I know it is hard to make time for fitness and cooking healthy, but both are equally important. I’ve started cooking more than one meal at once. I actually try to cook a number of meals I plan to eat in a week at the same time. Obviously not all meals are conducive to being made in advance, but many are.

This means, the kitchen gets dirty once. It seems to save a lot of time. Not to mention by the end of the week, I’m getting ready to throw in the towel when it comes to meal preparation. Having something I made earlier is always a nice treat.

You may not be able to cook multiple meals together all the time, but try it now and again and see if it saves you time.

It is the last day of 2008. Time really does fly. Today, try to make a little time for yourself. You deserve that. Take a moment to be alone and ponder the year that has past and the year that is coming.

Take a deep breath and let the idea that each year we get a fresh start rejuvenate you.

What’s done is done. There’s no going back. If you feel like you ate right and exercised yesterday, give yourself some praise. If you’re disappointed in how you ate, let it go. It’s time to move on and get back on track. Life’s too short.

If you have a long weekend, use it to get in a little more exercise. If you’re staying with family, gather a group and go for a long walk. Chat with each other and the time will pass quickly. Or pull out an ancient exercise video–preferably one from the 80’s with Raquel Welch or Richard Simmons. See if you and your family can do it with a straight face. First one to laugh has to run around the house three times or do one set of push-ups. Make exercise fun and do it with the ones you love. It’s good for everyone.

Or, try pulling your belly button to your spine. That is always a good way to engage muscles and start thinking about your body and what it needs.

Sometimes Thanksgiving dinner doesn’t provide a number of healthy alternatives. You can change that. Bring a side that you know won’t be smothered in butter or swimming in cream. String beans are easy. So are carrots if they aren’t typical at your feast.

Bring a fruit salad to serve at dessert. A fruit salad is no pumpkin pie, but if it will calm your sweet tooth, you may actually make it through Thanksgiving without feeling like your are the stuffed turkey.

If you’re thinking I must be crazy, it’s Thanksgiving and you’re going to splurge, think of other ways you can stay a little healthier. Put your fork down between every bite. Don’t eat any finger foods served in advance so you can eat a little more of the Thanksgiving meal you love.

Do some exercises at the table. Squeeze one glute (butt muscle) and then the other. Squeeze your quads to straighten your legs, hold while you chew a bit, then release. It will all be under the table so no one will notice. If you’re close with your dinner guests, get them to […]