A Healthy Balance

My holiday eating philosophy is to allow myself to indulge in the things I want in moderation and balance out those treats with exercise.  When it comes to working out, it can be all too easy to make excuses because we’re so much busier this time of year.  I find that I when I over-complicate it, I tend to give up altogether…so one of my goals for the next couple of months is to just KEEP. IT. SIMPLE.  It doesn’t have to mean driving to the gym to attend a 90-minute class.  It can be as easy as throwing on some warm layers & heading out for a quick jog around the neighborhood or going on a family hike through the woods.  Anything that gets me moving & increases my heart rate counts!  We love being outdoors as much as possible, but once the temperatures start dropping, I become a lot less motivated to do that.  The key for me is having the right gear & being well-equipped to face the elements so it will be much more enjoyable.  

Fleece-lined leggings are a must because they keep all the heat in without restricting your movement.  What I like about these is they are a thicker knit so they smooth out any lumps & are really flattering (I also wear mine with longer sweaters, plaid tunics & boyfriend cardigans).  For the top half of my body, I have learned that the material closest to your skin should be a fabric that will wick moisture away.  NIKE’s Dri-Fit shirts are my favorite for running because they’re lightweight & have a looser fit.  On top of that, I like to layer a fleece vest for added warmth & top it all off with a hooded puffer jacket – this one is perfect because it isn’t too bulky, but it still keeps me warm (more options to try here, here & here).