Health and Fitness

You're here!

I remember that wellness thread. It helped a bunch of stay on track with our goals. I wish all those people were still here. It was a fun and supportive group of people.

I asked our mutual friend about you and I'm sorry for the rough time you've been through. I hope you will post on this thread when you can. I'm here for you

 

*bunch of people

 

I had a long lunch break today so I went to the gym and did a 40 minute workout instead of the greasy food restaurant my co-workers chose. Too much sitting down drives me nuts. Plus, it was so nice to be outdoors.

 

I love my new trainer. I got so lucky because not only is he a great trainer, he is also certified in massage and trigger point therapy. That is just AWESOME! Went to work out at 6am and after that, I got a 20 minute trigger point session with a massage and physical therapy type stretches for my legs. THANK YOU trainer.

 

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.”
― Steve Maraboli

Body shaming. What a horrible thing. It has no place in health, fitness or overall wellbeing. Women who body shame other women need to embrace and accept themselves for who they are and how they are.

I don't know how these women raise their daughters. What do they teach them about themselves? Do they instill a sense of shame in them from a very young age causing them to grow into messed up women who then bully others for their body structure, their eye color, their pant size, their hair?

We can all improve. There is no doubt about that. But we cannot change our DNA and when I read articles online about striving for perfection or see photos that are digitally manipulated, I wonder what kind of trauma must that woman have gone through to do that to herself and perhaps pass that legacy on to her daughters.

Be fit. Be healthy. Be active. Be free. Be yourself. Be unapologetically you in all your glory and abilities. We all have abilities and talents and our own unique DNA that makes us the crazy awesome people we are. Flaunt it.

Choose health today. Walk, jog, run, bike, swim, keep good posture, clear your head with meditation, lift weights, cook fresh food, drink plenty of water, take a nap, get some sun, express your love to the ones around you, be thankful for all that you have and continue to have everyday.

Look at yourself in the mirror and smile at the reflection you see. That is YOU. All you. Be your best friend. When that happens, you won't feel the desire to put down other women. Choose harmony within yourself. It is the best feeling and it's free

 

Rose, I hope you see this. Your inbox is full and I am unable to reply to you. You need to delete some posts ;D

 

I didn't want to drag my tired butt to the gym after work. My trainer is out of town on vacation with his buddies. He is coming back later this evening and I have an early morning session with him. I figured since he wasn't here, I could just go home. He'd never know I didn't work out. Plus, I really was tired.

As I am about to leave from work, I get a text from him reminding me that he sent me today's workout 2 days ago and asking if I'd gotten it done. I was so tempted to say, "Yeah, sure. Great workout BTW!" but I couldn't. So I went to the gym and just pushed myself through it. As always, 10 minutes into the workout, I was just fine. Heart rate high, breathing getting labored, sweat starting to accumulate in all those nice places, and my mind slowly started clearing up.

NOTHING about today mattered anymore. Work? Pffftt. Co-workers? Pffftt. Drama on .org? Pffftt. The only thig that I could focus on was the number of reps in each set, the muscles in my body getting warmed up and responding, my breath, my attention, my focus on not falling, and the rest just vanished. 40 minutes of a high intensity circuit and I was as good as new. I left feeling so fantastic. Sweat pouring all over. Tank top drenched. Muscles achy but loose from the stretching session afterward.

Seriously, those of you who are so concerned about issues that don't even need your attention....get out and break a sweat. I understand MM is an unforgiving disease that strikes when you least expect it but not every day is a bad MM day and not everybody needs to work out at an intense level. Do what you can do to bring yourself into that state of flow where you are part of this world but not a part of the messed up thinking in your head.

If we keep living as though everything that happens is an emergency, well, your body is going to respond to it that way: elevated cortisol levels, elevated blood sugar levels, muscles tightness, clenched jaws, stomach knots and acidity, headaches, inability to sleep well at night, corrugated foreheads. You start looking older, feeling older, you get older faster.

C H I L L ;D It's all good. So you have a history with some people in your world or your online world. We all do. Let it fall to the wayside. You are more important than the stories you continue to hold on to. Those stories will eat you up, eat your happiness up, rob your peace of mind, prevent you from being your best self. Coolest part is that it isn't even worth it.

The best mantra is, "F**K it!" Because seriously, true emergencies and truly dramatic situations are rare. Preseve your mental health. Improve your physical health. Cultivate calm. Eliminate unnecessary body tension.

Relax your facial muscles right now ;D Let you jaw drop. Soften your forehead. Lower your shoulders. Release the tension in your abdomen. Breathe deeply. Life is good. Even when you think it is bad, it's good. Pursue happiness. We are so privileged and lucky compared to most of the world.

OMMMMMM

 

I'm glad you find the thread encouraging. That is the intention.

Intense is subjective. If you go for a 20-minute walk and walk faster than you did the previous time, you've increased your intensity level.

Find something you can do, enjoy doing, and slowly challenge yourself. Fitness doesn't happen overnight; it's a long process and the trick is to persevere, build in small increments and be consistent.

The activity doesn't really matter. If you are able to go for a walk then that can become your exercise of choice. Go faster, go farther, go often and voila', your intensity level builds.

MM is a bit*h. But we can work around it on some days. Not every day is a good workout day for me. Some days I can't move my head. But when it is a good day, I work hard and play harder.

 

Very true! DDP's yoga is tough. But you can do them at your own pace. There are a lot of videos on youtube with success stories.

I'm happy you are considering buying it. Yoga made the most difference as far as my balance is concerned.

 

^^ Yeah that work situation would have stressed me out too. So glad you've decided to do something concrete to deal with the negative effects of it.

I know you will like practicing DDP. Be patient. It takes a little bit to get used to it all, especially the flexibility part. If you need any suggestions (not that you do!) let me know.

Back on the elliptical? I sent you a little something to get your motivation going. Hope you liked it ;D

 

Hey I remember posting this a couple of years ago on the old forum regarding a very touching, yet amazing, DDP transformation. You may have already seen it but it is truly inspiring for all of us. Never, ever give up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448

 

Yes it is.

I don't have a special diet. I eat a lot of food, to be honest. I just make sure it is as unprocessed and varied as possible. I do avoid gluten, soy and dairy products to the best of my ability.

I don't consume any alcohol. I don't smoke. I don't drink soda or coffee but I do drink tea. I don't megadose on supplements. I sleep 7 to 8 hours most nights (not tonight as I have work to finish!). I drink a lot of water every day and I make it a point to get out and be active any time I can.

I don't think I do anything that special or difficult ;D