Year-End Musts

by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner

The final days of 2018 are here. End the year with hope and positivity …

Without getting too philosophical, many beliefs focus on life’s cyclical nature—the endless transformation of endings to beginnings to endings. Some languages even use the same salutation for both “hello” and “goodbye,” as in ciao (Italian), shalom (Hebrew), and annyeong (Korean). Close the year with an attitude that launches an inspired 2019.

Accept Yourself

Often during year-end reflection, we focus on shortcomings or unmet goals (those pesky resolutions). Self-acceptance does not mean you are resigned to wearing elastic-waist pants or staying in a stagnant career. Rather, it allows you to embrace who you are today to empower improvement tomorrow.

Focus your energy on what you can control: the future. Let go of past regrets by turning toward all you can accomplish going forward. Quick tips:

• Create a list of your 2018 accomplishments. Include everything from trying a new fitness class to increasing your daily water intake to losing three pounds. Appreciate all you have done.
• Stop criticizing yourself. Remember you are doing your best with the information and life experiences available to you. If you would not say it to a loved one, do not poison yourself with the thought.
• Resolve to be more self-compassionate. This act alone will create the mindset needed for more inner-peace and less inner-critic.

Eat Well

Inevitably, the last weeks of the year involve a lot of calories. From cocktails to cookies, these temptations trail you like today’s lengthy cash-register receipts. (What’s with them? Do we really need to leave stores with a list of surveys and random coupons?)

Indulge in moderation. Continue to fuel with nutrition that nourishes a festive mind and body. Aside from increasing your energy level, eating mostly veggies, fruit, and low-fat protein boosts your immune system and enhances workout results. Both are needed now during this germ-lurking, time-crunched season.

Exercise Often

During the final days of the year, it can be tricky to manage your formal fitness program. If you cannot dedicate your usual time on the Fitness Floor and attend your agenda of classes, pick your favorites. Do these non-negotiable workouts, regardless.

Fill in the rest of the week with mini-workouts whenever possible. They offer a healthy escape, whether from a platter of batter-dipped appetizers or a relative’s politically incorrect rant. With twenty minutes of exercise, you can:

• reduce stress.
• improve your mood.
• increase energy.
• strengthen focus and creativity.
• boost your immune system.
• combat some holiday overeating.

Think of how you want to end 2019 and start working toward it as you begin. Aloha (Hawaiian, goodbye & hello)!

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

— Seneca, Roman philosopher

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• Holiday Fitness