Get Fit Quick Tip:

Quiet your mind!

Meditation does not have to happen sitting on the floor, in a quiet room. In fact, meditation or the action of quieting your mind and calming your body can happen anywhere, at any time. Here’s how:

Sit, stand or lie down comfortably. Close your eyes if possible.

Inhale and picture in your mind a place, person, object or space that gives you complete and total peace and calm.

The key is to make the experience “real” in your mind picturing every detail, and involving all of your senses. What do you see, hear, feel, smell?

Perform 3-5 inhale and exhale cycles as you take your mind into your experience fully.

Next open your eyes, shake out your muscles, and enjoy the mental refresh.

Quiet Your Mind

5 Ways to Live a Stress-Free Life by Amanda Miarecki

If your goal is to de-stress, play more, and feel great then these 5 tips will do wonders for your mind, body, and spirit.

1.     Hang with Happy People
Haven’t you heard? Happiness is contagious! Glass-half-full types of people tend to be nice to everyone around them. Just being around positive people can increase your chances of being happier and more carefree.  So ditch the stressed out, cynical types and surround yourself with friends who have a sunnier disposition.

2.     Speak Your Mind
You absolutely MUST open up. Don’t let your problems, worries, or concerns fester inside of you. Make sure you are communicating your needs to your partner, boss, friends, and family. Understanding your own emotions and reactions to stressful situations and dealing with them head on will make your life so much easier.
3.     Eat For Energy
When your diet is poor, it’s much more likely that you’ll feel lack of energy and interest – which can amplify daily stressors. Eat a good breakfast that contains protein to get you through a tough morning. Scrambled eggs, whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, and fruit is the perfect combination. Keep yourself healthy and happy with small snacks throughout the day. Try tea, dark chocolate, veggies, trail mix, yogurt, or string cheese.

4.     Move Daily
Fitness isn’t just about your body, it’s about your mind and spirit as well! Exercise releases endorphins, which gives you a natural high. This natural high helps to relieve any stress you’re feeling and allows your body to relax. Next time you’re feeling stressed, go for a walk instead of grabbing the wine.

5.     Get Some Rest
Have you ever noticed that you are crabby on the days you are overtired? Quality sleep is one of the more underrated ways to deal with stress. Create a nightly routine and a set bedtime and stick with it. Your body will appreciate the schedule and be better prepared for the day.

Amanda is a Boulder-based Health Coach, fitness enthusiast, avid trail-runner, and aspiring physician with a passion for integrative health. Her goal is to motivate women to live inspiring and healthy lives and create a revolution in how people think about their health. Her passion is encouraging others to take care of their bodies with exercise, healthy behaviors, and nutritious foods. Get inspired to live fit and connect with Amanda on her blog, and follow her on Twitter.

Be Stress-Free by Amanda Miarecki

What can you do to STOP stress-induced eating?

Declare your desk, computer, television, loud music and any other distractions off limits until AFTER you eat something.

Plan ahead by keeping an ‘emergency snack pack’ available. Avoid higher sugar, simple carbohydrate foods as much as possible, which can actually increase your appetite even more.

Choose a combination of whole grains and lean protein such as a mozzarella cheese stick and whole-wheat crackers, or peanut butter and apple slices. If those aren’t convenient, prepare ahead by having your own trail mix of whole-wheat cereal squares mixed with slivered almonds and raisins handy.

No matter what, slow down and give yourself a 10-minute break to fuel your brain with healthy, lasting fuel to relax those stress hormones and boost your energy. And if emotions take over and you dive into a plate of brownies, clear your head by sitting down first, then slow down and savor each bite. Diffuse the quick rush and fall from simple sugars by adding protein, like a cold glass of low fat milk. Most importantly, get right back on track and don’t let guilt cloud your way. Remember it is what you do more often than not that makes a difference.

Tammy Beasley, RD, CSSD, LD, CEDRD
Rev It Up for Life
www.revitup4life.com

Is Stress Eating You or Are You Eating your Stress? By Tammy Beasley