Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D During Winter?

This afternoon, while it was nice and sunny, I decided to go outside to try and soak up some UVB rays so my body could convert it into Vitamin D.

I know how essential Vitamin D is to hormone regulation, digestion, heart health, mood regulation and a whole slew of other health needs, so I went onto my front porch, rolled up my pant legs in 30 degree temperatures {the sun was actually quite} warm and all but willed my body into Vitamin D production.

Then I became curious.

How long exactly do I need to sit out here like a crazy woman wearing her parka with her pant legs rolled up to get adequate Vitamin D exposure.

The short of the answer: until about March 25, as that's the earliest the UVB rays actually are available in Chicagoland.

Bummer!

{The sun still felt good, so not a total bummer, and it was probably also entertaining for my neighbors.}

So have you made this common sun mistake?

And are you getting enough Vitamin D during the winter? Chances are if you're not supplementing with a liquid D3 supplement or spray, you're not!

This video by Dr. Mercola is definitely worth watching and the article worth reading.

Enjoy!

Sun Exposure: Benefits Beyond Vitamin D Production

New Year's Resolutions: Resolution Workout

Every year, the vast majority of us make them.

And every year, the vast majority of us break them.

New Year's Resolutions -- our simultaneous friend and enemy.

What if there were a way to keep your resolutions all year long?

What if all you needed was a few tips, a good game plan and the right motivation to hold true to that which you've resolved?

And what if you had a place where that could happen?

Here's the exciting part: you do!

For 2013, Curves has resolved to make your resolutions ones that stick and morph into reality!

Ask one of the coaches about attending our FREE resolution workout next Wednesday, January 2 at 6 p.m. or call 847-543-9922 to reserve your spot.

Spaces are limited for this workout where we'll focus our efforts on effectively and efficiently turning on our fat-burning mode, getting a game plan set into play for our resolutions and sharing tips on HOW to keep those resolutions.

Here's to a healthier, stronger you in 2013!

Move-It Monday: A Simple Movement

So you know you should work out four days per week at Curves and walk daily.

Luckily, even as we move into the winter season, it's easy to get to Curves four times per week because our Curves circuit is indoors, so we're not normally thwarted by the Chicago-area winter weather.

But walking outdoors in 20-degree or below weather?

It's not on my list of favorite activities!

On the days I don't get outside for a walk, I make movement happen indoors.

Here's a simple movement I make sure to do on those days where going for a walk seems like a form of torture due to the in-climate conditions.

Lie down on your back with your feet planted on the floor so that your knees are raised.

Tuck your pelvis up and hold in your butt muscles and squeeze them tight, tighter, tighest.

Repeat.

If you want to get fancy, keep squeezing those butt muscles tightly and begin transferring weight back and forth from one hip to the other.

I'll normally do this for about ten minutes just to get my blood flowing and move when I'd otherwise be sedentary. 

Healthy Living Tips: Thanksgiving is just ONE day!

Now that we've come into the full swing of the holiday season, I think we need a gentle reminder of one important thing:

Thanksgiving is just ONE day!

One celebration!

One feast!

I'm all for carrying around a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness year round, yes. So in that sense, Thanksgiving should follow us around for the entire year!

But Thanksgiving dinner and dessert? Well, we don't really want that following us around for the rest of the year, so we need to leave the feasting to just one day.

One day of feasting won't cause us to gain weight, but more than one day certainly can!

So let's walk in a spirit of gratitude, but let's walk away from the dining room table spread the days after!