Winter pursuit of that healthier body

(The following is the 10th in a series of health articles being written for The Odessa File by Stephanie O'Brien (pictured at right), a 2004 graduate of Watkins Glen High School and now an Ithaca College student.)

By Stephanie O'Brien

WATKINS GLEN, March 1 -- For many of us, Spring Break is just around the corner, and going to the beach for a week is an ideal vacation! With a long, bitter cold winter, we’ve huddled inside on the couch, snacked because we were bored, and we’ve been too lazy to exercise. Winter weather is definitely a culprit for weight gain.

So how do we brave the cold and get in shape for that string bikini? Simple changes and small goals. Diets don’t work, but making a commitment to change one small habit at a time does! I know it’s freezing outside, but taking a 10-minute walk gets the heart pumping, clears your sinuses, and opens your mind. Bundle up, get some music, and get that cardio done! Walking for just 30 minutes only three days a week will produce results, giving you more energy and, believe it or not, leaving you feeling more organized because you are getting some time to think and sort out your hectic days!

Not the outdoorsy type? No problem! Try different workout videos that you can do right in your own living room! There is such an extensive variety of different workouts and routines, there is no way you will get bored! From pilates and yoga to hip hop dancing and kickboxing, you can get a great, intense, calorie-blasting workout right at home. Start a morning routine by getting up just 30 minutes earlier than you usually do; you’ll get your exercise in and be energized for the day! The first week may be tough, but once you get over that hump, you’ll forget what your morning was like without it!

Remember, it's not all about exercise. A nutritious diet is just as important, and the winter months are a great time to experiment with cooking; after all, we do have extra time at home, right? Get the family involved, try some new recipes, or tweak some old ones. Cut back on processed foods and sugary soda; everything is okay in moderation, but try to limit snacking and high-calorie beverages because that’s where the hidden calories are! Just one 20-ounce soda contains 15 teaspoons of sugar and 250 calories! If you drink one 20-ounce soda a day, its equivalent to almost 25 extra pounds in a single year! Grab that water bottle instead and flavor it with some fruit; healthy choices don’t need to be boring!

Overall, healthy living is really about commitment; by making small changes, you are committing to a happier body! Our heart wants to be exercised, our stomachs can learn to enjoy nutritious foods, and our minds can handle change. Exercising and eating right are both about the little things. It’s about accomplishing a healthy lifestyle that is livable, enjoyable, and lovable. Start with a set of small goals that eventually lead to a bigger, ending goal. By reaching one goal at a time, it will give you the motivation to reach the next. So what are you waiting for?? Spring break is only a month away!

Here are some great websites for exercise tips and healthy recipes:

• foodnetwork.com
• cookinglight.com
• americanheart.org
• fitnessmagazine.com

Enjoy your vacation, soak up the sun, and remember how precious our time is. Live, Laugh, Love!

Questions and comments are always welcome at sobrien1@ithaca.edu