Christmas Time Is Here

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It’s that time of year again- THE HOLIDAYS. The time when you eat too much, drink too much and exercise too little (except for all of the running around that you’re doing to get everything done).

For me the holidays have always represented a time of personal reflection. I think it’s also because my birthday is at this time of year as well.

Every year when I put my Christmas decorations away, I think of what will be going on in my life when I take them out the following year. I wonder if I will I have the same job, the same residence, be living in the same city? Perhaps a new and exciting person will come into my life and I always hope that the people that I have in my life will be there next year- happy and healthy.

And you know what? Every year I am surprised by how my life is when I take those decorations out. I am very blessed to have the life that I have and am thankful to be able to enjoy the holidays in whatever form they take.

I love everything about Christmas. So much so that every year in July or August I find myself starting to sing Christmas songs. It’s strange, but true. I love the music, the lights and watching the kindness of others.  I also like watching Frosty, Rudolph and all of the other must see shows, spending time with family and friends, all of the food- OH, HOW I LOVE THE FOOD, going to movies and just enjoying the slow and relaxed pace.

I refuse to get stressed out over the holidays. I don’t want to miss out on the pleasures of this time of year and you never know what the next year will bring.

So, enjoy the holidays. EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY (in moderation) and just remember that I’ll be looking for you in the gym in January.

Lisa

The Cold Truth-Can You Get A Cold From Just Being Cold?

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Did you know?You use 67 muscles to cough. That’s 10% of all of your muscles.The fastest sneeze recorded was 166.7 km/h. Now you know!

Can you catch a cold from just being cold?

When you talk to people about why they have a cold you get the same old answers “It must be the change in temperature. One day it’s warm, the next it’s cold.” Is that why we seem to get more colds in the winter months then in the summer months? You would think so, right? WRONG.

Despite what mothers have been saying for generations, you’re not going to get a cold from not dressing properly for the elements. Sorry mom.

The reason why we seem to get more colds floating around is because in cold weather and with the air being drier, a virus can spread easier and live longer. Add to that the fact that you’re inside more often and therefore are more exposed to each other.

If you get a cold, get plenty of rest. Now is not the time to exercise. Your body needs its energy to recuperate; not to expend on a treadmill or lifting weights.

A natural cure for nasal congestion would be a saline nasal spray and sore throats can be relieved with lozenges or a salt water gargle. The hype about Echinacea is just that, hype. Recent studies have proven that it is not effective in preventing colds or lessening the duration of them.

Nothing CURES a cold but what has been proven to help is good old fashioned chicken soup. There’s something special in it that helps plus the steam helps to clear the nasal passages. It’s true. FEED A COLD. Along with rest, your body has to be well nourished to help it recover.

Most importantly try to prevent getting a cold in the first place by washing your hands with soap and water and by keeping your immune system strong. Try to keep fingers away from your eyes, nose and mouth as these are the entrances for the virus.

If all else fails and you end up with a cold, look after yourself or better yet, have someone look after you.

Thank- You, Thank- You, Thank- You.

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Those are two words that I never get tired of saying or hearing. I think that gratitude is something so easy to do and it should be practiced as often as possible.

At the end of every single training session that I have with my clients, we stand face to face, close our eyes and with every deep breath that we take, we think of one thing that we are grateful for. We do this three times and my clients and I always are grateful for the chance to practice gratitude. It is one of those things like meditating that I make a point of adding into my day. It feeds me in a way.

So many people are more than happy to tell you about all of their complaints all day. “I’m so fat, I hate my job, I have no money, my relationship sucks and my( fill in the blank) hurts all the time.” Now the funny thing is that all of those above mentioned things can be changed by the person’s choices. Instead of complaining about your weight, be thankful that you are fortunate enough to have food on your table. Millions don’t. You also have the ability to make better choices regarding what you are feeding yourself whereas many don’t.  If you are able to move, be grateful for that; many are bed ridden. Moving and nourishing your body will get the weight off if that is what’s needed.

Unfortunately, many people hate their jobs. In fact it is said that 4pm Sunday is dread time- the time when people start thinking about returning to work on Monday. How sad is that? When someone complains to me about their job I always tell them to be grateful that they have one as many don’t. That immediately shakes them out of their thoughts.

No matter what your situation is you are always better off than someone else. Remember that. Many people would love to complain about the little things that most of us routinely complain about.

I remember a few years ago on social media a photo was going around with a young girl who was crying and clearly having a tantrum because for Christmas she didn’t get the correct colour for her new cell phone. At the bottom was another photo of a person who without proper shoes had tied pieces of cloth onto large pop bottles and attached them to their feet. Kinda puts everything into perspective real fast, doesn’t it!!!! That person would give anything to walk a mile in YOUR shoes. Would you do the same?

Appreciate everything that you have been given, good and bad. Always be grateful!!

What are three things that you are grateful for on this day?