Tag Archives: New Year

How to Reduce Your Stress in 2024

Tiffany Gust is a trainer at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge.

Start a stress journal so that you can uncover the things that cause you stress.

Write down the following:

  • Who is causing you stress?
  • Did you feel physically and emotionally?
  • When the stress happened, what was your response?
  • What did you do to make yourself feel better?

This can help you determine how you currently cope with stress.  Are your strategies healthy or unhealthy, productive or unproductive? (more…)

Posted on January 12, 2024 by GuestBlogger

The Perfect New Year’s Workout

2024 is finally here! If you are like most Americans, your resolution for the New Year is to lose weight. Well, what are you waiting for?

Below is a workout that targets the entire body while keeping the heart rate up. By keeping the heart rate elevated, your body will burn more calories and you will see results faster.

The goal of the exercise routine is to continually move from one exercise to the other without stopping. This style of exercise is a form of circuit training, but you will be doing multiple sets grouped together, which are called super sets. For example: the first exercises are a seated row and squat jumps grouped together. Preform 10-20 reps of rows, then 10-20 squat jumps and repeat, then move to the next group of two exercises: the prone leg curl and push-up combination. The goal is to perform two or three sets of ten to twenty repetitions without stopping, except for water, of course.

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Posted on January 1, 2024 by Matt

Healthy Hoppin’ John: A New Year’s Day Tradition

After a December full of holidays, traditions and indulgences you might be drafting New Year’s resolutions and planning your healthy eating regimen for January.

While it isn’t necessarily an indulgence and won’t derail your diet plans, there is one tradition left that you won’t want to miss. Hoppin’ John is a Southern version of a traditional, West African rice and beans dish that consists of black-eyed peas and rice, with chopped onion and sliced bacon or ham hock, seasoned with a bit of salt and spices. If eaten on January 1, Hoppin’ John is said to bring luck for the forthcoming year.

The first known recipe for Hoppin’ John was penned by Sarah Rutledge, author of The Carolina Housewife in 1847 and a daughter of Edward Rutledge, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The origin of the name remains in dispute, but according to Epicurious, some culinary pundits believe that the dish originated with African slaves, who numbered in the tens of thousands in the South in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Posted on January 1, 2024 by Maris

Don’t Sabotage Your New Year’s Resolution Before You Start

How many of you are thinking that you have one last day before your new diet starts with the New Year? Such thinking could be sabotaging your diet before you start.

When driving home for the holidays (or when you take any long familiar drive), you are likely to increase your speed as you pass familiar sites that let you know you are starting to approach your destination. In the same way, as you focus on the impending restriction, you are likely to allow yourself extra indulgences in this last week of the year.

These extra indulgences do have an impact on your weight, your health, and even your metabolism. You are also familiarizing your palate with sweet or rich foods, teaching your body to expect such things. This can increase the chances that you will experience cravings for such things in January when you intend to avoid them. Life change is hard work, and you may be making it more difficult by indulging prior to restriction. The cravings are not a need requested by your body, but your body expecting consistency.
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Posted on December 31, 2023 by Brooke Randolph

SMART Planning for New Year’s Resolution Success

Want to know about getting a jump start on lifestyle changes that commonly begin after the New Year? Here are a few reader question favorites from “Ask Mary Q+As” about planning for change.

Ask Mary: Where should I start with my healthy lifestyle change?

Start with changing one thing and add others over time. It’s always best to practice the change that brings you the most joy. To find the parts of your diet in need of change, keep a food log for 3 to 7 days – before changing the way you eat. Do you snack between meals, frequently eat in restaurants, or neglect to eat at least 5 fruits or vegetables a day? Would you like to give up soda or might you prefer to slowdown your eating? Each change is noble and should be greeted as an adventure. Once you decide upon a change to make, set a S-M-A-R-T goal that is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For instance, instead of saying, “I’m going to exercise”, get S-M-A-R-T. Say, “I will walk for 20 minutes at lunchtime Monday through Thursday”. Then envision yourself easily reaching your goal and you’re part way there!

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Posted on December 31, 2023 by Natalie K

Healthy Recipes to Help You Ring in 2024

Even though most people start their New Year’s resolutions on January 1, your New Year’s Eve celebration is a great time to start practicing some of your healthier habits.

Whether you’re hosting a party at home to ring in the New Year or watching the ball drop with a close group of family and friends, delicious appetizers, tasty main dishes and festive desserts are in order for an evening of indulgence that won’t wreck your diet.

Dips for Chips & Vegetables:

7-Layer Dip

Blue Cheese Dip

Holy Guacamole

Kalamata Olive Hummus

Spicy Cranberry Dip

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Posted on December 30, 2023 by Maris

Lose Weight in 2024 by Breaking Away From Unhealthy Habits

By Beth Casey Gold, MS, RD, and Director of Corporate Programming at Vtrim Online

The Vtrim Weight Management Program was developed by Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., R.D., a nationally recognized weight-loss researcher at the University of Vermont. Dr. Harvey-Berino’s concept is based on behavior changes: a systematic shaping of daily habits to help people move more and eat less.

When the clock strikes midnight on December 31, millions of Americans will make a resolution to lose weight in 2024. The experts at the Vtrim Online Behavioral Weight Management Program can help make that resolution a reality.

The Vtrim philosophy is simple: eat less, move more. Our approach is based on behavior change. We have proven in clinical research that people can successfully lose weight by trading in unhealthy habits for new, healthy habits. This year, vow to change your habits, and lose weight as a benefit of changing your lifestyle.

Here is my advice on changing your behaviors to lose weight and feel great in 2024.

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Posted on December 30, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Kick Start Your Diet Resolution Now

It’s December 27. Guess what? That means the holiday season is over. It was over the second all the presents were ripped open and your big family meal left you in a food coma.

There are some of those people that will undoubtedly use the rest of the year to pack in as many stale Christmas cookies as possible before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve, and then start their New Year’s weight loss resolution that morning. Or the morning after.

Despite what the calendar says, the time to start your New Year’s resolution is now. Right now. No excuses. The sooner you make the next right and healthy decision means the sooner you will hit your weight loss goals.

Kick start your diet today by taking the necessary steps to set yourself up for success.

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Posted on December 27, 2023 by Kelly

Health Food Safety on The Doctors

Tune in this Monday, December 27 to The Doctors to learn just what food and health products are right for you.

Prevention magazine’s and The Doctors Health Investigator, Liz Vaccariello stops by to uncover the truth about a host of supposed diet-friendly products and foods. Find out if artificial sweeteners are really safe for you to consume and learn Liz’s own wellness tips for how to get healthy. (more…)

Posted on December 27, 2023 by heather

Four Healthy Holiday Menus Sure to Please

If you’re planning a holiday party, planning the menu is probably the most stressful part of the event (not counting the post-party clean-up, of course). To simplify your party preparations we’ve put together a menu for several festive celebrations, whether you’re throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash, a holiday cookie swap or an open-house soiree.

Potluck Dinner: If you’ve invited each of your guests to bring a favorite dish, you’ll still want to serve a few versatile staples for early-arriving guests.

Rosemary Skewered Chicken: Simple and tasty, you won’t have one leftover.
Stuffed Mushrooms: A simple, classic appetizer filled with the “good stuff.”
Quick Bake Lasagna: Wow, your guests with an easy, pleasing lasagna.
Goat Cheese Salad with Spinach & Tomatoes: A flavorful combination for a great salad.
Almond Biscuit Ring: A great dessert or snack, even for diabetic diners.

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Posted on December 14, 2023 by Maris

Maintaining the Momentum of New Year’s Resolutions

successJust about a month ago, we were celebrating the beginning of a new year, and a new decade. Did you make a New Year’s Resolution? Did you decide that with the new year would come a new you? Did you resolve to lose weight, develop an exercise habit, or change your diet? How is it going for you?

Many people who make these types of vows struggle with maintaining their forward momentum. Maybe you aren’t seeing results as quickly as you’d like, or you feel stifled and tired of even trying. Relax and take heart, for what you are feeling is normal and natural and literally everyone goes through it. How do you get past it, though? (more…)

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Carmen