I hear a lot about "rest" and "recovery". Many theories, opinions and ideas about when, how and what exactly the terms mean even.
Prevailing theory is that hard efforts must be followed by a recovery time. Makes sense to me. Most of us, though, aren't elite athletes and do not train/eat/push our bodies like we are. When an elite athlete rests it may mean an easy day at the gym and an easy shake out run to get the blood flowing. In some cases, it means the athlete will rest. Completely. Because they need every calorie they intake to nourish and repair their bodies. It takes most bodies 24-48 hrs to recover from a hard effort. Elite athletes combine high intensity workouts with high volume workouts + cross training to achieve peak performance goals.We, human athletes as it were, do not.
Most of us work out/run/cycle/etc.. to achieve one of the following, or similar:
- improved health
- weight maintenance
- social enjoyment
- fun (I know - only sick people like me LIKE working out)
- mental health benefits
My opinion? Rest and recovery are all relative.
We all work out hard. But we need to move EVERY.SINGLE.DAY day in some meaningful way. Science has shown that living an active lifestyle has more benefits than we will ever begin to understand. We are NOT built to be sedentary. At all. Ask paleolithic man if he ever had a rest day. Uggg. No rest. Grunt.
Paleolithic man was also far more likely to die via tusked beast, falling rock or paleolithic woman than he was heart disease or cancer.
An active life (one in which we are sedentary as little as possible) is scientifically proven to reduce the risk, symptoms and more of over 38 chronic, life altering diseases. Movement can extend the longetivity of your immune system, help maintain muscle mass, keep the circulatory system circulating, prevent loss of bone density and ward of symptoms of neurological diseases such as alzheimer's and dementia. Oh and, etcetera etcetera. I could go on. And on.
And people think we sell fitness for weight loss.....pfft. Only one egg in the carton has anything to do with weight. And that's no yolk.
So, considering you are committing to move because, well...all or any of the above.... should you work out three days a week, and do nothing the other four? Based on the fact that you worked out really hard those three times?
Absolutely. Not. Enough. I am sorry to break everyone's fitness bubble, but one hour in the gym and 23 on the couch/office chair do not a healthy person make. Every movement counts. Seven days each and every week. As often as you can.
We need to consider our rest as being supplied by adequate amounts of good quality sleep, nutrition and water. Toss in some activities that we enjoy to make life fun, and there is our rest and recovery in a nutshell.
Choose your type and intensity of workout according to how you feel, and of course common sense. Hitting the gym for an intense leg workout followed the next day by a super intense long distance run, followed by... well, you get the picture. Mix up your movements and your intensity levels often, or as needed.
For the most part, life itself will give us too many rest days....overtime at work, emergencies, general busyness, can rob us of our best attempts to move and move often. Occasionally we get knocked out with a virus and simply cannot get up. There's rest for you.
There are a few times when we should review our need for rest. If you find yourself experiencing many injuries, perhaps feeling a bit grumpy, bored or sick of your fitness routine, then you should stop and check. Am I getting adequate rest? (sleep, nutrition, water, fun). If not - work on those areas of your life. Try switching up your program to alleviate boredom and fatigue - and as a bonus, help prevent repetitive use injuries. If those all fail - take some time off. Make sure to move as often as possible still, but take time to smell the roses on a walk or try a restorative yoga instead of a power version.
Get up and move around every hour you are awake. No matter where you are. Standing is better than sitting - so stand if walking around is not an option.
There is no rest for the wicked. Just ask our first paleolithic woman, Eve.
Find Your CORE
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Thursday, June 18, 2015
"Come Let Me Love You" A Father's Love
"Are you nervous?" said he
"No, not at all" said I, fiddling with my bridal veil.
"I am " he whispered, "because you, my Annie, are everything a Dad could wish for. I can't believe I have to give you away"
"I'm not going away" I giggled at his unusual sentimentality
"No. You aren't" he hugged me, "but I feel like I just came back"
My dad. Alan Jones, born August 29th, 1939, was an entirely imperfect man. It would take more blogs than I care to write about the many reasons why. My parents separated not long after my birth, and apart from one or two vague memories of a Daddy visit, my only real recollection of him is via a bag of Christmas and Birthday presents every year. Books and music. Without fail.
He flitted in and out of our lives throughout my teen years, but it was as an adult woman that I got to know him.
If he were to have written a manifesto on life, this would have been what it would look like:
- watch movies. Every kind of movie. More than once if necessary. On the big screen, on the small screen. Take in the stories, step in other peoples shoes. There is no bad movie, because there is no story that isn't worth telling. Books - yes. Read them too. Same reasons.
- live generously. He left nothing at all, and often had nothing at all. But those around him never went without.
- if it is performed on stage go and see it. My introduction to theatre and stage productions came from sitting in many theatres -from the obscure to the sublime. I saw Pirates of Penzance in a dingy back alley production the same year I enjoyed watching Nureyev perform live at Roy Thompson Hall. Ballet, musicals, dramas, one man shows, concerts, orchestras and more....everything had it's place.
- watch every sport ever
- be charming
- dance often. And always like nobody's watching. Or maybe, like everybody is
- appreciate art and make your own
- love music. Except rap. Which isn't music.
- there is no piece of trivia that is too small to be trotted out at some point. Learn everything just in case
- eat - eat often - eat well - and lots. Food is good.
This Father's Day, my first without my Dad, I will encourage my children to reflect on how wonderful their own Dad is. How, although not perfect, he wakes up each day with the intention of keeping them safe and loved. I will encourage them to take time each day of their lives to find out who he is, beyond being their father. They will not be disappointed. As they grow they will have to forgive him for his mistakes and accept his humanity. Love everything about him that makes him unique and wonderful. Most of all, accept him for who he is, and be grateful for all he has done.
Daughter's see the reflection of their beauty through their Dad's eyes.
Boy's see their futures in their Dad's actions, and can decide to emulate or dismiss. Or a little of both.
I miss my Dad awfully much. Not a day goes by I don't wake up with his name on the tip of my tongue. I hear his voice, I see his face. I can feel his huge arms wrapped around me in a hug.I know, without a doubt, that I am the most beautiful girl in the world, because I can hear him tell me so.
We danced at my wedding to Annie's Song, by John Denver. He chose it, not for the name, but for the lyrics:
Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. You have made all the difference in the world.
Find Your CORE
"No, not at all" said I, fiddling with my bridal veil.
"I am " he whispered, "because you, my Annie, are everything a Dad could wish for. I can't believe I have to give you away"
"I'm not going away" I giggled at his unusual sentimentality
"No. You aren't" he hugged me, "but I feel like I just came back"
My dad. Alan Jones, born August 29th, 1939, was an entirely imperfect man. It would take more blogs than I care to write about the many reasons why. My parents separated not long after my birth, and apart from one or two vague memories of a Daddy visit, my only real recollection of him is via a bag of Christmas and Birthday presents every year. Books and music. Without fail.
He flitted in and out of our lives throughout my teen years, but it was as an adult woman that I got to know him.
If he were to have written a manifesto on life, this would have been what it would look like:
- watch movies. Every kind of movie. More than once if necessary. On the big screen, on the small screen. Take in the stories, step in other peoples shoes. There is no bad movie, because there is no story that isn't worth telling. Books - yes. Read them too. Same reasons.
- live generously. He left nothing at all, and often had nothing at all. But those around him never went without.
- if it is performed on stage go and see it. My introduction to theatre and stage productions came from sitting in many theatres -from the obscure to the sublime. I saw Pirates of Penzance in a dingy back alley production the same year I enjoyed watching Nureyev perform live at Roy Thompson Hall. Ballet, musicals, dramas, one man shows, concerts, orchestras and more....everything had it's place.
- watch every sport ever
- be charming
- dance often. And always like nobody's watching. Or maybe, like everybody is
- appreciate art and make your own
- love music. Except rap. Which isn't music.
- there is no piece of trivia that is too small to be trotted out at some point. Learn everything just in case
- eat - eat often - eat well - and lots. Food is good.
This Father's Day, my first without my Dad, I will encourage my children to reflect on how wonderful their own Dad is. How, although not perfect, he wakes up each day with the intention of keeping them safe and loved. I will encourage them to take time each day of their lives to find out who he is, beyond being their father. They will not be disappointed. As they grow they will have to forgive him for his mistakes and accept his humanity. Love everything about him that makes him unique and wonderful. Most of all, accept him for who he is, and be grateful for all he has done.
Daughter's see the reflection of their beauty through their Dad's eyes.
Boy's see their futures in their Dad's actions, and can decide to emulate or dismiss. Or a little of both.
I miss my Dad awfully much. Not a day goes by I don't wake up with his name on the tip of my tongue. I hear his voice, I see his face. I can feel his huge arms wrapped around me in a hug.I know, without a doubt, that I am the most beautiful girl in the world, because I can hear him tell me so.
We danced at my wedding to Annie's Song, by John Denver. He chose it, not for the name, but for the lyrics:
Come let me love you
Let me give my life to you
Let me drown in your laughter
Let me die in your arms
Let me lay down beside you
Let me always be with you
Come let me love you
Come love me again
Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there. You have made all the difference in the world.
Find Your CORE
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
"The Eye Of The Tiger" 10 Days of 26.2
I realized today after my friend shared pictures of me post-marathon, that I actually ran a marathon. Like, all the way. Every step. 42.2km.
I did finish. I surpassed my realistic time expectations and matched my goal time. I may have even enjoyed it. I loved the excitement and the planning leading up to the race. The atmosphere on race day. The joy of it all.
Runner's have mantras, songs and random thoughts that go in loops in our heads when we run. I'm going to give you a km by km playback of my interval conversation on Mississauga Marathon day, 2015.
Start: This is amazing. So excited!! Lets get this party started, RIGHT??
1km: ALL.THE.PEOPLE. All running. All excited. All hopeful and full of promise. Incredible.
2km: Oops.Running over a minute faster actually than planned. Chill out Annie
3km: My.Legs.Feel.Amazing.
4km: Discussing carved out woodland creatures with my running partner in crime. How precious!
5km: This marathon shit is easy. I got this. Pfffft. I could run all day.
6km: Still a little faster than planned. Oh well,I'm comfortable....ooohhhh - woodland creature!
7km: Singing random song lyrics.
8km: Nailing water station run by's. Taught running partner in crime to properly create a funnel with one's dixie cup
9km: Shooting down some fuel. Sport Bean Jelly Bellies - get in and keep this machine going!
10km: Ahead of schedule. 1 set of 10km down. 3 more to go.
11km: Chronically achey knee and hip disagree when I remind them there's still 3+ hours to go
12km: This is the most beautiful running route. I feel so lucky to be here! I feel so alive!
13km: Hi random spectator!! You are right - I CAN do this!! I appreciate your confidence.
14km: I love these water station lovelies - they even know my name. I'm a celebrity!
15km: I have to pee.
16km: Hydration vs Need to Pee. Hydration wins. Pee is insignificant. Only wimps pee.
17km: Still ahead of planned time. Dammit pee.
18km: Love all the spectators - so amazing to have their energy boost!
19km: Oh, here's the hill they were talking about.
20km: Most people I know are still in PJ's eating bacon. Suckers....they are missing out. On LIFE!!!
21km: Halfway there - halfway there - halfway there. All we have to do is that..all over again.
22km: Water. Gatorade. Water on head. Gatorade in mouth. Life is good.
23km: I'm a little tired. And achey. Pre-emptive fueling with strange squishy gummies.
24km: Why not me? Why not me? Why not me? I've got this. But I'm tired.
25km: Goodbye running partner in crime. Slow down a bit I must. Go and win this thing, for me!
26km: Hmmm. It's awfully quiet now.
27km: I cannot run any more. My legs have eroded and my will to live is waning.
28km: 4k and I'm going to hubby with my KIDS!! I LOVE MY KIDS!! I WILL RUN TO MY KIDS!
29km: Pee.
30km: 12km to go - a morning run. I can do this. Right. Why not me? Pee.
31km: Two nice gentlemen are talking to me about hamburgers. They seem happy. I hate them.
32km: My kids. At the top of a hill. Hugs, high fives & cold water!I don't want to leave them.Ever. Hold me.
33km: Pee. Did I just? Nah. Couldn't be. Kegels, Annie, Kegels
34km: Every step hereafter is the farthest I have ever run. No big deal. or BIG HUGE CRAZY DEAL!!
35km: I thought they said this was a downhill course.
36km: Every song lyric to Spice Girls Wannabe + the "F" word. Delirium + tragedy
37km: *ASDHAFKHBFUYOEU@*$&(@#$*&^&( BWDBASDASDAJNFAFJJKHG#r8Y(Q*&@)&$#)$*(#$UJFFEANLJSKDASDKAS:DLK
38km: Who da f*#k tied cement to my feet - and give me every GU you have or I'll slap you. Effing volunteers - why don't YOU know my name?
39km: I can't get water near my mouth. And why don't I have to pee anymore?
40km: Get off yer arse, you lazy spectator. If you are so great - you should run. FOR ME!! I'll hold yer seat.
41km: 2km to go. One foot in front of the other. Poor fellow is injured. I'll encourage him and help him get home. You can do this random stranger! I'm a hero. Should get a medal!
41.5km: Sorry lame-o - the end is near. I'm off to the finish - good luck gimping in! Oooooh - I heard them call my run partner in crime's name!! So cool! Plus - the end must be near. The end!
41.6km: Why is the finish line getting so far away? StopmovingitstopitIbegyou
41.7km: There's nice, friendly looking people calling my name. I think I know them.
41.8km: One foot forwards. Next foot. Keep going.
41.9km: ALL THE WAY
42.0km: I think I crossed a line. Some eager young man wants me to lift my leg to cut off the timing chip. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sure thing kid - next week. Ahhh - I DID get a medal for being so nice to gimpy! And - a SPACE BLANKET!! I'm going to wear a tinfoil cape! I'm a real athlete. Wait - is that Chariots of Fire they are playing for me?? Ahhhhhh.
The aftermath: For a girl that can propel herself forward for 4hrs +, standing, picking things off the floor and basically every single simple task became laughably impossible.
Beer happened. Gummy worms and chocolate also. Hugs and celebrations happened.
You cannot commit the time and effort to one single thing and not be changed by it in some way. I can't help but look at myself a little differently. Stronger. More capable. A body worth nourishing well and looking after.
After all that line was not just the end of one run. It was the beginning of another. even greater adventure to come.
Find Your CORE
I did finish. I surpassed my realistic time expectations and matched my goal time. I may have even enjoyed it. I loved the excitement and the planning leading up to the race. The atmosphere on race day. The joy of it all.
Runner's have mantras, songs and random thoughts that go in loops in our heads when we run. I'm going to give you a km by km playback of my interval conversation on Mississauga Marathon day, 2015.
Start: This is amazing. So excited!! Lets get this party started, RIGHT??
1km: ALL.THE.PEOPLE. All running. All excited. All hopeful and full of promise. Incredible.
2km: Oops.Running over a minute faster actually than planned. Chill out Annie
3km: My.Legs.Feel.Amazing.
4km: Discussing carved out woodland creatures with my running partner in crime. How precious!
5km: This marathon shit is easy. I got this. Pfffft. I could run all day.
6km: Still a little faster than planned. Oh well,I'm comfortable....ooohhhh - woodland creature!
7km: Singing random song lyrics.
8km: Nailing water station run by's. Taught running partner in crime to properly create a funnel with one's dixie cup
9km: Shooting down some fuel. Sport Bean Jelly Bellies - get in and keep this machine going!
10km: Ahead of schedule. 1 set of 10km down. 3 more to go.
11km: Chronically achey knee and hip disagree when I remind them there's still 3+ hours to go
12km: This is the most beautiful running route. I feel so lucky to be here! I feel so alive!
13km: Hi random spectator!! You are right - I CAN do this!! I appreciate your confidence.
14km: I love these water station lovelies - they even know my name. I'm a celebrity!
15km: I have to pee.
16km: Hydration vs Need to Pee. Hydration wins. Pee is insignificant. Only wimps pee.
17km: Still ahead of planned time. Dammit pee.
18km: Love all the spectators - so amazing to have their energy boost!
19km: Oh, here's the hill they were talking about.
20km: Most people I know are still in PJ's eating bacon. Suckers....they are missing out. On LIFE!!!
21km: Halfway there - halfway there - halfway there. All we have to do is that..all over again.
22km: Water. Gatorade. Water on head. Gatorade in mouth. Life is good.
23km: I'm a little tired. And achey. Pre-emptive fueling with strange squishy gummies.
24km: Why not me? Why not me? Why not me? I've got this. But I'm tired.
25km: Goodbye running partner in crime. Slow down a bit I must. Go and win this thing, for me!
26km: Hmmm. It's awfully quiet now.
27km: I cannot run any more. My legs have eroded and my will to live is waning.
28km: 4k and I'm going to hubby with my KIDS!! I LOVE MY KIDS!! I WILL RUN TO MY KIDS!
29km: Pee.
30km: 12km to go - a morning run. I can do this. Right. Why not me? Pee.
31km: Two nice gentlemen are talking to me about hamburgers. They seem happy. I hate them.
32km: My kids. At the top of a hill. Hugs, high fives & cold water!I don't want to leave them.Ever. Hold me.
33km: Pee. Did I just? Nah. Couldn't be. Kegels, Annie, Kegels
34km: Every step hereafter is the farthest I have ever run. No big deal. or BIG HUGE CRAZY DEAL!!
35km: I thought they said this was a downhill course.
36km: Every song lyric to Spice Girls Wannabe + the "F" word. Delirium + tragedy
37km: *ASDHAFKHBFUYOEU@*$&(@#$*&^&( BWDBASDASDAJNFAFJJKHG#r8Y(Q*&@)&$#)$*(#$UJFFEANLJSKDASDKAS:DLK
38km: Who da f*#k tied cement to my feet - and give me every GU you have or I'll slap you. Effing volunteers - why don't YOU know my name?
39km: I can't get water near my mouth. And why don't I have to pee anymore?
40km: Get off yer arse, you lazy spectator. If you are so great - you should run. FOR ME!! I'll hold yer seat.
41km: 2km to go. One foot in front of the other. Poor fellow is injured. I'll encourage him and help him get home. You can do this random stranger! I'm a hero. Should get a medal!
41.5km: Sorry lame-o - the end is near. I'm off to the finish - good luck gimping in! Oooooh - I heard them call my run partner in crime's name!! So cool! Plus - the end must be near. The end!
41.6km: Why is the finish line getting so far away? StopmovingitstopitIbegyou
41.7km: There's nice, friendly looking people calling my name. I think I know them.
41.8km: One foot forwards. Next foot. Keep going.
41.9km: ALL THE WAY
42.0km: I think I crossed a line. Some eager young man wants me to lift my leg to cut off the timing chip. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Sure thing kid - next week. Ahhh - I DID get a medal for being so nice to gimpy! And - a SPACE BLANKET!! I'm going to wear a tinfoil cape! I'm a real athlete. Wait - is that Chariots of Fire they are playing for me?? Ahhhhhh.
The aftermath: For a girl that can propel herself forward for 4hrs +, standing, picking things off the floor and basically every single simple task became laughably impossible.
Beer happened. Gummy worms and chocolate also. Hugs and celebrations happened.
You cannot commit the time and effort to one single thing and not be changed by it in some way. I can't help but look at myself a little differently. Stronger. More capable. A body worth nourishing well and looking after.
After all that line was not just the end of one run. It was the beginning of another. even greater adventure to come.
Find Your CORE
Monday, June 15, 2015
"Back In Time" or How to Proceed with Health - Guest Blogger - Katie!
Guest Blogger – Katie
Katie is an SFIC certified fitness instructor, as well as a licensed Zumba, Zumba Kids, Zumba Gold and Zumbini instructor. She is a former elementary school teacher, a mom and a wife, and importantly for this post, a UWO Music Grad.
I heard about the CCAA (Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging) Research to Action Conference last year when I completed my Senior’s Fitness Instructor certification, so this year when I got the email reminding me about it, I started pestering Annie to join me. “Let’s go,” I said, “we’ll learn all kinds of new exercise theories and maybe some new moves for our classes.” In reality, I wanted a weekend away and a chance to hang out in residence and on campus at Western again. This time with my partner in senior’s fitness crime. I was gonna relive my youth! And pick up a few things too, I suppose.
But wow! What a weekend! Yes, campus is beautiful and residence is still fun. I dragged Annie all over campus and exposed her to the Music Building, Talbot College and even more exciting, a double bass! I told her more than she ever wanted to know about the area and imparted lots of my unique wisdom like, “Hey! That field used to be a field!” But most importantly, our passion and drive to MOVE ALL THE PEOPLE was reignited!
We listened to Professors and Doctors discuss cutting edge, not even published yet, research studies and realized that the science behind activity and aging was fascinating. I learned about sarcopenia, the loss of muscle as we age. It starts at age 25. Yes, 25! And as terrifying as that is, we also learned how regular moderate to vigorous activity can drastically slow the inevitable process. We learned how activity boosters immune systems and can make an almost ineffective flu shot effective again! How activity stimulates brain function, mood, slows the progress of dementia and decreases chronic pain! As exercisers this all makes sense to us, but this was real scientific proof backed up by many, many studies.
I think my biggest take away, besides some exercises that are seriously going to hurt my participants this week, is that even people who are meeting the weekly minimum requirements for activity can still be living what is considered a sedentary lifestyle. I’m a huge culprit. I do my work out, then teach a class or two, and then go home and sit on the couch for a few hours. Or I run around all day and then collapse as soon as the kids are in bed. “Sitting is the new smoking.” We heard that a lot of times this weekend. I’ve realized the importance of encouraging people to move outside of class time. To go for short walks as possible throughout the day, or even to stand up during commercial breaks. Hey…it adds up! Yesterday the CCAA sent out an article suggesting 2 minutes of walking for every hour of sitting. Easy! Frankly, my family is a little sick of me making them stand up already, but we’ll get used to it!
I knew I loved working with this demographic, and I knew I was passionate about the results they can achieve through regular activity. But now, after this weekend, I feel humbled and full of joy that I have been given the opportunity to help people discover the benefits for themselves. A number of times this weekend I had goose bumps listening to the results of studies. And as I sat (and periodically stood) at home on Sunday and absorbed what I had learned, I realized that there is no other place in the world for me. I’ve been brought home, to the best and greatest job in the world, and I am overwhelmed with love and joy.
Katie is an SFIC certified fitness instructor, as well as a licensed Zumba, Zumba Kids, Zumba Gold and Zumbini instructor. She is a former elementary school teacher, a mom and a wife, and importantly for this post, a UWO Music Grad.
But wow! What a weekend! Yes, campus is beautiful and residence is still fun. I dragged Annie all over campus and exposed her to the Music Building, Talbot College and even more exciting, a double bass! I told her more than she ever wanted to know about the area and imparted lots of my unique wisdom like, “Hey! That field used to be a field!” But most importantly, our passion and drive to MOVE ALL THE PEOPLE was reignited!
We listened to Professors and Doctors discuss cutting edge, not even published yet, research studies and realized that the science behind activity and aging was fascinating. I learned about sarcopenia, the loss of muscle as we age. It starts at age 25. Yes, 25! And as terrifying as that is, we also learned how regular moderate to vigorous activity can drastically slow the inevitable process. We learned how activity boosters immune systems and can make an almost ineffective flu shot effective again! How activity stimulates brain function, mood, slows the progress of dementia and decreases chronic pain! As exercisers this all makes sense to us, but this was real scientific proof backed up by many, many studies.
I think my biggest take away, besides some exercises that are seriously going to hurt my participants this week, is that even people who are meeting the weekly minimum requirements for activity can still be living what is considered a sedentary lifestyle. I’m a huge culprit. I do my work out, then teach a class or two, and then go home and sit on the couch for a few hours. Or I run around all day and then collapse as soon as the kids are in bed. “Sitting is the new smoking.” We heard that a lot of times this weekend. I’ve realized the importance of encouraging people to move outside of class time. To go for short walks as possible throughout the day, or even to stand up during commercial breaks. Hey…it adds up! Yesterday the CCAA sent out an article suggesting 2 minutes of walking for every hour of sitting. Easy! Frankly, my family is a little sick of me making them stand up already, but we’ll get used to it!
I knew I loved working with this demographic, and I knew I was passionate about the results they can achieve through regular activity. But now, after this weekend, I feel humbled and full of joy that I have been given the opportunity to help people discover the benefits for themselves. A number of times this weekend I had goose bumps listening to the results of studies. And as I sat (and periodically stood) at home on Sunday and absorbed what I had learned, I realized that there is no other place in the world for me. I’ve been brought home, to the best and greatest job in the world, and I am overwhelmed with love and joy.
Saturday, June 13, 2015
"Objects In The Rearview Mirror"
I'm a pretty in the moment kind of gal. The future gives me anxiety and the past is depressing. For a person with a tendency towards anxiety and depression, it's a triumph that the present has become my comfortable dwelling place.
I can storm through anxiety to make things happen for the future. I can swallow the lump in my throat to put into motion the things that are important to me. My family, my business, my causes and even fun things like vacations & events. But the gigantic leap it takes me has a bit of a trade off in the now.I sometimes use up all my energy on the future and forget to look up and see the beauty of every day.
Clearly I still have some work to do in this department.
Balance is a struggle. The struggle is REAL, people!
I'm on this - don't worry. Check back in a year and I'll have mastered the future and..... wait.... I can't lie to my favourite readers. The future will always hold the unknown. And the unknown, even for the most well adjusted person in the whole widest world, is wholly terrifying.
I'm still happy to step into that abyss though.
It's looking back that I've forgotten to do.
I was driving out to Durham Forest this morning. I went on a whim, based on directions written in a Facebook post of a virtual stranger. It sounded cool. I had time. I went.
It was nervewracking - there's that future/anxiety/unknown thing again dammit.
No map. My phone died. No GPS watch even. Just me.
I was driving along a route going westward that I often run along. This fact didn't even occur to me, although I had earlier had a giggle at the irony of the fact that I was driving 20 minutes away to go for a run.
As I signalled to turn at road's end, I glanced in my rearview mirror. "Huh. I've run that road. Looks a lot different from this perspective. I've had some great runs here. Love that the sun breaks through the trees RIGHT THERE. I've seen that before. Oooh - never saw that fenceline there - how pretty!! Oh I remember that epic amazing....." And this is how it went on in my head.
I had to pull over a minute.
And look again.
And again....and again.
I just could not get over how different, and yet the same, this wonderful nostalgic road looked to me when I looked at it backwards, instead of stepping forwards into it.
I don't often relive my history. I have many painful memories, ridiculous life fails, anger & blame filled relationships. I don't review my running races, because the first thing I do is see where I failed and how I should have done better. I don't reread my writing for the same reasoning.
When I look back I see failure. When I look back, I fail to see.
I had a fantastic childhood, in reality, though extremely dysfunctional. Sound familiar? Yep - like most of us. I played outside. I had food on the table, a roof over my head, a Mum who loved me. Security, friends, games, fun.
My WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE has been a blessing. I know this as 100% factual truth. Hard and challenging yes, like every other human in existence, but absolutely wondrous nonetheless. I have so many joyful and wonderful memories. Some so vivid that I can see the colours of them sharply in my mind's eye.
So why do we see so much of the bad when we look back? Are we bred to search for our mistakes so we are destined to not repeat them? Is this what overshadows the beauty of our lives?
This is a fitness/health blog - and to this end these ramblings have a point.
It is not our failures that define us. It is the simple victory of waking up another day to see the sun shine and marvel at the beauty of it all. That is who we are.
We cannot allow what was yesterday colour what is today, but simply allow it to inform us.
Lifting 40lb barbells yesterday was easy. Today it is impossible. Tomorrow...who knows, let's wait and see.
Last time I committed to a healthy lifestyle, I did it for three weeks and stopped. I failed.Today I am committing to be healthy again. I will take what I learned and use it to help me improve today. Tomorrow, I will simply do my best.
It's about time we change the conversation with our past.
It's high time we start looking back with objective eyes. To acknowledge the losses, learn from the wins and celebrate them both. To bask in the memories of the sublime as easily as we wade in the swamps of the miserable.
Next time you reach the end of a long road, turn and look back. Don't dwell on what wasn't right. Simply marvel at how far you have come, and bask in the brilliance of the journey.
Find Your CORE
I can storm through anxiety to make things happen for the future. I can swallow the lump in my throat to put into motion the things that are important to me. My family, my business, my causes and even fun things like vacations & events. But the gigantic leap it takes me has a bit of a trade off in the now.I sometimes use up all my energy on the future and forget to look up and see the beauty of every day.
Clearly I still have some work to do in this department.
Balance is a struggle. The struggle is REAL, people!
I'm on this - don't worry. Check back in a year and I'll have mastered the future and..... wait.... I can't lie to my favourite readers. The future will always hold the unknown. And the unknown, even for the most well adjusted person in the whole widest world, is wholly terrifying.
I'm still happy to step into that abyss though.
It's looking back that I've forgotten to do.
I was driving out to Durham Forest this morning. I went on a whim, based on directions written in a Facebook post of a virtual stranger. It sounded cool. I had time. I went.
It was nervewracking - there's that future/anxiety/unknown thing again dammit.
No map. My phone died. No GPS watch even. Just me.
I was driving along a route going westward that I often run along. This fact didn't even occur to me, although I had earlier had a giggle at the irony of the fact that I was driving 20 minutes away to go for a run.
As I signalled to turn at road's end, I glanced in my rearview mirror. "Huh. I've run that road. Looks a lot different from this perspective. I've had some great runs here. Love that the sun breaks through the trees RIGHT THERE. I've seen that before. Oooh - never saw that fenceline there - how pretty!! Oh I remember that epic amazing....." And this is how it went on in my head.
And look again.
And again....and again.
I just could not get over how different, and yet the same, this wonderful nostalgic road looked to me when I looked at it backwards, instead of stepping forwards into it.
I don't often relive my history. I have many painful memories, ridiculous life fails, anger & blame filled relationships. I don't review my running races, because the first thing I do is see where I failed and how I should have done better. I don't reread my writing for the same reasoning.
When I look back I see failure. When I look back, I fail to see.
I had a fantastic childhood, in reality, though extremely dysfunctional. Sound familiar? Yep - like most of us. I played outside. I had food on the table, a roof over my head, a Mum who loved me. Security, friends, games, fun.
My WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE has been a blessing. I know this as 100% factual truth. Hard and challenging yes, like every other human in existence, but absolutely wondrous nonetheless. I have so many joyful and wonderful memories. Some so vivid that I can see the colours of them sharply in my mind's eye.
So why do we see so much of the bad when we look back? Are we bred to search for our mistakes so we are destined to not repeat them? Is this what overshadows the beauty of our lives?
This is a fitness/health blog - and to this end these ramblings have a point.
It is not our failures that define us. It is the simple victory of waking up another day to see the sun shine and marvel at the beauty of it all. That is who we are.
We cannot allow what was yesterday colour what is today, but simply allow it to inform us.
Lifting 40lb barbells yesterday was easy. Today it is impossible. Tomorrow...who knows, let's wait and see.
Last time I committed to a healthy lifestyle, I did it for three weeks and stopped. I failed.Today I am committing to be healthy again. I will take what I learned and use it to help me improve today. Tomorrow, I will simply do my best.
It's about time we change the conversation with our past.
It's high time we start looking back with objective eyes. To acknowledge the losses, learn from the wins and celebrate them both. To bask in the memories of the sublime as easily as we wade in the swamps of the miserable.
Next time you reach the end of a long road, turn and look back. Don't dwell on what wasn't right. Simply marvel at how far you have come, and bask in the brilliance of the journey.
Find Your CORE
Thursday, June 4, 2015
"Lies, Lies,Lies, Yeah" things that the Diet Industry doesn't want us to know.
Today I have been inundated with diet ads and articles. I guess now that summer is upon us, the diet industry is amping up it's efforts to capitalize on our insecurities.
Watch a commercial, read an ad for any diet/weight loss company.
They have a LOAD of promises.
They offer EASY solutions.
They LIE. Sweep under the rug. Falsely advertise. Play on our emotions and our natural desire to be happy, appealing human beings.
There are many things the diet/weight loss industry does NOT want you to know:
- you can't target specific areas for fat-loss. Not one single food is designed to "blast stomach fat away". Many foods naturally are part of a healthy diet and weight maintenance.
-where and how your store fat is mainly decided by your genetic make up
- no matter what celebrity endorsed product/way of life you try, you will never have that celebrity's body. You can only have one body - yours.
- there are no magic numbers that measure your health. Especially not the ones on the scale. BMI is complete crap.
- diet shakes and meal replacement drinks/bars etc. almost always contain more sugar than many ice creams. Just because they say so, doesn't mean they are actually healthy.
- labels that say "scientifically proven" "diet food" "nutriotionally balanced" "low fat" are not necessarily good for you. Processed foods are made for long shelf lives, not for adequate nutrition.
- not everyone needs to lose weight
- you do not need to a certain way to be considered attractive, be loved, or have a great life.
- feeling hungry doesn't mean your lifestyle is working. It means your starving and need fuel
-diet brands care more about their bottom line ($$) than the size of your bottom. Interesting that Jenny Craig is owned by Nestle, Slimfast by Unilever, Weight Watchers by Coolbrands
- being underweight does not equal healthy, nor does always overweight equal unhealthy
- self shaming, loathing and tough love are not effective ways to be healthy
- fat is good for you. Sugar is good for you. Carbs are good for you. Moderate portion sizes, cooking methods, processing and more are ways that make some foods less healthy than others
And something I read today that stuck with me:
If you ever find yourself reaching for your credit card next time the WW commercial comes on, take a second and STOP.
Remember there is more to meet the eye to the product being sold. And more to you, than meets the eye.
Find Your CORE
Watch a commercial, read an ad for any diet/weight loss company.
They offer EASY solutions.
They LIE. Sweep under the rug. Falsely advertise. Play on our emotions and our natural desire to be happy, appealing human beings.
There are many things the diet/weight loss industry does NOT want you to know:
- you can't target specific areas for fat-loss. Not one single food is designed to "blast stomach fat away". Many foods naturally are part of a healthy diet and weight maintenance.
-where and how your store fat is mainly decided by your genetic make up
- no matter what celebrity endorsed product/way of life you try, you will never have that celebrity's body. You can only have one body - yours.
- there are no magic numbers that measure your health. Especially not the ones on the scale. BMI is complete crap.
- diet shakes and meal replacement drinks/bars etc. almost always contain more sugar than many ice creams. Just because they say so, doesn't mean they are actually healthy.
- labels that say "scientifically proven" "diet food" "nutriotionally balanced" "low fat" are not necessarily good for you. Processed foods are made for long shelf lives, not for adequate nutrition.
- not everyone needs to lose weight
- you do not need to a certain way to be considered attractive, be loved, or have a great life.
- feeling hungry doesn't mean your lifestyle is working. It means your starving and need fuel
-diet brands care more about their bottom line ($$) than the size of your bottom. Interesting that Jenny Craig is owned by Nestle, Slimfast by Unilever, Weight Watchers by Coolbrands
- being underweight does not equal healthy, nor does always overweight equal unhealthy
- self shaming, loathing and tough love are not effective ways to be healthy
- fat is good for you. Sugar is good for you. Carbs are good for you. Moderate portion sizes, cooking methods, processing and more are ways that make some foods less healthy than others
And something I read today that stuck with me:
There is no wrong way to have a body
If you ever find yourself reaching for your credit card next time the WW commercial comes on, take a second and STOP.
Remember there is more to meet the eye to the product being sold. And more to you, than meets the eye.
Find Your CORE
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
"I Wouldn't Like Me, If I Met Me"
It's SPRING!! The weather is getting warmer, the grass is greener, sun is shining. Life is good!
Except THIS: my spring/summer clothes have been brought out.
And
They
Don't
Fit
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
x 1000 at least maybe much more oh my goodness what have I done shouldn't have had that cookie or that cheesecake or that hamburger or that ice cream yes it was the ice cream too much ice cream must go on a diet nobody will like me did that cashier the other day look at me like I was fat I think she did and maybe whispered to her friend that's why class numbers are down that's why my work isn't done I'm weak and stupid and a failure why did I let myself do this nobody will like me I'm not good enough I should hide away and eat ice cream why not ice cream my life is already over.
Don't judge. Only in my panicked inner world do I blatantly ignore proper grammar and punctuation.
I don't feel bigger. I look in the mirror and objectively don't think I look any bigger. I'm guessing if I got on a scale it would read around what I would guess. Note*** I haven't stood on a scale in 9 years. I'm not terrified to, but I am aware that it would affect my mood to see the numbers move around, and truthfully? I'm kinda way over defining myself by a number.
Unless it's number of push ups I can do, a running personal best or bra size. Those number I can get behind.
So how on earth have I gone from a size 4 shorts fitting beautifully to now not making it north of the top of my knee??
Physics, chemistry and shoe horns all say that such a change is improbable at best.
And yet.... the fact remains that I have no shorts to wear. And my tank tops are all crop tops (which according to InStyle is the fashion this year - so score one for my expanding self).
I kinda thought I was alone in my misery, that I was the only one who had packed on a jazillion lbs of short ribs and fries this winter. It turns out that I am not alone. Many of my active clients/friends have complained of a similar phenomenon.
Since the last time I broke out my spring clothes I have increased my running mileage, and strength training routine to support this. I have averaged over 100 miles every month from April 2014 to April 2015. I have changed up my weight lifting routine to complement this new regime, plus changed my diet somewhat to include more protein sources and less simple carbohydrates.
That right there is a recipe for change. When you change things - do less, do more, do differently, your amazing body adapts to suit those changes. That, in a nutshell, is what fitness is. Your body's ability to adapt to change.
So as my incredibly slender, beautiful and fit friend said today,
Well. Who can argue with that?
Find Your CORE
Except THIS: my spring/summer clothes have been brought out.
And
They
Don't
Fit
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
x 1000 at least maybe much more oh my goodness what have I done shouldn't have had that cookie or that cheesecake or that hamburger or that ice cream yes it was the ice cream too much ice cream must go on a diet nobody will like me did that cashier the other day look at me like I was fat I think she did and maybe whispered to her friend that's why class numbers are down that's why my work isn't done I'm weak and stupid and a failure why did I let myself do this nobody will like me I'm not good enough I should hide away and eat ice cream why not ice cream my life is already over.
Don't judge. Only in my panicked inner world do I blatantly ignore proper grammar and punctuation.
I don't feel bigger. I look in the mirror and objectively don't think I look any bigger. I'm guessing if I got on a scale it would read around what I would guess. Note*** I haven't stood on a scale in 9 years. I'm not terrified to, but I am aware that it would affect my mood to see the numbers move around, and truthfully? I'm kinda way over defining myself by a number.
Unless it's number of push ups I can do, a running personal best or bra size. Those number I can get behind.
So how on earth have I gone from a size 4 shorts fitting beautifully to now not making it north of the top of my knee??
Physics, chemistry and shoe horns all say that such a change is improbable at best.
And yet.... the fact remains that I have no shorts to wear. And my tank tops are all crop tops (which according to InStyle is the fashion this year - so score one for my expanding self).
I kinda thought I was alone in my misery, that I was the only one who had packed on a jazillion lbs of short ribs and fries this winter. It turns out that I am not alone. Many of my active clients/friends have complained of a similar phenomenon.
Since the last time I broke out my spring clothes I have increased my running mileage, and strength training routine to support this. I have averaged over 100 miles every month from April 2014 to April 2015. I have changed up my weight lifting routine to complement this new regime, plus changed my diet somewhat to include more protein sources and less simple carbohydrates.
That right there is a recipe for change. When you change things - do less, do more, do differently, your amazing body adapts to suit those changes. That, in a nutshell, is what fitness is. Your body's ability to adapt to change.
So as my incredibly slender, beautiful and fit friend said today,
" We all need to stop blaming ourselves when something about our body changes and blame clothing companies for not making clothes that fit women who can do amazing things"
Well. Who can argue with that?
Find Your CORE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)