The new year is finally here. It’s a new start, a clean slate and a fresh new page. So in celebration of this, I wanted to share with you a formula for setting fitness goals that would make them easier to reach.

I call it S.M.A.R.T. goal setting: S: specific, M: measurable, A: attainable, R: realistic, T: time-bound.

Let’s take a typical new-year resolution: “I want to lose weight and be healthy” and try to apply the S.M.A.R.T. approach to modify it.

​This blog is for all the awesome members of the Employee Wellness Center, an Award-Winning Employee Wellness Program that I have been running at JFK Medical Center for the last 14 years!

​Let the count down begin! The holidays are fast approaching and with that comes all the goodness of the holidays; scrumptious food, parties, shopping, and happy get-togethers. Also with the season comes the possibility of adding on thousands of unnecessary calories, weight gain, and an increased waist line.

How to Make it Fun, Rewarding, and COOL!

So, it’s dipping in the 40s tonight, is that a reason to put outdoor exercising on freeze? Well, with the right preparation, the answer is: No. Here are few recommendations to consider for a fun and safe cold-weather workout:

Insulation:
Did you know that you can lose as much as 50% of the body heat through the head(1)? The biggest concern for exercising in the cold is hypothermia, or too much heat loss. So always dress properly. A good rule-of-thumb to remember is

Now that we are in the holiday season, weight gain is going to be a concern for many. Time limitation is also going to be an obstacle with everything that is going on; like shopping, family, holiday parties, etc. To help fight the potential excess calories that this time brings, I am rolling out the simple fitness challenge (below):

​Have you ever thought about building a home gym? Especially now with the New Year’s fast approaching and all the specials on fitness equipment. The thought of a home gym is a compelling reason to start your healthy resolution. I mean why not? It offers a range of benefits in terms of flexibility and convenience. However, before you rush and grab that hot deal on those treadmills, below are few points to consider so you can decide the approach that best fits your fitness goals: