Fall is officially half over. With the season come the smell of Christmas and the taste of Thanksgiving gravy and pumpkin pies, eggnog and Christmas cookies. Unfortunately, the inevitable result is New Year’s resolutions about shedding the extra pounds from holiday fun. Seasonal weather and inactivity result in an average 5- to 8-pound weight gain for Americans. This is especially true for Southerners, who have a knack for turning nutritious side items into a cheesy casserole.
If you’re proactive, when the holiday hustle and bustle begin you’ll have developed a routine that will be hard to break, as tempting as the extra hot cocoa may be. Every spring, new clients come to me looking for weight management. They preface their consultation with, “Well, I’ve been waiting until the weather warms up, so I can get outside. I always let down in the winter …” Don’t you be another of their number.
Here are some great local activities to keep you moving in the winter chill:
1. Climb Nashville. An indoor climbing gym that offers a great family environment, a great date night and an even better workout. Be ready for some sore arms and legs the next morning.
2. Hire a personal trainer. This will provide accountability, a consistent schedule and the winter weather can no longer be an excuse. If you’re struggling to make a Christmas list, ask for a package of sessions with a trainer. (See the September issue for some important tips on finding the right match for your needs.)
3. Hike Radnor Lake or Percy Warner Park. These parks are the hidden treasures amidst the growing Nashville metropolis. You’ll quickly be overwhelmed by the serenity, the natural wildlife and the opportunity to make exercise more than a physical activity. You can spend time with your family, catch up with a friend or share an intimate evening with a significant other … all while burning some calories. Pull on your fleece, throw on a scarf and get moving.
4. Try yoga or other group classes. Signing up and paying upfront will hold you accountable financially, and the group setting will provide social incentive. This choice will also provide you a great supplement to your normal routine when the weather changes and you’re back outside. Check out Sanctuary Yoga, the YMCA and Pure Barre for class schedules and pricing variation.
Don’t make changing your life a resolution—be thankful that you have the power to make the change now.
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To work individually with Dr. Tiffany Watson Breeding on your performance goals, visit mindbodydoctor.net