I realize everyone that is a workout fanatic or concerned about putting on a few pounds because of egg nog, mass quantities of desserts, and being too cold for an after lunch run feel this time of year is an "obstacle" to staying fit.  There are also those of you that see the new year coming as fresh start, buy some new workout clothes, get a gym membership, and maybe hire a personal trainer.  Here is a simple piece of advice for both ends of the spectrum,....BE REASONABLE!

This part is for my workout crazy people, yes you....the person who feels guilty about looking at pumpkin pie or trims every bit of flavor off a piece of pork because you worry that cellulite will jump out and strangle all your weight loss success.  That is absolutely nuts!  If you are a person who has been committed for years to staying active and healthy a few parties where you splurge will do you no harm.  In fact, heavily stressing out about food could even affect your psychological well being, elevating levels of long lasting cortisol increasing chances of holding onto winter weight.  CALM DOWN....DON'T RUN FOR THE TREADMILL!  Enjoy this time of year and the fact that you are physically, psychologically, and emotionally addicted to exercise, therefore ensuring that next year will be another good one. 

Alright....for the people whose idea of working out is to the fridge and back.   If you honestly believe that you are going to now start working out 5 days a week for 2 hours a day just because it is now January 1st, you are obviously suffering a serious case of the "delusions."  Yes, you may make it a couple weeks, maybe a month but to have long lasting results the changes have to be gradual and committed.  Going out and spending money on ways to stay healthy is not the answer.  Changing your lifestyle to perhaps being more "fitness" or "health" centered is where it is at.  You can't go from couch to beach model overnight.....I know the bottle of weight loss pills says you will lose weight but in between your ears do you have the strength to keep it off?  Be reasonable, try maybe doing pushups in the morning, adding a walk or two a day, and cutting back on the soda and sweets.  Find something you know you can do for 4-6 weeks and stick with it, slowly adding more exercises, hours, and money to the equation as you become more committed.  The number of people with pristine basement bound gym equipment is staggering, collecting dust a you collect pounds. 

Be reasonable and your fitness goals will last you well into the next New Year's Resolution.  And as always stay healthy so you don't need to go to physical therapy.....you will just hear someone like me give you same speech while pushing on a painful hamstring.   Blog advice is just so much easier.....