Words of Wisdom - Crazy Wisdom - Fall into Fitness

Fall is in the air, it's time to "leaf" some things behind, and refresh. I know, it's corny, but I thought it was worth a chuckle. but really, fall is a good time to reboot, reenergize, and refresh those ideas, goals or projects you want to do before the end of the year.

My focus is on fitness and self-care. Actually my focus has been on fitness all year, but I feel like I need to recommit to my goals and modify where needed. Come with me on this journey. Check out my article in The Crazy Wisdom Journal - Fall Into Fitness - Seven Fun Ways to Ease into Fitness.

Fitness Friday – There’s an app for that – What tool do you use for fitness?

 

Workout complete!

Fat, fat go away, don’t come back another day. I repeat that mantra over and over, in hopes to convince my inner thinner girl to show up. Some days are better than others in search of a consistent fitness lifestyle.

One thing that I have found to be valuable in a fitness routine is use of a fitness app. You can access a workout from almost anywhere…and that’s exactly what I did, while on vacation.

I rolled out of bed, leaving behind four plush down filled pillows, and warm blankets. The room was dark, the only audible sounds were the humming of the heater, and a creaking noise. I soon discovered that the creaking sound was from my ankles and other joints snapping into place in the early morning.

A few stretches later, I was dressed in yoga attire, shoes laced, and ready to exercise in my hotel room. I selected a 30-minute workout from my app, that didn’t require weights or other equipment. My body weight proved to be suitable for a strength workout (comparable to lifting  heavy weights).

The warm-up started, the repetitions became more intense, the trainer talked…I yelled back, as much as I could in a quiet room with strangers on the outskirts of my area. Following the trainer, I was jumping and, twisting, with added heavy breathing and grunting that he wasn’t doing.

I was praying that sleeping vacationers in rooms next to or below me didn’t hear muffled sounds, and my feet slapping the carpet and assume I needed to place the Do Not Disturb door hanger in view.

After thirty minutes, I chanted once again, Fat, fat, go away, don’t come back another day.

Find the tools that work best for you, that will keep you consistent in your self-care. Whether your tool is an app, or something entirely different…Don’t give up on yourself.

What tools do you use for fitness motivation?

 

Fun Friday – Uncovering humor for the Holidays

Photo Credit: Health Journal

Tis’ the season to be jolly…you know the rest. It is also the time of year many people experience a lot of stress. Take a step away from what is causing you stress and find something funny in your day. You may have to uncover the humor in a situation.

On many occasions, a young child brings a smile to my face; it happened most recently on a Sunday morning during a youth Sunday school class. Here’s the scenario…

Sunday School Teacher:          Today our lesson is about David

Six Year Old:                           I know David

Sunday School Teacher:          I don’t think you know this David

Six Year Old:                           Are you serious?

The Holiday season seems to be a time when sweet treats are plentiful and many people vow to begin a health regimen in the New Year. I am one of those “many people.” A few situations caused me to think about changing my fitness routine. Here are my thoughts:

You might need to change your fitness routine if…

·         Your fitness app is draining your phone battery, and you don’t even use the app.

·         Your arm exercises consist of lifting your fork to your mouth.

·         You step on the scale and your prayer is, “please don’t let that peach cobbler have put me over my weight loss goals.”

Jesus is the reason for the season, and it is the season to be jolly, joyful and living your best life.

What humorous situations have you uncovered during this Holiday season?

Happy Holidays.

Fun Friday – spring into fitness – how to include exercise in your daily routine

The sun is shining, the air is warm, people are beginning to chant, “Spring is on the way, spring is on the way…” There are signs of spring all around, in fact during a recent visit to my local fitness center, all of the treadmills were occupied. This was a sure sign that people were ready spring into fitness by getting into shape for the warmer weather.

Have you ever said, “I’ll get in shape after the holidays” or “I don’t have time to work out?” Maybe those were my words as Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year celebrations came and went. Reality set in as I tip-toed onto the scale, hoping that would help my weight to register lower. It didn’t work. Nor did standing on one foot while maintaining a yoga pose.

I believe someone has given me their extra unwanted pounds and I desperately want to give them back. If you know who they belong to please have them claim their property. Until that happens WE can begin to change the way we look at exercise. I say WE, because I’d like company on this journey.

You may be wondering how you can include exercise in your daily routine when you are so busy. The key is to get up and get your body moving. Here are a few things I’ve found helpful.

1.      Play Hopscotch – draw a hopscotch grid on the sidewalk and get a game started with your child. If your child is not around, play anyway and if someone happens to see you, just pretend you’re waiting for your child or somebody’s child to join you. While out walking the other day, I walked past a hopscotch grid one of the kids from the neighborhood had drawn. No one was around as I took a turn at jumping over all the numbers on the grid. 

2.      While watching TV, get up and dance during the commercials - this could bring on a bout of hysterical laughter which in turn works your stomach muscles. I experienced this the other day as I danced in front of the mirror. I soon discovered that I was not keeping up with the beat as I thought I was. As I watched my mirror image, I was reminded of those foreign karate movies that are translated to English. You know the ones, where the actor’s lips are still moving after the voice has stopped. 

 

 

3.      Go for a walk after dinner – no explanation needed. 

4.      Housework – yes it’s the dreaded “H” word, but it works. Wash dishes by hand rather than using the dish washer; sweep the floor with a broom rather than use the vacuum. Fold a load of laundry. Okay, only use this tip if you absolutely can’t find another form of exercise. 

What other thing would you suggest as ways to add exercise to you daily routine?