Maintaining Not Gaining: Bouncing Back

Maintaining Not Gaining:

Bouncing Back 

It's hypnotic.

Welcome back from the mayhem of the holidays, friends! 'Tis the next installment of our 4 Part Mini-Series: Maintaining Not Gaining...and I'm sure we all had our good choices...as well as our "less awesome" decisions through the holiday festivities, feasts, fetes, and family fun. Lucky for all of us, it's an unwritten human rule that we all get to "Bounce Back" in January. We have a whole month to explore different eating plans and fitness routines. You'll be bombarded with flyers for $10 gym memberships, free yoga classes, and a whole new slew of (insert popular diet/fitness campaign) gurus just waiting to show you the light! And HEY! I say try them all! (Well, within reason...I'm happy to share in a future post my not-so-enthused feelings on things like the Master Cleanse and Fitness shakes, etc.) Really, why not use this month of "new beginnings" to get back in the saddle with your fitness routine and start up those Whole28.5 Style grocery lists!

Oh New Planner, I love you.

Or, if you're already an avid athlete, but let things slide over the holidays, open up that fancy new Day Planner I know that your mother got you for (insert appropriate holiday) and start jotting down your fitness schedule--and stick to it. I want this stuff written in pen, people!

Along with the suggestion of color coding your day planner (seriously, it's the only way I remember every thing!), here's just three reminders on how to keep yourself... 

On Track to Bounce Back:

Water, Water, Everywhere...

I know, I sound like a broken record, right? But I promise you, there is some sound method to my madness. I may be wrong, but I feel safe in saying that within the past few weeks you've absorbed more cocktails than bottles of water. Maybe there was an extra cheat meal, or higher allowances of processed food (laden with sodium) and carbs just zapping up your H20 and leaving you dehydrated. Well, water is a TOTAL quick fix! Grab the water bottles, fill 'em up, and take 'em down.
I mean it. It will make a world of difference!

Ugh, Cardio.

Okay, I'm not saying you have to sign yourself up for a marathon (but power to you if you do!), but getting your heart pumping is another easy kick start to this year. Add in a run, a row, some jump rope, or jazzercise your little heart out! Easing back into your heavy programming or conditioning work could benefit from a quick calorie burn each week, at least to start. Just to burn through those glycogen stores from the luxurious holiday dinners and pie you simply couldn't resist. Then if it's GAINZ season, you go ahead and you get your GAINZ!!!

Freshen Up.

I don't mean under your arms, I'm sure you smell divine. I mean dive back into the world of FRESH fruits and veggies. Throw in a salad with your hunk of meat. Get back in the habit of making fruit your sweet snack. December often comes filled to the brim with rich, creamy, heavy foods. Think casseroles. Seriously, think about them. Moving on! Let's lighten the load here and clean house. Hell, you can shove both fruits AND veggies in blender and probably come out with something pretty darn refreshing!


Seriously, my friends, that's all. I'm sure you have plenty of plans and spreadsheets or dream journals filled with your next steps for 2016. That's amazing! Take a deep breath and get back into the groove one step at a time. I'm not one for Resolutions. I think trying to give yourself one mammoth "goal" for a year is a recipe for disaster, but I'm a big supporter of Intentions...I'm a yoga teacher, after all. Start designing your intentions for just this month. That's all we need! The future will flourish and grow and change and be awesome. We can do this.

Because, don't forget:

You are awesome.

Keep your eyes peeled before the end of January for the last installment of

Maintaining Not Gaining!

-Be Cool, Soda Pop-