The word “resolution” implies that you are resolved to do whatever it takes to accomplish a goal. However, resolutions have the connotation of being wishful thoughts that you would like to come true and may diligently pursue for a while. For the average person, resolve typically fizzles out within about six to eight weeks. One way to avoid that is to change workout plans often so you do not burn out.

First question: Do you insist on taking the best care of your dog as you possibly can? You know, buying only organic dog food, the best dog insurance, and BPA free chew toys?

In a 2011 Marist Poll, 67% of adults who made a New Year’s resolution kept their word for at least part of the year, and the remaining 33% didn’t even make it out of the gate. So if you’re really serious about losing weight or exercising more this year, how can you actually stick to your fitness resolution?

We do it every year. New Year rolls around, and we promise ourselves that this year is the year things will be different. We start off fresh. We make resolutions. But for some reason, more times than not we fail to stick to them. What about this cycle makes it something we can’t seem to break? 

If you have committed yourself to making a change in your lifestyle that is going to help you lose weight and live longer, congratulations! The major areas that you are going to have to adjust involve your diet, and the amount of physical activity that you have to do on a daily basis. But don’t despair, the words diet and exercise don’t have to mean suffering and pain.

It’s that time of year again. Time to set your workout, diet and weight loss goals for the New Year. For many people, this means deciding to join a gym. But if you don’t like gyms or perhaps don't have the financial means or time to join a gym, consider working out at home.

Most diabetics are aware of the health complications associated with the disease, like cardiovascular problems, kidney disease and skin ulcers. But recent studies have suggested that diabetics also have an elevated risk of developing pancreatic cancer.

November is National Diabetes month. As a health and fitness professional, I see my share of Type 2 diabetes clients. I also see my share of those as risk of diabetes. This disease is something we can prevent, there’s almost NO EXCUSE for people to become diabetic if they are willing to change their lifestyle.

Artificial Leach

There’s not much out there that has collectively eased human suffering quite so much as the field of medicine. However, when people laud these achievements, they focus on the events in history that turned medicine into a practice of consistent, experimentally proven expertise. The reality: it hasn’t been that way. Now you usually need at least a high school diploma to even enter the medical field as a medical assistant, for example.

Every year we all swear we won’t do it. We won’t rack up huge bills buying presents for our loved ones and then suffer with gigantic bills in January. Especially in times of tightening our belts we all need to be concious of this effort, not only because its the best thing to do for ourselves, everyone is suffering in these times and no one likes to receive a $200 gift when they can only give in return a small token $20 gift.

I thought I would share a very simple intervention that I used several years back with a young adolescent, who we will call Carly.  Carly was on the Autistic Spectrum and diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder.  Carly was about 11 years old and although verbal, would not engage when she felt a strong “rush” of any emotion or even when she was feeling calm or relaxed.  When calm or relaxed, her behaviors and non verbal’s almost indicated withdrawal – so Carly would get pretty upset when folks kept asking, “why so sad?”

Oh my – the holidays are here! This can only mean gaining those eight nasty pounds back. If you are anything like me, you are the happiest person when you start your day three pounds lighter than usual, or you notice your cheeks are less pudgy. It’s going to be a great day when your jeans are fitting a little looser around the waist and no love handles are showing. Bring on the stress and drama, you can tackle anything when you’re three pounds lighter.
 

It seems like we just said goodbye to summer, but now the holidays are quickly approaching and with that comes a good deal of stress.  As a parent of a toddler, you are still dealing with the daily struggles of tantrums, setting boundaries, potty training and the list goes on and on and on.  But now, we’re adding a whole new level of stress….the holidays.  UGH.  There’s gift giving (how do we stay in budget??), dealing with family (where will we spend the holidays?), multiple obligations (who’s having a party??) and we need to squeeze in holiday

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, now drop down into a squat, place your hands on the outside of your feet and thrust your legs behind you so you are in the upper position of a push-up, then pull your feet back into a squat and from the squat quickly stand up using your  momentum to jump as high as you can, land and repeat! Congratulations, you have completed a Burpee.
 

If you are a health and fitness nut like myself you will appreciate the following insight. I constantly am thinking of nutrition and fitness tips I receive, and comparing them to other advice and tips to trying to be sure they are legit. I have been focusing on shaping up a lot lately. I’m in great health, and am not overweight, but I want to be “toned”. You always hear that females must add strength training to their cardio in order to see true results (firm arms, stomach, legs).

Lots of people I know dream of traveling the world, but they never seem to get around to it.  They wait until they think it’s the perfect time, they try to coordinate their schedules with a friend, or they think they’ll have time to travel later in life.  Me?  I say forget about all that – travel alone!  I’ve done exactly that many times over the years, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Last weekend I was able to visit Muir Woods, located just outside of San Francisco.  I have to say, it’s one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever visited.  It takes some patience (and nerve) to get there, as the narrow roads wind round and around as you creep your way up the mountain and back down into the valley.  The journey, however, is well worth it.
 

My name is Christene and I have a problem with anger.  I admit it. I will fly off the handle at a moment’s notice. I always thought it was a byproduct of my anxiety - being so high-strung all the time will kind of cause you to snap easily - but even if I am not anxious I will jump the gun and act on my anger.
 

If you have considered running a marathon, or are a runner considering the Kansas City Marathon, I am here to tell you to do it! Let me share my first marathon experience, and what I learned along the way.

Most people in my life don’t know this, but I have bipolar II. It’s a life-long disorder, so I’ve had it since birth. Looking at me now, I doubt that many would guess I have the disorder—long gone are tell-tale wild mood swings and erratic manic episodes (although I still get depressed from time to time).
 

It is definitely that time of year. The cold weather is moving in, it’s getting darker much earlier, and the push to eat right and exercise is hitting the floor. At least this is where I’ve been finding myself lately. The culprit behind my lack of motivation: Winter! I have noticed over the past week that my desire to eat filling comfort foods instead of healthy alternatives,  and to just curl up with a good book and a cup of coffee as opposed to my 30 minutes of exercise a night, has gotten much stronger.