New year..

It seems like everyone's resolution is to "lose 10 lbs" or "go to the gym everyday". Well I think I'll generalize mine and say it is to be healthier. Here in the office we have taken a few mini steps to being healthier together. We have replaced the usual walk to the basement for coffee every morning with a HUGE box of green tea in the kitchen(Thanks Col Miller). Now I know what you're thinking. Green Tea eww. Well you can not tell me that the first time you drank coffee you said, "Man , this is great, I'm gonna drink this everyday for the rest of my life." It probably took some getting used to. So today is my third day without my beloved coffee, and I feel fine. It is even starting to taste good if not better than coffee. The Chinese have sworn on its health benefits using it for everything from depression to headaches. It has now been linking to help with and prevent certain cancers and obesity. Green tea by far has more benefits than coffee. It is a diuretic, contains vital antioxidants, helps with weight loss and it contains 1/2 to 2/3 the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. Although it doesn't have that caffeine "boost", it still gets you going without all the unnatural side effects. You know, the caffeine down, the discoloring of teeth etc.

We also have challenged everyone to drink more water. Drinking water also helps with weight loss and fuels your muscles and body. They say, if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated. So now we all have a huge water bottle, and challenge ourselves to drink the whole thing at work. Some are better at this than others. They say that you should drink 64 ounces a day or eight 8 ounce glasses in order to get the benefits of increased metabolism and energy. If your hungry, sometime its because you're actually thirsty. The body sometimes mistakes hunger for thirst. I know for a fact I don't drink enough water. I wake up at night thirsty all the time. I know that's bad.

Another thing we are trying to do is bring Wii fit in on Fridays and do it at lunch or the end of the day. One, it would be hilarious to see some people I work with do the hula hoop, and you can burn some serious calories doing that. In the warmer months I hope we can take it outside. I printed off a Central Park runners map that has all kinds of different paths for you to walk/run/bike.

This also includes going to the doctor when you know you're supposed to and taking care of yourself. Certain MALES in my life (you know who you are) are ridiculous about going to the doctor and getting the proper care they need. If you know somethings wrong, get it checked. If you are of a certain age, get your tests done!!!!! No one knows your body like you do, and you have to listen.

The truth is being healthy is important to everyone, or it should be. Make it a point to be healthier this year. Do some kind of exercise. Stop drinking pop. That one little thing you change could benefit you tremendously. And bring your friends along with you. Being healthy doesn't mean cutting out all your carbs, or starving yourself, or even dieting. Eat because your hungry, not because its fun. Be active because its fun, not because you bought a dress 2 sizes too small and now you have to fit into it. If you make the little things habits in your life, it can be easy.
If you make get togethers active instead of eating or drinking, that can make a difference. For example, why don't you ask your friends to go for a run/walk/bike/skate instead of going to the bar and eating "bar food" ie fried crap and drinking empty calories. If I did that, I would probably lose a ton. Drinking kills me.



I love you all and wish you a blessed and happy, healthy new year! xoxox