Monday, March 29, 2010

Motivation Monday: Falling in Love Revisited

After the falling in love post I realized I missed a step.  It's the process of getting to the point of falling in love with the process that's the trickiest and most difficult step of the whole darn thing.  I realize it's not an overnight connection that's made but more like a lengthy journey filled with patience and perserverence that gets us to the point of loving what we do in order to live healthy. 

At first it's mostly like a love-hate relationship.  We only experience the hard work that's put into living healthy.  There's a significant waiting period until we experience the  sweetness of our work. 

Most of all, I believe it's the attitude and spirit of understanding that brings us to falling in love.  An attitude of growing and knowing that there will be many bumps along the way that will try to cause the journey to end.  A spirit of entering the unknown and willingness to accept whatever comes our way with grace.

I had to acknowledge this crucial step because it has been a vital step in my journey...the process of getting to the point of loving the process versus loving the end result.  Since the end result is a myth it's hard to find long-term sucess with this type of attitude.     

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Race 3...Check!

Rock the Parkway in rain, drizzle and hail!  What do these three weather conditions have in common?  Not ideal for running 6 miles.  However unpleasant the conditions I can honestly say it was a ton of fun...especially when it was over and I could feel my hands again. 

I was lucky enough to run with Renee the whole length of the race.  We talked, laughed and exchanged many stories.  This is the best kind of running.  The 6 miles didn't seem nearly as bad with good company, especially someone that is so easy to talk with. 
This is what running 6 miles is all about...good comany and good food.  Happy Birthday to Mendy!  She celebrated by running a half marathon.  Yes, my fitness friends have different ways of celebrating than most.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Motivation Monday: What it's all about

Jodi is an amazing gal.  I've had the opportunity to work with her for several years now.  She never ceases to amaze me with her enthusiasm for not only living life but being a wonderful wife and mom to her six children.  I wanted to use Jodi as an example this week because her email to me last week is what it's all about, living life and participating in fun things with people we love.  Jodi could have easily sat on the sidelines but instead she gave her kids the gift of playing with them.  I bet it's something they will cherish and remember about their mom for many years; how she loved them enough to take care of herself.


Hi Mandy....
Just wanted to share with you that my kids and I went rock climbing today, and I was planning on only the boys going, but they wanted me to do it with them, so I did. Amazingly enough, I was able to reach the top twice and ring the bell! It was such a major accomplishment!

I think it took every ounce of strength and determination I had. Iknow I would have given up if it weren't for my kids watching me, and cheering me on. They were so proud to have a mom who made it up there! Thanks for helping me get strong so I can have these awesome moments with my kids!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Spring Energy

In the last 24 hours my rejuvenation has come from the energy I've gotten from these awesome activities:
1. Handstands at an amazing yoga class...feels good to act like a kid again and I was one of the youngest in the class!
2. Sleeping in to 8:30...which is quite an accomplishment for both Jax and I...love the time change.
3. New songs on my iPod + refreshing spring weather = an epic 4 mile run
4. And to top it all off....Disney on Ice!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Water

Have you seen this? I'm not sure if it's true...I haven't found the scientific research to back it up but it sounds great and makes sense. So I've been giving in a whirl.

Drinking water at the correct time maximizes its effectiveness on the Human body:

2 glasses of water after waking up - helps activate internal organs

1 glass of water 30 minutes before a meal - helps digestion

1 glass of water before taking a bath - helps lower blood pressure

1 glass of water before going to bed - avoids stroke or heart attack

Upcoming Walk/Run Events

Next weekend is Rock the Parkway. They are in need of volunteers to help out with the race if you or anyone you know might be interested in helping with this. Go to www.rocktheparkway.com and click on "Register Now" which will take you to sportkc.org. Login in or scroll down and "continue as a guest." Click on "sign up to volunteer" on the right to get signed up! OR email sharon@rocktheparkway.com for more info or to let her know that you are available.

The second race is April 25th. It's called the Acorn Walk/Run. It looks like a lot of fun and it's only $20 plus you get a t-shirt!! Visit www.talloaks.org for more information.

I'm signed up for both races!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Recognizing Thyroid Disease

He outdoes himself over and over again. Dr. Oz explains thyroid disease so we can all understand it on Good Morning America but even better he points out two things that are crucial for everyone to know about the disease.

1. Dr. Oz explains that we need to pay attention to the symptoms we experience over a blood test, especially if we have a normal blood test but experience the symptoms.
2. Vitamin D is so important to defend thyroid disease.

This disease affects 27 million Americans. I see it all the time since I work with women. They experience the symptoms but then tell me the doctor told them their "blood work" is "normal." So then we just ignore the symptoms?? Please watch the video especially if you have or know anyone that suffers from the symptoms below.

Hypothyroid Symptoms
Feel Cold
Unexplained Weight Gain
Fatigue
Brittle Fingernails and Hair
Feel Depressed

Hyperthyroid Symptoms
Sensitive to Heat
Sudden Weight Loss
Rapid/Irregular Heart Beat
Anxiety Attacks
Difficulty Sleeping

Monday, March 15, 2010

Motivation Monday: Mary

Ever realize how influential the people we meet on a daily basis can change our personal perceptions?

Meet Mary. Out of all my clients, she's had the most birthdays, eighty-three to be exact. Yet she seems like a friend that's not more than a couple years older.

Mary epitomizes what I hope to be like a generation from now. She's got this thrill for life and living it well. She's a participant, no matter what her driver's license says, she acts how she feels which probably isn't a day over 30. It's inspiring to be around her because nothing really stops her...well maybe some physical limitations that happen over the years but she doesn't dwell on them.

And maybe one of the reasons Mary is so special to me is because she reminds me so much of my great-grandma. They both possess this incredibly sunny outlook on life that not many people carry. Even when they both had husbands that left them decades before and I'm sure many, many other obstacles they lived through. They never lost their zest for life. It seems it has only made them stronger.

The message Mary has sent me without even knowing is to never stop living and to see each day as a sunny one...even if there isn't a blue spot in the sky. We make our own blue skies.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Motivation Monday: Fall in Love

Fall in love with the process instead of falling in love with the end result. This is the recipe for life-long success but it entails a huge shift. Make the decision to shift your love to the right place.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Change your Brain to Change your Body

Meet Dr. Amen and check out this video clip from the Rachel Ray show.

Dr. Amen breaks down the five different brain types among people who are struggling with weight:

Type 1: The Compulsive Overeater: "These are people who think about food all day long."
Type 2: The Impulse Overeater: "I call them grabbers - whenever they walk past something they grab it."
Type 3: The Impulsive-Compulsive Overeater: "A combination of type 1 and type 2, they have very little control over their impulses."
Type 4: The Sad Overeater: "These are people who tend to be sad, maybe depressed - these people eat as a way to medicate their sadness."
Type 5: The Anxious Overeater: "These are people who tend to be filled with anxiety, tension, and they eat as a way to medicate their anxiety."

Monday, March 1, 2010

Motivation Monday: Push Through

I see it in myself. I see it in many women. Hard work, discipline and self control with food just to find out that a week has passed and there's absolutely no change on the scale.

Push through times like this. I know it can be so discouraging. Do it, the battle is worth fighting.

I'll be honest, I get pretty annoyed when this happens (it's been happening lately!) but also realize that it takes longer than a week, two weeks or even three weeks for my body to change. Let's use the "no change" on the scale to fuel our fire. Work hardER, eat bettER and vow to get more intense. Let's not stop at the first sign of adversity but rather, push through.

Remember the process.