Monday, January 7, 2008


Holiday Tips for Keeping Off Weight and Avoiding Temptations

By Lauren Showers
Team oxygenfit


www.oxygenfitstore.com


From popcorn garlands to holiday cocktail parties, Santa's cookies, school-made gingerbread houses, cookie swaps, and candy cane giveaways. it seems we are surrounded by the temptation of endless empty calories during the holiday season. All the eating opportunities presented to us makes the thought of squeezing into that little black dress for New Years a little daunting. Because of this overwhelming time of temptation to over gorge and satisfy our little taste buds, it takes more than merely the desire to maintain your waistline. While simple everyday choices like passing on the pumpkin pie will help you avoid the extra pounds, it takes a deep rooted commitment of consistency to pull you through to the New Year with success.

Decide today that, "Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels." Every time you are tempted, repeat these words to yourself and watch it empower you to say, "No thanks". While it is important that you don't allow yourself to indulge in all the goodies it is just as important to have balance. If you deny yourself of every treat without any room for error you are bound to binge, leaving you with the feeling of failure. To avoid this from happening, decide what treats you will allow yourself that week. For example; "If I eat healthy Monday through Friday and resist the temptations, I will allow myself to enjoy a dessert at the neighbor's holiday party this weekend." Staying healthy should be the goal at this time of year, but it should not be to lose the extra five pounds you have been working on for the past few months. Maintenance and balance should be the focus and keeping the scale steady is succeeding. Come the New Year you can work on the numbers dropping, but for now keeping it from traveling upward is hard enough work as it is.

HOLIDAY TIPS TO KEEP YOU GLOWING THROUGH THE NEW YEAR

1. Dine before you dash - Eating something healthy before going to a holiday party will help you resist the temptations.

2. No buffet binging - Your eyes tend to be bigger than your stomach, choose a variety of foods in small portions.

3. Prepare to eat, not cheat - Bring a "healthy" holiday dish to your parties like whole-wheat ginger snaps that won't be as bad to munch on.

4. Keep moving - Be physically active everyday (exercise alleviates stress, regulates appetite and burns off extra calories)

5. Slow and steady - Eat slowly and only until you are not hungry anymore. don't keep eating until a Santa belly appears and then decided it's time to stop.

6. Write it down - Writing down what you eat will provide a reality check on how many calories you are actually consuming and will help you resist in the future.

7. Let it go - If you overeat one day don't let it ruin your enthusiasm. Life is about balance. Forget about it and work on getting back on track.

8. Don't sip your calories - Alcohol mixed with sugary juices, creamy eggnog, and open wine bars are not your friend this season. Enjoy your calories through the foods that are present rather than gulping them down.

9. Warning signs - If a food is fried, creamy, cheese filled, a processed meat, pastry or baked good try to avoid them at all cost. These foods tend to be the highest in fat and calories.

10. Substitute - There are hundreds of great low-fat and healthy recipes out there for our favorite holiday dishes. Start by substituting unsweetened applesauce for oil, using whole grain instead of all-purpose flour, trying Stevia or Splenda instead of table sugar and reducing the amount of salt the recipe asks for. Every little adjustment helps.

By consistently focusing on your health and allowing for a little wiggle room you are sure to be stunning in that little black dress as you enter into 2008. Happy Holidays!
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In Health and Pure Joy,

Lauren Showers, Team oxygenfit
P.T, Certified by American Council on Exehttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifrcise,
Fitness journalist & model


www.oxygenfitstore.com

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Tips For Keeping Your New Year's Weight Loss Resolution



Tips For Keeping Your New Year's Weight Loss Resolution

By Lauren Showers

www.oxygenfitstore.com




It's very likely now as the New Year is approaching that you have jotted down some highly optimistic resolutions for 2008 or at least thought of ways in which you would like to improve the current "you". It happens every year, the count down 3, 2, 1. Happy New Year!! . and BANG! We expect to be a new and improved, glamorous woman with a smoking physique, more motivation, higher potential, and a determined unwavering focus.



It's 7am and the alarm clock goes off. You roll out of bed with glitter still stuck in your tresses. With a slight Champagne hangover you start your day and it hits you. you don't feel so glamorous, motivated or different at all. You grab for your morning danish and the zest of your ambitions begin to fade even before your coffee is brewed.



The gift of the New Year can bring about so much potential in us all, as long as we understand that the power of this potential lies in our hands and not the simple fact that the new year now ends with an 8 rather than a 7. Because it is, in a sense, the beginning of a new chapter of your life, let this "new beginning" propel you towards your goals by taking action every day. The passionate concept needs to manifest into a proactive game plan in order for you to reach your resolutions.



If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.



If weight loss is one of your resolutions this year, don't expect the pounds to start melting off if you continue with your usual day to day routine. Revamp last year's ways by eliminating the actions, things, or thought process that kept you from succeeding. Then begin to supplement your life with fresh habits that will direct you towards your goal. Your first thought in the morning of "another day." becomes "another day of opportunity to improve myself". Instead of grabbing for your usual morning danish and coffee, fix some eggs on whole grain toast with a cup of green tea. The daily elevator ride to the 5th floor of your office building becomes an opportunity for a small cardio bout to pump in the endorphins. These small lifestyle adjustments will help you stay with your game plan of losing the weight.



When a big goal is on your plate, breaking it up into small bite size pieces that are easy to swallow is the way to go. Set specific weekly goals like losing a couple pounds, avoiding fast food, drinking more water, etc. In the 21st century we have become people of instant gratification and when the satisfaction isn't quick to meet us, our motivation tends to fade. By allowing for smaller successes along the way you are feeding the fire and keeping it strong until the main weight loss goal is accomplished. To pump up the effect of this strategy, reward yourself for the hard work with something other than food. A manicure, girls night out, or that cute top you saw at the boutique last week. Whatever it may be, pamper yourself because you deserved it. A positive reinforcement is the strongest reinforcement of actions and will drive you further towards success.



The New Year is on its way and so is the new you as long as you take the power into your own hands. Dream it, plan it, and make it happen.



In Health and Pure Joy,


Lauren Showers, Team oxygenfit
P.T, Certified by American Council on Exercise,
Fitness journalist & model


www.oxygenfitstore.com

Burning Calories in Freezing Weather



Burning Calories in Freezing Weather

By Lauren Showers, Team oxygenfit

www.oxygenfitstore.com




When the temperature drops so too does the motivation to move. Don't let the cold weather squash your fitness inspiration this season. Use the strategies below to keep your fire for fitness burning, even as the icicles grow outside your window.



Spice it up - Add a little variety into your exercise routine. Don't limit yourself as to where you can burn calories. Lace up your skates when it's too cold, dark or wet to run outside. Ice skating is a sure way to get your heart pumping and allow for some fun while doing it. Hit the slopes for a weekend of skiing and snowboarding with friends and tone your legs at the same time. Shovel the ice off your driveway or even have a snowball fight, whatever it is, keep moving this winter and don't let the dropping temperatures take your motivation down with it.



No gym required - When the weather freezes your motivation to face the cold, it can have grave effects on the consistency of your workouts. Make your home into your very own calorie burning studio by using very little equipment and various body weight movements. Winter workout necessities simply include a stability ball, bands, and light to moderate weights. With these tools and using various body weight exercises such as push ups, squats, lunges, and crunches you can get an effective workout in the comfort of your own living room.



Expand your wardrobe - Getting a new pair of running shoes, heart rate monitor or cute sports bra always tends to boost our desire to hit the gym as if the new item allows us to push harder than before. Utilize this power for your own benefit and treat yourself to a new pair of warm workout pants, and maybe even a jacket to match. Before you know it, you'll be in keeping warm and looking cool sporting your new outfit in the gym.



Team up - It is much easier to tell yourself that you are going to skip today's workout, than to tell a friend who is counting on you to be there. Buddy up with your fitness routine to increase your consistency during the winter months. Set a time and day you and a friend will workout together on a weekly basis. This "appointment" will help both of you stay on track.



Pack for Success - Our intentions for the next day's accomplishments, including , are always more intense than the moment we wake up dreading to leave the warmth of our beds. Use this time of high personal expectations the day before to pack and prepare for success the next day. Prepare your healthy meals and gym bag with everything needed so that when you wake, no thinking is required. Getting into this type of routine and making it a lifestyle adjustment will be extremely beneficial during any season of the year.



Even when it seems like Mr. Frost is doing all he can to keep us from working out, there is always a way to win. By simply changing up your routine, working out at home, using the buddy system and preparing in advance you are sure to stay fit this winter.



In Health and Pure Joy,



Lauren Showers, Team oxygenfit

P.T, Certified by American Council on Exercise,

Fitness journalist & model


www.oxygenfitstore.com