By the time you read this I’ll be deep in the throes of a ten-day meditation retreat.  That’s ten days, ten hours a day, of meditating.

Great, you’re thinking, she must meditate a lot.

Well, no.  Like, practically never.  So I am terrified (in some ways, exhilarated in others) by the prospect of having to sit still and meditate for Ten. Days.  Ten hours each day.  And no talking.  Did I mention that?  Yeah, this is in silence.  Again:  terrified.

While this is a little, um, dramatic for most, maybe you’d like to know five ways you can incorporate a little entirely painless meditation into your life. Read the rest of this entry »

Tomorrow is my first 10K race and I’m more than nervous. I have been reading about running long distances and the embarrassing problem of having your bowels freak out on you.

Yeah, that. There are even tips on how to ‘go while running.’ Google it if you want. Ick.

That WON’T be happening - there are port-o-potties en route and there is no way I’m going to run any length of race in that manner. I’m not so competitive that I want to win any races that way.

When I ran the 8K of the relay marathon, I was feeling quite unsettled during the 7th and 8th kilometres, and I’m afraid of that happening again. But this time I’m armed with the knowledge that I don’t have to run the whole thing without walking.

I’ve been reading Jeff Galloway’s website and it turns out that even seasoned runners still stop to walk. What a relief!

Taking the time to walk a minute (even through just the water stops) can reduce injury, help you run faster when you are running and Jeff’s tips are aimed to protect yourself for a lifetime of running.

I remember when I first started this journey, how scared I was.

That hasn’t gone away. I keep picking goals that I feel are out of my reach and this 10K tomorrow is exactly that. I think I can do it, but part of me still ‘wants to see if I can.’ Having never before been much of an athlete, I can only assume this is what it is to challenge yourself.

After this 10K tomorrow, my goals are as follows:

August 31 - fit into my bridesmaids dress (yes, this requires more training as I have one more size to lose - ha ha!)
This Fall/Winter - learn to ice skate
October 26 - run the Niagara Falls Half Marathon
Next Mother’s Day - run my first FULL marathon in the Forest City Road Races
Winter 2009 - learn to play ice hockey

I’m sure I’ll pick up a race here and there as I find them.

Can you list some goals that you’re working on and how you’re working toward them? Blog it and link back if it’s a long list - I’d love to watch you succeed!

Feel a little stuck in your life?

Do you sense change on the horizon, yet you don’t quite know how to get there?

There are a lot of ways to manifest change in your life, but I know a really simple one that is 100% effective.  If I told you that you could start this today, and within 30 days or 90 days see real results without having to do anything else, you’d be interested wouldn’t you?

Can it really be that simple?  It can! Read the rest of this entry »

I thought I would share my very favorite thing I do for myself every single morning.

Put it this way. This smoothie is like my wake up punch to the face. It’s my coffee, even though there is no caffeine in it.

IT WAKES ME UP!

(You with me now? Good. Pay attention.)

You’ll need:

Read the rest of this entry »

Hi, my name is Karen and I am addicted to being competitive.

I’ve been wasting a lot of time playing a game lately on Facebook called Word Twist. I loathe this game. It involves making as many words as you can out of 6 letters, or 7 if you’re masochistic. My win-loss statistic is about 25%. That means I have LOST three quarters of the games I have played!

I may never hold my head up again.

But I keep playing it. Why? What trait that you probably also possess keeps me in the game, over and over again? Read the rest of this entry »

While I’ve always been someone who is easily consumed by a goal, this time it’s different. This whole weight loss/strength training/ running journey has not consumed my every thought as it previously did. It’s starting to (I can’t believe I’m saying this) become part of my normal life.

They say it takes what, 17 days to start a new habit?

Call me a slow learner then, because I now say, after nearly 5 months of training, that working out is a part of my every day life.

But I’m stuck.

It seems that I’m stuck as far as inch and weight loss go - though my husband and friends say I look toned. I’m up to running daily just in the last week and so I’m hoping that change will help boost my metabolism further to continue this journey.

A few things you can try if you’re in the same boat:

Read the rest of this entry »

Surrender.

Is this a dirty word to you? White flags? Giving up? Defeat? Or does it mean going with the flow?

Depending on how you answered, you’re either a Spinner or a Masher. Not a cyclist? That’s okay, because these concepts are what we apply to our lives, not just to exercise.

Let me explain: Read the rest of this entry »

You’re tired, you’re hot, you’re sticky. It’s summer and you just got home from work. Take a cue from your kids and use these four ways to relax, shed some summertime stress, and remember your kidhood roots:

1. Eat a popsicle. Seriously, when was the last time you had one? So what if they’re pure evil high-fructose sugar, you deserve one small cold sweet taste of childhood. Or make your own ahead of time from some yummy organic fruit juice. But don’t share if you don’t want to. And be sure to let some drip on your shirt. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re a Work-at-Home Mom or one works outside the home, there’s no excuse for hitting the drive-thru after reading this.

Here are some great ideas to pack your lunch without packing on the pounds.

1) Sick of Salad? Try this twist: 4 cups of mixed greens or baby spinach, 4 sliced strawberries, 3 sliced mushrooms, about an ounce of crumbled feta cheese, a tablespoon of chopped walnuts or pecans (I prefer pecans - they stay crunchier) and 2 tablespoons of light raspberry vinaigrette. Add the dressing right before you eat. Add a fat-free, sugar-free yogurt on the side and you’ve got the making of a lunch that will keep you fueled through the afternoon grumbles.
Read the rest of this entry »

Does this sound familiar?

I should exercise more. I’m not feeling well, so I should rest. I should clean the house. I should cook a good dinner for the family. I should eat better. I should eat less. I should lose a little weight. I should stop procrastinating. I should meditate. I should connect more with my friends. I should take some time for myself. I should spend more time with my family. I should work harder, earn more, save money, take more time off, spend less, buy more, do more for my kids, teach them to be self-sufficient. I should have more energy, be well-rested, watch less TV, read more, be more self-aware, be less irritable.

I should be perfect. I should stop judging myself for not being perfect. I should I should I should I should.

Do your shoulds drive your life? Read the rest of this entry »