Got the winter blahs?

So far my mood has been far better this winter than last.  Why? EXERCISE!! I'm exercising 6 days per week as opposed to last year, only 2 days per week.  Last year, I was only exercising on the days I was teaching a class. It was hard for me to teach more than 2 days per week, so that's all I got in.  Better than nothing, but my body and mind needed more. 

Enter P90X and becoming a Team Beachbody Coach.  P90X was a "god-send" for me.  I didn't have to think about a routine to do at home, it was all right there in front of me.  And it came with an extensive nutrition/recipe guide which made figuring out how much to eat easy for me.  I'm a busy mom of 4, with slight attention deficit (so I think), so for me to sit down and try to figure something out for myself was the last thing I wanted to do.

Becoming a Team Beachbody Coach put the icing on the cake.  Now I am accountable not only to myself, but to everyone I coach and reach out to.  This has really put a fire under me to get up and get moving.

Well, enough about me, please read the article below by Amy Ludwig on beating the winter blahs.

Beat the Winter "Blahs" with Exercise


By Amy Ludwig

Feeling a post-holiday letdown? Tired of shorter days and early nights? Wondering how you can get through the dark months as you pine for summer sunshine? Fear not. You can walk—or jog, run, or lift—your way to a brighter mood with exercise.

When you're feeling low, moving may be the last thing you feel like doing. As Sir Isaac Newton pointed out, an object at rest tends to stay at rest. But increasingly, science is proving that if you can peel yourself off the couch and put one foot in front of the other, you'll feel better, both about yourself and the world.

So how do you make this happen?

Working out "cheers up" your body chemistry.

When you're physically active, your body releases natural chemicals that actually make you feel good. Neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine help you feel relaxed and happy.

Exercise also reduces your body's production of hormones like cortisol, which are released at high levels during chronic stress and depress the immune system.

Working out has a calming effect on the body. When all else is equal, the harder to exercise the calmer you'll be.

You can help support these positive results with the right supplements, like ActiVit® Multivitamins, Core-Omega 3 or Shakeology®.

Move your body, change your mind.

Exercise has been proven to:

•Boost confidence: Achieving a fitness goal, no matter how small, will give you a sense of accomplishment.

•Burn calories: How else does the weight melt away? Plus getting thinner and feeling more fit is likely to cheer you up.

•Redirect your focus: You'll be too busy trying to do one more rep of that crunch, curl, or kick to think about anything negative.

Show you can do something positive: By choosing to get up and move, you're taking care of yourself, and coping in a healthy way. And when you observe that, you'll believe you can take other steps forward.

How much exercise makes a difference?

As little as 10 to 15 minutes of activity can improve your mood, especially if you're doing something dynamic, like running or cycling. Harvard psychiatrist John J. Ratey, M.D., writes that a single workout can jump-start the feel-good chemical changes. So the most important thing is getting started. To get the greatest benefits, work your way up to at least 30 minutes a day, 3 to 5 days a week.

What kind of workout is best?

One you enjoy. Seriously. If it's not something you like, you're less likely to make the effort. For instance, I don't happen to be a fan of plyometrics, despite its many benefits. When I work out, I opt for cycling, yoga, or low-impact programs instead. They still get me sweating my way into a great mood. Identify the activities you enjoy, and get going.

How do you get started?

Choose something accessible. The power of exercise doesn't come from fancy equipment, but from the effort you put in. If you pick something you can get to and that fits your timetable, you've lowered the barriers to beginning. For example, you can:

•Turn everyday errands into workouts when you do them on foot or by bike. (Extra points for adding a hill, or taking the long way home.)

•Check out the activities offered at your local park, like swimming, basketball games, or fitness classes.

•Commit to an in-home Beachbody® workout program that's sure to fit your schedule.

So start today. Boost your activity level and help put a smile on your face. Because you don't have to wait for the sunshine to feel good.

I'd love to help you you get started with a new fitness goal.  Let's make 2011 your healthiest year ever.  Send me an email to fitwithjessica@live.com

And feel free to leave a comment below!