Leave the Past Behind... Just Run Away.

     One of the hardest things we'll endure in this life is a break-up, or the demise of any relationship, for that matter.  Most of you have probably experienced the bleak, drained feeling to which I am referring -- if you haven't, consider yourself lucky.  Relationships end for all sorts of reasons, but no matter the reason, they are nearly always difficult and painful.  The dull, aching feeling inside of you feels like it is never going to cease.  You feel like you can't get enough sleep, and that your appetite will never return.  Energy and motivation to workout are not even on your wavelength.  The hardest thing for me is that feeling where I simply do not want to get out of bed, no matter what time of day it is.  I can't find that energy within which I am usually so accustomed to.  Usually, I look forward to my workouts and runs more than any other part of my day -- now, I dread anything that requires physical and mental energy.
     Today, despite the dreary, rainy weather, I forced myself to get out of bed and go for a run.  In that moment, I felt that if I could do that, I could get through anything, so difficult the feat seemed.  It was hard at first, I'll admit, but with every step I gradually felt my energy return and begin to revive me.  As the rain began to fall and the moonlight shone through the dark, stormy clouds, I somehow managed to feel the faint light of hope and optimism.  I kept running, and concentrated on the rhythmic sound of my breathing, the feeling of my heart pumping blood through my veins.  I felt alive, and that I was running toward something new -- away from the pain. I kept going, just as we need to keep going in life, no matter what it throws at us.  Just keep running, moving, praying, loving, hoping... Leave the past behind.

Just Because You Go On Vacay Doesn't Mean Your Fitness Has To...

     For many of us, the holidays are a time of joy, excitement, and indulgence.  Others, however, tend to stress over the lack of time, endless hustle and bustle, and ceaseless social and familial obligations, among other things.  If you're like me, you might even fret over the abundance of extra calories consumed throughout the holiday season, with even less time available to dedicate to exercise.  Many of us might even resign ourselves to the fact that a few extra pounds will be added on during this time of joy and celebration.
     Between holiday guests, family trips and vacations, and other various commitments, sometimes working out makes its way to the bottom of our priority lists.  It's especially difficult to fit exercise into travel and vacations, as you're away from home (and your gym) and your normal, daily routine.  Rather than use vacation as an excuse to slack on your exercise, why not take it with you??  Use vacation as a chance to escape your usual, boring routine, and instead try something different, fresh, and perhaps specific to the area in which you are traveling.  This way, you can turn working out into a fun, anticipated activity rather than a dreaded chore.  Last Thanksgiving weekend, for example, I traveled to Arizona to visit my grandparents for the holiday, and had been somewhat dreading taking five days off from my standard fitness routine.  A few days before my departure, I started researching local hikes and other outdoor activities to do while I was there.  I began looking forward to the warm, sunny weather and clear blue skies which awaited me, and planned to take full advantage -- which I did.  Even Southern California weather does not compare to the perfect, 78-degrees-and-sunny conditions of the Arizona desert in the fall.  Knowing I had five glorious days off work ahead of me, I planned to spend as much of it as possible outdoors and in the sun.  Using the city's website, I planned two beautiful long hikes in the desert red rocks of Sedona, as well as planned a day to walk around and explore the town (not drive) -- three days of exercise taken care of.  I even found the local gym and worked out there as a guest for one day.  The best part about vacation is it gives you the chance to get out on your feet and explore some place new and different, which is an adventure in and of itself.  There is no excuse to spend your vacation indoors watching TV (unless of course you are sick or injured).  So, no reason to let a holiday vacay stand in the way of your fitness routine -- if anything, look at it as a chance for novelty, variety, and adventure!  :)

These are some of the fantastic views I enjoyed on my desert hikes -- what more could you ask for in exercise?!

 

 

 



You Know What They Say... Exercise is the Best Medicine

    

     For many of us, 'that time of the month' is an excuse to lie around, binge on junk food, and neglect our exercise routines (I'm not always exempt from this).  Energy levels are low, irritability is high, and pain and discomfort still higher -- sometimes, the last thing you want to do is get up and get your butt in gear.  However, next time you find that cramps and fatigue are getting the best of you, resist the urge to curl up in a ball with a hunk of chocolate, get up, and get active.  Believe me -- exercise is better than 800mg of Ibuprofen when it comes to menstrual woes.  Take today, for example: I was tired, cranky, and slightly nauseous with an achy lower back and a constant dull pain in my uterus (I'm sure I don't have to describe this feeling to you).  I had made plans earlier to go for an evening jog with a girlfriend, and I could not have been less interested in keeping that date -- I just wanted to go home and curl up in bed in self-pity.  However, I told myself that [maybe] I'd feel better in the end for it and forced myself to get moving.  As it turns out, it's true what they say -- exercise really is the best medicine!  I started my run feeling lethargic and hardly motivated; I ended feeling refreshed, energized, and pain-free!  Headache, cramps, fatigue -- gone!  As hard as it was to get going, I'm glad I pushed myself.  It was definitely worth the struggle.  Remember, the next time exercising is the last thing you want to do, it might be the one thing you should do!  Tried and true.  :)

Cycle of Life

     You may be aware of a more recent trend in health and fitness -- the intimidating, but all-the-more rewarding, spin/cycle class.  It took me a while to jump on the bike, but once I did, I was hooked.  I had always been extremely intimidated by the hour-long, intense workout that people were raving about -- I didn't think I could do it!  A friend finally convinced me to give it a try, though, and I am so glad I did!  I was beginning to plateau in my running, and knew I needed to try something different and perhaps more challenging.  Well, different and challenging it was!  As I mentioned before, I did not think I'd be able to withstand an hour of strenuous and fast-paced cycling.  However, in a class full of motivation, encouragement, and constant coaching by the instructor, an hour turned out to be not only doable, but fun and exhilarating!  I definitely found myself much more sweaty and out of breath than when I run, which told me I was getting the cardio boost I was looking for.  Additionally, no two instructors' methods are the same; therefore, no two workouts are the same level, pace, or rhythm -- this in turn prevents plateauing (a very undesirable and somewhat inevitable workout result).  On average, I find that I burn about 500 calories per spin session, and feel great afterwards!  There is always loud, upbeat music to keep your energy up and your blood pumping.  If you are looking for a thorough and effective workout, cycling class is the way to go!  Even if you're a novice, you'll get the hang of it after that first class, I promise!  :)  Go get your spin on!