November 1, 2011

Today we welcome a brand spanking new month. Let this fresh start, this clean slate, be your motivation for the changes you've been meaning to make in your life. We often make excuses about how we'll start "tomorrow," but the reality is that today is the tomorrow we were talking about yesterday. So stop the excuses, halt the procrastination, and push forward full steam ahead on what you want to accomplish in your life.

This time of year is particularly difficult for those people looking to make changes in 2 distinct areas of life; one being in the realm of romantic relationships and the other being centered around our fitness. The holidays are quickly approaching, the colder weather setting in, and we often become complacent and unmotivated. And that, my friends, is why you need to read this post with an open and inspired mind.

The holiday season is often most centered around family. Those people in relationships will inevitably need to discuss how the holidays will be spent. Will your significant other be coming to Thanksgiving at your parents house? Will be jet across the country to spend Christmas Eve with his? Will you spend them as a couple?  Will you each continue your old traditions with just your own family? Was there a previous love interest in your life who set a precedent for how you picture the holidays being spent? Have your previous holiday experiences in regards to your significant others left you with a sour taste in your mouth? The holidays are a time where you have to share conversations with that person and determine where you are in your relationship. The more serious, the more apt you will be to invite your other half to participate in your own family traditions. What if you find yourself not on the same page as she is? Maybe you feel like it's too soon to bring him home to mom and dad. Maybe he is terrified to introduce you to his family. Regardless of the situation, it's important to go into these conversations with an open mind. Don't think that just because she isn't ready to take the plunge into sharing holidays together that she doesn't care about you. We all have experiences and values that shape the way we see this time of year and that doesn't mean differing perspectives should make or break a relationship. Take your time to truly think about how you would like this holiday season to go before approaching your other half for a conversation. Having all your thoughts straight will help you go into these sometimes tough conversations feeling confident in yourself and your ideals.

On the other hand, as with any "clean slate," use this time of year to reevaluate the relationship you are in. What could you do to improve things? What sort of expectations do you have for the relationship? What changes need to be made? What do you love about it? Push yourself and push your significant other to be the best you can be both as separate people and as one united force. If you find yourself unhappy, or needing to make some changes, don't be afraid to do so. Take responsibility for your life, your happiness, and your relationship. At the end of the day, there is no one to blame for your joy or your unhappiness but yourself. Take accountability; it's the best thing you can do for yourself and your life.

It's no secret that the holiday season brings about a lot of delicious food in heaping amounts. Think stuffing, turkey, mashed potatoes, pie, baked treats, casseroles and egg nog. The portion sizes are usually out of control, and grazing becomes an easy possibility. If you live in a location that experiences "true winter" you also run into the problem of there being less opportunities to be active outside due to inclement weather, dark mornings and evenings, and chilly temperatures. So how do you stay motivated to keep up with your physical wellness? Make goals. We often loose sight of our goals in the winter months because we pile ourselves under over sized sweaters and snow pants. The opportunities for popping on your bikini become nonexistent, which means those extra pounds can be easily concealed. Keep your gym routine, and consider adding something new to your regimen. Keeping things new and exciting will also boost your positivity. Try out skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or ice skating. Just because you can't run a 5k outside in the snow, doesn't mean you can't hit the treadmill and work on cutting your 3.1 mile run time by 2 minutes. Signing up for a fitness class or finding a gym buddy will leave you not wanting to let anyone down by skipping out on your commitment. Above all else, remember that the holiday season will end, but your physical fitness is forever.

So here we are, November 1st, 2011. Step one is taking out that sheet of paper and making a written commitment to yourself to make this holiday season a success. Remember, you can enjoy all the festivities and still not ruin your fitness, relationship, and personal goals.