December Stress

It is a universal truth that the holidays are stressful. Whether you're in charge of the meals and the presents, entertaining the extended family or spending the holidays alone, your stress level goes up. Just the other day, it took me twice as long to walk 3 blocks because of the huge crowds, watching the snowflakes projected on a building or hanging around taking pictures of the lights on the trees and nearly missed my dinner reservation.

As such I was very interested in finding ways to keep from stressing during the rest of this month and found a good article by Charlotte Libov, writing for WebMD. If you find yourself getting stressed this month, give it a look, it could help a lot.

Denise McVey knows holiday stress all too well. To be sure, she loves the holidays: going caroling, shopping, buying cards, enjoying the first snow, and, most of all, loving the look of delight on her toddler’s face on Christmas morning. But as the days until the holidays dwindle and the lines at the mall get longer, McVey is so beset by season-induced stress that, when the New Year rolls around, she’s spent. “Colds, flu, you name it, every year I get it; I’ve had shingles eight times,” says the 40-year-old owner of a creative agency in Boonton, N.J.

Read More: Tips For Reducing Holiday Stress

Cold Weather Yoga

December is upon us, Christmas and New Years are fast approaching and the weather is getting colder. Many people, myself included, often feel ache's brought on by the cold weather. But yoga expert Kristen McGee has created a nice series of yoga poses for Health.com that could help you beat the cold aches.

To feel better, I do this soothing sequence: Cow to Cat to Dancing Cat to Extended Child’s Pose. It opens up the hips, back, shoulders, and neck, plus gets the blood flowing without having to stand (the last thing I want to do when I’m creaky). Go through the series (both sides) 3 to 5 times, then stay in the final pose as long as you want. Think of it as a little daily gift to yourself.



Read More: Yoga For An Ache-Free Winter

Beginning Runner Advice

Many beginning runners want or need advice on how to begin, what kind of shoes to wear, how often to run and how far, etc. But as Gina Kolata writes for the New York Times, sometimes finding good unbiased advice can often be a chore in and of itself.


Researchers who have no financial ties to running programs or shoe manufacturers say that most of those complications are unnecessary and some of the advice is even risky, because it can make running harder and can increase the chance of injury. 

Read More: For Beginning Runners, Advice Can Be A Hurdle

The Twinkie Defense

Every so often you hear of a diet or an exercise regiment that sounds so silly or stupid that it can't possibly work. And then you hear, weeks or months later that, surprise, it does. Well as Madison Park writes for CNN another one of these diets may have been found (although I would like to add that I don't recommend that you try this diet, I just found it...interesting).

Twinkies. Nutty bars. Powdered donuts.
For 10 weeks, Mark Haub, a professor of human nutrition at Kansas State University, ate one of these sugary cakelets every three hours, instead of meals. To add variety in his steady stream of Hostess and Little Debbie snacks, Haub munched on Doritos chips, sugary cereals and Oreos, too.

Read More: Twinkie Diet Helps Nutrition Professor Lose 27 Pounds

Keep Warm While Exercising

It's officially November and winter is already upon us. And while exercising may raise your body temperature, it might not be enough to keep you warm enough to keep up an outdoor routine. And so, Life Fitness has some tips on moving your workout indoors.

Request a tour of your local health club to be sure you’re aware of all they can offer – many gyms have private trainers, child care, team sports, swimming and spas.

 Read More: Take Your Workout Indoors

The Magic Pill

A working, reliable, anti-fat pill has long been the holy grail of scientists working to eliminate obesity. And now, as Douglas Robb reports for Health Habits, they may have made a breakthrough, or at least gotten to the next step, with leptin resistance.

According to lead author, Tony Tiganis, “our bodies produce leptin in response to increasing fat deposits. Acting on a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, leptin instructs the body to increase energy expenditure and decrease food intake, and so helps us maintain a healthy body weight.”

Read More: Leptin Resistance and the Search for the Magic Fat Pill

Yoga For Weight Loss

Many people wish to lose weight, but lack the time or stamina for long workouts or runs. But by doing these 4 simple yoga poses 3 times a week, you can lose weight and relieve stress in less than 10 minutes. By Marianne McGinnis for Prevention.

"Yoga is a known stress buster, but it's also one of the most effective workouts for fighting stubborn fat stores, especially the ones that crop up after age 40. Yes, you can use yoga for weight loss. The reason: Studies show that yoga lowers levels of stress hormones and increases insulin sensitivity--a signal to your body to burn food as fuel rather than store it as fat."

http://www.prevention.com/health/fitness/yoga/yoga-for-weight-loss-5-yoga-poses/article/a018d786593b4110VgnVCM10000013281eac