Month: December 2022

advice · fitness · holiday fitness · holidays · self care

Making Space 2022: Day 27

Christine Hennebury

We only have a few days left in this ‘making space’ series and I have been doing some thinking about how to make space for my future self so I thought you might like to do the same.

Right now, I’m keenly aware of the things I meant to get done but didn’t get around to, of the things I don’t want to do next year, and of the things that I want to do differently next year.

I end up in this spot every year, of course, and I have occasionally made the scattered note for my future self.* This year, though, I am making a conscious effort to sit down and list things to help 2023 Christine. And when my list is done, I am going to put reminders in my calendar about what to do or not do at specific times.

Note: if you want to try this but you get hung up on choosing a specific date for tasks, just pick a date to reminder yourself to pick more specific dates. So, for example, choose Sept 1 and put in an event that says ‘Consult list in (notebook or digital location) and make a schedule.)

Not only will this make space for my future self, it will make space for my current self because I won’t be trying to remember all kinds of things for the future AND because my brain likes knowing a plan is in place – even if I won’t be using it for a while.

If my approach doesn’t appeal to you, maybe you could invent your own system by asking things like: What kinds of things would I like to have more space around right now? What would give me that space? What can I do to make sure I can have that space in the future?

Only you can know what kind of space you need and it’s ok to take steps that make sense to you in order to create that space.

And whatever space you need, whatever steps you take to create it, I wish you ease and breathing room around the whole thing.

Remember, you matter, your efforts matter, and you are doing the best you can with the resources you have.

⭐️

Oh, and of course, I have included a couple of videos to help you create a little space for your current self today. Creating that space now will also help contribute to your future self’s wellbeing. 💚

*For example, my past self put a note in my calendar to order something on Sept 1, 2022 and a couple of years ago my December self put a note on November 15 to buy an extra set of lights to replace a set that had burnt out.

A Beginner/Low Impact 10 Minute Workout from Jolie Della Valle. The still image shows the instructor in exercise clothes standing in a field with her arms extended at shoulder height toward the camera.
A 5 Minute Meditation for Anxiety from the Goodful YouTube channel. The still image features a person sitting cross-legged in meditation on the floor front of a beige couch in a living room.

About Making Space 2022

About Making Space 2022

In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating. Last year, it was my turn and after an introductory Go Team post called Give Yourself Some Space, I created a series of reminders called ‘Making Space‘ that offered a suggested short exercise video and a suggested meditation in case you needed an easy way to find space for yourself in your schedule.

For 2022, I’ll be doing the same thing but I’ll also be including a link to Martha’s post from the same date in 2020 and I’ll offer a few extra ideas for relaxation, creativity, and self-kindness here and there.

These posts are not about insisting that you do more, more, more during this busy season. Instead, I want to encourage you to remember that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and you are worth taking good care of.

Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need in the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day.

Christine’s December Theme
ADHD · fitness · planning · self care

Christine’s December Theme

Christine Hennebury

Apparently all of my posts this month have been on the theme of self-care.

I had realized that was (deliberately) the case for my daily posts for the ‘Making Space 2022’ series but it was only when I started this post that I realized that my regular Tuesday posts had been all about self-care, too.

In retrospect, it’s ridiculously obvious but until I started writing this post, I thought that my regular Tuesday posts were all over the place this month. In fact, I started by calling this post ‘Bits and Pieces’ and I was going to write about how I felt like I was too focused on small issues lately and not getting into any big picture stuff. Brains are so weird, aren’t they?

a photo of a bag of sugar tucked into a corduroy bag resting on a white desk.
What does this have to do with self-care? Nothing and everything. What you are looking at is a snuggle sack that I made for my nephew’s guinea pig. When my sister and I talked about the needed size, I used a bag of sugar as reference point. She said ‘If you made a snuggle sack for a bag of sugar, it wouldn’t be the wrong size.’ Obviously that required me to send her this photo of a very snuggly bag of sugar. How is this self-care? I got to do something I enjoyed and I got to laugh with my sister about it at the same time. Image description: the top of a bag of sugar is visible inside a grey corduroy sack (that is lined with blue flannel) and the sack itself is sitting on a white desktop under a lamp.

I started the month by talking about the challenges of resting, then I was thinking about how I wanted to focus on some low-key core work to give myself some structure (literally and metaphorically), and then I was dealing with back pain.

Then today, I woke up with a lot of pain and tension in my hands and I thought I would write about that…after I did some stretches. (This video helped a lot, by the way.)

A Wrist, Hand, & Finger Stretch Routine video from Adarsh Williams. The still image shows the instructor wearing a blue tshirt and standing up in a white-painted room. They have their arms extended in front of them and they are using their left hand to assist a stretch in their right wrist. The title of the video is written in black text overlaying the right side of the image.

So, I was thinking of all of those things as separate – resting, core work, back pain, and wrist/hand stretches – but they are all connected. For starters, they are all happening to me – so that’s one connection. They all have to do with me trying to manage the details of my life in a way that supports me instead of making me work harder. And they are all about underlying, foundational things that would be helpful for me to take a closer look at.

I take plenty of downtime on a regular basis but I could probably put some structures in place to make it easier for me to get more complete rest – mentally and physically. If I established a higher level of basic core fitness, it would support my efforts in other areas. If I strengthened my back and paid closer attention to *how* I move, I could avoid some types of back pain. And if I did more hand and wrist stretches on a regular basis, I would probably have more flexibility and less stiffness overall.

Sidenote re: my wrists and hands – I didn’t injure myself or anything. I am pretty sure my wrist/hand/forearm stiffness today was related to spending the last few days rolling cookies, wrapping gifts, and carrying packages – basically using my hands in unusual ways and employing different muscles.

I think I am pretty good at mental self-care and decent at physical self-care but there is definitely room for improvement in both areas. I would like to move myself toward more proactive and preventative care, especially physically.

Most of the time, I can organize things to take good care of my emotional health and my mental well-being but I have such a hard time assessing my physical capacity that it is hard for me to judge what to do now to make things easier on myself in the future.

In fact, just like I was doing with my December posts – I keep seeing my days and my activities and my actions as separate things when they are all very much connected and they all depend on me taking good care of myself moment to moment and overall.

a photo of moss, dried grass, brown leaves, and tree roots covered in a light dusting of snow.
Last week, when on a walk, I took this photo for my future self. Something about this light dusting of snow on the moss made me feel relaxed and happy so when I look back at it, I will remember how lovely my walk was AND how lovely it felt to look at that moss. Image description: a photo of a light dusting of snow on moss on tree roots. Snow-covered dried leaves and grass covered in snow can also be seen between the tree roots.

Sooooo, what am I going to do about all of these realizations?

Well, I don’t want to let my brain away with sorting everything into separate boxes any more because that is not helping very much.

I guess, I need to ask myself questions like these and figure out my next steps:

What kinds of things help me feel better/help me to take good care of myself?

How do I integrate those physical/emotional/mental self-care practices so I can be proactive about my current and future health?

What habits and systems do I need to develop to make those practices a straightforward part of my daily rhythm?

What help/advice/support do I need to make that happen?

And, most importantly for this ADHD brain – how do I work on this without trying to do it all at once and getting overwhelmed?

I don’t have answers for these questions right now but I will be returning to these themes throughout my regular posts and in my ‘Go Team’ posts in January.

How do you do with your self-care?

Do you tend to see things in ‘bits and pieces’ like I do or do you remember that it is the same you doing all of the things?

PS – As an update on the core work – I followed the video every day until my back started acting up. After that, I still did some core work but I found that that specific video irritated my back so I did other back-friendly exercises daily and tried to ‘engage’ my core when doing other routine tasks as well.

fitness · holiday fitness · holidays · meditation · yoga

Making Space 2022: Day 26

Christine Hennebury

Today seems like a great day for some restful self care.

Hmm, that’s misleading. I think EVERY day is a good day for restful self-care, and active self-care, and, well, any kind of self-care at all, really.

ANYWAY, on to my point…

We are just a few days from the end of the year, and a few days from the end of a busy month. Instead of thinking in terms of getting more done or cramming more things into our day/week/month/year, I’d like us to be thinking about how to take things slowly, how to ease forward.

And, of course, I’d like us all to be kind to ourselves while we do that. 🌟💚

Here are two videos to help us to be kind and loving towards ourselves as we take things as slowly as we can.

PS – Martha’s delightful 2020 Wellness Calendar posts ended with a round-up post on December 26, 2020. So I am flying solo from here on in.

Jessamine Stanley’s 8-Minute Yoga for Self-Love from the Health Magazine YouTube channel. Still image features the instructor sitting on her left hip and using her left arm to support while herself while the sole of her right foot is on the mat, right knee is bent, and her right elbow rests on her right knee. She is dressed in pink/flowered exercise clothes and is on a pink yoga mat.

Loving Kindness Meditation 5 Minutes with Sharon Salzberg from the FitMind YouTube channel. Still image shows Salzberg (who has shoulder length blond hair and dark-framed glasses and is wearing a purple bottom up shirt) speaking into a microphone. On the left side of the image is text reading ‘Loving Kindness Meditation.’

About Making Space 2022

About Making Space 2022

In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating. Last year, it was my turn and after an introductory Go Team post called Give Yourself Some Space, I created a series of reminders called ‘Making Space‘ that offered a suggested short exercise video and a suggested meditation in case you needed an easy way to find space for yourself in your schedule.

For 2022, I’ll be doing the same thing but I’ll also be including a link to Martha’s post from the same date in 2020 and I’ll offer a few extra ideas for relaxation, creativity, and self-kindness here and there.

These posts are not about insisting that you do more, more, more during this busy season. Instead, I want to encourage you to remember that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and you are worth taking good care of.

Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need in the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day.

challenge · fitness · goals · habits · Happy New Year!

Some new year challenges we recommend

Sam B1 Comment

YMMV but we’re not big on new year’s resolutions here on the blog. That said, we do often embark on new year’s challenges.

Here’s three of our favorites:

Yoga with Adriene, Center

It’s January and that means it’s time for Adriene’s 30 day yoga journey. This year it’s called Center. I won’t be doing it while recovering from knee replacement surgery but in years past I’ve really enjoyed it as a start to the year.

Gretchen Rubin’s 23 in 23

Go Outside 23 in 23 is a simple habit changing—go outside for 23 minutes a day in 2023.

Outside in 23

Workout 223 times in 2023

The goal is simple, workout 223 times in 2023. We use the Facebook group as our accountability check in and we support one another through life’s many challenges. I love seeing all the different things members get up to. Here’s a link to the original group that started it all as well.

Training to smash the patriarchy

Any others to add to the list?

fitness

Knee replacement recovery is an all on thing

Sam B1 Comment

In the last week I’ve seen two personal trainers, one physiotherapist and one massage therapist. I’ve ridden my bike on the trainer most days and I’ve carefully met my step goal everyday.

Also, I’ve done physio at home everyday.

It’s a full-time job. I’m thankful for my benefits and for a life that allows me to focus a lot of my energy on recovery.

But it’s a full on time and money consuming thing. I’ve got a lot of determination and good habits and a life built around time to exercise but I still struggle. I’ve got lots of sympathy for people who aren’t used to doing physio through pain and who haven’t rehabbed athletic injuries before.

I’m alternating between feeling grateful I’ve got the time and money to do all this and feeling grumpy that I have to do it. Round two will be this spring, I hope. After that it’ll be another 6-12 months of physio.

And in between this recovery and the next (hoping for right knee surgery this coming spring) I’d like a bit of a break on concentrating on knees and knee physio.

What I’m hoping for when all that’s done is everyday stuff without pain (getting groceries and standing at convocation) but also hiking, long dog walks, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and dancing up a storm.

Unlikely this is my dancing future but a person can dream.

fitness · holiday fitness · holidays · self care

Making Space 2022: Day 25

Christine Hennebury

On December 25, 2020, Martha offered us the gift of this post ‘Make Yourself The Priority’ – a reminder that self care and making space for ourselves in our days, our weeks, our lives makes sense.

We deserve the same care and attention that we give to others.

But learning to make yourself a priority isn’t a switch you can just flick on and be done with it. It’s a practice – one you’ll need to return to over and over until self care becomes a habit.

And today is as good a day as any to start doing that, even in a small way.

Perhaps you could begin by making your own preferences a little more of a factor in your decisions today. The way you like things done is just as valid as the way anyone else likes them.

Or you could take 5 extra minutes of breathing room before diving into your next task.

Or you could pick the thing that is most convenient for you even if it means a little more effort for someone else.

You matter, just as much as anyone else does (at the very least!) and it’s ok to organize your time and your efforts to reflect that you are one of your own priorities.

I wish you ease, self-compassion, and enough space to explore what making yourself a priority looks like for you.

And, as always, here are a couple of videos for you to try, if you are so inclined.

A 10 Minute Full Body Workout from the Human 2.0 YouTube channel. The still image shows a person in workout clothes in a small studio or home gym with free weights and other small equipment in the background. They are standing on their left foot with their arms stretched out to the sides and their right leg crossed behind their left with their right toes pointed to the left side
A guided meditation from the ‘Calm’ app’s YouTube channel. The video is called ‘Daily Calm: 10 Minute Mindful Meditation. Self Soothing.’ The still image shows raindrops on greenery and white text reading ‘Meditate: Self Soothing.’

About Making Space 2022

About Making Space 2022

In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating. Last year, it was my turn and after an introductory Go Team post called Give Yourself Some Space, I created a series of reminders called ‘Making Space‘ that offered a suggested short exercise video and a suggested meditation in case you needed an easy way to find space for yourself in your schedule.

For 2022, I’ll be doing the same thing but I’ll also be including a link to Martha’s post from the same date in 2020 and I’ll offer a few extra ideas for relaxation, creativity, and self-kindness here and there.

These posts are not about insisting that you do more, more, more during this busy season. Instead, I want to encourage you to remember that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and you are worth taking good care of.

Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need in the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day.

Yorkie Kiwi sitting on top of Golden Retriever Bailey. Strolling through the holidays
family · fitness

Strolling through the holidays

catherine w

This year I’m spending the Christmas holidays with my family in South Carolina, where it is unseasonably cold (but nearly as cold as most of North America right now). This is no news to anyone who knows me, as it’s my usual holiday routine– fly or drive from Boston, arrive at my sister’s or my mother’s house, and divide up my time between towns and relatives. It can get a little hectic, but it means seeing more family, which I love, and listening to more audio books or podcasts, which makes the shuttling manageable.

What makes my holidays most meaningful, though, is the sweet combo of nature, activity and loved ones. I thought I would share a visual holiday stroll with you, my dear readers. I’d love to hear from you if you’d like to share some of your holiday activities with friends, family or yourself.

In no particular order, here goes.

First up, a stroll and chat along the Riverwalk in Columbia, SC with my nephew Gray.

Gray and me on a bridge over a canal next to the Congaree River in Columbia, SC.
Gray and me on a bridge over a canal next to the Congaree River in Columbia, SC.
Two of the many bridges crossing the river.
Two of the many bridges crossing the river.

We talked about music, what to make of Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), urban walk spaces, and whether an adjacent ant hill was occupied (he poked it with a stick despite my recommendation against it, but nothing terrible happened. Whew.)

Some years, my sister and her kids (and friends) head to Litchfield Beach right after Christmas. There are fewer tourists, so we have the shoreline to ourselves. We walk all we walk, collect shells, and catch up on each others lives.

My niece and nephew with friends on a not-cold, cloudy and beautiful day by the ocean.
My niece and nephew with friends on a not-cold, cloudy and beautiful day by the ocean.
My sister Elizabeth and me, left to our own devices by the teenagers. We were just fine.
My sister Elizabeth and me, left to our own devices by the teenagers. We were just fine.

When I’m in Darlington, I always take the opportunity to walk in Williamson Park, which has a cypress swamp. It’s always interesting to me how the swamp changes and adapts over the seasons and years.

Icy swamp with cypress knees and trees poking out of the water.
Icy swamp with cypress knees and trees poking out of the water.
Although I walk with family here often, it's a pleasure to be there just with my own company.
Although I walk with family here often, it’s a pleasure to be there just with my own company.
A bridge across the cypress swamp, in the low light of December.
A bridge across the cypress swamp, in the low light of December.

Then, of course, there are times when it’s necessary to try out some of the cache of Christmas toys the kids received. Gray let me go for a ride on his three-wheeled swivelly scooter. I think I did pretty well. By the way, that December it was very warm, so I was in short sleeves– another South Carolina holiday treat.

I'm concentrating to get the hang of swiveling on this scooter.
I’m concentrating to get the hang of swiveling on this scooter.

And of course, there’s a lot of dog walking. I have dozens of holiday photos of us taking out Kiwi the Yorkie and Bailey the Golden Retriever.

My niece Gracie, Kiwi, Bailey and my sister Elizabeth, at a moment with the dogs at Sesquicentennial State Park.
My niece Gracie, Kiwi, Bailey and my sister Elizabeth at Sesquicentennial State Park.

There’s always more to share, but my sister is reminding me that I still have to gifts to wrap before heading to my mother’s house. I wish all of you a peaceful, nature-included, happy December 25.

fitness

Six Good Things on a Saturday

Sam B

I’m still struggling here with pain and mobility and recovery from knee replacement surgery. It’s a slog.

But I thought I’d mention six good things that are new, in the spirit of reminding me that good things are happening by telling you about some of them.

First, for seven days in a row I’ve met my step target.

Second, for two weeks in a row I’ve met my weekly km goal in Zwift.

Third, there are now group rides I can do on Zwift. There’s the HERD of Thundering Turtles.

That’s Saturday morning for 90 minutes starting at 930 am. There’s also Seattle Baby Steps, Sunday at 11:15 am, another, 1.0-1.3 w/kg group ride.

“Are you looking for a supportive beginner or recovery ride? If so welcome to Seattle Baby Steps! This weekly ride will be paced at an average of 1.0-1.3 w/kg on the flats and is intended for riders who are newer, younger, older, and recovering from injuries. This is an enjoyable and conversational social ride where your participation is encouraged. Baby Steps’ goal is to help you build strength and confidence to try the hundreds of advanced rides, races, and events that are available every week on Zwift.”

During the week there is also EZR Take It EZ-er on Thursday nights, and Friday morning at 7 am there’s the HERD Kibbitz and Chinwag.

On this morning’s Thundering Turtles ride I stuck around for 50 minutes, my longest time riding since surgery. I let the red beacon sweep come back and get me. And even Strava says my fitness is improving.

Fitness increased!

Fourth, I’m going to a conference in Arizona in January and hoping to bring my bike along for the trip. It’ll be my first time back on a bike outside since knee replacement surgery. I’ve got no big speed or distance goals. I’m just looking forward to sunshine and riding my bike.

Fifth, I’m enjoying my new fancy gym even if aquafit isn’t my speed. There’s a great sauna and a hot tub and yummy protein shakes for sale for after. I don’t always get the protein shake but if I’m on my work it’s handy. It makes me feel pampered.

Sixth, I’m walking Cheddar again, getting out in the sun and the snow, and even though we don’t go very far it feels good.

Merry Christmas from Cheddar!

Cheddar is ready for the holidays
fitness · holiday fitness · holidays · self care

Making Space 2022: Day 24

Christine Hennebury

Welcome to Day 24.

May you have space and ease in your day whether you are celebrating, dreading, or just having a regular kind of Saturday.

Please remember that you don’t have to feel any kind of a way today.

It’s ok to just be who you are, do what you can do, and feel the way you feel. and I wish you strength and support for the boundaries you want to set around those things.

Basically, I want you to be able to spend your day today in a way that make sense (and feels good) for you, whatever that might entail.

And, by the way, if you are looking for a suggestion of one good way to spend your Christmas Eve/Saturday/December 24, Martha has a great reminder of an Icelandic tradition that I’d like to adopt: Read a Book, Eat Chocolate

No matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating today, I hope you are kind to yourself about the whole thing:

Meanwhile, if making space for yourself today includes movement or meditation, I’ve got you covered:

If you are feeling the need to get moving, here’s a Hip Hop dance video to try.

Another fun 5 Minute Family Dance Cardio video from PopSugar Fitness. The still image shows three people in exercise clothes standing close together in a pink room. White text reading ‘5-Minute Family Hip Hop Dance Cardio with Poofy Moffitino’ is on the bottom left side.

If you need to relax and find ease, here’s a slow evening yoga flow.

This video from Yoga with Joelle is entitled ‘10 Minute Evening Yoga For Seniors & Beginners’ and the still image shows Joelle in exercise clothes on a grey yoga mat. The background is purple and white text reading ‘Slow Evening Flow is above her and the words For Seniors and Beginners is in purple to the right.

And if you need some inner calm, here’s a guided meditation to try.

This video, from the Great Meditations YouTube channel is entitled ‘Guided Meditation for Inner Peace.’ The still image shows a cartoon image of a person in flowing clothing sitting in meditation against a light blue background. The words ‘Peace & Calm guided meditation’ are shown next to and below the person in white text.

About Making Space 2022

About Making Space 2022

In December 2020, Fit is a Feminist Issue blogger Martha created a tradition – a series of reminder posts to take good care of ourselves during this last month of the year when it is far too easy to get swept up in your to do list, no matter what you are celebrating or not celebrating. Last year, it was my turn and after an introductory Go Team post called Give Yourself Some Space, I created a series of reminders called ‘Making Space‘ that offered a suggested short exercise video and a suggested meditation in case you needed an easy way to find space for yourself in your schedule.

For 2022, I’ll be doing the same thing but I’ll also be including a link to Martha’s post from the same date in 2020 and I’ll offer a few extra ideas for relaxation, creativity, and self-kindness here and there.

These posts are not about insisting that you do more, more, more during this busy season. Instead, I want to encourage you to remember that there IS a *YOU* who is doing all of the things and you are worth taking good care of.

Perhaps the things I suggest aren’t what you need in the moment. That’s totally ok. Perhaps you can use something else to create some space, something that will help you feel more relaxed or more in charge of your day.

fitness

What Do YOU want for Christmas, and Holiday Habits

amandalynnstubley

Well welcome to December 24th! For many folks reading this blog, Christmas Eve is an important date, for cultural or faith-based reasons. If that is you, I say Merry Christmas! If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then I hope you have a good Saturday.

Photo of Christmas tree decorated with lights and glass balls
This year’s Christmas tree!

For me, I do celebrate Christmas. I love the way that the holiday season brings both excitement and sense of calm and peace. I love how at Christmastime I get some mental space and life slows down for me. I reflect on what I really care about, what I want and sometimes what my goals are for the future. That dovetails pretty well into the New Year for me.

This year, I don’t know what to expect out of my holiday break, because I’m headed into it with an energy deficit. I have a job has kept me much busier than I expected, and have had less time for exercise than I wanted. I know I am going to be enjoying some brisk urban hiking and can’t wait for that. I also hope I can get to a pool a few times.

Some of us who write regularly on the blog were discussing what we might ask for, if there was a Fit Is A Feminist Issue version of Santa Claus. I think I might like Santa to bring me some more confidence in myself as someone who exercises. So often my activities and exercise routine are limited by my own fear and insecurity.

Here is what some of our writers would ask for:
-A new job
-A knee replacement without a wait and with an instant recovery
-A week without having to make decisions
-An already-established workout habit, so you get right to the good part, without a lot of starting and stopping in the beginning.

I love these gift wishes. As I re-read them, I think about how I would also love a pre-established workout routine! Another blog writer shared that one of her favourite Christmas day activities is to go for an early morning run, when the streets are quiet and calm.

I would love to hear from you, readers. As we approach the new year, we are all inundated with guilt-inducing and body-shaming messages. This is NOT that.

In the spirit of this blog, I am thinking we could have a more positive conversation about exercise. Do you have holiday habits? How do you tend to exercise over the holidays? And of course, if you could have a mystical being bring you a life and health related gift, what would it be?