The Best of Times/The Worst of Times

By: Pam Ben Rached
January 10, 2012

Welcome to 2012. Whew! Do you ever feel like you are on a perpetual whirlwind?

Congratulations on surviving the holidays. They can be wonderful, joyous times of laughter with the family, good food and stress. Yes – I said stress.

I find the holidays to be the best of times and the worst. For me, honestly, they are rough. I love my family – don’t get me wrong. I am truly blessed. What is difficult to explain is that Christmas and all its’ trappings conjure up tough feelings from times gone by. Tough, conjured up feelings trigger food eating that digresses from the normal, healthy mode that is generally my norm. I cry at the most inopportune times and for goofy reasons. My emotions are raw and irrational.

If someone you love fits this description, be patient with them. Listen to how they feel and sometimes just being there, sitting with them and loving them is the best thing you can do. Stay away from telling them that they should get over how they are feeling and concentrate on the positive aspects of life. They know that – trust me.

How does this relate to fitness? Everything relates – your spiritual, physical and mental side as well as your everyday life. Exercise plays a key role in all of this as it helps us balance out these moments and focus this energy into a physical outlet.

It’s ok to cry, though. And laugh. And love. Life is, after all, the best and worst of times.