A client with whom I've been training recently exclaimed, "Nothing tastes as good as my loose fitting jeans feel!" To wake up feeling light vs. bloated from too much food the day before is indeed a joyous experience! Feeling the ability to move more quickly, lift heavy objects more easily, take a set of stairs without running out of breath…these are some of the many joys of becoming more fit.

Another wonderful benefit of a commitment to a healthy eating and fitness routine is the esteem that comes from staying disciplined from saying "NO" to the cookie and "YES" to the 5-minute exercise break instead. Someone once said, " Discipline is the guardrail that keeps you on the path of self-esteem." This is so very true.

The peace of being healthy and fit is felt when you leave the doctor's office after your annual check-up and you are given a great report…one that shows that your blood pressure is in excellent range, your weight is down from your last check-up and your blood work revealing a change in eating habits. There is great peace of mind in knowing you are on the right track, doing the good, healthy things for yourself.

Typically, people who crave sugar have poor fuel-burning capacity in their bodies. What they really need is minerals such as zinc and chromium. I'm not saying that this is the answer to a "no more chocolate in 2008 resolution", but it could level out the huge fluctuations in the day eliminating really high highs and very low lows. You may find these minerals at a health food store or even at some of the larger shopping centers.

Make this year - YOUR YEAR! Today could be the first day of the best year of your life if you make positive and healthy choices. Focus on you for a change! It's ok to shift gears to change your health for the better and take the appropriate actions to accomplish your health goals. I received an email earlier asking what my New Year's Resolution was this year and to be honest, I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I believe in solutions that work…anytime of the year! Why limit yourself to making goals only at the start of a fiscal year? It puts way too much pressure on those that are making them. Many people give up and do not reach their over-the-top goal that they made and the set up for failure leads to disappointment, lack of will, depression, and lack of confidence. Try making a chart or use a calendar and focus on one new attainable goal for the month. Maybe this month it's as simple as staying away from sodas or sugar or maybe next month it's walking or running three times a week. How about choosing a month that you get your 7X11 in twice daily? Whatever it is, choose something that is doable for you. Take one day at a time to eventually instill positive choices so they may take the place of the negative ones and become habitual.

May you all enjoy this special day today with family and friends. Let the birth of Jesus resonate in your heart so that the true meaning of Christmas is celebrated and rejoiced. What a glorious day full of miracles! My son and I truly celebrated as we started the morning off singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. There is nothing quite like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child. Keegan originally woke at 4am anxious to see if Santa had arrived but I talked him into getting a little more sleep before we went downstairs. Once 6am hit, Keegan was down the stairs running to see if Santa ate his cookies (healthy ones, of course ...well, not really but they did have raisins in them!) and drank his milk. Sure enough, only a few crumbs left and even the reindeer ate their carrots. To Keegan's surprise Santa left him a Wii for the T.V. As I plugged it in and tried to get it working I had wished that Santa knew more about electronics to assist me. After a bit we got the Wii working and boy did we have a blast! If you've never tried this video game of sorts it is very interactive and you have to move around quite a bit to play tennis, golf, boxing, baseball and bowling.  Not sure now if Santa got the Wii for Keegan or for me! I'm thankful that it's something that we can do together. I hope you've enjoyed this day and that Santa was good to you as well!