Hey, boys and girls!
I was thinking this morning about my own journey toward fitness and slowly came to the realization that it is so much more than just a journey. It's a quest.
Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of a 'quest,' I think about knights and horses, the slaying of dragons and the rescuing of princesses. The strong, brave knight sets off on a journey that will be frought with difficulty and is full of the unknown. About two things he is absolutely certain. It's going to be hard, and there's a beautiful princess waiting for him at the end of the road.
Bear with me, here. Maybe this is too much metaphor for one meager little blog post, but it has to be said. You're the knight; you're on the quest. You start out strong, ready for anything. Along the way, though, you're going to take the wrong road. It's inevitable. At that point (and a million other points in between) it WILL get difficult, and you'll think of returning home, to the comfort of the familiar. Please remember for me: you ARE a warrior. Don't give up. You know there's something very special for you at the end, and that (sometimes that alone) keeps you going.
You're going to have fights along the way. Maybe they won't be fire-breathing dragons or trolls who make you answer riddles to pass, but you will battle. You can overcome. Just like the knight along the way, you keep going because there's a beautiful princess waiting for you in the tower.
GUESS WHAT?!? You're the beautiful princess, too! (Sorry, fellas!) When you reach the 'end' of your quest (which we all know really never actually ends), this gorgeous new person is waiting for you. You have released her from her bonds, and she is ready to live life! Your new self, the self that is created and unleashed because of your fitness quest, is full of joy and energy. She (or he) has been trapped in that Fat Body Castle for far too long.
Just like the knight and his princess you, too, will be looking forward to a brand new life with your brand new self. If you haven't yet started your quest, please let me help you take that first step. If you're on the road but stuck at a roadblock, let me help you pass it. Your princess is waiting; let's go get her together!
Do it for you.
Do it for life.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Battling Depression
Life is always crazy, right? Right.
And then there's those times when it gets downright insane! You have those, too. Right? Right.
Well, the last month or so has been INSANITY for me. And, no, I don't mean Shaun T's awesome workout program! For starters, my 'little' brother graduated from college, then he got married. We've had trips, visitors, special meals and late nights. Needless to say, my workouts have not been as regimented as usual. Of course, my eating clean is still bang on (except for cheat days). Instead of doubles, 5 - 6 days a week, right now, I've been doing well just to get in 3 workouts/week.
Coincidentally, I've been battling depression. It's been getting in the way of my marriage, my relationship with my kids and my relationship with housework. It's the PITS! I was crying myself to sleep every night, and, unfortunately, my hubby doesn't really know what to do with tears... I'd wake up the next day with NO desire or drive to get out of bed or get anything done.
After a few days, when I 'had time' to workout again, I'd push play, even though I didn't feel like it. I worked out because "that's what I do now." The endorphin rush you get from working out is amazing! I feel SO good after I workout, and that feel good feeling carries me through the day and into the next.
What I soon realized is that I'm battling at least a mild form of depression, and the exercise keeps it at bay. Not only am I making my body healthier, I'm creating a healthy mind and heart, too. For those of you who need a little more information for yourself or someone you love, below is an article copied from Livestrong.com.
Enjoy!
How to Cure Depression With Exercise
Overview
Physical exercise has long been touted as a way to raise self-esteem. But more recently, exercise has been a regular course of therapy for doctors and therapists dealing with a growing number of patients battling depression. Exercise releases endorphins, triggering a feeling of euphoria in those who run and workout on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, the benefits don't end with depression treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, links have also been found between depression and those suffering from anxiety.
Step 1
Set aside some time in the day. Combating depression often requires as much as 30 minutes of your time, 3 to 5 times a day. That may seem like a lot, but the positive feeling that exercise gives you, not to mention the improvements made in self-image and physical health, more than justify the time spent. **NOTE: For a quick workout that's effective, try Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer**
Step 2
Get your physican's sign-off on an exercise regimen. The fact is what's good for some is not necessarily good for all. You'll want to get very specific as to what your exercise plans are. It's also a good idea to draw on the expertise and experience that your treatment provider or physician may have had with depression and exercise in other patients.
Step 3
Figure out what you like. If you suffer from depression, chances are you're not going to be that excited about the idea of exercising in the first place. With that in mind, it makes sense to choose an exercise routine or activity that you can be excited about. It's also vital to your success that you plan out when and where you are going to do the activity. Planning it out helps put off procrastination and excuse-making. **NOTE: Schedule it into your day and keep that appointment!**
Step 4
Put forth a reasonable exercise strategy. It's going to work against you if you overdo it right from the start. For one thing, you could hurt yourself. You most certainly will be too sore to exercise the next day, and possibly even the day after. Plus, overdoing right away could make the exercise seem like a burden that you don't look forward to. **NOTE: Sore on day 2? Workout anyway. The work will help rid your muscles of lactic acid and help you lose the soreness faster!**
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/17172-cure-depression-exercise/#ixzz0rENr9hhM
And then there's those times when it gets downright insane! You have those, too. Right? Right.
Well, the last month or so has been INSANITY for me. And, no, I don't mean Shaun T's awesome workout program! For starters, my 'little' brother graduated from college, then he got married. We've had trips, visitors, special meals and late nights. Needless to say, my workouts have not been as regimented as usual. Of course, my eating clean is still bang on (except for cheat days). Instead of doubles, 5 - 6 days a week, right now, I've been doing well just to get in 3 workouts/week.
Coincidentally, I've been battling depression. It's been getting in the way of my marriage, my relationship with my kids and my relationship with housework. It's the PITS! I was crying myself to sleep every night, and, unfortunately, my hubby doesn't really know what to do with tears... I'd wake up the next day with NO desire or drive to get out of bed or get anything done.
After a few days, when I 'had time' to workout again, I'd push play, even though I didn't feel like it. I worked out because "that's what I do now." The endorphin rush you get from working out is amazing! I feel SO good after I workout, and that feel good feeling carries me through the day and into the next.
What I soon realized is that I'm battling at least a mild form of depression, and the exercise keeps it at bay. Not only am I making my body healthier, I'm creating a healthy mind and heart, too. For those of you who need a little more information for yourself or someone you love, below is an article copied from Livestrong.com.
Enjoy!
How to Cure Depression With Exercise
Overview
Physical exercise has long been touted as a way to raise self-esteem. But more recently, exercise has been a regular course of therapy for doctors and therapists dealing with a growing number of patients battling depression. Exercise releases endorphins, triggering a feeling of euphoria in those who run and workout on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, the benefits don't end with depression treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, links have also been found between depression and those suffering from anxiety.
Step 1
Set aside some time in the day. Combating depression often requires as much as 30 minutes of your time, 3 to 5 times a day. That may seem like a lot, but the positive feeling that exercise gives you, not to mention the improvements made in self-image and physical health, more than justify the time spent. **NOTE: For a quick workout that's effective, try Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer**
Step 2
Get your physican's sign-off on an exercise regimen. The fact is what's good for some is not necessarily good for all. You'll want to get very specific as to what your exercise plans are. It's also a good idea to draw on the expertise and experience that your treatment provider or physician may have had with depression and exercise in other patients.
Step 3
Figure out what you like. If you suffer from depression, chances are you're not going to be that excited about the idea of exercising in the first place. With that in mind, it makes sense to choose an exercise routine or activity that you can be excited about. It's also vital to your success that you plan out when and where you are going to do the activity. Planning it out helps put off procrastination and excuse-making. **NOTE: Schedule it into your day and keep that appointment!**
Step 4
Put forth a reasonable exercise strategy. It's going to work against you if you overdo it right from the start. For one thing, you could hurt yourself. You most certainly will be too sore to exercise the next day, and possibly even the day after. Plus, overdoing right away could make the exercise seem like a burden that you don't look forward to. **NOTE: Sore on day 2? Workout anyway. The work will help rid your muscles of lactic acid and help you lose the soreness faster!**
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/17172-cure-depression-exercise/#ixzz0rENr9hhM
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