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Every Monday, That's Fit's very own "charged up" wellness guru Laura Lewis presents The Passion Principle, a weekly guide that will help you achieve your greatest potential through words of inspiration, cutting-edge ideas and action tips you can use in your every day life!

Chronic stress can slow down your ability to lose weight and get rid of stubborn stored fat. Practicing a few unique stress-reduction strategies can help you lose those jiggly arms and way-too-ample bellies and booties!

I am quite familiar with stress -- raising kids as a single mother has given me an intimate relationship with it. As a person who writes, coaches and speaks about health on an almost-daily basis, I know implicitly that experiencing chronic stress may result in weight gain, and I'm not talking about an increase in muscle! And after recently spending more than $100 on a pair of cool, "beautiful booty" jeans, I am highly motivated to keep my stress in check, or I'll have to shell out even more cash for bigger clothes. And that is something I do not care to do. Like you, I have plenty of other things I should be buying with my hard-earned cash.

Storing more calories as body fat, specifically around your middle, occurs under times of stress. Even slim women who eat healthfully and work out on a regular basis are likely to have more belly fat if they are constantly stressed out. Researchers call it "visceral" fat -- the kind that sticks close to your internal organs and interferes with liver function, hampers the processing of cholesterol and insulin and compromises the function of other tissues and systems. Yikes. So what do we do? Develop our own stress-reduction strategies, that's what. Here are a few.

Continue reading How to Fit Into Your Cute Jeans

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]]>aromatherapyhimalayan-saltlaura-lewisnegative-ionsstress-reductionLaura Lewis2009-05-11T11:00:00+00:00Meditate to Relieve Holiday Stresshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/28/meditate-to-relieve-holiday-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/28/meditate-to-relieve-holiday-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/28/meditate-to-relieve-holiday-stress/#commentswoman meditatingNow that Thanksgiving has come and gone, the holiday season is in full swing. All the hustle and bustle of the season can start to feel quite stressful. To help keep your stress level in check, try dedicating some time each day to meditate. There's no need to say "oohhmm" and sit in the lotus position. You can lower your stress level with a few easy steps:
  • Quiet place. Find a spot in your home or outside that's quiet and removed from other distractions.
  • Music. Play some quiet, mellow music that helps you relax.
  • Deep, full breathing. Breathe deeply and concentrate on your breathing.
  • Focus. Your mind may wander, but as it does just refocus on your breathing -- this isn't a time to sort through your thoughts, this is a time to recenter yourself and clear your mind of the daily stressors.
Take 10 minutes each day to meditate and you'll see your stress levels reduce. Remember, exercising, eating healthfully, and getting proper amounts of sleep will also help you manage stress.

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]]>breathbreathebreathingholidashholidaysmeditatemeditationstressstress-managementstress-reliefMaggie Vink2008-11-28T15:00:00+00:005 Ways to Loosen Up After a Long Day at a Deskhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/23/5-ways-to-loosen-up-after-a-long-day-at-a-desk/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/23/5-ways-to-loosen-up-after-a-long-day-at-a-desk/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/23/5-ways-to-loosen-up-after-a-long-day-at-a-desk/#commentsTomorrow is the deadline for my book, The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook. I'm thrilled with Adams Media for hiring me to write it but on occasion, my body has been very angry at them for giving me such a tight deadline. This uber short deadline has caused little Miss Fitzness Trainer to sit for 12 hours at a time with my head buried in my laptop quite often. My brain is thrilled, but my back has been bummed.

The only reason I've survived is because I'm already really good at taking care of my body. I've never had to sit down for such long periods of time as a requirement of my job, but when the side effects of doing so set in ... I knew how to respond.

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I imagine a lot of you are stuck at a desk for hours on a daily basis. I feel for you. I also have some ideas to help you survive it without all of the stiff, achy and strained body parts.

Continue reading 5 Ways to Loosen Up After a Long Day at a Desk

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]]>achyadams mediaAdamsMediabackchaircomputerdeskeverything flat belly cookbookEverythingFlatBellyCookbookexercisefitzfitznessjoblaptopnecksolutionssoreStiffstretchstucktightworkwritingFitz K.2008-11-23T16:00:00+00:00Simple stretches for perfect posturehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/08/simple-stretches-for-perfect-posture/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/08/simple-stretches-for-perfect-posture/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/11/08/simple-stretches-for-perfect-posture/#commentsPoor posture not only causes you to look 10 pounds heavier and feel less confident ... it also hurts! Check out this video from Stacy McCarthy, the yoga expert from She's Active Health Network. Stacy offers up a few simple stretches you can do anywhere at anytime to get you standing as tall as you should.


For more fun, quick, tips and recipes from degreed experts ...

Continue reading Simple stretches for perfect posture

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]]>active health networkActiveHealthNetworkbackbenhamcurvedeskexpertfrumpynamastacyneckposturepoundshesports health exerciseSportsHealthExercisestretchtentoweltracyyogaFitz K.2008-11-08T12:00:00+00:00Here's why you need yogahttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/28/heres-why-you-need-yoga/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/28/heres-why-you-need-yoga/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/28/heres-why-you-need-yoga/#commentsYoga doesn't have enough fitness clout. Over the years, I've heard many say 'no thanks' to yoga before they've even tried it. All sorts of yoga myths are spun -- I'm not flexible enough, meditation is not for me, where's the cardio? They couldn't be more wrong.

In this thoughtful Huffington Post article, Lauren Cahn debunks the yoga bunk. Cahn is an active yogi, and from the pics of her in pose, she's quite accomplished. Here's my take on what she has to say:

  • You don't have to be flexible to do yoga: Cahn points out a lack of flexibility not only implies existing muscular strength (necessary for yoga), it is beneficial to the beginner to prevent over-stretching/injury. Everything in moderation, right? Yoga will increase your flexibility the perfect way -- slowly over time.
  • Where's the cardio?: Trust me, it's there. Many forms of yoga provide cardiovascular challenge. Cahn suggests trying Vinyasa, Flow, Power Yoga or Ashtanga.
  • My monkey mind is incapable of meditating: Yoga will chase those monkeys away. It's essentially calming as you're forced to focus on the pose at hand. Do enough yoga and you might keep those monkeys away in the real world, it's that powerful.
  • Spirituality is not my thing: There's no rule that says you must meditate at the end of a yoga class. You won't be bopped on the head if you don't say namaste either. A woman fell asleep near my mat a few weeks ago. Close your eyes, nap, rest, whatever. Leave early for the treadmill, but don't let meditation or spirituality frighten you away.

The older I get, the more I seek yoga. A recent injury has sidelined me from running, so I'm regularly Bodyflowing myself instead. I just wish I had to elbow my way in.%Gallery-17948%

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]]>AshtangaBev SklarBevSklarFlow yogaFlowYogaLauren CahnLaurenCahnVinyasayogayoga mythsYogaMythsBev Sklar2008-10-28T15:00:00+00:00Fitz's Cool Tools: The heavenly Sleep Number bedhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/fitzs-cool-tools-the-heavenly-sleep-number-bed/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/fitzs-cool-tools-the-heavenly-sleep-number-bed/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/fitzs-cool-tools-the-heavenly-sleep-number-bed/#commentsI have been sleeping in ecstasy for the past few weeks. Yes. I have a Sleep Number Bed. Not only do I have a Sleep Number Bed, but I have the new kind with Memory Foam on top. Mmmmmm. It's amazing. In fact, I didn't realize how poorly I was sleeping until I got this bed.

I value sleep. I'm a fitness trainer, fitness enthusiast, mother of two and writer of far too many things. I need to sleep, and I need to sleep well in order to accomplish the ridiculous amount of tasks that fill my days. Are you familiar with this insane style of living? I bet many of you are.

Sleep is such a powerful tool. In fact, it's a requirement for professionals and parents and growing children too. Think of it this way. Exhausted people don't work out. Those running on fumes struggle to achieve the bare minimums of each day and then toss and turn at night, unable to get to sleep quickly. Sleepless people tend to eat poorly and gain weight as a result as well. The bottom line? Quality sleep is a crucial component for vitality, fitness and success.

Continue reading Fitz's Cool Tools: The heavenly Sleep Number bed

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]]>bedcomfortcoolcuddlyenergyfatiguefitfitzfitznesshealhealthmemory foamMemoryFoamnumberproductreviewselectsleepsleep number bedSleepNumberBedsoftsorestifftiredtoolsvibrantvitalFitz K.2008-10-23T19:00:00+00:00For fitness sake, kick these 7 backcountry phobiashttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/kick-these-7-backcountry-phobias/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/kick-these-7-backcountry-phobias/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/23/kick-these-7-backcountry-phobias/#commentsWho's afraid of big, bad spiders, bears, lightning, heights, getting lost, tight spaces and being alone in the dark? Many people are so irrationally frightened of one or more of these, they'll never plan a fitness vacation into the backcountry. We allow these fears to minimize our exposure to the wonders of nature, even though we're more likely to be crushed by a vending machine than killed by a bear in Glacier National Park.

Enter cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). The cognitive part teaches you the truth about the fear, while the behavioral aspect involves gradual exposure therapy to conquer the phobia. Backpacker Magazine has a terrific article explaining the real truth behind these seven common backcountry phobias, as well as do-it-yourself exposure techniques to beat each one.

I confess to being irrationally frightened of bears, especially grizzlies. I've never slept well in grizzly-land. I even picked black bear over grizzly country for a trip last July, yet still had a devastatingly real dream a grizzly was poised to attack my husband before I could reach for the bear spray. House spiders make me scream. What a bunch of hooey, I'm in need of CBT. Any phobias you're ready to conquer to open nature's door to burning thousands of calories per day hiking or backpacking?

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]]>backcountry phobiasBackcountryPhobiasBev SklarBevSklarcognitive-behavioral therapyCognitive-behavioralTherapyfitness vacationsFitnessVacationsirrational fearIrrationalFearBev Sklar2008-10-23T12:00:00+00:00Put your health first ... Sheryl Crow doeshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/19/put-your-health-first-sheryl-crow-does/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/19/put-your-health-first-sheryl-crow-does/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/10/19/put-your-health-first-sheryl-crow-does/#commentsMy grandmother used to say that the more important word in "hard lesson" is the second one. Life sends tough -- sometimes seemingly insurmountable -- obstacles our way. It's our responsibility to pull whatever good can come out of those difficulties.

Sheryl Crow faced one of the biggest obstacles anyone can encounter when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Two and a half years ago she underwent a lumpectomy and radiation to treat her illness. Today, she remains cancer free.

Crow walked away from her battle with cancer with an important life lesson in hand. She says that breast cancer helped her put herself first in her life. That's an example we all can learn from. Many of us put our health on the back burner in favor of more pressing commitments. But what could be more important than your well-being? %Gallery-34494%

Continue reading Put your health first ... Sheryl Crow does

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]]>activeactivitybreastbreast-cancercancercookcookingexercisefitnesshealthlessonlessonslumpectomynutritionphysically-activepriorityradiationSheryl-Crowstressstress-eductionMaggie Vink2008-10-19T11:00:00+00:00Paddle off the pounds and stresshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/paddle-off-the-pounds-and-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/paddle-off-the-pounds-and-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/paddle-off-the-pounds-and-stress/#commentsPicture yourself paddling your way past rocky shores and through a morning mist that hovers above a placid lake. Or, picture yourself paddling down class IV rapids in a raging whitewater river. OR, picture yourself paddling across the wake left behind by a passing ship as you take in the sights and sounds of the bay.

Whichever setting you feel is the best fit for you, recreational kayaking is a great way to exercise your body and set a stressful mind at ease. And, perhaps best of all, it's very easy to master.

Kayaking can help you boost endurance levels, tone your upper body, and improve your posture. In addition, it can provide you with the serenity that so many lives are missing these days. For for information on kayak rental facilities near you, paddling tips and safety instructions, visit the American Canoe Association at www.acanet.org.

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]]>chris sparlingChrisSparlingclass IV rapidsClassIvRapidsfitnesskayakingwaterweight lossWeightLossworkoutChris Sparling2008-09-30T13:30:00+00:00Stress relief is just a breath awayhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/stress-relief-is-just-a-breath-away/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/stress-relief-is-just-a-breath-away/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/30/stress-relief-is-just-a-breath-away/#commentsIf stress, tension and anxiety have been bugging you, yoga pro Stacy McCarthy will teach you a quick and simple technique for instant stress relief. Check out more great mini fitness videos at The Active Health Network.

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]]>activeexpertfitzfitznesshealthmccarthynamastenetworkprosports health exerciseSportsHealthExercisestacytracy benhamTracyBenhamyogaFitz K.2008-09-30T10:00:00+00:00We are bowling alonehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/14/we-are-bowling-alone/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/14/we-are-bowling-alone/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/14/we-are-bowling-alone/#commentsIn the book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, social capital expert Robert D. Putnam -- I'm a big fan of his work -- says we are bowling alone. While more of us are aiming for the pins than ever before, we're not bowling in leagues.

Social capital's central premise is that social networks have tremendous value for individuals, communities and even society, and while they are one of the best elixirs for social isolation -- a condition which is as bad for your health as lack of exercise -- the fabric of civic trust among Americans and their communities is thin and frayed.

When is the last time you had a neighbor over for dinner or worked out with a friend? Do you regularly confide with someone other than a family member? Is your computer your regular hangout? You don't have to join a frontier barn-raising to raise social capital. After reading this interesting article on the topic, I'm thinking personal fitness is a great way start. Here's a quick brainstorm:

  • Learn the names of the front desk staff at your gym and chat with them upon entering or leaving. They're not membership card collectors, they're typically friendly, informed staff capable of steering you toward all sorts of social networks.
  • Leave cardio theatre and head over to the group exercise room. A roomful of inspired workout fiends is a powerful, friendly community. Mix and mingle before and after class. Roll out your yoga mat and say hello to your neighbor. Exchange fitness tips, ask questions, get to know each other.
  • Sign-up and/or volunteer in your local community's run/walk race.
  • Accept an invitation, read the fitness flyers. The walleyball players at my gym are super-friendly. Next time I observe them and they invariably wave me down, I'm going.
  • Build in some down time to stop by the smoothie bar.
How do you build social capital at your gym?

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]]>Bev SklarBevSklarbuilding social capitalBuildingSocialCapitalRobert D. PutnamRobertD.Putnamsocial capitalSocialCapitalBev Sklar2008-09-14T16:55:00+00:00Fit Beauty: Get your closet in shape with "The One Hundred"http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/11/fit-beauty-getting-your-closet-in-shape-with-the-one-hundred/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/11/fit-beauty-getting-your-closet-in-shape-with-the-one-hundred/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/11/fit-beauty-getting-your-closet-in-shape-with-the-one-hundred/#commentsNormally I wouldn't work a book review into Fit Beauty, but this is just too perfect. I recently read Nina Garcia's The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, and just like watching an inspirational sports movie makes me want to hit the gym, this book made me want to shop. But with a purpose.

It seems like each season, I look in my closet and think, "Holy crap, I have nothing to wear." I know that's completely untrue, but I also know I'm not alone. And while that might not seem like a big deal, it really can take a toll on you emotionally when you can't find anything to wear, and you know you spent a bit of cash on clothes just a year ago.

With some help from this book, I now feel confident that I can shop in a way that will be productive and stay relevant from season to season, year after year. Let me explain.
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Continue reading Fit Beauty: Get your closet in shape with "The One Hundred"

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]]>bookclosetclothesellefashionfit-beautymarie claireMarieClairenina garciaNinaGarciaproject runwayProjectRunwayreviewthe one hundredTheOneHundredKristen Seymour2008-09-11T06:20:00+00:00Jennie Garth forgot about her bodyhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/05/jennie-garth-forgot-about-her-body/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/05/jennie-garth-forgot-about-her-body/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/05/jennie-garth-forgot-about-her-body/#commentsStress can certainly take a toll on our health; Jennie Garth is no exception. The actress is back on 90210, showing us what her popular character, Kelly Taylor, is like as an adult. But earlier in the year things weren't exactly sunny in Garth's life.

Within a span of six months, her daughter became ill (and was later diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis) and her father passed away. Garth said "I didn't think about my looks or my weight or my body or anything." She goes on to say that she didn't exercise, eat healthfully, and that she gained weight and inches as a result.

As much as we all hope our lives stay stable and uncomplicated, everyone is bound to hit a rough patch now and then. And, unfortunately, many of us will encounter periods of extreme stress, like Jennie Garth did. It's definitely hard to continue focusing on your health when everything else seems to be falling apart. But that is the most important time to take care of yourself.

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Continue reading Jennie Garth forgot about her body

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]]>90210AnnaLynne-McCordexercisefitnessJennie-GarthJRAJuvenile-Rheumatoid-ArthritisKelly-TaylorLori-LoughlinMichael-StegernutritionRob-EstesShannen-Dohertysleepsleepingstressstress-managementstress-reductionworkoutMaggie Vink2008-09-05T19:00:00+00:00Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Quickie Traininghttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/03/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-quickie-training/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/03/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-quickie-training/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/09/03/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered-quickie-training/#commentsHave fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz, I'm 26 years old and have never been happy with my upper body. My arms are lanky and my chest is soft. I have a demanding job as an attorney, and simply don't have the time nor the know how to get involved in a complicated training regiment. I know I have to "earn" a good body, so I was hoping you could dumb things down for me. A simple routine I can do in a hurry. P.S. I love your fit tip videos! Thanks. Tim

A. Hello Mr. Tim! Training for a guy with "no time" huh? That' my specialty! Glad you asked. Look pal, I wish I could pull off the persona as a rocket scientist, because I'm on top of this stuff ... but I can't. Fitness is painfully simple, and you can achieve your goals without much complexity.

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Quickie Training

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]]>absask-fitzattorneybackbicepchestdeltoidexerciseexpertfastfitzfitznesslatmusclepulluppushupqaqiuckshouldersimpletrainingtricepvideoworkoutFitz K.2008-09-03T07:00:00+00:00Helping a stressed out co-workerhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/helping-a-stressed-out-co-worker/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/helping-a-stressed-out-co-worker/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/helping-a-stressed-out-co-worker/#commentsYou exercise, you eat right, you get a good night's sleep, and you try to stay organized; you're doing everything you can to manage your own stress. But what if you work with someone who isn't managing stress well?

Regardless of where you might work, there are a lot of reasons for stress in today's workplace -- threats of layoff, increased workload due to reduced staffing, and so on. When you add in all the non-work-related causes of stress, it's no wonder some people aren't managing the pressure well. And, no matter how well you handle stress, when a co-worker is stressing you'll be affected by it.

So what can you do to help a stressed out co-worker? As long as you don't take on the reasons for their stress (e.g. taking their workload), it's a good thing to help out. And, if you happen to be the boss, it's imperative that you do so in order to maintain a positive workplace and to prevent productivity from slipping. Some ideas:

Continue reading Helping a stressed out co-worker

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]]>bossco-workerempatheticempathyemployeeenvironmenthelphelpfulkindkindnessliabilitymanagerstressstress-managementstress-reliefstressed-outsupervisorvacationworkwork-related-stressworkplaceMaggie Vink2008-08-29T12:00:00+00:00Daily Fit Tip: You don't need a professional to get a great pedicurehttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/daily-fit-tip-you-dont-need-a-professional-to-get-a-great-pedi/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/daily-fit-tip-you-dont-need-a-professional-to-get-a-great-pedi/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/29/daily-fit-tip-you-dont-need-a-professional-to-get-a-great-pedi/#commentsContinue reading Daily Fit Tip: You don't need a professional to get a great pedicure

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]]>daily fit tipDailyFitTipfeetfit tipFitTippedicurepedicuresrelaxsolesolessoothestress reductionstress reliefStressReductionStressRelieftiptipsRigel Celeste2008-08-29T06:00:00+00:00Four fitness moves to start your day off righthttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/28/four-fitness-moves-to-start-your-day-off-right/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/28/four-fitness-moves-to-start-your-day-off-right/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/28/four-fitness-moves-to-start-your-day-off-right/#commentsWomen's Health magazine just sent me a release with some fun tips entailed, and I thought I'd share this one with you. Four fabulous moves useful for those of you guilty of missing morning workouts to sleep in late, and then missing the gym after work due to fatigue. As your online trainer I want to make this clear to you: skipping your workouts on a regular basis is detrimental to your health!

Of course, early morning workouts can be tough. They're also what keeps you full of the energy you need to get through each day with vigor! Check out this gallery, and next time you go to hit the snooze button ... get your fanny up and do the Cat Cow pose instead. (No moo-ing necessary!) These four easy moves will give you the energy to get to the gym and start your day off right!

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]]>cat cowCatCowenergyfatiguefitfitzfitznessgymleanmagazinemorningmovesmuscleplankposesnoozesquatstressstretchthrustwomens healthWomensHealthFitz K.2008-08-28T09:54:00+00:00Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Feeling out of shape?http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/27/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/27/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/27/ask-fitz-your-fitness-questions-answered/#commentsHave fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hey Fitz, My name is Sarah and I'm almost 16. I have always been involved with sports including: hockey, basketball, soccer and you name it! Now that I am older, I have slowed down a bit and only play basketball for high school and travel. This is what is bothering me: I can't seem to run as long as I used to. I get tired easily and run out of breath. I'm not fat or anything, and I am even really fast. But by the time I run one length of the court I'm pretty much dead. What am I doing wrong and what do I need to do to change this? It seems like I get more out of breathe each season. Thanks, Sarah

A. Hi Sarah, Thanks for writing. I have two thoughts on what may be happening with you, the first being more probable than the last. Most likely, you've just become out of shape. That doesn't mean you're obese or in horrible shape, it just may mean you're not capable of doing as much as you were two years ago when you were involved in three sports! You take pride in the fact that you run fast. That's great! But, the fact that you like to go all out probably makes you more likely to suck wind at the end of one lap.

Continue reading Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Feeling out of shape?

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]]>allergiesask-fitzasthmaathletebasketballbreathcardiorespiratorycourtenduranceexpertfitnessfitzfitznesshealthyhockeyjogprogramqarespiratoryrunrunningsarahschoolshapesoccersprintsstressteenagetrainingwindedFitz K.2008-08-27T07:00:00+00:005 new ways to journalhttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/5-new-ways-to-journal/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/5-new-ways-to-journal/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/26/5-new-ways-to-journal/#commentshas been shown to have amazing benefits. It can lower your stress level, help you let go of what's bothering you, raise self esteem, and assist you in clarifying your wants and needs in life. It's cheap, and it's easy, but a lot of people still have a really hard time with it.

It's not hard for me to sit down and write a couple pages on my thoughts of the day (or, even just a particular episode). But then again, I'm a writer -- that's what I do.

The thing that seems to throw the people I've talked to for a loop is trying to write something to and for themselves -- they're able to write letters to other people, and they can write a paper if you give them a topic, but they have a hard time just sitting down and writing whatever comes to mind, just for the heck of it. I've got some suggestions (some are courtesy of RedBook) that might make it a little easier to get started. Leave a comment if any of these, or something else, has worked for you!
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]]>blogdiaryjournaljournalinglogstress reductionStressReductionKristen Seymour2008-08-26T13:00:00+00:00Breathe deeply to lower stresshttp://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/23/breathe-deeply-to-lower-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/23/breathe-deeply-to-lower-stress/http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/08/23/breathe-deeply-to-lower-stress/#commentsI adopted my son from the US foster care system when he was 10-years-old. He has ADHD and often struggles with focus. He also has high anxiety and can get quite nervous in certain situations. One tool that helps him regain focus and composure is taking a few deep breaths. We face each other, look directly in each others' eyes and take a deep breath in... and out. He usually says "one more, Mom" and we continue until he's feeling in control again. The simple act helps to ground him, reduce his anxiety, and help him focus again. Breathing exercises can help everyone reduce stress and relax.

When you're faced with an abrupt, unexpected stressful situation (such as a car cutting you off in traffic or someone saying something offensive to you) take a moment to pause and breathe deeply before reacting. Those few seconds will calm you so you can respond appropriately and thoughtfully -- avoiding a hasty reaction you might regret later.

When you're faced with longer-lasting stress (such as a difficult deadline at work or ongoing problems with your significant other) make a regular practice of this breathing and stretching technique. It will imbibe your body with oxygen and help relieve stress.

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]]>breathbreathebreathingexerciseexercisesO2oxygenstressstress-managementstress-reductionstress-reliefstretchstretchesstretchingMaggie Vink2008-08-23T15:00:00+00:00