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Maybe it is because of how Christmas falls this year, but with both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day being on a Monday, December and the whole run-up to the festivities seem to be running away from me! And I am sure I am not alone.
This week Mary and I thought we would come up with a different feel to the Newsletter as we prepare for Christmas. So here is mine… C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S.!
C is for congratulations! Let’s congratulate ourselves on any of the positive steps we have taken this year to improve our health and fitness. Personally, I have learned so many useful tips and lots of interesting science brought to us by Mary each week that I have seriously taken note and tried to put some of them into practice. Our natural inclination is to think of the things we haven’t done because we are so good at putting ourselves down, but think about the good habits that you have adopted this year and congratulate yourself. Have you lost weight? Or stayed pretty constant – which is a real achievement - particularly if you are a healthy weight. Do you do more exercise than a year ago? I definitely walk up more uphill paths and I know I am fitter this December than I was last year, thanks to my partial knee replacement!
H is for happiness. Being happy is so important to our health and wellbeing and exercise takes a very important role here. Exercise helps us to release endorphins – happy hormones – and if we go for our daily walk outside, and ideally in the countryside, it is almost impossible for us not to feel happier as we look at the marvels of nature. Since I gave my hubby Mike a bird table with some bird feeders to hang from it, he keeps reminding me that it was the best present I have ever given him. Hearing a grandchild laugh or watching a TV show that makes us laugh out loud – these moments are priceless and very good for us!
R is for remembering. One of the wonderful things about getting older is that a lot has happened in our lifetime and we have loads of memories. I remember celebrating Mike’s and my special wedding anniversary a few years ago. We went to London for the weekend and dined in a smart restaurant to celebrate. We discussed which was the best holiday we had ever had? Where was the best place we’d ever visited? What was the best present we had given each other (that’s where the bird table came in!), and so on… Take the time to share your memories and Christmas is a perfect time to do so.
I is for inspiration. We all need to be inspired. In our lifetime we have the privilege of meeting some extraordinary people – people who we learn from, people we respect, people we trust. I have always been inspired by Mary as an exercise teacher. To me, she is the best. Why? Because she cares passionately that we do each move correctly so that we are safe and achieve maximum benefit. I learned this when we worked together producing our fitness videos and DVDs. When Mary first started working with me back in 1993, I knew I had met a real talent. I still think that today. Mary generously gives her time to write for our weekly newsletter and to record videos for our website. Mary is my inspiration. Think about who has inspired you in your lifetime.
S is for stamina. We often think of stamina as a description of physical fitness but it can be more varied than that. We also need social stamina – if you don't socialise very much, being in a room with a lot of people can be exhausting and stressful. This became so obvious after we had all been subjected to the lockdown in 2020. I remember my first speaking engagement at an awards ceremony in 2021 and I was unusually nervous. I had lost social confidence and stamina. We may boost our social stamina this Christmas because I think this is the first Christmas in four years when we will be comfortable mixing with other folks. Let’s enjoy it and increase our social stamina because it is really good for us!
T is for thankfulness. If you are a regular reader of our weekly Newsletter, you will be only too aware that we aim to bring you sound advice and practical encouragement. Our aim is to help you achieve the best possible health so that you can enjoy every day of your life to the full. Mary and I are thankful for the lovely emails of thanks that many of you kindly write to us and we are pleased that we are able to pass on the knowledge and experience we have gained over the many years of our careers.
M is for mindfulness. Mindfulness is one of those buzzwords we hear about a lot these days but what does it actually mean? The mental health charity Mind describes mindfulness as a technique to notice what’s happening in the present moment without judgement. It can help us to become more self-aware, feel calmer and cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts. I thought that was a really lovely description. When I go for my daily walk in the wood that is close by, it makes me so aware of the changing seasons, the wonders of nature, and the variety of bird song. When recently we had a couple of inches of snow, I was fascinated to see the different footprints left by a variety of wildlife during the night. Trying to guess which animals (foxes, a muntjac or a deer I think) and birds (a pheasant I am guessing) had used our garden as a shortcut. It was enchanting and I suppose it was an example of mindfulness. It was beautiful and I felt better for it.
A is for attitude. Debra Searle and her husband set off to row across the Atlantic in 2001. Unfortunately, before long, her husband Andrew suffered acute anxiety whilst on the ocean and had to be rescued from their wooden rowing boat but Debra decided to continue alone. In total she was on the sea for 111 days and at the front of her boat, in clear sight as she took every stroke, she placed a handwritten card that read CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE! When Debra arrived in New York to a hero’s welcome, unsurprisingly, she made the headlines across the world. We were privileged to hear Debra speak at one of our Franchise Conventions when we had our network of clubs, and we all learned a lesson that day. If you want to achieve something, choose your attitude. With a positive mental attitude we can lose weight, become fitter, start a new hobby, start a new business…
S is for sharing. One of the joys of Christmas is that we can share happiness between our families and our friends. Celebrating this very special time of the year and seeing the looks of pure joy on the faces of the little ones as they open their presents is heartwarming. Sharing the goodies of Christmas fayre and sitting down together for Christmas dinner is a joyous occasion. And it is also a time of giving to those less fortunate and being appreciative of what we have whether it is our health, our family, a roof over our head and for family and friends.
Treasure every moment!
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