Gettin' Fit & Healthy with Rickie

      What if??  th is year we decide to love and take care of ourselves more rather than 'trying to change ourselves'.  New Year's resolutions are almost always focusing on changing something to make ourselves or our lives better.  Consider a resolution that allows you to love yourself as you are and resolve to show yourself the love and kindness you deserve. Treat yourself the same as you would treat a loved one.  This does not mean you should not resolve to exercise but approach it from a different perspective; I am going to do what I can to take care of my body and provide it with what it needs.  Exercise can reduce stress, improve our overall health and clear our minds.  Try replacing the resolution of  ' I want to lose 30 pounds'  just resolve to move more doing something you enjoy on a regular basis and reap the rewards of how your body and mind feel.  Be patient and the weight loss will happen. Are you resolving to...

Stressed, anxious!?!?     Are you feeling stressed, having a tough time defusing after work or just cannot seem to wind down for a good nights sleep? Stress affects are bodies in many different ways, sleep, mental acuity, mood, eating habits, physical health and more. Now may be the time to consider dipping a toe into the 'mind / body' fitness.  I know yoga is not for everyone, some worry they cannot do yoga others think 'it is just not my thing to be quiet, be still and the gentle slow movements are weird.'  Consider approaching mind body fitness in a different way by adding some nice gentle stretches at the end of the day or maybe you need that quiet time in the morning.  To help with the 'mind' portion of fitness, prior to the stretches find somewhere you can sit quietly and bring your focus into your body rather than everything that is happening around you.  Please keep in mind that our brain is always working so you will need to on occasion gently remi...