Fitness – Live&Work 4healthyu

OMG, the finish line!

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, I Feel Good!

I wanted to experience the waves and adulation of cheering crowds and the loud bells and whistles on race day! A lovely professional photograph and medal would be sweet too! Instead, I arrived at the finish line of my virtual 10K alone, but with a new appreciation for all that motivates, inspires, and strengthens me in my health and wellness journey.

I worked diligently with a local YMCA training club. I was well prepared but wasn’t crazy about the logistics of getting to and from the big event, let alone twenty-five thousand athletes and visitors. Finally, after an awful night with little sleep, I woke late and set out on a personal timed race. At this moment, I saw my first motivation (me!) and an intense need to get the job done! I told myself that this day was like every other one, that I needed to move, and that the exercise made me feel great! Days like this are often solitary for me but no less powerful.

As I completed my 10K, I realized how inspired I’ve been by family members no longer with us. Some had significant health issues. Some wished they could have been more active in their adult years. I also thought about people I know who wish they could be more physically active right now but can’t. But then, I saw their faces as I exercised – grinning, smiling, waving, and encouraging me on race day!

I previously shared how much I enjoyed practicing with the YMCA training group and missed my team! But on race day, I felt their presence and was empowered and inspired by their stories. Some had injuries and overcame illnesses. Some managed busy schedules and stressful jobs. One shared how depression and a breakup challenged her. Today, we’re all now on the other side of everyday challenges. This realization made me feel pretty darn good!

I approached the finish line (a hot, sweaty mess!) with a smile. The sun shone, the clouds held the rain, and the day was unseasonably warm. Once again, I realized the outdoors and exercise can feel like a spiritual, grounding and life-affirming experience. I cooled down and thanked God for my safe journey. I felt great at the finish line and look forward to doing this again!

Well, this is my birthday, isn’t it?

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Aging with grace!, Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles, Smart and Well, Uncategorized

Sometimes, even birthdays, become enmeshed in politics! I was reminded of this when I asked a colleague to not broadcast my day on the company intranet. She replied, “But, everyone will think we don’t care about you!” Yes, birthdays are more political than they should be! Consider this:

Big cakes and little cakes! At work, I’ve seen beautiful, elaborately decorated cakes for some, and last-minute, generic Walmart cakes for others. Why the difference? Well, one person, a manager or key employee is highly-regarded and/or popular, and the other colleague isn’t! Some employees are offered “group cakes” for multiple birthdays in one month or quarter. One clerical manager explained we’d have a cake every week otherwise! Have you ever wondered what your birthday treat says about your place in the office?

Have you experienced a birthday-themed marketing campaign? Instead of wishing us well, we hear from political campaigns and non-profits requesting donations in honor of other people or causes! I must admit, this personal appeal is most annoying to me. Wouldn’t you be annoyed if anyone told you what you should get them for their BD? Family and friends are okay, but a grinning politician?

People can be amazingly insensitive! With so much attention focused on Diversity & Inclusion at work, I’m not sure how “Over the Hill!” party themes would work today, but this was the norm in some offices. I also recall a manager confiding in me how much she wanted to include an employee who doesn’t celebrate holidays and birthdays. She wanted a close and supportive team! So, I asked if she ever considered just respecting the employee and her wishes? My question was met with stony silence.

So, here I am with another birthday at work! I used to take a day or week off to avoid the attention, then my determined manager planned my “surprise” before or after vacation! So, how difficult could it be to celebrate and eat cake? Honestly, I don’t want to be anti-social or politically incorrect, but I prefer my birthday to be mine! I’d love to keep other people and their agendas out of my cake business! And before I forget,

Happy Birthday all “First-Quarter Babies!”

Ready to really Spring Forward?

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles, Physical Therapy, Smart and Well, Uncategorized

I wanted to honor my brother by running a marathon with a nonprofit organization that supported him during his illness. A big goal for me, but no execution! So, I found a way to honor him and challenge myself with a local YMCA 10K Training Team! Here’s what I learned:

First, I discovered that less is more (and healthier) with a 10K! My doctor approved and even high-fived me for my interest. But, while my ego wants to go big, my body says no! So, I work with a great bunch of folks every Saturday for ten weeks before the big event. We are motivated to prepare for and complete a popular community-sponsored race and go on this journey together.

Second, it’s exhilarating to train with a group! Ours include runners and walkers, a/k/a “Movers and Shakers!” Our volunteer coaches are passionate about fitness and training. Time flies as we exercise at our own pace, conversing and breathing effortlessly. We are not competitive but focused on an end goal. I’m honestly shocked at how quickly time passes!

Third, an experienced coach is also an excellent partner! Our head coach leads with attention to detail, including lengthy weekly email updates, printed directions for our course, pep talks, and boundless enthusiasm. Our other coaches space out to start and trail behind with slow pokes (like me)! We enjoy tips on hydration, proper shoes and clothes, great stretching, warm-up, and cool-down exercises, and safety tips (staying alert when alone, managing traffic, cell phones, etc.). Our personal weekday programs prepare us for longer Saturday training sessions.

Okay, it’s almost Spring and time to store your winter coat! Are you ready to shake up and move your fitness to a new level? Consider a training group. Maybe, we’ll see you on the road!

Ready, set, go!

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, Health cooking and eatting!, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles

Damn, I need valet services for parking at the health club in the new year. Sadly, it’s business as usual, with plenty of parking by month’s end! Change is challenging, but there’s much to learn about managing new resolutions. Here are a few things I’ve discovered.

January is the perfect time to focus on the power and potential of R-words! So many of us are reassessing, reimagining, recalibrating – you get the picture! We know something didn’t work for us last year and want a fresh start and do-over. “Renewal” is my favorite inspiring R-word, and it comes up in my meditation, exercise, and writing. I’m always thinking, committing, and strengthening my will to renew and find greater joy in my life. What’s your R-word?

We endured a heck of a year, and we’re so much smarter! I enjoyed walking four or five days a week last year. I proudly marked my days on a large wall calendar. Excellent job, I thought as I assessed last year, but I also concluded I need more strength training and challenging cardio. So my plan for 2023 includes new workouts and more creative, healthy ways to manage my low-energy days!

January 1st is a tough time to hit the reset button, so consider another day! One Health & Wellness article suggested change and new beginnings can begin on birthdays, any day, week, quarter, anniversaries, or any momentous day! For example, I started getting my annual physical on my late mom’s birthday. The date is easy to remember and honor her. I’m also motivated by her passion for eating right, regular exercise, and enjoying the outdoors. Her birthday is now a nice healthy habit!

It’s always a great time to embrace wellness, welcome change, and challenge our thinking about what’s good for us. Best wishes for a happy new year!

So, you think you can eat anything, huh?

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, Health cooking and eatting!, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles, Uncategorized

My 50th POST! – “People are starving in this country, and you’re throwing away food!” My mother would say this and look at me in horror! I was guided by food labels and my own sense of what keeps me safe. Recently, I listened to an NPR news report on widespread confusion regarding food labels. Let’s take a closer look.

We are often confused by the sheer variety of labels, including: “use before,” “sell by,” “expires on, “good by this date,” “best if used by,” etc. The public’s uncertainty about dates on packaged foods leads to up to 20% of waste in this country, according to Frank Yiannas, the FDA Deputy Commissioner on Food Policy and Response. It seems uniform definitions and standards are lacking.

I surveyed my own kitchen and noted many products with NO date! You’d think those foods are suitable for a lifetime! At first, I thought I might have tossed the packaging, but no, many products simply have no date at all! I’m sure our food preparation and safety standards are better than most in the world. The U.S. is an advanced country, but there still seems to be a measure of “buyer beware” here!

To be safe, I follow a few personal rules:

I look at food labels and try to remember the labeled dates. Some properly sealed foods last longer. I also always refrigerate any suggested food after opening.
I’m cautious regarding dented cans and anything that insults my senses. I’m not going there if it doesn’t look, or smell right or food contents have separated.
I won’t risk my stomach on mere “taste tests” with questionable items in the refrigerator or cupboard.

Old-fashioned cooking may address some problems, but I can’t be thrifty and cavalier and expose my digestive system to something that raises red flags.

After a hard upbringing, a friend of mine hated wasting food! He’d proudly claim he has a stomach that can handle anything! This was true until he ate the wrong thing, suffered from food poisoning a few times, and ended up in the hospital. He learned how painful this could be as his body fought an invasion of poison and bad food!

Photo by Jean van der Meulen on Pexels.com

So, a reasonable consumer is wise and educated. The best offense is a strong defense. Your healthy gut is relying on you! So, here’s to good food and healthy, and happy times in your life and home!

Hey, are you all in?

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, Lifestyles, Physical Therapy, Uncategorized

It’s easy to be wellness-obsessed and a bit poor in this country! I drew this conclusion after attending a health and wellness conference. I encountered many folks passionate about products and services but struggling to make the living they want and deserve.

Let’s face it; wellness professionals have knowledge, products, and services that could enhance and save lives! They believe in their message, but the financial rewards may not come until later. Some wellness professionals work two jobs, side hustles, and long hours. During the first year of the Pandemic, we saw severe shortfalls in benefits, including paid personal time, sick leave, and health insurance. In addition, some businesses closed forever.

The conference included wellness professionals from A to Z, such as exercise instructors, nurses, x-ray technicians, massage therapists, life coaches, personal trainers, physical therapists, mental health workers, nurses, teachers, etc. Honestly, it would take a big tent to include every wellness professional! But, we know they touch the mind, body, and spirit of clients, customers, and patients every day. So, their connection to wellness is professional and quite personal too.

But I can see the determination and grit of people here. Wellness professionals face challenges in their work but continue to believe in it and want to help others. They continue to work hard, refine skills, improve sales pitches, and focus on the future. They believe in what they do, manage setbacks, and possess remarkable patience for the long haul. I can’t help but think I’m in great company!

Show me what you can do!

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Fitness, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles, Uncategorized

He moved with the confidence and athleticism of a pro, running and jumping higher than ever! He’d also always stop, turn to acknowledge fans, and strike a pose! But there were no fans! No sir, it was just me, his annoyed little sister, watching my brother bask in the joy and magic of his latest pair of new sneakers. Many years later, I now understand.

Yes, I admit I feel more comfortable and energetic with new sneakers! But, of course, I don’t purchase them as often as my brother did, so necessity wins out when I do. I usually know I’m ready for new kicks when my feet feel the ground, my shoes are embarrassingly worn, or I must adjust and retie the strings for support.

Recently, I delayed purchasing sneakers as I stayed closer to home during the Pandemic. I wasn’t visiting the gym, so I didn’t need to worry about my clothes and shoes. I thought my old stuff was fine at home or in the neighborhood. In time, I realized I was wrong.

I discovered that purchasing new sneakers and apparel helped me begin to make exercise a priority. But I didn’t run out and break the bank! There’s a lot to sort through with affordable price points. Instead, I found that fresh colors, styles, and fabrics make my day and motivate me to get up and move!

My brother loved new sneakers long before “Just Do It” marketing campaigns, celebrity spokespersons, and many red-hot brands. He wore inexpensive sneakers (thanks, mom and dad!) and still felt like a champion or someone who could be! Funny, I get it now as I wear my new kicks. I completely understand why he was confident, happy, strong, and ready to take on the world!

Feeling good from head to toe!

Featured by ETWellness, posted in Finding My Place in Health & Wellness, Fitness, I Feel Good!, Lifestyles, Physical Therapy

I just “graduated” from physical therapy! Today, I’m feeling like a million bucks relative to the PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, and SPIRITUAL dimensions of wellness!

As I worked on the health challenge that brought me to physical therapy, I realized how much I missed the gym! Honestly, my exercise routine suffered a lot since Corvid. I didn’t feel comfortable in the health club and avoided mine for the last two-plus years.

Physical Therapy or “PT” helped reignite my excitement about exercising! It took me back to cardio (loving a great sweat!), stretching, and strength training. Suddenly, I could hear Patti Labelle in my ears, singing about my “New Attitude!” and that “I know where I’m going and I know what to do!” I’m now excited about smartly working out, and feeling that special “high” I missed. Oddly enough, I feel freer now and yet more grounded.

I normally go in a different direction with each post. For example, I recently completed one about how much I dreaded returning to physical therapy! So, this moment is about remembering the pure joy of exercise! But it’s also about having a deeper understanding of my experience, and response to the Pandemic. I know I’m not alone.

My graduation day didn’t include speeches, beautiful flowers, family gatherings, and gift cards! But I have to tell you that I loved my t-shirt (a parting gift!). Finally, I’m grateful for a more positive outlook on life, thankful for fabulous professional support, and I look forward to the future!