Hello
folks! It’s that time of year again—time to celebrate the 12 Days of Fitness! J These days represent
gifts that you give to yourself—the
gifts of health, happiness and longevity. When it comes to staying fit, you have
to remember that your mental health is just as important as physical; this is
why we view the 12 Days of Fitness with a mind-body approach. What can you do
during these 12 days to make you physically stronger, happier, and more
connected to your loved ones? I challenge you to find out. Here are the goals
I’ve set for myself during these important days:
12
Spare 12 extra seconds to take the stairs instead of the elevator. The path of most
resistance will give you the most benefits! Your firmer glutes will thank you
and you won’t have to feel guilty about that extra bite of cheesecake. J
11
Count your blessings-what
are 11 things you are grateful for? Remind yourself that there are many reasons
to be happy. You are more fortunate than you think!
10
Up your reps.
Don’t stop at 8, go to 10! Go the extra mile, burn a few more calories, and
challenge yourself. Don’t settle when it comes to your fitness!
9
Take 9 minutes a day to prepare
a meal. You might think you are too busy to prepare a fresh meal, but you
probably spent way over 9 minutes just watching commercials on tv that night!
It doesn’t take long to throw together a salad and grill a piece of lean
protein. When you eat fresh food, you feel better. Make it a priority.
8
Drink 8 glasses of
water a day. It’s important to stay hydrated, especially if you are keeping
up with a demanding workout routine! Drinking water also helps curb cravings,
so fill up on a glass of water before you reach for the candy bar!
7
Wake up early—how
about no later than 7? If you go to bed by a reasonable hour, being awake (or
even out the door) by 7 won’t be much of a challenge. When you wake up early,
you have time for exercise, for breakfast, and for much needed “me” time. A few
minutes of peace will help set a positive
tone for your day.
6
Eat 6 small meals a
day. By eating smaller meals, more frequently, you will boost your
metabolism and also keep your blood sugar more stable throughout the day. No
reason to get too hungry and binge on Twinkies!
5
Spend five extra minutes a day on a simple stretching routine to increase
flexibility, mobility, and prevent injuries. Not sure what a good stretching
routine looks like? Ask your Next Level
Trainer!
4
Hit the gym at
least 4 times a week to get the full benefits! That leaves plenty of recovery
time for your muscles! You don’t have to do the same workout every day, but it
is important to incorporate some kind of physical activity into your lifestyle
on a regular basis.
3
Walk the lake
with your friends-it’s about 3 miles! It shouldn’t take you more than an hour
at a very leisurely pace. Feel free to pick up a cup of coffee and chat while
you’re at it! It’s important to stay
connected to our loved ones.
2
It takes two to tango! Set
appointments with your trainer. Do
your part to set the date, and he will do his to make sure you show up and do
your very best at your workout. By getting someone else involved in your
fitness routine, you are being held accountable.
This works!!
1
Remember to look out
for number one! Sometimes it’s easy to so get caught up in your busy
lifestyle that you forget to take care of your own needs. Make yourself a priority-you matter!
Wishing you health and happiness
this holiday season!
Dr. Abu Pigott
Aurora Baxter
