No matter how excited you were about your new fitness frenzy attitude a few weeks back, there will come a time when the motivation level hits an all time low. Getting into a new exercise routine is great, but it's the consistency of the workouts that will get you the results you crave. Unfortunately, many people simply give up after a series of missed workouts, or from sheer boredom. Don't be the next victim of workout burnout! Prepare yourself for the dip in motivation by jazzing up your workout routine with some of these simple strategies:

1. Pump up the jam. Workout to music that really gets you going so that you can have fun while you move! Create a special soundtrack just for your workouts, and change things up every few weeks.

2. Buy some new workout shoes. A fresh new pair of sneakers may be just what you need to get back into gym-mode again. If you've been wearing the same shoes to workout in for several months, you may even be causing some serious damage to your calves and heels. Take the time to get fitted for a pair of sneakers so you can protect your feet and legs from the impact of your workout routine, and power up your workouts instantly.

3. Bring a friend along. Have you been doing your workout solo all this time? Bring along a friend and show them the moves. Teaching someone else a few exercises you've mastered is a great way to improve your skills and take your mind off the workout. Plus, making the commitment to help someone else to get in shape might help you do the same.

4. Watch what you're eating. Make sure you're not eating a heavy or non-nutritious meal before your workout, because the wrong types of foods can make your energy levels fizzle. Eat right so your body is physically prepared for the exercise routine ahead.

5. Maintain a separate workout calendar. Even if you've become good at penciling in your workouts as a to-do item in your regular calendar, stay motivated by creating a dedicated workout calendar that keeps track of all of those gym visits. It's a simple and effective way to visualize your progress!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday are everyone's favorite days of the week. You finish work for the week, and the kids are out of school. The weekend schedules are usually less hectic and more flexible, and you can break out all of your most comfortable clothes. What's not to love? But even though it's the weekend, there are still places to go, people to see and things to get done. If you're like me, those people, places and things often get pushed off until the last minute or aren't tended to at all! Fortunately, just the slightest bit of organization and planning can make your weekend even more relaxing.

Say you've promised to have dinner with the in-laws and take your son to play at his best friend's house sometime over the weekend. Not knowing when you'll be doing those things can add stress to your weekend, and it's simple to get around. Call the in-laws during the week and nail down a night and time for dinner. Call the mother of your son's friend and decide when and where the play date will be. Then record your scheduled to-dos for the weekend in a calendar or planner for easy access.

Other weekend tasks may not be so set in stone, but you know they still need to get done - and you'll feel bad on Monday if they haven't. Sit down on Saturday morning and make a list of what you need to do, things like running the laundry, changing the sheets and grocery shopping. Start marking your list first thing on Saturday and get it done as soon as possible. Once your to-do list is all done, you're free to be as lazy as you want. And who doesn't like that?

In last week's blog entry, we discussed some of the ways you can cope with
stress. But what if you could prevent stress from happening in the first place?
Wouldn't it be nice to live a stress-free life? While that might not be entirely
possible, there are steps you can take to prevent most of the stress in your
life. In this week's blog, we'll discuss some of the best ways to prevent
stress.

One of the best ways to prevent stress is to take control of your life. How
is that possible? First, you need to buy a planner. If you
already have a planner, use it! So many people carry planners around and write
down appointments, but what about the rest of your life? It may sound time
consuming, but making a daily schedule can prevent much of the stress you're
experiencing. Just think about all the times you thought you could remember
everything you needed to do that day and then you remembered a forgotten task.
It's enough to make anyone's day stressful. A planner not only helps you
remember, but it ensures everything gets done in a timely manner.

Another way to ensure stress stays at bay is to say no. No is a powerful word
that gives you control over your life. The next time someone asks you to do
something last minute, politely turn them down. Explain to them that you've made
previous commitments and aren't available. Tell them that if they give you
enough notice, you'd be happy to help out in the future.

Last, but not least, remember the importance of me time. We spoke about it
last week, but it really is worth mentioning a second time. When you write out
your schedule, make sure there is time for your favorite activity. Your body and
mind will thank you.

I hope these tips help you cut at least some of the stress out of your life.
You can't escape stress all together, but it doesn't have to rule your life.

As I discussed last week, the physical and mental experience of stress can actually be used to your advantage. Although stress is blamed for a surprising range of personal problems today, it can be used to restructure different aspects of your life to actually prevent stress in the future. You may be thinking, how on earth is that possible?

Like fear and pain, stress is your body or mind's way of telling you that something is wrong. When you're afraid, you usually know what you're afraid of. When you're in pain, you usually know what's hurting you. But when people are stressed out, they usually treat the symptoms (headaches, tight muscles, anxiety), assuming there's nothing they can do about the source of stress.And, of course, the source of some stress can't be mitigated. Instead of treating only the symptoms, try starting at the source. It's easier than you think.

For instance, many people experience significant stress associated with their jobs - be it difficult bosses, snarky co-workers or the potential for job loss. But when you come home after work feeling so wound up that you can't think straight, try writing down exactly what it is at work that stresses you out. You may feel that your boss isn't happy with your job performance. In that situation, what can you control? If you're concerned about your boss, go directly to him or her. Ask if there's any additional work you can take on or anything they see that you can do to improve your job performance. It makes you look responsible and concerned, and it may make your boss reevaluate the way he or she views you as an employee.

Fortunately, we're not helpless victims of our problems. Take control of the issues your body and mind are making you aware of through stress. You'll feel more in control and experience less stress, regardless of the outcome.

It doesn't matter how healthy you try to be, stress can always undo all your hard work. Who hasn't experienced coming home after a long day and skipping dinner because you're too tired and stressed to eat? Or, even worse, a bag of chips and a candy bar are washed down with a large bottle of soda. Stress can ruin a healthy lifestyle. Learning to cope with stress should definitely be a healthy lifestyle change you make in the New Year. In this week's blog, we'll begin to discuss some of the ways you can handle stress so that it doesn't ruin your healthy lifestyle.

Many people find that working out helps relieve stress. This is a wonderful way to reduce stress levels, because exercise is healthy. It isn't for everyone though. Some of us are simply too wiped out by stress to be able to exercise. When I get stressed out, I turn to relaxing activities. First of all, I brew myself a cup of tea. It doesn't matter if it's the middle of summer; a cup of hot tea always relaxes me. Best of all, I add a bit of Splenda to make it seem like a treat. Then, I turn on some music or get out a book to read. In other words, I take a bit of me time. Taking time for yourself allows you to escape, if only for a few moments.

A few other activities that seem to reduce stress levels include cooking, baking, gardening and crafts. The key is to choose something that you love doing but never have time for. Heck, sometimes all it takes is skipping that quick shower and enjoying a long, hot bath.

What are you waiting for? Break out the casserole dish, book, gardening tools or whatever makes you happy and say goodbye to stress. Also, don't forget to keep tuning in for more ways to cope with stress.

When you're sick, you're stressed. Colds, coughs and the flu can make it hard just to get out of bed and even harder to meet the challenges of a new day. Once a new illness takes hold, it can take days to recover fully and even longer to catch up on your to-do list. You can save yourself a lot of stress - and misery - by doing what you can to prevent getting sick, before it happens.

Schedule Your Sleep
If you're overly tired, you're more susceptible to any illness that's going around. Be sure you're getting enough sleep, even if it means scheduling it as part of your busy evening. Your body will thank you. Set your alarm clock, get into your coziest pajamas and catch some much needed sleep.

Don't Forget Your Vitamin C
Vitamin C is known to boost immunity. Whether you grab a bottle of orange juice on your way to work, or munch on tangy Vitamin C chewable tablets, be sure to boost your immunity before you get sick.

Ready, Set, Sanitize
Hand sanitizer isn't just for the paranoid. Direct contact with people who are sick or things that they have contaminated through touching, coughing or sneezing are ways people are exposed to illness-causing organisms. Sanitizing wipes are great for things like phones and heavy traffic copiers, and sanitizing your own hands regularly can help kill germs that you've picked up before they can reach your nose or mouth.

When it comes to staying healthy this winter a little preparation can prevent a lot of sickness and stress. So, follow these common sense tips and help yourself stay healthy all winter long.

Over the last few decades, stress has become an increasingly common word. It's also become a great scapegoat and is blamed for everything from poor job performance to crime sprees. While stress can certainly cause myriad problems if left unchecked, it has an upside, as well. Yes, some stress can be beneficial - you just have to know how to use it.

Stress is not universally bad. While losing our jobs or getting injured may cause negative stress in our lives, positive events cause stress too. Happy events like buying your first home, getting married or having a baby all come with hefty amounts of stress - we just don't think of that stress in the same way. For instance, when pregnant, women stress about money issues, buying baby clothes and preparing for labor. In other words, the stress helps them to prepare ahead of time. Stress can have some of the same positive effects, even in seemingly negative situations.

If you're totally stressed out over your finances, don't sit around hyperventilating. Financial stress is a sign that you need to do something, whether it's getting a better job, keeping closer track of your spending or creating a budget. The best thing any of us can do is learn from our stress, which will help to keep us from being stressed out in the future.

When your world seems a little too crazy, it's best to focus on the things you can control and try to let go of the rest. One huge thing that we can do to prevent a lot of our stress is to be as prepared as possible for any foreseeable problems. Oddly enough, most people don't prepare for possible downfalls and suffer tons of stress when something goes wrong as a result. Maybe it's because we don't like facing the uncertain. Or maybe it's because we're just too busy dealing with today. Whatever the reason, being prepared can reduce your stress and keep your family safe if anything should go wrong.

It's easy to feel completely powerless in everyday life. It feels like we don't control anything. Will we be employed next week? Will our stock-based investments ever go back up? What if our bank goes bankrupt? As individuals, our lack of control over all of this is frightening. But instead of focusing on what you can't control, ask yourself how you can be prepared to deal with those problems. Even if your job currently feels secure, update your resume and make sure at least one suit is at the ready for a job interview. Consult a financial adviser on the relative stability of your investments. It might be time to move them to a low-risk environment. If your savings is lacking, make a solid commitment to start adding to it with each paycheck. If things go wrong, you can start acting to fix them immediately. Not only will your big problems seem more manageable, but you'll have the added comfort of knowing you did everything you could to be prepared.

This holiday season, there's a lot to be stressed about. Every year, the chaos surrounding the holidays leaves people feeling frazzled and fatigued. And this year, there are many other serious stressors that people are facing - job insecurity, financial woes and a slipping, unstable economy. Unfortunately, there is no stress-reduction method that will make these stressful situations go away. In addition to taking steps to reduce your overall stress (like working out and getting enough rest), there is another, more important factor. This year, more than ever, it's all about attitude.

Everyone has heard the following inspirational advice: "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." While it sounds cliché, taking that advice is probably the best thing you can do to reduce your stress levels and improve your life. When the world seems to be spinning out of control -- you don't have enough money to get all of the presents you want to buy, or you're afraid your job will disappear after the holidays -- ask yourself what you can and cannot control. You may not have all of the money you want to buy presents, but you can budget the money you have and put extra thought into your gifts. And you can't control whether or not your company is planning cutbacks, but you can make sure your work is commendable and save a little of your pay check just in case. By concentrating on the things you can control and letting go of the things you can't, you not only reduce your stress but improve your life in countless ways.

The next time life throws you a curveball, ask yourself - what is it in my power to do right now? And then commit to what you can do and do it. It will give you a feeling of power and control over a seemingly crazy situation. This year, serenity, courage and wisdom make all the difference.

It's easy to say that around this time of year you become overburdened with stress in your life. In truth, you deal with stress pretty much all the time, so you need ways to deal with it that can help year round, not just during the holidays. Keeping a steady watch on your stress can help to avoid that all-too-embarrassing explosion later on, and part of that comes from managing everyday wear and tear on your person.

Most people are on their feet during the day. Pretty much every profession out there involves being mobile, and many people never get the chance to sit down. While for most this doesn't seem like a big deal, it can be draining to those who train, teach or present for hours on end. Also, what about people trapped on assembly lines, behind counters or at mall kiosks? The average worker is on their feet constantly, and this can wear them down more than they realize.

One great way to ease this long-term foot torture is to switch out your shoes mid-day. It may sound weird, but you'll be amazed at how refreshed you'll feel just from switching your footwear. Maybe your old shoes were too tight, or maybe one pair makes you stand a certain way while another makes you readjust. For example, just slipping on a pair of Tommy Bahama Marine Blvd. loafers behind the counter at lunch may help to completely reenergize your legs, which should get the rest of you going.

Switching out your shoes can help after work too. During the holiday season, many poor souls go straight from their work to the mall or other shopping nightmare zones and spend additional hours on their feet trying to get through the crowds. This alone is stressful enough, but if you're already mentally exhausted by the end of the day, there's no need to compound that with any leg pain.

Stress is a year-round problem, and most of it is compounded by our day-to-day living. Doing little things here and there can help to avoid stress build up over the long term, and sometimes all you need to get started is a fresh outlook or at least a fresh pair of shoes.

Thanksgiving just kicked off the five weeks of absolute holiday craziness. People often get very stressed out very quickly during this time, with regular stress compounded with biting cold weather and the chaos of the holidays. In my experience, there's one quick-fix stress reducer that works better than all the rest: massage. Not only is massage in itself relaxing - it's hard to even think about anything stressful while you're getting one. Unfortunately, in the current economy, luxuries like professional massage have been cut out of most personal budgets.

Believe it or not, you CAN enjoy all the benefits of massage without breaking the bank. If you think that the only way you can enjoy a massage is by paying someone $100 an hour to do it, then think again. If you have a significant other that likes to give or receive massages, you've already got it made. Set a date (or dates) to give each other long, soothing massages. You may want to set them up for different days - you get a massage one weekend, he gets one the next. The reason? You can relax and enjoy your massage, and he can enjoy his, without having to immediately turn around and give one. When it's time for your massage, pick out an aromatic massage oil or lotion, slip on some cozy slippers and a robe, and enjoy!

If you don't have a significant other, or don't think he or she would enjoy the idea, you have plenty of other options. Electric body massagers aren't what they used to be. Today, professional ones like percussion massagers can pound out the stress nearly as well as a masseuse. New businesses are also opening (such as the chain "Massage Envy") that offer professional massages at low rates, which are more affordable. If you don't want to splurge for even an inexpensive massage, you can drop the hint one would make a great Christmas gift. So, enjoy the soothing experience of massage without the heavy price tag and actually enjoy this holiday season!

Depending on where you live, winter has recently decided to come home to roost; by come home, we mean run you over with a steam roller. The unseasonably warm weather finally decided to end this week and deliver the cold air and biting winds that we associate with fall and the stress and madness of holiday culture.

The holidays are stressful. This in itself isn't news; what helps is how you handle the holidays. Many people find the rush of the holidays to be too much, and the attitudes of those rushing to be a bit too negative. Here is some advice for the weary in dealing with holiday woes.

First off, relax. You've got plenty of time, so make the most of it. Don't let everything go until the last minute. If it helps, set one weekend aside to shop for each family member in order to keep things straight.

Secondly, make sure you stay comfortable. Your level of stress will only increase the more uncomfortable you are. Invest in some quality footwear. Nothing says comfort like a soft, fuzzy boot, and if wearing a nice brown pair of Gabriella Rocha StudioBroadway boots isn't enough to get your stress down, combine them with some comfort coffee and cookies. Walking the malls can be very draining, after all.

Third, remember that you won't be able to do everything, so stop stressing about all that has to be done and focus on the big stuff first. In the end, the holidays will happen whether you're ready or not, so do what you need, and then do what you want.

Fourth, try to set aside a bit of "you" time each day. Even if it's just five minutes, do something completely selfish for yourself. Get that extra large coffee, munch on that chocolate cookie or read that book you've been meaning to. Taking a minute to decompress can save you hours of stress-related headaches later on.

The holidays are stressful, but they don't have to be unbeatable. If you plan ahead and make an effort to stay comfortable, most of your stress will be manageable. Remember to take your time and take time for yourself this holiday season.

If you're like most busy people today, you may not have time for some of the common stress-reduction techniques, like hot baths, exercise or meditation. Between work and family commitments, you may have trouble finding time to sleep. Fortunately, there are things you can do on the go to help reduce your stress levels.

Tension hand balls are popular, portable and easy to fit in your purse. They come in a variety of styles and densities, and are often seen in chaotic office environments. But they're great for other times, too. When you're stuck in traffic or waiting in line at the grocery store, squeezing a tension ball can bring immediate relief.

Another helpful hint that may seem odd is this: take an essential oil version of your favorite scent and apply it to a small handkerchief. Place the handkerchief in a small plastic bag to preserve the scent. When you're feeling stressed out, take it out and inhale the scent two to three times or more. Whether its rosemary mint or cherry almond, your favorite scent offers a quick mini-vacation from whatever you're doing.

Portable, hand-held massagers are also great for on the go stress relief. Battery-operated, hand-held massagers fit neatly in your purse and can be used on tense muscles during traffic jams or other periods of downtime.

In today's technological arena, you probably have an MP3 player, a car CD player or both. Make the most out of these by keeping music that relaxes you handy, setting the back drop for a smoother day. Whether it's Mozart, pop or jazzy artists like Norah Jones, your favorite music can be one of the most effective stress reducers around.

Grab a few of these quick tension fixers and get on with your day in a less-stressed way. If you can't stop for stress reduction, these tips allow you to take it with you in easy ways.

When it comes to stress reduction, people think of all sorts of things: hot baths, aromatherapy, exercise and time management. But there's one easy (and obvious) stress reducer that nearly everyone overlooks. We all take it for granted, but breathing right can make you feel better, help you think more clearly and reduce muscle tension. It also makes exercise easier on the body, providing more oxygen during your workout. Believe it or not, breathing the right way on a consistent basis is harder than it sounds!

The right kind of breathing will cause both your chest and your stomach to rise! During regular breathing, most people note just the chest rising. But think about it: your lungs extend nearly to the base of your ribcage, ending at your diaphragm. When the chest is the only thing that rises, it means you're only using a portion of your lung capacity!

If you pay attention to how you "normally" breathe, you'll notice that most breaths are shallow, with intermittent, deeper breaths. To get a feel for deeper breathing, place your hands on your chest and abdomen. As you breathe in, concentrate on causing your stomach to rise, filling your lungs as much as possible. Now, breathe the entire breath out and repeat. Try to breathe like this as often as possible, particularly when you're feeling anxious or tense.

It's a simple thing, but sometimes the best ideas are that easy. No gadgets, gizmos or cash required. Just breathe well and reap the benefits.

Remember when you were younger? As a kid, your feelings were pretty much bared for the world to see. When you were mad, you screamed. When you were upset, you cried. And if someone in front of you was walking too slowly, you just pushed them out of the way! As you got older and reached adolescence, you had to learn to bottle up many of those feelings to conform to society's expectations. For many teens, a journal becomes their best friend. They pour their hopes, fears and feelings into the empty pages of a journal. At some point, we decide we're too old for that sort of thing, and we set out to deal with all of those bottled thoughts and emotions with little or no outlet. It's no wonder we as a generation are so stressed out!

Guess what? Journaling isn't just for kids anymore. Whether you choose to vent your feelings on a computer or in a journal, it can help you to reduce your stress and improve your emotional health. Some stores even carry journals specifically designed for adults, without pictures of puppies, kittens or fairy princesses on the cover. (Unless you want one like that!) When journaling, you can write whatever you feel as you're feeling it - emptying the bottled-up emotions, so to say. Later, you can go back and read what you've wrote. Doing so can tell you a lot about where you're at emotionally, if you're on the right track, and what you might be able to do to help yourself. Sometimes, we even hide our true feelings from ourselves, such as the need to change careers or get out of a bad relationship. These issues often come out when journaling and are harder to ignore when you see them on paper.

If your day-to-day life makes you want to scream, cry or knock someone out, try hashing your feelings out with a journal. It's inexpensive, easy and can change your life.