The Studio Kalamazoo

Many people dread the holiday weight gain. It can start as early as Halloween and continue all the way through New Years. There are so many different strategies for avoiding the yearly weight gain that it can be quite confusing. So this year keep it simple; just follow the 80/20 rule.

The 80/20 rule is the idea that as long as you are pretty good with your eating and exercising 80% of the time the other 20% doesn’t matter as much. This means that if you know that you have a holiday party on Friday and you might over-eat, then make sure that you eat really well each day leading up to the party. That way when you are at the party, if you overindulge, you don’t need to feel guilty.  Just relax and enjoy knowing that you will get back on track the next day.

The same can be said for exercise. When things get really busy you might find it harder to make time for your exercise sessions. Although we recommend trying to fit it in as it is a great stress reliever, there will be times that it just won’t be easy to do. Again, you can plan for these times; if your entire extended family is arriving on Thursday and not leaving until Sunday, make sure you exercise as much as you can leading up to Thursday. Then relax and enjoy your company and get back to exercising as soon as you are done.

The 80/20 rule is nice because it takes out the guilt of the not-so-healthy behaviors that sneak in during the holiday season. It does require some planning to ensure that your interruptions do not get you completely off track for the entire season. This is generally where people gain the holiday weight: they get off track and then just don’t get back on. You have to get back on track in between the parties and the shopping and the visiting if you want to avoid gaining the weight.  It’s easy to do, if you just take the 80/20 rule as your guide.

This blog is designed to help you get to know us better as well as offer great information on fitness, nutrition, and general health. We are very passionate about educating people on the importance of moving your body, eating well, and getting enough rest. As people learn more about their health they are often motivated to get healthier. At the Studio we will help you reach your goals, whether they are to complete your first marathon, lose weight, or reduce pain.

We get excited as we learn about your goals. We know that with the right combination of cardiovascular, strength training, and stretching we can make a world of difference in how you feel. If we can add in proper nutrition, then the sky’s the limit. We have seen people lose weight, reduce their use of certain medications, and get their mobility back.

We have a team of motivated trainers waiting to help you take that first step towards better health. We look forward to meeting you, hearing your story, and helping you design a program that works for you.