Ultimate Fitness Tips to Maximize Your Workout

I thought I had better write a blog about fitness since I've actually, for the first time in a very long time, been maintaining a regular workout schedule.  OK, so it's only been a few weeks but that's a long time for me.  :)  Maybe it was no coincidence that Walgreen's sent me an email today with all kinds of good links to articles about exercise.  This one was the best and I've implemented just about every one of these hints. In case you're too busy to scroll through all of these (perhaps you're working out?) here are a few gems:

• Shorten Your Workout, But Make It Count
• Find An Active Hobby
• Motivate With Music
• Use Instant Gratification In A Healthy Way
• Walk Faster

There are more good ones so check them out when you can.  I'll add one more because it's the most important one: 

• Just Do It Because You'll Feel SO Much Better

Twitter Feed Sends Out Compliments To Fellow Students

Here's a prime example of the positive power of social media.  One Iowa high school student started a Twitter feed existing only of compliments to his fellow students.  One year and 3100 tweets later he's still sending out praise.  Here are a few of his recent tweets:
"your sense of humor can brighten anyone's day. Never lose your caring personality and ability to stay positive"
"just remember tomorrow is a new day! your friends, family and everyone around will always be there for you including the bros"
"right. Keep doing what you're doing! Believe it or not it makes a huge difference. Every word."

His twitter ID is @westhighbros - yes I just followed him and I look forward to reading his supportive tweets. Restores my faith and reminds me that there is good to be found in all of the social media "noise." 
Read all about it here:
Twitter feed sends out compliments to high-school students

11 Ways To Make This Your Best Year Yet

One thing that's great about a fresh new year is that there are a lot of written compilations of good ideas to help us start the year out with a good attitude and with positive perspective.  I've read many of these lists but so far this one is the most inspiring.  So good in fact that I'm going to read it again. 
11 ways to make this your best year yet ... it is never too late to start a fresh new year!

Boost Your Immunity By Eating These Foods

Seems like all I've been hearing about is the flu.  Knock on wood I've escaped its clutches so far this year and I hope to keep it that way.  This article lists some foods that boost immunity and I'm happy to report (no oysters for me thank you very much) that I eat most of these on a regular basis.  Do you? 
Superfoods That Fight Colds

11 Ways Exercise Improves Your Health

It's a brand new year and most of us have either made some resolutions or have thought long and hard about making some overdue improvements.  I fall into the latter category since I refuse to make official resolutions that I might have to keep.  :)  But seriously, I did sort of semi-commit (geez Louise) to moving more and eating better.  Couldn't be more vague could I?  OK, I dusted off the treadmill, cleaned out the room where it was previously collecting dust, and asked my wonderful husband for a small flat screen TV for that room for Christmas and he gladly complied.  The flat screen is still in the box but the room is close to being ready for some "treading" while I watch The Food Network (calorie free) or The Biggest Loser (I heard that Jillian Michaels will be back this year shrieking louder than ever. BTW a new season starts next week.)
Here's an article to inspire all of us to commit to getting more exercise this year.  They give a lot of great reasons to get moving.  My favorites are the ones about improved eyesight and better sleep.  Yes please.  Here's the article:   11 Ways Exercise Sends Health Soaring

Kindness Is The Key To Kids' Popularity and Level Of Happiness

Acts of kindness increase kids' likability and acceptance among their pre-teen peers.  Not surprising but interesting that this study proves it. Acknowledging pleasant experiences was not enough to increase their likability.  Action was the key.  Four weeks into the study, the children who performed the acts of kindness reported higher levels of happiness than their peers who kept a list of happy experiences. The same group of kids also scored higher on peer acceptance.  Here's the study:

For pre-teens, kindness may be key to popularity

It's a Wonderful Life Gets Biggest Audience in Years

Whether it was all of the talk about the "fiscal cliff" or the post-consumer-overspend hangover, we needed to escape from reality on Christmas Eve.  This movie drives home the "big picture" like no other.  Every one of us is important and we are sent here for a reason.  Were you watching too? 

Ratings: It's a Wonderful Life Gets Biggest Audience in Years