Amy Culver - The Queen Of Lean


Holiday stress


Holiday season isn't all just about food


Plan ahead to stay on the right track


Prioritize this Thanksgiving


Choose treats wisely during the holidays


Starting a weightlifting routine


Healthy body has right signs


You need a livable food plan


Tailor your food according to needs


Plan strategies for when life gets hectic


Traveling can challenge eating habits


Parenting your own inner spoiled child


Long-term motives create long-lasting results


Interval training works for anyone


Check ingredients when eating out


Get out of the house for your workout


Lack of sleep may lead to weight gain


Cooking extra saves time and calories


Even small changes can make an impact


Swimming is a good
all-around exercise


Don't let slip-ups destroy your plan


Make your lifestyle and health compatible


A little exercise can yield big results


Food plans can help you eat right


Moderation is weight-loss key


Give your weight-loss plan time


Combat post-holiday blues with activity


Choose holiday calories carefully


Good kitchen tools make life easier


Enjoy feast in moderation


Start planning holiday meals now


Don't buy Halloween candy too early


Theaters offer healthy snacks


Try to avoid evening snacking


Tips to stave off hunger pangs


Stuck?  Reassess your routine


Avoid peaks and valleys in diet


Measure size of food portion to help tip scale in your favor


Learn to love being thin


Change your lifestyle; don't just diet


Fruity thoughts to keep fit


Water can ease cravings


Working a pool into your exercise routine


Stay focused, move forward


Delay caving to craving


Review of daily plan should include diet & activities


Holidays are never-ending


Measuring food is key to weight loss


Food-logging can help in weight loss


Find ways to make exercise fun


Reserve time for your exercise program


Substitutions for your holiday treats


Moderation is key to good diet

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Holiday stress

Well the holidays are all but over.  Just one more party night and it's back to normal life.  How did you do?

Even if you stuck pretty well to your food plan, got in some fairly regular exercise, and the scale isn't as bad as it's been in some years, the end of all the fun and festivities can be a bit of a crash.

For some, it can lead to a period of depression.  Depression has a tendency to make us crave sugar.  Your overall energy feels low and you feel burned out after all the rushing about for the past two months. 

Without thinking, you might tend to grab quick energy foods.  But that will spoil all the benefits of adhering to your plan throughout the holidays.

Consider engaging in things that will be energy and mood boosters.  First, while the weather is still nice and cool, start planning some early spring projects you've wanted to get done.  After all the decorations are down and stored, is a great time of year to paint a room, or plant a spring garden.

Are you a scrapbooker?  Start planning what you are going to do with all the new holiday pictures.  Maybe you can create next year's Christmas presents out of them, or use them for birthday presents.

Are you a shopper?  This is treasure-hunt time.  Get out there are start scouring for 75 to 90 percent off bargains for next year:  cards, decorations, even gifts.

In the short term, get outside and enjoy the weather.  This is the time of year that reminds us why we live in the Valley of the Sun.  Nice walks in the sunshine are at the top of the list for creating a cheery outlook.