subscribers. Like Christmas, what I’m about to offer only comes around once a year. If you’re serious about feeding your mind, body and spirit in ways that will totally nurture your soul, while enhancing your quality of health, shedding off unwanted weight, and building a firm foundation for your commitment for a healthier, lighter 2008 ....

…then I have the ideal holiday gift for you. And this is one present you don’t have to wait until December 25 to open.

Open Your Early Christmas Present Here