New Years THEME

I don't make New Years Resolutions. As of last year I started to make a theme. I found that having an overarching idea to live by and believe in helped me in every situation and live my life with a bit more purpose. Last year my theme was was "Anything Can Happen Day, Year" and this year it's "Year Without Fear." 2011 will be a year where I won't allow fear to hold me back. Fear of getting what I want, need, and deserve in my life. I won't fear communicating my feelings for fear of what someone else might think of me; fear asking for things I need to be happy; fear to live my life to it's fullest because I don't feel I deserve it. So far in these 6 days of 2011, I've found that having that theme guide me has started to help me to create bigger and better things for myself. And it feels great.

I challenge you to try this for yourself. As far as fitness goes, instead of making a resolution that sounds something like "I will lose 20 pounds by March and keep it off," make a theme such as, "2011: The year of being healthy and fit." Or, "2011: The year I will find my personal wellness." Having that theme in the back of your head won't cause you to create unrealistic and hard to maintain goals. Perhaps it will help you to challenge yourself in ways you haven't before. Maybe you'll try things you never have like training for a race or attending that kickboxing class you have always wanted to check out. Or maybe you'll be inspired to focus on a complete lifestyle change by participating in the new Weight Watchers Points Plus plan or Dr. Oz's "Move it and Lose it" Sharecare plan. There are so many ways to help you focus on health to get you where you where you'll feel your best. And remember, if you focus on being healthy, the benefit is that you'll not only look great, you'll feel amazing.

Good luck with your new 2011 theme and Be Well.

Holiday Tip #16

Day 16 (and my last day) of holiday tippin'.
I've decided to make this my last day of blogging until the new year. I'm so excited to have some time to relax and recoup with family and friends from tomorrow until January 2nd. Rejuvenation is just as important for your health as working out and eating well. So to that end, here's my
FITNESS TIP:

Enjoy your last week and a half of 2010. Take this time to unwind and be good to your body. Eat healthfully, exercise, or if you've been keeping up with your workouts all year, it may be a great time to give your body a rest. You can take a couple days off or tone down your workouts a bit. Rest is just as important for your muscles as working hard. Your muscles need time to repair and rebuild and if you have some time off of work for the holidays, use it to let your hard work pay off! Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, if you haven't been able to fit in much exercise this holiday season, take the gift of extra time to treat yourself to a yoga class, a long walk or jog with family, or whatever it is that makes your body feel it's best. Bottom line: do what is best for your soul. This is the time to soak up the good and enjoy.

(NOT A) HEALTHY INDULGENCE:

Have fun and let yourself enjoy your favorite treat that you never allow yourself during the year. Holiday cookies? Apple pie a la mode? Your mom's famous holiday dinner? Whatever that is for you, savor it. I know I'm going to!

Merry Christmas to all of you who read my blog (I'm so thankful that you do!) and Be Well!!!

Holiday Tip #15

Holiday tips day 15.

FITNESS TIP:

The holidays are such a delicious time, aren't they? The cookies, pies, egg-nog, coca, chocolates, candies...I love it. What I'm trying not to do this year is give myself permission to indulge in too much of these treats just because I'm keeping up with my workouts. I advise you to do the same. It's easy to make yourself believe that just because you hit the treadmill for a half hour, you've earned the right to overindulge. I think it's amazing if you're able to keep up with your workouts during this time of year when it's tough to find enough hours in the day. For many, letting oneself go until the New Year seems to be the best option. If you have the motivation to workout, find the motivation to watch your calorie intake as well. Please enjoy, but do so in moderation. The brief time you spend at the gym won't cancel out as much as you might think and you'll find your pants a little more snug than you like when the new year begins.

HEALTHY INDULGENCE:

I made the following recipe for Pecan Pie from the Weight Watcher's website about 3 years ago for Thanksgiving. I brought it to a party and it was the only pie that was completely finished out of all of the pies offered at dinner. It's less calories but just as tasty. Try it out and Be Well.
PS: I used Splenda brand brown sugar so that my pie was lower in sugar as well.

Ingredients

	8 sheet(s) phyllo dough
	4 spray(s) cooking spray, or enough to coat dough
	3/4 halves pecan halves, chopped lengthwise into 3 pieces each
	4 large egg white(s), lightly beaten
	1/3 cup(s) light corn syrup
	2/3 cup(s) unpacked brown sugar, firmly packed
	6 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9-inch round baking pan with cooking spray.
  
  
• Cut phyllo sheets in half diagonally to form 2 equal-size triangles. Place 1 sheet in prepared pan, lightly coat with cooking spray, and top with another sheet of phyllo, placing corners just to the right of previous corners. Repeat with remaining sheets, so you're covering the pan with a fan of phyllo. Bake until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
  
  
• Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Combine remaining ingredients in a medium bowl; pour into crust. Bake, uncovered, about 35 minutes or until firm. Cover halfway through baking process if crust becomes too brown. Cool in pan.

Chef Tips

• We renovated Pecan Pie by:
  
  • Cutting the nuts into smaller pieces (so you can cover a greater area with a lesser amount).
    
    
  • Replacing a butter-laden crust with layers of light, flaky phyllo dough.
    
    
  • Swapping butter for reduced-calorie margarine.
    
    
  • Using egg whites instead of the whole egg.