Check out this weeks Fit Tip - the BOSU Roll-Down Push-Up!
(http://www.bosufitness.com/bosu-roll-down-push-up)
I'm finally getting back on my feet again this week (after being sick) and hope to resume my workouts this afternoon. Poor little Paige is still stuffy but she's hopefully on the mend too!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Knocked Out
We've been passing bugs around our house ever since Christmas so now I've been sick in bed since Sunday evening! Needless to say, there hasn't been too much fitness going on this week but I hope to be back to it next week.
Stay healthy and well!
Stay healthy and well!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Commitment Creates Change
In Church on Sunday, a guest Minister shared a story about his son who as a freshman in high school, decided that he wanted to break 2 standing long/high jump records at his school. Apparently, his son was not naturally athletic so his father was worried that having such a goal might turn out to be a great disappointment. So, he told his son that reaching such a goal would require great discipline and commitment and that he would support him as best as he could along the way.
As it turned out, having such a goal ended up transforming this boy's entire life. Because of his commitment and dedication to the physical aspect of the training, other aspects of his life started to change. He began eating and drinking differently because his body required the most nutritious food to perform optimally. He began to spend time with different people who understood the demands and time requirements of having such a goal. He began using his time more wisely because he realized he didn't have a lot of it to waste. And in the end, he broke and re-set both track and field records at his school.
Having goals in life gives us direction and can fill us with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Without goals, it's easy to find ourselves going through the motions day in and day out, never really attaching much meaning to what we do and why we do it.
What life really needs from us is ACTION. Becoming physically active has changed my life. Becoming intellectually and emotionally active has changed my life. Becoming more spiritually active is changing my life... all for the better.
Exercising discipline and commitment in the pursuit of goals connects us to our higher selves - the one who exceeds our own expectations. It assures us that there is more to life than just beer, pizza and football (though life wouldn't be enjoyed as much without them!).
Our commitment to goals give us hope that things can be different if we want them to be. Change can be just around the corner. It's easier to find than we oftentimes think it is. Defining a clear goal can definitely help.
As it turned out, having such a goal ended up transforming this boy's entire life. Because of his commitment and dedication to the physical aspect of the training, other aspects of his life started to change. He began eating and drinking differently because his body required the most nutritious food to perform optimally. He began to spend time with different people who understood the demands and time requirements of having such a goal. He began using his time more wisely because he realized he didn't have a lot of it to waste. And in the end, he broke and re-set both track and field records at his school.
Having goals in life gives us direction and can fill us with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Without goals, it's easy to find ourselves going through the motions day in and day out, never really attaching much meaning to what we do and why we do it.
What life really needs from us is ACTION. Becoming physically active has changed my life. Becoming intellectually and emotionally active has changed my life. Becoming more spiritually active is changing my life... all for the better.
Exercising discipline and commitment in the pursuit of goals connects us to our higher selves - the one who exceeds our own expectations. It assures us that there is more to life than just beer, pizza and football (though life wouldn't be enjoyed as much without them!).
Our commitment to goals give us hope that things can be different if we want them to be. Change can be just around the corner. It's easier to find than we oftentimes think it is. Defining a clear goal can definitely help.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
BOSU Over the Dome
Check out this weeks Fit Tip - BOSU Over the Dome!
(http://www.bosufitness.com/bosu-over-the-dome)
It's one of my favorite heart-pumping drills that I love to do in between exercise sets!
(http://www.bosufitness.com/bosu-over-the-dome)
It's one of my favorite heart-pumping drills that I love to do in between exercise sets!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Stagnation Creating Dis-Ease
stag*nate
* to cease to run or flow
* to stop developing, growing, progressing, or advancing
In Oriental Medicine, stagnation (of blood or chi/energy) is one of the main causes of disease (or dis-ease, as I prefer to think of it) in the body. When blood or energy cease to flow, the body's systems simply aren't able to function properly.
Physical and mental functioning can both be affected. Depression, for example, is one mental condition that occurs when the "stagnation of Chi disrupts the free flow of energy throughout the body and adversely affects the body's ability to maintain emotional harmony".
Depression and its effects are very real. I have been experiencing it myself as my post-partum hormones continue to fluctuate, sending me on an emotional roller coaster! Part of what I experience is a deep anger or frustration and a feeling that I am "stuck" in life, or at least in that particular moment; similar to a feeling of stagnation.
Most of the time, I have to just ride it out (and hope that I don't drive my husband too insane!) but the strategies that work the best in helping to improve my mood are ones that get the blood and chi CIRCULATING in my body again.
Deep breathing is one of the easiest ways to jump-start that circulation and exercise stimulates the circulation of oxygen to the brain and the release of energetic neurotransmitters which can improve your mood.
Practicing yoga (where deep breathing, or pranayama, is an essential component), running, and certain balance work on the BOSU Ball all help to restore a sense of mental clarity and peace because they all integrate physical movement with breath which has a harmonizing affect on the brain.
It is easy to see why so many people feel better after an exercise session. Someone once told me that sometimes, I am a completely different person after a run than I was before I went out. Some people might view that as a symptom of an "exercise addiction". I prefer to see it as a very healthy coping strategy. I'd rather see my mood improve after a run as opposed to after downing 4 beers!
When I'm feeling stuck or stagnate in life, the best thing I can do is to get moving. If I keep putting one foot in front of the other, I know I won't be stuck for too long.
* to cease to run or flow
* to stop developing, growing, progressing, or advancing
In Oriental Medicine, stagnation (of blood or chi/energy) is one of the main causes of disease (or dis-ease, as I prefer to think of it) in the body. When blood or energy cease to flow, the body's systems simply aren't able to function properly.
Physical and mental functioning can both be affected. Depression, for example, is one mental condition that occurs when the "stagnation of Chi disrupts the free flow of energy throughout the body and adversely affects the body's ability to maintain emotional harmony".
Depression and its effects are very real. I have been experiencing it myself as my post-partum hormones continue to fluctuate, sending me on an emotional roller coaster! Part of what I experience is a deep anger or frustration and a feeling that I am "stuck" in life, or at least in that particular moment; similar to a feeling of stagnation.
Most of the time, I have to just ride it out (and hope that I don't drive my husband too insane!) but the strategies that work the best in helping to improve my mood are ones that get the blood and chi CIRCULATING in my body again.
Deep breathing is one of the easiest ways to jump-start that circulation and exercise stimulates the circulation of oxygen to the brain and the release of energetic neurotransmitters which can improve your mood.
Practicing yoga (where deep breathing, or pranayama, is an essential component), running, and certain balance work on the BOSU Ball all help to restore a sense of mental clarity and peace because they all integrate physical movement with breath which has a harmonizing affect on the brain.
It is easy to see why so many people feel better after an exercise session. Someone once told me that sometimes, I am a completely different person after a run than I was before I went out. Some people might view that as a symptom of an "exercise addiction". I prefer to see it as a very healthy coping strategy. I'd rather see my mood improve after a run as opposed to after downing 4 beers!
When I'm feeling stuck or stagnate in life, the best thing I can do is to get moving. If I keep putting one foot in front of the other, I know I won't be stuck for too long.
Monday, February 04, 2008
The BOSU Get Down Get Up (GDGU)
Check out this weeks Fit Tip - The BOSU Get Down Get Up (GDGU)!
(http://www.bosufitness.com/bosu-get-down-get-up)
This is a total body movement that builds muscular strength and endurance and can also become a heart-pumping, aerobic activity. I love using it as a warm-up exercise or as a station in a circuit workout.
You can vary it by holding onto light dumbbells, squeezing a soft med ball in between your knees or ankles, or by staggering your foot position (one foot slightly in front of the other) to increase the load on a single leg.
Watch the video and feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about form or variations!
(http://www.bosufitness.com/bosu-get-down-get-up)
This is a total body movement that builds muscular strength and endurance and can also become a heart-pumping, aerobic activity. I love using it as a warm-up exercise or as a station in a circuit workout.
You can vary it by holding onto light dumbbells, squeezing a soft med ball in between your knees or ankles, or by staggering your foot position (one foot slightly in front of the other) to increase the load on a single leg.
Watch the video and feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about form or variations!
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