May 2010 and YIPEE! The sun is out in full force, the weather is encouraging you not only to get out and MOVE but also to wear less clothing to beat the heat! Unhappy with what you see staring back at you in the mirror? Don't fret! Every day is a new chance to launch yourself full speed ahead into a new, healthier lifestyle. Try not to let the big picture overwhelm you if you have a lot of changes to make. Losing 30kg is best thought of in smaller blocks. Take it 5kg at a time and celebrate each victory. New to running but want to tackle a marathon? Don't focus on the 43KM ahead of you, but rather focus on adding 5KM to your running regime at a time. Breaking your bigger goals up into smaller, more easily attainable goals is a PROVEN effective way of reaching your ultimate end-goal. People like to say that Rome wasn't built in a day and having seen it, I'm inclined to believe it! One step at a time is more beneficial than not stepping at all because you are overwhelmed!!
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April 2010. Allergy season is here and if you're a sufferer like me, it can make working out in the great outdoors are real pain! However, some tips to ease your day without additional medicines/prescriptions include: wash your hands, hair and face before bed!! Your hair and skin get coated in allergens all day long and as you toss and turn at night, you rub these little eye-swelling, nose itching, sneezing culprits into your skin. Clean yourself at the end of the day and you could be breathing easier in the morning. Also, work out in non-peak hours. I find an early morning jog is easier than a mid-day one when allergens are particularly high one day. Change your pillow case nightly during really high allergen days. The goal is to NOT let these pesky beasts interrupt your training so get a head's up and try to outsmart them this year!
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March 2010. International Women's Day is upon us. Celebrate your body, health and life with a re-invention. Take care of yourself! Go for a nightly walk, pack a healthy lunch, join a sports club! Celebrate your strong independent self and get out there and have some fun!
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February 2010. I'm so excited! Spring is on its way which means more outdoor fun, more daylight hours, less heavy clothing and more fresh air! Take advantage of this slight change in weather and GET OUTSIDE! Follow the EHFA slogan and be more active, more often. In Paris, try using a Velib' instead of taking the metro. Join a sports team (see my Interesting Links for clubs to join), take the dog for longer walks. Keeping your body in motion will keep it happy, healthy and strong. Induldge in one or two Valentine's treats, but keep it to a minimum.
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Welcome to 2010! Did you make a resolution to be healthier? Lose weight? Fit into your skinny jeans? Run a marathon? Whatever it is DO NOT DELAY! You deserve to fulfill your dreams and we are here to help and encourage you along the way. Take care of yourself, detox your body from all the holiday indulgences and let's get MOVING!!
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It's December 2009 and that means parties, family gatherings, holidays, food, colder weather (except for our friends below the equator!) and most importantly, temptations to deviate from healthy eating. If you are reading FTOTM in December, congratulations! I hope this means you are as serious about your health and nutrition as we at Hart Total Fitness are and take care of yourself. However, we do recognize and understand that at many moments over the coming weeks you may be tempted into 'cheating' on poor food, from your exercise plan or with too much alcohol. All we can really tell you is to please consider the long-term and believe you are WORTH living a life of moderation. A mince pie is not going to harm you if you say no to it...and one might be all you need to slip off your careful eating and exercising routine. Just think before you act. :-)
We wish you a safe and happy holiday seasons and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
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November and the colder weather approaches!
Cold, wet, slippery, snowy, and downright miserable weather can affect even the MOST motivated exercisers but don't quit...there is hope! Getting out of the house can help combat the 'winter blues' that many of us suffer from during the long, cold months of winter. You may feel cool or unmotivated to start, but a brisk walk or jog around your neighbourhood will brighten your spirits and feel good at the same time.
Remind yourself that keeping active NOW will make it easier to push yourself when the weather warms up and bikinis, beach bods and warmer weather is upon us. Keeping yourself in shape is a much better plan of action rather than quitting for a few months then scrambling to get fit before beach season.
Take care and protect your body with proper gear, layered clothing and don't forget to wear sunscreen even in the winter!!
If you manage to make it out on a particularly blustering day, treat your efforts with a healthier hot chocolate. Use low-fat regular or soy milk, 70% cocoa powder and a sugar substitute like Splenda. Antioxidants, protein and yumminess all in one..go on, you've earned it ;-)
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October is BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, please take care of yourselves and perform monthly breast exams! Learn how to do this properly from your doctor. Early detection has saved many many people I love...let's keep it saving more until we find a cure!
I recently finished the Weekend to End Breast Cancer 60 kilometre charity walk in Toronto, Canada. I was an emotional mess the entire time; ranging from inspired to sad to angry to melancholy. We have the power to stop this horrible cancer from claiming any more lives!! Let's do it! You with me???
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Ahh September in France.
TIME FOR A CHANGE!
La Rentree has our summer holidays feeling nothing less than a distant memory and the leaves begin to fade to brown. Change is everywhere and perhaps nature is telling us to embrace change and try something new!! Change is important for an exercise regime as your muscles need to be challenged. A routine that includes M/W/F cardio for 20 and a set of 5 strength exercises same in same out each week BORES your body and slows down progress. Change...it's what you need. We can help you!!
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I decided to keep old FTOTM starting with July 2009:
**August--warm weather and exercising.
KEEP HYDRATED!!!
Feeling thirsty? You're probably already suffering from early stages of dehydration. Drink plenty of water during the warmer weather and keep caffeine to a minimum as this can dehydrate you even more. Drink some water 15 to 20 mins before working out and keep sipping every 15 mins or so of exercising. Take care of your body and it will take care of YOU!!!
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**It's July and time for a new Fit Tip of the Month!
MOVE MORE OFTEN!
This may seem simple yet we often screw this one up in our daily life. Taking the stairs, walking to the store, opting for a velib' instead of the subway, walking the dog further than normal, etc. These little bits of movement all add up to changes in your body and health. I try to live by EHFA's statement of: More People, More Active, More Often. Think about it and get out there and do something!!!
"...the bicycle is the most efficient machine ever created: converting calories into gas, a bicycle gets the equivalent of three thousand miles per gallon."
— Bill Strickland, from The Quotable Cyclist
Copyright © Hart Total Fitness 2010 & Copyright © Maman Fitness 2010
