“I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes
Christmas is all around me and so the feeling grows
It’s written in the wind, it’s everywhere I go
So if you really love Christmas, come on and let it snow!”

Even though it’s mid-December and there’s not a speck of snow here in Montreal, the feeling of Christmas is ever present.  Elf Chippie finds his new location to land each morning, the advent calendar is almost complete, phone calls to Santa reporting the good and the bad have been made, pretty presents are being wrapped, and the food and drinks from holiday get-togethers are flowing. Ah, yes, that last one.

How is it possible to get through the next few weeks of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations without packing on the holiday pounds? How do we start our 2016 fitness in the black, not in the red? There is one magical thing to focus on. We have to focus on the feeling. Just as Christmastime has a wonderful feeling, so does fitness. There is a sublime feeling of accomplishment, a rush of endorphins, and a total confidence boost once you have finished a workout. This is the feeling I love empowering people to feel. And this feeling is the magic focus point.

The feeling that living a healthy lifestyle can provide is like having Christmas year round. When you wake up feeling strong, when you are confident in your skin, and when you are nourishing your body with the fuel it needs to thrive, there really isn’t a better feeling.

As the rush of the holidays grows near, continue to find time in your day for your workouts. Stay focused on the feelings this brings you and make a plan now to head into 2016 focused on what is important. Give your loved ones the most important gift this year, your health.

Last call for the Just Feel it Fitness personal training holiday promotion, this is our best deal of the year. Savings of 50%. See below for more details.

Alternatively, if you are looking for a fitness routine you can do on your own, join us starting January 11^th for the Master’s Challenge. We will focus on lifting heavy, gaining muscle mass, and chiseling the body for 60 days!! Contact me ASAP for more details about this brand new program.

Have a great week,

Meryl

Featured Recipe

Chocolate Hummus

Otherwise knows as (healthy) Nutulla, shhhh don’t tell the kids! This is one of the afternoon snacks my kids love at their daycare. Serve it up on a rice cake, or with some fresh fruit. Make a healthy addition to your holiday brunch this year!

Ingredients:
1 can chick peas (2 cups) drained and rinsed
1/4 cup cacao powder
1/4 cup soy butter (I used peanut butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup water
pinch of salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
In a food processor, combine all ingredients. Process until combined. Store, covered, up to one week in the refrigerator.

Enjoy!