Friends Make February Shine

February 2013

Monthly Newsletter

Beat Back the Winter Blues!

Take a stand against SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) before it becomes a much more serious problem.  Once the holidays have ended and the New Year's resolution inspiration has fizzled, you may be feeling a little low.  Spending more time inside and not getting much sunlight exposure, if at all, is another huge contributor to this problem.  Depression causes us to withdraw further from life, making our family and friends an after thought and it's a terrible place to be.

SAD can start as soon as fall comes around and the days shorten, causing our production of the mood elevating neurotransmitter, serotonin to drop.  The symptoms are loss of energy and concentration, increased appetite (especially carbohydrates), weight gain, reclusiveness, and fatigue.  If you've noticed yourself sleeping more, eating junk food, and choosing the TV over going out with friends, fight back by changing your behavior.  It may not be easy, but it will be worth it!

There are home treatments that work and are worth trying before you ask the doctor for an antidepressant.  Light therapy, to mimic the dawn when you wake up, and exercise are great mood lifters.  Do them regularly and you should experience an improvement in your happiness and energy.  Eating a healthy diet is also key to beating this disorder, because there are foods that will balance out your hormones (explained further in the article below).  If you decide to try herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort, discuss those with your doctor.  Herbs can interfere with medications you may already be taking.  For instance, if you are taking an antidepressant already, St. John's Wort can cause light sensitivity. 

Exercise that includes both cardio and weight lifting, will release endorphins and boost your confidence.  Endorphins act similarly in the body as many pain killers do by binding to the the same neuron receptors.  However, the only addiction you will get is to the self confidence that comes with working out.  You won't want to hide in your home and you'll start craving the next fitness class you've signed up for.

We believe that coming into the studio will benefit you the most.  Not only are you getting out of the house, you will socialize and make new friends while keeping in conact with those you've already made by coming here.  You'll be motivated and challenged, far more than you would be at home, all while getting in a good laugh.  And we do laugh a lot here!   So what sounds more fun?  Clearing the clothes off the treadmill and walking nowhere to a TVLand rerun or spinning and dancing on the pole to heart thumping music?  That's what we thought.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Tighten and Tone Your Body with BalletFIT!

Naughty or Nice? Bachelorette Party Games and More!

We're often asked by ladies, throwing bachelorette parties, what they should do during the rest of the party after the pole lesson is done.  You may play bachelorette games, have a Pure Romance party, and even hire a stripper!  (We only ask that before you book outside entertainment of any form, that you contact us first for more info).   Those are only a few possibilities to make the party as naughty or nice as the bride would like and break the social barriers for guests who don't know each other or to learn new things about those who do! 

Mood Boosting Foods and Meals

We have a tendency to crave carbohydrate rich foods when we are blue, and while a spike in our blood sugar will have us feeling good for a short time, it isn't doing us any good.  Choosing more complex carbohydrates, like slow cooking oatmeal, will stabilize our blood sugar rather than have it spiking and dropping, adding to our poor mood. As mentioned earlier, low serotonin levels are a major contributor to depression and carbohydrates do raise this neurotransmitter, not because they're high in it like pineapples, walnuts and tomatoes, it's because they are high in tryptophan.  Tryptophan is an amino acid used to produce serotonin.  So when you're sad and cravings hit, remember that what you grab to satisfy them is still a choice.  It is in your power to choose a healthy mood boosting meal over a bag of chips or a candy bar.  After all, the guilt of eating something unhealthy, will only make you feel worse.  It's better to save your favorite junk food as a once in a great while treat and not use it as a crutch.

PoleFIT Revolution 

1037 W 12 Mile Rd.
Madison Hts MI, 48071

248.246.2222 

polefit360@gmail.com