Sweating it out

Today I got back on my Nordic Track, pumped up the volume to listen to my Imogen Heap Speak for Yourself CD and got the job done.  Sometimes you simply need to sweat it out.

SDF :O)

Learning to pace yourself

Slow and steady wins the race.
 -Robert Lloyd

Don 't hurry. Don't worry. You're only here for a short visit. So don't forget to stop and smell the roses.
 - Walter Hagen



Last night I was a little naughty.  I stayed up until 2 in the morning reading a book that I couldn't put down.  the book was Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Bebris.  I woke up in the morning at my regular time feeling exhausted.  After eating breakfast, I ended up going back to sleep for a little bit.

I know that we all sometimes have trouble stopping an activity that we enjoy, but learning to pace myself and enjoying in moderation would have been the wisest choice.  Plus, I would have had more of the book to enjoy at another night.  Lucky I have one more book from my birthday stash to read, as well as a library close by.


I also had a conversation last week about taking regular breaks when you are working.  My friend suggested 40 min. work with 20 min. break.  They have actually proven that even though these are slightly longer breaks, the times you are working are more focused and you get more done.  You can do a great deal in 20 min.  It would almost be like finding time for yourself during your work day too!  She mentioned that during the down times, your brain is still churning about the work in the background, so if you are stuck on something, take a small break, and when you come back, you might have the solution popped up all of a sudden.  I think I will try this type of pacing during my next big work week.

Pacing yourself can also mean scheduling batches of work over longer periods of time.  This works really well if you have a plan with different phases.  Of course this means that you need to come face to face with your procrastination demon.  You will not be able to pace yourself and meet your deadlines in life if you wait until the last minute and cram all the work into a smaller amount of time. 

Getting back to my morning, I decided to make myself do my daily workout regardless, no excuses for me.  I ended up doing the killer, but fun, Kettlebell Cardio Balanced.  Holy cow.  I feel pretty worked out from head to toe and ready for another nap.  I'm glad I managed to get through it.  It's a 40 min. cardio with a 7 min. tone and stretch session.  If you like an all around workout, this is a really good one.

I think the reason I managed to get through this workout is because I paced myself.  I did take a couple of breaks, pause action, and then went right back into it after a quick breather.  I think my taking the time outs made all the difference.  

So I continue to live and learn, and I do hope I can learn how to pace myself better in all that I do. 

SDF:O)

Time off and time on

I recently found myself in a time off zone.  I am in between projects and such with no clue what the future is going to bring.  The first day in this time zone, I was upset.  Yes, upset.  After most of my life working and working and working with few and far between vacations, I didn't know how to do this thing called "time off."  What do I do with myself?

I realized I have a slight problem.  I have been working for others for so long, I barely know how to do anything for myself anymore.  Plus, I do admit my ego has been bruised.  Something I wanted for a while did not turn out, and I have nothing to fill this void with.  I have been preparing to shift to a new future, but I didn't realize that the time in between this shift would open up something I have been avoiding for so long - doing things for myself.

The way I was raised probably has something to do with it.  I felt validated as a person when I accomplished things and usually when I did things for others.  My lifestyle mainly turned into working to make money and to helping others.  Most of the money was spent on surviving.

I'm in a different place now, a place I have never been.  I have the support to take some much needed time off.  I have to shirk off all the "oh wouldn't that be nice, you are so lucky," comments.  They have been making me feel guilty.  None of these people know how hard I have worked my entire life without time off.  I understand that some people never get this opportunity.  What would they do if they had it?  They would probably embrace it for all its worth.

I have decided to use this time to recharge, to workout, to explore new opportunities, to reconnect with myself and people in general, to have some fun.  Wow, allow myself to have some fun just because.  There's a new concept.  I mainly had fun and did things to reward myself for hard work.  Now to have fun just because?  It is very foreign to me, and I need to rediscover that I deserve this even if I am taking time off.

Yes, I'm a little in need of catching up to the reality that we are here and because we are here, we are automatically worth good things.  This lesson was not handed to me on a silver platter so instead, I will need to learn it the hard way - by forcing myself to take the time off.  In the past, I have filled this void time with other work.  Today, let's see if I can finally let myself go blank so I can rediscover the possibilities for myself and the future.

Today I'm starting a twice a day work out program.  This morning I did the 43 min. Cardio Party I from Turbo Jam and will probably do some Nordic Track as I watch mindless television tonight.  I am also looking into a volunteer opportunity I have put off for years.

Maybe this "time off" will not be so bad and will turn into "time on" well spent!

SDF :O)

Have fun in whatever you are doing...

Today I did my bonus workout Cardio Groove from Hip Hop Abs.  I adored this work out!  I was having fun, getting my cardio in as well as working my abs the entire time. 
I also noticed myself laughing at Shaun T.  He is a goof ball for sure! 

This work out made me think of how even though I was doing something I had to do, I was laughing and enjoying myself.  Can I transfer this attitude to the other things I "have to do?"

Are there ways to make dreaded chores a little bit more fun?  I'm sure you could think of ways to make a task a little easier to swallow.

Here is the list I came up with:

1. Add a little music to a chore.  Dance while you dust and sing while you fold the laundry.
2. If you have a cardio workout machine like a Nordic Track, treadmill or such, why not watch a little television.  Make sure you step up during the commercials for some extra interval work.
3. Do your dreaded task with a friend. Maybe you both have the same task on your list and doing it together would make it more fun.
4. Figure out a way to reward yourself when you do something you had to do.  It could be something as simple as making sure you take time for a nice bubble bath after a workout or after doing a dreaded chore.

If you have any other ways to make a chore more fun, please feel free to comment!

The next time you are sighing and rolling your eyes about something you have to do, even if it is good for you, remember to figure out a way to make it more fun and go for it!

SDF :O)

Taking risks...

Today I have been thinking a great deal about taking risks. The risk can be a small one such as trying a new food or workout, and it can be a big risk such as moving to a new city or starting a new business.

Life would remain pretty stagnant if people did not take risks.  There would be no new entertainment, teaching methods, books, food, vacations, etc.

Today I took a risk with a new workout, and I liked it!  Thumbs up to Bob! 

However, risks are, well, risky.  This makes risks scary to take.  The unknown, the being in the dark, the not having a clue to what will happen.  Many people shy away from taking risks because of their fears and the desire to not solicit change in your life.

My way of thinking is, if you do not take risks in your life that make sense for you to better your life and move your life forward, changes are going to happen with or without you.  You might as well be adventurous, have fun with your life and control the direction by taking your own risks. At least living your life this way, you will have no regrets, even if the risk turns out to be a big flop or maybe it will take you in a different and better direction...

So take a risk.  Take a small risk to start.  Take a big risk when you are ready.  Be a verb!

SDF :O)