Do or do not....there is no try.

Do or do not...there is no try.  A quote from the eternally wise, and suprisingly relevant Yoda.  I saw that quote poste on Twitter and it kind of haunted me. And haunted me some more.  So in the modern way of information gathering, I turned to Google for answers.  Starting first with YouTube to get the quote in context (see link below) and then a search to find out other pearls of Yoda wisdom.  What I discovered is that I think Yoda is on to something.

Last Tuesday it was (surprise!!) raining. In desperation to actually put in some time training for the duathlon which rapidly approaches, I hit the gym.  While pounding the track, I got into my groove and spent my time people watching.  Each lap I passed a man I often see walking there. He obviously suffers from some physical ailment as he walks with a leg brace. Noticeably absent is the cane I used to see him lean on as he walked around and around.  Also I noticed that every three laps or so he would step off the track to hobble up and down the stairs located nearby.  He smiles as he goes around, and I notice that he seems to be people watching and enjoying the sights and sounds, just like I am.  I have been a member for almost two years, and I have often seen him taking his many steps for fitness and rehabilitation.

We have all had times in our life when we have the choice to do or not. And often our answer is to say, "We'll try". But Yoda is right.  There is no in between with doing. We waste our time and our efforts by not believing we can do all the things necessary to make us happy and healthy beings. We sell ourselves short by convincing ourselves that the effort is good enough, and that the results don't matter. When it comes to the things that change lives, ours and others, it is necessary that we do. So next time you are faced with a challenge, place one foot in front of the other, and remember the words of the wise one.  Help you he can.

Check out Yoda in action   http://youtu.be/PcjnbIF1yAA

No Pain, No Gain??

When I have a client experiencing pain, it greatly upsets me.  I become a part of each and every person's health journey and not only feel the joy of the highs, but the pain and sometimes awful suffering of the lows.  Exercise is awesome. Movement is necessary. But with all programs, comes the risk of injury. So the question is, "how much pain is too much, and how do I, as a fitness professional, help a client manage their injury while still staying on track to meet their goals?"  It is these times in a person's path to wellness that can make or break the process.  Injuries can derail a fitness program completely, allowing the client to walk away and become discouraged and give up. Or it can be a turning point for the better. A chance to change up the exercise routine, embrace new methods and find a new connection with your body.  Pain is our body's way of reminding us of both it's incredible strength and it's extreme fragility.  Our bodies talk to us through pain, so it is best we listen, and respect it's input into the process.
I have a client who is suffering right now.  She is one of the hardest working, most dedicated and kind people I have ever met. I believe in her, and I assure you, she will reach all of her weight loss and fitness goals.  But she is in the midst of injury right now.  And that really can take a toll on the process. How are we going to get through this and come out stronger, fitter and ready for the next challenge?  Together, that's how. The best way I can help every client achieve their best is to walk, squat, lunge, lift and run beside them the whole way. Sometimes we'll have to modify, change course or even rest.  The end result - happy, healthy bodies for life - something worth fighting for! 

Monkey See, Monkey Do!

We are inundated with information, guilt campaigns, diet and exercise fixes, infomercials and magazines filled with the "latest" thing that will make you healthy - today!!  It is impossible to sort the wheat from the chaff and make sense of what, where and how we are supposed to live in order to attain a "healthy" life. 
CORE hubby and I volunteered our time at a Family Fitness Night at our children's school last week. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to have fun, try new ways to be active and learn and participate in activities that promoted healthy living.  But the overwhelming trend was parental supervision and less enthusiastic child participation.  Many parents took this opportunity to encourage their children to get moving, but did not take part themselves. 
My scientific data collected from that night:  parents who took part, whether first time exercisers or long time fitness buffs, had children who enjoyed, got sweaty, smiled and had a great time. The families connected through movement and the kids were enthusiastic and excited for the next challenge. 
We want the best for our children, and spend much of their early years reading, discovering and putting into practise the things that we believe will enable them to live long, healthy and happy lives.  The best thing we can do is quietly model the behaviors that we know are proven to help them live this ideal. Monkey see, monkey do! 

The Girl On The Bike

One thing I tell people when they are starting out running is to look up.  Take in the surroundings, see all that is going on around. If your eyes are trained downward, you'll miss all of the small, beautiful things that make the true pleasure of being outside and giving your all.  And sometimes you see something so spectacular that just the thought of it makes you smile.
Yesterday I was driving home from a class when I saw a girl on a bike. She was standing tall on her pedals, arms outstretched to the sides and the wind caught her hair and cascaded it out behind her.  Her arms moved to some undecipherable rythm, her throat was upturned - her eyes cast upwards towards the blue sky. She was beautiful in her freedom, and there was freedom in her beauty.  I would never recognize her if I saw her on the street, but I will never forget her.  That is living in the moment, being who you are, and living life to its fullest. The wind on your hair, the sun on your face, and movement so simple and pure.
So keep your eyes up - and don't miss a thing! 

I'm in a food mood!

If you know me, you know I love food.  I love how it looks. I love how it smells. I love the colours, textures and the pure beauty of it. Fresh fruit and vegetables are so colourful, and amazingly, none are quite the same. All unique, subtly different in taste, size or shape.  My favourite place to shop is the farmers market - where food comes alive, a painted picture of goodness and sunshine, flanked by the humanity of the people whose hands turned the soil that grew them.  One of my favourite things is that surprising feeling when you take the first bite into something, and it surprises you by surpassing your expectations.  Mmmmmmmm..........
I have not always had such a comfortable relationship with food.  For much of my life it was a chess game, dancing between desire and necessity.  Fear of "bad food", eating too much, too little, carbs, no carbs, take out butter, wait!  margarine is bad for you, low fat, no fat, homemade, store bought. Proteins and dairy and grains, oh my!  Much of my life was dedicated to thinking about, obsessing over and hating either food or myself, depending on the day.  This is not unusual in society today. We are inundated with information that tells us how to eat, what to eat, why to eat.  But we have been eating and surviving for thousands of years before the advent of media. We are born with the ability to know exactly what and how much we need.  Babies are the most wonderful example of this. Unaffected by social mores, they eat when hungry and stop when full.  They eat enough to meet their needs and satisfy their hunger.  Wonderful and perfect.  Somehow we need to start trusting ourselves that we have everything inside us to eat the right amount of the right foods.

People often want to know what diet I adhere to.  Truth is, nothing is off limits for me, but I try to adhere to an 85/15  rule of thumb.  As I respect and love my body, I want to treat it well, and to keep it running with quality fuel. To me, this means fresh, whole foods - as close to nature as we can get.  We choose local and organic produce, and free range, organic, local eggs and meats. Whole grains.  Food with an expiry date.  Unprocessed when possible. Then I fill my body with these quality foods - 85%  of the time.  The other 15% is free choice, baby - whatever I want!  Baked goods (made at home or locally), "junk" food, fried foods - you name it.  I try and choose these prepared in a healthier way when possible, but hey - a girl needs her fats as well!  It's normal to have a variety, and to take the negative connotations off of all foods. There's a place for everything.
The result of this - I feel good.  I have energy and strength enough to face each day and it's challenges. I can play with my kids, ride my bike, do my job, and maintain a healthy, balanced life.  Life is good - and so is food! 

Running the Race

Last Saturday I ran my first 5K race. Seriously.  Worst.  Longest.  Most Torturous.  Painful.  Awful ..... thirty one minutes of pain. No other way to describe it. I have not been feeling well - battling a chest cold, I haven't trained properly.  I stopped three times on route to hack up a lung.  I almost cried when every time I turned a corner another uphill and subsequent muddy downhill awaited me.   The race was over for me about two minutes in when the little voice in my head said, "you can't do this".  I never got into a happy place, and let the negative feelings defeat me before I had even started.   I never let myself look around and see that I was running through a light fog, in an idyllic forest setting, over small bridges, under canopies of tall trees.  I missed the beauty and freedom of what I set out to do, and instead let self doubt seep in as "not good enough" became my mantra, running on repeat in my head.
One thing I love about running is that no matter how I set out, I always return a little changed. It helps me to learn a little about myself each and every time.
I finished. It hurt.  But I am determined to try again. And no matter how fast or slow my feet move, I will make sure that the little negative voice stays at home and build time in my run to stop and smell the roses.

Life is beautiful!

A challenge, of sorts.... I have two clients who have chosen to work toward the Heydenshore Hoedown 5km run/walk at the end of July.  If anyone is interested in joining a team of CORE friends in this goal it would be wonderful!  We are not looking at a competitive situation, just to help each other achieve this shared goal of participating, finishing and enjoying!  Let us know!

Hmmmm. What?? How are my 2011 goals going? Ummm....how do you like this weather we're having...

As a health professional, I should be eschewing the virtue of commitment and resilience - the ability to work towards and achieve that which is important to you. Employing willpower and using every tool in your arsenal to complete the task or goal you have set yourself. You can do anything!  Nothing can stop you!  Work hard, sweat harder, feel strong, live long, you know (and have probably heard) those or other familiar words of encouragement coming from my mouth at one time or another.  These words are true, and every time I ask you to surprise yourself, always remember that nothing you accomplish surprises me. I see what you put in, and what you get back, each and every time I stand in front of you. 
My goals?  Oh, well. Mmmmmmhhhhh........  fine!
Big fat zero accomplished of these goals. Have yet to have a massage. Family time? Well, it's there - but difficult to balance as I work mornings and nights, Sean in between.  Three cycling tours?? Haven't even gotten on my bike.  And the worst?? Still drinking Diet Coke as if it is the only thing that will sustain me. Yes, yes I am.
But - I have decided to do a duathlon this summer (and signed up - so there is no backing out), and will be doing my first 5km running race this Saturday to "test the waters". We have all got Friday off, and will be spending it how we all please - together.  I asked my daughter if she wanted to ride her bike while I went for a short run, she agreed.  That short run ended an hour later with her and I slapping high fives after having some of the best conversation we have ever shared. A warm, sweaty hug was shared and acknowledgement that this was a must-do again.  My son woke up at midnight the other night with sore legs, which turned into an hour long leg rub, cuddle and conversation on how we could accomplish world domination, one toot at a time.   We have decided to do the "Ride 4 the Rouge" as a family and enjoy a bike tour together for a great cause.  So the family time might not be entirely conventional, but we are outside, together  - laughing and smiling. Plus it makes our snuggly time all the much more enriching.  The little bums are so tired they actually stay still!
Someday my massage will come. Someday........
And Diet Coke - say it with me - "You can do anything!" "You are strong" "Nothing can stop you!"  Ah, thanks - I needed that!!  Back to the drawing board, but determined to kick the habit, one can at a time.

Happy Easter everyone!