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s we say goodbye to 2014 and all of us are making New Year’s resolutions, I find it fitting to write about the connec- tion between a healthy body, mind and spirit. Everything that enters the body produces a positive or negative result. This includes food, drink, chemicals, and
maybe most importantly, thoughts. If what you are putting into your body is healthy, you will have a positive response. If it is unhealthy, you will get a negative response. The way you look and feel tomorrow is a direct reflection of the thoughts and actions you engage in and the food and drink you consume today. Strong, inspiring, positive thoughts and healthy food builds excellent health in the body, mind and spirit.
There are many schools of thought as to what causes an individual to engage in an unhealthy lifestyle. Do negative thoughts cause one to eat poorly and have less regard for their health? Or does eating poorly and being unhealthy cause negative thoughts? Either way you look at it, it’s all interchangeable. To protect your body, you must protect your mind and vice versa. Here are some great tips to build- ing a healthy body, mind and spirit:
1. Eat the right food in the right amount and right proportions. Doing this on a daily basis will help get your metabolic rate function- ing correctly again and even speed it up. Healthy, lean protein (chicken, wild salmon, tuna, egg whites), low glycemic index carbohy- drates (oatmeal, whole-grain bread, apples, berries), and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, almonds, sunflower seeds). The right amount means that you have calculated how many calories you need on a daily basis to maintain a healthy weight, and you are knowledgeable about portion sizes (the biggest culprit in weight gain!). The right proportion means balancing your meals with carbs, fat, and protein. 2. Add strength training to your exercise routine. Strength training triggers your body’s release of growth hormone, which is essential for fat burning and increasing your metabolic rate. Change up your aerobic exercise routine with interval training. 3. Take time every day to meditate, be still, and reflect – even if you only have 5 minutes. Research shows that daily participation in some type of stress reduction activity improves health and well-being. 4. Engage your mind and spirit by reading inspirational or motivational materials. Feed your soul through meditation, journaling or
your favorite spiritual practice. The satisfaction of good health and fitness can be yours when you choose to make them priorities in your life.
In health and happiness,
and indoor activities available locally to help you get moving, stay busy and embrace the winter months! Maine has great skiing – cross-country and downhill- take full advantage by enjoying a day on the slopes or trails. Sledding and ice-skating are fun activities for both children and adults, so grab your sled and skates and head to your fa- vorite spot! Snowmobiling is a great choice for those who prefer a little faster pace. Maine is home to over 14,000 miles
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of snowmobile trails, so there is plenty to explore. Indoor options, like bowling or catching a basketball game, will keep you warm and dry. Spending the day at a spa is also a great way
to relieve stress and help you start the New Year off right. Taking local classes and workshops that can help you learn a new skill is another option. Some great ideas include: pottery, knitting and jewelry making. Cooking classes and workshops are another fun way to spend the day indoors. Both Whole Foods Market in Portland and Stonewall Kitchen in York offer fun and informative classes – check out their web- sites to learn more.
inter in Maine is often longer and colder than we would like it to be. This sometimes leads to a more sedentary lifestyle and can cause some unwanted weight gain and the winter blues. Fortunately, there are plenty of outdoor
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