Fit n Funny

Again the Fit Tip

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
     -Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization, 1946

So yeah, I'm still on the feeling groovy bandwagon for super fitness!  Personally, I've noticed through the years that I tend to look my best when I'm at my happiest.  I rarely loose weight during those times, nor do I change my schedule or routine. (I'm sure if I looked hard I'd see a trend, but I'm no statistician!)  I do know that upon reflexion, those were times when all was right with my world.

Idea Fitness Journal is my motivator this week and I'm quoting from an article published entitled "The Happiness Factor." 
Here's a list of what they call What Happy People Do:

• devote a great amount of time to nurturing and enjoying relationships;
• are comfortable expressing gratitude;
• are often the first to offer help to others;
• are optimistic about their futures;
• live in the present moment;
• make physical exercise a weekly and daily habit;
• are deeply committed to lifelong goals and ambitions; and
• have stresses and even tragedies, but are able to cope in the face of challenges.

This week, focus on being happy.  It doesn't come easy to many of us!  I've been practicing happiness for the last many years and I won't lie to you (I never do!), it's a lot of work.  But trust me, its worth all the effort you put into it.  Go ahead, make my glass half full please!

Holiday Fit Tip

I saw this in Sunday's Parade and saved it to share this week.  Dr. Oz will announce the winner of Transformation Nation this week.  If you don't know, its a contest co-partnered by Dr. Oz and Weight Watchers.  Participants were asked to practice seven steps to make changes in their lifestyle, hence improving overall health and losing weight. 
The seven key steps:
Tell a friend
Official weigh-in/calculate your BMI
Learn your family’s health history
Get more sleep
Assess your stress and
Start new fitness habits. 

It seems that reducing stress had a huge impact on participants overall success (including weight loss).

This holiday weekend, my weekly challenge to you is to make relaxing a priority.  If you already have big plans, try to incorporate "me time" into that.  Delegate chores and jobs for your event, review the itinerary and delete excessive activities, and keep in mind that sometimes less really is more!