LiveWell Vermont

Most people look forward to the yummy foods around the Thanksgiving Holiday, but are often overwhelmed with feelings of guilt about what they ate the next day. To overcome this guilt, some experts recommend relishing the day and getting back on track on Friday. Other experts encourage individuals to enjoy all of the food, in small amounts. Whatever approach you decide to take, here are some simple suggestions you can try to achieve a healthy eating outlook on Thanksgiving. Enjoying your Thanksgiving Meal without Calorie-Counting Guilt Get out and exercise the morning of Thanksgiving day and after your Thanksgiving meal. One effective and easy way to do this is going for a brisk walk with some family members. You could also consider participating in one of the local 5K Turkey Trot Races. Most, if not all, events such as these are family oriented and are a great way to get moving with those you love! Enjoy the foods you love in small portions. Peruse your food options before loading...

The Vermont State Employees' Wellness Program announces our  December Challenge: Get INSPIRED! Click HERE to register by Monday, November 25, 2013 . Close the year out on a high note, focusing on your health and wellness. Celebrate this December by getting inspired to live your healthiest life. This 3-week challenge (December 2 - 20, 2013) will encourage you to focus on all aspects of your health and challenge you to integrate new healthy habits into your day. Participate as a team or or as an individual Receive a daily motivational tip via email Challenge yourself (and your team if applicable) each day to complete a wellness activity

Have you got the winter workout blues? Feeling the effects of cabin fever? During these winter months we tend to lose some motivation to get up and get moving. Although there are lots of winter activities like cross country skiing and snowshoeing, these activities are not for everyone and are dependent upon the weather. One key to staying motivated to exercise, regardless of the time of year, is to recognize when you are getting bored with the same routine. This is especially true during the winter months as are our moods are a little less jolly and it's easier to talk ourselves out of our workouts. Below are some tips to break the blues and get moving - warming you up from head to toe. Warm Up If you feel the need to stay snuggled in bed and are skipping your morning routine try placing your workout clothes in the dryer for a few minutes. Then climb into those nice warm clothes and get revved up to do your workout. If outdoors is where you are headed for your workout tr...

For many, Thanksgiving day is visualized as a warm and loving time with family, filled with the aroma of comforting foods and feelings of gratitude. The Holiday can also bring on feelings of stress from high expectations, preparation for the big day, family disagreements and worries about overeating. How can this stress be avoided? The key is preparation. If you're hosting a Holiday get together, here is a quick checklist to help make your Holiday a stress-free and enjoyable one! Make a plan & write it out -  Begin with your guest list. Figure out how many guests you'll have so you can plan how much you'll need to buy to make your meal. Planning ahead is the key to alleviating stress as it helps to avoid all your "to do's" piling up at once. Make it a potluck - Ask your guests to bring a dish, drinks, paper goods or decorations to share. This is a great way to get family and friends involved and to spread out responsibilities of cooking and preparati...

Multi-tasking is over-rated! A recent study found that the average smartphone user checks their device about six times an hour. So what’s all that incoming information doing to us? It’s creating a world of people who are stressed out, exhausted and perpetually teetering on the brink of a cold or worse, because their immune systems are similarly fried. It may be time to try a digital detox — learn to cut the cord and take your life back from tech.  By doing so, you’ll be able to recharge your body and mind, re-connect with your creative side, improve your mood, boost concentration and make room for new intellectual connections you’d probably not have made had you been glued to a screen.  Not convinced you may be a bit addicted? Put it this way: if you start your day by checking your email before you’ve even gotten out of bed, or worse, while you’re on the toilet, it’s time for a digital detox. Here’s how to start your dial-down: 1. Do Less Every Morning Wake, medita...

Adding avocado to the filling makes for a nutrient-rich creaminess that complements the sweet and spicy baked potato.  Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 60 minutes Total Time: 75 minutes Serves:  4 Ingredients: 1 ripe Hass Avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and cubed 4 medium sweet potatoes 1 Tbsp. coconut  oil 1 / 2 cup diced onion 1 / 4 cup diced red bell pepper 1 clove garlic, minced 3 / 4 tsp. ground cumin 1 / 2 tsp. dried oregano 1 / 4 tsp. salt 8 oz. lean  ground white meat turkey 1 (14-oz.) can petite diced tomatoes in juice 1 / 4 cup grated cheddar cheese (optional - try Cabot 50% light cheddar to reduce fat content) Salsa (optional) Preparation: Heat oven to 400⁰F. With a fork, pierce sweet potatoes all over several times. Place on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil; bake until soft and fork tender, about 45 minutes. Heat oil in a dee...

The cost of joining a fitness facility can often be a barrier for many who want to do strength training. In addition, the added travel time and working out with others can sometimes be unappealing. A cost-effective and convenient alternative is turning your own home into your own personal training facility. What You Need: 1. Space: You will want a small, open space that allows for movement and is void of hazards. 2. Equipment : Invest in a few dumbbells and/or resistance bands as well as a stability ball. 3. Plan : Start strength training AFTER you have developed a plan. It is important to have a structured plan or consult with a fitness professional prior if you need assistance. A well rounded plan will: include 8-10 exercises targeting the major muscle groups of the body. 1-3 sets of 8-12 repetitions 2-3 days per week Strength Training Tips: Control the Weight. Lift and lower the weight in a slow, controlled manner. Try using the 1-2-3- count. Lift up for a coun...

For a large number of Americans, pain in varying form is just part of their daily life. More than half of Americans suffer from physical pain, which means that if you were to ask someone randomly on the street if they were in pain, it is highly likely that the answer would be yes. Findings from a nationwide phone survey of over 1,200 Americans showed that back pain was the most common type of pain reported, followed by knee and shoulder pain, joint pain and headaches. On a more positive note, pain can be a good thing. It can serve as a warning of deeper, underlying problems, which may otherwise go unnoticed. That being said, it's extremely important to never ignore pain. It is essential to seek out and address whatever problem may be causing you the pain. Once you have addressed the problem, most likely the pain will subside. If for some reason the pain remains, here are some tactics to try that don't involve and prescription or over-the-counter drug usage: 1. Stretching...