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Is that latest fitness trend something that actually works? How should you navigate the pandemic? Will this nutrition plan work for me? TODAY's Health team is always here to help with your burning questions while keeping you informed and sharing some inspiration along the way. With that in mind, here are the Health stories that really resonated this year. 

But first, the news...

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced yesterday that the department will examine Southwest Airlines' flight delays and cancellations that have left thousands of travelers stranded and paying exorbitant prices. A Michigan doctor who was reported missing on Christmas Eve was found dead after a dive team found his body in a frozen pond near his home. An 8-year-old's smooth dance moves at his elementary school's holiday concert have gone viral. The TODAY anchors shared their New Year's resolutions, with Hoda Kotb helping to inspire Savannah Guthrie's goal for 2023. 

🚶‍♀️ A 30-day walking plan to jumpstart weight loss and boost your mental health.

This was the year we launched our monthly Start TODAY walking and fitness challenges, and thousands of TODAY fans joined in! Our 30-day walking plan created by TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour is designed to get you up and moving with 20-minute daily walks to get started. Stephanie also has ways to boost your mental health while on your daily walk, as well as a 10-minute strength training circuit that requires no equipment. If you haven't already joined us, begin the New Year by signing up for our free Start TODAY newsletter and joining us on the START Today Facebook group for a daily dose of exercise and inspiration. 

💪 I tried the Blogilates weightless arm workout and saw results in 2 weeks.

If there's a trendy new exercise program or diet, you can bet TODAY Health will let you know if it's worth your time or just a gimmick to get your money. TODAY fitness contributor and personal trainer Stephanie Mansour gave the 13-minute, Blogilates “weight less” arm workouts a try for two weeks and shared her positive results (above). Stephanie told us what she liked and didn't like about the workouts, which involve keeping your arms lifted for the entire duration of the exercises. Stephanie also shared the four types of people she recommends are best suited to give it a shot.

🚶‍♀️How one woman lost 112 pounds with the 80/20 diet rule and walking.

We love sharing success stories to get you inspired, and the fitness journey of Debby Rose certainly fit that bill in 2022. Debby, 70, gave us the blueprint for how she lost 112 pounds after undergoing two knee replacements and enduring a traumatic event that left her nearly housebound for five years. Debby described how she got started and aimed for steady progress rather than a crash weight-loss regimen. She also shared how practicing the 80/20 diet rule of eating healthy 80% of the time and eating what she wants the other 20% helped her steadily lose weight. Read Debby's story as well as 3 other success stories from this year. 

🤧 Still testing positive for COVID-19 after 10 days? Here's what to know.

This informational guide is as relevant as ever considering health experts have said this winter faces a "tripledemic" of respiratory illnesses between Covid, flu and RSV that have flooded hospitals. One way to protect yourself before attending winter holiday parties is to take rapid Covid tests. We have all you need to know about when you should take at-home Covid tests, what to do if you test positive, whether you are still contagious after 10 days, and what to do if you continue to test positive. 

Thanks for letting us in your inbox this year!
See you again tomorrow morning.

Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield

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