Want to know the most common New Year's Resolution?

LA Fitness conducted a poll of the top New Year's Resolutions last year and found the number 1 answer was:

Read More Books.

I bet that's not what they were expecting! 

Losing weight made the top 3 resolutions in every poll I saw. Why does it appear every year? Because it is not easy! Sure there are hundreds of approaches that can help you lose weight, but most are temporary fixes and none of them are easy to do alone.

Consider working with us to help you in 2014. Our 10 Week's Nutrition Program is proven to help you take weight off and keep it off all year. Sign up by tomorrow (12/31) to get $30 off the base price of $225. Whether you are in Michigan or California, this virtual program will make you feel like you are part of a team getting healthy together.

Call 734.644.5483 or email mark@betterliving.biz to find out how you can get even healthier in 2014.

Oh, and let's all try to read more books next year! 

Happy New Year!

Mark

Enjoy your holidays!

If you were crazy enough to open an email from me on a holiday, rest assured, this message is free of guilt, warnings or don't-touch-the-chocolates language!

If you are anything like me, you've already had a few too many sweets over the past couple days. Thanks, Louisa, and your irresistible brownies! In fact, a day or two of indulgence does little if anything to affect our long-term health. All we need to do is listen to our bodies for feedback. Follow these tips:

• When your stomach feels satisfied, take a break from eating. 
• Eat smaller portions of proteins (ham, chicken, turkey, beef) and carbohydrates (potatoes, rolls, pasta) so that you have room for the extras like eggnog and pie.
• Stand. Research says we burn a lot more calories if we stay off our derrieres. Grab a cookie and stroll around the house!

Rather than focusing on being food-virtuous on the holidays, think about joining our 10 Week's Challenge. Spend the first 2.5 months of 2014 forming healthy habits that could improve your energy, sleep and overall vitality. Email me at mark@betterliving.biz to enroll or get more information.

Happy Holidays!

Mark

Seafood Butternut Squash Bisque

In Michigan as the weather gets colder we gain a plethora of different vegetables from fall harvests. One of my personal favorites is butternut squash. Today I am going to share my secret recipe for seafood butternut squash bisque with you.

This recipe makes 6-8 servings:

4 cups skim milk
1 whole butternut squash peeled, seeded, roasted and puréed
2 cups steamed and puréed Cauliflower
1 cup steamed and puréed red onion
1 cup crab or lobster
1 cup bay scallops

Throw it all together in one big pot and let simmer for 45-60 minutes. I hope you enjoy it and it keeps you warm on these chilly fall days.

-Mallory
Mallory@betterliving.biz

Grin and Bear It??

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, other times your smile can be the source of your joy."
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Many studies throughout the years have proven the benefits of smiling. Smiling reduces the stress hormone, cortisol, and increases the production of endorphins. Smiling usually makes you look more attractive and draws people to you. Smiling can also help you exude an aura of confidence even in uncomfortable or stressful situations. According to some studies a smile may even prolong your life.

However, up until recently, no one thought to study the effects smiling has on physical exertion.  A current study from German Sport Cologne Bielefeld University (Amsterdam)  researched the effects of smiling on exercise.

The goal of the study was to find out if purposefully adopting facial expressions would effect the way the test subjects felt about the exercise and the level of exertion they felt during it. Two different groups were placed on stationary bikes and pushed to 50-60% of their maximal heart rate reserve. After analyzing the data and interviewing the participants, the results of the study were evident. Both groups found that they had a more enjoyable experience and felt less fatigued when smiling as opposed to frowning.

We'd be happy to show you how to put a smile on your face during exercise!

Mallory Ghrist

Better Living
734.747.0123


Reference:

The Effects of Smiling and Frowning on Perceived Affect
SMILING AND FROWNING IN EXERCISE