Tuesday, June 03, 2008

true Campaign + Summertime Q&A

true Campaign

I received a couple emails for suggestions regarding summertime exercise tips! I'll do my best to help answer their questions, but first I want to give kudos to www.truecampaign.org - Check it out and share with your loved ones. What a beautiful campaign.


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Summertime Fitness Q&A:

Q: It's too hot to exercise outside with it being summer. Can I bring any of the exercises outside, inside?

A: I could write a book on this one, but let's keep it simple. First, dvds are always a convenient way to exercise - if you need further suggestions on dvds, email me, but two that come to mind: The Firm (www.firmdirect.com) and Cathe Friedrich (www.cathe.com)

Second, assuming you're alone (or not!), turn up the music! Whether it's a booty-shakin' cd or flowing lite rock, the beat will help motivate you to move. Whether you have equipment or not, you can do a variety of squats, lunges, planks, pushups - or, if you need less structure and more freedom, just dance. Or, if the word "dance" scares you, let yourself move however you feel. I've even had friends over to watch funny youtube aerobic videos - We laughed more than we exercised, but it was a good time!

Third, on a more serious note, it's 96 degrees in Atlanta right now. So, yes, exercising inside would be the healthiest, smartest and safest option. If you don't have access to a gym or studio, do your best to move. Remember, exercise doesn't have to be a structured "exercise class" or three-mile run. It can simply be movement, chores, moving to-do list...any physical activity.

And, as a reminder, seek movement for the right reasons. Do it to feel good, to feel light yet energetic, to feel destressed, to feel strong - do it to take care of yourself!



Q: What exercises can I do just ahead of a trip to the beach or pool to make me feel more confident in my swimsuit?

A: Ideally, you exercise for a variety of benefits year-round. But, if you're feeling uneasy about swimsuit season, and a big beach trip is around the corner, my first thought is to relax. You are probably your own worst critic. And, if you're not, then those "other" people are crazy.

Gals and guys, find a swimsuit that makes you feel good - colors that complement your spirit, your planned activities. And, practice being a little more vulnerable in your swimsuit - hang out at home, try it on, find a cute coverup or wrap for when you're playing on the beach or in the grass, etc.

And, to the exercises - Whether you've got the Bridget Jones Jiggly Bits or not, a variety of movement all year round would help you to feel stronger and more confident: Cardio (walking, running, dance class, ballgame), Strength (weight bearing exercises with weights, machines, body weight), Flexibility (stretching, yoga class), Core Strength (a combination of those listed plus Pilates-influenced moves) and, of course, Rest (ample sleep and relaxation!). That's an eyeful, I know. But, it's not too late to start today, two weeks before your bathing suit trip, or five months before your Bahama Breeze vacay. Whether you seek the advice of a qualifed and compassionate trainer, a popular dvd, or your best workout buddy, I encourage you to add movement to your regular routine.


Q: What can I do at work to get in a little exercise that won't make me look like a complete fool on those busy days I cannot make it to the gym?

A: You're right, you might get strange looks at The Office if you bust out some walking lunges, jumping jax, kickbox moves and the MC Hammer. Instead, try to stay mobile - even if you have a desk job. Stay hydrated with herbal teas and water, use the restroom frequently, take a walk at lunch even if it's only 10 minutes.

Also, think about your breath. Think of your breath as energy - energy in, energy out. Work energy in, work energy out. Think: Strong belly breaths, strong exhales. The breathwork doesn't have to be loud or annoying, just deep enough that you stay present and not locked into tense anxiety, stiff shoulders and back aches. ... This advice comes from personal experience. Occasionally, while I'm doing office work, I get into my groove and forget to breathe deeply. Then, I ask myself, what's the rush? I remind myself that my stressful days at CNN are over (hallelujah) - the world will not crumble if the report goes out 25 seconds later than anticipated.

Last thought - invest in a large medicine ball as your chair as opposed to a typical office chair. You'll naturally build core strength by stabilizing and balancing your body weight all day.


Q: What books do you recommend for summer reading that will help me find peace, inspire me to be better to myself or fill my soul with happiness and good humor?

I know who wrote this question, so while you are at work, here's a peaceful site: http://www.taoteching.org/

Otherwise, just a few from my favorite list:
*Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hahn is a lovely nightstand book
*Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert - all around nourishing book for finding peace and acceptance
*Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston
*anything by Jane Green if you need some chicklit with substance!


Sunday, June 01, 2008

Feeling v. Filling




Good Sunday morning! My friend, "B", emailed me last night about how she decided to tune into her own innate wisdom instead of following the generic rigid diet a nurse at her endocrinologist's office handed to her. Her gut told her to be weary, and she's so happy she listened and has been able to make healthy eating and exercise decisions based on her body's signals instead of thinking someone else had the answer. Of course, we all need guidance from other resources, but be choosy about those resources! Even the experts could use a little fine-intuitive tuning.

I'm having the most lovely morning - lots of me time. After being on the fence about going to church or not (I needed some quiet time without dodging traffic around town), I decided to see where the morning took me. I got out of bed, had breakfast, checked emails, brewed coffee, then took an hour and a half nap while my coffee sat on the pot! Too late for church.

Then, I started reading Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnston again. So lovely and so nourishing. The specific passage that resonates with me this morning focused on the masculine/feminine, sun/moon, feeling/thinking, trusting/doing. Like my friend, "B", I'm definitely in a place that says "Come back to you - trust your gut!" And, that really means to focus on myself more - do more of my own "writing with the body" exercises to let my intuition and deep signals guide me daily.

For whatever issue (diet, exercise, job decisions, relationships), sometimes we feel the flurry of "ohhhhhhh, i don't know what to do, this person tells me xxxx, that person tells me xxxx" - You might want control, you might want the right answers for fear of making a mistake, yet I think that's a sign for us to get in tune with our own wisdom. We think it's not there, that everyone else knows the answers, but if we give ourselves the chance to feel it instead of think so much, we can figure it out. Yet, perhaps, sometimes there's nothing to figure out, and there lies a chance to honor emptiness or the unknown.

Last Monday, while I was at the pool enjoying Memorial Day, I read an article in Creative Loafing by a man who suffers from alcoholism. He closed his piece saying he has to honor that unknown and wonder of it all every single day to stay on his sober path. This reminds me of something we can all relate: Filling v. Feeling. Sometimes that "feeling" means feeling nothing or the emptiness or wonder that resides in all of us. It's kind of blank and icky, but it's necessary to honor instead of "filling" with emotional eating or compulsive exercise, alcohol or drugs, toxic people, or endless to-do lists.

Feeling what's there - whatever it is - can be the biggest challenge. Maybe there's a daily answer, maybe it's still open space. Maybe there's an action or decision to be made, maybe going with it and basking in the wide wonder is more of a gift than we can ever imagine.