Do you own one of those large exercise balls? It’s a pretty affordable fitness tool–less than $20 in most stores like Marshalls or Target. You can use it all the time and work your core without even knowing it. You can watch TV sitting on the ball instead of the couch. If you get one that is large enough, you can eat dinner sitting on the ball–imagine a photo of the whole family sitting at the table on large, varied-colored balls.

It will engage muscles without you trying and probably make you and your family laugh–another good way to engage the core!

Is your Outlook calendar at work (or home) marked to remind you to pull you belly button to your spine? You can make a daily reoccurring appointment to engage that core. Pick a time you are usually at your desk, or maybe mid afternoon when you’re starting to lose some energy.

When was the last time you relaxed in a bath of bubbles or even a nice hot bath? It’s the middle of winter. Now is exactly when we can appreciate a warm bath to help relax exhausted muscles. Sometime this weekend make the time to soak in a tub. Turn off the lights. Read a book. Linger by candlelight. Just relax and take a load off.

Studies are proving that not only does a good night’s sleep give us more energy, but it may play a role in our food choices throughout the day and, hence, weight gain.

There are so many reasons to try for a good night’s sleep. The biggest being how refreshed you feel afterward. This week try and take steps to make your bedroom more conducive to sleep. Can you block light with thicker curtains? Can you pick it up so that there is no clutter to distract you? Can you invest in nicer, more comfortable sheets? Can you drop the temperature a few degrees? Think about environments where you sleep the best and try to recreate it.

Then for the rest of this week, try and go to bed at a regular time. Bring a book with you if that helps you sleep–but try to stay away from the T.V. and computer before bedtime.

Does a week of warmer weather have you itching to get out of the house and do something? Try making a list of a handful of things you’ve wanted to try in the state of Connecticut (or somewhere you wont have to take a long drive to get to). Which of those things can you find time to do this week or this weekend? Mark your calendar for an activity you’ve been longing for.

I find that keeping my life full of experiences I’m interested in doing helps inspire me to stay healthy and always leaves me with a good story.