De-stress during the holidays

By Courtney Westlake



Tis the season to be stressed!

With the semester coming to an end, finals, holiday to-do lists, holiday parties and more, not to mention trying to stay on top of your health and fitness goals, this is surely a busy time.

"Sometimes it's best just to put things aside and not focus on the things that make us stressed," said Amanda Jillson, assistant director of fitness and instructional programs at the TRAC.

Because the season is so hectic, it can be difficult to find time to fit in your fitness regime. However, it's proven that exercise is great stress reliever.

"It doesn't have to be vigorous cardio," she said. "Exercise can be playing in the snow with your friends or children, cleaning your house or apartment, or you can go for a walk when it's not so bitterly cold out. Fitting it in is always the key to reducing the stress of the holiday season."

"And it doesn't have to be a long workout," Jillson added. "It can be 10 minutes, and you'll feel 100 percent better."

Other tips for combating stress during the holiday season include:

-learn how to say no

-be realistic when making holiday plans and following traditions

-don't strive for perfection

-accept support and help when you need it

Jillson's final food for thought for 2008: clear your mind and try to stay organized. Indulge and don't get down on yourself for doing so.

"Have your ham, cheesy potatoes, chocolate truffles and wonderful holiday cookies," Jillson said. "Don't be so critical of yourself this season. And come the new year, we'll be back to Staying on TRAC!"

12 Days of Fitness

By Courtney Westlake



On the 5th day of Christmas, your fitness center gave to you...Five Walking Lunges!

This holiday season, the TRAC is running a program called the 12 Days of Fitness to encourage you to stay on top of your healthy lifestyle even when things are getting hectic.

"The holiday season is here, but try not to let the stress of the holidays keep you from working out," said Amanda Jillson, assistant director of fitness and instructional programs at the TRAC. "Try to fit in little bursts of workouts here and there, whether it's in between studying for finals or on your 15 minute break during work."

During the 12 Days of Fitness, you are assigned a certain activity to correspond with that day.

The activities include:
1st Day: 1 minute of pushups
2nd Day: 2 miles on the treadmill
3rd Day: 3 minutes of biking
4th Day: 4 laps of the track
5th Day: 5 walking lunges
6th Day: 6 minutes of stretching
7th Day: 7 abdominal exercises
8th Day: 8 upper body exercises
9th Day: 9 lower body exercises
10th Day: 10 assisted pull-ups
11th Day: 11 jumping jacks
and 12th Day: 12 mountain climbers

"And you always have to do the previous day's activity as well," Jillson pointed out. "You can start any time, just try to do your exercise for every day and continue to be active."