refully hand selected? Give up? How about enjoying the gifts along with your loved ones, all year ‘round? Talk about perfect!

When you invite friends or family members to join you at bodyFIT or give the gift of a punch card or monthly membership, not only do you get to enjoy their company while you work out, but you help make sure you’ll get to enjoy their company in good health for years

to come. The benefits of exercise and close social connections are well documented, so combining them couldn’t be better for you and those you love. And we’re not just talking calorie burn here:

• According to WebMD, people with strong social connections are more resilient th
  an those without them. What better way to strengthen relationships, and thereby increase personal resilience, than by engaging in healthy activities, like exercise, with your closest friends? Who knows, with all the great folks you get to know in our classes, you and your friends might even expand your social circle at bodyFIT!

•  We all know that exercise is great for you, but did you know it can also boost your mood and reduce overall levels of stress, anxiety and even depression? It’s true! Now that’s a benefit worth sharing!

•  Many of us wish we could hibernate the winter away, but by incorporating exercise into your routine, you get an energy boost that will take you from vegetative to vital! Get your friends into the mix, and you’ll all have more energy to get out and have some fun together.

Join us all week long for a wellness boost, and rev up your Thanksgiving metabolism with one of two invigorating morning classes on the big day. Then, burn off those extra gravy calories on Friday morning with our 90-minute Cardio Marathon! Bring a friend and share this intense fitness experience. It’s sure to leave you breathless in the best way!

Give thanks for good health in 2011 and beyond!

Don't be a turkey, join us Thanksgiving week!

Stop unwanted holiday weight gain before it starts!

ahead: a potentially icy bridge, loose gravel or maintenance crews at work. The same is true on the road of life where we set up other kinds of warning signs to help us navigate: calendars filled with important appointments, beeping smart phone reminders, sticky notes on the bathroom mirror, even online articles like this one.

Consider yourself warned: the holidays are coming!  Of course, the holidays are occasions to be celebrated, not dreaded, and with a little forethought, you can plan to celebrate well, and avoid the dreads of post-holiday guilt and weight gain.

When it comes to eating at holiday events, planning ahead truly is the key. While you anticipate the fun you’ll have at the big event, make some additional considerations for your health:

• If you’re attending an event where you’re invited to bring a dish to share, prepare a delicious and healthy option. You’ll be doing a favor for the hosts, other guests and yourself.
• Find out ahead of time what will be on the menu, then make a plan for what you’re most looking forward to, and what you can live without. In his fitness blog, bodyFIT’s friend, Jamie Scott offers some great ideas for making smart choices to minimize the caloric impacts of holiday feasts.
• Make sure you don’t arrive hungry—eat a salad, some fruit or other light, but substantial snack before you head out, so once you arrive, you won’t be tempted to wolf down high-calorie snacks.

When you arrive at an event, follow these guidelines to celebrate well:

• Focus on the true stars of the holiday-party circuit: stimulating conversation, fellowship with friends, a chance to burn up the dance floor and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
• Be careful with the booze. Alcoholic beverages are laden with calories and can loosen your resolve to resist food temptations. Plan to drink just one or two adult beverages, if any, and alternate water or club soda with your cocktails—the calorie-free drinks will keep your stomach full and help you avoid going overboard.

Hosting your own holiday party or meal this year? Make wellness part of the fun:

• Choose healthier versions of classic holiday dishes, like these tried-and-true bodyFIT favorites: Creamy, delicious pumpkin macaroni and cheese, Jamie Scott’s famous zesty green beans and low-guilt chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!
• Incorporate fresh, organic produce into your menu.
• If you’re serving food buffet style, opt for small plates. This will help you and your guests pace yourselves, and consume less over the course of the party.
• Plan a post-meal walk, bike ride, dance party or other activity to get your guests moving—it’ll add flair to your event, and show everyone how much you care about their well-being.

Don’t let your social commitments, shopping trips and other holiday calendar hogs squeeze exercise out of your schedule:

• Busy after work? Catch some exercise during the workday by walking. We South Carolinians are fortunate enough to enjoy comfortable daytime temperatures through the holiday season, so bring sneakers to work, and walk laps around the parking lot, or head to the mall on your lunch hour for an indoor walk.
• Make the most of your morning by getting up a bit earlier to start your day with exercise. An early-morning walk, bike ride or bodyFIT class, like Spin or CardioBlast, which are both offered early on weekdays, is sure to rev you up for a high-octane day.