Maintaining Body, Mind, Spirit Balance

Quietening your mind and getting your body moving are key to being healthy. Here is part of what I'm doing to help maintain my balance .....

Daily Meditation

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Yoga 2-3 times per week

video credit Barreworks Toronto

bAAArre work-out 1-2 times per week

What do you do to achieve balance in your life?

happy week-end,


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Mats and Bands = Shaping Up

Like many women, being fit is very important to me, unfortunately like many women I have encountered limitations with exercising. I have stood by unable to do much while my body fat over the past 4 1/2 years went from 13% to the now 30%.  Though exercise is only one component of the contributing culprit, it is an important one.

Before my accident I used kick boxing; volleyball; some weight work-outs; yoga and my hectic corporate lifestyle to keep me in shape. Well things have changed - and these are no longer fitness options.

A few months back I discovered a local Yoga Studio - here in the countryside, which specializes in Theraputic Yoga ~ poses are modified to accomodate my balance; weight bearing limitations on my right arm; lack of flexibilty in my lower back and hip. The instructor goes at a slower pace - and encourages us to rest and go at our own pace. Things were looking pretty good , then I had a huge energy and emotional crash, so I had to take a break. Though I continued to keep up with daily theraputic stretching, my body started to show the "signs" of fitness interuption.

Finally, with some new energy monitoring strategies in place I have started to return back to yoga. And was excited to learn The Studio recently introduced a toning program that relies on bands and balls to tone and strengthen your core - which mine is quite weak. As with the yoga instructor this instructor is very aware of each individual's needs and modifies things accordingly.


I'm happy to say ... I'm back on track to getting in shape. I may not get my pre-accident body back, BUT I am determined to be in better shape than I have been the past few years and closer to reaching my goal of going bathing suit shopping at the end of June. Sandy over at Getting Fit and Loving It is working on the bathing suit shopping goal with me... pop on over and give her a big blog land encouragement!!

Are you working towards getting back into a fitness routine?

I'd love to hear what has worked for you.

 Great Linky Parties under Blog Hop tab

New You ~ Building the foundation

If your reflection in the mirror no longer fits the life you are living or want to live then it’s time for a change. How does one go about creating a “New You”? This perhaps is the million dollar question and certainly if you were to ask 10 people you would receive 10 unique responses. Now, I am not an expert on this subject nor do I claim to have all the answers. I have however, spent the past 4 years (October 28th) after re-learning to eat, speak, walk, and think; trying to figure out who the person staring back at me in the mirror is.


By sharing with you the baby steps I have taken forward and at times the giant steps I take backwards I hope that you realize you are not alone and that with faith, belief, courage, determination, hard work and support be it from Virtual friends here in Blog Land or from friends you seeing daily… you too can start on the path to “New You”!

Spiritual,Mental, Emotional Fitness:

It does not matter what your religious background is, so long as you have your Spiritual self, belief and faith. The power of being able to stay positive is extremely important, as the energy you create around you is what will embrace you (by the people and things that come into your life). Ever stop to think - its the person who is always down, complaining that just doesn't seem to get a break; while the person who faces life's challenges with the glass is half full attitude seems to come out of even the most horific circumstances.

The one thing I strongly suggest before embarking on any life changing is that you seek the services of a psychologist. As often there are underlying issues that until dealt with no matter what you do or try it will only be a temporary band-aide. I know what you are thinking, but trust me I felt the same way in the beginning and went through various "Shrekos" (and even a quack or two) before I found someone that I felt comfortable speaking with.

Support, whether virtual or via a close friend or family member you need someone who will help keep you motivated, and will cheer your accomplishments.

Once, you have the above in place you can get on with the Re-invention:

Physical Fitness:

Post Accident ~ 96 lbs, extremely weak, non active

Post Accident (just weeks prior to) 4 year mark ~ 135 lbs, low energy, low-active,

GOAL: ~ 115 lbs., become more active by January 31st, 2011

THE PLAN

Yoga (Modified to accomodate limitations in right elbow and back etc.) 1x per week

Gym - physio program with aide of personal trainer 1x per week

Reflexology ~ to help with pain management 1x per week

Walking 1-3x daily (10-15 minutes ea.time)

To maintain Spritual, Mental and Emotional

 

Reiki 1x per week

Meditation - structured 1x per week

Meditation non-structured ~ daily

Do You have a fitness goal? What is your Plan to achieve it?

Next Tuesday Healthy Eating Habits...

Get Fit ~ No Diet or Exercise

Getting back into shape is not about dieting and exercising !

It's really about LifeStyle - for any fitness program to work it must be able to easily be incorporated into your daily life. An overall fitness program address physical, mental, emotional and nutritional fitness. Here is what I am planning to incorporate into my life to achieve my overall fitness goals:

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Gym - increase my Cardio and build up my strength - 2-3 times per week

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Restorative Yoga ~  bring my body back into balance - 1-2 times per week

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Meditation ~ still my mind - at home  upon waking up and before going to sleep -daily. Instructor led meditation - 1 per week (still looking for a local class to attend).

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Nutritionist ~ establish proper eating habits - intial consult and follow ups as required


What are your suggestions for staying fit and healthy?

Getting Fit “one Day at a time” OR “one Outfit at a time…”

One of the big challenges I face each time I go to put some pre-accident clothes on I think the laundress or dry cleaner must have “shrunk” them on me! Then I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror – and I realize nope, the clothes aren’t shrinking, I have expanded. This is usually followed by a good cry and wonderment of where my body went? How is it that I went from a size 3/4 (sometimes 2), well toned 113 lbs, to now a size 8 (sometimes 10) and not so toned 130lbs.

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The answer is not rocket science, I know, but it does not make it easier to digest. It’s been almost 4 years since the accident and the only source of fitness I have been able to keep up with is the stretching experiences that are mostly completed in a laying position. Last year Rehab Girl and I tried the gym route, I was up to 6 minutes on the recumbent bike (a far cry from the 45 minutes/1hour I was use to) and the exercises Physio had set up on the machines was going well. Rehab Girl even managed to get me in the pool (I’m not a swimmer – probably because I do not know how to swim) - but I gave it a try, and it wasn’t too bad, until I got a glimpse of me in a bathing suit (one piece of course – my bikini days are gone now) and couldn’t believe I was going in the pool. The fitness was interrupted by some surgery and it’s been difficult to get back to it on a regular basis.

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After an inspiring conversation with an old shopping friend a couple weeks back , N- suggested that I take a new approach and to start with a trip to Winners and lululemon for some new work-out clothes. Her theory that if I look good – I will be more inclined to make it out the door. Not being one to argue with a “Well Heeled” fashionista (Gosh I miss those days) - After some discussion this is what we agreed would be appropriate:

- Two sport bras and two T-shirt bras (nude, black, and white)
- 6 workout Ts – some tank
- 2 pairs of flared bottom yoga pants
- 2 pairs of Capri style work-out pants
- 2 warm sweat suits – to go to and from the gym

- 2 light weight sweat suits – to go to and from the gym

- Comfortable workout shoes

- A smart tote to carry my stuff back and forth to the gym

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I will go through my existing wardrobe and make a list of missing items from list above. I’m liking this already!!!

This week I’m going to start back – I’m preparing myself – I’m not setting any expectations or making any specific goals other than building up my visits to the gym 3-4 times a week by the end of August. Rehab Girl will accompany me the first few times to get me back on track.

I'll check keep you posted on my progress!!!