What is WELLNESS?

According to Club Industry, Americans are already spending more than $200 billion in the health and wellness industry. On top of this outstanding figure, the wellness field is growing bigger by the second. People of today are looking to safeguard their health and youth and are willing to spend time and money investing in this more than ever before. What is total wellness? What are the components that make up a healthy individual?

Club Industry lets us in on seven dimensions of total wellness:

1.Social Wellness. This is how a person contributes to their environment and community and how he or she builds better living spaces and social networks. The social dimension encourages contributing to one’s environment and community.

2. Occupational Wellness. Occupational development is related to one’s attitude about one’s work, and recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life through work. The choice of profession, job satisfaction, career ambitions and personal performance are all important components of this dimension. To be occupationally well, a person is ultimately doing exactly with what they want to do in life and are comfortable with their future plans.

3. Spiritual Wellness. The spiritual dimension recognizes our search for meaning and purpose in human existence. It does not mean one is religious, but that it is better to ponder the meaning of life and be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant. Spiritually well people take time out of their day for spiritual growth and learning. They have a clear sense of right and wrong, and they act accordingly.

4. Intellectual Wellness. This dimension recognizes one’s creative and stimulating mental activities as well as expands knowledge and skills while sharing his or her gifts with others. The intellectually well person is open to new ideas, thinks critically and seeks out new challenges. These people will stretch and challenge their minds with intellectual and creative pursuits instead of becoming self-satisfied and unproductive.

5. Emotional Wellness: This dimension includes the capacity to manage one’s feelings and related behaviors, including the realistic assessment of one’s limitations, development of autonomy and the ability to cope effectively with stress. Emotionally well people have the ability to express feelings freely and manage feelings effectively. They are also aware of and accept a wide range of feelings in themselves and others.

6. Environmental Wellness. This includes the ability to promote health measures that improve the standard of living and quality of life in the community, including laws and agencies that safeguard the physical environment. The environmentally well person is aware of the earth’s natural resources, conserves energy, buys organic foods and products, and enjoys and appreciates spending time in natural settings.

7. Physical Wellness. This is what we all do well in our health clubs. It is met through the combination of good exercise and eating habits, taking precautions for self-care and receiving appropriate health screenings throughout our lives. It also means taking personal responsibility and care for minor illnesses and knowing when professional medical attention is needed. Physically well people understand and appreciate the relationship between sound nutrition and how their body performs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction.

Do you have the Fall and Winter blues?

It is that time of year again. The chill is back in the air, which means warm, comforting foods and winter clothes that reveal less skin, hiding that extra winter “layer” we all seem to gain during the holiday season. How much easier is it to throw on your sweats to couch at the end of the day instead of taking a run on the treadmill? We have all fallen into the Winter blues...however, this year, let's take steps to stay healthy and cheer ourselves up with healthy eats and plenty of movement.

We can look at this time of year as a time to hibernate or as a time to shine! Here are a few ways we can avoid reclusion and stay healthy:

*Invite friends/family over for a healthy potluck once a week/month to introduce in season veggies! Center a time during conversation to discuss ways each of you are getting in exercise and what healthy eats each of you enjoy.

*Organize fun indoor activities that still provide a workout like ice or roller skating. DVD’s or OnDemand TV provides great workouts in your very own living room on days you just don’t feel like leaving the house. Ultimate Fitness always has a class going on, too-rain or shine!

*Make it a goal to lose weight BEFORE the New Year. Everyone makes this goal…why not get a head start!? Waiting till January will only accumulate even MORE weight to lose. Look great in your party dress on NYE!

*Invest in cheap gloves, scarves, and hats at stores like Target and Old Navy. “It’s too cold out!” will stop being an excuse!

*Organize a walking club. Walk around the neighborhood and end at Starbucks (or friends) for a warm cup of tea or a skinny latte! Make activity something to look forward to.

What other ways do you stay healthy and active during the cold months of the year?

-UF Staff

Weight Watchers

Weight Watchers Meetings:
Every Wed @ 5:30pm.
Meetings are open to the public. For more information call 707-644-4110

ZUMBA Class

ZUMBA, the new aerobics dance class in being offered at Ultimate Fitness on Monday - Wednesday and Friday at 6:30pm and on Saturday at 9:30am. You don't have t be a member to attend class. We offer guest passes and punch passes. Call 707-644-4110 for more information.

NEW CLASS: Tuesday's at 8:00 PM