Is Your "WHY" Crystal Clear?
|
 I always love hearing about family members and friends who’ve made the decision to change their lives for the better. But every now and then, someone will give up on their journey and go back to their old way of living…the way of living that got them in the mess they wanted so badly to get out of in the first place. They get discouraged again and again and convince themselves that becoming healthy is just “too hard.”
Why does this happen? Simple: They were expecting big changes right away and weren’t celebrating the small victories.
Folks, real life isn’t like “The Biggest Loser” (not putting down the show — any show that encourages and motivates milllions of people to change their lives and bodies is all right by me). Real change in your body, especially if you have a lot to lose, takes time. And sometimes it takes a lot longer than the three months allotted to contestants on TBL.
For normal people (i.e., people who don’t have access to a gym, or dieticians and trainers telling them what to eat and how to exercise on a daily basis), it can take quite a while to lose those extra pounds. Even if you’re almost to your goal, discouragement can be your constant companion: the last five pounds can be tough to get rid of, the cellulite on your thighs can seem as permanent as the spackle on your walls, and your craving for carbs can easily overwhelm your willpower — especially on a bad day.
Don’t give these things (or whatever is defeating you at the moment) more power in your life than they deserve. The only thing they should be able to do to you is remind you that life is full of choices, and that next time you’ll know to make the right choice.
No matter how you think you’ve failed in your quest to get healthy — or to get your family healthy — there are also small victories that you should be celebrating. If you’ve been focusing on the negative, you may have to actively search for the positive. Here are a few of the small victories I’ve been celebrating lately:
- My husband, who’s never been a label reader, will come home from the store now and proudly point out that this item has no MSG, this one has no high fructose corn syrup, that one is low-fat, etc. I don’t lord it over him at all — I’m just so glad to see him making good choices at the grocery store!
- At a recent visit to the doctor last month, the nurse told me I was seven pounds lighter than when they saw me last (seven months earlier). I shot my fist up and said, “Woo hoo!” I’m almost to my goal weight and that’s good news, especially since I’ve been under a lot of stress and haven’t gotten to workout as much as I’d like to.
- All three of my teens exercise on their own without me telling them to. They’re building good habits that will last a lifetime, and that’s awesome. I like to think I’ve been somewhat of a good example.
You know something? I feel better just remembering that little list of victories. Give it a try yourself. The next time you feel down about your progress being slow (or even if you’ve backslid and fell back into some bad health habits), remember the small victories and give yourself a pat on the back.
So what are your little victories? Maybe you just ran your first mile without stopping (heck, maybe you even just walked your first mile without stopping). Perhaps you lost two pounds this week. Or maybe you made it through your first tough workout on Exercise TV. Could be you’re seeing definition in your arms and shoulders…for the first time in your life. These are all terrific achievements and you should be proud!
Getting healthy is a journey with twists, turns, and setbacks, yes, but also victories big and small. Remind yourself — on a daily basis, if necessary — that at this time next month, and even this time next year, you’re going to be a whole lot healthier and way more fit than you are now. Don’t give up! 
©2010 Sally Dinius
=================================================
Sally Dinius is writer-in-chief here at CrazyBusyMama.com, a blog created to inspire and motivate busy mamas everywhere to feel healthy, fit, and in control of their lives. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sdinius, and become a member of the CrazyBusy Mama Facebook fan page by clicking here.
By Susanne Myers
How many times have you said to yourself that you just don’t have the time to exercise? Don’t feel bad; it’s my favorite excuse as well. We all have busy lives and not much time for anything in our schedule. That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite ways to sneak some exercise into everyday activities with you.
Get Up Earlier. Did you know that you are much more likely to stick with any type of exercise program, if you do it in the morning? Makes sense, doesn’t it. The day is new, and you haven’t had a chance yet to get burned out from long meetings at the office or running around town all day. It’s hard to get motivated to work out after a long day, so why not get it out of the way first thing in the morning?
Set your alarm to go off 20 – 30 minutes earlier than usual and ride your exercise bike, go for a brisk walk through the neighborhood, or get an exercise tape and work out with it in the morning. Exercise is a great way to start your day and you’ll feel energized throughout the rest of your day.
Walk During Commercial Breaks. You just settled down on the couch to watch your favorite TV show, and it goes to commercial. That’s the perfect time to get in a little exercise. Just get up and march in place right in front of the TV until the commercial break is over. Doing this even just once or twice a day will start making a big difference. You can even wear a pedometer to get an idea for how much walking you get done during your favorite TV shows.
Once you get used to your commercial workout, step it up a notch by marching through the entire show. Now that’s a workout! Plus you don’t have to feel guilty about watching Desperate Housewives anymore instead of doing the dishes – you’re exercising.
Work On Your Abs While You Wait In Line. One of my least favorite things to do is to stand in line. Whether it’s at the grocery store, the pharmacy or the DMV, it just seems like such a waist of time to just stand there and wait. That is unless you are working out at the same time. You can get a great abs workout standing in line and best of all, no one has to notice. Here’s how you do it:
Stand up straight and suck in your stomach as hard as you can. Hold and count to ten before you release. Repeat. Each of these counts as one sit-up and is just as effective. Just imagine how many sit-ups you can do just while waiting in line each week.
Go For A Family Hike Or Bike Ride. Instead of just hanging out on the weekends, take the family for a hike or go on a bike ride. You get to spend some quality time with your family and get some great exercise at the same time.
If your life is as busy as mine, give a few of these exercise tips a try and see if you can’t start to find time to work out a few times a week.
====================================================
 Susanne Meyers is the owner of HillbillyHousewife.com. Check out her fun and helpful ebooks by clicking here.
For more tips on how to squeeze some exercise in your busy day visit Home Based Workouts. Get healthy and low calorie meal ideas delivered right in your inbox. Sign up for a free trial at Healthy Menu Mailer.
Article printed from LadyPens.
Whether or not you’re a runner, learning the core exercises in the following video is very beneficial. These were exercises that I, at one time, thought I’d never be able to do. I’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and scoliosis: If I can train myself do these exercises (and I have), so can you! Don’t give up on yourself! Give these a try.
I’ve been thinking about excuses lately. I’ve personally been very good at making lots of them, thinking up plenty of reasons over the years as to why I couldn’t get in shape, eat healthy, etc. But ever since I made the choice to change my life, I’ve been blowing some of those excuses out of the water. I’d like to share them with you.
“I can’t exercise because I have this or that physical problem.” When I was 19, I had knee surgery for a cartilage problem in my left knee. I also have it in my other knee, and both can still be very noisy when take I the stairs or kneel . As far as exercise, the crackling sound makes doing lunges quite comical. When I was 12, I was diagnosed with scoliosis, and with fibromyalgia about 10 years ago. The cherry on top of all of this: I also suffer from one or two migraines a month. So what did I do? I stopped listening to myself whine about my knees (they’ve both gotten stronger, thanks to working out), I rarely notice my fibromyalgia anymore, and when the migraines hit, I lay low and allow my body to rest. When the pain lessens, I’m back to my workouts. What’s your excuse? Everyone can do something.
“I’m too tired to make healthy meals for my family.” This excuse can be scrubbed out with a little planning and effort. Do what I did: Motivate yourself by reading about all the ways healthy eating can benefit your family, and how junk food harms their bodies. You’ll find yourself more motivated to make meals that are good for all of you.
“I’m too tired…period.” If you have a physical condition that is causing fatigue, please check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. If you’re otherwise healthy, you may be surprised to know that exercise – hard work that it can be – will actually give you more energy and help you to sleep better at night. I’m living proof. I have more energy now (previously sapped by my fibromyalgia and poor health habits) than I’ve ever had in my life. I feel great! Also, make sure you’re getting enough sleep.
“I don’t have the time/I’m too busy.” You’ve probably heard the phrase, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” It’s true. If you let the trivial busyness of the day take over, hoping to fit in a workout somewhere along the line, it won’t happen. Make it a priority. If you use a planner, schedule it as an appointment.
“I’ll start exercising when my life calms down … I’m under too much stress right now.” My doctor once told me, “If you don’t let the stress out, it will find its own way out.” Ominous words, but very true. Stress left unchecked can cause a host of health issues. Exercise, therefore, is an excellent stress-reliever. During one weekend that was hard for our family, my daughter Erica and I both felt the need to get outside and just walk. We went around our block at a good pace twice (joined for a portion of it by our neighbor’s black lab), joked around a little, and felt pretty good by the time we got home. Was the stress and worry over a particular situation (my husband’s health) totally gone? No, but we both felt better able to manage it. So, really, when it comes to exercise, there’s no time like the present.
Here’s a simple thing to do: Take a few moments to think about the excuses you’ve been making when it comes to getting in shape, then write those excuses down. Next, think of a rebuttal for each excuse, and write that down, too. For example, if you wrote, “I don’t have time to exercise,” you can counter that with: “I can fit in a brisk, 15-minute walk every day.” If walking isn’t your thing, try the 10-minute workouts on ExerciseTV.tv, or through your cable TV provider (I do the workouts that I find on Exercise TV through the Sports and Fitness Channel on Comcast’s OnDemand).
Remember: No more excuses!
©2009 Sally Dinius
=================================================
=================================================
Sally Dinius is writer-in-chief here at CrazyBusyMama.com, a blog created to inspire and motivate busy mamas everywhere to feel healthy, fit, and in control of their lives.
 As we get older, our metabolism tends to slow down. Combine a slower metabolism with a sedentary lifestyle and a not-so-healthy diet, and we begin to see an increase in belly fat (and cellulite, too, but that’s another issue!).
Belly fat is dangerous because it increases our risk for high blood sugar and other health problems. One study, however, has shown that a diet high in “healthy fats” found in olive oil actually works to keep your tummy flat.
Read more here: Olive Oil for a Flat Belly
©2009 Sally Dinius
=================================================
 I’m still on my freebie and deals kick this weekend, and I want to tell you about something cool you’ll find when you visit ExerciseTV.
If you know me, or have been reading this blog for a while, you know I’m a huge ExerciseTV fan. My daughter and I do our favorite workouts together as often as our schedule allows (at least a few times a week), and separately when we can’t find the time to work out together. We typically use the workouts on the ExerciseTV channel on Comcast OnDemand, but many of the same workouts can also be found on the website.
Truth be told, it’s been a few days since I’ve been able to do my workouts. I’ve had a doozy of a migraine since Friday, but I think it’s realizing it’s no longer welcome and is beginning to leave. I can’t wait until I can work out again tomorrow. I have been stretching, though, and working out a little with light weights. I can’t stand doing nothing. And that’s a good point…no matter what your reason is right now for not working out, you can always do something. A friend of mine with multiple sclerosis uses a hula hoop (which is going to be great for strengthening her core and helping with her balance difficulties).
Back to the cool thing you’ll find at ExerciseTV.tv: free workout videos (and some very inexpensive ones). Some are just a few minutes long, but some are longer, like 10-15 minutes (those typically are not free, but are very affordable). I love that — string several 10 minute workouts together and you’ve taken care of working your whole body in just 30-40 minutes. (We all have an extra 30-40 minutes a day. Get off of Facebook, etc., and you’ll see how many half hours you find. ).
Here are the links to some of those free (or cheap) videos for you to download:
Start Walking With Leslie Sansone FREE Mini Workouts–Video Download. 15 mini-workouts. I love walking with Leslie. I’ve had weak hips and knees since birth, but now they’re really strong for the first time in my life.
Amy Dixon 10-minute Workouts. Just $1.99 to $2.99 each. I credit Amy with helping me to get my abs in shape. Fun workouts!
Pink Ribbon Workouts Free Mini Workouts with Holly Perkins. “Pink Ribbon,” of course, represents the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Race for the Cure. Working out with Holly’s Pink Ribbon workouts on Comcast is what inspired me to start training for next year’s Race for the Cure in Seattle (no date yet, but I’m assuming there will be one).
Jillian Michaels’ Free Mini Workouts - 14 videos. Yep, that Jillian Michaels, from TV’s The Biggest Loser. Get ready to bust your fanny. Really.
Have fun with these! Feel free to tool around the ExerciseTV site for more free mini-workouts. These are great to download and take with you on vacation. (Yes, fall’s coming, but we still have a month of summer before school starts!)
================================================
 My first run-in with exercise was quite unfortunate. I was in the fifth grade and participating in my school’s “Jump Rope for Heart” campaign (a great program that continues to this day). I’d gotten a few pledges from my parents and people at my church, which meant the longer I jumped, the more they’d pay. Easy enough.
I never was the strongest kid in my class. Okay, scratch that: I was the class wimp. (Classmates loved breaking through my spot in a Red Rover line because I was such an easy target.) I didn’t have a “strong constitution,” as my English ancestors would’ve said, and couldn’t keep up with the others. After 10-20 minutes of jumping over that flipping piece of overgrown twine, I began to get lightheaded. In fact, I had tunnel vision and almost passed out. (Looking back, it’s obvious that I was dehydrated…besides being a weakling.)
I want to talk today about preparing to exercise…beginning with that necessity of life: water.
You’ve probably heard that if you want to build muscle, you need to eat more protein. Protein, after all, is the building block of muscle. But did you know that your muscles are also 73% water? I never knew that until recently. If you want to build muscle by working out, drink water. Cindy Whitmarsh of ExerciseTV recommends drinking 90 ounces of water per day. That’s around five 16.3 ouncers. That may seem like a lot of water, but trust me: If you’re working out like you should, drinking that much will come easily.
Also, if you want to give your body the right fuel for your workouts, you need to stay away from junk food. I’m not a nutritionist, so I’m not going to tell you exactly what you should eat — you can find that information yourself just by doing a Google search. But I will tell you that when I eat too much sugar, I feel weak and even sick to my stomach. Also, and maybe this is because I have fibromyalgia, my body will start to ache shortly after eating sugar-laden “food.” (A side note on my fibromyalgia, which I’ll cover in more depth in a future post: Since I’ve begun working out, my flare-ups have pretty much been non-existent.)
When I eat right, which includes whole wheat or whole grains, dark green veggies, protein, small amounts of fruit (fruit is good for you, but is still full of fructose, or “fruit sugar”), etc., I feel stronger and have more endurance for my workouts. Try eating better — you’ll find you have more energy for your daily tasks, as well.
Also, if you’re serious about working out, stay away from alcohol, especially if you’re training for a race. Because it’s a depressant, it affects your brain’s and body’s ability to do normal tasks. One little glass of wine can slow you down and inhibit your endurance for four days.
The last one should be obvious: Get the sleep you need. My mother has told me for years (she’s always reading the latest research) that the sleep you get before midnight counts twice as much as the sleep you get after. I don’t know why that is, but I know my body sure feels it if I make it a habit of not hitting the hay until 1 or 2 in the morning.
Sometimes I work out late at night after my three year-old is asleep. That’s really not the best time to exercise. For one, if I do several ExerciseTV workouts in a row (10-20 minutes each on average), I can pretty much plan on being awake for at least another hour or two afterward. Because exercise gets your heart rate up and your adrenaline flowing, it’s a great way to begin your day, but not such a great way to end it like that. If late at night really is your best time for working out, then do what works for you. Otherwise, try switching it to sometime earlier in the day. You might find you’ll sleep better, too.
====================================================
So, after my less-than-successful intro to running, I’ve decided that I’ll focus on walking for the time being. My legs are getting very strong from my workouts, but not in the right places for running (primarily my ankles).
After doing a little online window shopping, I’ve come up with some fun items that will make my walking (and, eventually, running) workouts a little more enjoyable, not to mention productive:
 1. GoFit 10-Pound Walking Vest with Removable Water Bottle Holder
Even Leslie Sansone, creator of the Walk at Home exercise program, recommends using a walking vest. Why? Walking vests are weighted. If you’re carrying extra weight around with you (besides what your body is used to carrying), you’re going to burn more calories than you normally would. It’s a small investment that will speed up weight loss. Sounds good to me!
2. Omron HJ-112 Digital Pocket Pedometer 
If you’re walking without this pedometer, you’re missing out on a great hand-held support system. Not only does it accurately measure your steps, aerobic steps and minutes, and distance traveled, it also measures the amount of calories you’ve burned. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? We want to make sure we’re working hard enough to cause our bodies to start burning our stored fat for energy. Comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap, and has easy-to-use push button technology. Great price, too.
 3. Sportline Walking Advantage Water Bottle Holder
When I walk, even in my own neighborhood, there are certain things I like to take with me: water, cell phone, house keys, and driver’s license (hey, if the neighbor’s lawn mower tosses a rock and knocks me out, the paramedics will need to know who I am, right?). I’ve found the perfect “fanny pack” just for this purpose. It’s so much more than a fanny pack, though. For one thing, it isn’t ugly. Secondly, it’s made primarily for holding a water bottle. Two side pockets hold other necessities, like my cell phone and keys. Handy, handy! And under $10.
Now get walkin’!
====================================================
 My daughter (my exercise buddy) and I like to work out with videos. We find it keeps us motivated to do an entire workout if we’ve got someone telling us what to do. Knowing it will be over after a set amount of time also helps.
Something else that keeps me working out each day is simply knowing how beneficial exercise really is. One benefit is that it helps you to look better. Case in point: I was interested in quickly losing a few inches around my midsection (contrary to popular belief, the “muffin top” look is not attractive — I know this first hand) and my thighs. I also wanted to shape up my arms, which were definitely in need of…something.
My arms are now becoming more toned, and the inches are melting away. Even more amazing, I can finally see some definition in my abs. Let’s go through the list of benefits together and see if we can’t get you inspired to begin exercising, too:
1. YOU’LL LOSE WEIGHT
For most women, this is the number one reason for beginning a workout routine. What you may not know is that if you don’t break a sweat, you probably won’t lose the weight. “Slow and steady wins the race,” but it doesn’t take off the pounds. You’ve got to get your heart rate up if you want to burn calories and melt away the fat. Walking at a good speed around your neighborhood is a good place to start, then build up to running if that’s possible for you (always check with your doctor before starting a strenuous workout routine). I recommend Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo: Fat Blasting Cardio & Total Body Fat Blaster as a good workout to follow if you want to get fit and trim in a hurry.
2. YOU CAN ACHIEVE TOTAL BODY OR SPOT TONING
If you want to change the shape of your body, you need to work out. Period. Dieting may help you lose some of the weight, but the flabby areas will still be flabby when the weight is gone. The good news is that muscles respond fairly quickly to exercise, and it’s possible to see exciting results within days. The areas most women want to see toned on their bodies are the arms, abs, glutes, and thighs. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I recommend Tae Bo, but if you’re looking for something on the more mellow side, try Pilates.
Again, try to work in some cardio if you’re wanting to tone up. Belly fat and cellulite will be banished much faster if you are moving faster. You can work your abs as much as you want, but if you’re not burning off the fat, no one will see the evidence of your hard work.
3. YOU’LL SLEEP BETTER
You’ll fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly if you’re working your body. Don’t exercise too close to bedtime, though, or the adrenaline produced during your workout might actually keep you awake. I tend to work out later at night, sometimes around 9 or 10, but I’m a night owl, anyway. It’s also when I get the TV.
4. YOU’LL LOOK PURDY
It goes without saying that we look better when we’re toned and trim. That’s what we’re shooting for, after all (besides becoming healthier): to tone our muscles and lose weight. Plus, if you focus on exercises that strengthen your core muscles, you’ll find your posture improving. And if you’ve ever done any people watching, you know that people with good posture come across as more attractive, confident, powerful, and approachable.
5. YOU’LL EAT HEALTHIER
When you begin doing one good thing for your body, you’ll find yourself thinking twice about your other bad habits. Since I started working out, I find I just don’t want the cheesy crackers, donuts, cookies, lunch meats and other no-no’s like I once did. I’m reaching for — and actually wanting — healthy foods like veggies and fruits, whole-grain breads, low-fat cheeses, and the like. I’m also drinking more water.
6. YOU’LL HAVE A STRONGER HEART AND LUNGS
According to the National Institutes for Health, “physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease that you have control over.” Like any muscle, the heart gets weaker when it’s underused and stronger with increased activity. The stronger your heart becomes, the less winded you will feel when climbing a flight of stairs, lifting a heavy package, etc. This is because the heart won’t have to beat as fast during times of exertion. After exertion, the “fit” heart will return to its resting rate much more quickly than the heart of someone who is out of shape.
And with all the deep breathing and increased oxygen intake that goes along with working out, your lungs will become stronger, too.
7. YOU’LL BE ZINGING WITH INCREASED ENERGY
Strange as it sounds, working your body can increase your energy levels over time. People who are inactive and out of shape have weaker bodies than people who stay fit and active. Being in shape — having a stronger body — will give you that extra spark to keep going through each day.
8. YOU’LL FIND YOU HAVE A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK and FEWER STRESS-RELATED SYMPTOMS
I’ve been feeling very stressed out lately, and am finding myself trying to juggle not only my daily responsibilities but also a hefty level of anxiety. Depression, anxiety’s close friend, has been hanging around, too. These two pals were almost unbearable a couple of evenings ago. In the past, I would’ve been tempted to down a couple of teaspoons of Children’s Benedryl to knock myself out for the night. This time, however, I tossed on my exercise clothes, grabbed my dumbbells, and headed for the family room for a good workout. Was the stress gone? No. Anxiety? No. The levels were down, though, and compared to how helpless I’ve been feeling lately, I felt like I’d actually accomplished something. I did feel better (and I slept good, too, after that workout — no Benedryl required).
Researchers have found that at least 30 minutes of exercise can produce the same benefits in a depressed person as taking medication would. But without the drugged, hangover feeling.
Exercise improves our moods by causing the brain to release certain chemicals. These are:
Endorphins. A neurotransmitter that reduces pain and gives you a feeling of well-being. People have even been known to experience feelings of euphoria from endorphins released during exercise.
Serotonin. Another neurotransmitter, it helps to relay information between brain cells. If serotonin levels are low, not only can your mood be adversely affected, but also appetite, memory, how you interract socially, and your ability to learn new things.
Dopamine. A neurotransmitter that is formed from the amino acid tyrosine, dopamine controls the way we experience pleasure and pain. It also has an effect on perception, movement, and emotion, and is necessary to keep the central nervous system working as it should. Imbalances of dopamine and serotonin have been found in people with schizophrenia and bipolar-related psychoses.
Adrenaline. You’ve most likely heard the term “fight or flight” in connection with the hormone adrenaline. When adrenaline is produced by the adrenal gland in our bodies, our heart rates go up, our blood vessels dilate to allow the passage of greater quantities of blood throughout our bodies, and our air passages also dilate to allow the intake of more oxygen. It’s easy to see why adrenaline is needed during a workout: When the heart is able to pump more oxygen-carrying blood to our muscles, we experience periods of greater physical endurance and ability.
9. YOU’LL GET A BOOST IN YOUR METABOLISM
Many of us talk about wanting to speed up our metabolism, but we don’t fully understand what it is. In a nutshell, it’s the body’s process of combining nutrients with oxygen, which provides energy that keeps our bodies functioning. This energy is measured in “calories.”
Normally, our bodies take glucose and turn it into energy. When the glucose runs out, the metabolism process turns to the fat stored in our bodies and turns that into energy. However, if we have too much glucose in our bodies (from overeating — and eating the wrong things, at that), the stored fat is never utilized, and the glucose is turned into even more fat. The metabolism process, then, slows down as the pounds are packed on.
If you want to boost your metabolism, eat the right things (never starve yourself) and go for the cardio workouts, which keep your metabolic rate high for several hours. Weight training is also necessary if you want a higher metabolism: The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you’ll burn — even at rest.
10. YOU’LL LOWER YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING CERTAIN CANCERS
Recent studies have shown that vigorous exercise actually reduces the risk of getting certain cancers: ovarian, colorectal, and breast cancers, to be specific. The researchers aren’t sure why that is, but I have a feeling it has something to do with more oxygen being delivered throughout the body during exercise. Cancer thrives in an “anerobic” (oxygen-less) environment, so this may be one reason why exercise “does a body good.” Another possible reason is that obese people have a higher cancer risk than thinner people. Eating more fruits and veggies also plays a part.
For those already diagnosed with cancer, like my husband (multiple myeloma), exercise can also be highly beneficial in combatting the disease. Lonnie’s oncologist suggested he walk as often as he can, for starters.
View the American Cancer Society’s page on Food and Fitness for more information.
Resources:
================================================
 Years ago, when I was going through a time of crushing stress, I began experiencing heart palpitations. My heart would race and then pound like crazy — here, there, and everywhere. Not only was my heart following a different drummer, it was the drummer.
When I finally saw my doctor about the palpitations, the only thing the EKG picked up was a slight arrythmia, something that he said would not have caused the strange beats. He then asked if I was under stress, and I explained what was going on. What he said next was an eye opener: “If you don’t let the stress out, it will find its own way out.” He suggested I exercise.
That was over 10 years ago, but it’s great advice that I’ve never forgotten. Now that I’m going through another period of heavy duty stress, and dealing with more palpitations (not to mention anxiety and depression), I’m finally “taking it to heart.”
I’ve been working out for the last month or so, following the ExerciseTV videos on Comcast’s OnDemand. I’ve already lost a couple of inches and a few pounds, all from working out at home. My abs are looking defined for the first time in my life, and my legs are getting strong. Is my stress gone? No, but working out takes my mind off of it for the time being, and being stronger physically makes me feel like I can handle anything.
If you don’t have Comcast, you can see the same videos at ExerciseTV.tv. I like to change up my routine, and look forward to trying new workouts. I’ve been doing the following workouts as my routine for this past week:
I also recommend any of Billy Blanks’ Tae Bo workouts — you’ll be able to find some of those either on Comcast or at ExerciseTV.tv.
Tomorrow we’ll look at other fantastic benefits you’ll reap from working out. See you then!
================================================
|
Become a Fan of CrazyBusy Mama on Facebook! Buy Me a Latte? I'm so glad to have you as a reader here at CrazyBusy Mama (Dot Calm)! If you've been encouraged, motivated, or both, I won't say no if you'd like to buy me a cup of coffee. :-)
Try Out the ExerciseTV Widget!
|
