I’m so proud of the fact that I’ve got a blog to share fitness, nutrition and exercise advice to help you maintain a happy and healthy life. The blog covered a lot of ground and I thought I’d use the last post of 2017 to reflect on the tips covered over the past year.

I thought it would be fun to succinctly wrap up my favorite tips from the past year:

• Spend time in nature to improve your mood
• A little walking goes a long way, especially for those of us sitting at a computer most of the day
• Take an avalanche safety course when skiing in the backcountry
• Yoga and pilates can help treat low back pain
• If you run or cycle, you don’t need to stretch
• Mindful meditation can reduce pain and stress
• You’ll burn more calories doing high intensity interval training 
• Peanut butter might just be the ideal exercise food
• Running actually helps your back
• Grab chocolate milk after a workout for the perfect recovery drink
• Music can help you generate more power, release dopamine, and reduce stress
• Make sure to tell your doctor the supplements you’re talking
• Physical activity and movement is showing an on our memory
• The Swiss ball is better than an exercise mat. Not convinced? Do this 15-minute workout. 

And for next year, I’ve got a lot of fun topics planned.

Topics for 2018 will include:

• The benefits of being stronger (hint: pump that iron)
• Understanding sleep cycles
• Your love (or hatred) of running might be genetic
• Platelet-rich Plasma versus Amniotic Fluid injections
• Is being an endorphin junky good for your health?
• Favorite DIY energy bar recipes

Thank you for reading this past year and please share with friends, family, and anyone interested in fitness, nutrition and exercise. If there’s a topic you have that you’d like me to cover, let me know. Have a happy and healthy New Year!

I will be doing everything I can to eat holiday cookies and red/green M&Ms (they always taste better in holiday appropriate colors) in moderation while hoping for more snow.  If you have questions or want to get a program started contact me.   Sonja Stilp, M.D.