Merry Christmas!

Well Christmas day is here (and almost over) and I hope that you have enjoyed your time with family and friends. It sure is a blessing to be surrounded by so much love and joy, life is good! :)

As a part of my mom's Christmas gift this year, I put together 2 treadmill interval workouts. I picked out up-tempo, speed appropriate songs that I knew she'd enjoy then created a specific workout for every song. I tried one of the workouts out yesterday, just to make sure the music all flowed together well and the intensity was appropriate and it made me excited to start training for another half-marathon. It made me wonder, what else is possible this year? What other challenges (both physical and mental) could I tackle in 2008? I don't have the answers yet but it sure is fun to dream about! So, Merry Christmas and here's wishing you many big dreams of challenges that lie ahead.

Here's a tip!

Tip of the week...

If you want to couple exercise with Christmas shopping, make one full lap around the mall stopping at only one store to make a purchase. Then make another full lap around the mall, (this time walking in the opposite direction) stopping at only two stores to buy your gifts. Continue with another full lap around the mall (walking in the original direction), stopping at three stores this time and continue with walking pattern until all of your items have been purchased. Now you have your gifts for other people and you also gave yourself the gift of a workout! Happy shopping!

Hmmm...

I was teaching a group exercise class the other day and found myself saying (as I often do) "listen to your body." I encourage all clients to think about what their body is doing in any particular exercise; therefore the statement was logical and appropriate. However, in the context of our busy lives, what does this mean? After class, I kept thinking about the statement and realized that we seldom stop to listen to anything, let alone our own bodies. If you stopped to really listen, what would your body say? What would your mind say? What would your soul say?

Amidst the busyness of the Christmas season, I challenge you to stop and listen. Take 1 minute in the morning and 1 minute at night to stop, sit in silence, and check in with your body, mind, and soul. Listen and then respond to what you hear. Your total health is ultimately what is important; give yourself a gift this season: stop, listen, and respond.

I hope your Thanksgiving was full of family and love... now it's time to gear up for Christmas! Here are a few tips to take with you through this Christmas season...

1. Remember Christmas is a holiDAY, not a holi-week or a holi-month!

2. Focus on the excitement of the season and its true gifts… the gifts of hope, love, and family.

3. Before you sit down to a meal or go to a holiday party, tune into your hunger. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being ravenous, 10 being stuffed), you should begin eating when your hunger is a 3 and check in with yourself every couple of minutes. Stop eating when you would rate your hunger as a 6.

4. Try to drink at least one extra glass of water per day, it will keep you hydrated and make your skin glow through the holidays.

5. Stay mentally connected to the foods you put into your body. They should act as FUEL, not as reward or stress relief.

6. Lastly, enjoy every day, every conversation, and every interaction you have this Christmas season!

Enjoy the start of this Christmas season and always continue to nourish your body, mind and soul!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and I couldn't be more excited. Having Grady (he's almost 1!) here this year makes the holidays so much more rich and full. I can't wait to share our family traditions with him and start a few new ones.

With the holidays within arm's reach, it makes me think about how thankful I am for family, friends and good health. To often though, we forget about how important our health really is and compromise it by indulging in the comfort of holiday fare. "I'll start working out and watching what I eat in January" is too common a phrase... why wait?? This year I would challenge you to consider enjoying food for what it really is... nourishment. Let food accentuate your holidays by providing the nutrients and energy your body needs. However let your family and friends give you the comfort you need through conversation and community. Happy Thanksgiving... may you count your health as your biggest blessing!

Welcome!

Well here we go... welcome to Bremer Total Training on the web! I am thrilled to have a place to share my thoughts and insights about health and well-being, thanks for checking it out!

As I begin this journey, I am filled with joy and anticipation for what God will do. I trust that He will bless this venture and join with me as I follow His calling to provide opportunities for others to live fuller and healthier lives.