Susan Reynhout, Publicity Chairman

Ten of the Fit and Fun members participated together in the Sun Lakes 4th annual Fun Walk. What a great way to begin the day and show that exercise matters!

In fact, staying active is especially beneficial during the holidays, as it can help keep your mind off all the foods available this time of year. It can boost your mood and energy levels and is a good remedy for a food hangover. It’s the season which encourages overeating, sedentary behavior, and consumption of calorie-rich foods. This can lead to neglecting to focus on health, which can have lasting effects—especially on the waistline. From overeating at parties to stress-eating cookies while wrapping presents late into the night, it is important to stay on track with health habits. Here are some tips to help avoid weight gain, sluggish feeling, dull skin, and elevated blood sugar levels that can result from overeating — while still enjoying a happy, healthy holiday season!

Stay hydrated. It can be easy to forget to drink enough water. Snack wisely. When treats are easy to access, you’re more likely to take as you please. Keep treats out of sight and healthy ones available. Watch portion size. When holidays arrive, it can be easy to overload your plate. Overcome this by using smaller plates, too. Indulge a little, not a lot. Even small bites can add calories. Holiday meals are typically rich in carbs and low in protein. Make a plan to practice mindful eating. You’ll be surprised how it can help good choices to be made. Learning to make right choices is the beginning step toward improving your health. You can begin by joining a group of women who are supporting each other and learning how to take care of their health. We are a caring, positive group, increasing our health awareness, gaining knowledge, and making lifestyle changes with lots of fun and laughs in the process. We meet every Wednesday in the Cottonwood Country Club, Room A-7. We will not meet on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Time is 9:30 a.m. Cost: one-time fee of $5.00. Bring a notebook. For more information, call Sue at 480-250-5308.